Such a wonderful couple, surrounded by family, Lauren and I really enjoyed this wedding! The weather on their wedding day could not have been crazier, bright sunny skies and then a very sudden downpour just as the ceremony was ending. Group photos in a gazebo filled with 100 guests taking shelter from the rain was a first! I had to admire Mitul and Loan for taking the change in weather completely in stride and continuing to have such a great time with their wedding party and guests! It was just awesome that we had a trash the dress session scheduled for the next morning. The weather was perfect and I really loved the additional bride and groom photographs we were able to take around the resort as well as photograph Mitul and Loan with the dress (and suit!) in the ocean. Thank you so much Mitul and Loan! Can’t wait to get cracking on your album!

Wondering about the weather…

All the guys in the wedding party wore khakis and white shirts with fun white and tan tennis shoes, this little nephew was one of the guys!

This wedding party had an awful lot of personality as yoy can see in the next photo!

These two make such a great couple! While I suspect that being photographed might not be Mitul’s favorite activity he was such a great sport and never complained even thought I don’t think he had more than a few hours of sleep before having to wake up for the day after session.

With 2010 here for a while and it is great to be able to share one last 2009 wedding! Thank you, thank you Angela and Chris for your patience and total lack of bride (and groom) zillaness as I slowly but surely edited the many photos from your Dreams, Tulum wedding! I will stop the chatter now and let the photos of this bright and happy destination wedding at one of my very favorite locations do the talking. Congratulations, Angela and Chris, thank you so much for letting Lauren and I photograph your beautiful and very special destination wedding!

A few details: the colors of the flower’s in Angela’s bouquet really “popped” and had to love her choice of spunky purple shoes!

Getting ready and a photograph of the beautiful bride. I can’t mention enough how much I appreciate it when the bride is able to dedicate a window of time to bridal photos before the action begins.

Angela and Chris planned to meet for a “first look”, those moments are some of my favorites from the day.

Anglela and her girls pre-ceremony.

Dreams Tulum has such serene and beautiful ceremony site!

The happy groom awaiting the ceremony…

Group hug!

During the ceremony some clouds rolled in, just enough to bring a very brief shower and an amazing rainbow!

Bride and groom, sunset beach photographs, I don’t know how it could get much better.

Luego la fiesta…con muy buen ambiente!

Destination wedding photographer Tulum Mexico. Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography in the Mayan Riviera, Yucatan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, San Miguel de Allende and throughout Mexico.

This wedding will go down in history as a party to remember. Now if only this photographer could get a certain song out of her head!  Pj and Kate were married in a Catholic ceremony at the Maroma Chapel in the Mayan Riviera. The wedding preparations as well as the coctail hour and dinner reception were held at the beatiful Excellence Riviera Cancun and the wedding was coordinated by Luxe Destination Weddings. Kate and PJ are such a fun young couple who really knew how to relax and enjoy their celebration. Muchas Gracias PJ and Kate! We hope the photographs bring back lots of memories!

Elizabeth Medina wedding photographer Riviera Maya Mexico.

Hola! Slowly getting caught up with December weddings! Tt was a pleasure to finally be able to photograph Milena and Gerry´s wedding! Planned originally for a date in the very midst of the Swine Flu outbreak, Gerry and Milena´s much awaited May 2009 wedding had to be postponed at the very last minute. Fortunately they and their guests who traveled in from both North and South America were able to go with the flow and gather in Mexico for a very memorable December celebration. What a fun, fun group! Be forewarned I am including many detail photos in this blog post! Milena and Gerry, aside from being lots of fun to photograph, are a very creative couple and they incorporated many projects and a lot of style into their wedding plans, let me tell you Martha Stewart has nothing on these two!

The cermony was held on a rooftop “Sky Deck” overlooking the ocean. I was not sure what to expect of this location but was very favorably surprised, the ceremony was just lovely.

More details! The Capiz shells made the most beautiful sound all through the ceremony.

Lindsey’s photo…

The reception, more details…I had to share the children’s place settings because it was such a cute idea and something we had not seen before. I am sure it was a huge hit with the flower girls and ring bearers (and their parents!) because it kept the little ones entertained all through the reception.

A few images from the TTD session, also at the Azul Sensatori. This session was actually done the evening before the wedding and was a great chance for us to get to know the bride and groom before the big day. Non wedding day sessions are really special to me because they give an opportuntiy to really focus on the couple and their interaction with each other.

The next two images are from Lindsey’s camera… I may be a bit biased but I think they are just beautiful.

Azul Sensatori wedding photography by destination wedding photographer, Elizabeth Medina. Wedding photojournalism in the Mayan Riviera and throughout Mexico.

Adrienne and Evan were married at Milamores,  a secluded beach front property near Tulum, Mexico, which according to legend was originally built by famous drug king pin Pablo Escobar. Mil Amores is now living a whole new life as an “eco chic” boutique hotel and was a peaceful and private wedding location for Adrienne and Evan. Despite the weekend beginning with some weather “issues” due to pesky Hurricane Ida, the wedding day was unforgettable and the beach amazingly calm and beautiful for the oceanfront ceremony. Adrienne and Evan are a very loving couple and had planned so many thoughtful surprises for their guests it was really fun to see (and photograph!) each charming detail and how everyone had such a good time all through the evening’s celebration.

The bride and groom before the ceremony… muy guapos los dos!

Tulum’s wedding coordinator Gwen Grossett of Destination Weddings Tulum was on hand to make the wedding and reception all come together and run smoothly. Below, Adrienne walking through the jungle on the way to the ceremony.

The reception was moved indoors due to the uncertain weather, so while things may have been a little different than planned the ambiance was simply amazing.

Tulum wedding photography by Mexico destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina at Milamores, Tulum, Mexico.

If ‘wedding’ and ‘rain’ are two words that really don’t belong in the same sentence then I think ‘Mexico beach wedding’ and ‘hurricane’ don’t even belong in the same dictionary! Donna and Patrick’s wedding had an unexpected guest in the form of Hurricane Ida as it passed by Playa del Camen, Mexico on its way through the Atlantic. Despite some wind and rain the wedding went off as planned in the gazebo. Destination weddings are so much fun and such relaxed affairs, I had the distinct impression at times that the guests were to busy enjoying themselves to even notice the weather! Despite the very unusual weather  it was a very beautiful wedding and such a treat to be able to document it all and I was thrilled to be able to photograph Donna and Patrick on the beach the next morning.

It stopped raining just long enough for Patrick and Donna’s “first look” before the ceremony. Lindsey photographed the moment from a balcony.

The bride and groom photos were moved indoors due to the weather, Donna and Patrick are such a beautiful couple and such troopers!

The first dance…

The next morning we were able to hit the beach for a morning after session. It was so peaceful and quiet, the only other people out were a few surfers taking advantage of the rare occurance of surfable waves in Playa del Carmen.

Wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography at the Royal in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

I had looked forward to this wedding for quite a while!  Having photographed Ana Paulina with her sisters (and of course Junior!) I already knew what a gorgeous a bride she would be and that the civil wedding (this was part 1 for this couple, the religious wedding is coming up in November) to be held during the “temporada”  in Uaymitun, Yucatan would be a very special event. Not to mention that it was coordinated by our amazing friends at BAKU Events! There really is no place like home and we are so excited about the upcoming weddings we have this fall here in Merida. It was really fun to see so many familiar faces and it was especially nice to see some of our past and future brides looking so totally fabulous and having such a great time celebrating with Ana Paulina and Gabriel. There is no doubt that Yucatan is an amazing place, in large part because of its wonderful people!  Felicidades Ana Paulina y Gabriel, estamos emocionadisimas por la boda en noviembre!

Or should I say a hot day with a hot couple?  :-)  Also true! It had to be one of the hottest days of the year, hopefully of the century! But with the clear blue sky and the gorgeous turquoise blue Playa de Camen water just perfect for a wedding, especially with Megan and Michael, a lovely couple who didn’t need much encouragement to go for it and fit in a mini trash the dress session before the reception. (Did I mention it was a hot day?). These two have so much fun together, it was fun to see all the laughter in the photographs!  Congratulations to you both! Lindsey and I wish you all the best in your life together!

Megan and her girls on the way to the ceremony…

My new favorite hammock photo…

Speeches…

First dance…

Wedding day energy…there is nothing like it! One thing I love about wedding photojournalism is that there are so many emotions being experienced though out the day, documenting the joyful, beautiful real emotions (and also of course the craziness of it all) is an absolute adventure and the only thing that you can know for sure is that no two weddings are ever alike! Michael and Kelly are a fantastic couple with absolutely amazing energy for being in the moment and enjoying each other and the group of family and friends that joined them in Mexico. The day seemed to fly by so fast! I think one of the most wonderful thing about photography is its ability to stop time, I was so amazed while editing the photos by how many once in a lifetime moments were to be found in the images that Lauren and I were fortunate to be able to capture on this incredible day.

Lauren spotted this ´still life´ I love how the little details can help tell the story.

Bride and groom before the ceremony…

The weather had been pretty much touch and go, but at the perfect moment the sky cleared and the sun lit up the bride and groom, wow!

Another great detail shot from Lauren´s camera!

Fiesta!

Wedding photojpurnalist Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography at Azul Sensatori a Karisma resort. Elizabeth Medina specializes in destination wedding photography throughout the Mayan Riviera, the Yucatan Penninsula and Mexico.

“I THINK I MADE THE WRONG DECISION!”  Words no wedding photographer ever wants to hear from a beautiful bride waiting ocean side for her groom to arrive for the pre ceremony “first look”  Time seemed to stand still,  but of course it was only an instant before I realized that Katherine was referring to the choice to risk setting up the reception outdoors despite the predicted rain showers.  Despite a few random sprinkles it turns out that all choices were right on target! The weather held and the wedding at the new Azul Sensatori was perfect in every way! Lauren and I loved being a part of this once in a lifetime day! Gracias Katherine and Jim, you are a beautiful couple! Congratulations!

Just because its my blog and I get to do whatever I want I thought I would start with the trash the dress session at sunrise the morning after the wedding.

The big day…

Love that bling!

I love a bride with a plan…Katherine planned more time than the usual for pre ceremony photographs, and had actually scouted some amazing locations ahead of time!

Mexico wedding photography Elizabeth Medina, at the Azul Sensatori a Karisma resort, Mayan Riviera, Mexico.

I loved photographing Alex and Drew´s Playa del Carmen Wedding! The wedding was held at the Royal in PDC. We have photographed several weddings at that location and honestly I ahve to say that no two have been alike and that I have loved them all! One thing I love about this resort, which is located right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, Mexico is that everyone present seems to be having such a good time. I think that Alex and Drew´s wedding more than proves the point! And as if a gorgeous beach location, happy guests and a beautiful (and ultra laid back) bride and handsome groom were not enough how about a zippy blue, green and yellow color scheme to melt a photographer´s heart? Simplemente perfecto!

The beautiful bride before the ceremony…

Bride and groom details…I LOVED the use of yellow and blue!

Alex and Drew had a dry erase board for guests to write messages, this was SUCH a hit, the messages were SO  funny and a great way to get wedding guests to actually use the disposible cameras!

Playa del Cament photographer Elizabeth Medina, destination wedding photography in Playa del Carmen Mexico.

This was not your typical run of the mill wedding, for sure! Ever since Jaime contacted me WAY back when she started planning this Puerto Vallarta wedding I knew it would be a one of a kind day! When she settled on Las Caletas as her location I was especially sure! Las Caletas is a secluded jungle wedding spot that can only be reached by boat, and Jaime and Martin´s wedding there was a spectacular, once in a lifetime adventure! I wish I could pack the whole wedding onto the blog! Gracias Jaime and Martin for all your enthusiasm about my art and your good energy along the way and especially for being so in love and enjoying every minute of your wedding adventure in Mexico!

I accompanied Jaime and her bridesmaids on the a speed boat trip to Las Caletas…so very beautiful, this was such a fun start to the wedding day!

Once the girls arrived at Las Caletas the morning was spent relaxing on the island, with spa treatmentes, and floating in the jacuzzi. The bride and maid of honor even went for a wedding day swim in the ocean!

Meanwhile…the groom and the rest of the group had some time to enjoy Puerto Vallarta before heading to the wedding location by boat.  Lindsey did a great job documenting this part of the day, it was fun for me to see the photographs from her camera!

Finally it was time for Martin and Jaime to meet for a first look…plenty of tears all around!

Wedding site details, I love photographs that give a sense of place. Between Jaime´s planning and fabulous Las Caletas wedding coordinator Nicole there was plenty of eye candy!

Time for the ceremony…Martin as his bride arrived…

Jaime entered with both her father and grandfather, so special!

J

The rings were flown into the cermony by a parrot! You certainly don´t see that every day!

Let´s not forget the fire dancers!

The trash the dress session was at sunset the next afternoon…being based on the Gulf of Mexico and doing so much Cancun photography and Mayan Riviera photograpy I just I love photographing at sunset on the Pacific coast!

Puerto Vallarta wedding photographer Elziabeth Medina, Mexico wedding photojournalist.

Wow! I have to say I love this location! No two ways around it, the Karisma resorts are real wedding professionals in the Mayan Riviera area and every wedding I have photographed at the EDR has been simply beautiful. It was great to be back at the El Dorado Royale so soon after John and Linda’s amazing destination wedding. Lindsey and I were anticipating a great day and were not disappointed in the least! I will let the images do the talking…Camille and Chris had so much style and I really think you can see their delight in the photos. A wonderful day all around!

I loved Camille’s sister/maid of honor’s reaction when she saw Camille in her dress.

Loved the shoes!

Camille wore vintage jewelry, it was perfect!

Time for the ceremony. There is nothing more beautiful than a Mayan Riviera beach wedding. This ceremony was held at the Presidential gazebo at EDR, really the name is not very descriprive…it is a very simple wood structure surrounded only by ocean and the most lush green vegetation…beautiful!