While I had fun doing Jessica and Chad’s engagement photo session at Ellicott City, nothing beats the experience at their wedding. When they had decided to book me as their wedding photographer for their destination wedding at Cozumel, Mexico using a cruise ship, I jumped with joy! It was my first cruise ship trip ever and my first destination wedding outside the United States!

The Bride and Groom, the wedding party, the guests, and my crew (my wife, which is the second shooter, and my son, the assistant) departed from Miami, Florida with Carnival cruise ship in the afternoon. We all enjoyed the departure party, all the delicious food and drink we could get, and party music mix from the DJ. I loved the theme of the cruise ship on that day: “Bye bye Land. Hello Fun!” That was day 1.

After being completely at sea on Day 2, we arrived in Mexico at Day 3, early morning.

At around 7:30 am, we headed to Hotel Melia Cozumel, Mexico. We all sure enjoyed the perfect weather for the wedding. It was warm, not too hot, and after a while we forgot that it was still winter and cold in the United States.

Anyway, I don’t want to bore you with too much of the travel details. Enjoy the wedding pictures now.

Here is one of my favorite picture of the day.

But let’s see how the day started.

The hotel had really interesting colors. The bold colors made an interesting backdrop for a lot of things, including the Bride’s dress and other details.

Since the wedding was on the beach, the Bride and Groom wore sandals. Even the photographers wore sandals. It wasn’t the first for me, but that was a first for my crew.

Here is Jessica, the Bride, and Cathy, the Matron of Honor getting make up and their hair done.

Jessica helping her Mom putting on the necklace.

In the other room, Chad, the Groom, and Jason, the Best Man, were getting ready as well.

Chad being helped by his Mom putting on the boutonniere.

As always, Bride do need help putting on a wedding dress.

One of their wedding color theme is orange. The Bride’s flower bouquet, Matron of Honor’s bouquet, and the boutonnieres are orange.  It sure fits the warm weather there.

The jackets for the Groom and Best Man are suitable and comfy for beach wedding.

After Jessica was ready, she wanted to meet her Dad one last time before she walked down the isle.

A lovingly Father who helped putting on necklace for his beautiful daughter.

Jessica also had this handkerchief with custom embroidery as a gift for her Dad.

I love that Jessica and Chad had wanted to do a first glance before the ceremony. I really like it when a Bride and Groom decided to this because they would have time alone for themselves, isolated from the others, and I could capture the emotion going on between the two.
Here is the Bride, Jessica, anxiously waiting for the Groom.

Again, don’t you love the colors of the hotel? They make a lovely backdrop.

Here comes the Groom, Chad.

From the smile, you can tell that Jessica could sense that Chad was coming.

And their eyes finally met.

Here is the wedding party. As you can see, it was a small wedding party, only one Best Man and only one Matron of Honor. There were no Bridesmaids or Groomsmen.

When I asked the Best Man, Jason, to do this, Chad’s reaction was “Oh no, not again!”
Chad told me that Jason did this to him all the time when they were younger.
Here it looked like Jason enjoyed reliving that memory. As for Chad? Not so much.

Chad couldn’t wait to trash his jacket and jumped into the pool.
Whoa, Chad! Not yet, not until all of these are over!

Check out the gorgeous view of the wedding ceremony site. Blue sky, clear blue water, white sand, and some palm trees in the back. Oh, how I wish I could go back there this instant!

Check out the bold orange color decoration of the chairs and the canopy as well. It gives a nice contrast to the blue water and the white sand.

The ceremony begins with the Matron of Honor leading the way.

Finally, here comes the Bride, escorted by her Father.

It was an emotional moment for everyone.

Jessica and Chad poured the unity sand. It’s always a good idea to use sand for outdoor weddings especially in windy places, or if the weather will be windy. Of course you may never know way ahead in your planning if the weather will be windy or not during the wedding, but it’s safer to assume so. Not to mention that in my opinion you’ll have a more decorative keepsake compared to candles.

And the Bride and Groom officially became husband and wife!

Cheers for the Bride and Groom!

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Leo Dj

—

Vendors

Officiant:  Rob Skinner

Hotel and Venue: Hotel Melia Cozumel, Mexico

Wedding Planners: Carnival Wedding Department, and A Wedding for You

Make up: Liz Hud

Dress: Maggie Sottero