“The photos are everything we ever wanted and more. You truly are an amazing talent Richard and we will be forever grateful”
“Our photos are amazing. I can’t stop smiling. They brought back so many good memories, we love your work.
I honestly can’t thank you enough for taking these amazing photos! You have done such a good job, they brought tears to my eyes looking at them and bringing back amazing memories from that day”
When you have a Canadian bride, an Australian groom, and an assortment of guests from around the world all gathered on a beach in Mexico, the result was always going to be incredible. Even as I reflect on an amazing few days, this (English) photographer is still trying to soak it all up and make sense of it all.
Aside from it being my first wedding on the beautiful Maya Riviera in Mexico, there were a few other wedding firsts for me: my first ‘first look’, my first mariachi band (something that should be mandatory at every wedding), and my first reception featuring a mock pirate ship and a speech written on a roll of toilet paper.
The night before I had got together with Andy & Marika under heavy skies and heavy rain for their pre-wedding shoot. Pulling back the curtains the next day and things could not have been more different – wall-to-wall sunshine, cool dry air, and a mirror-like ocean stretching out into the distance.
The guys kicked off proceedings with a potentially life-threatening trip to the flow-rider surf machine. Afterwards they settled down for a late breakfast at one of the all-inclusive restaurants and counted their bruises. As they did so I walked the short distance over to the beautiful glass-fronted on-site spa where Marika, her bridesmaids, and the mothers were having their hair and make-up.
Once back in their hotel rooms the guys were trying on their Mexican hats whilst Marika opened an incredible book Andy had pulled together with stories from all her closest friends.
Marika slipped into inside her stunning Maggie Sottero dress surrounded by her closest friends and both mothers. I was then privileged to document Marika and Andy’s ‘first look’ in the courtyard below. It was a very special moment between the two of them.
On the beach the 80 or so guests gathered along with an assortment of swimwear clad onlookers as the beautiful bridesmaids made their way onto the sand. Marika followed soon after, flanked by her mother and father. After an emotional and symbolic ceremony, guests headed up to the beachfront reception where they were serenaded to a four-piece Mariachi band whilst sipping piña coladas and margaritas. Whilst the celebration continued, Andy and Marika wondered up along the beach and through the pool complex providing a fantastic backdrop for picture taking.
The evening started with a bang – each of the bridesmaids and best men made an entrance to music before the newly weds held their first dance. A series of speeches culminating in an eloquent and highly amusing best-man’s poem written on toilet roll.
With the food eaten and formalities concluded the celebration began. Such a gathering of nationalities meant the party was going to be anything but sedate. After a while, and after my camera was turned off for the night, buses were boarded and moves were shaped at the onsite night club…
Anyway having relived such a special day as I upload the images you see here and the words I’ve written I think it’s time to lie down, with a piña colada no less… Andy & Marika congratulations again and I wish you a lifetime of happiness.
KIND WORDS:
After the wedding both Marika & Andy had the following very kind words to say about using me as their wedding photographer:
Marika: “I could never imagine our wedding photo’s to have turned out as amazing as they did thanks to Rich. The day ran so smoothly with such a patient and relaxed photographer.
I fell in love with Richard’s style of photography and how he was able to capture such beautiful moments and people’s reactions. Rich worked endlessly to get the perfect shot, and they were nothing but that.
Words cannot describe how happy we were with how our photos turned out, looking at them still brings a tear to my eye.
Thank you so much for being such an amazing photographer Rich! Xo”
Andy: “We were lucky enough to have Richard as a photographer for our destination wedding in mexico, and he was nothing short of amazing. We had 80 of our closest friends and family join us for a week long celebration in playa del carmen and thanks to rich we can now relive that special day forever.
He made us feel so calm and relaxed throughout the whole day with his fun, easy going personality and interacted so well with all of our guests. Everybody loved him. He had this natural ability to be almost invisible throughout the whole reception capturing every emotion from start to finish.
When we finally got the photos we were just in awe of how talented you are to capture our day so beautifully. The photos are everything we ever wanted and more. You truly are an amazing talent Richard and we will be forever grateful. I recommend using Richard Murgatroyd Photography to everyone, he is world class and we can’t thank you enough for capturing these moments we will cherish forever.”
ABOUT RICHARD MURGATROYD
Richard Murgatroyd is a London-based destination wedding photographer bringing a natural, documentary approach to telling the story of your special day. You can see a wider selection of Richard’s wedding portfolio here.
Barcelo Maya Riviera Mexico Destination Wedding Photography by London-based Destination Wedding Photographer Richard Murgatroyd