January 2013 – playaloves.me

January 16, 2013January 16, 2013

Pepsi + Edward | Couples Portraits at Grand Velas

Pepsi and Edward at Grand Velas Resort Playa del Carmen, Mexico © 2012 Laura McNamara | Playaloves.me

A sweet sunset photo session with Pepsi and Edward at the Grand Velas Resort…

Location: Grand Velas Resort, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Photographer: Laura McNamara

January 15, 2013January 16, 2013

Trash the Dress | Samantha + Facundo

Cenote Azul is a tropical oasis resting in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Crystalline waters reflect deep blues of cavern depths and vibrant greens of mossy rocks as sun sparkles dance upon the surface. Dragonflies buzz among the mangroves. Exotic birds call out in sweet song…

As a dive instructor and underwater videographer, Facundo was more than comfortable playing underwater. And, this certainly wasn’t the first time his new wife Samantha has followed him to explore the treasures hidden below the surface.

Location: Cenote Azul, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Photographer: Laura McNamara
Assistants: Courtney Forbes, Enrique Maruri, Isela Mejia

January 13, 2013January 16, 2013

Couples Portraits | Marriott Cancun

Couples portraits at the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort…

Location: CasaMagna Marriott Cancun
Photographer: Laura McNamara

January 12, 2013

Mayan Villa: Quinta Clara

Quinta Clara © 2012 Laura McNamara | Playaloves.me

Large, sprawling resorts are a common venue for destination weddings located in the Riviera Maya. Yet, for those looking for a smaller, more intimate location one of the many Villas located along the coast could provide an excellent option for your ceremony.

We captured a few detail images of Quinta Clara, located in Playacar residential neighborhood of Playa del Carmen. For more ideas, check out our article: Non “All-Inclusive” Wedding Locations in the Riviera Maya.

January 12, 2013January 12, 2013

Exploring Xcaret

The Riviera Maya is full of beautiful treasures to discover. Xcaret offers visitors the opportunity to explore the colorful customs and traditions of the Mayan culture along with natural plant and animal species indigenous to the Yucatan Peninsula:

Xcaret is majestic archaeological park located in Riviera Maya, Cancun in the Mexican Caribbean Sea shore. Enjoy a show at night, with more than 300 actors on stage, resulting in a musical journey through the history of Mexico since pre-Hispanic times to the present day, with all the colorful costumes, folklore and dancing. The recreation of a pre-Hispanic ball game, a charro celebration, a Mexican cemetery, a coral reef aquarium, a butterfly pavilion moreover underground rivers, beaches and natural pools, a place where you can swim with dolphins and have fun with countless attractions and activities that will make you live magical experiences. Come to Xcaret, one of the best Cancun attractions, and enjoy while discovering the natural and cultural wealth of Mexico.

Please enjoy a selection of magical images we captured during one of our short visits to the park…

January 12, 2013January 12, 2013

Presenting: America Vega Pascual

The smokey sultriness of America Vega Pascual came alive behind our lens. We even ended the shoot with a fun, midnight splash!

Photographer: Laura McNamara
Location: Quadra Alea in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

January 10, 2013January 17, 2013

Wedding at Indigo Beach | Jessica + Gerald

Photo by Laura McNamara

Laid-back, southern charm best describes this New Orleans couple. Jessica and Gerald were all about “just going with the flow.” And that was the perfect attitude for a most unique wedding day full of surprises!

An impromptu father-of-the-bride birthday brunch was squeezed into the day’s festivities before the groom and his groomsmen set out to find their favorite Lucha Libre masks. We should have known that the boys would have jumped at the chance for a colorful disguise considering their hometown hosts the largest Mardi Gras party in the United States.

It was Jessica who surprised Gerald on Playa del Carmen’s infamous 5th avenue, when they met for their “First Look.” Since we knew the couple was featuring “Corona bottle” vases as part of their wedding decor, we threw in a little surprise of our own – two fresh, cold Coronas to help with the pre-wedding jitters. And again it was Jessica who spotted the colorful bracelets featuring both her and her husband-to-be’s name at a nearby vendor booth (they may or may not have been another Playaloves.me surprise… wink wink). Gerald got a little more excited about spotting “Tigers” rather than his own name. Again, we should have known. Louisiana State University… Go Tigers!

The wedding ceremony started just as the sun was dipping below the Riviera Maya’s Caribbean Sea. This would be our first-ever nighttime wedding ceremony. Who says you can’t capture a wedding in the dark? Surprise!

Cake cutting was followed by New Orleans’ traditional “cake pull.” Friends of the bride “pull” charms from the wedding cake and each charm is a symbol of a future event. The charms are part of a bracelet, so the person who “pulls” the charm ends up with a lasting piece of jewelry to remember the wedding day.

And the surprises still kept coming… the wedding party and guests suddenly pulled out decorated umbrellas, parasols and handkerchiefs and began a cheerful march. Another New Orleans tradition, a “second line” parade at a wedding signifies the beginning of the life between the bride and groom.

What better way to end such a fun and, might-we-say-it, crazy day with fire in the night sky! Jessica and Gerald outlined their “love” with sparklers just before wind gusts left guests and this photographer alike ducking for cover from stray sparks!

View the slideshow by clicking here. (Remember to hit the full screen button located in the lower right corner after hitting ‘play.’)

Location: Hotel Aventura Mexicana and Indigo Beach Club
Photographers: Laura McNamara and Courtney Forbes