Ever notice how despite the wedding details and attire you can always spot images from “styled wedding shoots”, wedding photography workshop images or wedding magazine editorial shots in a milisecond?  I admit to being totally spoiled because whenever I see these “wedding” images I can never help but think that for me no matter how stunning the models and how incredible the props and styling there is just something magical about being able to photograph a real bride and groom on their one and only wedding day! When you factor in a setting like the new Paradisus La Perla and an amazing couple like Sierra and Josh reality definitely gives fiction a run for its money. Here is a small sample of images from this beautiful destination wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.All images (c) 2012 Lindsey and Elizabeth Medina.

Part Two of Jessica and Mark´s Mexico destination wedding at the Rosewood Mayakoba.  This beautiful Playa del Carmen destination wedding was featured today on Style Me Pretty! Our last post featured photographs of the getting ready and ceremony parts of the day at the Rosewood Mayakoba. Here are bride and groom portraits and photos of the intimate, relaxed beach reception.

All photographs (c)2012 Elizabeth and Lauren Medina. Event planning and day of coordination by Amber and Nira from Los Angeles wedding planners at Amber Events. Floral design by our friends at Planner 1.

One of my favorite aspects of destination wedding photography is creatively highlighting the couple´s natural and unique dynamic while at the same time showcasing the setting under the changing lighting conditions the moment provides. The exciting (and challenging!) part is that unlike editorial or commercial photography this all happens in what can feel like a speeded up version of real time, wedding moments are so precious they often seem to move much more quickly than any others.  Here are a few bride and groom photographs of the very happy Jessica and Mark overlooking the waterway of the Rosewood Mayakoba.

Bride and groom rejoined the guests at the beach to celebrate. The rustic vintage decor was just lovely… I am such a fan of the string lights, and the very personal table of picture frames was a showstopper!

If you´ve read part one you know that Jessica is a silhouette artist, here are Señor and señora  silouttes on the couple´s reception chairs.

Elizabeth Medina Photography is Mexico´s premier wedding photography studio, photographing amazing couples in beautiful locations throughout Mexico.

What a wonderful day it was! Cassie and Scott’s destination wedding was held at Secrets Maroma in the Riviera Maya. It was a very enjoyable wedding to photograph! This was partly because Cassie and Scott and an extremely kind and thoughtful couple and the wedding itself was just beautiful, but also because the schedule permitted ample time for photography of the wedding party and the bride and groom in different parts of the resort at different times of day which I felt gave an especially great variety and relaxed feel to the photographs, finally there was plenty of Bruce Springsteen played at the reception which always makes me feel right at home. The hard part? Narrowing down this blog post to a few favorites. Where is the “upload entire wedding” button when you need it? Best wishes Cassie and Scott!All images (c)2012 Elizabeth and Lauren Medina.

We love to see star MUA Adrian Guerra and his team from Styling Trio Riviera Maya in action…

I  have to post this pail of  brushes for sandy feet because it is such a super cute idea and I can’t believe I had never seen it!

Ashley and Sal were married in Playa del Carmen, Mexico at the Grand Occidental Xcaret Resort, joined in the celebration by a large group of friends and family who really knew how to have an amazing time on the dance floor. Ashley and Sal are a very warm and friendly couple. It was great to get to know them, from the very beginning of our time together Lauren and I really felt like part of the family! It really meant so much to me to hear that Ashley had been excited about our photo session during the months leading up to the wedding. The wedding day weather started out a little dubious, then outright dark and rainy. We were hoping against hope that it would turn around! Just in time for the “first look” the skies cleared and it turned out to be a beautiful sunny afternoon!

The following photographs are from the trash the dress session…

Playa del Carmen wedding and trash the dress photography by Elizabeth Medina Photography, Mexico’s premier destination wedding photographer.

Every once in a while I have a conversation with someone who as hard as they try just can’t wrap their mind around the idea of a destination wedding. Why would a couple decide to break with tradition and be married far from home? Why on earth would their friends and family even consider leaving the comfort of home to travel so far to attend the wedding? While I am not able to put the special feeling of a destination wedding into words I am pretty sure that anyone who has attended a destination wedding in an amazing location like Playa del Carmen, Mexico (and I am sure this applies to so many other incredible destinations!) completely gets the attraction! I know that I have witnessed enough destination wedding good vibes to have been made a true believer! And hopefully photos like those we were fortunate to be able to capture for Jillian and Vince will make a few converts of their own!

Jillian and Vince’ celebrated their dream wedding with on a beautiful, private, palm tree lined stretch of Playa del Carmen, Mexico beach and then danced the night away pool side. I could not be happier to share the photographs of this lovely couple’s relaxed and beautiful event. Event coordination for this beautiful weather was by Luisa and Galena of Weddings Riviera Maya.  All photographs (c) 2012 Lauren and Elizabeth Medina. Jillian with her dad before the ceremony…scroll down for the beach ceremony and fiesta and photos of the bride and groom on the beach.

Heidi and Chris were married on a beautiful sunny day in Mexico’s Riviera Maya at one of our favorite wedding locations, the El Dorado Royale. This was an amazing fiesta, family and friends had such a great time celebrating with the delightful bride and groom! I am sure there is no way to overstate how much dreaming, planning and thought  goes into each wedding. I am sure that a great deal of thought went into the planning of this destination wedding. I know that for the bride and groom and their loved ones this once-in-a-lifetime day must have flown by in the blink of an eye! I really hope that the photographs Lauren and I fortunate to be able to capture on the wedding day (and at the trash the dress session the next morning!) will somehow help to turn back the calendar and stop the clock, allowing them to re-experience this great day spent with family and friends in Mexico… not just once but for years as part of the beautiful history of a wonderful new family. All images © 2012 Elizabeth and Lauren Medina.

The following photographs are from the trash the dress session the next morning…

I have to think that one of my favorite things that come with destination wedding photographer territory can also be one of the most bittersweet. Getting to meet wonderful, hospitable and caring people like Janelle and Todd and spend with them their most special day is an amazing privilege! The flip side of the coin- knowing that they live too far away for us to crash their future celebrations! Although as cold as it is where they make their home we won’t give up hope of seeing them again in Mexico one of these winters! Janelle and Todd took such good care of their guests (and photographers!) it was a pleasure to see how they enjoyed their wedding in Akumal, Mexico and we hope the photos capture the spirit of the day.  All photographs (c) 2012 Lindsey Medina and Elizabeth Medina.

Its fun seeing the wedding bands that each bride and groom have chosen, Janelle and Todd’s were super unique!

Getting ready and off for the first look! Todd nad Janelle seemed so happy to have this private encounter before the ceremony! And as photographers Lindsey and I were happy to have a chance for some relaxed moments to photograph the couple before things got rolling!

Beach ceremony, Akumal is such a beautiful location. The weather was kind of “iffy” and I think it even rained for a few seconds but fortunately all was good and after the ceremony the sun came peeking out!

I love all the different emotions that are revealed in the next images.

We found Mexico’s next Mariachi!

Accompanied by a Mexican Mariachi trio Janelle and Todd rejoined their guests to party at the Grand Sirenis’ Palapa complete with typical Mexican details like papel picado streamers and the bride and groom calavera cake toppers.

Nope, not finished! The next morning bride and groom were up bright and early for trash the dress photos, so amazing to have the beach to ourselves at such a lovely time of day!

Hola! Its been a while! I know, I know, 2012 has started off a little slow in the blogging department, mostly because of some really fun photo sessions and also because other creative projects have made it hard to find the time to blog. But I am excited to share this really fun couple’s wedding on a beautiful beach in Cancun. These two had so much fun on their wedding day it was contagious, just uploading the days photographs has put a smile on my face today! The day could not have been more gorgeous, could the color of the water in Cancun possibly be more amazing?  All photographs (c) 2012 Elizabeth and Lauren Medina.

A few details and getting ready photos with the beautiful bride, then it was off to join the groom for a very emotional “first look”… if anyone out there believes that when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony it takes away from the emotional moment at the altar I hope you will please be sure to scroll down and check out Chris’ face when Leslie entered the ceremony!

Chris patiently waiting for his bride to arrive for the first look.

Bride and groom had some time alone together before the ceremony, these two just have so much fun together!

Back to join the wedding party and prepare for the ceremony!

Love the navy and hot pink colors, amazing with the turquoise water! And love, love the groomsmen’s navy canvas Tretorn sneakers!

Time for the ceremony on the beach…

HMMMM…. speechless on the next one…

It really was a lovely and very happy day!

Elizabeth Medina is Mexico’s premier wedding photographer, photographing events in Cancun, The Mayan Riviera, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, Yucatan, Guanajuato, San Miguel, and Los Cabos, Mexico.

I am happy to be able to share the photographs from Tracy and Bryan’s beautiful destination wedding. The couple’s Jewish ceremony was held at sunset under a chuppah which overlooked a beautiful Mayan Riviera beach, at Karisma Resort’s El Dorado Royale Resort. The day the couple spent with friends and family was really wonderful with much emotion, fun and enthusiasm on the dance floor. Icing on the proverbial cake? Getting to spend time the next morning with Tracy and Bryan for a morning after trash the dress session! All photographs Elizabeth and Lindsey Medina.

First a few images of the many taken the morning after….

Now the wedding day… Tracy and her girls under the beautiful palm trees.

Bryan and Tracy met for a “first look” before the ceremony, the photo below is bryan’s reaction to seeing Tracy for the first time as a bride. You know we love doing this, especially because it allows us to photograph the bride and groom (and in this case the family) together before the ceremony, leaving more time for bride and groom to spend having fun with their guests post ceremony. And despite common belief, I have witnessed over and over that this private encounter does anything but diminish the emotional impact of the processional,  if anything the opposite seems true!

The Jewish ceremony began right at sunset, very lovely, I hope the photographs are somewhat able to do justice to the moments.

I have a huge appreciation for the way family is included in the Jewish wedding ceremony! Tracy and Bryan each entered the ceremony on their parents arms

Mexico Wedding Photographer Elizabeth Medina Photography, photographing weddings thoughout Mexico.

I think everyone, wedding photographer or not, will probably remember how they spent November 11, 2011. I really hope that everyone’s 11-11-11 was as “lucky” as ours! Trisha and Jeff were such a fun, happy couple, a joy to photograph, their wedding photography in Playa del Carmen included getting ready photographs at El Taj hotel, a Catholic mass at Nuestra Señora del Carmen Chapel on the Quinta Avenida and a reception at Las Palapas, also in Playa del Carmen. We could not help but especially appreciate the beautiful weather for our Playa del Carmen beach photographs after a near brush with rain. (I think that I actually felt 11 tiny raindrops before the weather blew over and the afternoon turned absolutely beautiful!) I would have liked to celebrate this special date by posting only 11 photographs to the blog… but of course it would be impossible to narrow down! Trisha and Jeff, congratulations, we wish you all the very best! All photographs Lindsey and Elizabeth Medina.

Such a beautiful beach wedding! Yari and James are an awesome couple! We loved being able to share in the oodles of laughter (and more than a few happy tears!)  these two shared with their friends and family throughout the day. By the end of the evening we felt like we had made a whole new group of friends (not to mention a new branch of the Medina clan). It was very clear that many hours had been spent lovingly and carefully planning this lovely vintage inspired beach wedding. The Azul beach resort in Puerto Morelos, is one of our favorites in the Riviera Maya, it was perfect for this intimate event. I hope the photographs reflect a bit of the happiness and bring back wonderful memories for the bride and groom! All photographs Lauren and Elizabeth Medina.

This destination wedding had a vintage theme that was carried out elegantly, the brooch bouquets carried by the bride and bridesmaids were amazing!

Elizabeth Medina Photography, Mexico’s premier wedding photographer, photographsdestination weddings, offering wedding coverage throughout Mexico and internationally.

Mexico… what can I say I am a little biased since this is my home. But there are no two ways about it…  I am firmly convinced that there can be no more perfect place to be married! Kim and Thomas’  wedding at the Royal Resort in Playa del Carmen is a case in point. The couple shared a very intimate and relaxed  gazebo ceremony with a very happy and spirited group of family and friends, followed by an exhilarating toes in the sand beach side fiesta. In  between we somehow managed to steal time for images of the couple enjoying each other and the moment. Kim and Thomas, we had such a wonderful time with the two of you. We hope the photographs bring back some great memories!

The first photographs are from the morning after the wedding when Lauren and I met up with Kim and Thomas for a brief “morning after” shoot.

The big day! A few detail and getting ready photos…

Not only was she amazing to start with Kim had Adrian Guerra performing his makeup art!

When the veil goes on the whole bride thing somehow seems to becomes real.

The gazebo ceremony site, lovely and the wedding colors really popped against the blue sky, turquoise ocean and palm trees!

All photographs (c) 2011 Elizabeth and Lauren Medina. Elizabeth Medina Photography, photographing weddings throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum, Mexico.

Greetings! I hope everyone is having a relaxing summer!  Toan and Jessica’s destination wedding was held at the Royal Cancun. Hot and humid with clear skies above the beach ceremony and reception, Cancun’s famous white sand and turquoise water were amazing. All in all a beautiful day in paradise… right up to the end of the reception when a sudden rain took us all by surprise! Lindsey and I met up with the  bride and groom early the next morning for the day after session. This was a lot of fun as well and  a great chance to take some relaxed photographs (especially once everyone had finished waking up!) Jessica…. you have been patient long enough so I will stop writing so that you and Toan can see a few of the photographs from your very special big day in Mexico! Below, a few bridal photographs before the ceremony. I loved Jessica’s smile and the wedding colors really popped with the bright water in the backdrop!

The wedding party was a lot of fun… it was HOT out and super bright on the beach but they were a lot of fun all through the photos.

It was a great party…this was such a fun crowd and DJ Doremixx kept everyone on the dance floor.

Elizabeth Medina is Mexico’s premier destination wedding photojournalist, photographing weddings throughout Mexico in locations including the Yucatan, the Mayan Riviera, Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Vallarta, Las Caletas, San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato, Cabo San Jose and Cabo San Lucas and available for international commissions.