www.storybyphoto.com

We have been shooting down there an average of about 4-5x per year. We love it and plan to start spending our Winters down there. We have been going down there for the past 7yrs! For those of you on a really tight budget I would definately steer you towards a local photographer. You can get them for well under $3000 for the most part since your dollar goes much further down there. HOWEVER, if quality is your main concern and photos are of utmost priority to you, do not overlook photogs in the US who work down there regularly. You won't find better photogs than what we have in the U.S right now I'll post some pics from last weekends wedding at Casa Garza Blanca shortly! cheers, Heather Story by Photo

Quote: Originally Posted by beachykeen We found a local Chocolate/coffe shop called Ah Cacao. I found out about it from posts here! We're giving small bags of Mexican chocolates. There are some really cool ideas on here! I like the mini tequila bottles! That is our all time favorite place to go when we shoot in Playa Del Carmen! They make some outstanding Cappucinos and Latte's as well.

Always glad to help! Glad it worked out for you and you ended up with a final product you could enjoy. If you ever decide to renew your vows somewhere amazing give us a call and maybe we can get to be your actual photogs so we don't have to fix another photogs mess ups! LOL cheers, Gino and Heather storybyphoto.com

We have been shooting Destinations now for about 5yrs and have seen a lot of good ideas, some great ideas and some ideas that seemed good but went terribly wrong. Without getting into too many we are going to offer up a tip on Photography that we have been giving now for the better part of 2yrs and it has been extremely successful for us as a Destination Wedding company as well as for our brides. The key to a successful Destination Wedding is to have a great time, why else would you be doing it right?!?! So the surest way to make for a great time on your days spent in the Islands or wherever you location may be is to REDUCE the stress levels. Like I tell brides all the time, pay for the best wedding photography you can get and worry about all the extra stuff later (albums, DVDs, etc). What is becoming more and more popular for us is brides who just use the resort photographer for the day of photos and pay the $600-1200 or whatever they charge nowadays and then hire a killer photographer with creativity for a creative session the next day that include something like a Trash the Dress etc. A Bridal session like this can be done in 3-4hrs typically and is a very low stress situation. Why? because the big day is already over! It makes for a much less stressful day of your Wedding when you don't have to worry about being whisked away to do a photo session while your guests wait for you to finish a "photo shoot". Food for thought....maybe a Bridal session is for you?? To your success and to a great Wedding, Gino and Heather

Quote: Originally Posted by Jackie22 I'm trying to find a photographer, I'm thinking of using Del Sol but the want me to puirchase them a room for the night. Since our wedding is so small I'm looking for like a 3 hr photographer package. Does anyone know a photographer who will come just using the day pass? Thanks!!!! Look forward to hearing from you This is quite standard. We always ask for at least 1 night and often 2 nights depending on if we are doing a bridal session the next day. cheers, Gino and Heather Story by Photo is the worlds Leading Destination Wedding Photographer, husband and wife team bringing over 15yrs of experience.

Quote: Originally Posted by NaM Since you guys are probably a little quicker in your response than the WC - do you know if you have the choice between long vs. round tables for the reception? Or does it depend on the location? Thanks so much! Depending on how many people you have, if its less than 30 id say have your reception dinner outside on the patio at Greco if its available. The food there was actually not bad at all.

Start browsing Where Professional Models Meet Model Photographers - ModelMayhem Good site for Glamour photogs. And pervs. LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by NaM I think that would be an individuals own negligence for not finding out what is and is not at the resort. Totally agree. Hence the reason I posted here to begin with. For those that might not know.

Quote: Originally Posted by ddiinnyyeell I think the brides that are getting married at Aventura are well aware of the resorts amenities, including the beach situation. You would be surprised. Many people assume a beach resort would actually have a beach.

We just got back from shooting a Wedding there. I have to say, I was not impressed. To be very honest, I will never understand for the life of me why you would want to have a beach Destination Wedding at a location that DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A BEACH! Did we make due with it? Of course. I have no doubt the bride will love her photos but the fact it had no beach....kinda a bummer. When this happens we usually just take our couples for a day after session in Tulum! Be open to these types of things if you decide to book a property with no beach. Food for thought. -Heather Example: They have this Lagoon but over those rocks, is just more rocks.

Can't speak for the other but here are a handful of Bride referrals for us. We are in business about 17yrs now. We shoot Destination Wedding exclusively. Storybyphoto.com reviews | Thanks for thinking about us!

Our favorite restaurant in Maui is called Cafe O Lei. Try the Tuna Stuffed Calamari....it is TO DIE FOR!!! If you are a fan of Sushi of course you can't miss Sansei. There is a new one now up in Kapalua area so you dont have to go all the way to Kehei if you dont want to.

Well. I'm going to go ahead and chime in here. I won't say anything in reference to the photographer you used nor his work as that's none of my business and I need not ever knock another person in my field but I will say this....Some of these photos are just bad editing. Many can be fixed in photoshop and enhanced to look much better. I always tell photographers when I teach seminars etc "you cant polish a turd, so try and shoot it right so you don't have to". Clearly that gets lost in translation on occasion and let's be honest, no photographer, no matter how much smoke they blow up your butt or how they present themselves online is going to give you 100% fantastic pics that are everything you ever dreamed! To the Original poster here. If you have a handful of images that mean much to you and you cant work it out with your photographer, contact us via the forum or our website and we would be happy to have one of our photo editors on our team take a look and see about tweaking a "few" for you as a courtesy. The bottom line is people should be happy with their pics! gino & heather

Count us in. 10% off the total package price for anyone that has had a cancellation due to swine flu.

Quote: Originally Posted by Christine sooner born, V Sattui is absolutely one of my fav places. I have to warn you that while I am sure any wedding there would be amazing, its an incredibly busy place because its one of the last places to have free tasting and it has such a huge store and deli. A lot of people picnic there over the summer. However, I LOVE V Sattui and everytime we visit we head over there (my grandma lives in Napa and we go often) 100% agree. But if you do go, make sure you buy a loaf of their fresh bread and some of their cheese spread and just sit outside. Its Heaven!!!

Most of the better hotels are still there and great places to have Weddings. Quote: Lake Las Vegas includes a 320-acre man-made lake, three golf courses and more than 1,600 completed residential units. A number of businesses operating on the property, including three hotels (The Ritz-Carlton, The Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort and the MonteLago Village Resort) and the Casino MonteLago and the MonteLago Village shops and restaurants, are not included in the Chapter 11 filing. -source CPN Online

Vegas is fun year-round, but it does get hot in the summer June, July, August. Considering the time of year, you will want to make sure you have a hotel with a nice pool. Mandalay Bay is awesome!

HI droland03, We have worked at Hans Fahden and they have a BEAUTIFUL vineyard with lots of vines, barrels and a CAVE!!!! They have the cave set up so that it will fit a long table and a very intimate reception. Here is the website. Not the best pics, but if you can visit and check it out I am sure you will be impressed. Hans Fahden Vineyards - wines, weddings and events Cheers!

Hi TnA2009, You might want to check out the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Southern California Vacation Packages- The Ritz-Carlton- California Coast Vacations If you are willing to pass on the beach, Cornerstone Gardens is a great location with LOTS of room for creative photos. Cornerstone Place, located in Sonoma, California Best of Luck to you in your selection. Can't wait to see what you decide on.

Hi Klila, We have shot a lot of weddings in Puerto Vallarta and cannot tell you how important it is to find a good wedding planner. That is the ONLY way to maintain your sanity. We recommend Kristin from The Dazzling Details. The Dazzling Details Let her know that we sent you her way as we have worked together for about four years now. Hang in there and enjoy the moment!

Have you thought about Lake Las Vegas? There are some really nice resorts, but far enough away from the strip that it is quiet and relaxing. We had a wedding at the restaurant at the Monte Lago and the wedding party had the whole upstairs. It was secluded, intimate and "not your typical wedding" Hope that helps. Best of Luck with the planning!

Hi PM Wedding, Where is your wedding taking place? We have seen a lot of really cute and memorable favors that incorporated the location and the Bride and Groom. Example: Mexico Wedding they had Mexican Chocolate and Coffee and set up at an exit table for each guest to grab momentos of their visit to Mexico. The other suggestion is something that is uniquely you. If you love wine, you could make wine charms. Best of Luck! Can't wait to hear what you go with.

Simply the best food EVER. If you find the Wal Mart you are only 3 blocks north of it. Its called El Fagon. AWESOME. Make sure to try the Taco Loco vid sample YouTube - Proper Mexican Meal

Well. We just got back from the Virgin Islands for 1 week. Had a good time. The nicest beach we saw was Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Beach. Both amazing and both on St. John. Only thing that we did NOT care for were the locals. Kinda shady characters and definately not the most friendly. Moreso in St. Thomas than in St. John but overall our feeling was that we wont go back. Great beaches is one thing but we enjoy spending time with locals and taking in the cultures. These local left alot to be desired. Not only in our opinion but in the opinions of all the people we were there with.

Phuket is tough to beat. Especially considering the massages all day long for $5-9usd Compare that to the $25 hamburgers and $180 for a massage in Bora Bora and you can choose for yourself based on priorities. Personally, I feel, going to Thailand is a MUST for anyone who has not been. Start in the north is my reccomendation, Chaing Rai or Chiang Mai, then head south through Bankok and end in Phuket. Time of your life. if you have any questions fire away. We travel alot ~gino~