One of my very favorite wedding venues, a couple who could not have been more relaxed and happy, a fun, emotional group of family and friends…this wedding weekend seemed to flow. It was a real treat to get to know Amy and Matt. We started off with a very informal mini photo session before their rooftop welcome dinner at La Posadita restaurant in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. The next day the action took place at the amazing Hacienda Las Trancas. I have photographed some fantastic weddings over the past years at Las Trancas and have to say that it never gets old! Well actually the hacienda is already really, really old, but somehow I am always surprised to discover something new each and every time I visit.  I can’t say enough about this very special piece of Mexico and the hacienda’s staff of local people who care so personally for each of its guests.

Feliz aniversario Amy y Matt! We hope the photographs bring back lots of happy memories!

The next one is Lindsey’s, it is one of my favorites because it really seems to me to capture Matt and Amy together.

Amy seems to pretty much be laughing and smiling all the time, but I was happy to be able to capture more serious portraits as well.

A few photographs from the welcome dinner festivities…

The sunset was amazing.

The wedding day… at the one and only Hacienda las Trancas, Hidalgo, Mexico.

The following image is one of my favorite photographs ever.

The next two images from the first look are from my camera and Lindsey’s respectively. If you take a good look at the left side of the first image you will see that we also had some very discreet back up by both of the moms!

Amy presented each of the mothers with the flowers they would carry down the aisle prior to the beginning of the ceremony, thank goodness for waterproof mascara!

Mexico Hacienda Wedding, San Miguel de Allende wedding photography by Mexico’s premier wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Vern and Andrea are an awesome couple who traveled from New York to be married in two unique and  beautiful ceremonies at the very lovely Hacienda Petac near Merida, Yucatan which were coordinated beautifully by our friend Colleen Casey-Leonard. The details and ambiance of this wedding were really quite special. I really think that the Hacienda Petac is a perfect spot for an adventurous couple planning a destination wedding a little bit off the beaten path. We were excited to discover this location!

This wedding was photographed by Lindsey, I was fortunate to be able to go along and help out as her bag carrying assistant/second shooter. After all the years we have been shooting together it was great to have the tables turned at this wedding, having never actually had the opportunity to assist or second shoot before I found the experience very freeing.

I loved Lindsey’s image of Andrea as she walked through the hacienda to meet up with Vern prior to the ceremony. Wow!

Photographs of bride and groom around the hacienda prior to the ceremony…this hacienda is truly one of the most beautiful in Yucatan. It is very intimate and has an extremely peaceful atmosphere. Vern and Adrea were able to reserve the entire hacienda for their group, how amazing is that?

The next shot is mine, since I knew the bride and groom were in good hands I was able to have some fun photographing around the hacienda. Yucatan and its people are so special, it is wonderful to live is such a unique location.

The first ceremony was an authentic Mayan ceremony performed by a  Mayan Xaman. It was held under an enormous Ceiba tree at sunset, very fitting because that tree figures prominently in the local Mayan culture.

The second ceremony was held by candle light in the hacienda’s chapel and was very beautiful as well.

Lindsey Medina, destination wedding photographer, hacienda wedding photography in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Too many photos, I know, I know! There is just no way I can keep this blog entry reasonable…not for Jessica and Scott´s San Miguel de Allende bash! As I overheard a guest comment after the fireworks went off… no one else will ever be able to have a wedding after this one! The wedding was held in San Miguel de Allende, which could not be more perfecto! Jessica and Scott had put so much thought into every detail of the multi day celebration, it was an honor for Lindsey and I to document the fun! The evening before the wedding the festivities began with a ¨tequila tasting¨ (like a wine tasting Central Mexico style!), the entire group of guests, musicians, photographers and one tequila bearing donkey danced through the streets of San Miguel, what could be more fun?

We were able to do some quick bride and groom photos before dinner began, I love love San Miguel for photos, every doorway is an amazing background! The next shot is Lindsey´s.

I loved this photo of Jessica and Scott listening to the father of the groom give a toast. They had such a beautiful interaction with their families and friends it was wonderful to witness.

The wedding day festivities were held at an amazing colonial home called Casa Capricho. The next images are from the pre wedding portion of the day. We were fortunate that Jessica and Scott had planned a first look so we were able to do some photography with the two of them…before it began to rain!

A wonderful thing about having your wedding in a private villa (and being calm and flexible!)  is control over timelines. Jessica and Scott were able to move their timelines a bit and the afternoon turned beautiful in time for the rooftop ceremony to go on beautifully.

This photo really sums up the whole event for me, people were laughing and crying happy tears all day! So much emotion!

Mazal tov!

The coctail hour was held on the roof and the dinner reception in the main courtyard below. I am posting extra detail shots, I loved the colorful Mexican tables and wanted to share with all the future brides!

The cake toppers…

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.

Having photographed a wedding at the Hacienda Las Trancas some months ago, I knew a little bit of what I was getting into when Ken contacted me about photographing his wedding to Julie at the Hacienda Las Trancas outside of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Basically, the hacienda is a historic site that has been restored in a very loving way. It has a warm and intimate Mexican atmosphere that is simply perfect for a destination wedding. How considerate, photogenic and fun Ken and Julie and their families and friends would prove to be was a complete surprise and icing on the cake! I loved the color images but also thought the black and white photographs had a timeless beauty. Thank you, Ken and Julie! I hope your travels bring you to the Yucatán sometime soon!

Getting ready photographs. I love to do these because of the anticipation and range of emotions. Everyone is too busy with the preparations to worry at all about the camera. I think just about every bride wonders at the last moment if the dress is really going to zip or button up…such a relief when it does!

The happy groom prepares…

Wow.

The grounds of the hacienda are so unique, Ken and Julie and sitting by the door to the secret garden.

Some of the relatives/friends were teasing Ken and Julie as they posed.

Empieza la ceremonia…

The reception was held near the fountain, this area had been floored since I last visited the hacienda. If you look carefully you may be able to see the horses in their stables.

Two of the guests were professional salsa dancers, they gave a wonderful demonstration and class to the guests, it was amazing how quickly (most) everyone learned!

Wedding photojournalism in San Miguel de Allende Mexico by professional photographer Elizabeth Medina, specializing in wedding and destination wedding photography. Elizabeth Medina is based in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and photographs weddings throughout Mexico.

I dont even know where to start! Rachel is American and met Luis who is Mexican while in college and came to live in Mexico. Where have I heard this story before? It sounds really familiar! Rachel and Luis were married at the very historic Casa Grande Hacienda in the town of Zempoala, near Pachuca, Hidalgo. The location had special meaning because the hacienda was built by Luis´ancestors and had remained in the family all through the Mexican revolution until present. The village church where the ceremony was held was very charming and traditional. I loved the fact that Luis was my first groom to wear spurs and a pistol, dressing in traditional charro style, which is so different from the traditional dress in Yucatan where I live, and of course you can see that Rachel was a very beautiful bride.

All in all it was a very unique and happy celebration, combining Mexican and American cultures so seamlessly that by the time the dancing started I really couldn´t tell who was who, everyone was having a great time on the dance floor. As a photographer it is always a treat for me to be able to travel to other regions and tell the story of a wedding with different customs and traditions, mil gracías Rachel y Luis, les deseo lo mejor en su matrimonio!

Some guests outside the chapel.

The chapel was very traditional and special.

The bride and groom were walking down this hallway with the bridal party and families, to take pictures in the garden. When I saw this spot I knew I had to photograph Rachel there and I made the whole group wait for a minute in the hallway. I loved it that someone behind me actually gasped when they saw Rachel bathed in light and framed by the doorway.

Rachel y las amigas.

The family portrait.

The hacienda´s formal ¨sala¨was very elegant and old fashioned, I loved this picture and the wallpaper.