Remember the old question about being trapped on a desert island and who you would want to be trapped with? Jean and Walt’s amazing wedding and next day trash the dress session at the Moon Palace in Cancun brought a similar question to mind.  Lauren and I now know without a doubt the answer to the question “If you were trapped in pouring cats and dogs rain at 6 AM (usually known as “sunrise” but that implies being able to see the sun) on a one hour march around an enormous resort hoping for a chance to trash the dress who would you want to be marching with?”  Jean and Walt were such a fun, patient and laid back couple I can’t think of anyone I would rather spend an hour of pre daylight limbo with. Thank goodness our faith was rewarded and the sun made its appearance! First the photographs from the relaxed and beautiful wedding day (I know Jean worked hard on the decorations and it all looked fantastic!) and finally the TTD photos that I think were worth the trouble. Congratulations Jean and Walt!

A few bridal photos from before the ceremony…

The ceremony was held in a gazebo overlooking the ocean…

Bride and groom beach photos after the ceremony….so much fun to photograph these two…

Jean had a really funny surprise for Walt… an xbox wedding garter!

Photos from the next day TTD session,

I am so happy to finally be able to share the photographs from this very sweet wedding. Milette and David and their loved ones had a very special destination celebration at the Casa Magna Marriott in Cancun Mexico. The ceremony was held in the gazebo overlooking the ocean, then cocktails beachside and the reception craziness in the banquet hall. I loved how the pop of orange of the wedding decor combined with the amazing turquoise Cancun water but nothing could be better to photograph than the happiness and excitement on everyone’s face! Milette and David, Lauren and I loved being your photographers! Congratulations and best wishes!

Cancun wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography at the Marriott Casa Magna resort in Cancun Mexico.

In the months leading up to the wedding I got to know the groom, JP, pretty well, we chatted several times on the phone as the plans for the wedding at one of my very favorite venues, the JW Marriot Cancun came together. Up until a few days prior to the wedding I had not really had any contact with Carolina. I assumed that JP was doing most of the wedding legwork, and that Carolina was either too busy with work to do much wedding planning or maybe she just wasn’t that in to the photography aspect. As one who often needs to do a fair bit of delegating on a daily basis this hypothesis seemed logical, but actually it could not have been more wrong! Carolina turned out to be a star wedding planner and all about doing whatever it takes for great photos, it was a lot of fun to see how the details came together and photograph in some off the path locations that she had scouted. Lauren and I were very happy to get to know Carolina and JP and their group and are very excited about the photos both of the event at the JW Marriott as well as the TTD session at Secrets Maroma beach.

The ceremony was held at the gazebo, it was a little windy that day, but so pretty!

The reception decor and some of the action,the wedding guests had front row seats to a spectacular view of Cancun’s tuquoise water.

Just a few images from the TTD session, this session was done at Secrets Maroma Beach, what a gorgeous resort!

When we met up with Mulu in the salon at the Dreams Resort in Cancun there was tension floating in the air along with the hairspray. Her relatives, including her father who was to walk her down the aisle had been scheduled to arrive the day before but instead had been stranded in a far off airport, unable to reach Cancun in time for the afternoon wedding ceremony. Fortunately the wedding story turned out happily, the resort graciously allowed for the ceremony time to be moved back and Mulu´s family arrived just in the nick of time for this once in a lifetime celebration.

I have to admit that I love all my clients. Something about spending their happiest day ever focusing on capturing all the joy they are experiencing seems to have that effect! Mulu and Sean were an extra extra special pair! After having such a fabulous time spending their wedding day and trash the dress session with this beautiful couple at Dreams resort in Cancun it makes me sad to think they live so far away! Mulu and Sean, thank you for all your kindness in sharing your day with us!

Mulu was such a beautiful bride as I am sure Sean would agree!

Bride and groom with the whole wedding party

This next one is just silly! Can´t have a destination wedding without speedo man, right?.

Mulu and Sean did a ¨first look¨ and some portraits before the wedding, such a great idea to have a private moment before the wedding day craziness begins.

The next two shots were taken when Mulu walked up the to the ocean front gazebo.

Sean´s wrote his own vows and they were very moving.

The beach reception…

The sunrise trash the dress session at, gulp, 6 am the moring after the wedding. It was actually dark when we started!

The Dreams Cancun lighthouse is one of the reasons Mulu and Sean chose the resort so it was fun to incorporate it into the trash the dress photos.

Cancun wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism in Cancun Mexico-

I am so happy to be able to share Tricia and Antonio’s wedding photos. Due to a busy shooting season and weddings in different parts of Mexico (shoots in 5 states in 21 days anyone?) there are so many images to share! Travel time cuts into editing time though, there’s just no way around it, so while turnaround has not been late it has been a bit slower than I like. I think I have been just as eager as any of my brides for the photographs from the recent weddings to be ready to see the light of day, maybe even more! I absolutely can’t wait to share them all on this blog, but then patience has never been my principal virtue!

I really appreciate having brides like Tricia, who from day one was a just a pleasure to work with. The day she and Antonio tied the knot in paradise at Dreams, Cancun  was bright and cheerful, the ceremony was lovely in the gazebo and the fiesta on the beach….Wow, what a party! Tricia and Antonio, Lindsey and I loved spending your day with the two of you and your group and wish you all the best.

Tricia has incredible eyes! I loved the close up, it doesn’t show up in this blog sized version, but in the full sized image you can see the blue Cancun water reflected in them.

A few details…the traditional Mexican lazo was included in the ceremony.

Portraits with Antonio and Tricia prior to the ceremony.

Tricia entered the gazebo with her mother, the image on the left was captured by Lindsey from the tower.

El beso!

Y uno mas!

Trica and her bridesmaids, what a fun group!

Time to party on the beach!

Mexico wedding photography Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism in Cancun, Yucatan, the Yucatan Penninsula, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, Guanajuato and throughout Mexico.

Sometimes I think that the hardest part of the whole wedding for me as a wedding photojournalist is choosing out of the hundreds of images from the wedding a few favorites to represent the day. That is especially true for a wedding like Michelle and Steve´s destination wedding in Cancun. Such a fun couple to photograph and a very emotion and action packed day! The day after the wedding we got to spend more time together doing a ¨trash the session at different locations around the resort. It was s much fun to document Michelle and Steve enjoying each other in that beautiful location. Michelle and Steve, we loved spending time with you and your families, we couldn´t be happier for you! Mazal tov!

Steve´s ¨first look¨ at his bride…

We ran (literally!) across Dreams Cancun for a photo session/rock climbing adventure before the ceremony.

The Ketubah signing prior to the ceremony.

The ceremony location was the Dreams, Cancun gazebo, so pretty.

The reception in the Dreams ballroom.

The wedding band came all the way from the states, when I saw how they had everyone dancing I could understand why.

The trash the dress session the next day, also at Dreams, Cancun. Michelle and Steve were up for anything which made it so much fun!

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photojournalist based in Mexico. She photographs destination weddings throughout Mexico including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, the Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

Sometimes we meet a couple and notice right away how very beloved they seem to be by friends and family. Usually when that happens by the end of the day we also end up thinking the couple is the just the greatest and that is just what happened with Shannon and Jeff. I loved receiving Shannon’s emails and almost don’t want to send off the photographs because then she will have no reason to email! The ceremony was held on the lawn of the Hilton Cancun which overlooks the ocean. By some miracle it rained on the golf course which is just across the road and not one drop on the wedding! It was truly a beautiful day. And a great party!

The “first look”, i would recommend this to anyone getting married, I loved the portraits of Shannon and Jeff taken before the cermony.

A few details from this destination wedding.

The ceremony was beautiful and I was so appreciative of Shannon’s videographer, who was considerate and non obtrusive enough to film from behind the last row of guests. This makes such a huge difference in the photographs, I think the photograph below would NOT be the same with a videographer standing front and center next to the best man, between the bride and groom or in the center of the aisle as is so often the way at destination weddings.

The reception was held in one of the Hilton’s ballrooms. I guess it should come as no surprise that the banquet service was fantastic.

The first dance…

A funny toast…

And a great party. DJ Mannia really knows how the crowd moving, but I think this group did not really need much encouragement!

Cancun, Mexico wedding photojournalism by destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Here we go, as promised I will be updating this blog often over the next weeks, so please be sure to scroll down so you don’t miss any amazing weddings! Rachel and Aaron’s destination wedding in Cancun…what can I say? This was a beautiful couple in every way, such a pleasure to photograph together as they experienced their day. The ceremony was held on the beach of the brand new Excellence Playa Mujeres, which is outside Cancun. It was a very emotional (somehow Rachel seemed to manage to laugh and cry at the same time!) and very joyous ceremony. Basically it was a perfect day and a real treat for the photographers.

The bride and groom had a fantastic suite with a private deck terrace overlooking the ocean, it was a wonderful spot to meet before the ceremony.

Recognize these two? We met when I photographed their Cancun wedding in late August. It was great to hang out with them again at this wedding…hopefully next time they come to Mexico it will be to Merida! Although I will have to make Reggie promise to stop stealing my thunder with his fast photo delivery.

Rachel entered the ceremony on both parent’s arms.

I loved this photograph of Aaron waiting at the “altar”.

Yes, I have said it before and I will say it again, destination weddings are the BEST! What a blessing to be able to tell the story of such a happy day!

Wedding photography in Cancun, Mexico byt destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Its always fun to photograph a great celebration! Kim and Reggie’s wedding was the first time I had ever been to the Hilton in Cancun. It is a great hotel, I loved the view and the relaxing atmosphere. The wedding itself  was planned to be very special. In addition to the Cancun Hilton‘s dedicated wedding planner, Jessica Parra, Kim and Reggie had a great wedding coordinator who travelled with them to Mexico, Candice Smith from Something Blue Events and there seemed to be all kinds of neat details everywhere I looked and never a slow moment. The weather was kind of touch and go for a while (hurricane Gustav was passing by out at sea on its way to cause so much trouble in the US) but Kim and Reggie were able to have the ceremony as planned overlooking the Cancun ocean. Hooray!

Reggie and Kim, You were a blast to photograph I look forward to seeing you both again in November!

I have never seen a bride shed more happy tears on one day! And with very good cause. Reggie had a way of going the extra mile to give Kim the most lovely surprises, cards and speeches, thank goodness for waterproof mascara! She had finally dried her eyes from Reggie’s multiple gifts and when her mom presented Kim with mementos from her childhood, more tears!

Wow! Things were running a little late after all those tears, but I know I would not forgive myself if I didn’t push the pause button for just a moment to capture portraits of the radiant bride.

A few photographs from the ceremony…

And some happy photographs of the newly married couple.

I thought this was one of the most beautiful cakes I have seen!

A bit of reception decor in the Cancun Hilton ballroom.

Reggie and Kim’s first dance.

Reggie went after the garter and came out with this “private property” sign!

speeches…

I don’t remember what the groom was reading but I do know that more tears were the result!

Blog readers will see more of the smiling faces below very soon when I shoot their Cancun wedding in November! Thanks so much Rachel and Aaron for spreading the word!

Cancun photographer Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photography in the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Isla Mujeres, Guanajuato and Los Cabos.

Bobbie and Frank had a beautiful wedding! The Dream Cancun is located right in the heart of the Cancun hotel zone, in an incredible spot, the wedding gazebo actually sits on a little peninsula, surrounded by the bluest water ever. It was a very warm but beautiful clear day, perfect for the marriage of such a sweet couple.Thank you Bobbie and Frank, you are a delightful couple! I hope you enjoy your photographs as much as I have!

I loved Bobbie’s starfish theme.

A few getting ready and detail photos…

The view of the wedding gazebo set up from the tower.

I love how Lindsey composed this next one.

Bobbie, here’s palm tree…I told you it was a little “untraditional!

A relaxed portrait of the groom.

And one of the bride.

The flower girl took over the veil after the ceremony! She was so much fun the whole day!

Fortunately it cooled off after the sun went down. At this wedding absolutely everyone had a great time dancing!

Cancun photographer Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photojournalism in Mexico. She photographs a limited number of destination weddings in Cancun, Maya Riviera, Yucatan, Tulum, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and throughout Mexico.  Visit www.elizabethmedina.com to view more of her wedding photography portfolio.

What could be more beautiful than a ceremony at ocean side on a sunny summer day in Cancun? Emily and Mathew were married surrounded by family and friends. There was so much happiness and all around good vibes or “buena vibra” as we say here in Mexico! The water could not have been more turquoise, which really set off the bright red and orange flowers, what a delicious combination. I think I may have said it before but there is NOTHING like experiencing a wedding with a fresh breeze and your toes in the sand! Destination weddings are the most intimate, fun celebrations imaginable and I was happy to witness such a nice couple as Emily and Mathew at the center of such a special occasion. Gracias!

I would have to say that the JW Marriott and Casa Magna Marriott in Cancun is one of my favorite wedding locations. Josefina Luna and the whole crew just seem to do a very professional job of planning and making the events run smoothly, that makes them especially fun to photograph!

Getting ready time…I have noticed that these blue boxes seem to make for happy people.

Emily was so happy all day, but I really liked the serious photographs as well.

Time for the ceremony…I love the beautiful flower details on the white Tiffany chairs.

Seriously, destination weddings are the best

Emily’s sister as Emily entered on her father’s arm.

For those not familiar, the sand ceremony is the beach equivalent of the unity candle.

Mathew and his groomsmen…

Emily, with her adorable flower girl and bridesmaids…

I love it when the bridal party is introduced and enters the reception with “style”, these two made a great entrance.

Panoramic view of the reception at the JW Marriott in Cancun.

Emily goofing around!

Cancun wedding photography by destination wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina. Elizabeth photographs weddings throughout Mexico. JW Marriott, Marriott Casa Magna, Cancun, Mexico.

What a beautiful day! It was so enjoyable to photograph this adorable (I don’t use that word very often…but they really are an adorable couple!) having such a splendid time with the very diverse group of family and friends that had traveled so far to be part of the day. A much as I enjoyed capturing and putting together the collection of images to tell the story of the day I am also really looking forward to designing the wedding album, it is so wonderful to compile the images of such an important event into a tangible piece of family history.

Darlene and Manoj’ wedding was the third I have photographed at the JW Marriott and I have to say it has become one of my favorite wedding locations. There are several different spaces that can be used throughout the hotel grounds, including the gazebo which is authorized to hold a Catholic mass, so each event seems to be different. The coordinator, Francisco Roman, seems to do such a nice job of keeping everything flowing. I think the gazebo with its ocean view is really special…and of course that amazing turquoise Cancun water, WOW!

The only thing that was a little sad for me is knowing that this was the final wedding that my photographer friend Grace Kim from Seattle accompanied me to as a “second shooter”, I loved having her help and knew I would really miss her when I looked over at one point and saw her carrying, in additional to her own gear almost all of mine! Grace is not a very large person so it just looked like a mountain of equipment walking along! I guess I had been so intent on the photographs I was taking that I just left everything behind! Thank you so much Grace it was amazing to have you here! I hope some day for the chance to repay the favor!

I thought the bridesmaid’s dresses were really special, it turned out that a very talented bride’s maid had actually made them herself!

Darelene’s mother placed the finishing touches on the veil.

I think this “grab” shot looks almost posed, I think that they were all standing in a strip of shade about 6 inches wide waiting for the ceremony to begin.

A few images from the Catholic ceremony in the gazebo.

The ring bearer was very serious and did an excellent job.

Grace caught this great moment right after the kiss.

This one is for Darlene…

After the ceremony we were able to do some photography on the beach.

The reception was set up poolside right in front of the ocean, this is just a little detail from the table decoration.

Darlene “escaped” from the reception for a couple of pictures.

The toasts had everyone laughing and crying and then laughing again!

Father daughter dance.

Ok…this crowd know how to dance!

Wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina photographs destination weddings in Cancun, the Riviera Maya and throughout Mexico.

Cheryl and Patrick had a gorgeous and very emotional destination wedding in Cancun Mexico at the Cancun Hyatt Caribe. The location was beautiful as was the wedding attire and all teh many details that had been prepared. It was great to be able to photograph such incredible color, the contrast between the oranges and yellow of the decorations and the bright, bright blue Cancun ocean was fantastic.

The beautiful bride prior to the ceremony, Grace Kim photographed this wedding with me, we photographed bridal portraits of Cheryl from different angles, I like both viewpoints below! Grace’s version is on the right hand side and mine is on the left.

Patrick waiting at the altar for his bride.

I think Patrick could have been so nervous he may not have even noticed the cameras all pointing in his direction.

Lindsey captured this image from a third floor balcony, while I photographed the following image.

Jumping the broom, I am such a fan of that tradition!

The following are some of my favorite images of this great couple.

Cancun Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, member of the Wedding Photojournalism association.