Elizabeth Medina

Jannae had ordered hand painted maracas which gave a really fun splash of color, it never ceases to amaze me how much fun guests can have with maracas. Â Â

I can't find the edit button! That is not good for someone who types faster than they think! The first look and bride and groom photos before the ceremony... Â

   This one was Lindsey's I love how it captured the excitement!

Hi Jannae! What a great post to see! You had so many good ideas for your wedding that I am sure future brides will love!  It was such a joy for Lindsey and I to photograph you and Ryan... I think some people might think that 'marrying your best friend" is a cliche....but I could tell instantly that that describes you and Ryan perfectly! I almost tried to slow you down before the first look but I could tell that keeping the two of you apart one more minute was going to be impossible!  Jannae, I do feel so fortunate to feel like a friend to amazing couples like you and Ryan! I think that is an advantage of being able to take a personal approach to the weddings we photograph...it is wonderful to be able to anticipate the wedding, visualizing it ahead of time when hearing about the wedding plans in emails in the months (or sometimes over a year!) leading up to the big day, then spending the day focused on the beautiful moments and finally reliving it all during the process of editing all the photos to tell the story!  Thank you so much for being you! un abrazo! Elizabeth  I will post few photos...

Hola Federica! With so many fantastic options for venues, decoration, etc. I am sure that any Mayan Riviera wedding you ¨tailor make¨ would be a dream come true for the lucky couple! And of course for the photographer as well!  I do have to say though that I have photographed many weddings in all different kind of locations including some that could possibly be considered to be in the dreaded ¨wedding factory¨ category and the truth is that I have never, EVER seen a wedding that is the same as any other! Each and every wedding just seems to have its own very unique magic, energy and beauty!

It was such a beautiful, happy day! Such a dream destination wedding. There are lots of photos on my blog.... I have to love how everyone ended up in the pool at the end of the night. :-)  Francesca and Peter, Hotel Esencia  Â

Hola! I have updated the first post of this thread with some new photos... more convinced than ever that there is nothing like a hacienda wedding in Mexico!

Three cheers for BDW!!!!! I have loved participating in the forum since Tammy very kindly reached out and invited me to join back in the early days. I really think it is the people that make a site like this work, everyone here is so awesome that it is very fitting that the new BDW home is top notch as well. Bravo, bravo!

Oh my goodness, what a terrible surprise to have. I am so sorry to hear that. This should have been an ideal location for DWs, its really too bad it has not worked that way, what a disappointment for you. I am very glad to hear that you have someone working on a finding new location so quickly, you do have a lot of time but May in particular is the very busiest month in that area and I am sure the venues will fill quickly so its good you are moving quickly.

OK, I lied not done yet... this is fun! Gran Bahia Principe Gazebo... Even if you don't get married in the gazebo they can be so fun for photos. This one was taken in the Barcelo Mayan Palace Gazebo. And this one at the Paradisus, (NOW Jade). What fun to look through the archives, lots of great memories! Best wishes everyone for amazing gazebo weddings!

OK, I lied not done yet... this is fun! Gran Bahia Principe Gazebo... Even if you don't get married in the gazebo they can be so perfect for photos. This one was taken in the Barcelo Mayan Palace Gazebo. And this one at the Paradisus, (NOW Jade).

This gazebo is new, it is at the El Dorado Royale. You can see more images from the wedding here. Dreams Cancun... Aventura Spa Palace, fantastic location. The gazebo at the Marriott Casa Magna is one of my very favorites! Rui Palace...looking forward to photographing a BDW bride here very soon!!! Just one more, this is the from the Royal in PDC...

Here are just a few... Groom and ring bearer watching the bride's big entrance to the Gazebo, this is the Moon Palace...so sweet...

Hi there! What a great idea for a post! There are so many great gazebos out there! I have not had a chance to read through the earlier posts but thought I would add a link to posts on my blog that are from gazebo weddings...I might be missing a few but there should be enough to give you a pretty good idea of much of what is out there are far as gazebos in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. I think gazebos can be great because they can provide a focal point for the wedding or offer some much needed shade for guests, depending on how the wedding is set up. I have also seen them come in handy for the occasional sudden downpour but let's not go there, OK? Elizabeth Medina Photography Gazebo Weddings Blog Archives

Hi there! Thanks so much for commenting everyone! I think I could become addicted to posting photos here so if I get caught up on my editing and emails (it could happen, right?) and start to get carried away posting photos someone please let me know . Greysgirl, yes she is a BDW bride and she told me that the forum was a huge help in planning her wedding and especially finding her vendors. No surprise there! Go BDW! I LOVED the dress too, I had never seen one like it and it was light as a feather, I want to say that it is from a French designer. Mateo, yup, Yasmin totally rocked your wedding but I can´t believe it has been that long! Where has the time gone? Kate, I miss you too! I hope you are having a beautiful summer and taking lots of photos! Babestaaa, Sorry I had missed your question, each resort seems to have its own policies and I would recommend asking about their requirements directly if choosing your own photographer is something that is important to you. thanks again and best wishes!

It is really fun to share photos with you all! Thanks so much for looking and commenting.

Adrian is great! He does a fantastic job and has a very calming and positive presence, which never hurts on the wedding day. Here is a photo of Erica, the bride mentioned in an earlier post. Gorgeous, no?

Hi there! I hope no one mind if I pop in to share a colorful wedding from one of my favorite BDW brides! Jehda and Ken's wedding was held at the Paradisus (which became the NOW Sapphire the following week) and the entire event just sums up to me how fantastic destination weddings really are! Laid back, beautiful setting, lots of love! What more could any couple (or their lucky photographer) ask for? I want to give a shout out not only to the very hardworking and personable resort coordinators but also to Riviera Maya wedding planner Yazmin de la Mora who was onsite as well helping to make this amazing day a reality. Jehda and Ken Wedding and TTD Slideshow thank you for looking.

YAY Milena!!! I know you had said that you liked your photographs but now I really do believe its true. : What a beautiful, beautiful job you did, and your space reflects you and Gerry so well, elegant, relaxed, beautiful, welcoming. I've said it before...art is such a personal thing, and gallery shows and awards are just not where its at for me... but there is NOTHING I like better than knowing that my art is part of the history of such a beautiful new family. I loved seeing this more than I can say. Don't be surprised if I turn up ringing your doorbell and asking for the grand tour. Elizabeth

Quote: serious Ya'll, I've waited my entire career to snap a shot as cool as this one... Well you know what that means, right Matt? Time to retire! Congrats on getting the shot for such an awesome bride!

Hi Jess! Congratulations on those invitations and especially on the part about your fiancee going with you to Joanne's fabric, sounds like you got a good one!

JAIME!!!!!!! Happy Anniversary to you and Martin!!!!!!!! Exactly one year ago we were in Puerto Vallarta!!!!! Getting to share your wedding weekend was a highlight of 2009 for Lindsey and I, we felt like old friends from the moment we met the two of you! I have to tell you that I still get a little choked up watching your slideshow. Lots of love! Elizabeth

Hi Islandchika... We photographed a very pretty wedding at that villa last spring, there are photos from that location on the blog.

This was fun to see! Katherine and Jim's beautiful destination wedding at Azul Sensatori was just featured as a real wedding by destination I do magazine. Check out the article if you get a chance. So glad to see such an amazing BDW bride recognized! Katherine and Jim Destination I Do Feature