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.

Wedding day energy…there is nothing like it! One thing I love about wedding photojournalism is that there are so many emotions being experienced though out the day, documenting the joyful, beautiful real emotions (and also of course the craziness of it all) is an absolute adventure and the only thing that you can know for sure is that no two weddings are ever alike! Michael and Kelly are a fantastic couple with absolutely amazing energy for being in the moment and enjoying each other and the group of family and friends that joined them in Mexico. The day seemed to fly by so fast! I think one of the most wonderful thing about photography is its ability to stop time, I was so amazed while editing the photos by how many once in a lifetime moments were to be found in the images that Lauren and I were fortunate to be able to capture on this incredible day.

Lauren spotted this ´still life´ I love how the little details can help tell the story.

Bride and groom before the ceremony…

The weather had been pretty much touch and go, but at the perfect moment the sky cleared and the sun lit up the bride and groom, wow!

Another great detail shot from Lauren´s camera!

Fiesta!

Wedding photojpurnalist Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography at Azul Sensatori a Karisma resort. Elizabeth Medina specializes in destination wedding photography throughout the Mayan Riviera, the Yucatan Penninsula and Mexico.

See, I wasn’t kidding about blogging up a storm! Brandy and Matt were married in a Catholic ceremony at the Our Lady of Carmen chapel on Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue. The chapel is so pretty, and Brandy and Matt folloed up the ceremony with a stroll down the Quinta Avenida accompanied by a mariachi band. The reception was held at Lunata, a small “boutique” hotel, also located on the Quinta Avenida. The garden of the hotel was totally transformed through the vision of Brandy and her event designer Jennifer McCrackin with the aid of Playa del Carmen’s Ajua weddings.  Spectacular! Brandy and Matt could not be a nicer couple or seem more perfect for each other so it was an absolute pleasure to photograph their very special day.

Preparations….

Heading out to meet Matt for pre-ceremony photographs at the Royal Resort.

The beautiful bride before the ceremony.

A relaxed portrait of the groom…

The Catholic chapel, tiny but very pretty, it overlooks the ocean.

Bridal party photos at the altar don’t usually have palm trees in the background! Only in PDC!

A few detail shots of the table decoration, it was gorgeous and I know not easy to pull to in this part of Mexico.

Playa del Carmen wedding photography by Elizabeth Medina, destination wedding photojournalism in Playa del Carmen.

Tina and Garrett were married in a beach ceremony at the Sandos, Playacar in Playa de Carmen. i was very pleased to be their wedding photographer.The weather was very iffy that day, it actually rained right before the ceremony…but fortunately it stopped just in the nick of time and the afternoon was beautiful. The Sandos Playcar is located on a stretch of pristine beach and was a fantastic location for the next morning’s “trash the dress” session at sunrise. It was beautiful and such a pleasure to spend time with this delightful couple. Graicas Tina and Garrett, more photos are coming very soon!

If I had a little “photographer’s favorite” insignia for my blog posts I might put it on this photo, I think Tina’s beautiful spirit comes through.

Getting ready…

The flowers arrive…

The ceremony…

yes, There is a story here…the bestman had an unusual responsibility during the ceremony.

6 am, a beautiful new day and time to trash the dress…

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.

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.