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.

July 7, 2007 was a big day for weddings, and it really was a lucky date for me, because I was able to work with a fabulous couple on a gorgeous sunny day in the Maya Riviera. Catherine and John planned their wedding on a private beach in Playacar, with the reception to follow at the Riu Palace Resort. Here are a few images form that special day…

The ceremony site in Playacar.

Catherine asked her friends to dress in the colors of the ocean..I love it!

The first dance…

Another first dance…this photograph really spoke to me.

Elizabeth Medina Photography, wedding photojournalism in the Riviera Maya and throughout Mexico. Rui Palace, Playacar, Mexico destination wedding photography.

I hope I am not overloading my blog with images, it is so hard to edit all the photographs from a full day’s wedding coverage into a reasonable number! Sara and Neil were married a the Shangri La Caribe in Playa del Carmen, I felt very honored to have been chosen to document the wedding, especially when I saw the care that Sara had put into choosing each and every detail. The Shangri La Caribe had been on my short list of venues where I would like to photograph and it did not disappoint, I really enjoyed the vibe there…relaxed but beautiful. Sara and Neil, thank you for letting me be a part of your day, and congratulations to you both.

I have to mention the flowers…the color was incredible, absolutely perfect for the theme of the wedding.

Getting into a wedding dress can be a little tricky!

Sara dn her girls looking gorgeous.

I love the little bungalows on the beach at the Shangri La Caribe, this one had a little spot that was perfect for the “novios”.

Sara and Neil had a few moments alone before the ceremony.

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A few moments from the the beach wedding ceremony.

Drinks by the pool, so tropical…

It rained for just a few minutes and when it stopped the sky and ocean were amazing.

A few photographs from the reception.

Wedding photojournalism by Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina at Playa del Carmen, Mexico in the Maya Riviera.

Russell and Brit were a fabulous couple to work with…I could tell Russ was a sweetheart when I saw the note he had left for Brit before the wedding made out of bracelets and necklaces! Brit was very beautiful and sweet and I could tell immediately that they are crazy about each other! It was so much fun to catch the spontaneous, joyous moments between the two of them. What more could a wedding photographer hope for? Muchas felicidades Brit and Russell!

It looked like rain right up until the time of the ceremony, so the ceremony was held in an alternate location, fortunatley the weather cleared up and we were able to photograph outdoors afterwards.

Brit wore a mermaid style dress, the train bustled in the coolest way!

The reception location was one of the loveliest I have seen, the palapa was very open and had a breathtaking view of the ocean. The sky cleared completely to reveal an amazing full moon.

Playa del Carmen wedding photography by international wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina.

During the planning stages for her marriage to Mark at the Excellence Resort Denise’s emails never failed to brighten my day, they were always cheerful and full of funny little comments. It was great to meet Mark and see that he had such a similar sense of humor and fun, they are a great couple to spend time with! Unfortunately, about an hour before the ceremony the weather took a turn for the worse and the beach ceremony that had been planned all along was not possible, it was pouring rain! Everyone took it in stride and fortunately the weather improved just in time for our planned day after or “trash the dress” session the next morning. Denise was my first “two dress” bride, I loved that! I think both dresses probably got wet…one in the rain on the wedding day and one when Mark threw her in the water. Thank you for everything Denise and Mark!

The day after session..

I lvoed this wall, the black an white photographs there are spectacular with all that texture.

I thought this image was so peaceful…

Denise and Mark wanted some photographs in the spot where the ceremony was originally planned.

Finally it was time to throw the bride in the water!

Having written back adn forth with Gladys for a few months before the wedding I knew a little about her, for example that she was in a visual, creative, profession, and that she was hoping for colorful, artistic photographs of the wedding she was planning in Playa del Carmen. It was great fun seeing how she put her creativity to use in planning a very special wedding to be enjoyed with the guests that had traveled to Playa del Carmen. ¡Muchas felicidades a una pareja lindísima!

A few pre ceremony getting ready shots…

Gladys and Carlton decided to see each other before the ceremony which allowed me to photograph these very special moments when they met.

I thought the groomsmen looked like something out of a movie as they walked up.

The ring bearer was a little shy, but his colors weren’t!

I loved the bridesmaid’s colors!

A moment during the ocean front ceremony at the Royal Porto Real Resort’s gazebo.

One of my favorite parts of the event was when the wedding party walked down Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue (la Quinta), while being serenaded by a trio. I later found out that Carlton used to play football and Gladys runs marathons..they seemed to move very quickly, but of course I was running backwards and photographing with two cameras most of the time!

The reception was as the Yaxche restaurant. Yaxche is very cool because the open air banquet area it looks just like a Mayan ruin. I loved it that Gladys used one of my photographs from Guatemala for her save the date and place cards.

It’s hard to know what to say about this wedding…other than the fact that it could not have been more beautiful and that there could not be a nicer and happier couple than Mallory and Matt, It was inspirational to be around them, and their joy and that of their families and friends was contagious. It was hard to stop smiling! Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph the wedding!

The festivities included a welcome dinner the night before the wedding, I was happy to be able to get some casual photographs of Mallory and Matt on the grounds of the El Dorado Royale.

Mallory before the ceremony.

The ceremony was held in the chapel, which was perfect for the size of the congregation.

After the ceremony a golf cart took us to a beautiful natural area to do some photography of the bride and groom.

Kristi and Mark were married last Saturday in a lovely gazebo at the Royal Porto Real resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It is very hard to edit down so many photographs to share just a few on the blog, I hope these few will give an idea of the beautiful details and atmosphere Kristi planned for her guests as well as how relaxed and fun the day was for everyone. Another great part of the day was working for the first time with videographer Paul Shrank of Playa Weddings, his videos are the best! Mark and Kristi, lots more photographs of all the fun are coming next week, thank you for the honor of photographing your destination wedding!

Kristi and Mark right after Kristi entered the wedding gazebo.

A few moments during the ceremony.

The sand ceremony, so perfect in this setting.

I love the bridesmaids’ expressions in the this photograph.

Photos on the beach after the ceremony, Kristi never stopped smiling!

The reception was right on the beach, I think these were my favorite centerpieces ever!

A few photographs of the bride and groom at sunset.

The evening lights at the Royal Porto Real, what a setting for a party.

Kristi and Mark during their first dance.

Mexico wedding photojournalism by Mexico wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina. Royal Porto Real wedding photography, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.