LaLuna

We just wanted to say thank you for posting your review on La Luna Lynn.... These photos are beautiful

We are excited to have you Anna

We always have brides who tell us about different family dramas or cancellations or even show up on wedding days and are told not to photograph the best man or maid of honor (a married couple) because they had a fight with the bride and groom the day before the wedding... Crazy things happen with people, they are all so unpredictable and just when you thought you were comfortable understanding someone, something changes real fast and a choice can be made about that relationship... the advice from my wife regarding this issue when planning our invite list was to "LET IT GO MATEO"... ok, i listen when she speaks and this one told me it would be ok... even though there were some "must be there" peeps that simply couldnt make it. Uggh. What came from that was an amazing wedding story... We shared with our family and friends and were appreciative that the ones who did make it, made it... like my late 92 year old grandmother... seeing her that day was incredible. The family and close friends that do make it will continue to forge a strong bond with you as you move on with life. The photo memories you have will clue in all the others how UNREAL the day really was... so invest in your photographer well in anticipation to show those who really should have been there the way thing really happened, you will be amazed at their reaction. Also, what we can't change is that media plays a big role using war and hate and crime as a fear factor to sour minds... News media can sensationalize any topic (especially mehico) and suddenly everybody is afraid...huh? I like what Kelly said: it's going to be the wedding we want, no matter what. *words of wisdom amiga* Saludos, mat

Thanks Tammy We are proud. sxcT (or Taryn) We will see you 11/18 Excited too! Abrazos fuertes de me hi co.

Its my pleasure to introduce 3 International Award Winning Photographers. Rachel gets a first place!!!! Melissa gets two in the top 10... Jonathan has 2 amazing couple shots! La Luna Blog Post here: Great shot Rachel, love the wind action here. I believe this client had some rain on their wedding, amazing snaps do come from rainy days! I love these next two top ten finishers from Melissa, showcasing a flowing dress in a staircase...

HOLA Kristen Thanks for shout out Rachel is pretty popular with our brides, so much so that her availability is limited So glad she can be part of your big day!!! June 30 2012, thats some serious planning

We are excited to have you Sirena! NEXT WEEK! HOLY WOW!

Here are a few of our favs... Their getting ready was at Villa Gauguin in Akumal, read her review here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/villa-gauguin-akumal/reviews/4681 The ceremony had the music of the amazing Javier Rojas: http://www.javierrojas.com.mx/en/bio.html'>http://www.javierrojas.com.mx/en/bio.html I've seen Javier at hundreds of weddings. I enjoy my friendly hug every time I see him! he is a NO BRAINER for any wedding ceremony: http://www.javierrojas.com.mx/en/bio.html Drinks at the amazing Al Cielo hotel, you can read her review on Al Cielo here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/al-cielo-hotel/reviews/4682 and the hotel setup for dinner:

Thanks Amiga We are stoked to be a part of your big day and are excited to work on the folio of images for you! Mucho Saludos Supermodel

La Luna is excited to join forces with BDWF brides and some awesome vendors to provide a special incentive to book an amazing wedding package. Le Reve Hotel + La Luna (and of course del Sol) are excited to promote each other in a package deal. details here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/73510/del-sol-photography-la-luna-photography-hotel-lereve-bdwf-promotion Let the fun begin! Thanks for your support! More photos coming soon!

Gracias for saying HOLA! Thanks for the kind words Good luck planning and hopefully Melissa can get you all you need to plan your wedding !

Gracias Michelle! We love our job, are very thankful to shoot your wedding amiga!

I just wanted to do a quick follow up and post a few photos. Here is a recent wedding from Jonathan + Melissa. They got excellent images, real awesome photojournalism storytelling and some sexy portraits. Lots of details and a clear union of amigos...lots of love with this group! http://lalunaphotographers.com/blog/slideshows/lindsay-jared This one was shot at Barcelo maya tropical. Photo by Jonathan Photo by Jonathan Photo by Melissa Photo by Melissa Photo by Melissa Photo by Jonathan Photo by Melissa At Barcelo, you are on point looking west and in the winter months, you have killer sunset views, reflections are abundant. Photo by Jonathan Photo by Jonathan Here is a link to Lindsey's review on BDWF as well: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/la-luna-photography/reviews#4183 Thanks for watching

let us know how we can help you, La Luna says ok

AMAZING update. Al cielo is getting a FULL ON makeover. We recently visited during part of their construction, alls I got to say is wow. Looks like they are adding rooms, plunge pools, a new master suite... Several new rooms. The entire restaurant area is being redone... can't wait. AS SOON AS we can stay there, we will be delivering a full report on their status and a preview of the amazing changes coming! here is an image from a recent visit:

Actually found a DOUBLE rainbow at my wedding yesterday another reason to wish for rain I guess....

yeay, del sol / la luna is itching to get an event at La Amada.... We have an event coming there in February

Kennisha, thanks for trusting our vision!!! I'm originally from the ATL... were do you live there? I noticed you show split time in ATL / Cleveland.... COOL! ATL - CUN is a quick flight, i've racked up 3 zillion sky miles making that trip... I literally have no space left in my passport.... Hopefully in one year, I'll have my dual citizenship and won't need a passport to enter Me HI CO In regards to Palace Hotels, in case anybody is listening... we were excited to recently become an approved vendor there!!! Dear Matt, Thank you so much returning to the office to a flooded inbox. I sincerely apologize for my delayed response. There is an outside vendor fee that applies should a wedding couple hire a local photographer from Mexico, it isn’t a problem for your services to be contracted. We handle every case on a case by case basis when it comes to vendors. The following reasons are why we must contractually protect ourselves and why we include those clauses in our contracts. -First, couples in the past have hired outside vendors and when the vendor does not hold their part or the couple isn’t satisfied with their work we are brought into the legal dispute -Second, we’ve had previous cases where the company who is providing the services has not obtained the correct business documentation nor fulfilled hacienda regulations and Palace has been brought into question for not screening outside vendors properly. -Third, Palace Resorts is an all-inclusive property bounded by strict regulations every member of the team must purchase a day pass once the resort has screened the vendor. We already have a reputable relationship with you so it would be no problem to have you become one of the approved outside vendors. We are definitely willing to work with you and wanted to provide you with some reasoning as to why we have those clauses. If you can provide us with the names of the couples I can give the resort the green light to allow the exceptions without a problem. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns. Kindest Regards, CAROLINA LOPEZ Corporate Director of Weddings & Honeymoons www.palaceresorts.com www.leblancsparesort.com yeay for that, I guess

Hola Beachbride! Officially, we have spoken with the corporate director of weddings for all "Palace Resorts" and have been confirmed as one of their "approved vendors" Here is some of the text from the email (and concerns from palace) about Palace Resorts and the low down on outside vendors "photographers"... Dear Matt, Thank you so much returning to the office to a flooded inbox. I sincerely apologize for my delayed response. There is an outside vendor fee that applies should a wedding couple hire a local photographer from Mexico, it isn’t a problem for your services to be contracted. We handle every case on a case by case basis when it comes to vendors. The following reasons are why we must contractually protect ourselves and why we include those clauses in our contracts. -First, couples in the past have hired outside vendors and when the vendor does not hold their part or the couple isn’t satisfied with their work we are brought into the legal dispute -Second, we’ve had previous cases where the company who is providing the services has not obtained the correct business documentation nor fulfilled hacienda regulations and Palace has been brought into question for not screening outside vendors properly. -Third, Palace Resorts is an all-inclusive property bounded by strict regulations every member of the team must purchase a day pass once the resort has screened the vendor. We already have a reputable relationship with you so it would be no problem to have you become one of the approved outside vendors. We are definitely willing to work with you and wanted to provide you with some reasoning as to why we have those clauses. If you can provide us with the names of the couples I can give the resort the green light to allow the exceptions without a problem. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns. Kindest Regards, CAROLINA LOPEZ Corporate Director of Weddings & Honeymoons www.palaceresorts.com www.leblancsparesort.com Good luck with choosing a photographer... La Luna will not let you down! If you have any questions, thoughts, concerns, ideas.... please let us know! Matt

I dive often and mostly in the cenotes. I would not really recommend the dives in PDC though, not really a good reef off the coast. Open water divers can dive cenotes, I promise its an experience you will not forget. amazing! There is a new dive shop that I like, one of the owners "Candy" is a nice gal.... http://www.divemike.com/ I may recommend a spin over to Cozumel, if you have time. Diving top ten location in the world. Our friend Christy owns http://www.bluextseadiving.com/ and will HOOK you up with an amazing experience. and good luck cheers!

We are excited to launch La Luna... Thanks for the mention here amiga!

This is permit issue and a very serious one many spots, including Coba. Tallest pyramid, our fav adventure. Rent bikes when your there. They are so serious about cameras (i've visited tons of ruin sites) wip out a tripod or a video camera or wedding dress, they start thinking something commercial. I once had a JOBY tripod, a small thing we were using for lights and holding small video cameras....no way, cant pass. I'm like what the heck is happening? pretty strict, we don't touch shooting at archaeological sites, Coba, Chichen, tulum, and various others and even in Playa Car Fase 1, the security guards always ask photographers to leave...or take bribes . There are small fishing villages and small shrines here and there, perhaps your photographer can hook that up... Local vendors will likely be WAY helpful. There are ruins at Grand Oxxidental Xcaret hotel... you can go there for sure if you stay in the hotel...might be a consideration! Some tour companies have access to properties that have shrines, maybe the concierge can help out with a recommendation. good luck

Hola Amiga, right on. Scroll down and click play on the video in this thread as you read this reply please? ("music" for those of u at work that can't have any audio-- try and put "don't worry be happy" looping over and over in your mind, its pretty easy... I'm a Playaence for nearly 4 years. I spent time in Cancun in 2005 and 2006 with Sol. Words can not describe the comfort and NO WORRIES in our minds about the cartel or any potential drug related incident. We have traveled 3000+ Kilometers on lots of roads in the entire Yucatan Peninsula and the southern state of Chiapas. We have grown to know a special energy living in Playa. This place is honestly magical. Folks come here by the millions and unknown zillions. Military and police protect the Riviera Maya with a very obvious presence. They are ready for war sometimes...police filtration stations are often entering and exiting playa and cancun. I feel safe, live in a neighborhood that is nice enough... We ride our bicycles across the entire city, often and on many cross streets and side streets, even in the lean to hood. Perhaps there is a security guard at my condo complex that ripped off a bike (then returned it 2 days later after getting called out) shocker he gets paid 400 dollars a month....Police officers take bribes, political officials keep proving to be corrupt... However, Comparing Playa del Carmen (or Cancun) to a border Mexico / USA town is a joke, totally absurd. There is a war at the border, no question. I think the universe's has a system of checks and balances to keep this place in check, so it could be a positive for the environment...less tourists, Less impact and smaller carbon footprint for the region... That is their destiny and more power to them, I'm driven to believe that everything is happening for a reason....SO sorry for the brides and families that they put this unnecessary stress on....oh well, i digress and regress and continue to stare at the turquoise water, drag my feet in the sand, paddle board, surf, dive, snorkel, swim and enjoy my little space in paradise. Mateo (me) y Sol y equipo del Sol / Laluna (which is like 9 of us and all world travelers) with lotsa nationalities represented. We are American, Mexican, Italian and French and can all testify to the sensationalism of national news media.... Crime happens and some very horrible terrible crimes against humanity from ordinary people, occur everywhere and often. The news medias enjoy scaring folks. Me think the fellow amigo Bobby McFerrin has the right idea: If I dont worry and be happy, I think its all going to be ok, for now Ok.... The mayan apocalypse in 2012...here we go again Somebody should make another movie

SUPER good choice! Can't wait to see your photos. Rachel is hard at work right now making awesome snaps... more photos on the blog when we catch up! Cheers! matt

Allison!!! Today is the big day! Sol is coming soon to shoot your awesome wedding. The weather is amazing and we are so excited for 1 more Valentin wedding! Cheers and I'll be looking at your photos soon! matt