Tulum Wedding: Jenna and Alex
In early 2025, Jenna inquired on my website about photographing her and Alex’s destination wedding in Tulum the following spring. I immediately said I’d love to meet them in the jungle and document their love at their intimate Tulum wedding! Ironically, Alex hadn’t even proposed yet, but Jenna knew it was happening soon and that this was their dream. Sure enough, he popped the question and the planning commenced. They decided to have their wedding at Chechen Tulum, a beautiful venue and wildlife sanctuary, with stunning cabana style accommodations to stay at too! They had an incredible team of vendors that I recommend to everyone on the Yucatan Peninsula, so please check them out at the bottom of this post if you’re planning your own Tulum wedding!
A Tulum Wedding, Wedding Day
Jenna and Alex are two of the most laid back people, and after I met them in the North Cascades for their engagement photos, I knew that a relaxing, intentional day with attention to details is what they were looking for on their wedding day. Sure enough, we had a loose timeline with ample room to adjust, take the photos, and relax throughout the day. I met Jenna in their room as she was finishing up her hair and makeup and I’m sure an audible gasp left my mouth as I saw her. I mean, are you kidding me?! She already exudes sunshine, but her hair and makeup vendors really went above and beyond. I took some flat lays and then focused on the final moments of getting ready before we did their first look on the boardwalk through the jungle. One thing about Tulum, is that it is quite literally in the jungle. Landing at the airport and all you see for miles is straight jungle. So I knew going into this day that I really wanted to ensure that translated in their images by getting into the greens, using the unique light and shadows artistically, and authentically capturing the natural tones of the environment.
After about an hour of running around capturing the details of their Tulum wedding, I set Alex up on the boardwalk so we could do their first look! Having a first look is a choice each couple has to make, and I think it’s so personal to each couple! One plus side is you get the jitters and anxiety out of the way because you can see your person before saying “I do” in front of your loved ones! They’re one of my favorite things to document because you can just feel the love. I mean, do you see how Alex looks at her?! You can also see Mayan smoke in some of the photos after we did their first look; a super cool cultural touch that you truly wouldn’t have outside of a Tulum wedding.
With their first look out of the way, Jenna and Alex’s Tulum wedding continued on without a hitch! We ran around the venue for their couple’s before heading off to their vows. Their intimate ceremony took place next to a pool in front of tree adorned in jungle greens and white flowers. Their family sat above on a platform, something I hadn’t seen before. After their first kiss officially as Mr and Mrs, we did family photos in front of a stunning jungle arch. They headed off to cocktail hour, where a local Mayan shaman waited to complete a blessing. This was an experience that added to their destination in such a special way: rather than being at a massive resort where everything can feel cookie cutter, incorporating the local culture and history was a unique touch that made it an experience rather than just another wedding.
Fun fact: I’m a cultural anthropology major so not only learning about other cultures, but honoring, celebrating, and respecting them is something so important to who I am as a person! I had no idea the shaman blessing was happening, so I was almost in tears as it took place. If you’re having your own destination wedding (anywhere in the world, not just Mexico), I encourage you to look into ways you can incorporate and acknowledge the culture of the people you’re visiting! You’ll find that it adds such an extra special piece to your trip that you’d be lacking otherwise. Okay, back to Jenna and Alex!
After their cocktail hour, a local tuk tuk waited to take some fun photos! Another way that we incorporated the local community and culture into their Tulum wedding day. We then headed into dinner where the rest of the night took place under the glowing lights and yummy courses of food were brought out. While the moon wasn’t quite an entire full moon, it sure shown bright into the evening! After cutting their cake, we said our goodbyes! While every wedding is special, this Tulum wedding holds a special place in my heart – not only because it was so unique and intentional, but because of who Jenna and Alex are too.
A Tulum Wedding Timeline
3 PM Coverage begins
3-3:30 Detail & Getting Ready photos
3:30 First look & couple’s photos
4:15 First look with dad, venue photos
5:30 Ceremony
6 Family photos
6:10 Cocktail hour
7 Dinner
8 Cake
8 Coverage ends
Tulum Wedding Vendors
Jenna and Alex’s perfect Tulum wedding wouldn’t have been complete with out an incredible team of vendors!
Coordinator: Juun Events
Venue & Dinner: Chechen Tulum
Florals: Grisel Serrano Florals
Officiant: MM Events Curator
Shaman: Mystica Magical Elements
Hair & Makeup: Cuah Bad
Rentals: Luxury Tulum
Are you ready for me to join you on your own Tulum wedding, or another fun destination you have planned? Contact me here to connect! You can also follow along on Instagram to see what fun destinations I’m headed to next, or check my travel schedule here!