Last June when Andrew and Jackie asked me to photograph their wedding in Cancun it felt forever away. But sure enough, the months fell away and Steve and I found ourselves aboard a plane with Jackie and Andrew’s closest friends and family from Baltimore to sunny Mexico. Immediately upon arrival we were embraced by their families and friends as a part of the group and it made it even that much more fun. We were guests at the rehearsal dinner (they used the included photographer from their wedding package to cover that, so we got to relax and enjoy the meal), we had a seat at the reception dinner (which we all determined was the table for “cat people”), and we donned our customized Natty Boh and UTZ girl tee-shirts with their names and wedding date on it along with the rest of the group for breakfast the next morning. Jackie and Andrew have truly incredibly people in their lives and it was so fun being a part of the full experience of the wedding trip!
Saturday, March 9th started with a beautiful sunrise. I got up with the sun to get some photographs of the resort before the sunbathers came out for the day. Steve and I got breakfast and then we went back to our room to discuss a game plan for the day. This was Steve’s first time second shooting at a wedding for me and unsurprisingly he did an amazing job. I also have to say, it was a lot of fun working with my husband on a wedding day! He was a great assistant when that was what I needed (carrying equipment, making sure no one ran off with my camera bag, wrangling parents for family photos, etc.) and a great second shooter when all of that was under control.
I am obsessed with all of their details. Jackie’s fascinator was absolutely gorgeous.
I also had a little fun with the zen garden in the spa lobby :)
Now their invites are amazing. If you remember from their engagement session, they’re both into music and have musical themed tattoos. Andrew’s proposal was even an audio waveform. Their invitation was a record sleeve with a real single inside. The front featured one of their engagement photos and their color scheme: grey and yellow.
The back of the sleeve had the wedding details, and the record itself was even outfitted with a label branded specifically for their wedding. So creative!
I just love Jackie’s dress. She transformed into a greek goddess.
It was off to the spa to get the last of Jackie’s bridal prep…
…and then I met up with the guys. Andrew was looking dapper in this grey suit.
After I got some photos out of the way with the groom and his groomsmen (which you will see later in this post) it was back to Jackie’s room for her to get dressed!
See? Greek goddess.
Then it was time to get married!
Woohoo! It was a really lovely ceremony and the site was so beautiful. We headed to the same spot I did the photos with the guys earlier in the day (still down further a bit) to do the family and bridal party photos. I love this spot!
I can take no credit for the idea behind these next two shots, they were ALL Danny–the Best Man, radio personality and stand up comedian.
It was time for cocktail hour! Which meant that the servers and bartenders decided it was a good idea to keep offering me tequila shots (which was a big NO THANK YOU). Thankfully, I was able to get away with just a water and took the bride and groom around the resort for some private time and to capture photos of just the two of them.
I love how happy Andrew is, he’s really such a sweet person. His love for Jackie is so clear and it just makes my heart swell.
Ugh, I am just obsessed with all of these. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
This pier made us sad. It wasn’t there when they scouted the location months ago… but at that point the beach was about double the size it was when we arrived. They put the pier in to help prevent any further beach erosion. We were a little bummed that A.) it was right next to the ceremony site and thus in all of the shots and B.) it wasn’t even finished, so we couldn’t go out on it and take advantage of it being there. At that point we just embraced the “it is what it is” mentality and decided to get this photo of them with “their pier.” Maybe we should go back in a few years and do an anniversary session or a vow renewal and take advantage of it then. Jackie? Andrew?
The reception was set up at one of the outdoor restaurants. It was actually really fun to see the space transformed for the evening into a dance floor and an elegant dinner. The set up was gorgeous.
After Jackie and Andrew entered the reception followed by a Mariachi band, it was time for a delicious 5 course meal. After the meal, Danny–Best Man Extraordinaire, announced that it was time for four things to happen.
First, the couple would have their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Russell:
Second and Third: Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dances.
And Fourth: DANCE EXPLOSION!
…and dance explosion it certainly was.
Jackie and Andrew hadn’t actually planned on doing a cake cutting at all. But we made them…
…it was just a ploy…
…for this!
All in all it was an absolutely incredible day filled with lots of love, laughter, and fun. Thank you all so much for inviting us into your lives on such an important and intimate day and bringing us along to Cancun for your wedding! It was such an honor and such a blast!!
xoxo, Brea
Amazing!!!! Incredible job Brea, and even better the chance to spend it with you and Steve!
Incredible Brea! And all the more incredible to get to spend it with you! Thank you!
Just beautiful!
This is gorgeous! I love all of their portraits! SO pretty! :)
Love! Can’t wait to see the TTD session!
Oh I so love this wedding! Its beautiful. Her shoes! The dress, I love the yellow! Great job.
Amazing photos, Brea!
These images are gorgeous! I love how you told a story even through the blog!
What a beautiful location and such a cute couple!
Wow, what a lucky photog to get sent to Cancun! Beautiful couple!
Gorgeous Gorgeous work!
Perfect, Brea! Even if Jess photobombed some. Jackie and Roo are so beautiful and are lucky to have you catch every moment so perfectly.
Stunningly gorgeous and fun! So happy for you two!
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