Chelsea and Miguel’s Puerto Vallarta Mexico Wedding was an experience that will echo far into their future. When Chelsea first reached out to us she said, “My partner and I recently got engaged — I sobbed. He’s an industrial designer who spent 6 months learning how to custom-design wedding rings and proposed to me with sketches, renderings, and prototypes so I could choose my favorite. Creative and thoughtful don’t even begin to explain Miguel.”

Our first video call with them lasted over 2 hours. These two are incredibly in love with life and deeply value storytelling. It’s as if there is an endless stream of thoughts and ideas swirling around them from every corner of the conversation. It’s a nonstop grand invitation with these two. We love it.

How did they find us? Chelsea’s brother-in-law was in Ben and Caro’s French wedding at ChâteauZen – Château de Madières we photographed in 2017. Chelsea wrote to us saying: “My brother-in-law was in Ben and Caro’s wedding. Both he and my sister went to one of the most magical weddings in a castle in France and to this day focus on how amazing you were. Ben shared that you really ‘felt like family’ which is something we’re looking for. When we heard about you we were excited, but when we saw your work we were just blown away!! Your work is truly an art. We love that you are focused on capturing creative candids filled with emotion versus the expected wedding photos. Every time we look through your galleries we love seeing that you’ve captured the true personalities of the guests. It’s almost as if we were at the wedding!”

Chelsea and Miguel chose Mexico because they wanted a week-long vacation and cultural experience. Earlier this year they stayed at Garza Blanca/Mousai to unplug and were blown away by the serenity of the place — the views, the welcoming staff, and the food were fantastic. They love to travel and it was one of the few places (especially a hotel) that they said they would love to come back to and share with their loved ones. We captured dozens of mini-events during this week-long Puerto Vallarta Mexico Wedding celebration. Multiple pool parties, morning yoga, beach time, exquisite brunches, rehearsal dinner, late-night penthouse gatherings, a hydrotherapy ritual, a lifestyle adventure in Puerto Vallarta, spicy margaritas, authentic tequila tasting, and all the mini-interactions within Garza Blanca’s gorgeous setting. 

Chelsea and Miguel stayed in one of the Ultra Suites in Hotel Mousai. Chelsea and the women got ready in The Grand Penthouse atop the highest floors of the Panorama buildings with breathtaking views of Banderas Bay. Miguel and the men got ready in a 2-bed-room Ultra Suite and had a morning hydrotherapy ritual at the top of Hotel Mousai. Their ceremony was held in the outdoor amphitheater in TierraLuna Village.

After 16 hrs of photography, our bodies were completely shot yet still… we were ready for more. The unstoppable energy and joy literally burst through every moment. Don’t be fooled by the streaming tequila, this was not a drunken festivity. This was euphoric dancing fueled by high vibrations. Laughter still floods our minds with enraptured dancing, radiant smiles, fluorescent wigs, and wild masks. Champagne spray caked on our lenses. The imprints of hugs still felt on our chests. Within this title wave of activity, we captured things we couldn’t have ever imagined coming our way. We had 17 random bruises, rug burns, and elbow scrapes. And we still don’t know where they came from, but that doesn’t matter. Throughout the week the celebratory expression “Send it!” was said over and over again. This was next-level carpe diem inviting everyone to be 110% present and hold nothing back. How fun and beautiful is that?

Watch Chelsea & Miguel watch their wedding premiere with us… So fun!

Photographers: JOS & TREE Venue: Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta
4-Diamond Awarded Family Resort Ceremony Site: Tierra Luna Village
Planner: Cynthia Salcedo – Taferresorts Getting Ready Suites: Penthouse Ultra Suite & Hotel Mousai 
Wedding Dress – Truvelle | Bridesmaids Dress – Show Me Your MuMu
Hair and Makeup – Makeup Vallarta & Makeup Vallarta Weddings
Grooms Suit: Knot Standard Rings: Designed by Miguel – Herrera
Tequila Tasting: Ajijic, y Tlaquepaque Garza Blanca PV Instagram: @garzablancpv

See their Puerto Vallarta Engagement lifestyle photos here.

Be sure to check out all of our JOS & TREE Destination Weddings and how we approach them. If you are a photographer looking for a “Destination Wedding Portfolio & Bootcamp Workshop” join us in Mexico this coming March 5-9th, 2023. It will be the perfect reset and take your photography and business to the next level. Recognition:

Accolades:

ISPWP award: Miguel getting ready in a triple reflection from all the mirrors in the bathroom
Fearless Photographers Favorite 2021 photo: Chelsea & her father’s first dance
Fearless Photographers – Migel w/ groomsmen was also one of their 2021 Fearless Photographers Favorites
Worlds Best Wedding Photos – Groom dancing