Imagine having a destination wedding that’s a week long. And not only are you traveling by plane, but by ship to your beautiful destination wedding location. That’s exactly what Richard & Roma did. And lucky us, they chose us as their destination wedding photographers.
Their love for Disney once brought us on an all day scavenger hunt at Disneyland. Richard dropped hints at key locations. He started by enlisting the help of another Disneygoer, who was more than happy to participate.
And it only made sense that they’d decide to have a Disneyland engagement session.
So it was just natural that they’d want a new adventure for their destination wedding. They planned a cruise with 60 of their closest family and friends to Cozumel, Mexico, via Miami. Roma and Richard ensured we were all prepared by providing us with these awesome bags.
All week long we partied with their family and friends on what was my first cruise. Being that I did my first cruise as a destination wedding photographer, it was wild! Did you guys know that cruises are just 24 hour parties on the water?! I had no idea! Its crazy!
We spend the days before the wedding pre-gaming for their celebration on the island. There are endless nights spent at the piano bar. We belt out any tune we could request of the pianist from Africa by Toto to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. That song still make Roma and Richard conjure up memories of their beautiful wedding cruise.
The party continues in Key West where we just so happen to bump into Roma and Richard. We end up visiting a haunted house and hit a few bars before we head back to the ship.
We find ourselves spending lots of time up on the deck, conversing with our new friends. Even though we’re in work mode, it’s hard not to love all the easily accessible inspiration. I will never get over the feeling of utter vulnerability as we glide across oceans deeper than we could fathom and wider than we could understand. Roma, Richard, and their guests love to party and have fun. On any given night we pass them cheerfully dancing, singing, or merrymaking on our way to and from different parts of the ship. Every room is a party, even the glass elevators!
Planning a Destination Elopement
SIGHT UNSEEN
When Fabian and I began helping with their planning we started with some of the pieces we might be able to control. That, however, wasn’t a lot because we were on a cruise and the ship dictated our schedule.
When we disembark we could do whatever we want and they want a first look at a location that none of us have ever set eyes on. We called HTL Rentals with the help of our Spanish speaking bride who booked the 4x4s that would take us to their first look location and then to their ceremony and reception spot.
My logic?
Well, Cozumel looked like a pretty uninhabited island with a road that goes all the way around, and another main road that goes through pretty much in the middle. If it was like any of the other islands I’ve been to, like in the Philippines or Hawaii, there was a road we could maybe take to do a little bit of off-roading and reach a unique location that we could maybe radio into the guys to meet us at. Keep this in mind when we get to the part where we’re driving.
ELOPEMENT DAY!
On the day of their wedding, I arrive to a calm and refreshed Roma’s room. She sits in the middle of her bed criss cross apple sauce applying her makeup. I help make her dress more accessible and start grabbing all of the details she wants to include.
Her family is walking in and out helping her get everything on her mind situated. Mom brings her a drink. Dad takes a sip of his first drink of the day and teases Roma a bit. Jonathan, her brother gets a review of the vows, and then she’s left to her own devices and my clicking camera.
On the other side of the ship is Richard who is with Fabian and his brother, Ramon. These stunners who are ready to get their morning started. They’re so excited they begin with a shot and a coke, solidifying the tone of the day. This is about to be a fun ass day. Soon Roma’s brother, Jonathan comes to join them and they all get dressed and snap their suspenders into place.
Back at the ladies room, Roma’s cousins arrive to get her dressed. They share their well wishes before she gets in the dress so she doesn’t cry her make up on it and then they get to work.
We’re pulling up to port and getting ready to disembark in Cozumel. The ladies are set to get off first. Fabian and I with walkie talkies in hand begin radio testing and determine everything looks good. With a head start in front of the guys we take a taxi van to HTL Rentals and pick up our 4×4 Jeep rentals. Our plan is to head down to a lighthouse we found at the Southern most tip of the island, maybe hitting a path less traveled. So we drive in the direction of the lighthouse and hide Roma away in a bar while we wait for the guys. Unfortunately, our radios stop working before we’re able to give the guys their next directions….
While we wait for their arrival they’re stopping for drinks and posing with the Jeep. The lighthouse is charging admission so we ditch the fuss and make our way to some lava rocks close by, hoping we hear from the guys soon, but again, the radios are out and lucky for us one of the bridesmaids has a little, if not spotty, service, so she texts the guys, informs them of the change of plans. The guys arrive and make their way to the lava rocks.
The ladies wait on the gentlemen’s arrival while Roma sits in a bar and has a calming beverage.
Once the gentlemen arrive, they make their way to the lava rocks nearby where we choose a perfect spot for a first look. We tell Rich to look off into the distant ocean while his beautiful bride sneaks up behind him. Everything and everybody goes quiet watching the two as they meet on their wedding day. Rich begins sobbing, I begin sobbing, and soon we’re all brought to tears. And she hugs him from behind, he turns around and he is overcome with emotions and for a minute we just fade off into the background and allow them to enjoy the moment while it lasts.
Before they make their way to the ceremony location, Roma and Richard take in the grandiosity of this day. The task of bringing friends and family on a trip to see you get married doesn’t prompt thoughts of ease and relaxation but somehow that’s exactly how it all feels. They’re just grateful about that fact.
THE CEREMONY
Everyone is at the resort taking in a few drinks, as per unofficial cruise rules. The family gathers to prepare for the ceremony. Everyone is buzzing and having an awesome time. The bride and her bridesmaids break off from the guys to take a well earned Paloma break. Roma and her bridesmaids head for the water to help Roma dip her feet in to get cool. The guys also grab a drink and begin setting the tone for a fun day. Once everyone settles to freshen themselves for the ceremony, Roma’s mother helps her adjust her veil. Roma’s parents walk with her to the ceremony site where everyone has gathered for her arrival.
Seriousness settles on the beach. Although they have seen each other they were now preparing themselves to exchange very emotional vows on a beach 2,000 miles away from home with their family whom they have brought with them. It’s a pretty epic moment. Roma walks nervously toward her groom. Roma’s parents embrace Richard welcoming him to the family officially. Roma’s brother, Jonathan officiates their union.
COCKTAIL HOUR
As if these vacationers need any other excuse to drink. The newlyweds take a time out for a cocktail hour before sitting down for their reception dinner. A mariachi greets the newly weds to their cocktail hour and their friends and family gather for a celebratory shot and all of the hugs! Roma eventually gets bustled up and ready to party!
THE RECEPTION
They begin their reception with a shot and a tearful and sweet first dance. They greet each guest with a running high five from opposite ends of the room. Their guests showed all of their love by toasting to their future and welcoming each other’s families with open arms. They enjoyed cake and a walk on the beach with their wedding party. And the night ended with a bang when everyone took to the dance floor to shake it up before we had to head back to the ship.
