Summer was busy with photography and so much else, I am just thrilled that fall is here, although it absolutely does not feel like fall here in the Yucatan, the weather is still definitely still hot and humid here in the tropics! I think I will throw a party on the first somewhat semi mild day if it ever comes. But even with the heat it does seem like fall in the back-to-school-fresh-new -start sense! Here in our small studio we are totally on a roll and gearing up with plans to be at the very top of our game for this fall’s weddings!

Here is a little blog goodness to kick off fall 2012. I admit that I totally fell in love with Shannon and Konstantin. I think you will too, they are such a beautiful couple (and as  always when speaking of beauty I mean the inner kind, although of course it can’t be denied that this tends to spill over and make for amazing photo!). The wedding had many family created DIY details that were amazing and made the wedding very personal, and of course the setting at Dreams Riviera Cancun was amazing as ever. All images (c)2012 Elizabeth and Lauren Medina.

Just a few day after photos, so many more I wish I could share…there were many bright and happy laughing images from the day after session but I am choosing these relaxed and quiet images to share here because I think they compliment and go a little bit beyond the very expressive wedding day photographs below.

Wedding day! Here we go… starting off with a few details, a bridal portrait in black and white then something we just loved photographing… Shannon’s “first look’.. with her bridesmaids!

Then over to spend some time with the guys…

While we are shooting we always have in mind the idea that the photographs could lend them selves to the creation of an amazing wedding album which will show the both the elegant and beautiful side of eh. I was totally feeling the future design possibilities of ithe next two photographs of the wedding party…

Ceremony site details…

Greetings! I hope everyone is having a relaxing summer!  Toan and Jessica’s destination wedding was held at the Royal Cancun. Hot and humid with clear skies above the beach ceremony and reception, Cancun’s famous white sand and turquoise water were amazing. All in all a beautiful day in paradise… right up to the end of the reception when a sudden rain took us all by surprise! Lindsey and I met up with the  bride and groom early the next morning for the day after session. This was a lot of fun as well and  a great chance to take some relaxed photographs (especially once everyone had finished waking up!) Jessica…. you have been patient long enough so I will stop writing so that you and Toan can see a few of the photographs from your very special big day in Mexico! Below, a few bridal photographs before the ceremony. I loved Jessica’s smile and the wedding colors really popped with the bright water in the backdrop!

The wedding party was a lot of fun… it was HOT out and super bright on the beach but they were a lot of fun all through the photos.

It was a great party…this was such a fun crowd and DJ Doremixx kept everyone on the dance floor.

Elizabeth Medina is Mexico’s premier destination wedding photojournalist, photographing weddings throughout Mexico in locations including the Yucatan, the Mayan Riviera, Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Vallarta, Las Caletas, San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato, Cabo San Jose and Cabo San Lucas and available for international commissions.

Sonja and Dave were married at Le Reve in Playa del Carmen, Lauren and I loved photographing these two, not only do they have amazing energy and planned a beautiful wedding with an elegant but rustic feel (insert big shout out to le Reve wedding planners Arlenis and Mariana and their team, as well as the fantastic Planner 1), they also proved themselves to be up for anything, and definitely not the kind to let a little rain get in the way of having a great time! Between the wedding day and trash the dress session I know this is a very long post but I can’t help wanting to share! Getting ready, Sonja’s mom seeing her daughter as a bride…

Such lovely flowers…very much in sync with the wedding’s organic chic theme.

Bride and her girls before the ceremony…

Just as bride was set to enter the ceremony the rain rolled in! Everyone ran for cover and fortunately it passed and the show could go on!

Reception decor, so relaxed and beautiful.

As the guests were seated for dinner I noticed that the bride and groom were not to be found… going out for a few photographs of the exterior I found them in  this beautiful spot just  having a moment together while waiting to be announced and join their guests.

I will have to say my expectations of Sonja and Dave actually showing up for the planned trash the dress session were a little low… not only was it very early the morning after the wedding… it was actually RAINING! Fortunately they were up for it and I loved the images we captured both between and during the rain showers!

I guess I would have to say that other than the opportunity to make good use of my share of the creativity (something I am convinced we are all blessed with!) my favorite thing about photographing weddings would be the fabulous people met along the way, whether they be colleagues and clients. Shani and Steven,…WOW! Lindsey and I have loved getting to know the two of you very much, thanks for sharing your celebration at the Mayan Riviera’s Azul Sensatori Resort. The first photos I am posting are from the morning after trash the dress session, followed by the wedding day images.  All images Elizabeth and Lindsey Medina.

Wedding day at Azul Sensatori. It had looked like it might rain but turned out to be a fantastic day!

A really tough thing about being a destination wedding photographer can be meeting a really fun bride and groom like Nikki and Larry and having a great time with them and their families and friends, not to mention seeing firsthand the kind of party they can throw, but knowing that distance totally rules out dropping by their place just to say hello or a casual hint for an invite to their future celebrations. Sad for us but probably a really good thing for Larry and Nikki since being stalked by the wedding photographers sounds a little awkward! At least we have our memories… not to mention a whole lot of photographs from the wedding and the amazing TTD session at sunrise the next morning! Larry and Nikki, it was so great to spend time with the two of you, thank you so much for your trust and for going the extra mile for your photographs!

Larry and Nikki chose to see each other prior to the ceremony for a first look and bride and groom photos. This worked out perfectly, the first look was awesome, we got to shoot in different areas than time would have permitted after the ceremony and also Nikki and Larry were able to spend quite a bit of cocktail hour time with their guests! I have often heard that some people do not wish to see each other beforehand because they think it will take away from the impact of seeing each other as bride and groom for the first time in the ceremony… this has really not been what I have witnessed, the ceremony meeting seems to be a whole new experience possibly even more emotional for couples who have already started to share the day together a bit earlier, scroll down and I think you will agree this was the case for Larry and Nikki!  Lauren rocked the next image from the first look.

One final blog post for Alexis and Alain’s wedding, of course you know I could not resist sharing photographs from the hacienda trash the dress session! Lindsey and I great time wandering around Yucatan with Alexis and Alain! I know that from the time I first met Alexis months before the wedding she had a vision of a hacienda TTD session, it was such a pleasure to be able to see the result come to life so many months later. Alexis and Alain, congratulations and we hope to see you in back Merida in the future!

All photographs (c)2011 Lindsey and Elizabeth Medina.

Alejandro and June’s hacienda wedding in Merida, Yucatan… where to begin?  We were fortunate to spend a great deal of time with this very sweet couple, starting off the day prior to the wedding with a bride and groom photo session at the Hacienda Teya and finishing up with a visit to the happy couple on their honeymoon in Tulum! (they invited us, honest!)  The wedding day was full of photo opportunities, the bridal “getting ready” took place at the historic Gran Hotel in Merida’s “centro”, and it was so awesome that June and her party were able to literally cross the street to arrive at the Catholic ceremony at the very lovely Iglesia de la Tercera Orden. For those that are not familiar with Merida, this colonial city is home to many very special Catholic churches and June and Alejandro chose a beauty for their Catholic marriage celebration. I hope you will scroll all the way down for a little taste of the Hacienda wedding reception and the “eco chic” Tulum TTD session which was a fun adventure! June and Alex thank you so much, it has been wonderful to get to know the two of you and we appreciate all your collaboration along the way!

OK, this next image of June’s dashing groom is not going to do anything to dispel the idea that we are a little old fashioned here in Merida.  :-)

You guessed right, there is a back story for the next photograph! It seems that back in the day before June and Alex started dated Alex commented that when he met the girl who would push/jump start his old Falcon he would marry her… and you know who that beautiful girl was!

Getting ready on the wedding day, El Gran Hotel.

The next image is one of my favorites, it just says Merida to me.

Just a few images from the reception at Teya…

And finally the trash the dress session in Tulum at an eco chic hotel called Azulick…muy rustico but a great spot for June and Alex’s final photo session!

While the decision to travel so far for a wedding celebration might be a big one the weddings themselves are so special and enjoyable I would be willing to bet that everyone who is fortunate enough to travel to Mexico to attend a destination wedding is glad they made the trip! Jenn and Scott’s group of family and friends traveled all the way from Canada for this February wedding in the Mayan Riviera a the Gran Palladium White Sands Resort. It seemed to be such a sunny group, not only totally happy and excited for the couple but content to kick back and enjoy. Lindsey and I could not help but have a wonderful time capturing a bit of the magic not only  the wedding day with it s smiles and tears but also early the next morning when we joined Jenn and Scott for a sunrise trash the dress session.

A couple of bridal portraits (you know I love it when there is time for these!) and Jenn’s proud mom seeing her daughter as a bride…

We were able to photograph Jenn on the grounds of the resort prior to the ceremony…

Time to head for the ceremony in the ocean side gazebo…

Jenn’s ring did not want to go on but Scott gave it his best try! Photos by both Lindsey and Elizabeth…

Next shot is Lindsey’s….

Taking wedding crashing to a whole new level…

Photographs on the beach as the sun set and then it was off to enjoy the reception….

The next morning we were up bright and early for the day after session… thank you Jenn and Scott for being such total great sports! We loved photographing your wedding!

Remember the old question about being trapped on a desert island and who you would want to be trapped with? Jean and Walt’s amazing wedding and next day trash the dress session at the Moon Palace in Cancun brought a similar question to mind.  Lauren and I now know without a doubt the answer to the question “If you were trapped in pouring cats and dogs rain at 6 AM (usually known as “sunrise” but that implies being able to see the sun) on a one hour march around an enormous resort hoping for a chance to trash the dress who would you want to be marching with?”  Jean and Walt were such a fun, patient and laid back couple I can’t think of anyone I would rather spend an hour of pre daylight limbo with. Thank goodness our faith was rewarded and the sun made its appearance! First the photographs from the relaxed and beautiful wedding day (I know Jean worked hard on the decorations and it all looked fantastic!) and finally the TTD photos that I think were worth the trouble. Congratulations Jean and Walt!

A few bridal photos from before the ceremony…

The ceremony was held in a gazebo overlooking the ocean…

Bride and groom beach photos after the ceremony….so much fun to photograph these two…

Jean had a really funny surprise for Walt… an xbox wedding garter!

Photos from the next day TTD session,

Casey and Ron’s wedding was the first of the fall season for Lauren and I and we thoroughly enjoyed photographing this beautiful tie the knot on a Mexican beach. This wedding and the morning after TTD session at the Dreams Riviera Cancun resort in Puerto Morelos was a great way to get our feet wet (literally!) and jump back in right where we left off shooting amazing weddings for incredible couples. We are looking forward to a wonderful season and adding weddings featuring both destination and local couples to the blog very soon.

Casey had planned a good window of time for the pre-ceremony photos, I love this type of schedule because it gives us time for getting ready candids of both bride and groom as well as photos of the yummy bridal details (and Casey’s were to die for!) not to mention bridal photos…there is not always time for these so I consider it a luxury to be able to have some quiet time to focus on the bride before it all begins.

The photo of the shoes is Lauren’s, I have noticed that when I tell Lauren that a detail shot she’s in the process of making won’t work it tends to end up on the blog! Oops…Lauren I love this shot and I promise to have a little more faith!

One “getting ready” photo of Ron before the ceremony…

No one wants to get emotional and risk ruining the make up prior to the ceremony…Casey took one look at her mom’s proud and happy expression and it was inevitable that she would get choked up as well. I loved how this photo tells the story.

Another story telling image, while Casey’s mother was attaching a wedding brooch that has been handed down through the generations and worn by each bride she told the flower girl that someday she may wear it herself, I loved her reaction to this little piece of family history.

Bride and groom on the grounds of Dreams Riviera Cancun before the ceremony.

A few photos from the beach ceremony, the flower girl and a proud father of the bride.

Bride and groom, a few happy beach photos after the ceremony…

Casey and her girls…

A few photos of the bright orange and fuschia ceremony decor for the pool side reception overlooking the oceean.

First dance and fiesta…

The day after session… bright and early! Casey and Ron, you were such good sports, or maybe you were really just very obedient sleep walkers…either way I thank you for your patience so early in the morning!

Elizabeth Medina is Mexico’s premier destination wedding photographer, photographing weddings in Puerto Morelos, the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Yucatan, Campeche and  thoughout Mexico

Viva Mexico, viva Hacienda las Trancas and of most of all viva Tobias and Veronica!  Located in Hidalgo Mexico in a village between the charming and historic cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, this hacienda has an energy that I find entirely magical.  Tobias (who is also a wedding photographer!) and Veronica hail from the  US Midwest but seemed beautifully at home, I loved being able to add these photographs to their family history.

It was absolutely lovely. Carla and Angelo’s wedding took place at Dreams Riviera Cancun, super fantastic “second shooter” Lauren and I very much enjoyed spending time with this very kind couple and their Latin and Greek group. You know that when those two groups come together its going to be a great party!

Carla and Angelo exchanged handwritten notes before the ceremony and they were surprised to have chosen the EXACT SAME CARD for each other!

The “first look”….the next shot is Lauren’s…

The ceremony was held in the gazebo overlooking the ocean…it was so pretty and of course you know I do love yellow!

A few relaxed wedding party photos…

Then a very short bride and groom photo session on the beach before heading off the the cocktail hour. I always love it when timelines permit the bride and groom to experience at least part of the cocktail hour with their guests!

The next image is Lauren’s.

Yellow signature cocktails! Perfecto!

The first dance, father daughter dance and reception…

Photos from the trash the dress session the next morning…it was so peaceful to be have the beach all to ourselves.

Mexico’s premier destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, photographs weddings in the Mayan Riviera and other amazing wedding locations throughout Mexico.

It was hard to narrow down the photos from Karina and Richie’s wedding and trash the dress session to a reasonable number! Karina and Richie are the sweetest couple ever and their wedding was beautiful and very emotional. After going through and tagging images to include I realized that I had chosen 99 images! I wanted to share them all but if blogs were boats I know this one would surely sink, so I will confess to using the eeny meeny mini mo method to reach a somewhat reasonable number. Karina and Richie, Lauren and I appreciate the opportunity to photograph your big day, not to mention the very “memorable” trash the dress session. Gracias por ser como son y muchas felicidades a los dos!

We loved Karina’s shoes…

Headed to the ceremony, karina had not only two bridemaids but also the cutest little attendant ever helping with her train. As tiny as he was he took it very seriously and did a wonderful job, thank you Lauren for photographing him!

The vows were very emotional!

Wedding party and bride and groom photos on the beach.

Karina and Richie used traditional handcrafted Mexican toys and musical instruments as centerpieces and the reception. It looked very colorful and the guests had a great time playing with them!

Toasts and the bride and groom’s first dance…

The next morning bride and groom woke up early for a day after trash the dress session in the ocean.