Matt Adcock

Quote: Originally Posted by jean-marcus They tend to fill up with air and turn into a floating balloon and some are almost impossible to get them to "deflate". Here is me with the bright idea to "sink the ship" that is determined to FLOAT... NOT!!! Full blog post from Lauren & James Cenote WEDDING + Trash the dress --- the del Sol Cenote Wedding / TTD is offered exclusively by del Sol Photography---

We had a Mayan Ceremony and had many photographers there to document the event, so you can get a GREAT idea as to how the ceremony played out... Matt and Sol's wedding Our guests were dumbfounded! The ceremony pics with the Mayan head dresses in the background are outstanding... we used them for the cover of our thank you cards! They did a 15 minute introduction to our ceremony and led myself and sol down the isle...was pretty stunning! We hired Yazmin de la Mora as our wedding planner and she did all the investigation for the Mayan crew that performed... You should give her a call and see what she recommends. She is Mexican and knows the local program very very well! good luck planning!

Quote: Originally Posted by yamille DelSol Photography- Matt Adcock- A+ So I have not seen one single picture yet but I am giving him an A+ becuase I think when you put out positive things into the universe they come back to you. Literally every picture that I have seen that he has taken is awesome so I am assuming that mine will be too. Seriously though- Matt worked through some ups and downs with T and I during the planning process and when we met him it was as if we already knew each other. He arrived at my room as I was getting ready and all my girls that were hanging out were all googly eyes within 30 minutes. He's charming, puts people at ease and is a pro. His assistant Paco went and took some shots of the guys and T says that he was great too. Put everyone at ease and just was shooting away. He was unobtrusive during the ceremony but all my guests were raving about how amazing he was. We opted for only a few posed shots of family- and he did those and when he saw a shot he would just tell us to do something. It was all very easy and truth be told we just wanted him to stay and party with us when he was done. Now I just have to wait patiently.... I've been so busy that we havent had much time to get on the forum to talk as much as we should, sorry I am just seeing this testimonial! Yamille, you are a sweetheart! I loved hanging with your gang and seriously, I thank you for the amazing hospitality extended by you both and your guests. We had an amazing time and thank you for allowing us to share these emotions with you! Terry is an awesome guy and we wish you both an awesome future together! Saludos! mateo PS... edited to add that i felt RIGHT AT HOME with all your theatre folks... I think it was not a coincidence that I have a theatre degree like yourself and 90% of your homies!

HOLA... I hope we can help as we have been experiencing lots of weddings in the Riviera Maya and for sure have some insight as to the gameplan for timing your wedding. There are high seasons in Playa, there is no doubt. The weather in Playa is so very nice from November through April, temperature wise. The months of May - September are generally HOT, steaming hot... Especially in July, August & September.... Wow, we are talking 85-95 and near 90% relative humidity every day. That is so painful when wearing suits or jackets or even long sleeves, which some guest feel obligated to wear... I'd say anytime between November - March. Traffic on the streets seems to be higher in November and falls off into mid December and gets slower in January. Mid February the traffic starts to pick up and generally hotels start to raise rates because demand picks up for bookings, and the high crazy season begins.... For sure, check out our Seasonal Guide and read about our thoughts on ceremony start time (links provided to sunset schedules too). Hopefully this can shed some light on your question! Cheers & good luck planning! mateo

I just wanted to update this post with some recent info that we have gathered and posted on our blog. Before you check it out, i've noticed that we may have a few bugs with older computers or older browsers (Internet Explorer 7.0) so please excuse this problem... we are working on the code as we speak.Others using Firefox or Safari or any other newly updated browser shouldnt have a problem. Our new Seasonal guide has all our thoughts on timing for ceremonies, broken down by the links to each month, sunset times, and short descriptions on our experiences during these months. We believe this will help people decide on planning their wedding ceremony start times, if "good lighting" is a concern to you... del Sol Seasonal Guide Hope this helps Cheers, matt

Wow this is an old post, but I figured I'd bring it back to life due to the large number of requests we have had lately about our own wedding and from other brides looking for non-resort spots. Sol provided some great info here, so maybe this can help someone who is doing some searching for the perfect spot! Cheers! mateo

Your photographer has every right to be stressed about the more than 2 camera rule... Fact is, if they find 3 (even a small point and shoot) you will have to declare a value on that camera and pay a tax to import it or leave it with customs until the departure. Pro camera bodies range from 2kish -7kish.... seriously, if he/ she has a set of Nikon D3s or a Canon Mark III's, those rigs are super duper spendy.... I "think" the penalty of not declaring is 25% of the camera's original purchased value. 15% if you declare it upon entrance. They can research the cost of the camera if you don't have a receipt. I can confirm that this happened to OUR Mexican / American wedding photographer, Sergio upon getting the Red. Plus, they scan the bags of every flight. 2 weeks ago on our last entry into cancun airport, Sol was traveling with me, we had 4 cameras total in 2 diff bags, but they went through Xray at the same time and got flagged by the operator. Even though we got the green light, they looked at our stuff (every bag) and let us pass because we had 2 camera bodies each, the allowed limit. For some togs, shooting with 3 bodies is the only way to go.... Any body ever heard of Ben Chrisman, world class award winner and photographer of the year.... he shoots 3 rigs....many others do and its because their style demands it. Changing that to 2 breaks their routine, not so good. Is your photog concerned / stressed about the visa situation? I give em props for at least paying attention to the 2 body rule....

Quote: Originally Posted by tere&james Hello, This is really not fair - I understand having prefered vendors ona list the hotel would send out but not impose who they want. At the end it is the brides wedding not the hotel's. The excuse of the caliber of the vendors is ridicoulos....have you seen some of the florals hotels have as in-house option and in their packages...the most tacky and ugly things! I hope all the photographers get together and can do something Regards, Tere When hotels package a group of options for a bride and groom and say "BOOK THIS OR ELSE" then usually, they have one thing at the end of the day that is of the best interest of someone....the hotel. Unfortunately, us "photographers" can't do anything about these concepts but make the public aware.... In reality, its the brides and grooms and travel agencies and BDWF that have the loudest voice of all.

Quote: Originally Posted by MsZ What about if you were to simply have an extra 'guest' that the bride and groom pay for, yet still use the hotel's photographers as well?? If that person just happened to show up with some cameras.. what would be the worst that could happen if they stayed there? Unfortunately, this idea is not going to work for del Sol photographers and 99.9% of other photographers we know... We contract that we are the only exclusive photographer "on duty" on your wedding day because doubling up on photographers is a huge conflict of interest for 3 parties, the primary photog, the hotel photog and the B&G. Why? If a photographer has to compete for the same shot, its a pushing match because we both must try to do our best. The other photographer is likely in the frame or just doesnt care...it is our worst nightmare come true. B&G looses big time because instead of documenting the event, we compete to document the event... time and energy not focused on the task at hand. Most photographers that I know feel the same way....

Here we go again... In the past, Barcelo had a deal with Photo Caribbean studio and 100% forbid outside photographers / videographers and due to popular demand, changed the policy and added a $300 fee to allow us on the property. We have known this policy to exist for little than 1 year or so. While the fee was high (not highest though, Karisma has 1st place for that $500) it at least provided brides with an option. We recommend BDWF try and voice your opinion, as a collective, you have made a difference in the past and you may possibly be able to persuade them to keep the option to hire the photographer / videographer of your dreams as an option... We received this email yesterday: Estimados fotografos, Me informan una nueva politica para el Hotel Barcelo Maya...... Les envio la firma que se esta enviando a las novias que tienen programada su boda para el año 2009, 2010, 2011. Si ustedes tienen alguna boda confirmada, por favor hangamelo saber antes del martes 7 de julio. Barceló Maya Beach Resort has an exclusive contract with a photographer and does not allow external photographers in hotel premises under any circumstances. For information and prices please contact: PHOTO CARIBBEAN Photography & Video Service: [email protected] www.fotocaribbean.com.mx 011 +52 (984) 875-1500 ext. 1540 IMPORTANT: if you have already booked photography services please let us know by Tuesday July 7th. Please be advised that there is a fee of $300USD to be paid by your Photographer to Photo Caribbean directly. If we don't hear from you by Tuesday July 7th, we will assume you have not contracted photography services and that you will be using Photo Caribbean. Thank you, Gabriela Barbabosa Coordinadora de Bodas / Wedding Coordinator Tel / Phone: + 52 (984) 875.15.00 ext. 6767 Fax: + 52 (984) 875.15.24 e-mail: [email protected] web site: Barcelo Hotels & Resorts - Hotel – Hoteles To close, I would like to say that it has been a Pleasure working with Gabriela in the past 12 or so months. She is very delightful and SOOOOO nice and has always been exceptionally hospitable. This policy is a red tape issue that she likely has 0% control over, but I'm sure she can voice her opinion to the people who may be able to make a change. I'm almost sure she wants there to be an option for brides in this regard. I'll cross my fingers that this policy can change! matt

Carlo Carletti Tip top of the food chain with skills, this guy has won photographer of the year and continues to challenge all other photogs.... International Wedding Photographer, Weddings in Italy and Worldwide For sure, the best availalbe.

WELCOME to BDWF Amigo, Good to have you here! I can't wait to visit you again....maybe even to shoot a wedding there with you man.... Saludos, Mateo

Quote: Originally Posted by Alyssa I just added your Matt & Sol Slideshow to the 1st post at your request! I just got off the phone yesterday with a bride who has seen Ray & Rosa's photos... she told me to look up this review CONGRATS to both of you, we had an awesome time! I did notice that the link isnt working, so here it is: 04.11.09 Ray And Rosa | Moon Palace Cancun | Photos by Matt and Sol Cheers matt

We personally know Richard May of weddingscr.com. He is an American living in Costa Rica, about 45 minutes outside of San Jose. He is married to a local Costa Rican and has all the legal documents to work there and knows the territory. His website is: Richard May Photographer - Destination wedding photography in Costa Rica For sure, he is rock solid! Cheers! mateo

I know this is an old thread and since everything on BDWF falls in an archive, possibly this may help the next bride doing a search for the location. Sol & I covered this wedding at Old Bahama Bay in 2007. It pretty well features the location and the setup.... Old Bahama Bay Wedding Hope this helps some! cheers, matt

Quote: Originally Posted by PlayaWeddings To MarieSam and all the BDW brides who have booked photo and/or video with us (PlayaWeddings). We're going to do backflips to make sure you get the best coverage for your wedding day. We're going to put extra effort into all of our weddings. We'll send extra copies of the DVDs so you have a great wedding video to give to anyone who decides not to come. I think I can speak for all the vendors in the Riviera Maya. You can expect extra special attention and "above-and-beyond" service from all of us down in the Riviera Maya. I can promise it for all our PlayaWedding clients. My goodness this thread is SO long and honestly, intimidating to me. I really don't have time to read every page, but really felt like making a comment to support all the brides coming here and rescheduling. We have had 8 clients who actually canceled, 2 only voluntary. The 6 involuntary canceled clients all are scrambling to reschedule. ALL 6 of them were using Sunquest, the private tour company who did all this travel banning in Canada until June 4. So far, 4 of them have rescheduled. This is a major hit for our business and also a chance for us to work even harder to make an impression to you with our customer service. Whats odd is that we have actually had inquiries from brides who hired foreign photographers from the USA who have canceled on them, now they are without a TOG for their wedding in 10 days. We are really going to make it a sweet package for her. We are going to all ends to make rescheduling their weddings a seamless operation. In one case, a wedding that WAS to be next week is now going to be on June 17th. Vincent, our associate was scheduled to cover this clients event however, the client gets upgraded to Sol or mateo... Vincent gets his birthday(6/17) off but since one of us is available our client has insurance with our team. They were able to move everything and without little recourse and only a few of their guests canceling. YEAY for them! Having a team of 3 shooters has very much helped the reschedule efforts. We want nothing more than to be there with you on your wedding day and are very stressed about the media's destruction of this. Key things here: do not "FEAR" and please refrain from "PANIC" Thanks Paul for stating this.... We really will back flip to keep you happy and without ANY more added stress. We are sending positive vibrations and keeping the margaritas cold for everyone soon to be here. By the way, I did a check up this morning with the beautiful ocean here and confirmed, no cases of Swine Flu at the beach. Ocean passes. Actually, the beach was the most refreshing moment imaginable. We hope you all get to share these same moments with your loved ones here soon! saludos mateo

Quote: Originally Posted by sgbrown Hi ladies, For anyone who is getting married in the Maya Riviera, are any of your guests freaking out about the terrible flu that's going around? I'm getting emails and text messages from a lot of my guests and it's making me feel SO stressed out. don't you love sensationalism by the world news media? as mentioned, its isolated far away and most of your guests can smile while relaxing on the fine beaches here with no worries at all! saludos

Quote: Originally Posted by Alyssa Matt - i agree that for you two this could be confusing - i am with TammyB that i think if you want 2 separate vendor accounts then you would pay for each BUT if you and Sol want to use 1 acct then you could share it. let's wait to hear Tammy Host's final say on this one! We think membership here is a pretty valuable resource and thank mods for not booting us out so far up to this point .... I think Tammy could get $500 per year per vendor, for sure! We love U guys! BDWF is an amazing resource. The work done by moderators and founder and the Wright Travel agency is priceless for vendors here! Saludos, matt

Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB I would think that since you both have different vendor accounts, you would need to pay accordingly. We can completely respect that, however the verbiage suggested each vendor had upgrade. Its easy enough to confuse vendor = individual business. Either way, we are happy to be members, back in the old days when it was free and in the new days when it costs We think its a great decision for BDWF and everyone involved here. saludos, mateo

Quick question. Sol & I are both members and will be purchasing a membership. Since we are 2 individuals representing only 1 vendor, how does this work for us? Will we be required to register as 2 vendors? Should I upgrade within my CP and her do the same? My thought is it may require 2 payments and your upgrade verbiage suggests that each "vendor" must upgrade... Any thoughts that might help? Gracias, mateo

Quote: Originally Posted by hanna Yep, us too. Rented a Jeep and drove from Cancun to Xel-Ha.. got pulled over around Playa. We were scared.. and my fiance didn't want to seem like he was bribing the cop.. so he asked if there was any way for us to pay for the fine now.. and the cop just told us to give him what cash we had.. unfortunatly we had about $100 in his wallet.. wish we would have known ahead of time and only put a $20 or so in there... So, for our wedding we had a couple guests rent cars. We advised them it probably isn't worth it.. especially one you add up rental fee, insurance and possible fines.. So, luckily they listened to us and cancelled their rental cars.. so not worth it down there! I think that advising your friends NOT to rent a car here is absolutely over the top. Ok, just a few facts. I'm clocking in almost 2 years in this town. I drive everywhere in this place (playa del carmen) Only pulled over 1 time. Yeah, the police are for sure corrupt, i've hear about it all the time.. Well, in 2 years, it finally happened to me a few weeks ago. I drove to drop a few friends off at the bus station and i forgot my license...i had NADA for paperwork on me. I gave the guy all my spanish and he wouldnt speak a word of english and all he wanted is money..... I pulled out $200 pesos (literally all I had on my) and put it in a piece of paper and gave it to him. Have a nice day guero. It was that easy. For all those folks who drive from CANCUN into Playa or out of Playa further south..... SLOW DOWN. 80kilometers per hour. The regularly station themselves on the highway 370 with radar and they pull you over if you are going to fast. Of course, the will take a pay off, we have friends who have been there. Also, I think I read something about following to the jail or going to take you into a police station..... are you serious? The police's last intention is to take honest tourists to jail....not a chance. They just want to intimidate you. And, taking the time to go to jail over a traffic violation...yeah, when was the last time that actually happened to anybody? unless you were driving 200mph. Just be prepared if they talk like that, pull out dinero, play it cool, and all is good to go. Knowing how to react is more than half the battle. Do not pull out 100 dollars, holy cow..... prepare a pocket with your pesos before you drive, and dig the cash out of that one, if you are fearful of traffic cops. Otherwise, just try to drive safely and you might be surprised how you avoid the police.... and they really avoid you. Good luck and police free wishes on your next trip here... Just remember to pack $200 pesos in your pocket...thats sufficient. OH, play stupid too....no speakie espalonie senior....

we are elated For years, we have drooled over the other photographers listed within that top 10 list. Some really awesome togs deserve congrats there! I've added the link to read about them in my signature. Andale con tu boda Robyn Elizabeth, besos and autographs... i'll see you in Progreso hopefully soon! thanks for the love everybody mateo del Sol

Quote: Originally Posted by monicaswave So, where exactly is this cenote at Thanks! del sol secret we love these tours and have multiple new locations that we will be working in throughout 2009. Most of the new ones are from private land owners who told us about a spot they had that wasn't open to the public. Basically, tourists or non locals would have a tough time finding the exact spot, because there aren't really any road signs here, just land markers and signs that people paint or hang themselves that you can miss at the blink of an eye driving 55MPH. lots to come soon, including the del Sol Cosmic Cenote Wedding.... can't wait for that one!

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