Santhy and Heyden’s Merida wedding was an amazing day. The happiness of this beautiful couple was really a joy to photograph. Having gone into the day with no preconceived expectations of what was to come we finished up the day feeling like we had made wonderful new friends and successfully captured some of the love, happiness and outright gorgeousness of it all in our photographs. What could be better?

This Merida, Yucatan wedding was beautifully organized by BAKU EVENTS, the ceremony was held at the Merida’s Izimna Church and the Reception at the Quinta Montes Molina on the Paseo de Montejo. Santhy y Heyden, esperamos que les gusten las fotografias de su boda! Felicidades!

Wadia and Jared, Part 3… the Quinta Montes Molina reception. This party combined the best of both worlds.. no holds barred Mexican dance party meets amazing high energy Hora…so much fun to experience! All images Lindsey and Elizabeth Medina.Event coordination: Icela Cardenas, Celebra Events.

Timing is everything, Lindsey caught the firework studded grand entrance to perfection:

Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, photography in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Wadia and Jared’s wedding was such a beautiful day but I really can’t even begin to explain the crazy, crazy weather. I am guessing that the 2012 couples will not need to worry about rain on their wedding day at all, as I am pretty sure we used it all up in spring and summer 2011! It truly rained buckets all through the portion of the day leading up to the sunset ceremony, but somehow spirits stayed high and I could tell that the bride and groom and their guests were enjoying every minute. I love how the day’s photographs tell the story!  All images Lindsey and Elizabeth Medina.

The day began with getting ready photos for bride and groom, Wadia’s bridal preparations at Rosas and Xocolate on the Paseo Montejo just down the stree from the wedding location.

Jared getting ready to meet his beautiful bride and get the day started…

A few portraits at Rosas and Xocolate, then off to the Quinta to meet up with the rest of the wedding party.

Wedding party and bride and groom photos at the Quinta Montes Molina… Wadia is from Mexico and Jared from the states but they make a fantastic couple. Jared is such a great guy and it came as no surprise that he had such a large group of  friends make the trip to Mexico for the wedding.

The Jewish ceremony was held at sunset in the gardens of Quinta Montes Molina.

We have photographed many Jewish weddings, the bride and groom wrapped up together in the prayer shawl is one of the elements I find very special. El beso is not too bad either!

All eyes were on Jared as he breaks the glass…

Mazel Tov!

Coming soon… La fiesta!

Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina offering fine art wedding photography in Merida, Yucatan, Cancun, Mayan Riviera, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, San Miguel de Allende and throughout Mexico.

Could someone please tell me how to sign up for blogger’s anonymous? I just popped in with the idea of adding five or six images from Amber and Jero’s engagement photo session and somehow I have uploaded more than twenty photos! Amber and Jero, it was so much fun hanging out with the two of you at the amazing Hacienda, Temozon . These engagement photos were just the beginning and we can’t wait for your wedding weekend!

Mexico Wedding Photographer Elizabeth Medina, hacienda wedding photography, engagement photo sessions, wedding photography in Merida, Yucatan and throughout Mexico.

Sometimes people ask me about my ¨typical clients¨  which I have to say is a question that completely stumps me. We have been so blessed to meet and photograph amazing brides and grooms from literally every continent, photographing very intimate  weddings and affairs with surprisingly long guest lists, beach weddings, church weddings, extremely formal and elegantly casual affairs, crazy parties and more reserved celebrations. I think the common thread that seems to tie together all our couples is their willingness to go the extra mile to have special photographs to remember and celebrate their ¨big day¨. Oh and of course they are all simply beautiful people and totally crazy about each other!  On a more random level a common trait that seems to appear would be that we have photographed many, many graphic design professionals, both brides and grooms, which is totally fantastic! I love knowing that our beloved jpegs will be in good hands and get put to many creative uses. In this case the beautiful bride is an experienced graphic designer and when Ana Mercedes reached out to me over a year ago she already was excited about the photographs. It was hard to have to wait an entire year for the photo session at the Quinta Montes Molina! Ana y Lucio, espero que les gusten las fotos y que no les haya cansado demasiado!  Fue muy especial fotografiarlos, gracias y un abrazo!

La primera foto es de Lauren… estaba increible el cielo!

I told you she was beautiful…

Lucio was all smiles waiting for the first glimpse of his bride!

The “first look” on the front porch of the Quinta Montes Molina, very special.

Photographs of the couple in different areas of this historic home.

Bridal details, Ana’s bouquet and shoes…

We captured some very special bridal portraits of Ana in the interior of the quinta… I could have photographed a few more hours (or days, haha!) and not run out of interesting locations but of course Ana and Lucio needed to get married!

Bride and groom on the grounds of the quinta at sunset…

Ana and a few of her damas…

Marimar and Luis are such a sweet couple, it was a true honor for Team Medina to be able to photograph them on their big day. The ¨novios¨chose to be photographed in a very familiar location and I think that choice added a personal and intimate element to the photographs. Here in Mexico (or maybe this is just one of those crazy Yucatan things!) the superstition is that if you bury a knife in the yard you will be safe from rain…apparently this is not foolproof! Of course the  superstition that I personally subscribe to is that rain on the wedding day means good luck in marriage. Seeing Marimar and Luis Hernan together I know that they are definitely lucky in love.  Marimar y Luis, gracias por todo, esperamos que les gusten las fotografias y les deseamos todo lo mejor!

Beautiful couple, amazing location…I am just about speechess! (and if you have been reading this blog and are thinking that its about time, since this is a photo blog, not a collection of essays! But I really do photograph the most amazing couples and sometimes I just can’t help babbling on. Feel free to skip to the good stuff, you know, the images!)

Kathy, Claudio and Lauren and I were so fortunate to have the use of a historic family residence on the very lovely Paseo de Montejo here in Merida for this wedding day portrait session. This home is one of the two ¨casas gemelas¨ or twin houses,  very striking turn of the century European inspired landmarks, and it was a delight to see that this incredible mansion is being cared for with such love and respect. Kathy and Claudio were a pleasure to photograph and if it hadn´t been for the fact that they needed to go get married I could have happily continued to shoot away!

Elizabeth Medina destination wedding photographer located in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Wedding photojournalism throughout Mexico.

I hope to be forgiven for a blog post heavy in both wedding day detail photographs and superlatives. I met Zach and Lolita several months prior to the wedding when they came to Merida, Mexico for a site visit to their wedding venue, the Hacienda Xcanatun. I was delighted to be able to meet “my” bride and groom in person and very excited knowing their celebration would take place not only in Merida but at one of my very favorite destination wedding locations!

For those who might be unfamiliar, Yucatan’s haciendas are true hidden gems, as former plantations they are incredible historic sites, very unique to this part of the Peninsula and not found in the Mayan Riviera or Tulum, areas that have been developed recently. Xcanatun dates from the XVIII century and is now a wonderful boutique hotel, it is charming and intimate with an upscale feel, and was the perfect setting for this very lovely wedding. Zach and Lolita, Lindsey and I wish you all the very best! Felicidades a los dos!

Lolita on her way to meet her groom for a “first look” and bride and groom photgraphs on the grounds of Hacienda Xcanatun, these two are so great together!

The backdrop of the ceremony was the hacienda chapel, it was very peaceful and beautiful.

The dinner reception was held on the hacienda’s outdoor terrace. Zach and Lolita had music all throughout the evening, an orchestra accompanied the ceremony followed by a traditional Yucatecan trio (perfect for the location and ambience!) and finally after dinner a local salsa band had the guests on their feet!

Lindsey and I were able to “escape” the reception for a few minutes with Zach and Lolita for a few nigh time photos…

Wedding photographer based in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, Elizabeth Medina photographs weddings in Yucatan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Cancun, the Maya Riviera, Tulum, San Miguel de Allende and throughout Mexico, with a relaxed, natural and expressive style.

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.

This was one of those fabulously international affairs. Mariana is of Argentine descent and had many family members make the trip from Argentina, Alex is from Switzerland and also had many people on hand for the event. It was pointed out that those two places are just about on opposite ends of the earth! They were also accompanied by a large group of friends from Mexico City! So as out of the way as Yucatan can seem to some it was really a common ground for this far flung group of family and friends and I think a special one since Mariana and Alex were able to incorporate so many regional details to really give the wedding the flavor of the Yucatan.

Mariana and Alex had both a civil wedding and a Mayan ceremony which were held on separate dates, both at the Hacienda Xcanatun in Merida, Yucatan. Xcanatun is an exceptionally beautiful hacienda, it has been restored spectacularly and the grounds are very lush and green. It was a very unique, once in a lifetime event and I was honored to be able to photograph it!

A few details for Xcanatun the night of the civil wedding (boda civil).
La boda civil.Los novios…

The grounds of the hacienda are so beautiful, it is like an oasis.

Xcanatun at twilight.

Mariana chose the perfect dress for the hacienda setting, it was just gorgeous and looked perfect on her.

Her shoes definitely made my all time favorite bridal shoe list!

I really thought that this photograph of Mariana before the ceremony captured a bit of her wedding day spirit.

The tables for the reception dinner were set up under the most amazing palm trees in the hacienda gardens, it was spectacular.

The Mayan ceremony was held in the garden of the hacienda at night.

An important part of the Mayan wedding ceremonies that I have witnessed is giving some type of offering back to the land, here the flower girl helped offer seeds and vegetables to the earth.

Another part of the ceremony is the “limpia” or ritual cleansing. The officiant was very thorough, not easy with such a tall groom!

A la fiesta!

The reception set up.

I was happy to have caught this moment! I love thinking that she will see this and the other photographs when she is all grown up and remember playing such an important role and how it felt.

Mariana assured me there would be no “first dance”, I guess it pays to be prepared for anything…

This detail shot is my fab assistant Lindsey’s!

Hacienda Xcanatun wedding photography by Merida, Yucatan, wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina.

What can I say? I love my job and photographing a couple like Pau and Rich is a great reminder of why and how much I love it! Ever since Paulina came to my studio the first time accompanying her sister Daniela, (whose amazing wedding to Marcelo I photographed in November) I thought she was one of the most kind and upbeat people I had met in a while. I was so happy when she came back a few months later and told me she would also be getting married and would like me to photograph her wedding as well! It was so fun to see how each sister planned a wedding with special details that fit her own unique style. Paulina and Rich were married in an evening ceremony at Nuestra Señora de Libano and the Club Campestre was transformed by the wedding coordinators at BAKU. It was fun to just be around Pau and Rich’s joy, I hope the photographs will help them to never forget how happy they were on their wedding day.

A detail of the dress…

Los novios, I was very grateful to have captured these moments.

A few of the flower girls in a quiet moment.

A few moments during the Paulina and Rich’s wedding mass.

Sometimes there are certain photographs that really speak to me in ways I really can’t explain, I think this would be one of those.

Pau and Rich make their exit….

To perfectly timed fireworks!

The main ballroom of the Club Campestre is famous for being impossible to decorate because of its massive size, I don’t think I have ever seen it prettier.

Walking to center stage for their first dance as husband and wife.

Reception details…

one memorable detail was the incredible candy table with all kinds of favorite snacks…cacahuates, chilitos, paletas, chicles…

Paulina and her group of amigas and the party gets started…

Yucatan has some great wedding bands! Who could not have fun at a party like this one?

The guests had so much fun putting on crazy hats, ties and masks!Of course Pau and Rich had his and her crowns!

And of course if you are Mexican you will recognize…Rebelde and Timbiriche!

Wedding photojournalism by Merida, Yucatan, Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

I had been waiting for Daniela and Marcelo’s wedding for a year and a half. I knew it would be a blast to photograph! Daniela and Marcelo live in Monterrey, Mexico, but planned an amazing wedding at Daniela’s home in Merida. Daniela is well known in Mexico as a professional jewelry designer and from the moment she came into the studio I was struck by her unique natural stylishness. I never guessed that Marcelo would be just as cool and that they would both be so much fun! Muchas felicidades a los dos y mil gracias por ser como son, ¡me encantó fotografiar la boda! PD, Nos vemos muy pronto en otra boda muy especial!
I begged Daniela to give me a few minutes to photograph her by window light. I was sorry to make Marcelo wait but I think it was worth it! I loved the way her vintage style dress and veil were complemented by the architecture.

I love the moment when the couple first sees each other, I think it is usually more emotional when it is a private moment before the wedding ceremony, these two were so delighted to see each other and I was able to capture teh moment from a distance with a telephoto lens.

I had wondered if Daniela would design jewelry to wear for the wedding…I had to smile when I noticed her bracelet!

the ceremony took place at the church in the village of Cholul, this church has been beautifully restored and has a lot of charm and personality.

I think this is one of my favorite photographs ever.

Time for the reception….

The reception site, so much color!

The first dance was very emotional.

La fiesta estuvo buenísima…

Elizabeth Medina, international wedding photojournalist, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

I have been fortunate that so many of my clients are very hip creative professionals…as an architect and graphic designer both Mónica and Einar certainly fall in that category and it was wonderful to have been able to get to know them in the months before the wedding. Mexico has so many great haciendas, I was glad to hear that they chose to celebrate the reception at the Hacienda San Ignacio Tisip, I epecially enjoy wedding photography in such a beautiful, intimate setting. The wedding was great fun to photograph and although I don’t want to give anything away we have big plans for a VERY hip and creative post-honeymoon photo shoot and to design a very original album, so there is still more photography to look forward to! Here is a glimpse of just a few of the images from their wedding at the hacienda San Ignacio Tisip, outside of Mérida, Yucatán, México.

The flowers were amazing.

Bride and groom, pre-ceremony.

The moon over the palm trees…

First dance….

The two little dancers were just adorable, they would watch the ¨novios¨and imitate all their dance moves.

Hacienda wedding photography by Mexico photographer Elizabeth Medina. Fotografia de boda por Elizabeth Medina, Yucatan, Mexico.