Journey Of A Thousand Miles: The Bride and Groom (Part 2)

After we had done a few photos on the beach, Sol took us to the backside of the hotel where some beautiful mangroves were growing. We found a little path and started to walk down it. 

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

When we got to the other side of the path, we climbed the hotel steps and went up into the balcony on the second floor.

Del Sol Photography

And this my friends is when Sol put that amazing creativity of hers to work. 

Del Sol Photography

She positioned Mr. Meerkat against the wall and then had me stand so that my shadow was on the wall next to him.

Del Sol Photography

She did this a couple different was but I think my favorite of all these photos has to be this one:

Del Sol Photography

Then Sol had me move up next to Mr. Meerkat for a couple photos of us together.

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

It was at this point Mr. Meerkat was giving Sol that pleading "please let me lay in the hammock for some photos" look. Well you can probably guess what happened next.

Del Sol Photography

Of all our photos I think this photo of Mr. Meerkat looking all relaxed has to be one of my favorite.

Del Sol Photography

The sun was just about to set at this point, so we headed down to the beach for some silhouette shots.

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

We even tried some unique umbrella shots.

Del Sol Photography

While this looks flawless, it took a few tries to get the umbrella high enough over our heads and not flying to the side.

Del Sol Photography

And then just as the sun was about to set completely Sol grab this last amazing shot.

Del Sol Photography

And with that we got back into the vans (45 minutes behind schedule, oops) and headed back to our resort for the reception.

Up Next: The Reception - Our Grand Entrance

• We Arrive In Mexico
• Out Of Town Bags
• Fun In Mexico
• Our Best Man Goes Missing
• A Dress Fiasco and Rehearsal Dinner
• Our Fairy Godmothers (aka Getting Ready)
• Time To Put The Dress On
• The Guys Get Ready
• The Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue I Didn't Plan
• Just A Few Pictures With My Girls
• Get Me To The Beach
• A Gift For Mr. Meerkat
• A Beach Processional
• Our Love Story Ceremony
• Our Sand Ceremony
• Vows, Rings and Hands
• Ceremony Conclusion
• Hugs, Kisses and Congratulations
• Mix and Mingle - Our Cocktail Hour
• "Tell Us A Story" Guestbook
• Family and Bridal Party Portraits
• The Bride and Groom (Part 1)

Journey Of A Thousand Miles: The Bride and Groom (Part I)

Del Sol Photography

After group photos, our families went back to the lounge area while we stayed by the waters edge to get some bride and groom portraits.

Del Sol Photography

It was nice to have a few minutes to ourselves. Even though our guests were within watching distance, we didn't notice. You can probably tell from the photos that we were not noticing anything but each other.

Del Sol Photography

As we started to work our way down the beach, Sol had us stop next to of one of the little papalas in front of the hotel.

Del Sol Photography

I just love how creative Sol and Jonathan were with our silhouettes.

Del Sol Photography

Now I have to be honest here that for next ten minutes or so of shots on the beach my memory is kind of a blur but I will do my best to tell you what I do remember.

Del Sol Photography

I remember Sol and Jonathan telling us to walk down the beach a bit while they continued to work their camera magic.

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

I know at some point they told us to stop and turn around.

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

And I remember Sol telling me to walk down to the water.

Del Sol Photography

Walk towards frigid cold water just as the sun is setting and the temp is dropping? Sure, no problem. Sol probably could have told me to stand on my head that day and I wouldn't have thought twice before doing it. I am really glad I was able to trust Sol like this because all those happy endorphins were making it hard to have a rational thought.

Del Sol Photography

When I got back up to where Mr. Meerkat was standing, I immediately gave him the biggest "I can't believe we're really married" hug.

Del Sol Photography

And a kiss. One of about a million he got that day.

Del Sol Photography

Yes, I was one sublimely happy Meerkat.

Del Sol Photography

Up Next: Our Bride and Groom Portraits (Part II)

• We Arrive In Mexico
• Out Of Town Bags
• Fun In Mexico
• Our Best Man Goes Missing
• A Dress Fiasco and Rehearsal Dinner
• Our Fairy Godmothers (aka Getting Ready)
• Time To Put The Dress On
• The Guys Get Ready
• The Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue I Didn't Plan
• Just A Few Pictures With My Girls
• Get Me To The Beach
• A Gift For Mr. Meerkat
• A Beach Processional
• Our Love Story Ceremony
• Our Sand Ceremony
• Vows, Rings and Hands
• Ceremony Conclusion
• Hugs, Kisses and Congratulations
• Mix and Mingle - Our Cocktail Hour
• "Tell Us A Story" Guestbook
• Family and Bridal Party Portraits

Journey Of A Thousand Miles: Family & Bridal Party Photos

Del Sol Photography

Remember back before the wedding when I was whining about how I hated the standard family photo pose? The ones where everyone stands shoulder to shoulder and it looks like a mugshot?  

I said we were not going to do anything like this. None. Zero. I put my bridal foot down. We were only going to do fun poses. Yea.... well it didn't really happen like that because our moms wanted those photos. And I am a big enough person to admit that I am very happy that they got their way. 

When our photographer, Sol, added her own artistic flair to the "standard" family photos they turned out to be some of the ones I love the most. For example this one of Mr. Meerkat and Sister-In-Law Meerkat:

Del Sol Photography

And this one of Mr. Meerkat and Mama-In-Law Meerkat:

Del Sol Photography

These photos show so much love and happiness, how could I have thought I didn't want them?

Plus I got one of my most treasured photos ever. It is of my sister and my niece, Bridesmaid K:

Del Sol Photography

These two ladies are so important to me and until now I didn't really have a good photo of them together.

At the time we were taking them, I had no idea how much I would love these photos so of course I kept saying to poor Sol, "I want fun ones". *sigh* I didn't realize how vague that sounded until  now but she never once grimaced. Instead she would give me a laugh and a smile and come up with AWESOME ideas.

One of my favorites has to be this one of Sister Meerkat and I:

Del Sol Photography

And of course I love the "bridal party" photos of us girls out in the water:

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

The water was just a bit chilly but still fun.

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

Oh yea I was having a blast. :P

Del Sol Photography

The guys chose to go a less wet route and stayed up on the sand for their photos.

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

Del Sol Photography

Now for some Meerkat words of wisdom about "mugshots" at your wedding - do them. You will be so happy you have photos of the people you love together.

Up Next: Our Bride and Groom Portraits

• We Arrive In Mexico
• Out Of Town Bags
• Fun In Mexico
• Our Best Man Goes Missing
• A Dress Fiasco and Rehearsal Dinner
• Our Fairy Godmothers (aka Getting Ready)
• Time To Put The Dress On
• The Guys Get Ready
• The Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue I Didn't Plan
• Just A Few Pictures With My Girls
• Get Me To The Beach
• A Gift For Mr. Meerkat
• A Beach Processional
• Our Love Story Ceremony
• Our Sand Ceremony
• Vows, Rings and Hands
• Ceremony Conclusion
• Hugs, Kisses and Congratulations
• Mix and Mingle - Our Cocktail Hour
• "Tell Us A Story" Guestbook

Journey Of A Thousand Miles: "Tell Us A Story" Guestbook

Del Sol Photography

When I first put our guestbook together I did have a couple worries. Were people actually going to want to write more than just their names? Was there going to be enough time for everyone to write something? Once again I was worrying for no reason.

I guess before I get to far in, I should show you how our guest book table turned out.

Del Sol Photography

Our coordinators, Yazmin and Marcela, set up the table at the entrance to the cocktail hour/lounge area. It not only helped people notice the guestbook but also gave our guests the entire cocktail hour to meander over and write it in.

Del Sol Photography

While I was happy to have so many people write/sign in our book. 

Del Sol Photography

I was just as happy to see so many of our guests also reading what everyone else wrote. 

Del Sol Photography

So are you ready to read some of the sweet notes everyone left? I won't bore you by sharing every single page but here are a couple that I really liked.

The first one I want to show you was written by Mr. Meerkat's cousin, Ked, who was also one of our readers.

Del Sol Photography

How could anyone not know the first time seeing them together? I met Carla when Chris brought her to Christmas Eve. We became fast friends and it was clear every time I saw the two together that this was it for them - they had both fallen for one another. I'm very glad to know them both and wish them both all the best in the years to come. Good luck guys! ♥

I had no idea until I read it that she even remembered that first Christmas Eve together.

I also love the one Sister-In-Law Meerkat wrote because she reminded me of one of my favorite memories of Mr. Meerkat.

My favorite memory with Christopher and Carla is when we spent our first Christmas together. It was great to [add] our new member to the family. We got to share all of our traditions with you!! You got to experiencing a true christophermas as he woke up at 5 in the morning. :)  Love you guys!

Mr. Meerkat L-O-V-E-S Christmas. He has the hardest time waiting until Christmas day to give out the presents he bought so every Christmas morning you can find Mr. Meerkat waking everyone up before the sun comes up. While we are all groping for a cup of coffee or tea, he is digging under the tree to pass out his presents. Because of Mr. Meerkat, Christmas has since become on of my favorite holidays.

And last but not least is what Mr. Meerkats grandmother, Nonnie, wrote.

Years back Christopher brought Carla to our office to introduce her! The way they looked at each other was a dead give-a-way! And the love story continued. We love you both so very much and may God blesss you as you start your life together. Nonnie & Nonnue.

Even now going back through and reading what everyone wrote brings the biggest smile to my face. It is so amazing to read how everyone remembered us falling in love.

Up Next: Family & Bridal Party Photos

• We Arrive In Mexico
• Out Of Town Bags
• Fun In Mexico
• Our Best Man Goes Missing
• A Dress Fiasco and Rehearsal Dinner
• Our Fairy Godmothers (aka Getting Ready)
• Time To Put The Dress On
• The Guys Get Ready
• The Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue I Didn't Plan
• Just A Few Pictures With My Girls
• Get Me To The Beach
• A Gift For Mr. Meerkat
• A Beach Processional
• Our Love Story Ceremony
• Our Sand Ceremony
• Vows, Rings and Hands
• Hugs, Kisses and Congratulations
• Mix and Mingle - Our Cocktail Hour