Gran Bahia Principe Akumal Destination Wedding | Cynthia and Nguyen
I just got back from photographing an amazing destination wedding with Cynthia and Nguyen at the amazing Gran Bahia Principe Akumal resort in Riveria Maya Mexico. First let me describe this enormous resort. The Gran Bahia Principe Akumal Resort south of Puerto Morelos has several adjoining resorts all connecting to one other on the beach about 10 miles north of Tulum. You have a choice in choosing your resort from Akumal, Tulum, Sian Ka’an and Coba properties. Together these resorts take up over a mile of gorgeous white sand beach along the Caribbean Sea. Each has it’s own set of Restaurants, Bars, Pools and Entertainment. The best part is since it’s an all-inclusive resort, you can hop from each property and enjoy all that each resort has to offer.
I arrived the day before their wedding and scoped out the property for ideas to shoot an hour before it was time to meet them for the first time. We met in the hotel lobby and soon we were joined by their entire wedding party which was great. So I took them on my tour and I started shooting a few casual and fun candids of their friends and family which was a great ice breaker. Walking the property I kept getting inspired with ideas I wanted to try and we just rolled with it.
What happens at the Snack bar stays at the snack bar!
The Guys showing off for the ladies.
Suddenly everyone busted out moves from the Insanity Workout ! Loved it.
The next day they held their wedding and we started with the getting ready pictures followed by their first look. Below: Nguyen opens up a note sent over from his bride to be.
It was great to see Cynthia’s fathers expression when he saw her in her dress for the first time. That’s always one of my favorite moments on wedding day.
The First Look:
What a moment with the tourists inside the Snack Bar crowd! Priceless.
It was pouring rain outside just moments after the ceremony. So we picked a few covered spots to create some great portraits.
Cynthia and Nguyen were amazing and up for anything. Willing to get soaked on wedding day for a great picture. I love that!!!
First Dance below
Raw egg smashing in face… hilarious.
As I mentioned earlier, this group was up for anything and when I suggested they all jump in the pool for a picture, they didn’t even hesitate. It helped that it was totally hot and humid. After I took these photos, I heard my name being chanted by the group…”Chris, Chris, Chris..” So I striped off my gear and took the plunge myself! Hey, you don’t have to ask me twice either! Unfortunately, there isn’t a photo of that.
Next day we headed out to the Tulum Ruins to start our Trash the Dress Session. It turns out it’s forbidden to take pictures at the ruins dressed in wedding attire. But that’s a whole other blog post! Did I let that stop me? Hmmmm.
Well for now, here are some Trash the Dress photos at one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen near the Tulum Ruins
I had an amazing 3 days taking photos of these guys and their friends and family. I really love the whole experience of shooting destination weddings and I’m sure you can see why.
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