Mexico… what can I say I am a little biased since this is my home. But there are no two ways about it…  I am firmly convinced that there can be no more perfect place to be married! Kim and Thomas’  wedding at the Royal Resort in Playa del Carmen is a case in point. The couple shared a very intimate and relaxed  gazebo ceremony with a very happy and spirited group of family and friends, followed by an exhilarating toes in the sand beach side fiesta. In  between we somehow managed to steal time for images of the couple enjoying each other and the moment. Kim and Thomas, we had such a wonderful time with the two of you. We hope the photographs bring back some great memories!

The first photographs are from the morning after the wedding when Lauren and I met up with Kim and Thomas for a brief “morning after” shoot.

The big day! A few detail and getting ready photos…

Not only was she amazing to start with Kim had Adrian Guerra performing his makeup art!

When the veil goes on the whole bride thing somehow seems to becomes real.

The gazebo ceremony site, lovely and the wedding colors really popped against the blue sky, turquoise ocean and palm trees!

All photographs (c) 2011 Elizabeth and Lauren Medina. Elizabeth Medina Photography, photographing weddings throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum, Mexico.

Hola blog readers…  I know, I know! Long time no blog! Crazy but this month marks the five year anniversary of this little wedding photography blog! (and even more amazing the website itself has been going strong for over a decade!) Ironically we seem to have celebrated this blogging milestone by playing blog hooky, stealing extra time to work on images from some very special weddings as well as other very exciting creative projects. Jared and Wadia’s wedding is more than enough reason to pick things up. This lovely couple reside in the US but incorporated a great deal of Yucatecan charm in their wedding celebration, beginning with the welcome dinner at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez in Merida. An enormous amount of rain that fell over the weekend, however far from slowing anyone down it only seemed to add to the adventure! Wedding photography coming soon! All photographs Elizabeth and Lindsey Medina.

Here are few photographs from Wadia and Jared’s casual photo session and the hacienda welcome party that followed. Location: Hacienda Chichi Suarez, Event Coordination: Icela Cardenas, Celebra Events.

After being an extremely warm and humid afternoon the skies finally opened up and poured just as the party was to start!And no this did not stop anyone from having a fantastic time!

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.

As a wedding photographer I think I can tend to have one foot firmly planted in the future. Going over details with couples who have reserved dates for our upcoming weddings or chatting about availability with prospective brides and grooms means that at any given time my agenda is more likely to be flipped open to a date months away than the actual week in progress. Maybe this futuristic reality is one reason I look forward the chance to hit pause and thankfully reflect on the previous year’s weddings. Revisiting moments from our 2010 weddings (as I hope my amazing 2010 brides and grooms will continue to do for years and years with their own images!) brings back especially vivid memories, each chapter of 2010 was unique and special and each couple oh so very  inspirational!

Warning, this sideshow goes by quickly, but then of course so did 2010! All slide show images Elizabeth, Lindsey and Lauren Medina. Music by the very talented Tiger Darrow is featured with our gratitude. (Regular blog readers will remember Tiger from Ember and Jon Paul’s Mexico wedding). If you love Tiger’s song as much as I do be sure to check out Tiger’s new albums!

Elizabeth Medina is Mexico’s premier wedding photographer, photographing weddings in the Yucatan, Mayan Riviera, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Costa Careyes, San Miguel de Allende and Los Cabos.

Ana Paulina and Gabriel will be familiar to those who have been reading the blog for a while. In August we had the pleasure of photographing Ana Paulina and Gabriel with celebrating with their family and friends their civil wedding at the beach in Uaymitun, Yucatan. Ana Paulina and Gabriel are a fantastic couple and obviously know how to throw a party so we were really looking forward to the ¨main event¨!  The Catholic mass was held at the Nuestra Señora de Libano church in Mérida, Yucatán and the amazing reception was held at a ¨casa de campo¨ in the small town of Cholul on the outskirts of Mérida. Please be sure to scroll down for a glimpse of the jaw dropping reception. It was all a bit too amazing to put into words so I will let a few of the wedding photographs do the talking!

Things ran a little bit late and the novios saw each other for the first time shortly before the sunset. We hurried a bit chasing the last light but it was worth it, I was really happy with the photographs of this beautiful couple.

The next shot is not going to win any awards…but I wanted to post it because I thought that it was such a neat detail…rather than giving her bridesmaids bouquets Ana Paulina gave them thease really neat flower bracelets.

Cholul… the ceremony site was simply breathtaking.

As a surprise for the bride and groom a video was played during their first dance of the two of them dancing together and Ana Paulina´s quinceañera! They were so cute! It was a real crowd pleaser.

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photographer in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She photographs weddings thoughout Mexico.

What a fun session this was! Michelle and Brian are a very sweet couple from Canada. They were married a year ago and traveled to Mexico’s Mayan Riviera to celebrate their anniversary. As much as we LOVE non wedding day portrait sessions (being used to the craziness of the wedding day it is very rare and inspiring for us to have the luxury of unhurried time alone with the couple). Because of our full schedule of weddings we are usually only able to reserve the day after, honeymoon or anniversary sessions along with complete wedding coverage but due to some persistence and planning on Michelle and Brian’s  part fortunately we were able to make it work. It was a treat to photograph such a charming couple in such a peaceful and very romantic setting. Michelle and Brian, I hope on those cold winter days in Canada the photographs bring back warm memories of your time in Mexico!

TTD Trash the dress photo session in Mexico. Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photojournalism and wedding photography. She photographs weddings throughout Mexico, in locations including Playa de Carmen, Yucatan and the Riviera Maya.

Minty and Giovanni’s was elegant, joyful, and best of all right here at home in Merida! It has been wonderful to photograph events close to home this fall and to see and photograph so many familiar faces. And let’s face it…  Here in Yucatan people know how to throw a party like no where else! Minty and Giovanni were such a wonderful couple to photograph, I loved the way they both absolutely lit up with happiness when they first saw each other before the ceremony. I don’t think that either of them ever stopped smiling for the rest of the night! Minty y Giovanni, me encantó poder acompañarlos en un dia tan inolvidable!

The serene image in the doorway is Lindsey´s!

I loved Giovanni´s expression when he saw Minty for the first time!

Not sure how many are in this photo but there were 20 bridesmaids in all including some of my favorite past and future brides!

I couldn´t decide between the next two images of Minty walking down the aisle on her father´s arm, so much happiness!

A few reception details, the reception was held at the Club Campestre.

Minty and Giovanni´s first dance as husband and wife.

Unforgettable! Lauren and I had a wonderful time photographing Erica and Doug’s weekend at the beautiful Barcelo Mayan Palace in the Mayan Riviera. These two make an awesome couple and had a really fun group of family and friends make the trip to Mexico to celebrate their marriage.  Erica is a graphic designer (I have had quite a few graphic designers as brides and grooms and always expect that it will make for an eye catching event!) and had applied her artistic vision all through the wedding planning. It was fun to see all the details that she had prepared, here is a little peek a the many photographs from the welcome dinner white party that was held on the beach the night before the wedding and the wedding mass the next day at the Barcelo’s Catholic chapel. Thank you Erica and Doug, it was an amazing weekend! We loved spending it with all of you! Mucho amor para siempre!

The welcome dinner was held the evening prior to the wedding. We were able to do some more casual photos of the bride and groom before heading to the party on the beach.

All the guests dressed in white for this event, the photo below is of both immediate families together, its not every day a photo op like that comes along.

Jsut a few detsils from the beach party…

The wedding day… details from the getting ready portion of the day.

Erica looked awesome, we LOVED her dress especially because it was jsut perfect for her.

It was fun to see how happy Doug was on the wedding day!

A few ophotographs from the ceremony and some group portraits on the beach, it was another very hot day, the bridesmaids and groomsmen were such troopers!

The reception was held in a beautiful French restaurant at the Barcelo Maya Palace. It was perfect for Erica and Dougs elegant destination style. This crowd know how to party, they were dancing from the very start of the reception!

Elizabeth Medina, Mexico’s premier  wedding photgrapher. Elizabeth Medina photographs destination wedding photography throughout Mexico in locations including the Mayan Riviera, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Costa Careyes, Yucatan and San Miguel de Allende.

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.

In appreciation for the wonderful couples who we were privileged to photograph this year we put together this little 2008 in review slide show to share with our friends new and old. Hope you check it out! Best wishes to all for a beautifully creative 2009! Blog entries coming soon for two more lovely 2008 weddings; Jalé and Ken’s December wedding at Le Reve and Nicole and Alfredo’s wedding at the Royal in Playa del Carmen.

Click Here for the 2008 In Review Slideshow

Another beautiful, beautiful day in the Maya Riviera. Christi and Lee planned their intimate destination wedding on the beach of the Secrets Capri resort. Destination weddings tend to be very warm and intimate affairs, really enjoyable and special for the guests as well as bride and groom. Everyone seemed to be so happy all day, especially Cristi and Lee who seemed to be absolutely delighted! I was very happy with the photographs because they seem to me to reflect the happiness of the day. Congratulations Cristi and Lee and thank you for being such a great couple!

Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism, Maya Riviera, Mexico, Secrets Capri.

What a beautiful day! It was so enjoyable to photograph this adorable (I don’t use that word very often…but they really are an adorable couple!) having such a splendid time with the very diverse group of family and friends that had traveled so far to be part of the day. A much as I enjoyed capturing and putting together the collection of images to tell the story of the day I am also really looking forward to designing the wedding album, it is so wonderful to compile the images of such an important event into a tangible piece of family history.

Darlene and Manoj’ wedding was the third I have photographed at the JW Marriott and I have to say it has become one of my favorite wedding locations. There are several different spaces that can be used throughout the hotel grounds, including the gazebo which is authorized to hold a Catholic mass, so each event seems to be different. The coordinator, Francisco Roman, seems to do such a nice job of keeping everything flowing. I think the gazebo with its ocean view is really special…and of course that amazing turquoise Cancun water, WOW!

The only thing that was a little sad for me is knowing that this was the final wedding that my photographer friend Grace Kim from Seattle accompanied me to as a “second shooter”, I loved having her help and knew I would really miss her when I looked over at one point and saw her carrying, in additional to her own gear almost all of mine! Grace is not a very large person so it just looked like a mountain of equipment walking along! I guess I had been so intent on the photographs I was taking that I just left everything behind! Thank you so much Grace it was amazing to have you here! I hope some day for the chance to repay the favor!

I thought the bridesmaid’s dresses were really special, it turned out that a very talented bride’s maid had actually made them herself!

Darelene’s mother placed the finishing touches on the veil.

I think this “grab” shot looks almost posed, I think that they were all standing in a strip of shade about 6 inches wide waiting for the ceremony to begin.

A few images from the Catholic ceremony in the gazebo.

The ring bearer was very serious and did an excellent job.

Grace caught this great moment right after the kiss.

This one is for Darlene…

After the ceremony we were able to do some photography on the beach.

The reception was set up poolside right in front of the ocean, this is just a little detail from the table decoration.

Darlene “escaped” from the reception for a couple of pictures.

The toasts had everyone laughing and crying and then laughing again!

Father daughter dance.

Ok…this crowd know how to dance!

Wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina photographs destination weddings in Cancun, the Riviera Maya and throughout 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.