Mark Romine

That would help wouldn't it, sorry. Here you go: http://www.romineweddingsblog.com/riviera-maya-mexico-wedding-photographer-jen-nick-11-09-10/

We shot a wedding there just a few days before the explosion that killed seven people. Very sad. The very building where I had photographed my clients sitting on a sofa sitting under some interesting art work was totally blown away. Nice resort, not fantastic, lots of families, food just ok. Lots of photos on my blog from all around the resort.

Quote: Originally Posted by Peaches2010 I spoke to our wedding photographer who just did a wedding at the Riu Palace in Cabo San Lucas in March 2009, and he told me that sunset at the time of the year is around 6-6:30 PM. In the winter time when the sun is setting at a much faster rate than the summer months you will want a more exactly time. Being off by 30 minutes can make or break your sunset wedding photos.

Hey Andrew: Thanks for the offer! Yes, I'm a DWF member although I don't spend much time there anymore my membership is still active for at least a few more months. When we get closer to the date I may have a few more comments for you. Thanks again for the offer. mark Quote: Originally Posted by GroomsArePeopleToo Mark, I think I recognize you from the DWF forum. Anyway I hope you got the info you needed. If I can be of any help just give me a call. I am headed down this week, also my inlaws have a place down there so I am familiar with the area.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege How far in advance will you be flying out there? You could do some exploring up and down the coast and you'll probably find what you're looking for. The day before at about noon so we will have some time in the afternoon. Just hoping to get some real Mexico instead of the resort look.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege However depending on what time of day you go it'd be crowded. What about local native shops, cantinas etc. things that are real Mexico?

Yeah, we will be staying there. Anything cool within 15-30 minutes driving time that has a real local flavor? Ruins, local shops, abandoned anything? I'm not super big on the resort look but we may be relegated to staying on the resort premises. Thx

Anyone hear ever shoot at the Grand Riviera Princess in Riviera Maya? Anything out of the ordinary or unusual about the resort or staff that would be helpful to know as a photographer? Photographer to photographer type stuff. We just booked a Nov '10 wedding there and I've never shoot there. From photos on their site it looks pretty straight forward but none the less I thought I would ask. Thanks, mark

I photographed a wedding at the RIU in Cabo a couple years ago and it was great, both food and service were excellent. The wedding is still on my website. Mouse over the wedding tab and select Lindsay + Jonathan.

I have been shooting as a full time wedding photographer for eleven years and as a commercial photographer for 15 years before that. To my knowledge I'm one of the few that are left that allows my clients to pay the final payment roughly one third of their total package cost after the wedding once the photos have gone live and their proofs are available for shipping. I allot of confidence in the product and service that I deliver and I guarantee it. For me it is an act of trust and I want my clients to trust me in return. It's just the way that I like to do business with my clients. To date I have never been stiffed or had a problem with payment.

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Jennifer Actually the policy has been changed - if the photographer is a paying guest staying at the wedding resort for the minumum nights... What is the minimum number of nights?

Quote: Originally Posted by T.Thompson Hi Jenn;we are doing a wedding in The Bahamas in April the bride and her entire wedding party is staying a week at Sandals,but they have taken their wedding out of the resort to Sunrise and their reception to Lucianos.I think its a bad policy!maybe if you make a fuss they will let you use your desired Photographer,Im sure the policy cant be good for business in the long run.I know they lost a wedding in April. You are to be applauded I hope more couples will take a stand against this bad policy. mark

Hi Jennifer: Thanks for starting this poll. I have often wondered this and I hope that you get lots of responses. mark

Welcome and congrats on the upcoming wedding!

Quote: Originally Posted by Chanti We didn't have a choice: noon on June 29th, or pick a different date, which we weren't willing to do. Oh well! Yeah, there sometimes just isn't much you can do. Maybe you will have a slightly overcast day. Either way, it will still be fun. mark

Quote: Originally Posted by Virg Now I am worried! Our ceremony is scheduled for 4:30pm in Cuba. We have chosen a gazebo terrace locations, not on the beach, so I am hoping that squinting + heat would be minimized. I know for a fact they already have a 6pm wedding, as that bride is on this forum as well. So I hope it will be ok ! Some things you can check on that may give you peace of mind. Do you have any photos of the gazebo area at the resort? Does their website have photos or any brochures they may have sent you? Maybe photos from another wedding held under the gazebo? Do you know anyone else here who has already had their wedding at that location? The reason for asking is, the photos may show if there are any palm trees plated around the gazebo that will offer shade. It is not unusual for there to be trees or shrubs, maybe even shade from the resort building if it is located close enough to the gazebo terrace area. Next option, will you be there a few days before your ceremony so that you can actually see where and what the sun is doing at the gazebo terrace location? If it looks like it is going to brutally hot and bright will the resort allow you to switch your location down to the beach so that you can schedule it at a later time? mark

If you are an iPhone user this free app is very helpful for calculating Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise — Sunrise and Sunset Calculator Application for iPhone and iPod touch As a photographer I use this thing all the time. You can enter any specific date in the future as well as just about any location on the planet to get the info that you need.

Quote: Originally Posted by McToasty Thanks so much for that advice mark! I originally wanted a 4pm wedding, but FI suggested 6. We were in the Dominican just in April and i forgot that the sun stays out a lot later than it does here in Toronto. hehe. so 6 will be fine, right? Sorry for the delayed response, been a bit busy. According to my iPhone app, sunset for 8/3/10 in San José (only choice I have without actually being there) is 6:59, total darkness is at 7:21. So unless you have a really long ceremony you should be fine plus if it is a clear day you should get some nice sunset shots. So just do all of your photos before hand and you should be just fine. Quote: Originally Posted by McToasty Will we have to worry about sandflies? sandfleas? whatever they're called.... Wow, I really can't speak to the bug stuff, sorry. mark

Quote: Originally Posted by rach220 Good to know! My ceremony is at 5:00 PM on July 16th in Riviera Maya, Mexico. There isn't much of a beach there, and the ceremony is in a gazebo so I think we will be ok...what do ya think? You should be better off than out on the beach at that time. Hopefully, in addition to the gazebo you will have some palms trees nearby too. mark

As we move deeper into the warmer months of the year here are some tips to consider for the sake of those attending your ceremony and for the benefit of better photos. You may not always have a choice for the start time of your beach ceremony due to other scheduled events at the resort and/or availability of services or other vendors. But if given a choice we recommend scheduling your beach ceremony from one to one and half hours before sunset in the warm months of the year. Try to stay away from late morning up through late afternoon ceremony times. Your guests will thank you. The heat from a mid day summer beach wedding can simply be brutal, even with parasols or umbrellas. A nice breeze can certainly make it more comfortable but a breeze can not always be counted on, plus if the wind is too strong then umbrellas will be useless. Remember that heat and alcohol do not mix well. When guests are at a resort on vacation what does everyone like to do? Drink, and generally not water. Alcohol and soft drinks w/caffeine can lead to quicker dehydration which is the last thing you need on a hot beach. You do not want either your guests or yourself passing out. So as the sun goes down so do the temps. But heat is not the only enemy of a mid day ceremony time. You may actually pick a day when the temps are cooler and you have a nice breeze and everyone is comfortable. But then there is the other enemy. Sun and beaches together act like a reflector and can be blinding. So the second issue of mid day beach weddings is, squinting from the bright sun. Your guests and the wedding party are not going to want to take their sunglasses off for photos because it is so bright out. Even if you can get them to do so, the squinting will be severe. Not pretty for photos. Squinting is not only an issue on sunny days but even on overcast days with the light bouncing off the sand. Although sunglass clad wedding party photos can be fun and creative, most likely you are not going to want to have all your family or group photos with sun glasses on. Again, as the sun goes down the easier it becomes to deal with the squinting issue. Interestingly, some of my photographer colleges refuse to take mid day wedding ceremonies in the summer months because of the complications created by them. They will only take early evening summer beach weddings. mark

Quote: Originally Posted by BillysBride Hi Mark! Wanted to drop a line seeing as how I'm from Springfield...my fiance is actually from Bloomington/Normal. We head up that way quite often still since it's only about an hour away and most of his family is there. Look forward to seeing some of your work and hearing more about you. Welcome to the board! Yeah, same here, I get down to springfield 4-6 times a year and a few more just passing through to St Louis. Thanks for the welcome. mark

Quote: Originally Posted by tdmitchell Welcome Mark! Thanks from MD!

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Welcome, Mark! Thanks for the welcome!

Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne Welcome Mark! I have to giggle at the name of your town I know, isn't that the craziest name. Why someone would name a town with such a name is beyond me. But at least I can tell clients that I am pretty close to Normal. Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne Love your siggy pic, beautiful colors Thanks, this was at the infinity pool at RIU Palce in Cabo. mark

Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host welcome to BDW Thanks!!! It has been interesting already! mark