Pitorro Toasts, Table Captains & Pure Celebration: Brenlee & Jonathan's Epic Puerto Rican Wedding at Hacienda Campo Rico
- Erimar Benitez Burgos
- Jan 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 26
An Unforgettable Celebration in Carolina, Puerto Rico
It's been months since Brenlee and Jonathan's wedding, and I still can't get over the magic of that day. This celebration had everything: elegant yet relaxed details, authentic Boricua flavor, and a party nobody wanted to end. Let me walk you through every magical moment at Hacienda Campo Rico.
The Aesthetic: Minimalist Elegance Meets Island Backdrop
The Ceremony: An Ethereal "I Do" Secured by Our Littlest MVP
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings The ceremony on the Hacienda's back patio was defined by impactful simplicity. We eschewed traditional arches for semicircle floor arrangements of lush white florals and greenery, creating a grounded, intimate frame for the vows. The couple was ready, the backdrop was perfect, and most importantly, the rings were safe—secured by our very own little security guy! Watching our tiniest MVP take his sacred duty so seriously was one of the sweetest, funniest emotional highlights of the day.
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
The aesthetic remained modern: the use of Ghost Clear chairs added a contemporary, ethereal touch, ensuring nothing distracted from the couple and the stunning natural backdrop. With the subtle swell of live music filling the air, the emotional tone for the day was set.
The Cocktail Hour: Craft Beer & Aperol Spritz
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
Once the ceremony concluded, guests moved to the front of the Hacienda for cocktails. As a craft beer lover, Brenlee wanted her guests to enjoy her favorite drink from the start—beers displayed in buckets next to the seating chart. We strategically placed the beers with the seating chart so that guests could find their table by picking up their glasses (information added to the glasses), take a selfie in the mirror, and continue enjoying good music and delicious appetizers.
The Reception Decor & Design
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings, Decor and Floral: Jat Lozano
The reception space was transformed into a sophisticated, luxurious environment with a modern, intentional color palette:
Table Layout: We utilized a dynamic mix of serpentine crystal tables and classic round tables, creating visual movement and interest across the floor.
Color Palette: The primary colors were crisp white and rich gold, balanced by subtle black accents for a touch of modernity.
Elevated Details: Napkins provided a pop of unexpected color in luxurious emerald green. Guests were seated in chic gold and black chairs.
Stationery & Ambiance: Place settings featured elegant vellum menus and escort cards. Above, soft, flowing fabrics were draped from the ceiling over the dance floor, and the room glowed with abundant candlelight, creating a romantic, sublime atmosphere.
The Legend-Making Details: Weddings that touch the hearts of their guests
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
The celebration officially kicked off with a Grand Entrance for the wedding party and the newlyweds—setting the tone for the high energy and fun to come.
This is the section that truly elevated the celebration from beautiful to LEGENDARY. Brenlee and Jonathan infused their reception with highly interactive stuff and authentic Boricua elements designed to transform guests from observers into active participants.
1. The Pitorro Toast: Skip the Champagne
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
Like true Puerto Rican, Brenlee and Jonathan skipped the standard bubbly. Instead, they toasted their marriage with Pitorro, Puerto Rico's potent, artisanal rum. That single toast—steeped in local flavor—ignited the party from the first minute and sent a clear message: Get ready to celebrate.
2. Table Captains: A Genius Party Hack
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
Immediately following the toast, servers delivered a secret assignment. An alarm sounded, and each table received a designated "Table Captain" responsible for maintaining the energy and excitement throughout the night. This stroke of genius guaranteed high participation, laughter, and a packed dance floor from start to finish.
3. The Mandatory Photo Twist: Spontaneous Group Shots
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
Midway through the evening, the Table Captains were activated again. Each table was assigned a different song. Led by their captain, the entire table danced its way to the center of the floor for a quick, spontaneous group photo with the newlyweds.
The Result: Genuine, joyful, and organic photos with absolutely every single guest—eliminating forced lineups and capturing pure celebration.
Sweetness with a Sophisticated Twist
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings The desserts were a curated mix of luxury and local delight:
The Luxury Cake: Valeria from Dulce Pétalo created a stunning, modern wedding cake. The design featured a beautiful, subtle textured corrugated style—a sophisticated nod to contemporary wedding trends—ensuring the cake was as high-fashion as the party was high-energy.
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings Artisanal Gelato: Divinissimo Gelato brought their artisanal cart, featuring wine-based gelatos, including the newlyweds' favorite flavors. Everyone came back for seconds!
The Late-Night Plot Twist: Gourmet Hot Dogs
As the party continued late into the night, the perfect recovery fuel arrived: a sophisticated late-night snack that was anything but typical. Forget standard fare—we featured premium, gourmet hot dogs from a local Puerto Rican entrepreneurial family, Perros Urbanos.
These weren't just hot dogs; they were culinary creations:
Premium Ingredients: Crafted with artisanal sausage, special bread, and unexpected, high-end stuffings.
Signature Combos: Imagine Caprese salad fillings, or sophisticated pairings like goat cheese, truffled honey, and pistachios.
This detail perfectly blended local entrepreneurship with late-night luxury, providing a delicious, memorable final bite.
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
Interactive Experiences: Elevated Entertainment
Beyond the dance floor, we offered three high-value interactive stations that gave guests unique keepsakes and unforgettable moments.
Video Guest Booth: Carlos from Carlos Eric Photography provided this service throughout the entire reception. Services was available all night for recording candid, hilarious, and heartwarming messages—pure gold.
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
Live Candle Station: Guests customized and poured their own scented candles on the spot, taking home a bespoke, fragrant memory. (The Coconut Breeze 🥥 was a massive hit!) Shout out to Aromas D&D for their work!
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
Live Watercolor Painting Station: Tania from Había una Vez created stunning watercolor live paintings throughout the night. Guests loved watching art come to life while enjoying the party—a unique keepsake from the celebration.
A Non-Stop Musical Journey
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
The entertainment was executed in three distinct, escalating phases:
Grupo Sin Nombre: The live tropical band guaranteed an immediate, irresistible pull to the dance floor.
DJ VBRNT: Seamlessly blending salsa, reggaeton, and current hits, keeping the energy maximized. Heriberto kept the dance floor on fire! 🔥
Hora Loca (The Crazy Hour): CR Entertainment brought the iconic batucada drums and LED dancers, elevating the party to a sacred, explosive peak—a mandatory moment at any epic Puerto Rican wedding.
The Planner’s Takeaway
Brenlee and Jonathan's wedding at Hacienda Campo Rico was a testament to the power of thoughtful details designed for guest enjoyment. It was the perfect fusion of elegant design and unbridled, authentic fun. It is exactly this kind of personalized, high-energy event that makes us fall in love with wedding planning all over again.
(P.S. The best plot twist? Brenlee already wants me to planed her vow renewal... and guess what? the answer is an immediate YES.)
💖 Ready to Plan Your Wedding?
If you are looking to create a destination wedding that delivers both magazine-worthy style and a legendary party experience, let's connect. I specialize in designing authentic, unforgettable celebrations at premier venues like Hacienda Campo Rico that truly reflect your personality.
Photo credit: Alex Dali Weddings
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