I have always enjoyed the weddings I have photographed at the El Dorado Royale resort, in part because of the incredibly lush natural beauty of the resort and also because everyone seems so happy there! I was especially looking forward to this wedding since I had not photographed at this location for almost a year. It was such a pleasure to return with such a wonderful bride and groom. I loved the decor and colors chosen for this wedding, it probably would have never occurred to me to choose red for a beach wedding but wow, it certainly worked! Caitlyn and Ryan, thank you for being such a happy couple, and for your patience as we slowly edit our way through this busy season, slideshow and gallery to follow tomorrow!

This wedding was special because we had a ¨guest photographer¨, fellow wedding photographer Hiram Trillo came down from Texas to give us a hand with a couple of weddings. The following shot of the groom prior to the ceremony is from Hiram´s camera. Gracias por todo Hiram!

The next image is from Hiram´s camera, such a peaceful moment.

The following image is mine, I loved seeing that our interpretations of the same moment were so dissimilar.

The reception site, just a few feet from the ocean.

Elizabeth Medina specializes in destination wedding photography in the Riviera Maya, Tulum, Cancun, Yucatan and throughout Mexico.

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!

What a wonderful day it was! Linda and John are high school sweethearts who traveled to Mexico to be married an intimate ceremony on a breathtaking beach in the Mayan Riviera. Having photographed a few weddings at the El Dorado Royale and other Karisma resorts, and knowing that Linda had planned her details very carefully I knew that it would be a beautiful event and it certainly was that! It was so much fun for Lauren and I to get to know and spend time with John and Linda, there couldn’t be a nicer couple and we felt like old friends by the time we finished up the trash the dress session the next morning! Linda and John, I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I have! Congratulations to the two of you!

Some detail photos from the getting ready portion of the day…don’t let these tranquil images fool you, Linda was a blur of perpetual motion the whole time!

A relaxed portrait of John before the ceremony.

Time for the beach ceremony…so beautiful!

One of the best details I have seen to date…Linda and John used stones inscribed with meaningful words like love, family, dream as paperweights for the ceremony programs. After the ceremony each guest threw their stone into the ocean with good wishes for the bride and groom’s new marriage.

So much love!

The reception was held at the Tucanes palapa, I wish I had 2% of this group’s dancing ability!

A few images from the TTD session the next morning…

Mayan Rivera photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism at the El Dorado Royale Resort, a Karisma resort in Mexico.

Ryan and Lauren were married in a beautiful, intimate beach ceremony at the El Dorado Royal, a Karisma Resort in the Maya Rivera. It was a beautiful day in every respect. Although I had photographed a few times at the EDR previously, I had not photographed a ceremony at the Presidential Gazebo location. I just loved the spot, it was totally private, surrounded by lush vegetation and palm trees and overlooking the bluest sky and water. It was such a serene and natural setting which was perfect for the very emotional moments between bride, groom and the family and friends that witnessed the event.

Lauren wore flip flops since her cermony was on the sand…but for dancing at the reception she switched to these great party shoes!

The flowers were really different than the tropical blooms we usually see in Mexico.

Lauren was a bride that I think would have looked good in just about any dress…but the one she chose was PERFECT on her!

The bridesmaids on their way to the ceremony in a golf cart…

I couldn´t decide which of thes two detail shots to include…I loved them both!

How amazing and peaceful to have a wedding in such a natural setting.

The hand off from Lauren´s dad to Ryan, both totally choked up.

The El Dorado Royal Presidential Gazebo.

Mother of the bride…

The reception was held in Tucanes Bar, this is a very open outdoor location.

Rather than relying on setting up off camera artificial flash units which I feel can alter the mood a bit, I LOVE to use the true ambient light in my photography whenever possible, Although it is a challenge to make it work I find it often leads to beautiful and evocative images. Often future brides ask me about reception lighting and I always tell them that candle light, under-lit tables and tiki torches are beautiful accents but when used alone actually provide very little light…However, since art is full of contradictions this photograph of Ryan and Lauren’s first dance is lit completely by tiki torches and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The tearful father daughter dance…

I think this may not be the first time that this amigo has showed up on my blog! I can’t believe he can carry a whole round of drinks on his head!

Lauren’s bridesmaids decorated the get away golf cart!

Specializing in wedding photojournalism, Elizabeth Medina photographs weddings in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Tulum, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende and throughout Mexico. The El Dorado Royale is a karisma Resort located in Puerto Morelos Mexico.

Amy and Brian were great to photograph because together with a great group of family and close friends they enjoyed every minute of their wedding celebration. They were married in a very special beach wedding ceremony at the El Dorado Royale in the beautiful Riviera Maya. Amy warned me that the wedding would be an emotional one, and there were quite a few happy tears! Although the resort is fairly large, their ceremony site overlooking the ocean was very private, peaceful and natural. The reception afterwards took place in a poolside palapa and was a lot of fun! Gracias Amy and Brian for including us in your wedding celebration, best wishes to both of you for a long and happy marriage! Felicidades!

A few portraits of the bride and groom from before the rehearsal dinner, this was the night before the wedding at the El Dorado Royale.

Amy’s mom helping with the veil…Amy got ready on the Casitas side of the resort which I loved because of its casual feel.

Amy and Brian did not want to see each other prior to the ceremony, but we were able to do some bridal photography with Amy, I loved being able to create these images.

The ceremony was held at the very edge of the El Dorado Royale, the view of the Maya Rivera coast was breath taking.

Brian and his guys waiting…

For Amy and her dad…

A few photographs from the beach ceremony.

The sand ceremony, so pretty with black and white sand…

I thought this shot of the whole bridal party on the beach was a lot of fun, I had never seen black bridesmaid’s dresses before and thought that they looked great with the colorful flowers.

Amy’s flowers were very bright and tropical.

Amy and Brian made a great entrance into the reception, they were ready to PARTY!

Yummy colors…

The maracas on the tables were a huge hit with the guests.

Amy’s dad gave a funny speech…

Amy and Brian, the first dance.

Mexico photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography at the El Dorado Royale, Maya Rivera, Mexico. Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photojournalism throughout Mexico.

It’s hard to know what to say about this wedding…other than the fact that it could not have been more beautiful and that there could not be a nicer and happier couple than Mallory and Matt, It was inspirational to be around them, and their joy and that of their families and friends was contagious. It was hard to stop smiling! Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph the wedding!

The festivities included a welcome dinner the night before the wedding, I was happy to be able to get some casual photographs of Mallory and Matt on the grounds of the El Dorado Royale.

Mallory before the ceremony.

The ceremony was held in the chapel, which was perfect for the size of the congregation.

After the ceremony a golf cart took us to a beautiful natural area to do some photography of the bride and groom.