Royalton Punta Cana is located on one of the most photogenic stretches of coastline in the Dominican Republic and is one of the most popular places in the area for couples to say yes. From beachfront gazebos to garden settings and the modern resort backdrops, Royalton gives couples a variety of stunning location options for both the ceremony and photos. Below we’ll walk you through the different ceremony locations within the resort, giving you an idea of what a wedding day there usually looks like and how we photograph it.
Why Couples Choose Royalton for Their Wedding
Royalton is one of the most flexible of the larger resorts when it comes to weddings in Punta Cana. Here is what tips the balance for the couples we shoot there:
- More than ten ceremony and reception spaces: Royalton can host an intimate elopement or a 150 guest celebration with ease.
- All inclusive resort: Your guests stay, eat, dance and sleep in the same place making traveling here a lot easier on families.
- The onsite wedding team: Their professional team of wedding coordinators take care of all the resort coordination making the planning process a lot less stressful for couples.
- Walking distance between spaces: The wedding couple and their guests can easily move from the ceremony to photo locations and the reception within just a couple minutes making the day calm while keeping to the timeline.
- Optional Diamond Club VIP tier: Royalton offers an upgraded experience with a dedicated butler, premium spirits, beachfront access and a separate lounge. A popular choice for couples upgrading their own week or their guests’ rooms.
Ceremony & Reception Venues at Royalton Punta Cana
With more than ten ceremony and reception spaces, Royalton really gives couples the ability to match their location to the size and vibe you want for your wedding:
- Beach Gazebo: the classic Caribbean choice, with the white sand and turquoise water backdrop, and room for up to 50 guests. This is the beachside ceremony location your Pinterest board was dreaming of. What we like about this location is it still feels quite private, even with being right alongside the beach.
- Eco Garden Gazebo: a quieter setting surrounded by lush tropical greenery, the Garden Gazebo comfortably sits 10 to 50 guests. This is a great option for couples who prefer shade and a garden feel over open sun and sand.
- Plaza Lobby Gazebo: a more modern, stylish spot in the heart of the resort. The Plaza is perfect for an elegant evening vibe.
A note on the Royalton complex: in the Bavaro area there are several Royalton properties side by side, including Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino (with the Splash water park), Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa, and the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton. Most of the ceremony spaces listed above are shared across the complex, so couples often pick the property that best fits their style of stay while using the same wedding venues.
Receptions can be hosted on the beach, a garden terrace or an indoor ballroom depending on your guest count and the weather backup plan. They also have a fairly large covered tent which makes it possible to host the reception outdoors while still having some shelter in case of rain. Of course here in the Caribbean the rain can be very heavy, so it’s not the same as being fully indoors but it does offer some protection in the case of an unexpected rain cloud passing over.
Royalton offers several curated wedding packages that include your onsite wedding planner, the ceremony location, bouquet, boutonniere, champagne toast and cake, with the option to customize with additional services.
What Your Wedding Day Looks Like at Royalton
The light on Bavaro Beach is strongest in the late afternoon, so we recommend couples plan their ceremony start time for two hours before the sun is scheduled to set. Not only does this ensure the best lighting for your ceremony photos, but the time for your newlywed photos will fall right at the golden hour, perfect for the softest, most flattering photos. Typically day moves from getting ready shots in the suite to the ceremony at the beach or garden gazebo, followed by your newlywed photo session as the sun drops before your grand entrance to the reception. The resort grounds give plenty of variety within a short walk, which keeps the timeline relaxed and the coverage efficient.
Best Time of Year for a Royalton Wedding
Most of our Royalton couples book between November and April, which is known as Punta Cana’s dry season with reliable sun, lower humidity and the most predictable beach light. May and June are quieter and still beautiful, with afternoon rain showers that usually pass quickly. July through October overlaps with the active part of the Atlantic hurricane season. Weddings still happen, but we recommend travel insurance and a backup plan with the onsite coordinator in case of any lingering rain clouds. Whichever month you choose, a late afternoon ceremony is what gives a Royalton wedding the look you see in our gallery.
Photographing Weddings at Royalton Punta Cana
As an independent Punta Cana wedding photography team, we are not tied to the resort’s in-house list, which means we can capture your day the way you want it documented. We’ve photographed weddings at Royalton and all across the Bavaro and Punta Cana area for years, so we know the venues, the light and the timing well enough to keep the day calm and get the shots that matter. If you want to compare options, our guide to wedding venues in Punta Cana covers the most popular spots in the area, including Hard Rock Punta Cana.
Royalton charges an outside vendor fee of $1,200 USD for couples bringing their own photographer. Our wedding photography packages are generally much more inclusive than the options offered by the resort photographer and in many cases, even after adding the outside vendor fee, our total price can still remain more affordable. We are also more flexible and offer options to and assistance with customizing the perfect package to meet your needs.
Weddings are truly our specialty. This is what we focus on and it is where we feel our work is strongest. Although the outside vendor fee is definitely something to consider, couples still find that working with us gives them better value, more personalization and a photography team fully dedicated to their weddings. If you want to know if your date is open, send us a quick message and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
More From Our Royalton Weddings
A selection of moments from real Royalton weddings we have photographed, from getting ready in the suite to cocktail hour on the resort grounds:
Frequently Asked Questions About Royalton Weddings
Does Royalton Punta Cana charge an outside vendor fee for photographers?
Yes. Royalton charges a $1,200 USD outside vendor fee for an external wedding photographer. Even with the fee included, our packages often work out more affordable than the resort’s inhouse photographer with more time, images and a team fully focused on your wedding.
How many ceremony spots does Royalton have?
More than ten ceremony and reception spaces, ranging from the Beach Gazebo on the sand to the Eco Garden Gazebo and the Plaza Lobby Gazebo. This variety is one of the reasons Royalton is a great choice for both small and large wedding guest lists.
What time should we plan our Royalton ceremony?
Two hours before sunset is the rule of thumb in Punta Cana. This puts your ceremony in the soft late afternoon light and your newlywed photos right at the golden hour, resulting in the warm light you see in our Royalton gallery.
Can guests stay at Royalton without being part of the wedding party?
Yes, Royalton is a fully all inclusive resort so guests, family and bridal party can all book rooms there. This makes the logistics easier than an off resort venue where guests usually stay somewhere else and travel in for the day.
What is the rain backup plan at Royalton?
Royalton has indoor ballrooms and a large covered tent that the onsite team can switch to if the weather turns. Caribbean rain can be heavy, so the covered tent gives flexibility for an outdoor reception with a partial backup.
Is Royalton Punta Cana close to the airport?
Yes, Royalton is roughly 25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, which is short enough that guests can fly in the day of the wedding without missing it. We still recommend at least a day of buffer for international travel in case of any flight delays.
A Real Royalton Wedding: Georgia & Michael
For a full look at how a Royalton wedding day unfolds in front of our cameras, see the complete story of Georgia and Michael’s wedding at Royalton Punta Cana: ceremony at the gazebo, golden hour photos along the beach and reception under the Bavaro sky.
See the full Georgia & Michael wedding gallery →
Wedding Film at Royalton Punta Cana
Photos tell one side of the day. A short wedding film tells the rest. Here is the wedding trailer we filmed for Roury and Keenan at Royalton Punta Cana, a quick way to feel the pace and the light of an evening ceremony on Bavaro Beach. For the full story behind their day, see the Roury and Keenan wedding video post.
Ready to Plan Your Royalton Wedding?
If a Royalton wedding is what you are envisioning, we would love to be your photography team. Send us your date and we will get back within 24 hours with availability and our wedding packages information.
Planning Your Royalton Punta Cana Wedding
Royalton is an easy resort to plan around as it’s close to Punta Cana International Airport, works for both small elopements and larger guest lists, and the onsite wedding team handles the logistics with you. For everything else, from choosing the right ceremony time to legal vs symbolic ceremonies and what to pack, our free planning guide covers it.