Real Sunlover Weddings: RIU AQUARELLE
REAL SUNLOVER WEDDINGS: RIU AQUARELLE
May 8th 2026
NAKIA + JOHNATHAN JOHNSON
Wedding Date: February 28th 2026
Resort: RIU Aquarelle, Jamaica
Ceremony Location: Beach
Reception Location: Pepe’s Hut on the Beach
Photographer: Sirenna Studio
Sunlover Travel Agent: Kerri Logan Shirk
Destination Wedding at Riu Aquarelle Jamaica:
Nakia and Johnathan's Real Wedding Story
Planning a destination wedding in Jamaica is one of the most personal, high-stakes decisions a couple makes. When Nakia and Johnathan Johnson said yes to planning a Riu Aquarelle destination wedding in Runaway Bay, Jamaica, they were not just choosing a resort. They were choosing an experience for 65 guests, and a specialist to help them navigate everything from room blocks to a hurricane rescheduling. This is their real wedding story, and a behind-the-scenes look at what destination wedding planning in Jamaica actually looks like when you have the right advisor in your corner.
Why They Chose a Destination Wedding in Jamaica:
We chose a destination wedding because we wanted something intimate, meaningful, and memorable- not just for us, but for our guests too. It gave us the chance to turn our wedding into a full experience where everyone could relax, celebrate, and spend quality time together in a beautiful place we love.
Why Riu Aquarelle Won Them Over:
We chose Riu Aquarelle because it checked a lot of boxes for us and our guests. The biggest deciding factor was that it felt like the perfect mix of beautiful, modern, fun, and affordable without sacrificing the “luxury vacation” feel. A few things that really stood out to us:
It’s a newer resort, so the rooms, restaurants, pools, and overall vibe felt fresh and modern.
The all-inclusive aspect made it easier for our guests because food, drinks, entertainment, and activities are included.
We loved that it had options for everyone- couples, families, and kid, since we’re traveling with guests of different ages.
The resort has multiple pools, beachfront views, restaurants, entertainment, and even a water park
The Moment They'll Never Forget:
One of the most memorable moments was definitely our reception! Everyone was dancing, laughing, and just genuinely having fun together. It was one big celebration with all the people we love. Seeing our family and friends let loose and enjoy themselves in Jamaica made it so special. The food was so good at the reception as well and the drinks! Everyone had a good time.
What It Was Like Working with a Jamaica Destination Wedding Specialist:
Our experience with Kerri and Sunlover Travel was amazing!! She made the entire process so much easier and less stressful, especially with coordinating travel and accommodations for 65+ guests. She was very responsive, organized, patient, and always willing to answer questions or help with any issues that came up. We had some crazy travel experiences from Phoenix to Jamaica and Kerri stepped in offering to help, which we really appreciated. Having someone guide us through everything for our wedding journey really allowed us to enjoy the planning process instead of feeling overwhelmed.
Advice for Couples Considering a Jamaica Destination Wedding:
If I could do anything differently, I would probably recommend visiting the resort and seeing the wedding location in person beforehand if you’re able to. It helps you feel more prepared and confident about the setup, the layout, and the overall experience for your guests.
My biggest advice to other couples considering a destination wedding is to remember that not everything will be perfect — there may be some mishaps or unexpected changes along the way, and that’s okay. Try not to stress over every little detail because everything really does come together in the end. Focus on enjoying the experience, being present with your partner and guests, and making memories. That’s what you’ll remember most.
The Best Part of Having a Destination Wedding:
The best part about having a destination wedding was being able to celebrate while also being on vacation with the people we love most. Instead of the wedding feeling like just one day, it turned into an entire experience where everyone could relax, spend quality time together, and make memories throughout the trip. It was so special having our loved ones all in one place, celebrating together in such a beautiful setting.
Notes from Sunlover:
When a Hurricane Hits Your Jamaica Wedding Week
Planning a destination wedding in Jamaica is one of the most meaningful things I get to be part of. But October 2025 reminded all of us that the Caribbean writes its own calendar sometimes, and a hurricane does not care about your seating chart.
Nakia and Johnathan had everything in place. Flights booked. Guests confirmed. Dresses packed. And then a storm came through and changed everything.
Here is what happened, and why it matters to every couple considering a Caribbean destination wedding.
What Happened at Riu Aquarelle After the Hurricane
After the hurricane passed, we waited. Not because we were not paying attention, but because the situation on the ground was still unfolding. Riu Aquarelle assessed the damage, and in the weeks that followed, word came that the resort was planning to reopen right around the original wedding date.
Technically, they could have kept everything as scheduled.
But this couple thought beyond themselves. They did not want to show up to Jamaica while the island was still catching its breath. They did not want the resort staff, many of whom had just lived through a hurricane, to be focused on pulling off a wedding celebration before they had fully recovered. So they made the call to move the date, and they made it for the right reasons. From there, it was my job to make sure that decision did not cost them anything.
How We Protected Every Guest's Rate During High Season
The new date landed in spring break. High season. One of the most in-demand and highest-priced weeks of the year at any Jamaica resort.
We went back to Riu Aquarelle and negotiated every room at the original low season rate, for the couple and for every guest in the group, at no additional cost.
Not a partial adjustment. Not a goodwill gesture. The same rate.
That negotiation happened because of relationships built over years of bringing groups to the Caribbean the right way. Resort teams, wedding coordinators, and sales managers know that when Sunlover Travel brings a group, we bring it right. That history is exactly what you are tapping into when you work with a Jamaica destination wedding specialist instead of going it alone.
What a Jamaica Destination Wedding Specialist Actually Does in a Crisis
When a hurricane disrupts a destination wedding, the work goes far beyond rebooking flights. As your Jamaica travel advisor, here is what was happening behind the scenes:
- Monitoring the storm’s impact and the resort’s recovery timeline from day one
- Communicating with every guest in the group so no one was operating on a rumor
- Coordinating new travel dates across multiple airlines and departure cities
- Protecting the couple’s wedding package so nothing was lost in the transition
- Negotiating with the resort from a place of relationship and knowledge, not desperation
- Keeping the couple focused on what still mattered: they were getting married
When your all-inclusive destination wedding is being rebuilt in real time, you need someone who has done this before. Someone who knows what is possible, can tell you the truth, and can hold the vision of what this trip is still going to be while working the problem in the background.
The wedding happened. It was beautiful.
New date. Same love. Same group of people who showed up for this couple. And because the rates held, no one had to make a painful decision about whether they could still afford to attend.
That is the outcome we were working toward from the moment the storm made landfall.
Why the Right Advisor Changes Everything for Your Jamaica Destination Wedding
Any agent can book a resort. What you need for a destination wedding is a Caribbean destination wedding specialist who has the industry relationships to move when things go sideways, the experience to know what levers exist, and the composure to work the problem without putting that weight on you.
At Sunlover Travel, destination weddings are not a side service. They are a specialty. And the difference between the right advisor and going it alone rarely shows up on a sunny day. It shows up when a hurricane is heading for your wedding week and someone has to get on the phone and make it right. Working with an experienced destination wedding travel agent means you are never navigating a crisis alone.
That is exactly what we are here for.
XoXo,
Kerri
Kerri Logan Shirk, known in the industry as Caribbean Kerri, is a Jamaica destination wedding specialist and luxury travel advisor at Sunlover Travel. She holds Sandals Royal Chairman Platinum Elite status and has been recognized by the Jamaica Tourist Board, The Knot, and ALG Vacations as one of the top destination wedding travel agents in the country. Her planning services are always complimentary.
Sunlover Travel is a boutique travel agency based in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing in destination weddings, honeymoons, and luxury tropical travel.
Ready to start planning your destination wedding in Jamaica? Reach out to Kerri at Sunlover Travel and let’s find the perfect resort for your vision, your guests, and your budget. Your planning consultation is always complimentary, and the relationships we have built with resorts like Riu Aquarelle mean you have a real advocate in your corner from day one.
