December 21, 2020

Chelsea & Brandon | UNICO 20°87° Resort Riviera Maya, Mexico Destination Beach Wedding Photographer

Chelsea and I have grown up always living many miles a part, but I was lucky enough that my parents would make the drive to Philly most holidays and random times throughout the year. My favorite part was the little trips to Downingtown to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins, Chelsea and Justin. Chelsea and I never skipped a beat with each visit. Between basement concerts, painting nails, talking about boys and torturing Justin, it was like we lived next door to each other our whole lives. Through the years, we have both moved to a couple different cities and even back to our homes again, but thanks to social media and texting, plus some vacations to visit our families, we have been able to keep in touch. I have loved watching Chelsea grow in life and love! I was so excited when my sweet cousin got engaged to Brandon and ecstatic when she asked me to photograph their destination wedding. I knew it was going to be so much fun to get out families together and mix in all of their insanely fun friends! It was exactly that! Dustin and I got to travel to Mexico and spend a few days in paradise with my family.

Chelsea and Brandon’s wedding day was absolutely perfect! They spent some time in the morning just relaxing before going off to their separate rooms to get ready. Chelsea enjoyed some time with her girls and her mom (my Aunt) getting ready. After she was dressed her dad got to see her in an adorable first look. These moments were so sweet for me and I tried my best to capture them in between wiping tears (my family is a bunch of criers, okay?!).

After Brandon finished putting on his final touches it was time for him to see his bride for the first time! What a sweet first look they had, I could tell they were both just so excited to meet up and get the party started! We hopped around to a few different spots on the beautiful Unico 20°87° Resort to take some photos before heading down to the beach for the ceremony. Their good friend, Shane, was their officiant and did an amazing job making their ceremony special with personal stories and well wishes on a great marriage. The finally got to have their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Grady!

I snuck in a few windy beach pictures before a storm rolled in and we headed to their reception to celebrate the newlyweds. Chelsea and Brandon hyped up the room from the very beginning with an adorable entrance and sharing their first dance. There were so many heartfelt speeches congratulating Chelsea and Brandon including Chelsea’s dad (my uncle) putting us all in tears again by reading a poem that Chelsea wrote as a little girl. The entire night was so special, intimate and such a fun party! I loved every single part of the entire weekend we got to spend with the Gradys, the Carrs and all of Chelsea and Brandon’s friends and family. I gained an awesome new cousin-in-law and got to spend their day with them! I am so excited to share their images here! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Grady, I wish you a million plus years of happiness!!