Specialists in wedding photography, playaloves.me is honored to share one of the most celebrated milestones of your life. We are committed to capturing the beauty, raw emotion, unique style and sacred love that radiate on your “special day.”
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
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.’)
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…
Jessica picked the perfect wedding gown for her Trash the Dress session – a lacy dress with a long flowing train.
We’re truly excited to present an exquisite collection of images captured with Jessica and Gerald at Cenote Azul…
Photographer: Laura McNamara
Assistant: Osiris Campos
Playaloves.me Photography specializes not only in wedding photography, but in artfully capturing your unique love story. Our goal is to craft a distinguished and unequaled collection of images, ultimately creating a stunning visual experience that makes your wedding come to life
again and again.
Kristin and John never really had proper wedding photos when they married at a small church in Indiana, young and fresh out of college. This couple has dedicated their lives to raising their children, admitting to going away together just one other time throughout their entire marriage.
Thus, with the support of their children, they escaped to the Riviera Maya, Mexico to renew their wedding vows and enjoy the honeymoon they never had. The RIU Palace PlayaCar in Playa del Carmen, Mexico provided the perfect setting of elegance and luxury for a couple that truly deserved to pamper themselves.
“Our gift to ourselves for 20 years of selfless parenting…” Kristin professed.
Congratulations on 25 years of shared love Kristin and John!
Simple. Sweet. Smiles. Three lovely words to describe this last-minute wedding. Lacey came to Ann Nguyen at Hotel Aventura Mexicana with a tough request: put together an “emergency” wedding within 48 hours. Ann rose to the challenge, setting up a simple ceremony with a minister on the beach of Playacar – perfect for the bride, groom and their mothers.
Location: PlayaCar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Photographer: Laura McNamara
The Sky Wedding deck at the Beach Palace in Cancun boasts one of the most spectacular birds-eye-views of the Mexican Carribean. Christ and Meghan went all out and even had fireworks fly as they sealed their union with a kiss!
Location: Beach Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Photographer: Laura McNamara
Assistants: Stuart Hollows
Argentinians came together with the French in a grand celebration of Samantha and Facundo’s love. This eclectic Mexican wedding boasted Argentinian and French flair mixing hand-held vanity fans, bubbles, rice and a French-themed dessert bar with crazy dance numbers, funky costumes, tequila shots and a flash photo booth.
After a small spritz of rain, a sunset sky flushed orange and pink and melted away any fears of a downpour… with the wild fun lasting until sunrise. A toast to Samantha and Facundo who really know how to throw one heck of a party!
Just before all the excitement began, the bride spent her time primping at El Taj Condo Hotel. The ceremony and reception were hosted at the Grand Coral Beach Club.
Photographer: Laura McNamara
Lighting Technician: Stuart Hollows
A sweet and playful couple, Stefanie and Sergio left most of us drying moist eyes… with Playaloves.me Photographers: Stuart Hollows and Joakín Strada. Yazmin de la Mora Bodas & Banquetes created this magical weddingscape with exquisite details that set this wedding apart from the rest.
Location: Playa Palms in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Photographers: Stuart Hollows and Jaokín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows Old tradition keeps the groom waiting at the end of the aisle, not seeing his bride until she enters the marriage ceremony. But, Stefanie and Sergio decided to take part in a new tradition where they get a sneak peek of each other… before anyone else. The “First Look” gives a couple about to be married an intimate, private moment to share before celebrating with their family and guests.
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada A stunning moment of one of the guests blowing bubbles Joakín captured as the bride and groom walk down the aisle after the wedding ceremony…
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows Right after the ceremony, Stefanie and Sergio’s guests were invited to an exquisite Mexican tequila tasting…
Photo by Stuart Hollows We can’t think of a better way to truly kick off a Mexican wedding celebration than some good, smooth shots of fine tequila…
Photo by Joakín Strada While the guests were enjoying traditional Mexican delicacies, Joakín snuck the bride and groom off to the beach for some private couple portraits…
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows As dusk settled over the jewel-colored Mexican Caribbean, the guests were rounded up for some group portraits with the bride and groom…
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada And just as the stars began to sparkle at twilight, all gathered for dinner amidst a beautiful seaside reception created and decorated by Yazmin de la Mora Banquets & Weddings.
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Joakín Strada Time to cut the cake…
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows
Photo by Stuart Hollows We just love how the ambient night lighting casts magical colors on the bride and groom’s faces as they get lost in a passionate, loving kiss…
Photo by Stuart Hollows Finally, the bride and groom kick off the party under the tropical night sky with the traditional First Dance…
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada We love this creative image by Joakín. He zoomed during his capture to add yet more excitement and movement to the image, truly making the party atmosphere come alive in the photo.
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Joakín Strada
Photo by Stuart Hollows Yes. Stefanie and Sergio had their fairytale wedding at Playa Palms perched in the exotic, Caribbean landscape of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Carolina and Adrik’s wedding in the Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen on 5th Avenue boasted simple elegance with its graceful black and white color theme. After the ceremony on 5th, the wedding party and guests celebrated with the newly weds until daybreak at the Grand Coral Beach Club perched right on the shores of the Mexican Caribbean.
