Mikaila and Thomas’s wedding day at Dreams Playa Mujeres in Cancun, Mexico was a day (and honestly week) I’ll never forget. I genuinely don’t have the words to describe the five days I spent in Mexico with them and their people, but I’ll give it a go:

After I met these two (almost exactly four years ago) to take their college graduation photos, Mikaila left me a Facebook review saying something along the lines of wanting to grab a beer together someday and that she would be hiring me for her future photo needs (tears knowing what we know now!). Flash forward through her becoming a full-time wedding photographer too, another photo session together, shooting weddings together, some late nights out on the town (beers were never our drink of choice though lolol), and we’d become not just photo friends but real friends too. Her and Thomas are two of the most genuine people I’ve met, so I knew all their friends and family would be amazing, but the way they all welcomed me (and each other) into a brand new friend group in Cancún was one of the coolest things I’ve experienced. Everyone was just so excited to be there celebrating Mikaila and Thomas and it SHOWED.

When I think of their wedding day, I’ll never forget their intimate and tear-filled private vows, Mikaila’s first look with her dad and him asking “do I get a first look with her too!?” about his wife, Marisa, afterwards (some of my favorite pictures from the day are the ones of them hugging after), the way every single guest was so excited and emotional throughout the ceremony and reception, and joining as a guest on the dance floor after my photo coverage was over.

When I think of their wedding week, I’ll think of their wedding day and all the beautiful moments during it, but I’ll also think of water aerobics with Luigi, late-night swims in the lazy river + pool, all the girls squishing under the beach umbrellas like bugs after the sunburns kicked in, Mango Tangos, and seeing a group of people show up to celebrate two people they love dearly. Unbelievably grateful to have been a part of it.

Venue: Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf and Spa Resort
Planning: Marcela Alarcon
Photography: Marissa Kelly Photography
Videography: Sea and Love Wedding Films
Invitation Suite: Sole Paper Co.
Dress Designer: Robert Bullock
Dress Boutique: Miss Ruby Boutique
Suit: SuitShop
Hair and Makeup: Sara Tamargo Makeup and Hair
DJ: Angel May