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.

Annie was one of those brides who really love and appreciate the importance of photographs (something I can relate to!), it was so much fun to hear about all her photography ideas for the wedding day and also for the unique “trash the dress” photo shoot she had planned for the morning after the wedding. The “trash the dress” session to me is not really about the dress at all…basically it is just a relaxed opportunity to create special photographs of the bride and groom, without having to worry about all the guests, timetables and nerves of the wedding day. And if the bride and groom are adventurous like Annie and Marc, all the better!

Right before the ceremony at Dreams Tulum it started to RAIN! I couldn’t believe it since it had been nice all day… fortunately it stopped in time for the ceremony and everything was beautiful!

The wedding ceremony site at Dreams Tulum was so beautiful, I think it looks like a desert island.

Annie and Marc during the ceremony.

Marc and Annie celebrating with their beautiful flower girls.

A perfect destination bride…

Annie asked for pictures with flowers, since it was winter at home. I decided to try to frame them with flowers and think that I succeeded in both of these images.

The next morning early we headed out for the trash the dress session. Gorgeous!

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…

I have never been one to put much faith in first impressions, but I guess I may rethink that after this wedding. As I walked into the salon Brigette flew out of the chair to hug the stylist who had just finished her hair. My first impression was, “this bride moves really fast!” Totally true all day! I especially enjoyed photographing Corey and Brigette’s wedding because they were such fun people be around and it was such a high energy, joyous occasion.

Corey and Brigette were able to use different areas of the Cancun JW Marriott for their destination wedding, the ocean-front gazebo for the pre-ceremony Ketubah signing, the wedding ceremony was held on the beach just a few feet from the incredible Cancun water, the cocktail hour in an area overlooking the ocean and the reception itself was a really fun poolside party. Amazing! Thank you Brigette and Corey for choosing me to photograph such an unforgettable day!

Could they be any cuter? I thought the shoes and the sand pails full of petals were perfect!

That turquoise blue Cancun water made a stunning backdrop for the chuppah decorated with white roses.

The reception…

The father daughter dance.

Cancun destination wedding photography by Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa.

One thing I hear over and over at the weddings I photograph in Mexico is that rain on the wedding day is “buena suerte”, but of course no one wishes for that lucky wedding day rain! Cari and Nick had planned to meet me on the morning of the wedding to do a bit of more casual portrait photography and everything went as planned, but the minute I started photographing it began to rain and we had to run for cover! Fortunately the rain stopped, and not only did the sun came out but the day could not have been more perfect for the wedding! Mucha suerte! I really appreciated Cari and Nick’s decision to do the photographs of the to of them as a couple pre-ceremony, although bright sun was a bit of a challenge it worked out great because they were able to completely go with the flow of the party after the ceremony and not leave their guests at all. The Moon Palace was a great setting for this gazebo wedding which was simply beautiful and full of happiness.

In the morning…this was taken on the restaurant balcony where we took cover from the rain much to the enjoyment of the women at the next table!

Fortunately in a few minutes we were able to head for the beach.

Getting ready…

Bride and groom before the ceremony, the “first look”.

Nick waiting in the gazebo…

Cari and her father arrived in a horse drawn carriage, it was really a spectacular entrance.

The ceremony was held in Moon Palace Tucanes wedding gazebo.

The reception site overlooked the ocean.

The first dance.

Some of my favorite images were from the father daughter dance.

The toasts were so funny, I was laughing too!

Moon Palace destination wedding photography, Cancun Mexico, by Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalist.

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.