Kayla and Brandon met at Pittsburg State University in 2013, when Kayla was a freshman and Brandon was a senior. After graduation, Brandon got his first teaching job 120 miles away – but he still drove a few hours with Kayla after work as often as he could. Six years later, when Kayla was preparing to graduate as a nurse, Brandon proposed. “It was very intimate and special,” says Kayla. “When I went to my graduation, I was able to show all my friends and family my beautiful ring that he had picked out for me.”

When the couple saw the new Sandal Dunn’s River Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, they immediately knew they wanted to have a smaller wedding there. Kayla and Brandon envisioned an intimate wedding with just six guests. “We wanted to bring the Jamaican way of life and style to our wedding,” says Kayla. They trusted the resort’s planners, who helped the duo realize their vision of a beach ceremony and tropical dinner party on June 7, 2023. “They brought our fairytale wedding to life,” says Kayla. “They were just amazing!” Read on to get the details of this couple’s evening beach ceremony, intimate dinner, and silent disco dance party in the photos below by Amanda Julca.

Kayla admits that wedding planning was stress-free for her. By having the team at Sandals plan and coordinate the wedding, she was able to fully enjoy her big day and spend as much time with her family as possible. “I’m so thankful that we planned our wedding with Sandals to have a small, intimate wedding with no stress,” she says. “They have such an amazing team, from the planners to the vendors to the photographer and videographer.”

While preparations were underway, Kayla and Brandon explored the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls and welcomed their guests with a casual rehearsal dinner on the beach in Jamaica. Guests also received tote bags full of local treats upon arrival, complete with labels featuring the couple’s custom monogram.

When Kayla went wedding dress shopping, she fell in love with two dresses – so she decided to buy both! She wore one for the ceremony and the other for the reception. Her Maggie Sottero ceremony dress featured a V-neck and floral embellishments; she accessorized with a personalized necklace from Art by Amy that belongs to her mother-in-law’s best friend.

Kayla owns a medspa and prepped her skin before the wedding with a facial and a special skincare routine. “The two skincare lines I used before my wedding day were Meaux and Glymed+,” she says.

Brandon chose a Michael Kors tuxedo from Sara Loree’s Bridal. Brandon also wore a YSL perfume on the wedding day. “It was a perfume that caught her attention years ago, and I wanted to use it on our big day,” he says.

Kayla and Brandon were married on the beach, where a runner was laid out in the sand and a few chairs were set up for the family. “Since we were planning a wedding at another venue and several friends and family members couldn’t make it, we decided to have an intimate wedding with just us and our family watching,” says Kayla. “I wanted to see my guests on the beach and remember all of their faces as I walked down the aisle.”

An A-shaped wooden arch was decorated with native plants and flowers in bright shades of pink, orange and green, and additional arrangements and lanterns were placed along the aisle.

Kayla and Brandon exchanged traditional vows at the ceremony, as they had previously exchanged handwritten notes. “They were very personal and we both cried,” Kayla says. “We now have those notes in our memory box to look at and read.”

Their planners recommended incorporating a sand ceremony into their wedding ceremony. “It was one of the most memorable moments of our wedding,” says Kayla. “We combined our sand into a keepsake that symbolizes Brandon and I joining together. We love it and it hangs in our home.” They celebrated down the aisle as the sun set and the ocean waves rolled in behind them.

After the ceremony, Kayla and Brandon gathered with their guests to mingle and enjoy some appetizers. “The best part was fresh coconuts with our initials carved into the sides,” says Kayla. They offered a cocktail called “Rum Away with Me,” and for entertainment, they hired Moses Beckford to sing and play guitar. “He was one of the best live artists I’ve ever heard,” says the bride. “He was incredible and our family was so impressed with his talent.”

For the reception, a single dining table was set up on the beach under bistro lighting. The location was perfect; the table was nestled between palm trees and the sun was setting on the horizon,” says Kayla. Another A-shaped arch was added above the table, where basket lanterns provided light after dark.

The table decoration consisted of tropical flowers and plants and scattered candles. For the place settings, the couple chose woven plates, gold cutlery and linen napkins.

For the reception, Kayla wore a Morilee by Madeline Gardner dress with a V-back with buttons and a beaded bodice. “My reception dress was very modern and meant for the dance floor,” she says.

Kayla, Brandon and their guests enjoyed crab-crusted snapper and steak for dinner. “Everything Sandals’ team prepared was so delicious,” says Kayla. “My mouth is watering just thinking about it.”

In addition to live music, the couple hired talented fire dancers for a show that ended with fireworks.

Kayla and Brandon’s wedding cake featured two layers of vanilla cake – the bride’s favorite. “One of the best cakes I’ve ever eaten,” she says. The cake was presented on a large tropical leaf and decorated with bright native flowers and greenery.

At the end of the night, Kayla and Brandon had their first dance wearing silent disco headphones (which they highly recommend!). They swayed to “Until I Met You” by Stephen Sanchez. “It was a perfect way to end our night,” says Kayla. “It was a dream come true!”

The couple extended their stay at Sandal Dunn’s River Resort for their honeymoon. Kayla and Brandon recommend Sandals to couples planning a destination wedding. “I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else with the most important day of our lives,” says Kayla. “They took the stress out of our wedding so we could enjoy that very important day. I wouldn’t change a thing.”