artistique

Great! Let me know if you have any questions at all. I just posted our package info on our post in the Vendor Marketplace section if you want to check it out. Michelle

I thought I would include our package info and the details of our destination wedding coverage on here as well. All of our destination couples receive: Two photographers (myself and my husband Justin, so both pro photographers not a photographer and assistant) Rehearsal dinner coverage the night before the wedding Unlimited time coverage on the wedding day Optional "Day After" or TTD shoot Unlimited locations on the wedding day Unlimited images taken (you will have between 800-1200 typically) Wedding digital negatives (high res) plus a bonus disk for each set of parents Wedding Montage DVD Website ordering for 1 year Shipping of your wedding disks Airfare and three nights lodging for the two of us Mexican work visa Justin and I are the only two photographers, and shoot all of our weddings together, so the quality of work that you see on our site is what you will receive. On your wedding day, Justin will shoot the guys getting ready and I will be with the girls so you don't miss anything. We don't limit the number of locations we go to, so if you want to wander around Puerto Morlos, Playa, Cancun, Cabo or wherever you would like, we can do that. Although we go over everything you want ahead of time, we can do a site walk with you the day before the wedding to determine any special places you would like shots. Regarding the digital negatives, they are not "out of the camera" images. Each image is hand color corrected and cropped and you will have many images that have also had a special finishing added as well as black & white images. You'll receive your Montage DVD too when receive your disk, which is a slideshow set to music with titles, that you can play in your dvd player. It is a great way to show friends and family your best 200 or so images without going through hundreds of photos. Both disks come in a beautiful black case. For the optional "Day After" or Trash the Dress shoot, we can go anywhere you would like! You can either dress up in your wedding clothes again or go more casual. We can make is a TTD session (i.e., you are likely to end up in the water!) or not, just as you choose. Some options for the TTD location for the Riviera Maya are the resort of course, Tulum, downtown Playa or Cancun, or the cenotes. We could also go across to Cozumel and do some fun stuff with scooters or jeeps, or head up to Isla Mujeres. Whatever you would like to do! We also offer albums that you can add to your package. Almost all of our albums come with forty pages and there is no limit to the amount of images that you can include. I personally custom design each of our albums. You will receive a pdf of an album concept that I have created on the disk with your digital negatives. From there, we can redesign pages and add or remove photos until you have the perfect design. We also include the Mexican work visa with all of our packages. This is very important if you are bringing in your photographer from outside Mexico. We have heard horror stories about photographers having their gear confiscated at customs. The visa insures that both us and our gear arrive safely at the resort. A couple of other quick notes. We do use all pro Nikon cameras and lenses, and bring backup gear. We bring off camera lighting so we are able to create some of the beautiful lighting effects you see. Regarding the safety of your images during travel, we shoot on small memory cards (4 gig) so all your photos are spread over numerous cards. We have a portable hard drive backup device that we use to backup each card as it comes out of the camera during your wedding. That way, you files are double backed up, even during the event. After the wedding, we remotely upload all of your images to online storage so in the event that something should happen to the cards, our laptop, AND the hard drive backup, your wedding images are secure. Regarding package price, please shoot me an email and I will give you all our pricing info. We have special rates for (our) off season, which is November through April. We also offer discounts off the package if you and another bride (or more!) share us over two consecutive weekends or in the same week. My email is [email protected] Please feel free to email or ask any questions at all! Michelle

Two more that didn't fit...

Quote: Originally Posted by zelda062 I see that you went to the Tulum Ruins for some pictures. How were you able to get in for pictures? I have heard a lot of people say that you are not allowed to get in with a professional photographer. Zelda, we were the photographers and had no problem getting in at all. We actually had our gear in a beach bag (so didn't have a lot of conspicuous stuff), just paid the admission and got in no problem. Allison and Kevin weren't dressed in wedding attire, so that might have made a difference as far as getting in goes. Allison didn't want to get her actual dress dirty or wet, so she chose to got with a long white sundress for her day after session. The only bad thing on that day was they had the beach access roped off so we couldn't get to the beach to do the water shots we wanted to do. Allison and Kevin had to leave to go on an excursion after the shoot but Justin and I hung out and went back to the beach area. It looked like someone had just removed the ropes and everyone piled down to the beach. Go figure! Here are some of our favorites from that day...

Welcome! It is very overwhelming to start with, but just dive into reading some of the posts and soon you will start putting together your top choice list! It is a fun journey.... Michelle

Welcome to the forum! Have fun with all your plans!!

Welcome Shelby! Cancun is more of a party, Playa a little more laid back. Personally, we love the Playa area but the whole Riviera Maya is gorgeous. Have fun with all your planning!

Welcome (practically a neighbor!) DeannaMarie! We personally love the Riviera Maya, but there are so many wonderful places to choose from. Enjoy the search!!

Welcome Sheila!!

Amen Matt! Very well put. One other thing to note ladies. If there is a table placed in the gazebo for a unity candle, arrangement or what have you, make sure when you rehearse that you stand in front of the table, and don't end up behind it! When we shot there last the couple ended up behind the table which was covered with a long table cloth. The brides dress was hidden from all the guests during most of the ceremony. All you could see was the upper halves of the couple! Just something to think about. Michelle

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Stephanie~ Ok so I am a little disappointed.... Questions for past brides....... 1. Did anyone bring their own aisle runner? If so what did you do to hold it down? Zulma makes it sound impossible, that it still "flies away" but she will try and help me with it. Suggestions?! 2. Did anyone bring their own petals for the aisle? Were they fake? Did you have to pick them back up after or does the resort do that? How many did you bring? 3. Trying to decide if I should pay the $80 to have a resort staff run my IPOD at the reception. Did anyone not do a DJ? Do you have suggestions on if this is worth it? 4. DO they start the cocktail hour imediately following the ceremony? But then I am thinking there is time between the cocktail hour and the reception if it is not at the top of the hour.... My ceremony is at 4pm, then cocktail and then reception at 6pm. 5. How long does it take to get through dinner? 3 course. 6. Has anyone done the deep sea fishing trip? If so did you book before you left home? Who did you use? 7. Is it cheaper to book excursions before we leave online or at the resort? I don't want to get ripped off at the resort. 8. My photographer suggested a "break" right before the ceremony after our first look and couples pictures, to cool off and de-sweat before the ceremony... think this is a good idea? 20 mins good? 9. Is the online check in working again? Anyone know? Hi Stephanie, I can answer some of your questions so here goes! 1. I would totally skip the isle runner. Save the expense and hassle. If you are getting married at the gazebo, the flagstones there are so pretty you don't really need a runner. 2. The florist provided real petals for the last wedding we were at there (which the flower girls tossed from little sombreros held by the string, so cute!) I would check with the resort and see if they can provide petals. Just one less thing to take with you. 3. Unless you want to give one of your guests a job to do (i.e. run the ipod for the whole evening) it might just be easier to pay the fee. However, if all you are going to do is turn it on and go, with maybe a break for the toasts and cake, then I would just ask one of the groomsmen to take charge. 4. You might want to check with your wc on that. Last time were were there we had a one hour break in between the end of the ceremony and cocktail hour (wouldn't recommend that!). The cocktail hour did last one hour and dinner started on time. 5. The courses are served at approximately 1/2 hour intervals. For our last wedding, the reception began at 6:30, apps were served at about 7:00, main course at 7:30 and dessert at 8:00. 6. Not sure about the deep sea fishing. Would HIGHLY recommend Catamaya Catamaran Sailing Cruises and Charters Riviera Maya, Mexico out of Puerto Aventuras if you are looking for a snorkel/sailing experience. Totally amazing experience! 7. Book online before you go! You can usually catch a break. 8. Yes!! Absolutely take a break and 20 minutes should be fine. You will want to freshen hair and makeup, plus take a bathroom break before all the festivities begin. 9. Not sure about the online check in. Hope that helps! Michelle

The name of the ranch is Rancho Baaxal and here is there website: Rancho Baaxal Michelle

Hello, We would love to introduce ourselves. We are Justin & Michelle Stevens. We own an award winning wedding photography studio just outside of Portland Oregon. Michelle studied photography in college, shot her first wedding at age 17 and opened her first studio at age 18. Justin has been a professional photographer for 7 years. Our style is romantic and elegant with a fashion influence. We love weddings! We have covered multiple destination weddings from Seattle to Mexico. Feel free to browse our website and blog to get a feel about what we love to do. Also, be sure to friend us on Facebook! Artistique Photographie | 503-310-9083 Website: Portland Photography - Artistique Photographie, Award Winning Oregon Wedding Photographers - Home Page Blog: Portland Photography Award Winning Oregon Wedding Photographers, Senior and Family Portraits Justin's Facebook: Justin Stevens | Facebook Michelle's Facebook: Michelle Stevens | Facebook **** We will be in Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen, Mexico area from 11/15/2010 thru 11/22/2010. Please contact us soon to book our services with NO TRAVEL FEE! Here is a sample wedding album from a recent wedding at the Royal in Playa Del Carmen. this album won "Album Of The Year" at the Professional Photographers of Oregon Annual Convention. We are lucky enough to have won this award among others for the past 3 years...

Thank you everyone!! Sorry I didn't respond right away, we just got back from a pre-wedding season camping trip. Here is our website: Portland Photography - Artistique Photographie, Award Winning Oregon Wedding Photographers - Home Page Thank you for the compliments Ron!! Awesome work yourself!

Hello All, Just want to introduce ourselves. Justin & Michelle Stevens with Artistique Photographie from Portland, OR. You can find more info in the Vendor Showcase. Justin is a California transplant and Michelle has steadily moved west from England. We were married September 10th, 2007 in Portland Oregon after a 2 1/2 year engagement. We had 14 people total at our wedding and love small intimate weddings. We have a rescued greyhound named Poopsie who is the center of our universe and we love to travel. Besides frequent trips to Mexico, one of our most memorable trips was 2 1/2 months in China. Anyway, congratulations all on your engagement and best of luck on your wedding planning. We look forward to being involved. Feel free to ask us anything about us, greyhounds or weddings. We look forward to chatting with you. Cheers! Justin & Michelle