Yep you read that title right, this baby is coming to you in installments, like an epic trilogy, except each edition is just as good as the next 😉

When it comes to shooting destination weddings, there is an element of excitement and a sort of carefree exhilaration that envelops the entire experience. Perhaps it’s because you know everyone who attends the festivities is there to truly have a good time, but most importantly, everyone has traveled some distance because they truly love the couple they are there to honor and celebrate. Destination weddings are a different animal ~ and fortunately because Tommy and I are were a destination couple ourselves, we completely understand the special ebbs and flows that come with a wedding away from home. And frankly, we thrive in the excitement and we absolutely love shooting destination weddings!

For one of our recent destination couples, Malia + Josh, their celebration in Akumal, Mexico was even more meaningful. This twosome has been living down under in Australia for close to a year now away from their families in Oregon. So this trip to a tropical paradise in Mexico was not only for their nuptials but also to reunite with their friends and families. We were fortunate enough to witness some of the reunions on the beach at their Welcome Dinner and there were tears of joy, lots of laughs and the festive clinking of glasses and beer bottles ~ only in Mexico 😀  It was a special night and the start of a wonderful celebration for this beautiful couple and their most beloved people. And in an instant we realized, just how loved and adored Malia + Josh were …

Here are a few images from their Welcome Dinner at Lol-Ha Restaurant in Akumal Bay ~ an awesome palapa style eatery with the best view of Akumal Beach. (Not to mention ridiculously yummy food, delish drinks and a fantastic staff ready to serve to help make the experience even more perfect!) …

The bride + groom’s beautiful moms …

And more gorgeous, gorgeous ladies …

This was one of the last images of the night, and 3 seconds after I looked at the photo on my camera, I knew instantly if this what the Welcome Dinner was like, the Wedding Day was going to be epic 😉