A Breathtaking Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding in Front of Ancient Mayan Ruins

Michel and Jeremy’s Tulum destination wedding was a first for me: I had never seen a wedding in front of 2,000 year-old Mayan Ruins before. Most ancient ruins are highly protected by Mexican law and you’re not allowed to have a wedding ceremony literally on the steps of Tulum. However, Occidental Grand Xcaret Resort allows this unique situation to happen and, I have to say, this wedding was beautiful.

For many of us living here in Mexico, we find this area magical and you can almost feel the energy of the people who inhabited the Tulum ruins over 2,000 years ago. Therefore, to have a wedding ceremony literally at the steps of some of the ruins was amazing. I absolutely loved stepping back and watching through the lens as Michel walked down the aisle to Jeremy with the Mayan ruins as her backdrop. It was a breathtaking moment I won’t forget for a long time.

Michel looked beautiful in a custom wedding dress, which she had altered to fit her unique vision. Her bridesmaids were beautiful in Ann Taylor silk georgette, strapless dresses that looked amazing against their skin tones.

Jeremy looked great in a Brooks Brothers’ Milano fit, navy and white pincord suit. On a side-note: I highly recommend Brooks Brothers’ shirts. When shooting a wedding, Brooks Brothers’ shirts are my favorite, by far. The fit is amazing and the breathable cotton is perfect for the sometimes hot and humid Mexico weather. Also, the no-wrinkle fabric is truly no-wrinkle. My shirts look nearly as good at the end of a long day as they did in the beginning. If you are getting married in Mexico and are looking for a great shirt, try on Brooks Brothers – you won’t be disappointed. No, I don’t own stock in Brooks Brothers, I just want you to look as good as possible on your wedding day.

But, back to the wedding and this couple’s photos. I truly loved photographing this wedding – it was different and unique. Don’t get me wrong, I love beach weddings, but when you photograph as many beach weddings as I do, having one on the cliffs surrounded by Mayan Ruins is a special treat.

I hope you enjoy looking at these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Thank you,
Dean Sanderson

Groom getting ready at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding Jeremy getting ready for his Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding_102 Jeremy and his groomsmen at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding Michel getting her make up done fo her Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding Michel almost ready for her Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 105 Beautiful dress and shoe detail at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 106 Amazing bouquet detail at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 107 Michel looking stunning at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 108 Bride's portrait at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 109 Michel and bridesmaid with cool shades at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding Bride's beautiful portrait at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 111 Jeremy waiting for his bride at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 112 Beautiful photograph of the bride walking down the aisle at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 113 Michel and Jeremy looking great at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 114 GRoom putting the ring into bride's finger at their Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding_1234 Beautiful wedding in front of mayan ruins at Occidental Grand Xcaret 116 Bride and Groom beautiful ceremony at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 117 Beautiful detail of ceremony location in front of the sea at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 118 Michel and her bridesmaid looking amazing at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 119 Couple's kissing in front of the sea at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 120 Cool group photo at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 121 Jeremy and groomsmen having fun at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 122 Jeremy and his groomsmen portrait at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 123 Bride and Groom group photograph at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 124 Michel and Jeremy's portrait in front of the Mayan Ruins at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 125 Couple holding hands at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 126 Michel and Jeremy's portrait in front of the sea at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 127 Couple looking stunning at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 128 Michel and Jeremy's beautiful portrait next to the sea at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 129 Amazing ring detail at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 130 Beautiful bouquet detail at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 131 Great table detail at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 132 Bride and Groom dancing at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 133 Bride smiling at her Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 134 Family looking great at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 135 Michel and Jeremy's amazing Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 136 Wedding Toast at Occidental Grand Xcaret 137 Guests looking happy at Michel and Jeremy's Wedding 138 Great Toast at Michel and Jeremy's Wedding 139 Bride and friends having fun at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding 140 Tequila Shots at Michel and Jeremy's Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding Groom toasting with friends at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding Michel and friends on the dance floor at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding Groom and friends fun portrait at Occidental Grand Xcaret Wedding