I am pretty sure I have mentioned here on the blog (possibly more than a few times!) how happy it makes me to hear couples say that they found their Mexico wedding venue through this blog. Makes me smile because I know for a fact that there can be no better place to be married than Mexico! One thing I don’t think I have ever talked about though is how cool it is to know that so many couples of the future check the blog for wedding inspiration!  (I am not a big one for the self promotion hype thing but I hope you will bear with me just this once as I say that it blows my mind to know the number of visits that this little wedding photography blog receives on any given day!)  Showing up at a wedding and hearing from the bride that she has been inspired by one of my past bride’s photographs almost makes me envision a world where my past and present brides would get together over coffee to flip through wedding albums, I guess I just wish such amazing people could all know each other! Fortunately for us, some of our past wedding photos actually helped Tiffany discover us (along with her “inspiration wedding”) when a relative sent her the sideshow another of our beautiful brides from the same northern state (Puerto Vallarta Kate, that would be you!)

Fast forward to almost two years later, Lauren and I were delighted to travel to Cabo to photograph Tiffany and Scott’s lovely wedding. This very special destination wedding was coordinated by the delightful Leslie Bost and Adriana Dupinet, principal wedding planners of One Happenings in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The ceremony was held at Sunset da Mona Lisa and reception at Casa Dorada…. I know I am posting way too many images for one blog post but I can’t help but guess that this beautiful wedding may also prove inspirational!

Tiffany and Scott, we loved the time we spent with you and your group, thank you all for making us feel right at home!  How about starting with a little deserted beach trash the dress magic…. All photographs Lauren and Elizabeth Medina.

The wedding day…

Ember and Jon Paul tied the knot in a gazebo ceremony at the Royal Resort near Playa del Carmen’s Quinta Avenida. It was a great day and Lindsey and I were delighted to be their wedding photographers! Destination weddings can be so much fun for everyone, especially in the case of a thoughtful (and really fun!) couple like Ember and Jon who seem to want nothing more than to make sure that their friends and family are well taken care of and having an amazing time. Congratulations to you both, we wish you all the best!

The beautiful bride, a few pre-ceremony getting ready photographs.

I love to find out that my current brides get inspiration from brides whose weddings I have already photographed! Yes, Britni if you are still reading this blog, that shout out would be for you! And in this case the inspiration is especially fantastic… Toms Shoes are super special because for each pair purchased a new pair is given to a child in need. Ember’s comfy but sparkly Toms seemed like the perfect wedding shoe for this fast moving and very energetic bride!

Bridal portraits, I love it when there is time for these!

Jon Paul and some pre-ceremony photos with his entourage….

Ember and John Paul discovered a wonderful young singer named Tiger Darrow and were able to bring her to Mexico to provide the music for their wedding… she did a fantastic job and her performance added a special dimension to the wedding… certainly an artist to watch!

Jon Paul at the altar as Ember makes her entrance on her father’s arm…

The ceremony was held at the Royal’s gazebo overlooking the ocean.

A photo of the whole group, then a few bride and groom photos on the Playa del Carmen beach.

Time to party… the cocktail hour and dinner reception were held in the Royal’s ballroom, it was a great party.

After the reception the bride and groom where serenaded by a mariachi band as they lead their guests to continue the party on the Quinta Avenida….

Paul and Loly are a wonderful couple from California, it was a true honor to have them fly in from California for their anniversary photo session. What can I  say… each and every bride and groom I photograph is a rockstar and I am so blessed to be their photographer!    Loly and Paul, thank you so much for trusting me with such important photographs, it was a privilege.

After a bit of deliberation (Mexico´s states of Yucatán and Campeche are both studded with so many unique and amazing haciendas!)  Campeche´s  Hacienda Uayamón was chosen as the location for the photo session. I really can´t say enough good things about Hacienda Uayamón, it is a gem,  a fairy tale location run by the nicest people around. Absolutely nothing could be more satisfying than hearing people say that they have found and fallen in love with their Mexico wedding location through my photography and this year I look forward to returning to fantastic spots with couples who have found their locations right here on this blog. What could be better?

The next shot is Loly and Paul´s style…they really enjoy each other.

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photographer located in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and photographing weddings in Yucatan, Campeche, Mayan Rivera, Cancun and throughout Mexico.

“I THINK I MADE THE WRONG DECISION!”  Words no wedding photographer ever wants to hear from a beautiful bride waiting ocean side for her groom to arrive for the pre ceremony “first look”  Time seemed to stand still,  but of course it was only an instant before I realized that Katherine was referring to the choice to risk setting up the reception outdoors despite the predicted rain showers.  Despite a few random sprinkles it turns out that all choices were right on target! The weather held and the wedding at the new Azul Sensatori was perfect in every way! Lauren and I loved being a part of this once in a lifetime day! Gracias Katherine and Jim, you are a beautiful couple! Congratulations!

Just because its my blog and I get to do whatever I want I thought I would start with the trash the dress session at sunrise the morning after the wedding.

The big day…

Love that bling!

I love a bride with a plan…Katherine planned more time than the usual for pre ceremony photographs, and had actually scouted some amazing locations ahead of time!

Mexico wedding photography Elizabeth Medina, at the Azul Sensatori a Karisma resort, Mayan Riviera, Mexico.

If the Mexico destination weddings and couples I photograph were not so amazing and the energy of the wedding day so addictive, my dream would be to photograph for magazines like T+L (Travel and Leisure) or Conde Nast Traveller. Long before I started photographing weddings I would look at the images in those magazines and analyze how they were made. So when I get to photograph weddings that have that kind of cool travel vibe I could not be happier. Shaelyn and Tony were married at a private hacienda very close to Merida, Yucatan. This hacienda is quite unique in that it has kind of a funky, bohemian style and a lot of personality. The whole group seemed very relaxed and ready to enjoy the Yucatecan flavor of the wedding. All in all…a fun way to kick off 2009. Gracias, Shaelyn y Tony!

Hmm…a birdcage veil and a birdcage…couldn’t resist this one.

The ceremony was held on the front lawn, Lauren captured this photograph from the roof of the hacienda.

When in Yucatan you can’t miss trying panuchos, especially from fresh handmade tortillas.

Placecards!

When the bride and groom kissed they were surrounded for an instant by a sudden flash of fireflies! How cool is that!

The little dolls were made by a friend…so cute I had to borrow them for a photograph of the wedding rings.

The reception was held by the pool.

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

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.

I get a surprising number of emails every week from destination brides and grooms asking for suggestions of locations for their weddings. I know the choices must be overwhelming, especially since there is not always the opportunity for a site visit before actually making the trip to Mexico for the wedding. When asked about Dreams Tulum I am always happy to give an enthusiastic thumbs up, especially if the crowd is a bit laid back and may be bringing children. Everyone just seems to have a great time at Dreams Tulum! This wedding certainly is a case in point, I was struck over and over as I edited all the photographs by the smiles on everyone’s face. Audra and Joe are a very active and fun couple, great to hang out with and to photograph! The ceremony was held on the beach and the dinner and dancing afterward also overlooked the ocean, in the Seaside Grill restaurant. Thank you Audra and Joe for letting us photograph your day. Best wishes to the two of you,may you continue to be blessed!

Bride and groom getting ready…

I thought this tee shirt was the best!

Audra and her team before they helped her with her final preparations.

So beautiful! I love it when there is enough time to do bridal portraits before the ceremony, they are always some of my favorites of the day.

The ceremony set up on the beach.

This is one of my favorites from the day.

In the warm weather sometimes the ring just doesn’t want to go on! iI loved Audra’s reaction!

Married!

The black and red color scheme is a bit different for a beach wedding, I thought the punchy color looked just fantastic.

Bridal party formals..

The first dance…

Not quite sure what was going on here…

Wedding photography in Mexico by professional wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina. Elizabeth Medina is a Wedding Photojournalist based in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She photographs weddings throughout Mexico at locations including the Maya Riviera, Yucatan haciendas, Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos y San Miguel de Allende.

This wedding had so many fun elements! What a joy it is to tell the story of a day like this! A traditional Mexican Catholic mass, a mariachi serenaded stroll down the streets of Playa del Carmen, a dinner dance reception in the garden of the Royal Resort (one of my favorite locations), a romantic bride and groom photo session on the beach and of course a bride and groom who were obviously crazy about each other and happy to be celebrating in Mexico with a close group of family and friends! ¡Fue un dia inolvidable! Thank you so much Rocio and Eliazar, I loved photographing your happiness and love on your wedding day in Playa del Carmen!

A getting ready shot…when I see the bridesmaids pitching in to get the bride ready I always remember the saying “it takes a village”.

Details….

Is this little guy cute or what?

The Catholic church in Playa del Carmen where the wedding ceremony was held.

I always have an eye out for both the “big picture” and the small elements that quietly illustrate the day’s story.

Los novios, joined by the lazo en the Mexican tradition.

Los mariachis started playing when the bride and groom made their exit from the the church.

Everyone walked from the church to the reception at the Royal, a beach front resort. I think that is so much fun!

Arriving at the Royal…

The mariachis must have been a bit tired after that walk…but they never missed a beat! I wish I could remember what song they were playing here…I think it may have been “Somos novios”

Bride and groom pictures…what a great couple!

I confess, as much as I LOVE wedding photojournalism I am very proud of my skills as a portrait artist, and envisioning and creating expressive images like the next one makes me very happy.

First dance in the garden area of the Royal Resort.

I don’t know if this groom toss looks like fun to me or jsut plain scary…but Eliazar actually seemed to be enjoying it!

Great way to end a reception on a hot, hot, hot day!

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photojournalist located in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She specializes in destination weddings and photographs weddings in the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum, and Isla Mujeres, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and throughout Mexico.