Alec & T.Photography

Beautiful beach ceremony options. Los Cabos Mexico is known for its romantic wedding ceremony’s on the beach. I wanted to share some great wedding collection by Karla Casilla ABRWeddings. Karla is a high end wedding planner in Los Cabos . Alec and I recently worked with Karla on 3 of her  different wonderful wedding collections.  Karla in Collaboration with Cabo San Lucas Top  wedding vendors,  Alec & T.Photography, Wedding Photography in Los Cabos   Yippee that’s Us!!  Suzanne Morel Spa, Suzanne’s Mobile Spa and hair and make in Los Cabos,   Del Cabo Event Designs, Wedding and Event design and wedding rentals in Los Cabos  and  Lazy Gourmet Catering, Wedding Catering located in Los Cabos. If you are looking for that Unique  wedding,  something different and totally upscale, It is possible to find it here in Cabo San Lucas Mexico,  Karla from ABRWeddings  has been doing Villa weddings for a long time in town and is unveiling creative wedding Ideas one after another!!  Cheers to Weddings out of the box…I am all for that…   Destination weddings have so much to offer as far as romantic ceremonies and creative receptions you just have to have the desire to sway from the hotel packages, It seems like it would be a big undertaking… But not with a good wedding planner! OK maybe its a lot of work for them… But wow is it worth paying for!!!  and you will be amazed what is out there!! Hats Off, to Karla, Suzanne, Del Cabo Events, Lazy Gourment, And of coarse  Alec and I for getting the chance to photograph the  beautiful creations,  xoxo T             Visit Alec & T. Photography website

Mystic Collection by Karla ABRWeddings and Del Cabo Event Design

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Earth and Sea Collection by Karla Casilla and Lazy Gourmet

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Suzanne Morel on location Spa/Mobile Spa

Baja weddings is a Los Cabos  based wedding planning company.They have a reputation for their high wedding standards and professionalism; Known in town as tops in their field.

When Alec and I started shooting several destination weddings in Los Cabos, we contacted them right away. And now that we call Los Cabos home we have gotten to know them better. We are proud to be working with them!

The owners of Baja Weddings are John & Coleen Fagan, when they started Baja weddings , they wanted to bring a higher standard of service to the world of weddings in Cabo San Lucas. They wanted to bring something that destination weddings in Mexico had not seen before. And I believe they have done just that!

The entire Baja Wedding family

Alec and I just did a really great photo shoot with them, we laughed and smiled for 2 hours

The wedding planners at Baja weddings

Natalia, April, owner & founder Coleen,Jenny,Gaby

When you walk into the Baja weddings office you feel instantly welcome

Natalia greats you at the front.Usually not with tequila but I’m sure it could be arranged!

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Then you have April with her  priceless Texas charm, not to let it fool you, have you ever seen a mad Texan before?

Jenny has this incredible warm Pacific NW thing going on that you instantly trust.

Since I was born in Washington State, I know first hand the people up north really are down to earth and real!

I think she may even be a morning person….

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And this is Gaby with her easy going perfect Mexican flair. Since Alec is Mexican and we have photographed several Mexican weddings with guests list over 1, 000 and the party lasting until 3 am, we can understand how Gaby can breeze through  most  smaller destination weddings.

Coleen Fagan, brings over 11 years of destination wedding experience.

Coleen makes it a  point to go to every wedding, to congratulate each couple, and support her coordinators. I was really really  impressed by this! Ive seen her at these weddings and think shes a true romantic at heart, being apart of all her weddings is were she belongs….

Coleen & John Fagan

John is an ordained minister and has performed hundreds of Los Cabos weddings

The creative team Rox and Marty. It was Marty that brought the tequila. He called me before and asked if that would be cool.. Are you kidding, bring it on!!!  It ended up being awesome.

they all work and have fun together.

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This was my favorite photo!! Everyone truly having fun. I swear this was before the tequila toast!  We really laughed  the whole time.

And this is me with everyone, I cant believe I’m over 7 months pregnant. Alec and I are having a boy ( we think he could be the first Mexican/American President) I’m trying to get his presidential campaign team together early. We think they would be perfect? What do you think??

                                                                          Liam for President!!!

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To Contact: Baja Weddings

 Things to think about when planning a destination wedding

1.Research the Mexico wedding location, as far as accessibility make sure your guests will have plenty of airline and flight options.
2.Plan the time of year for your wedding date carefully. Avoid hot months and hurricane season.
3.As soon as you have chosen your Mexico location ,Contact a local wedding planner. Get a feel for their business practices and  follow up skills ask for  wedding credentials. Bringing a planner from home will not help you with local vendors, or your negotiations with your wedding venues, good local wedding planners are familiar with the reputation of all the wedding vendors in the area. You will get more for your dollar 9 out of 10 times.
4.When at all possible visit the Mexico location. Have site inspections,meet with many local vendors.Alec, and I are considered to be local  Los Cabos Mexico wedding photographers, we have 15 years experience in LA and San Diego and still do over 10 weddings a year in the USA, so don’t be surprised if your locals are as good or better in some cases as the wedding professionals from home.
5. Give advance notice to all your wedding guests with a save the date card.
6. Plan to come at least 2 days before your Mexico wedding to have all your legal wedding requirements taken care of blood test and paper work.
7.Plan activity’s for your wedding guests, fishing trips,sunset cruises,day at the spa, golfing etc. Make your wedding  mini vacation for everyone.
8.remind guests not to bring wedding gifts to Mexico.Its very hard to get them back to the states. providea home town address where they should be sent.
9.Dont get stuck in a hotel packages get creative research great restaurants that cater to weddings and villa weddings are a very upscale option.
10.Dont be surprised if most of your invited wedding guests do come.Mexico is a great place to vacation!

This was one of my favorite shots!!

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The Sunset da Mona Lisa in los cabos Mexico.My all time favorite wedding location.

breath taking views, private and upscale.A must see!

Calie and her beautiful sister

April from Baja Weddings helps Calie with her wedding dress.

before she makes her  grand entrance!

Alec from Alec & T.Photography with Mike & Calie.Finally put his camera down for 1 minute.

April from Baja weddings,T. Alec & T. Photography that’s me 7 months pregnant!! and still shooting weddings with no problem, with Mike and Calie.

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 Behind the scenes of a wedding!! Mike & Calie prepare for there destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas

(the actual Los Cabos destination wedding coming up next)

The next time Mike will see Calie she will be ready to walk down the isle.

April from (Baja Weddings arrives)  Mike & Calies wedding planner. April wanted to go over time lines and make sure we were all on schedule..yes we were..but of coarse ..

T. from Alec & T.Photography and Suzanne Morel, discuss Calies  wedding make up

She wanted to be very fresh and natural looking.

April personally delivers the wedding bouquet,So that Calie would have it for her photos before the ceremony

Calie wanted to be very fresh and natural looking

I am a big huge fan of eyelashes for wedding photos..They really make the eyes look more open and alive for your photos.

My biggest concern as a photographer is shine.Its a fine balance between a caked make up look and a great matte look..but please no shine..and please no sparkly makeup!!!! Glitter reflects light and can appear to be a huge glare,If its to close to your eye we cant fix it in editing.so no glitter make up..

Suzanne Morel hair & Make up  Los Cabos & T.Thompson Alec & T. Photography

I love working with Suzanne she really understands make up that works for Photography as well as Video.

We discussed the fact that it was a windy day in  Los Cabos and how to keep Calies hair in place for her wedding photos but not looking stiff .

Suzanne Morel puts the final touches..its was perfect!!

Suzanne wanted to make sure that Calie,was completely comfortable.And it was what she was hoping for!

I put a few photos of Calie completely finished and she looked like a picture perfect bride!!!!

I will add the wedding next..Alec and I could not take a bad photo of her.her hair and make up lasted the entire night.

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Calies hair and make was able to photograph from fresh and natural to sexy and glamorous.With different camera angles and camera settings.

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To Visit Suzanne Morel Spa

To Visit  Baja Weddings

Choosing Your Los Cabos Destination Wedding Photographer

1.      The very first thing you need to do is decide how important your wedding photos will be to you. (Your photos will be your memory of the entire wedding in the future) you need to decide how important that memory is to you, when deciding on your budget. Destination weddings are usually smaller in guest size and many family and friends will depend on the photos to live the event.

2.      Look at several wedding photographers and compare wedding styles.Alec, and I do a combination of Candid/Photojournalists and high fashion, Most of are work is filled with true emotion, photos that make you laugh smile and cry.

3.      You must see an entire wedding 1 or 2. Many photographers take thousands of photos and get very few photos that make you go wow. Look for somebody that is consistent.Do you like what you see in this complete wedding?

4.      Very important. Do you like the wedding photographer him or her, do you feel comfortable with him or her? It will show in your photographs. They are invited to your wedding!

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5.      Communication, you need to have an open door of communication. You should feel like you know him/her on your wedding day.

6.  Make sure the photographer has a valid work permit for the country the wedding will take place.it is illegal for a photographer to work under a tourist visa.Alec, and I have seen entire weddings shut down.And equipment temporally taken. Mexico is getting much tougher on this.

7. Contracts,agreements.Make sure to get everything in writing. Alec and I have a valid US contract that is very clear on our policy’s, and what we have  promised you.Make sure delivery time is stated.

8.  Backup equipment,many destination wedding locations in Mexico are very humid,among other things, make sure the wedding  photographer works with back up cameras.Any thing can happen.

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9.  Experience Weddings Photography is completely different than any other type of photography, we have ever done.You must really understand the logistics of the wedding day.Wedding photographers work under extreme pressure with sometimes terrible light,everything thing happening very fast and real people not models.A wedding photographer must move fast and has no time to miss a beat.this comes with experience.

10.If you’re choosing your photographer based on his packages,you are thinking of quantity not quality.Beware of to good to be true.your wedding day is not just another day,it’s a day that is remembered for many many years,memory’s generated by photos.

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How to get the  best out of your destination wedding photographer ? Timing is one way! When planning your ceremony time, think about, what light that will be available after the ceremony is finished. The best way to solve lack of light for photos after the ceremony is take them before; this in my opinion is the best way to get the most out of your photographs and photographer. If you really do not want to see each other before the ceremony make sure you have plenty of day light after the ceremony so your wedding photos are not rushed, racing the sun is not the ideal…

Alec and I love natural light, everyone looks their best. And we try to use it most of the time. Natural light is the best just before sunset and a bit after or very early in the morning (harsh direct sunlight,is some thing  destination wedding photographers need to learn and deal with,becouse we get stuck with it all the time) It’s frustrating not to be able to take advantage of those hours and  give you those gorgeous soft light shots, because of timing. This is when your  wedding coordinator comes in to help you save the day!!Wedding planners are great money spent and will save your day many many times over.

this wedding photo was taken just before sunset the light was very even soft and beautiful

 High ISO is great for artistic night shots (very cool reception shots) but not suited for family photos that should take place after or before the ceremony and in the light. The new digital cameras, are amazing.having  the ability to use a very high ISO,for making night shots a dream,compared to film cameras. so to sum it up decide on your ceremony time carefully.And then move on to the party!!

These Photos were taken in very very low light

Alec and I have worked with many different professional wedding album Company’s in the USA & Europe. We believe we have found the best as far as quality and presentation.We can remember when there was only a handful,and today they are popping up everywhere on the Internet,in a variety of classes ( we’ve actually seen coffee table books for $45) Your Album is where your memories will reside.They deserve to live on with pride.

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Our Wedding album advice is this. #1When you hire a Professional Photographer you are hiring an artist,let the Artist design the book,and complete his/her painting. #2 You get what you pay for. When the Album comes in the Photography package,( and the package is, wow a great deal…question the quality of the book) Ive seen those albums,they do not look professional . #3 Less is more,to many photos look messy and unprofessional.  Highlight your favorite photos.we believe 50-65 photos makes the perfect classy book.#4 Simple simple simple,will stand the test of time.and quality of the book, you want your grandchildren to look at it some day,and talk about how beautiful you are! #5 If a quality wedding Photographer and an album are not in your budget,you can always print the album later,you’re stuck with the photos you cant take them later..choose your photographer wisely,your photos will end up being your wedding memories and everyone elses as well.

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 EARTH,SEA,SKY VACATIONS

Julie Byrd,director of sales talks with T.Thompson (Alec & T.Photography)

As a Los Cabos Wedding Photographer this Villa is a dream!!

Julie and I met at Villa Cielito it is  a private, luxury beachfront estate located at Chileno Bay,Los Cabos Mexico

The perfect option for a high end wedding in Los Cabos, or vactaion villa rental.

I met Julie for the first time last week.We decided to have a cup of coffee.It was Saturday morning and she rushed into the cafe,bursting with energy.(I liked her from the get go) She was in Cabo for only a week, and her days were completely packed.She began to tell me and Karla Casillas of ABRWeddings  about what Villas would be available for a upcoming wedding,we are working on together..when all I could think about was how passionate Julie was about her company.It was a flash back from Erin Brokovich  the movie.The part when Julia Roberts is telling the lawyer about the family’s and she knew them all by name/birth date/phone numbers .When she spoke about her Villas she was truly speaking from the heart.She knew the owners by name etc..I knew I had to sit down and ask her questions about Earth Sea,Sky Vacations.She agreed and we met the next day at Villa Cielito, she told me about how the company started and the owners great passion for Los Cabos,and the dedication they have for every single client! I loved it.

Earth Sea ,Sky Vacations is dedicated to making your vacation the one you have  always dreamed of. They want to make sure you will come back to Los Cabos. ( sounds a little sappy,but they really do) She spoke from her heart.You rarely hear some one speak of a company with such conviction and pride unless they own it.They say that everything stems from the top.I believe that.I look forward to meeting the owner.

Alec and I (Alec & T.Photography) look forward to shooting many Los Cabos Villa Weddings.The selection that Earth Sea ,Sky,Vacations has available is very impressive.Los Cabos is the perfect place for that unique wedding,It is Very Very Safe, and offers the best of Mexico’s, Beaches,nightlife,restaurant,Spas, Suzanne Morels face and body SPA is a must!

I salute Julie Bryd and Earth Sea,Sky Vacations for being such a positive influence in the way people view Los Cabos.     My community that I love ..T

To Contact Earth Sea ,Sky Vacations  

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T.Thompson,(me)With President Calderon.Iput my camera down to grab a photo,I actually grabbed his hand a gave him a big kiss,he kissed me back! GOD I love Mexico!

Rodolfo & Cecila Elizondo

Rodolfo & Cecila Elizondo,Mexico’s Minister  of Tourism

Aaron& Veronica

The Cathedral was packed,with hundreds of people on the street.I even saw a Governor in the back standing.Alec snuck up to the balcony to get some great angles,I was afraid a few secret service agents were going to mistake his zoom lens as a sniper.

 Below :Norberto Rivera Carrera is a Mexican Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Archbishop of Mexico, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1998.T

It’s not often you get the chance to shoot a wedding this grand,Or have the minister of tourism in your home.Rodolfo Elizondo.Is a close personal friend of Alecs and his family for many years.so when his son Aaron was getting married to beautiful Veronica,we were not only invited to the wedding, but we were asked to take all the private photos. We have done several Mexican weddings and are always prepared to take thousands of photos and …watch the sun come up! 

Ive had several inquires about our trash the dress sessions,recently,So have decided to blog about them.And post a few trash the dress photos from some sessions in the past.First of all I think they are  priceless and great option if we are out of your price range for you wedding day photos.Or a great add on to your wedding day packages.Alec, and I love to shoot them.My back ground is in film and television and Alec’s is high fashion.so when you combine my direction with his eye (for what looks HOT!!) we always come up with a really great end result.

Let’s face it most of us need direction(movie stars need it) And when thrown in the water most couples get stumped on what to do next,or what to do from the start.I have a million ideas, all the time,and every single shoot I have different ones,depending on the couples personality.Its my job to make you feel comfortable and free,and encourage you to express yourself.I have not had one couple, that did not completely  enjoy the shoot and actually want it to continue..They really are fun,freeing and totally sexy!!T.

Its not to late to put your dress back on,or buy some thing sexy even after 10 years of marriage, no matter your age!

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Alec and I just spent the day working with Renata from Del Cabo Event Design,It was a spectacular day featuring one of  ABRW by Karla Casillas wedding collections.Which was a collaboration with Del Cabo Event designs (photos to come) As I was taking photos and watching the complete detailed wedding set up , of elegant white covered chairs and mirrored top tables that were dripping with crystal trees and white candles ,beautiful down to the napkins.I was a bit taken back at all the hard work and coordination.I gravitated to Renata she seemed in charge and was, working as hard (or harder)  then men bringing in the chairs, and yet she was still smiling…All I could think of was how much work it would be to break down, what they had just spent hours to set up…I once left a Christmas tree until February  just to avoid the take down… And explained myself by saying it was still alive.

Renata invited me to see the warehouse of Del Cabo Event designs,her back ground was very impressive she had spent several years as the wedding coordinator at the Esperanza resort ( one of Cabos most elite resorts)

she then explained what they do and what they offer.Del CaboEvent Design boasts an 800 square meter warehouse with the largest inventory of event merchandise in the region, from a myriad of tablecloths in countless fabrics and colors to sleek leather lounge furniture , 14 foot prop palm trees to add that perfect tropical touch to your party. And it’s all available for rent with a simple e-mail. The perfect option for professional party planners or ambitious individuals who already have a time and place for their event in Los Cabos arranged and simply need high quality rental merchandise delivered right to their door.You should really take a trip to the warehouse in San Jose!!!T

TO CONTACT: Del Cabo Event Designs

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My Grandmother once said, never go to the super market with out your hair & makeup done, you never know when you will meet Paul Newman.*I did meet Paul Newman, and it was not at the supermarket (God rest her beautiful soul) that is an entirely different post for another time.But she was right about first impressions you only get one. Let me tell you about mine with Sarai Flores from Los Cabos Signature Weddings.I had never met her, and a friend of mine said you must meet Sarai she is wonderful and is doing really fantastic, high end weddings in Cabo at many of the best resorts and venues in town , She was kind of enough to set up the meeting for me.We met at a beautiful restaurant in  Cabo. When Sarai walked in I knew it was her instantly, she was wearing a dress with a pencil skirt that hit her just below the knee, the jacket was short and screamed (I was bought in Paris) her heels were red and her hair was pulled back with big dark sunglasses.It was perfect, she fit the part of a wedding planner out of Europe. part Jackie Kennedy and part breakfast at Tiffanys. As we began to talk she told me about her self..lol I WAS RIGHT, she had lived in France for over 4 years,  France was where her event planning began,working with a prestigious company. After-France she moved to India and then from India she went to Africa, Our conversation lasted so long we ended up at a trendy place in the Marina.Her philosophy of wedding planning is very simple, just as the name of her company SIGNATURE WEDDINGS. she believes deeply in the privacy and intimacy of the wedding day as well as the couple putting there own signature on the day. A votre sante! T.

To Contact Sarai Flores www.signatureweddingsmexico.com

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you can never get a moment like this back!

Caroline and her mother,just wait until shes sees the photo with her father!!!

Jeremy and his father ( HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOUR FATHER WIPED YOUR TEARS)

Caroline and T .

I had to post a few more  black and white wedding photos of Caroline & Jeremy.The emotion of this wedding was incredible.Alec and I,just love weddings like this!!Nothing is more important to us then capturing the true essence of love, the love of man and wife,the love of family and friends.

how could you not want to get married at this place?

Emma & T. perfect view of the arch. The best place in Los Cabos to watch the sunset.

Emma, from the Sunset da Mona Lisa.

I had to put this photo below.Its for everyone that has been asking me for tummy photos!!

Yes there is a big peanut in there! Due to appear in August

I wrote a post a while back on the Sunset da Mona Lisa in Los Cabos, follow the link below.

I have spent some time with and gotten to know Emma from the restaurant( she is in charge of weddings and events) You are in such great hands with her.In my last post I mentioned how the Sunset da Mona was my favorite  Los Cabos wedding venue, the location and views are priceless.What I forgot to mention was the people that make it happen,and how very important that is at any event! the staff is wonderful and completely  professional and competent,and Emma is 100% on top of what’s going on.Alec, and I are shooting a wedding at the restaurant in a few weeks,We always look forward to our shoots at the Sunset da Mona Lisa! T

Sunset da Mona Lisa Los Cabos,Beautiful Wedding location