This was one unforgettable wedding! Canadians Alexis and Alain were married at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, this destination wedding had a marvelous turnout with a very cosmopolitan group of guests, it was so cool to hear many different languages being spoken at one wedding. I may be a little biased but with its uber charm and unique culture I am truly convinced that there could not be a more perfect wedding location than  Merida. Alexis and Alan’s wedding was almost certainly the most multifaceted we have photographed, making wonderful use of the different areas that this hacienda has to offer. This blog post of images captured on the activity filled wedding day will be followed up with a “part two” featuring festivities held on other days (and even another city!) as well as a very special day after ‘”trash the dress” session with this great couple! Alexis and Alain, thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality, I hope these photographs take you and your families back to this great day, more to follow very soon! This amazing event was coordinated by Baku Events All photographs Elizabeth and Lindsey Medina.

Bride and groom and their families and wedding parties gathered for photographs prior to the ceremony… it was a very warm day to put it mildly and their efforts were greatly appreciated.

I think Alexis and Alain’s “first look” could have been a blog post all by itself, it was fun to photograph them when they first saw each other as bride and groom!

Wedding party and family photographs taken before the ceremony…

Alexis receives a private blessing from her father and soon to be husband immediately before the ceremony.

OK, I will confess… despite being there and the many hours spent editing, seeing the photographs of Alexis’ beautiful ceremony entrance here on the blog just gave me a fresh set of goosebumps!

The haceienda “casa de maquinas” was a beautiful stage for a ballet performance during the post ceremony cocktail hour.

Reception entrance and dancing…

After the dinner reception guests moved to the pool area for an after party and fireworks to finish off the night.

Aaahhh, Yucatan! One thing that never ceases to surprise me is how few people outside of Mexico seem to even know the state of  Yucatan (as opposed to the more touristy state of Quintana Roo with Cancun and the Mayan Riviera are a part) exists! Yucatan is a very unique state (it was even a separate country for a while there!)  full of quirks, interesting customs, an amazing local cuisine (panuchos anyone?) and more history than you will find just about anywhere. Legend has it that if a traveler drinks the water of  Yucatan he will become a resident for life (and take my word for it they don’t share this information until after it is too late!). Pierre, who hails from France, and Andrea share a love of sailing and it is only fitting that this lovely couple’s Mexico civil wedding be held on the beach in front of Las Tunas, Andrea’s family’s beach house in the village of Telchac Puerto, Yucatan. Here are a few images from a very intimate and special wedding celebration.

Yucatan’s Gulf of Mexico coast has one of the world’s largest populations of flamingos, a group flew overhead right after the ceremony.

Merida, Yucatan Mexico wedding photography, Elizabeth Medina is Mexico’s premier wedding photographer, photographing weddings in locations throughout Mexico.

After having spent time with Natalia and Raul at the hacienda portrait session prior to the wedding day, photographing the wedding could not have been more relaxed! Having the rare treat of photographing close to home, having both Lindsey and Lauren along as co-photographers, seeing so many familiar faces through out the evening and the fact the wedding was designed and coordinated by my good friends at the fabulous Baku Events made it especially fantastic. As fortunate as we are to photograph throughout Mexico there really is no place like home, especially when home is Merida, Yucatan! Natalia’s family has a beautiful hacienda just outside Merida, the Hacienda San Ignacio Tesip, and it could not have been a more fitting place for this joyful celebration among family and friends!

A few wedding day images, Natalia getting ready…

The bride and groom prior to the ceremony. natalia said she felt very relaxed knowing that the photo session had taken place a few weeks earlier, I guess I could say the same, but did capture quite a few relaxed and happy portraits!

I received an email recently asking if I photograph the family on the wedding day which I thought was a great question. But of course! I think the family photos can be one of the most important aspects of the day, images from family milestones have always been a key part of family history. Having specialized in studio family portraiture before catching the wedding bug I welcome the opportunity to document the families on such an important day. The photo below is of the bride and groom with both of their immediate families, what a beautiful group!

The “paje” was such a cutie!

The beautiful bridesmaids, I loved the bouquets!

Natalia and her father arriving at the Nuestra Señora de Libano church in Merida, Lindsey captured this image as well as the tears that followed!

The church was decorated beautifully with greenery, flowers and trees hung with candles, amazing!

As the guests entered the hacienda they walked across the garden area accompanied by th music of a pianist…it was almost surreal to see the grand piano in that setting and very beautiful.

The walkway was lined with hundreds (or maybe thousands!) of candles.

The reeption area, Wow! the canopy was supported by “trees” lit up by candles, just amazing.

The first dance…

And time to party…there´s no place like home for that either!

Yucatan Mexico hacienda wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalism in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.