Elizabeth Medina Photography

The Royal Playa del Carmen, Erin and Justin’s Destination Wedding Photography

Elizabeth — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:37:47 +0000

Erin and Justin were absolutely one of the nicest couples ever! I think that Erin must have a skill for choosing people to surround herself with…not only did she find her special “one and only” very early on (they have been together amazingly long for such a young couple!) They also have wonderful families and the most upbeat fun to be around bridesmaids of all time! What a pleasure to spend the day with such a beautiful coupleand in the company of a fun group like this, relaxed, having a good time and fully enjoying the gazebo wedding and beach reception at the fabulous Royal Resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Erin, I love thinking that as a graphic designer you will find a million ways to enjoy your photographs, thank you to you both for choosing me as the photographer for your destination wedding in Mexico!

Thanks to Lindsey for spotting the girls on their way out…they were so excited for Erin!

I thought this was a fun shot!

The walk down Playa’s 5th Avenue on the way to the wedding….

Portraits of Erin right before the ceremony…

The Gazebo at the Royal overlooks the ocean. it was such a clear day you could see Cozumel perfectly.

The groom waiting at the altar for his bride.

Erin was fortunate enough to have two arms to walk in on!

These next two images have so much of Erin and Justin’s personality, they were having such a good time, even during the ceremony.

The bright and colorful bouquet.

The beach reception site right after sunset.

Let the party start…

First dance..

The Mother son and father daughter dance

Elizabeth Medina is a creative wedding photographer based in Mexico. She photographs weddings at the Royal Porto Real in Playa del Carmen, in the Riviera Maya and throughout Mexico. She is a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, WPJA.

Emily and Mathew, Beach Wedding at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Cancun, Mexico

Elizabeth — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:24:44 +0000

hat could be more beautiful than a ceremony at ocean side on a sunny summer day in Cancun? Emily and Mathew were married surrounded by family and friends. There was so much happiness and all around good vibes or “buena vibra” as we say here in Mexico! The water could not have been more turquoise, which really set off the bright red and orange flowers, what a delicious combination. I think I may have said it before but there is NOTHING like experiencing a wedding with a fresh breeze and your toes in the sand! Destination weddings are the most intimate, fun celebrations imaginable and I was happy to witness such a nice couple as Emily and Mathew at the center of such a special occasion. Gracias!

I would have to say that the JW Marriott and Casa Magna Marriott in Cancun is one of my favorite wedding locations. Josefina Luna and the whole crew just seem to do a very professional job of planning and making the events run smoothly, that makes them especially fun to photograph!

Getting ready time…I have noticed that these blue boxes seem to make for happy people.

Emily was so happy all day, but I really liked the serious photographs as well.

Time for the ceremony…I love the beautiful flower details on the white Tiffany chairs.

Seriously, destination weddings are the best

Emily’s sister as Emily entered on her father’s arm.

For those not familiar, the sand ceremony is the beach equivalent of the unity candle.

Mathew and his groomsmen…

Emily, with her adorable flower girl and bridesmaids…

I love it when the bridal party is introduced and enters the reception with “style”, these two made a great entrance.

Panoramic view of the reception at the JW Marriott in Cancun.

Emily goofing around!

Cancun wedding photography by destination wedding photojournalist Elizabeth Medina. Elizabeth photographs weddings throughout Mexico.

Mayan Riviera Destination Wedding Photography, Eric and Stacey’s Beach Wedding at the Maroma Paradise Marina

Elizabeth — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:36:16 +0000

This was a beautiful wedding to photograph! Eric and Stacey make a beautiful couple! They were married on the beach at the Maroma Paradise Marina which is operated by Karisma Resorts. The getting ready portion of the day happened at another Karisma property, Azul Beach. From there the group was transported to the Secrets Maroma Marina by bus except for Stacey and her girls who made the trip in a limo. The ceremony and reception were held on the beach at the marina. A large and really fun group of family and friends had made the trip to the Riviera Maya to share in the celebration.

A few getting ready and bridal shots taken at Azul Beach before leaving for the ceremony.

Somehow I liked the juxtaposition of the limo and the palapa…and I love Stacey’s excited face! What a happy day!

Stacey was hiding so the guests wouldn’t see her when the limo arrived…

I loved the orange colors that were chosen for the wedding, they really popped next to the bright blue water! This is Eric’s boutonnière.

I have no idea why I thought this sign at the entrance to the marina was funny!

The ceremony site and program…

Lindsey captured this expressive shot of Stacey’s mom as Stacey entered with her father.

Stacey’s flower girl did an excellent job! She even helped out with the photography!

There were so many nice details at this wedding. Each guest had a personalized hand paineted sand dollar as a place card.

Elizabeth Medina is a professional wedding photographer based in Yucatan, Mexico. She specializes in wedding photojournalism and photographs weddings in the Mayan Riviera, Cancun, Yucatan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and throughout Mexico.

Jill and Brian’s Maya Rivera Photo Session at the Fairmont Mayakoba

Elizabeth — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:25:59 +0000

This photo session was so enjoyable! Jill Higgins is a professional photographer based in Georgia and would be in the Maya Rivera area photographing a wedding at the Fairmont Mayakoba. She wanted some photographs with her husband Brian, they have been married for 12 years but apparently had spent very little time on the “other side” of the lens and had few photographs of them as a couple. I was so happy the way things worked out to make the session a reality. As it turned out we would also be in the Playa del Carmen area for a wedding the next day, so timing was perfect. It is a little intimidating being commissioned by another photographer but it was great fun getting to meet Jill and Brian. Aside from being a great looking couple they are very sweet and laid back, we even had a chance to hang out and talk shop afterward!

T+L Magazine, which faithful readers of this blog may remember is one of my favorite publications, (along with Elle Decor, but that is totally off the subject of this post!) describes it as Maya goes Zen, I don’t know about that, but the way the mangrove swamps are integrated into the architecture is fantastic. Great place for a photo session with a great couple!

Elizabeth Medina specializes in wedding photojournalism. She photographs weddings in the Maya Riviera, Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Los Cabos and throughout Mexico.

Mindy and Chad, Anniversary and Trash the Dress Photo Session, Dreams Tulum, Tulum Mexico

Elizabeth — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:28:22 +0000

Mindy and Chad are the kind of people that you feel like you have known forever as soon as you meet them. They have been married for one year and planned a fun anniversary photo shoot to take place during their trip to Tulum. Since I can usually only make the trip to Tulum for full wedding day coverage I was happy that I would be in the area already and available to photograph the two of them, especially once I met them and found out how much fun they are! We started off with more casual anniversary shots of the two of them around the beautiful grounds of the resort, then they quickly changed into wedding clothes for the second part of the session, which ended up with all of us completely soaked! Fortunately the camera survived and I think the photographs were worth it! Thank you so much Mindy and Chad for being so much fun to hang out with and for waiting so patiently to see the photographs!

Mindy and Chad told me they really liked the architecture of the resort, I tried to incorporate the feel of the resort into the photographs.

Mindy, is a very cheerful, bubbly person…but I thought the serious photographs of her were just beautful.

Casual beach photographs, I think every newly married or engaged couple should have these done!

I think this is my favorite from the whole anniversary session, because it shows the fun releationship the two have!

Two more photographs of the Bride on the Dreams, Tulum beach…

Elizabeth Medina is a professional photographer specializing in wedding photojournalism. Located in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, she photographs destination weddings in Yucatan, the Maya Riviera, Tulum, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta Los Cabos and throughout Mexico. She is a member of the WPJA, Wedding Photojournalist Association.

Zahia y Paco, Wedding Portrait Photography, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Elizabeth — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:58:04 +0000

Did you ever waste time worrying about something that never ends up happening? The day of Zahia and Paco’s wedding the weather did not start out in a very promising way…as I drove to the beautiful Casa Faller mansion in Merida where I was to do a portrait session before the wedding ceremony it was dark and dreary, I was sure it was going to rain at any moment. I also knew that the location would be fully set up for the reception and that finding place to photograph could be difficult. Finally I was worried that the bride might not be ready in time for a complete photo session since the mass was very early by local standards and I thought if it was raining she might not even want to risk going out in the bad weather before the ceremony! When I reached the venue to my surprise things immediately fell into place. The weather cleared up just as Zahia (who looked amazing in a gorgeous Vera Wang gown) arrived. A few minutes later Paco drove up in the cutest vintage Mercedes Benz. Gracias Paco y Zahia, ¡me encantó hacer las fotografías de tan linda pareja!

The two of them seemed so relaxed and happy on their big day, it was so much fun to photograph them! The grounds of the Casa Faller looked amazing (the wedding was coordinated by Baku Events) but were indeed completely taken over by caterer Rigel Gonzalez’ very large crew, but the lovely house itself was a perfect setting for the portrait session and the family portraits that followed. Perfect!

There was time to photograph some of the details, I love those photogrpahs to include in the album,. I thought Zahia’s shoes were especially pretty.

The couple with their immediate families.

I would love to include a photograph of each of the children that participated, but this being Merida there were almost 20, I loved seeing so many familiar faces from past photo sessions and all as cute as could be!

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photographer based in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She photographs destination weddings throughout Mexico and is a member of WPJA, Wedding Photojournalist Association.

Laren and Ryan, Beach Wedding Photography at the El Dorado Royale, Maya Riviera, Mexico

Elizabeth — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:00:35 +0000

Ryan and Lauren were married in a beautiful, intimate beach ceremony at the El Dorado Royal, a Karisma Resort in the Maya Rivera. It was a beautiful day in every respect. Although I had photographed a few times at the EDR previously, I had not photographed a ceremony at the Presidential Gazebo location. I just loved the spot, it was totally private, surrounded by lush vegetation and palm trees and overlooking the bluest sky and water. It was such a serene and natural setting which was perfect for the very emotional moments between bride, groom and the family and friends that witnessed the event.

Lauren wore flip flops since her cermony was on the sand…but for dancing at the reception she switched to these great party shoes!

The flowers were really different than the tropical blooms we usually see in Mexico.

Lauren was a bride that I think would have looked good in just about any dress…but the one she chose was PERFECT on her!

The bridesmaids on their way to the ceremony in a golf cart…

I couldn´t decide which of thes two detail shots to include…I loved them both!

How amazing and peaceful to have a wedding in such a natural setting.

The hand off from Lauren´s dad to Ryan, both totally choked up.

The El Dorado Royal Presidential Gazebo.

Mother of the bride…

The reception was held in Tucanes Bar, this is a very open outdoor location.

Rather than relying on setting up off camera artificial flash units which I feel can alter the mood a bit, I LOVE to use the true ambient light in my photography whenever possible, Although it is a challenge to make it work I find it often leads to beautiful and evocative images. Often future brides ask me about reception lighting and I always tell them that candle light, under-lit tables and tiki torches are beautiful accents but when used alone actually provide very little light…However, since art is full of contradictions this photograph of Ryan and Lauren’s first dance is lit completely by tiki torches and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The tearful father daughter dance…

I think this may not be the first time that this amigo has showed up on my blog! I can’t believe he can carry a whole round of drinks on his head!

Lauren’s bridesmaids decorated the get away golf cart!

Specializing in wedding photojournalism, Elizabeth Medina photographs weddings in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Tulum, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende and throughout Mexico. The El Dorado Royale is a karisma Resort located in Puerto Morelos Mexico.

Rocio and Eliazar, Playa del Carmen Destination Wedding Photography

Elizabeth — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:47:32 +0000

This wedding had so many fun elements! What a joy it is to tell the story of a day like this! A traditional Mexican Catholic mass, a mariachi serenaded stroll down the streets of Playa del Carmen, a dinner dance reception in the garden of the Royal Resort (one of my favorite locations), a romantic bride and groom photo session on the beach and of course a bride and groom who were obviously crazy about each other and happy to be celebrating in Mexico with a close group of family and friends! ¡Fue un dia inolvidable! Thank you so much Rocio and Eliazar, I loved photographing your happiness and love on your wedding day in Playa del Carmen!

A getting ready shot…when I see the bridesmaids pitching in to get the bride ready I always remember the saying “it takes a village”.

Details….

Is this little guy cute or what?

The Catholic church in Playa del Carmen where the wedding ceremony was held.

I always have an eye out for both the “big picture” and the small elements that quietly illustrate the day’s story.

Los novios, joined by the lazo en the Mexican tradition.

Los mariachis started playing when the bride and groom made their exit from the the church.

Everyone walked from the church to the reception at the Royal, a beach front resort. I think that is so much fun!

Arriving at the Royal…

The mariachis must have been a bit tired after that walk…but they never missed a beat! I wish I could remember what song they were playing here…I think it may have been “Somos novios”

Bride and groom pictures…what a great couple!

I confess, as much as I LOVE wedding photojournalism I am very proud of my skills as a portrait artist, and envisioning and creating expressive images like the next one makes me very happy.

First dance in the garden area of the Royal Resort.

I don’t know if this groom toss looks like fun to me or jsut plain scary…but Eliazar actually seemed to be enjoying it!

Great way to end a reception on a hot, hot, hot day!

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photojournalist located in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She specializes in destination weddings and photographs weddings in the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum, and Isla Mujeres, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and throughout Mexico.

Jen and Fred’s Azul Beach Bash, Destination Wedding Photography in Mexico’s Maya Riviera

Elizabeth — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:24:52 +0000

Wedding planning can be so complicated, especially at a distance. Jennifer wrote me an email before the wedding that said basically that the only thing she was sure of was that it was going to be a beautiful day. And it truly was! And so much fun as I think you should be able tell from the photographs! Lindsey and I had said just the night before that we thought it would be nice to photograph a bride with a cute short haircut…how astonishing to arrive at Azul Beach the next day and meet a gorgeous bride who fit that description perfectly! Jen and Fred make such a great pair, and were so nice to work with, it was a pleasure to photograph the moments that made up their high spirited, once in a lifetime Mexico wedding! Come to think of it, I think we also hoped for sunshine….and there was definitely plenty of that! Not to mention unforgettable tropical color! Thank you Jen and Fred!

The very colorful ceremony location. The ocean and sky could not have been more beautiful than on this summer day.

A light moment during the vows, Jen’s maid of honor was a big help when the wind picked up!

Once one bridesmaid teared up it was over for all of them!

Ok, this is a bit random….I would love to know what was said!

The decisive moment, bridal party edition…Lindsey (first shot) and I (the following shot) clicked the shutter at just the same time!

A few details from the cocktail hour and wedding reception.

Working on the playlist…

There were many emotional special dances, here is the mother-daughter dance.

This has never happened to me before…I was photographing a quick party picture of Fred hugging his mom and aunt…I was not expecting this to happen!

Elizabeth Medina, is a destination wedding photographer, based in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and photographing weddings in the Maya Riviera, Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Tulum areas as well as Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, San Miguel de Allende and throughout Mexico. Azul Beach is a Karisma Resort located in the Riviera Maya.

Maya Rivera Destination Wedding, Galit and Steve at the Grand Occidental Xcaret

Elizabeth — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:45:22 +0000

This was such an amazing couple to photograph! I so often hear the comment that I get to photograph in all the most beautiful locations. Whenever I hear that I can’t thinking #1 Yes, that is true! And I certainly hope my eye does justice to it all! and #2 (since I am a wedding photojournalist and not a landscape photographer) It is my privilege to photograph the most wonderful PEOPLE on one of the happiest days of their lives, in a lovely setting….now there is something worth documenting!

I am sure that Galit and Steve would have had a wonderful wedding anywhere, their happiness and admiration for one another set the tone for a very special day of celebration with family and friends. That they were able to travel to the Maya Riviera for a Mexico wedding just made it all the more special.

Thank you Galit and Steve it was such a joy for us to spend time with the two of you! Congratulations to you both!

Its great for the photography when the couple decides to be photographed together before the ceremony. Galit met Steve in a location we had scouted earlier. He had plenty of time standing in the hot sun to think about things….I loved his expression when she walked down the path and he turned around for the “first look” at his bride.

There were 9 bridesmaids and 9 groomsmen! Here are the girls…

I am happy to have captured this photograph, there is nothing like the moment when the beautiful bride makes her entrance.

The chuppah was very unique and beautiful.

The ceremony was set up in the round with guests on sides of the chuppah. I love the tradition of the bride and groom entering with their parents and standing with their immediate families through out the wedding.

Another look at the ceremony site…

A few quite moments between the bride and groom after the ceremony, the photographs from that private time were some of my favorites if the day.

Reception details…

First dance…

I love the dancing of the Horah!

The toasts…

We had planned a “trash the dress session” the next morning, we started at 6 am to catch the sunrise. I think it was worth it!

The resort has a little pyramid which seems to be defended by millions of tiny bugs… my hat is off to the bride for not totally freaking out when her dress was filled with them.

Time to cool off! The best part of a trash the dress session!

Elizabeth Medina is a wedding photographer located in Yucatan, Mexico, photographing weddings in the Maya Riviera and throughout Mexico. her specialty is wedding photojournalism and she is a member of the Wedding Photojournalism Association, WPJA.