Real Wedding: Jean & Dominik

Both hailing from Sudbury, Ontario, Dominik Benoit, a medical laboratory technician working in pathology and Jean Benoit, Manager of University Campus Recreation, hadn’t seen each other since childhood until they both ended up at a destination wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The bride had actually tried introducing Jean and Dominik for years because she thought they would make a great pair, but it wasn’t until Dominik saw Jean at the wedding, dressed in his suit all tall, dark and handsome, that she was finally convinced. Jean was intrigued right away and was instantly attracted to her ambition, independence and overall demeanor.

The two would spend that week in Montego Bay catching each other’s gaze from across the room and looking for every opportunity to spend time together, chatting and sharing things with each other they hadn’t told anyone else. They flew back to Canada together and upon landing, went to a restaurant for their first official date. Knowing instantly what they had was real, even though Dominik lived in Toronto and Jean lived in Sudbury, they made every effort to see each other to continue building a strong and lasting relationship. Eventually the two moved to their own place and that’s when they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Then, on one quiet Christmas morning with the help of his daughter, Jean told Dominik that he couldn’t go another day without being married to her and he proposed.

Planning the wedding

After spending that week in Jamaica for her friend’s nuptials, Dominik was convinced that a destination wedding was the best choice for celebrating their love and the couple agreed that they couldn’t beat the simplicity, inclusivity and value of a wedding in the tropics. They eventually decided on Costa Rica as its exotic wildlife and lush jungle matched their adventurous spirit, with Riu Guanacaste winning them over as the perfect resort to bring their wedding vision to life.

Wedding day details

The celebrations began right away with a shoutout on the flight to Costa Rica, then the VIP welcome at the airport and special treatment and complimentary surprises from the resort carrying on to their wedding day. And then, on January 22, 2022, in an intimate beachfront ceremony with 27 of their friends and family in attendance, the couple said, “I do”. The event had a rustic bohemian feel with an earth tone colour scheme that perfectly highlighted the natural beauty of their destination. Dominik was so happy to be able to marry her best friend and Jean knew he made the right choice, sharing his vows and truly feeling that they were becoming one. After their ceremony, the couple surprised their wedding party with a self-choreographed dance to Lil Nas X’s Montero at the reception on the resort’s terrace.

Wedding day wear

Dominik’s gown: A TB gown with a beautiful open neckline with delicate applique

Dominik’s shoes: An open-toed strappy heel from Aldo

Domink’s accessories: Custom diamond earrings to match her wedding band, as well as a matching bracelet that she plans on giving to her daughter in the future

Jean’s attire: A fitted white dress shirt with black Lululemon pants and brown leather suspenders

Jean’s shoes: Brown shoes perfectly matching the suspenders

Jean’s accessories: A sliver chain gifted to him by Dominik on their wedding day

Wedding bands: Dominik’s rings were custom ordered from Etsy and engraved with a sentimental ‘Mon Amour Pour Toujours’ in the couple’s native French tongue. Jean’s ring was a family heirloom, given to him by his father and was the very ring he wore when he got married

The bridesmaids wore: The bridesmaids had free range to choose their own designer and dress style within the wedding’s colour scheme, giving the ceremony a vintage feel

The groomsmen wore: Light grey Lululemon pants with the white dress shirt of their choice and brown leather suspenders and shoes

Small details

First dance: Then by Brad Paisley

Flowers: The bride and her bridesmaids collected rust-coloured tropical flowers from around the resort with other stems and created their own bouquets.

Photographer: Pablo Beita Photography

Hair and Makeup: Done by the bride

Tips for future wedding couples

Enjoy the process. This is a milestone you will never forget and will look back on for the rest of your days. Enjoy all of the little preparations as you craft your very own life moment. The day of the wedding, lean back and let the day take you where it’s meant to go. Bask in the glow that is your soon-to-be eternal love with your life partner that you will build so many memories with.