I have to think that one of my favorite things that come with destination wedding photographer territory can also be one of the most bittersweet. Getting to meet wonderful, hospitable and caring people like Janelle and Todd and spend with them their most special day is an amazing privilege! The flip side of the coin- knowing that they live too far away for us to crash their future celebrations! Although as cold as it is where they make their home we won’t give up hope of seeing them again in Mexico one of these winters! Janelle and Todd took such good care of their guests (and photographers!) it was a pleasure to see how they enjoyed their wedding in Akumal, Mexico and we hope the photos capture the spirit of the day.  All photographs (c) 2012 Lindsey Medina and Elizabeth Medina.

Its fun seeing the wedding bands that each bride and groom have chosen, Janelle and Todd’s were super unique!

Getting ready and off for the first look! Todd nad Janelle seemed so happy to have this private encounter before the ceremony! And as photographers Lindsey and I were happy to have a chance for some relaxed moments to photograph the couple before things got rolling!

Beach ceremony, Akumal is such a beautiful location. The weather was kind of “iffy” and I think it even rained for a few seconds but fortunately all was good and after the ceremony the sun came peeking out!

I love all the different emotions that are revealed in the next images.

We found Mexico’s next Mariachi!

Accompanied by a Mexican Mariachi trio Janelle and Todd rejoined their guests to party at the Grand Sirenis’ Palapa complete with typical Mexican details like papel picado streamers and the bride and groom calavera cake toppers.

Nope, not finished! The next morning bride and groom were up bright and early for trash the dress photos, so amazing to have the beach to ourselves at such a lovely time of day!

I really never thought I would be mentioning snow in the context of wedding photography in Mexico, but thinking about Scott and Sara’s big day reminds me that weddings are a little like beautiful snowflakes in that no two are ever alike! (another similarity that occurs as I edit a mountain of images this week is that as beautiful as they both are, neither a pile of weddings or a pile of snow is very easy to dig your way out of!)

If I had to list one skill that is important in photography I would have to say the ability to be truly observant. That may seem obvious, but it can be so easy for us to get caught up in recreating a preconceived idea, following the latest trends, or worrying about the camera and lighting technology or a million other things and end up overlooking the moments that can tell the story.

Sara and Scott and their group traveled from Canada for an intimate destination wedding. The couple was very creative in making use of several different areas of the Grand Sirenis resort and the hotel’s architectural details and the natural beauty of the Mayan Riviera coastline combined to provide a striking context for the wedding  photographs. Thank you Scott and Sara!

Sara and Scott did not see each other before the ceremony, as they waited to enter I thought Scott had a lot of discipline not to turn around a take a peek at his bride!

The dance reception was held in a very breezy palapa right on the ocean, this is a really nice spot, very private and peaceful.

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photographer located in Yucatan, Mexico, photographing weddings in the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Yucatan and throughout Mexico.