The bride donned a custom-made dress, while the groom opted for Ralph Lauren for their stunning beach wedding in the Caribbean.

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      "We started off as friends," model Arlenis Sosa reflects on the summer day in 2021 when she met writer John McCarty at his brother's engagement party in Long Island, New York. Fast forward six months, their dynamic shifted during a trip with mutual friends to Saint Bart's. "From the very beginning of the trip, the chemistry was unmistakable. We were inseparable, getting up early to see each other (which surprised anyone who knew us), strolling along the beach, and ensuring we sat next to one another at every meal," Sosa tells Who What Wear. “One night, we drove to find the perfect mountain peak to admire the sunset. We ended up on a rocky ledge, watching the sun dip into the ocean. That’s when I truly realized I was falling for John.” Although their time in Saint Bart’s came early in their relationship, friends could feel their unique connection. “One morning at breakfast, one of my friends jokingly said, ‘Arlenis is going to marry John.’ He may have said it lightly, but I was already 95% convinced it was true.”

      Three years later, in August 2024, Sosa flew from her home in Los Angeles to Rhode Island for a photoshoot. “Little did I know, that same evening, John was taking a red-eye to New York City, where he intended to pick up the stunning emerald engagement ring he had crafted for me,” Sosa recounts. However, things didn't go as planned. “Upon arriving in New York, he discovered there was an issue with setting the stone, and the ring wouldn't be ready until the following day. This was crucial since he had to propose that night before I flew out of Rhode Island at 6 a.m. the next morning. Already late, he dashed to the nearest department store, found a ring that somewhat resembled my dream ring, paid $24.99, and raced back.” After a five-hour crawl through rush hour traffic, McCarty reached Newport, Rhode Island.

      Just as Sosa was about to go to bed, she got a text from a friend asking her to meet them in the hotel lobby, but when she arrived, she found McCarty waiting. "As I walked through the lobby and approached the hotel entrance, it felt like an ordinary night. But the moment I saw him at the base of the stairs, it transformed into something extraordinary,” Sosa remembers. “Everything after that is a blur.” In that instant, she saw McCarty drop to one knee, and they started embracing and kissing. Then he asked, “‘So is that a yes?’ ‘Of course!’ I answered.” Engaged for only a few moments, they heard nearby cheers from friends who rushed over with champagne glasses. “I looked at my ring, excited yet surprised. He noticed and whispered in my ear, ‘Don’t worry; that’s not the real one.’” They spent the night celebrating with friends over pizza and champagne.

      That night, they began discussing wedding plans and ultimately chose Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for their February 2025 wedding, coinciding with Dominican Independence Day. The bride incorporated elements of her Dominican heritage into the celebration, from local empanadas to Dominican dancers leading the traditional “Hora Loca.”

      "We welcomed guests to the first official event, welcome drinks, at La Yola, a gorgeous marina-side restaurant and bar known for its refreshing tropical cocktails and delectable seafood." Guests donned bright sunset colors to match the sky transitioning from day to night and were immersed in Dominican culture with dancers, music, and bottles of MamaJuana.

      "While in Paris for my dress fittings and walking in the 6th arrondissement, we stopped by the Dries Van Noten boutique, where I found John the most stunning pale-yellow suit. I immediately knew he would look incredibly handsome, and the color was perfect for the welcome dinner at sunset. [My dear friend and stylist, Yanuel Garcia Laureano] paired the suit with chocolate-brown espadrilles and an ivory knit T-shirt, making John appear as a modern gentleman."

      "For the welcome dinner, we chose to collaborate with NYC-based brand Attersee. I have had a relationship with the brand since it started in 2021, and I've always appreciated their feminine, simple, and tailored aesthetic. My stylist closely worked with the brand, and we decided to modify a vest from their 2024 collection into the dress I wore that first evening."

      "When it came to choosing my attire, I teamed up with [Yanuel]. The guiding principle for everything we selected was to