It's more often than not, that I have brides who ask if I photograph trash the dress sessions.  I usually try and answer this by offering them a Day After session instead.  I believe every bride, especially brides who decide to have a destination wedding, should considering having a session like this.  So, I'm going to explain why and what the differences are between the two types of sessions.  

What is a Day After session?

A day after session is one of my favorites! They were known as Bridal Portraits and it is a session where you put on your wedding attire, choose a beautiful and breath taking location, and take your time creating some really beautiful photography of you and your hubby.  Usually, I like to do this one or two days after a wedding and choose a lighter, relaxed look - which is especially nice for destination weddings! That way you don't have to really worry about the portraits on the day of the wedding and can enjoy the party.  

left, day of wedding. right, day after session.

Sometimes, it just so happens that the time line of the wedding day doesn't fit into the perfect time for portraits.  Like the wedding of Cristy + Eduardo, who's wedding took place in the early afternoon, which was bright and sunny.  Not to mention during that hot and humid weather in Cancun.  The ideal time was 6:30am, when the sun rises behind the beautiful waters.  Which is what we decided to do a couple days following the wedding.  

Why do I love Day After sessions?

I love Day After Sessions because of the more relaxed look of the bride and groom.  We can take our time creating something really unique and all of the emotions from being recently married are still present.  We have giggles, flirtation, deep kisses, and emotional hugs.  We have your beautiful dress and his suit to tie in the session with your wedding.  We can create wall print worthy photographs and so that you can relive all of the emotions of your wedding!   It's a session where you can even go for a different look than on your wedding day - maybe going for hair down and more dramatic makeup.   

left, day of wedding. right, day after session.

What is Trash the Dress?

Trash the dress is a session where you put on your wedding dress back on and either alone or with your husband, go out and essentially "trash" your wardrobe.  This could mean rolling around in the water at the beach or a lake, I've even seen people do this in rivers, or throw paint at each other, or perhaps just go out to a field and get dirty in the mud.  

 feel like Trash the Dress sessions are really forced and not all that natural.  Plus, since most of my clients are destination weddings, lugging a wet or dirty dress on the airplane is just a pain in the butt.  

Really, it comes down to having some really beautiful, unique, authentic and real photographs of the two of you and not something forced into a theme or weird shot of you floating in the water (like a dead fish).  I know, I know, there are some really rad photographs taken under water and there are some photographers who really nail it.  For me, it's a matter of preferring the natural and beauty in wedding photos rather than "trashing" them.

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What do you think? Would you rather have a Day After Session or a trash the dress?  Let me know in the comments below!

This session was done on the last day of 2015.  Definitely the best way to end the year on a high note with this amazing and loving family!  They took me in and made me feel like hoping into the photos with them, lol!

That's why I love my clients.  I love that we get each other, joke, have a good time, and feel like family.  That experience is what I live for, really.  The photography is just a plus!

Thank you Mariana for inviting me into your home to spend a incredibly lovely morning with your family.  I love all of the Ulloa family!

I think I'm going to switch to these slideshow posts, what do you think? Or should I keep the old format?

*Español*
Esta sesión fue tomada en el ultimo día de 2015.  Definitivamente la mejor manera de cerrar el año con una familia increíble y llena de amor.  Hicieron que me sintiera como uno de ellos que casi sali en las fotos, jaja.  Por eso amo a mis clientes.  Amo que nos entendemos, que tenemos mucho en común, poder reírnos, y sentirnos como familia.  Esa es la experiencia que me hace sentir viva, las fotos solo son un plus!  Gracias, Mariana por invitarme a tu casa y hacerme sentir como uno de ustedes! Tuve una mañana increíble y los quiero a todos!

According to Wedding Wire: 

Approximately 14% of U.S. couples have a destination wedding - of those, 11% have a wedding at a destination within the U.S. and 3% travel internationally..."

I believe that the reason Destination Weddings account for such a small percentage is because of the lack of information couples receive about having their wedding outside of their home country.  

Personally, I had a destination wedding and couldn't have been happier with the outcome as I whole heartedly remember my day to have been one of the most beautiful and meaningful days of my life. 

So, the question is: Should you have a destination wedding?  Below I outline 5 reasons as to why you should have a wedding at a beautiful destination outside of your home town.  

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1.  COST EFFECTIVE 

Not sure if many of you know this, but a large number of all-inclusive resorts gift the couple the basic wedding collection if they reach a certain number of rooms booked.  So in other words, if you are going to have 50 guests book around 30 rooms, you can get your wedding for little or no cost to you! How awesome is that?! 

In addition to the great collections that most resorts offer, you will also be able to take advantage of hiring local vendors that for example, here in Mexico, have more affordable collections as the exchange rate is usually better for those who spend in U.S. dollars.  

2.  VACATION FOR ALL

A destination wedding is the perfect excuse for people to get away from their day to day.  They will be traveling to attend your beautiful beach front wedding as well as enjoy all the resort and location has to offer.  Here in the Riviera Nayarit, there are all-inclusive resorts that offer tours to nearby attractions, surfing, and the sunsets are just breathtaking.  Not only will they enjoy your wedding, but they can also enjoy as a family, couple, or individual, a nice beach vacation.

3.  FULL SERVICE COORDINATION

Many resorts are equipped with a wedding coordination team that makes sure your day goes smoothly and according to plan!  They will also help you choose local vendors, help with getting all of the details set, and all from the confort of email and telephone.  You get to make all the decisions without having the hassle of going from place to place.

On your wedding day, the wedding coordinator and team are on site and ready to handle every important detail of your day.  This makes for a less stressful day and a more enjoyable wedding! 

4.  EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE

The biggest advantage of having a destination wedding is that you will be able to enjoy your wedding all at one place.  Your ceremony will be beachfront with the sun setting behind you as you say "I do." Your reception will be accompanied by the fresh ocean breeze as you dance the night away with your guests!  

Having all of the major events in one location and not having to deal with moving guests around, makes your event run smoothly and effortlessly.  And if that isn't enough, your on site coordinator will always be close by to help.

5.  WHAT IF MY GUESTS WON'T BE ABLE TO GO?

It is a common misconception that if you have a destination wedding, people will not travel to your wedding.  However, most guests love the idea of having a vacation and enjoy the sites and sounds of a new place where they can relax and rejuvenate.  

I once photographed a wedding that had 150 guests travel more than 1000 miles to attend the wedding.  Another had 100 guests.  When you invite your guests to attend your one-of-a-kind destination wedding, they will most certainly make arrangements and be excited to get away.  Just make sure that you give your guests all of the information with enough time ahead.

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Here are two resorts that I have loved working with.  There are so many more that offer destination weddings, especially here in Puerto Vallarta.

Sunset Plaza Beach Resort & Spa
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
weddings@plazapelicanos.com.mx

Moon Palace Resort
Cancun, Mexico
weddings@palaceresorts.com

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Having a destination wedding is all together less stressful, more enjoyable, and definitely a one-of-a-kind event!  I hope these tips were helpful and I would love to hear any additional tips you might have in the comments below!  

Would you have a destination wedding?

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San Blas, Riviera Nayarit

I don't know about you but today was officially my first day of 2016!  I can't believe that it's 2016, I still remember the whole fiasco of the year 2000 when everyone freaked out because it was a new millinium.  Oh, those were good times!

Along with starting a whole new year, I had the unfortunate  accident of losing my phone for the first time since I can remember.  And because of that, I've had to change numbers.   If you've seen my posts on FB and in your email, here I am again, reminding you to add this number to your contact list under Jackie - best photographer in the world! Haha, too much? Okay, well just put it under my name and delete whatever other number you have for me.  And while you're at it, send me a message, I'd love to chat with you!

+52 311 187 7292

If you have my USA phone number, then you're safe, that one will never change ;).

Thank you and have an amazing week!! I'll be back soon with some great photos of two sessions I had the most fun photographing!

xoxo,
Jackie

Happy Holidays from me to you!  
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to photograph you!
Enjoy this time with loved ones and cherish each fleeting moment.

Can't wait to see you in 2017!

xoxo,
Jackie Lamas

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P.S. Feel free to share, pin, and save the photo above ;).

I'm so grateful for this year! More than most because it has been full of lots of amazing-ness.  So to go out with a bang this 2015, I will be away from my desk from

December 13, 2015 until January 7, 2016.  

So if you send me an email during that time, I might get back to you a little later than usual.

I would love for you to follow along with all of the holiday merriment on Instagram!  We will be having both sides of the family here and there will be lots of happiness, laughter, food, and all that good stuff!  

Have an amazing holiday where ever you are and see you in 2016!

*español abajo*

I absolutely love Day After Sessions.  They are perfect for destination weddings as it is most likely that we have little or no time to capture the bride and groom alone.  When you have family and friends coming from near and far to attend your wedding, all the time spent with them is precious.  Which is why sometimes, we don't get a whole lot of time for the bride and groom.  

Therefore, we do the session a day or two after the wedding! The couple is relaxed, so in love, and alone.  We take advantage of the beautiful location and choose the best time for the portraits, without feeling rushed.

Cristy and Eduardo wanted the best possible light for their day after session - which meant waking up at 6am! In Cancun, the sun rises behind the ocean, which is so breathtaking, but also really early.  And so.damn.worth.it!!! 

Cristy + Eduardo: Gracias, gracias, gracias por confiar en nosotros como amigos y como fotógrafos para capturar tu día tan especial! Les deseamos lo mejor del mundo y que siempre sean felices como en su maravillosa boda! Fuertes abrazos y los dos!

Las sesiones que se llaman Día Después, ¡son unas de mis sesiones favoritas!  ¿Que es una sesión del Día Después? Son sesiones que se programan uno o dos días después del evento para que los novios, ya mas relajados y aun con toda la emoción de la boda se toman las fotos formales.  Es perfecto para bodas en playa porque muchas veces, tanto como los novios y los invitados, quieren pasar tiempo juntos ya que viajaron lejos para el evento.  Así que es mejor realizar las fotos formales en otro día donde los novios pueden disfrutar y estar mas relajados, mas enamorados,  sin preocupación de tiempo o iluminación y tomar toda ventaja de la locación de la boda - ¡el mar!  

Cristy y Eduardo querían aprovechar de la mejor luz del día, que son a las 6am de la mañana, la hora en que sale el sol detrás del mar. ¡Una vista sumamente maravillosa!  Y como pueden ver, ¡¡¡valió toda la pena!!!

We were afraid it was going to rain this day.  It rained the day before yet as luck would have it, the skies opened up for us on this beautiful November day.  The beautiful backdrop of the Mayan Riviera at Moon Palace Resort & Spa was just breathtaking.  A quiet morning, the bride ever so relaxed (and what a gorgeous bride)!

Cristy and Eduardo said "I do" at the resort's chapel over looking the ocean.  It was an emotional and intimate ceremony with all of their closest family and friends; and one very funny priest! Coordinated by Weddings by Herick Lamas (he's my cousin!) it was a magical wedding with a beach front reception where the couple danced the night away while enjoying the ocean breeze.

*Español abajo*

[Español]

Temíamos que iba llover.  Había llovido el día anterior pero el destino abrió el cielo y salió el sol en este hermoso día.  El hotel Moon Palace Resort & Spa en la Riviera Maya fue el fondo perfecto para esta gran boda.  La mañana empezó tranquilamente, la novia relajada (y que bellísima novia)! 

Cristy y Eduardo prometieron un para siempre en la capilla del resort con vista al mar.  Era una ceremonia emotiva e intima compartida con sus seres queridos mas cercanos; y un padre muy gracioso!  Coordinado por Weddings by Herick Lamas (mi primo!) era una boda magica con la fiesta en plena playa donde los invitados bailaron toda la noche mientras disfrutando del viento del mar.

Officially December! I don't know about you but that makes me super excited!  

Back in October I had the privilege of photographing some really great families.  I always have such a fun time and love catching up with clients.   Especially when I see the children grow over the years! 

Here I am combining them into one amazing post because they really were so fun to photograph and just love all of these people! 

I am currently editing a wedding and after, I'll be prepping my home for Holiday visits! I'm so excited for our families to come and I'll probably be a little tied up with that so I want to wish everyone a mega happy holidays and see you in the new year!

Forsee Family

1//Forsee Family        2//Jones Family       3//Valdez Family       4//Garcia-Medina Family           
5//Shramek-Miranda Family          6//Torres Family

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I have seriously been so grateful for all of the work that I have been honored to have.  No, for real.  I can't believe that all of my clients are so beautiful inside and out and have allowed me a glimpse into their world as a family, as a couple, as a person.  More than anything, I am grateful that I was able to go to Chihuahua and to California to visit those that I haven't seen in more than 6 months.  

You know, it's weird sometimes because I forget that I live in an entirely new place.  Sometimes, the streets are familiar to me and I completely lose the notion that I am not from here... Could be that Tepic is just a friendly place and so it makes me feel like I've found my home.  My husband and I talked about this a while ago and all the places we've lived and how Nayarit just feels right. 

We feel like it's just right for us.  Perfect weather, great people, cheap drinks (haha), and lots of things to see and do.  I don't think I've found a downside yet... maybe the rain? It rains almost every day here.  Since July, we have probably seen 3 weeks without rain.  But I can't really say that's a downside, the rain is refreshing and since it's never really cold, it's perfect.

Everyone should move here haha! I know I sound like an advertisement, yet I suppose that when you truly fit in somewhere, you feel that way about the place.  If I could sum up this place with one word, I believe the only word that would do it justice would be Ambition.  I feel like Nayarit is full of ambition that overflows this small state.  

A little update on what/where I have been this past few months:

• Got to see family in Chihuahua
• Photographed an intimate and beautiful wedding while in Chihuahua
• Photographed a very important engagement session :).
• Took a bus ride to California
• Went on a camping moto-ride with my sister to Joshua Tree and made new friends!
• Celebrated my mom's birthday
• Got to photograph 9 beautiful families! Yay!
• Flew back to Nayarit to be with my hubby and pup (whoo hoo!)
• Flew out to Cancun to photograph another beautiful wedding (coming soon!)

I felt like I was on a world tour, haha.  I am super grateful for all that God has allowed me to do for my clients and for those who are dear to me.  There is nothing more gratifying than that! 

No black friday shopping for me, thank goodness! However, I will be working on a wonderful wedding and a few other things today and sip on some good coffee all while listening to the rain outside, pup at my side.

Happy Thanksgiving/Holidays!