Jerrod Niemann's Wedding Album

Congratulations! Country singer Jerrod Niemann wed longtime love Morgan Petek atop Puerto Rico's historic fort Castillo de San Cristébal overlooking the ocean on Oct. 12. The groom tells PEOPLE, "I'd marry Morgan in our backyard; she's what makes my dream wedding."

The bride and groom ditched tradition and saw each other before their sunset ceremony. "We didn't want to lose the gorgeous picture opportunities," says Petek, who wore a custom Lazaro gown.

The bride carried a locket containing photos of herself, Niemann and her deceased paternal grandparents. "I wanted them with me while I walked down the aisle," she explains.

The "Drink to That All Night" singer was hard to recognize without his signature field cap. Jokes the bride, "I love seeing us all cleaned up."

Petek carried a bouquet that was a mix of peonies, roses, ranunculus, eucalyptus and rice flowers.

Petek's custom engagement ring holds diamonds from both sides of her family.

Niemann and Petek chose Puerto Rico for its beauty – and because guests didn't need a passport to get there. "We didn't want to stress anyone out," Petek explains.

"I felt like an absolute princess," says Petek, who walked down the aisle on her father's arm. "And I just couldn't wait to see Jerrod standing there."

As a nod to their engagement in New Orleans, the couple had a jazz band lead the wedding party and guests through the streets of Old San Juan to the reception.

For their first dance as husband and wife, Niemann and Petek chose the 1970s Charlie Rich classic "Behind Closed Doors."

The newlyweds danced the night away with their 108 guests – including Niemann's pal Lee Brice – at Casa de España. As for the dancers and stilt walkers at the reception, "It's a circus," says Niemann. "And it's just fun!"

The guest book displayed a caricature of the bride and groom, their pets and their favorite Star Trek characters. Says Petek, "We've seen every episode!"

Life is sweet! The seven-tiered pink confection was made up of both marble cake and coconut rum cake. "I'm just so happy I got to step into her fairytale," Niemann says of the nuptials.

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