Pretty much at every wedding I photograph someone notices me doing crazy things with my camera and comes up to me and tells me that I have the best job around. I have to agree! It is inspirational to be around so much happiness and beauty. Knowing that a couple as fabulous as Margaret and Eric had not only chosen me to record their once in a lifetime destination wedding at the Barceló Maya Palace in the Rivera Maya, but are enthusiastic about my work is an honor, but also as we say in Spanish a “compromiso”…a big responsibility that I don’t take the least bit lightly! My aim as I run around with the camera is to capture the beauty in the personal, unique moments that make up the day, and go beyond the superficial capturing in the images a sense of place and feeling. Feeling that we have been able to capture those memories really does make be love my job! Gracias, Margaret y Eric, me encantó fotografiar esta boda tan especial.

Elizabeth Medina, wedding photographer, Maya Rivera, Yucatan Penninsula. Wedding photography at the Barcelo hotel. Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photography throughout Mexico.

It always amazes me how each wedding that I photograph is different from all the others, but that each has its own special magic! Lisa and Brian were married in a very unique and extremely beautiful destination wedding on a private beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The event was planned by wedding coodinators Maria and Erica at Weddings in Playa. and I thought the timing (or the day itself) could not have been more perfect. The fiesta was held at the Casa del Agua restaurant on Playa del Carmen’s Quinta Avenida. Lisa and Brian, I felt so fortunate to have been chosen to photograph your unforgettable wedding in Mexico! Felicidades a los dos!

I had never seen a dress quite like Lisa’s dress from Pronovias in Spain, it was absolutely perfect for this wedding.

We did a few pictures at the Shangri La Caribe before leaving for the ceremony site, I loved this one of the groom.

These Mayan ruins were located very near the ceremony site. It was so much fun to photograph Lisa and Brian and their families in that setting.

Those conch shells really put out a lot of sound! The Mayan wedding ceremony was very heartfelt and lovely,

The walk to Casa del Agua, everyone yelling out congratulations to the novios…

The Casa del Agua, an amazing place for the fiesta.

Playa del Carmen wedding photography by wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina, Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Stacey and Charles chose an outstanding location for the wedding, the MK Blue at the Fairmont Mayakoba near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Not only does the MK Blue have a very upscale, relaxed vibe, it is surrounded by incredible scenery and was the perfect setting for this very special celebration. I loved how the colors chosen for the wedding reflected so perfectly the colors of nature. Thank you Stacey and Charles for the honor of being your wedding photographer!

The gorgeous bride before leaving for the ceremony.

I lvoe photographing texture.

Stacey travelled to the ceremony in a private gondola, such a beautiful and peaceful time before the ceremony.

I loved this photograph with the Mexican flag!

The bride arriving at MK Blue…

The beach wedding ceremony, such special moments to photograph.

I loved the non-matching group of bridesmaids, this is one of my favorite “trends”.

Brida and groom at sunset.

I loved the shoe table! What a great idea for a beach party!

Just a detail shot…

MK Blue is made of bleached wood, the look is really different for the Maya Rivera.

A few candid images from the reception.

First dance and the party…

Amy and Brian were great to photograph because together with a great group of family and close friends they enjoyed every minute of their wedding celebration. They were married in a very special beach wedding ceremony at the El Dorado Royale in the beautiful Riviera Maya. Amy warned me that the wedding would be an emotional one, and there were quite a few happy tears! Although the resort is fairly large, their ceremony site overlooking the ocean was very private, peaceful and natural. The reception afterwards took place in a poolside palapa and was a lot of fun! Gracias Amy and Brian for including us in your wedding celebration, best wishes to both of you for a long and happy marriage! Felicidades!

A few portraits of the bride and groom from before the rehearsal dinner, this was the night before the wedding at the El Dorado Royale.

Amy’s mom helping with the veil…Amy got ready on the Casitas side of the resort which I loved because of its casual feel.

Amy and Brian did not want to see each other prior to the ceremony, but we were able to do some bridal photography with Amy, I loved being able to create these images.

The ceremony was held at the very edge of the El Dorado Royale, the view of the Maya Rivera coast was breath taking.

Brian and his guys waiting…

For Amy and her dad…

A few photographs from the beach ceremony.

The sand ceremony, so pretty with black and white sand…

I thought this shot of the whole bridal party on the beach was a lot of fun, I had never seen black bridesmaid’s dresses before and thought that they looked great with the colorful flowers.

Amy’s flowers were very bright and tropical.

Amy and Brian made a great entrance into the reception, they were ready to PARTY!

Yummy colors…

The maracas on the tables were a huge hit with the guests.

Amy’s dad gave a funny speech…

Amy and Brian, the first dance.

Mexico photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photography at the El Dorado Royale, Maya Rivera, Mexico. Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photojournalism throughout Mexico.

What a wonderful day! Because of scheduling conflicts Evonne and Forrest were unable to fit in a trash the dress session that had been contemplated for the morning after the Thanksgiving day (US Thanksgiving day that is) wedding. Instead, I arrived early in Playacar the day of the wedding in time for a photo session with just the bride and groom at noon. Looking over the images I am astounded by how many special images came from that session, held at a time of day notorious as bad for photography!…Forrest and Evonne make such a spectacular looking couple and interact in a beautiful way, and while they were initially a little unsure about what to do in front of the camera they loosened up very quickly! They also turned out to be really good at the kissing pictures, actually I think they may have even forgot about the camera completely for a while!

The resort is gorgeous and the weather was a photographer’s dream. I thought the ceremony was absolutely lovely, and I appreciated very much being able to talk to the officiant prior to the ceremony. He was very open to finding out what I thought would be the best positioning for himself relative to the bride and groom, that can make such a difference, in this case the camera (and the congregation!) could see Evonne and Forrest’s faces and expressions throughout the ceremony which makes the ceremony especially meaningful for the congregation. The icing on the cake was that after the family photo session and in the last minutes of daylight Forrest and Evonne decided to go for it and do a spontaneous mini trash the dress session before the reception! Of course Evonne had it all under control and walked into the reception an hour later looking fabulous in a second beautiful gown!

Gracias Evonne and Forrest, it was such a joy to met you both.

The groom….

I usually never see this sight because I don’t usually shoot in the sun at midday…which just goes to show sometimes its good to break the rules!

This image really makes me smile, it is just the kind of relaxed, beautiful moment that I hope to capture.

Forrest and Evonne each had a longtime friend to stand up with them. I thought it would be fun to photograph the bridal party in the “palatial” lobby of the Rui Palace Rivera Maya Resort.

Final prep…

The Riu Palcace gazebo ceremony…

After “the kiss” Forrest and Evonne jumped the broom, this was the first time one of my weddings had included this African American wedding tradition that marks the bride and groom starting their life together as man and wife.

Los mariachis….

The unexpected trash the dress session! How many couples go for a swim between the ceremony and reception?

The dinner was held in a private room, which had been decorated beautifully. Evonne used shells, candles and framed pictures of her and Forrest together as a couple to decorate the tables. My assistant and I felt so honored to see that she had even included our place cards and favors with personal notes to each of us.

OK, I won’t go into it all, I will just say that Evonne’s siblings had some VERY FUNNY surprises to welcome Forrest into their Asian family, I don’t think wedding photojournalists are supposed to laugh as they photograph, but I seriously could not help it!

Rui Palace Playacar, Mexico photography by Elizabeth Medina, Mexico destination wedding photojournalist.

Paul and Luzma were married in an outdoor ceremony at the Royal Resort’s gazebo. The Royal is located in the heart of Playa del Carmen and is a great location for a wedding. I had photographed at the Royal a few times before and it never ceases to amaze me how each couple’s different style makes each wedding unique, even in a familiar location. Paul and Luzma were one of the most enjoyable couples I have photographed, and their fiesta on the beach was an absolute blast. I hope a little bit of the romance and good times of their day shows in these photographs. Felicidades y muchas gracias Luzma y Paul!

A few shots as I arrived on the grounds of the Royal.

Luzma was such a beautiful bride.

A few photographs taken during the ceremony in the oceanfront wedding gazebo.

This image was a happy surprise, it was shot THROUGH one of the bubbles!

I just loved every one of these photographs of the bride and groom after the ceremony, I think they are all my favorite.

What trust…walking in slippery, slippery algae in a white wedding gown before the reception!

Some extra ice for the tropical drinks?

Las amigas…

A Maya Riviera sunset…

Paul and Luzma had a great Salsa band, the Balance Band. They are local to Playa and really know how to get the party dancing on the beach.

Maya Riviera wedding photojournalism by Mexico wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina. Located in Mérida, Yucatán, México Elizabeth is available for wedding photography in the Yucatan Penninsula, throughout Mexico and internationally.