JULY 31, 2022 / CHEMUYIL, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO
In July, that is. It's hot. Humid. Sweaty. Stormy. Mosquito bites. Creepy crawlies. Unpaved roads. If could experience it all over again, I absolutely would.
Let me start off by saying what a delight it was to be a part of this intimate, mystical, peaceful wedding in Tulum. Getting to know new families, hearing the childhood stories of where the bride and groom came from, and bonding with new friends is easily one of the best parts of being a wedding photographer.
You know when you come across a couple and just KNOW they're meant to be? Yeah, that's Judy and Griffin. These two share a special kind of love - a spontaneous, adventurous, best friends kind of love.
The big day started off with a sweaty yoga session followed by a few scattered thunderstorms, but it felt calming and there wasn't a worry in the world. We were out in the jungle, after all. Before I began my wedding day duties, I took an hour or so to explore the beautiful, lush, eco-friendly resort. Pools were tucked away nestled in the trees, and the resort even had their very own private Cenote right in the middle! If you're not sure what a "Cenote" (pronounced seh-no-teh) is, it is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. Overall, the aesthetics throughout this resort were everything you'd imagine and wish for when picturing a Tulum wedding, in my opinion. Dreamy, mystical, Boho vibes, surrounded by the dense jungle while feeling deeply connected with nature. It was a complete tranquil setting.
CEREMONIES
After getting ready, we settled in for a special Chinese ceremony--a tradition that dates back to the Tang dynasty in China. The cultural ceremony consists of when the bride and groom serve tea to their respective families and they, in turn, show their acceptance of the marriage. It was such an honor to witness and photograph this special tradition. By late afternoon, we were off to the second ceremony at Cenote Taak Bi Ha, about 10 minutes from Tulum. The van ride there was surely one to remember. The soft gravel roads had washed out holes from the rain and I think we bonked our heads on the van ceiling at least 10 times. Worth it. The steep, narrow steps that lead down into the cave was an adventure in itself. I will never forget seeing Taak Bi Ha for the first time! If you know Judy and Griffin, the setting of their ceremony made perfect sense. Some of the deets included: a violinist, beautiful, circular alter decked out in tropical florals with glowy candles lining the entire aisle on both sides, crystal blue water, and the best of all, bats! As if this couldn't get any cooler, the theme of the ceremony was officiated by the grooms father and was based around the trading card game, Magic the Gathering. They exchanged their heartfelt vows, "I do's," and to tie it all together, the two of them exchanged personalized MtG wedding cards they had made for each other.
RECEPTION
Upon arrival back at the resort, we were seated in a cozy, dimly lit gazebo at our tables to enjoy a beautifully, homemade dinner made with love by the superwomen in the kitchen. Before the real party began, Judy and Griffin surprised the guests with a coordinated dance to September by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Could these two be any cooler?Everyone continued to dance the night away under a starlit sky accompanied by the spiked welcome cocktail drinks, courtesy of Judy's amazing dad.
