Simply delightful. Not sure what else to say about Luis and Yoko and the experience of being the photographer for their destination wedding in Mexico. I met Luis and Yoko way back in 2008 when they stopped off in Merida on their way to Campeche to visit the Hacienda Uayamon for the first time. There were bumps along the way and the wedding needed to be postponed indefinitely. I wondered what would happen but Luis explained that only one thing was for sure, and that was that Yoko had said that I would be her photographer. Wow. Those who have been reading this blog for a while will probably have noticed that my photographer “self promotion” skills are not anywhere near up to par… I will never claim to be a rockstar and can’t even see the point of entering photo contests so I will probably never win any awards… so even though I can see the importance of self promotion it is just not my style to “talk up” my own work.  So I hope you will keep that in mind because I am totally bragging when I say that I am extremely proud that my work has somehow earned the trust that allows me to capture some of the magic of amazing couples like Yoko and Luis. Luis y Yoko, thank you so much for your confidence, and for being such a special couple.

This ring shot is a testimony to my fab assistant Lauren’s stubbornness, it was so hard to arrange this in a way that would allow focus of both rings but she persisted and got the shot even though I told her to give up!

This was a very intimate wedding and Luis and Yoko met before the ceremony for a first look and bride and groom photos.

The hacienda Uayamon chapel, so beautiful and natural. Luis and Yoko had an authentic Mayan ceremony… this is the only time I have been called out of the post wedding family portraits and asked by the shaman to return to the ceremony site for a ritual cleansing, apparently I had stepped inside the sacred circle so it was good to know that the Mayan priest had my back.

“Real” Mexican food is amazing, the port of Campeche is famous for its seafood. Ceviche and dark beer…yum.

Dreams Tulum…what can I say, I have never really learned too much about Feng Sui but having visited Dreams Tulum several times now I am pretty sure that this place has a special energy….maybe floating over from the Mayan ruins down the beach in nearby Tulum. Each wedding I have photographed at Dreams Tulum has truly been a dream. Kimberly and Farid’s, where to start? Such a beautiful couple and so happy together. I love it when couples choose to see each other prior to the ceremony for a “first look”, I think that somehow it can actually be even more emotional to have that moment separate from the first ceremony moments, very intimate and special. I was so happy that Lindsey and I were able to document the first moments when Kimberly and Farid saw each other as bride and groom. Time must have stood still, because there are so many photographs. I think we could make a whole sideshow of our photographs of just that sequence alone! (And in case anyone is wondering, there were still tears left for the ceremony.)   :-)  Kimberly and Farid, thank you for allowing Lidnsey and I to photograph your destination wedding, it was unforgettable!

Elizabeth Medina wedding photojournalist, specializing in destination wedding photography in Mexico. Elizabeth Medina photographs weddings throughout Mexico for the world’s best couples.

Sometimes we meet a couple and notice right away how very beloved they seem to be by friends and family. Usually when that happens by the end of the day we also end up thinking the couple is the just the greatest and that is just what happened with Shannon and Jeff. I loved receiving Shannon’s emails and almost don’t want to send off the photographs because then she will have no reason to email! The ceremony was held on the lawn of the Hilton Cancun which overlooks the ocean. By some miracle it rained on the golf course which is just across the road and not one drop on the wedding! It was truly a beautiful day. And a great party!

The “first look”, i would recommend this to anyone getting married, I loved the portraits of Shannon and Jeff taken before the cermony.

A few details from this destination wedding.

The ceremony was beautiful and I was so appreciative of Shannon’s videographer, who was considerate and non obtrusive enough to film from behind the last row of guests. This makes such a huge difference in the photographs, I think the photograph below would NOT be the same with a videographer standing front and center next to the best man, between the bride and groom or in the center of the aisle as is so often the way at destination weddings.

The reception was held in one of the Hilton’s ballrooms. I guess it should come as no surprise that the banquet service was fantastic.

The first dance…

A funny toast…

And a great party. DJ Mannia really knows how the crowd moving, but I think this group did not really need much encouragement!

Cancun, Mexico wedding photojournalism by destination wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.