I think every bride and groom envision a sunny day for the wedding, Alex and Eric certainly had theirs! As corny as it sounds sometimes you just feel the love and happiness all through the day, and it was great to witness such a large group of the bride and groom’s friends and family who had not only made the trip the attend this destination wedding in but who truly seemed to be thrilled for Alec and Eric and enjoying every single second to the maximum. Such a great party!

The Fairmont Mayakoba is a really unique setting, fantastic architecture and jungle vegetation overlooking the Mayan Riviera, it seemed like the perfect venue for this Mayan Riviera destination wedding.

The first look: this is usually the only time of the day that I am in charge of setting up… so I tend to get into it and my inner movie director takes over! At this wedding I once again had the assistance of wedding photographer Hiram Trillo. His second shooter/wife Nancy (that should probably be reversed, pretty sure the wife part comes first) was also helping out and so it was really fun to find a location that allowed the Alex and Eric’s encounter to be captured from three very different vantage points. Very cinematic if I do say so myself. (how embarrassingly geeky is that anyway?) Erin’ s approach was captured by Nancy.

And the following from Nancy’s vantage point across the river.

A few wedding party photos:

The beach ceremony, Alex and Eric brought down a rabbi, from what I understand they are very hard if not impossible to find in the Cancun Mayan Riviera area.

There goes the veil!

I love the next image!

Mariachi photo by Hiram.

The decor was fantastic, Alex and Eric choose to use white flowers for the beach ceremony and red for the dinner reception. The rich red flowers really complemented the Mexican themed table decorations and wedding favors (talavera pottery shot glasses). Muy bonito!

First dance:

I loved Hiram’s photo of the father, daughter dance, great capture!

And of course we love the Hora!

Mexico’s premier destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina photographs weddings in Yucatan, Campeche, the Mayan Riviera, Cancun, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta.

I guess it probably goes without saying that participating in a destination wedding in the Mayan Riviera is a fantastic experience. Bringing together so many unbeatable elements…travel, love, happiness, fun people, sun, ocean, sand, and of course an amazing fiesta…I guess it would be hard to go wrong with that recipe! Oh and I almost forgot… if you are the bride and groom and so inclined you can top it all off by “trashing the dress” on a gorgeous beach the next day. Blog readers get ready because this little photo blog is going to be on fire in the coming weeks with photographs of some amazing destination weddings at the most incredible locations!

Jehda and Ken were married at the Paradisus Resort, one of my favorite locations, and in addition to the Paradisus’ team they had the assistance of ace professional wedding planner Yazmin de la Mora in making sure that every detail went smoothly on the big day. All in all it was a lovely day as I hope the day’s imagery will attest.

Jehda and Kenneth decided just a day or two prior to the ceremony that they would like to do a “first look”, and then do some photographs with their wedding party prior to the ceremony. Although it was a bit warm, (OK, that should read it was really, really hot!) this turned out to be a very good call because the ceremony ran a little longer than expected leaving a pretty tight window of daylight for after ceremony photos. It also freed up time for Jehda and Ken to enjoy part of the really fun cocktail hour with their guests.

The next two images are really two views of the exact same moment! Lauren and I seem to have each hit the shutter button of our cameras from slightly different perspectives at just the same very sweet second. The first is mine and the second Lauren’s.

The ceremony was held on the beach, such vibrant color!

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.

I think it has been firmly established by now that my couples are rockstars each and every one! I truly could not feel more fortunate than to be the photographer of such beautiful and amazing people on their happiest day! Maria Elena and David are a delightful couple, just as sweet as can be. The wedding was held at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez and the details were implemented beautifully by Yucatan’s star wedding planners at BAKU.  All I can say is wow, this wedding was amazing and Lindsey and I really enjoyed photographing it. As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE photographing at new and different locations I also really find it incredibly energizing to return to favorite familiar locations because each wedding is always full of unique challenges, surprises and creative opportunities. Maria Elena y David, gracias por el honor de fotografiar tan bonita boda, les felicitamos y les deseamos lo mejor!

I love the next image. The wedding was held outdoors at night, the backdrop of the ceremony was the confessionary, which is a very unique small stone chapel.

A detail of the cross above the altar. The fireworks were timed for the bride and grooms exit from the ceremony.

I have to share some of the hacienda wedding details and decor, it was gorgeous.

Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, hacienda wedding photography in Merida Yucatan Mexico at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez. Fotografia de boda de Elizabeth Medina, at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

So beautiful! Miko and Kenji were married in a very intimate and spiritual ceremony at the Hacienda Uayamón in Campeche, Mexico. Uayamón is truly one of the Yucatan Peninsula´s gems and I could not feel more happy that so many people have become familiar with this magical hacienda through my work. I tend to get multiple emails every week asking about this location which tells me one thing… that many of my blog ¨readers¨ actually skip my ramblings and just look at the pictures. Which is something that I endorse wholeheartedly! This hacienda is far off the beaten path in the state of Campeche and Kenji and Miko experienced some interesting adventures along the way that I am sure will make fun stories someday. Their spiritual wedding ceremony was truly moving and I felt honored to be present, the atmosphere was simply magnificent and not something I can easily describe in words. Rather than trying I will let the images speak. Congratulations Miko and Kenji, and thank you.

Kenji and Miko symbolically joined two candles to light one single flame, but their individual flames continued to burn next to each other throughout the ceremony.

Wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism in Yucatan, Campeche, Riviera Maya, Cancun and throughout Mexico.

I loved photographing Alex and Drew´s Playa del Carmen Wedding! The wedding was held at the Royal in PDC. We have photographed several weddings at that location and honestly I ahve to say that no two have been alike and that I have loved them all! One thing I love about this resort, which is located right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, Mexico is that everyone present seems to be having such a good time. I think that Alex and Drew´s wedding more than proves the point! And as if a gorgeous beach location, happy guests and a beautiful (and ultra laid back) bride and handsome groom were not enough how about a zippy blue, green and yellow color scheme to melt a photographer´s heart? Simplemente perfecto!

The beautiful bride before the ceremony…

Bride and groom details…I LOVED the use of yellow and blue!

Alex and Drew had a dry erase board for guests to write messages, this was SUCH a hit, the messages were SO  funny and a great way to get wedding guests to actually use the disposible cameras!

Playa del Cament photographer Elizabeth Medina, destination wedding photography in Playa del Carmen Mexico.

I hope no one minds if I take a few minutes break from shooting, editing and blogging up a storm to share a little studio project. This little book is volume one, (volume two will naturally feature Mexico’s fantastic beach wedding destinations) was done as a personal project to showcase some of our wedding photography  in Mexico’s incomparable haciendas and historic homes. I truly feel that there is nothing better than a destination wedding in Mexico and that Mexico’s haciendas are magical wedding destinations. Having photographed a good number of weddings at haciendas in Yucatan and throughout Mexico and just love for people to find out about the amazing locations for wedding photography in Mexico through my work!

Those that have been reading this blog for a while already know that I consider travel + leisure magazine as one of my photographic influences so I hoped this project would reflect a bit of that  T+L vibe. Being busy with work for my clients I turned to Karen Dahlquist for the design and layout of this book. That proved to be a great decision because it was way too hard for me to choose just a few images from each wedding/location! I would have given up had I not been able to send folders of images for Karen to wade through! Maybe because I was at all the weddings and have great memories of each one, but I just loved how it all came together. Not sure if amazon.com will be calling soon but I do hope it will give a bit of exposure to Mexico’s haciendas as wedding locations.

Here are a few glimpses at the book’s contents. This spread is dedicated to the Hacienda Xcanatun this is a wonderful wedding location. (Zach and Lolita I can’t wait!)

Another absolute favorite, Hacienda Las Trancas is located in Central Mexico and is a magical destination. I am looking forward to shooting Amy and Matt’s wedding next summer at this location!

The hacienda wedding photography volume includes several weddings from Yucatan’s magnificent group of haciendas operated by Starwood Resorts. This group of haciendas include amazing locations like Temozon, (So excited about upcoming 2009 weddings at that location), San Jose (love, love this one!), Santa Rosa, (very cool hacienda venue, I photographed the very first wedding at Santa Rosa!) and of course Hacienda Uyamon in Campeche, Mexico.

emedina_book_tsip

The Hacienda Chichen Itza, it has been several years since I photographed at this location but I would just love to photograph another wedding at the hacienda.

Well, enough of all that… but please stop back soon for Alex and Drew’s wedding at the Royal in Playa del Carmen, to be followed by Katherine and Jim and Kelly and Michael both at the Azul Sesatori! I can’t wait to post each of these colorful one of a kind weddings to the blog, to be followed by Benny and Sandra’s Maya Rivera wedding and finally Jessica and Scott’s incredible San Miguel de Allende wedding.

Mexico wedding photography by Elizabeth Medina, a wedding photographer based in Yucatan, Mexico and available for photographic coverage throughout Mexico and internationally.

What a joyful day! I actually tried my best not to photograph this wedding! Believing I could not guarantee to be back from Kate and Bill’s Puerto Vallarta wedding in time I told Robin I was unavailable and recommended a couple of very talented fellow photographers. Fortunately for me Robin was firm in her decision and not a person who lets logistics stand in the way. When she did some legwork and started finding ways to make it possible I turned out to be putty in her hands! I was almost afraid to see what she could convince me to do on the day of the wedding! Of course she and Heath are as nice a couple as I could ever imagine working with and the wedding was both a warm and happy tradition filled celebration and a feast for the eye. Thank you Robin and Heath for not taking no for an answer! I loved photographing the wedding!

Girls and guys before the wedding…

Robin and Heath chose to do a “first look” before the ceremony.

The ceremony site was just beautiful and meaningful as well.

I loved this one!

Lauren captured the next image, nice!

Robin

Destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism in the Riviera Maya. www.elizabethmedina.com

What a day! Although a storm was brewing at sea this was one of the brightest, sunniest days ever. A “little” on the warm side but very, very beautiful and so lucky to have a fun, fun couple like Betty and Chris to photograph. It struck us that Betty and Chris seemed to be such a case of opposites attract, they had such very different styles but seemed absolutely PERFECT together. What could be more fun than to capture the moments for such a magical couple?

The bride had a great time with her girls…not bridesmaids this time but the best flower girls ever! The girls were so excited to get all dressed up and accessorized and then travel to the wedding gazebo with the bride in a horse drawn carriage.

When Betty and her girls arrived at the gazebo they entered the ceremony accompanied by a full mariachi band.

The bride’s entrance, a great capture by Lindsey.

The ring bearer did a great job. he was so serious about it all, barely cracking a smile before the wedding, I love both of the guy’s expressions as the bride made her entrance.

Since Betty speaks both English and Spanish Chris had learned enough Spanish to read his vows in her language, how sweet is that?

Quiet moments after the ceremony…

Bride and groom had a private carriage ride after the ceremony.

And we were able to do some photography on the beach at dusk, fantastic.

Cancun wedding photography at the Moon Palace Resort, Cancun, Mexico by Ddestination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina,. Elizabeth Medina is available for commission throughout the Maya Rivera, Yucatan, and 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.

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.

Megan and Matt had a very intimate and beautiful beach wedding at the Paraiso Iberostar in the Maya Riviera. I loved the colors and details that were chosen, they harmonized perfectly with the setting. The ceremony was held just a few feet away from the ocean, it was the first beach ceremony I have photographed where there was no altar, podium, Chuppah or arch of any kind, nothing at all but the bride and groom, family and friends and sand, water and sky. It was simply perfect! I really do not think I have seen the water or sky more beautiful, and since I photogrpah so often in Cancun and the the Rivera Maya I think that is really saying something! The colors of the ocean and sky were glorious.

Thank you Megan and Matt for all your kindness, it was so wonderful to be treated as old friends throughout the day. We wish you both the best of everything! I am really looking forward to creating your wedding album to showcase and preserve the memories of the day. Here are a few of the photographs:

I coudn’t resist a beachy shot of the rings.

There is a tradition among destination wedding brides of preparing OOT (out of town) bags filled with little things to make their guests stay more comfortable. Instead of bags Megan used beach buckets in her theme color, pink. How cute is that? At the dinner reception there were little pink pails filled with M & Ms (which stands for Megan and Matt of course!)

Even the dress got to go outdoors for photos.

One last check on the mirror. As much as I love photographing veils I also really love the no veil look, especially with a hairstyle like Megan’s.

I think the only special request Megan made all day was a photograph of Matt tying his tie! Did I do OK?

Matt and Megan met in a really special garden area to take some pictures together before the ceremony.

While i was getting shots like the one above my assistant captured the one below, I loved it!

Bride and groom with maid of honor and best man.

Another amazing detail, little bags of flower petals tucked into the chair covers.

Here comes the bride…

Elizabeth Medina, Maya Rivera wedding photography. Artistic wedding photojournalism throughout the Yucatan penninsula and all of Mexico.Iberostar Paraiso Resort, Maya Rivera, Mexico.