If there is one thing that this wedding photography blog has revealed to me of the years it might be just how delightful it is to be able to share a really good story. What a blessing it is to be able to communicate through imagery, especially considering how difficult it is (at least for me!) to describe with words a once in a life time experience like a wedding.  Alicia and Sean had a perfectly intimate wedding celebration, the bride and groom together in a breathtaking ancient chapel in the middle of the jungle, can it possibly get any more romantic? The days leading up to the wedding were a little bit suspenseful with Hurricane Rina off the coast of the peninsula. As it turned out the wedding day brought showers on and off, but Alicia and Sean did not let the weather dampen their spirits for one second, between the wonderful relaxed spirit of the couple and the peaceful atmosphere of the location it just could not have been more lovely. All images Lindsey and Elizabeth Medina.

Hacienda Uayamon photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Geral and Manolo… such a happy, beautiful couple, just enjoying every bit of their amazing wedding day experience and having the very best of times with their family and friends. The wedding day passes so quickly and it is marvelous to see a couple that seems to live every single moment to the fullest. Gracias Geral and Manolo!

Bride and groom met before the ceremony for photos.

A few photos from the Catholic ceremony at the Nuestra Señora de Libano church.

Reception decor, wow, I loved all the color!

Parent dances…

Geral with her sisters and the bride and groom with their friends.

I think this would be the first time an inflatable lobster has appeared on the blog… guess there is a first time for everything!

Fotografía de boda, fotógrafo de bodas, Yucatan, Mexico.

I think it has been firmly established by now that my couples are rockstars each and every one! I truly could not feel more fortunate than to be the photographer of such beautiful and amazing people on their happiest day! Maria Elena and David are a delightful couple, just as sweet as can be. The wedding was held at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez and the details were implemented beautifully by Yucatan’s star wedding planners at BAKU.  All I can say is wow, this wedding was amazing and Lindsey and I really enjoyed photographing it. As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE photographing at new and different locations I also really find it incredibly energizing to return to favorite familiar locations because each wedding is always full of unique challenges, surprises and creative opportunities. Maria Elena y David, gracias por el honor de fotografiar tan bonita boda, les felicitamos y les deseamos lo mejor!

I love the next image. The wedding was held outdoors at night, the backdrop of the ceremony was the confessionary, which is a very unique small stone chapel.

A detail of the cross above the altar. The fireworks were timed for the bride and grooms exit from the ceremony.

I have to share some of the hacienda wedding details and decor, it was gorgeous.

Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina, hacienda wedding photography in Merida Yucatan Mexico at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez. Fotografia de boda de Elizabeth Medina, at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

it has been such a treat this fall to photograph beautiful local weddings like this Kika and Chino’s at the Hacienda Chichi Suarez here in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Kika is a graphic designer and almost as excited about the photographs as I was. She and Chino were willing to go the extra mile for their photos and we met at the hacienda in the afternoon for a “first look” and portrait session before the civil ceremony and Catholic mass took place later in the evening. The bride and groom were both so happy all during the day, and I love how that happiness could not help but show in the photographs!

Hacienda wedding photography in Yucatan, Mexico by Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

Minty and Giovanni’s was elegant, joyful, and best of all right here at home in Merida! It has been wonderful to photograph events close to home this fall and to see and photograph so many familiar faces. And let’s face it…  Here in Yucatan people know how to throw a party like no where else! Minty and Giovanni were such a wonderful couple to photograph, I loved the way they both absolutely lit up with happiness when they first saw each other before the ceremony. I don’t think that either of them ever stopped smiling for the rest of the night! Minty y Giovanni, me encantó poder acompañarlos en un dia tan inolvidable!

The serene image in the doorway is Lindsey´s!

I loved Giovanni´s expression when he saw Minty for the first time!

I couldn´t decide between the next two images of Minty walking down the aisle on her father´s arm, so much happiness!

A few reception details, the reception was held at the Club Campestre.

Minty and Giovanni´s first dance as husband and wife.

This was one of those fabulously international affairs. Mariana is of Argentine descent and had many family members make the trip from Argentina, Alex is from Switzerland and also had many people on hand for the event. It was pointed out that those two places are just about on opposite ends of the earth! They were also accompanied by a large group of friends from Mexico City! So as out of the way as Yucatan can seem to some it was really a common ground for this far flung group of family and friends and I think a special one since Mariana and Alex were able to incorporate so many regional details to really give the wedding the flavor of the Yucatan.

Mariana and Alex had both a civil wedding and a Mayan ceremony which were held on separate dates, both at the Hacienda Xcanatun in Merida, Yucatan. Xcanatun is an exceptionally beautiful hacienda, it has been restored spectacularly and the grounds are very lush and green. It was a very unique, once in a lifetime event and I was honored to be able to photograph it!

A few details for Xcanatun the night of the civil wedding (boda civil).
La boda civil.Los novios…

The grounds of the hacienda are so beautiful, it is like an oasis.

Xcanatun at twilight.

Mariana chose the perfect dress for the hacienda setting, it was just gorgeous and looked perfect on her.

Her shoes definitely made my all time favorite bridal shoe list!

I really thought that this photograph of Mariana before the ceremony captured a bit of her wedding day spirit.

The tables for the reception dinner were set up under the most amazing palm trees in the hacienda gardens, it was spectacular.

The Mayan ceremony was held in the garden of the hacienda at night.

An important part of the Mayan wedding ceremonies that I have witnessed is giving some type of offering back to the land, here the flower girl helped offer seeds and vegetables to the earth.

Another part of the ceremony is the “limpia” or ritual cleansing. The officiant was very thorough, not easy with such a tall groom!

A la fiesta!

The reception set up.

I was happy to have caught this moment! I love thinking that she will see this and the other photographs when she is all grown up and remember playing such an important role and how it felt.

Mariana assured me there would be no “first dance”, I guess it pays to be prepared for anything…

This detail shot is my fab assistant Lindsey’s!

Hacienda Xcanatun wedding photography by Merida, Yucatan, wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina.

Having met Eno and Magdelana almost a year ago and having photographed previously at the Hacienda San Jose, (one of the fabulous group of haciendas in Yucatan, Mexico that are operated by Starwood resorts) I knew ahead of time that there would be some serious eye candy at this wedding. The day was beautiful and there was a great turnout of family and friends who traveled to this off the beaten track destination. I had not photographed a hacienda wedding in a while and it was so much fun to photograph this amazing couple and their warm and relaxed fiesta in Yucatan!

I loved the act that all three of the bridesmaids were sisters of the bride!

Lo mariachi´s made a dramatic entrance.

The fiesta was held on the lawn of the hacienda and started right at dusk.

This was one of the longest toasts ever and really funny!

The DJ came down with the group and really knew her stuff. I had no idea that DJ´s work could be so complex, it was very cool to watch her work.

Hacienda wedding photography in Mexico by Elizabeth Medina, wedding photojournalist. Hacienda San Jose, the haciendas, Merida, Yucatan, mexico.

What can I say? I love my job and photographing a couple like Pau and Rich is a great reminder of why and how much I love it! Ever since Paulina came to my studio the first time accompanying her sister Daniela, (whose amazing wedding to Marcelo I photographed in November) I thought she was one of the most kind and upbeat people I had met in a while. I was so happy when she came back a few months later and told me she would also be getting married and would like me to photograph her wedding as well! It was so fun to see how each sister planned a wedding with special details that fit her own unique style. Paulina and Rich were married in an evening ceremony at Nuestra Señora de Libano and the Club Campestre was transformed by the wedding coordinators at BAKU. It was fun to just be around Pau and Rich’s joy, I hope the photographs will help them to never forget how happy they were on their wedding day.

A detail of the dress…

Los novios, I was very grateful to have captured these moments.

A few of the flower girls in a quiet moment.

A few moments during the Paulina and Rich’s wedding mass.

Sometimes there are certain photographs that really speak to me in ways I really can’t explain, I think this would be one of those.

Pau and Rich make their exit….

To perfectly timed fireworks!

The main ballroom of the Club Campestre is famous for being impossible to decorate because of its massive size, I don’t think I have ever seen it prettier.

Walking to center stage for their first dance as husband and wife.

Reception details…

one memorable detail was the incredible candy table with all kinds of favorite snacks…cacahuates, chilitos, paletas, chicles…

Paulina and her group of amigas and the party gets started…

Yucatan has some great wedding bands! Who could not have fun at a party like this one?

The guests had so much fun putting on crazy hats, ties and masks!Of course Pau and Rich had his and her crowns!

And of course if you are Mexican you will recognize…Rebelde and Timbiriche!

Wedding photojournalism by Merida, Yucatan, Mexico wedding photographer Elizabeth Medina.

I had been waiting for Daniela and Marcelo’s wedding for a year and a half. I knew it would be a blast to photograph! Daniela and Marcelo live in Monterrey, Mexico, but planned an amazing wedding at Daniela’s home in Merida. Daniela is well known in Mexico as a professional jewelry designer and from the moment she came into the studio I was struck by her unique natural stylishness. I never guessed that Marcelo would be just as cool and that they would both be so much fun! Muchas felicidades a los dos y mil gracias por ser como son, ¡me encantó fotografiar la boda! PD, Nos vemos muy pronto en otra boda muy especial!
I begged Daniela to give me a few minutes to photograph her by window light. I was sorry to make Marcelo wait but I think it was worth it! I loved the way her vintage style dress and veil were complemented by the architecture.

I love the moment when the couple first sees each other, I think it is usually more emotional when it is a private moment before the wedding ceremony, these two were so delighted to see each other and I was able to capture teh moment from a distance with a telephoto lens.

I had wondered if Daniela would design jewelry to wear for the wedding…I had to smile when I noticed her bracelet!

the ceremony took place at the church in the village of Cholul, this church has been beautifully restored and has a lot of charm and personality.

I think this is one of my favorite photographs ever.

Time for the reception….

The reception site, so much color!

The first dance was very emotional.

La fiesta estuvo buenísima…

Elizabeth Medina, international wedding photojournalist, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Amy and Daniel’s wedding was held the Hacienda Santa Rosa, a very unique and peaceful hacienda in Yucatan, Mexico. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many of their friends and family had made the trip to attend this destination wedding, but not surprised at all to see how everyone seemed to be enjoying and the hacienda, Yucatan, and of course the celebration of Amy and Daniel’s marriage and the fiesta afterwards. Amy and Daniel, it was inspirational to spend time with the two of you.

The hacienda staff was setting up the reception in the main corridor of the hacienda overlooking the garden area when I arrived, it looked amazing.

The ceremony was held in a beautiful secluded garden surrounded by greenery, Amy wore a family dress and veil and they were perfect for her, she looked incredible.

Amy walked into the ceremony with her father through an ancient archway.

Before joining the reception Amy removed her veil and added a belt, it was an art piece was like nothing I have seen before and just perfect for her dress and the setting.

I really do not have words to describe how enjoyable it was to photograph Tiffany and Garrett at the gorgeous Hacienda Uayamon in Campeche, Mexico. The hacienda is breathtaking, and I was so nervous on the drive from Merida, Yucatan to Campeche because it truly looked like it would rain any minute! As I walked onto the hacienda grounds to meet up with the bride and groom and begin photographing I could actually smell the rain. Even though I knew that alternate indoor locations had been planned for both ceremony and reception and all would be fine I couldn’t help think that the photographs would be better outdoors!
Hacienda Uayamón, part of the fabulous Luxury Collection of Mexican haciendas, The Haciendas, that includes some of my favorites like Hacienda San Jose and Hacienda Temozón, is located deep in the jungle, and combines luxury, rustic old buildings, and nature…An amazing wedding location for a couple like Tiffany and Garrett who love travel and adventure and planned to celebrate a very memorable wedding with friends and family. Tiffany and Garrett it was such a pleasure for us to spend your day with you and your group, the happiness was contagious!
A few details from the hacienda grounds…

The hacienda was originally built to produce henequén (sisal), or “green gold” as it was called.

Do I need to say that Tiffany was an extremely beautiful bride?

Garrett and Tiffany met for an hour of photographs before the ceremony, here is the moment that Garrett first saw Tiffany dressed for the wedding…priceless.

I hope the pictures can do some justice to so much beauty.

Tables were set up under a GIANT Ceiba tree.

I can’t remember the name of this great Latin band…but they were amazing at getting the party dancing.

Mexico wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina, destination wedding at the Hacienda Uayamón, Campeche, Mexico.

Alejandra and Jorge came to see me about photographing their sunset ceremony on the Gulf coast of Yucatan more than a year ago, and we walked the beach where the ceremony was to be held. While I envisioned a beautiful beach ceremony in this very special place the actual event was beyond my wildest dreams. What could be better than photographing such a happy couple, in the midst of so much beauty, love and good times?

Paradise…

I loved the contrast in texture between the rough palm bark and the very clean design of the rings.

This was one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have witnessed.

The bride and groom make their grand entrance into the reception.

This has to be my favorite dessert photograph ever…ice cream in a coconut shell, I love it!

The first dance was spectacular.

Parent dance, what a moment to capture.

I am fortunate to have known Lauren since she was young and so was very happy to be able to meet her fiancée, Byron, and to photograph first an engagement session on the beach at Uaymitun last summer and then a year later the wedding in Mérida. I hope their photographs will be a real legacy for their new family, telling the story of the life that they are starting together, and bringing back happy memories for a long, long time. Congratulations, Byron and Lauren, and may you continue to be blessed in your life together.

Beach photo session, summer 2006.

Last minute wedding day preparations, the weather got very, very dark and windy about this time, I was sure it would rain, but amazingly the sky completely cleared and it was a beautiful evening!

The ¨novios¨decided to see each other before the ceremony and I was able to “hide” and photograph from a distance the moment when they first greeted each other before the ceremony.

A few moments during the ceremony.

Lauren and Byron’s first dance as husband and wife. I love the way both of their rings are together in this photograph.

Reception fun…

It almost wouldn’t be a wedding in Mexico without Mariachis. They even serenaded Lauren and Byron as they made their exit from the ballroom.