I think it has been firmly established by now that my couples are rockstars each and every one! I truly could not feel more fortunate than to be the photographer of such beautiful and amazing people on their happiest day! Maria Elena and David are a delightful couple, just as sweet as can be. The wedding was held at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez and the details were implemented beautifully by Yucatan’s star wedding planners at BAKU.  All I can say is wow, this wedding was amazing and Lindsey and I really enjoyed photographing it. As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE photographing at new and different locations I also really find it incredibly energizing to return to favorite familiar locations because each wedding is always full of unique challenges, surprises and creative opportunities. Maria Elena y David, gracias por el honor de fotografiar tan bonita boda, les felicitamos y les deseamos lo mejor!

I love the next image. The wedding was held outdoors at night, the backdrop of the ceremony was the confessionary, which is a very unique small stone chapel.

A detail of the cross above the altar. The fireworks were timed for the bride and grooms exit from the ceremony.

I have to share some of the hacienda wedding details and decor, it was gorgeous.

Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, hacienda wedding photography in Merida Yucatan Mexico at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez. Fotografia de boda de Elizabeth Medina, at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

So beautiful! Miko and Kenji were married in a very intimate and spiritual ceremony at the Hacienda Uayamón in Campeche, Mexico. Uayamón is truly one of the Yucatan Peninsula´s gems and I could not feel more happy that so many people have become familiar with this magical hacienda through my work. I tend to get multiple emails every week asking about this location which tells me one thing… that many of my blog ¨readers¨ actually skip my ramblings and just look at the pictures. Which is something that I endorse wholeheartedly! This hacienda is far off the beaten path in the state of Campeche and Kenji and Miko experienced some interesting adventures along the way that I am sure will make fun stories someday. Their spiritual wedding ceremony was truly moving and I felt honored to be present, the atmosphere was simply magnificent and not something I can easily describe in words. Rather than trying I will let the images speak. Congratulations Miko and Kenji, and thank you.

Kenji and Miko symbolically joined two candles to light one single flame, but their individual flames continued to burn next to each other throughout the ceremony.

Wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism in Yucatan, Campeche, Riviera Maya, Cancun and throughout Mexico.

it has been such a treat this fall to photograph beautiful local weddings like this Kika and Chino’s at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez here in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Kika is a graphic designer and almost as excited about the photographs as I was. She and Chino were willing to go the extra mile for their photos and we met at the hacienda in the afternoon for a “first look” and portrait session before the civil ceremony and Catholic mass took place later in the evening. The bride and groom were both so happy all during the day, and I love how that happiness could not help but show in the photographs!

Hacienda wedding photography in Yucatan, Mexico by Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Monica and Francisco held their destination wedding at one of my very favorite locations. The Hacienda Temozon is a just a spectacular and unique wedding venue. Dating from 1655 this authentic Yucatecan hacienda is full of history and local flavor. For those not familiar with the area, Yucatan has its own cuisine and culture, the Mayan langueage is still spoken here and Yucatan is home to wonders like the pyramids of Chichen Itza….sorry for rambling, but I can’t help but be thankful to live in an area with so much spririt!

I also could not feel more honored or proud to be entrusted to photograph events such as Monica and Francisco’s Mexico wedding or happier to have had Lauren as my assistant photographer throughout the day. Monica y Francisco, les deseo todo lo mejor y espero verlos en Merida para festejar el aniversario!

Elizabeth Medina wedding photojouralism Yucatan Mexico. Elizabeth Medina specializes in destination wedding photography and photographs events in Yucatan, the Mayan Riviera and throughout Mexico.

Paul and Loly are a wonderful couple from California, it was a true honor to have them fly in from California for their anniversary photo session. What can I  say… each and every bride and groom I photograph is a rockstar and I am so blessed to be their photographer!    Loly and Paul, thank you so much for trusting me with such important photographs, it was a privilege.

After a bit of deliberation (Mexico´s states of Yucatán and Campeche are both studded with so many unique and amazing haciendas!)  Campeche´s  Hacienda Uayamón was chosen as the location for the photo session. I really can´t say enough good things about Hacienda Uayamón, it is a gem,  a fairy tale location run by the nicest people around. Absolutely nothing could be more satisfying than hearing people say that they have found and fallen in love with their Mexico wedding location through my photography and this year I look forward to returning to fantastic spots with couples who have found their locations right here on this blog. What could be better?

The next shot is Loly and Paul´s style…they really enjoy each other.

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photographer located in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and photographing weddings in Yucatan, Campeche, Mayan Rivera, Cancun and throughout Mexico.

Nothing like kicking off the wedding season with a beautiful local event that takes us back to our hacienda wedding photography roots! Having known Daniela for some time and having photographed her brother Paco with his bride Zahia back in May we knew it was going to be a wonderful day spent in very good company. Hacienda Chichí Suarez dates from the 16th century, we have photographed a few events in this location and love the way different spaces have been used in a way that has made each event seem very unique. Daniela and Alejandro had their wedding at 1:00 pm, which allowed for wonderful photography opportunities.  …I love love love seeing and working with natural light, there is just nothing like it!

The first one is Lindsey’s photo, what a lovely composition!

Daniela was an extremely beautiful bride!

Daniela and one of her “pajes”

The next one is Lindsey’s, I wish it were mine though!

The two familes together…

The reception had such colorful details! All perfectly tied toghether but very unexpected, just perfect for this afternoon wedding… a very unique twist on the hacienda setting! My regular blog readers have probably deduced, this Merida, Yucatan wedding was designed and coordinated by my friends at BAKU Events.  I really can’t say enough good things about the BAKU team, it is a real treat to watch them in action as they work their magic!

We were ablet o do a few more photographs around the hacienda grounds before it was time for Alejandro and Daniela’s ‘first dance” as husband and wife.

First dance and father daughter dance…

Many more coming soon!

Elizabeth Medina, wedding photographer Mexico.

I hope no one minds if I take a few minutes break from shooting, editing and blogging up a storm to share a little studio project. This little book is volume one, (volume two will naturally feature Mexico’s fantastic beach wedding destinations) was done as a personal project to showcase some of our wedding photography  in Mexico’s incomparable haciendas and historic homes. I truly feel that there is nothing better than a destination wedding in Mexico and that Mexico’s haciendas are magical wedding destinations. Having photographed a good number of weddings at haciendas in Yucatan and throughout Mexico and just love for people to find out about the amazing locations for wedding photography in Mexico through my work!

Those that have been reading this blog for a while already know that I consider travel + leisure magazine as one of my photographic influences so I hoped this project would reflect a bit of that  T+L vibe. Being busy with work for my clients I turned to Karen Dahlquist for the design and layout of this book. That proved to be a great decision because it was way too hard for me to choose just a few images from each wedding/location! I would have given up had I not been able to send folders of images for Karen to wade through! Maybe because I was at all the weddings and have great memories of each one, but I just loved how it all came together. Not sure if amazon.com will be calling soon but I do hope it will give a bit of exposure to Mexico’s haciendas as wedding locations.

Here are a few glimpses at the book’s contents. This spread is dedicated to the Hacienda Xcanatun this is a wonderful wedding location. (Zach and Lolita I can’t wait!)

Another absolute favorite, Hacienda Las Trancas is located in Central Mexico and is a magical destination. I am looking forward to shooting Amy and Matt’s wedding next summer at this location!

The hacienda wedding photography volume includes several weddings from Yucatan’s magnificent group of haciendas operated by Starwood Resorts. This group of haciendas include amazing locations like Temozon, (So excited about upcoming 2009 weddings at that location), San Jose (love, love this one!), Santa Rosa, (very cool hacienda venue, I photographed the very first wedding at Santa Rosa!) and of course Hacienda Uyamon in Campeche, Mexico.

emedina_book_tsip

The Hacienda Chichen Itza, it has been several years since I photographed at this location but I would just love to photograph another wedding at the hacienda.

Well, enough of all that… but please stop back soon for Alex and Drew’s wedding at the Royal in Playa del Carmen, to be followed by Katherine and Jim and Kelly and Michael both at the Azul Sesatori! I can’t wait to post each of these colorful one of a kind weddings to the blog, to be followed by Benny and Sandra’s Maya Rivera wedding and finally Jessica and Scott’s incredible San Miguel de Allende wedding.

Mexico wedding photography by Elizabeth Medina, a wedding photographer based in Yucatan, Mexico and available for photographic coverage throughout Mexico and internationally.

Ingrid and Casper are the ultimate international couple, from Mexico and Denmark they met in Barcelona, Spain and guests came from around the globe to join them as they were married in Yucatan on the grounds of the incomparable Hacienda Temozon Sur. It was a great day, a beatuful setting, con mucho amor and a fabulous couple.  Congratulations Ingrid and Casper, I hope to see you in Merida again soon!

I fell in love with Ingrid’s Teresa Helbig gown, it was the first I had seen from this Barcelona designer and so beautiful.

This little blond “mini mariachi” was a crowd pleaser! She would watch the mariachis and imitate their moves for a very appreciative audience.

It is such an amazing thing when I hear couples have fallen in love with their wedding location through the “pages” of this very blog! I could not be more overjoyed to spread the word about Mexico’s incomparable wedding destinations, especially when the location is the Hacienda Las Trancas outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and I have the pleasure of photographing a fantastic couple like Juan and Jessica! Seriously, there is nothing like a destination wedding in Mexico, I see over and over how the magical atmosphere brings people together for unforgettable celebrations. Las Trancas is an authentic hacienda, perfect for groups who would like to experience the “real” Mexico and explore the countryside, the people and the wonderful local cuisine. (there is also a fantastic gym and a brand new spa area!).

We were able to do an engagement photo session with Juan and Jessica on the grounds of the hacienda the afternoon before the wedding, I loved the photos and the chance for Lindsey and I to spend some “quality time” with Jessica and Juan before the big day.

A few of Jessica’s “getting ready” details from the wedding day…

And an image from Juan’s getting ready time…

The wedding ceremony was held at a beautiful old church in the city of Dolores, hidalgo, Lindsey went ahead with the groom and his group and got this crossroads shot along the way…

After the ceremony we did a few bride and groom photos in Dolores before heading back to the hacienda, much to the interest of these future Hidalgo brides.

Jessica made a comment to me that I have heard several times from my brides, sometimes with a bit of trepidation…saying that she had noticed on this blog that all of the brides I photograph are so beautiful.  The truth is that I absolutely agree with that comment and having spent a very special day with them all I will add smart, kind, loving and joyful. Oh and of course possessed with impeccable taste in both grooms and wedding photographers! And Jessica…I have to say that you are a great example of all of the above!

A couple of my favorite bride and groom photos…

The reception set up…

Mexico wedding photojournalist photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography at Hacienda Las Trancas, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

I think photographers and fishermen have something in common….obsessing about the ones that get away. I was so sad not to be available for Christiane and Gerardo´s date, since from the very first contact with Christiane I could tell she would be a wonderful bride to work with and the wedding would be an absolutely one of a kind event at one of my favorite locations, the Hacienda Uayamón in Christiane´s home state of Campeche, Mexico. I was lifted out of my depression by the request that we travel to Campeche for a portrait session of the bride and groom prior to their civil ceremony. (For anyone not familiar with Mexican custom it is common to have both a civil and religious wedding. The civil wedding can be either the same day as the religious wedding or on a separate date, in which case it can be the occasion of a celebration with a more intimate group than on the ¨big day¨, kind of like a rehearsal or welcome dinner). True to Mexican tradition things ran a little behind schedule (or is there some alternate schedule somewhere that no one has ever told me about?). Watching the sun sink lower in the sky, I was just about to despair completely when Christiane and Gerardo appeared looking totally fabulous! I decided that if pilots can make up for a late start in the air (how do they do that anyway?) then Lindsey and I could at least try to do the same with such a fantastic couple´s photographs!

Hacienda wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, Merida, Mexico. Fotografia de bodas en Mexico.

After having spent time with Natalia and Raul at the hacienda portrait session prior to the wedding day, photographing the wedding could not have been more relaxed! Having the rare treat of photographing close to home, having both Lindsey and Lauren along as co-photographers, seeing so many familiar faces through out the evening and the fact the wedding was designed and coordinated by my good friends at the fabulous Baku Events made it especially fantastic. As fortunate as we are to photograph throughout Mexico there really is no place like home, especially when home is Merida, Yucatan! Natalia’s family has a beautiful hacienda just outside Merida, the Hacienda San Ignacio Tesip, and it could not have been a more fitting place for this joyful celebration among family and friends!

A few wedding day images, Natalia getting ready…

The bride and groom prior to the ceremony. natalia said she felt very relaxed knowing that the photo session had taken place a few weeks earlier, I guess I could say the same, but did capture quite a few relaxed and happy portraits!

I received an email recently asking if I photograph the family on the wedding day which I thought was a great question. But of course! I think the family photos can be one of the most important aspects of the day, images from family milestones have always been a key part of family history. Having specialized in studio family portraiture before catching the wedding bug I welcome the opportunity to document the families on such an important day. The photo below is of the bride and groom with both of their immediate families, what a beautiful group!

The “paje” was such a cutie!

The beautiful bridesmaids, I loved the bouquets!

Natalia and her father arriving at the Nuestra Señora de Libano church in Merida, Lindsey captured this image as well as the tears that followed!

The church was decorated beautifully with greenery, flowers and trees hung with candles, amazing!

As the guests entered the hacienda they walked across the garden area accompanied by th music of a pianist…it was almost surreal to see the grand piano in that setting and very beautiful.

The walkway was lined with hundreds (or maybe thousands!) of candles.

The reeption area, Wow! the canopy was supported by “trees” lit up by candles, just amazing.

The first dance…

And time to party…there´s no place like home for that either!

Yucatan Mexico hacienda wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

I am not one to divide up my blog posts, but Natalia and Raul’s wedding will be an exception since it is vacation time here in Yucatan and I can’t wait until next week when it is all finished to share photos from this special wedding! Natalia and Raul were one of my favorite couples of all time before the wedding day even arrived! I was so happy that they planned a photo session prior to the wedding date. The wedding was a large one with many guests and this pre wedding photo session was a fantastic way to get to know each other better and to have plenty of time to really enjoy the photography without the hurry and nerves of the “big day¨.  I loved hearing Natalia say that she did not regret it, in fact it was the best thing they could have done! Here are just a few photos for now…stay tuned for many more images from the fabulous ¨big day¨in my next blog post coming next week!

The wedding was held at Natalia´s family´s beautiful old hacienda. This photograph of the bride surrounded by the beauty of the hacienda took my breath away even before I pressed the shutter of the camera.

Bride and groom….the first look was very moving, I am saving your tears for the slide show!

Natalia and Raul, just a few more for now, the rest to follow soon!

Hacienda wedding photography by elizabeth Medina in Merida, yucatan, Mexico.

If the Mexico destination weddings and couples I photograph were not so amazing and the energy of the wedding day so addictive, my dream would be to photograph for magazines like T+L (Travel and Leisure) or Conde Nast Traveller. Long before I started photographing weddings I would look at the images in those magazines and analyze how they were made. So when I get to photograph weddings that have that kind of cool travel vibe I could not be happier. Shaelyn and Tony were married at a private hacienda very close to Merida, Yucatan. This hacienda is quite unique in that it has kind of a funky, bohemian style and a lot of personality. The whole group seemed very relaxed and ready to enjoy the Yucatecan flavor of the wedding. All in all…a fun way to kick off 2009. Gracias, Shaelyn y Tony!

Hmm…a birdcage veil and a birdcage…couldn’t resist this one.

The ceremony was held on the front lawn, Lauren captured this photograph from the roof of the hacienda.

When in Yucatan you can’t miss trying panuchos, especially from fresh handmade tortillas.

Placecards!

When the bride and groom kissed they were surrounded for an instant by a sudden flash of fireflies! How cool is that!

The little dolls were made by a friend…so cute I had to borrow them for a photograph of the wedding rings.

The reception was held by the pool.