The day after the wedding we headed out to a beautiful beach we had scouted when we first arrived in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to photograph Senait and Ilya's trash the dress shoot.  The shoot was amazing (aside from the fact the I got horribly burnt, but we won't go there because I was stupid and didn't put on sunscreen :-)) and came complete with an awesome 1800's pirate ship pulling into the bay behind us ... what a perfect prop!!  After the shoot we finished at the Me Cabo Resort with a photo shoot of everyone in their Eritrean wedding attire.  Again, thank you both so much ... this was such an amazing experience for us!

Senait and Ilya were married on July 9th, 2011 in a stunning wedding at the Me Cabo Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!  We love photographing destination weddings as it is, but when you add in two unbelievably beautiful people and a reception full of cultural dance, we pretty much hit the trifecta of weddings!  This posting has been split into two parts beause there was just way too much to put into one posting.

Senait is of Eritrean descent (Eritrea is a country located in East Africa, bordering Ethiopia) and Eritrean customs were played out throughout the reception.  The whole experience was magical and one we will long remember!  Thank you both for having us as your wedding photographers for your exotic destination wedding.  You were a joy to get to know!  Enjoy the sneak peak and wait to you see the trash the dress photos!!

Senait and Ilya's celebration went well into the night and included many customs and dances from Senait's country of descent, Eritrea.  We love photographing cultural weddings and receptions!  They are always so colorful and festive and this one did not disappoint.  This destination was simply amazing and we were so please to be included!  Thank you both so much and enjoy!

We love all weddings, but among some of our favorites are destination weddings and Indian weddings.  Destination weddings for obvious reasons - we love to travel and for us, change of scenery helps keep us fresh creatively - and Indian weddings because they are so alive with color, culture and custom.  So, when I received an email back in early February from Neha explaining her upcoming multi-day Indian / Nigerian destination wedding in Riviera Maya (Cancun), Mexico, I went crazy!  I was actually visiting my family in North Carolina at the time and remember running around the house to find my mom to tell her about it!  I wanted this wedding bad!!  The icing on the cake for me was the fact that Akintunde (Tunde), Neha's finace, is from Nigeria and she said the first day would incorporate Nigerian dress and customs.  Soon after that first email we were hired and I was elated!!

My Associate Photographer, Angie accompanied me to Cancun as my second photographer (Kevin was unable to go and I was so sad he couldn't) and as soon as we stepped off the plane we knew we were in for an exciting weekend!  Neha lives in Miami, Florida, Tunde in Austin, Texas - they will be moving to Atlanta soon - and their friends and family hail from all over the US, Nigeria, and India, and they all came to meet in this stunning setting called Mexico.  This wedding did not disappoint!  Every aspect of it, from the couple and their approximately 70 guests, to the spectacular and exotic local, to the colorful and animated ceremonies, was a sight to behold!

The first day was held at the Azul Sensatori Resort and was the Nigerian Introduction and Engagement Ceremony, followed by a reception and Mehndi Party.  The other thing I really love in this world is Africa and everything African.  Though I have never been to West Africa, I have been to East Africa several times and through those journeys I was fortunate to indulge in meeting the local people and experiencing and learning of their cultures and customs.  It may sound cliche, but Africa really does get into your blood ... it did for me and I simply fell in love.  It has been a while since I was able to return and being able to participate in and witness some of the Nigerian customs of a wedding were beautiful!  For much the same reasons I love Indian weddings, I loved the Nigerian ceremony.  The colors were stunning and the sense of family and custom were strong.

The Indian wedding ceremony and trash the dress session are in the following posts.  I would like to thank Neha and Tunde for choosing me as their wedding photographer, for giving me the opportunity to experience their incredibly beautiful wedding and for their gracious nature!  It was an experience I will always hold dear :-)!

To Angie, I want to say thank you for doing such an amazing job!  So many of her photos made these postings that I didn't distinguish who took what, but her work at this wedding was stellar!  I know she would like me to ay thank you to Neha and Tunde as well ... she LOVED your wedding - and the two of you :-)!

The second day of Neha and Tunde's destination wedding in Riviera Maya (Cancun), Mexico, hosted the Hindu Indian Ceremony.  This day was the longest and I felt it best to break the day into two postings, one for the getting ready and ceremony and the other for the formals and reception.  The ceremony was held on the rooftop deck of the Azul Sensatori Resort ... at noon.  Did I mention it was HOT!  It was very, very hot ... and humid (the killer), but with wet towels in hand, and on head as was the case with some (including me), umbrellas held for shade, and plenty, plenty, plenty of water, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the colorful and beautiful ceremony that united Neha and Tunde in marriage!  It was beautiful!

I want to include another thank you to our Associate Photographer and friend, Angie Gomez, for traveling with me to this amazing event and doing such an amazing job as my second photographer ... you slammed it out of the park Angie ... great work!!!