Sammy & Raquel – Destination Amecameca, Mexico Wedding

As Aldo spun his daugher around the dance floor there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Raquel’s dress was perfectly made for the twirls she experienced in her father’s arms and as they embraced, the real emotion on each of their faces very apparent and endearing. This was not so different than earlier in the day when father and daughter saw each other for the first time. The images of Aldo’s face when he saw his daughter in her bridal attire was priceless.

That was just one of my favorite memories of this very special day. The people that Zack and I were surrounded by for our five days in Amecameca, just outside of Mexico City, were spectacularly loving and generous. Traveling to another country can be a little precarious and uncertain, although exciting, so Zack and I felt very fortunate to be so warmly greeted by the brides’ family, some of whom live in Amecameca full time and some who live primarily in the United States. They were constantly feeding us, guiding us around their quaint and cultural town and doing everything in their power to make us feel welcome and appreciated.

Zack and I were fortunate to be included in all of the festivities, including the rehersal and the rehersal luncheon as well. This is always a very special time because we get to witness family interactions and personal, heartfelt sharing. Being a wedding photographer is such a blessing because I just love to witness the bond between individuals and families. This is such a magical time for people to share their emotions, their hopes, and their dreams for the newlyweds. I was not disappointed at this wedding as I witnessed countless people sharing their love for each other, whether it was in Spanish or in English! Thank goodness for translators!

One of the things that was extra special about this celebration was all of the unique cultural traditions! Being from a small town outside of Mexico City, Raquel had told us there would be some special Mexican dances, but Zack and I had no idea what we were in store for! These traditions were so much fun! There was a dance where the groom was dressed in an apron, broom, and a baby attached to his back while the bride had a bottle of tequila in one hand and a belt in the other. This was hilarious as the guests gathered around them and danced with them each…women on one side of the room and men on the other. This represented the women gaining the upper hand in the marriage and the men being “whipped” by the women. Laughs were had by everyone!

The other special traditional dance completely blew our minds. Both the bride and the goom were lifted on the the shoulders of the guests while holding on to the brides’ dress. As the women and then the men danced around them, bumping into them and trying to break them apart. This was hilarious as the bride and groom held on to each other, symbolizing how their marriage would stay together no matter what challenges happened around them, trying to brek them apart. What a great tradition! Great fun was had by everyone but the meaning of the dance was not missed by anyone.

Those of us who know Raquel and Sammy know that they are incredible individuals and they will do everything they can to make their marriage the best that it can possibly be. It is so obvious how much they love each other, as can be seen in their engagement session. With God as their center, they are bound to be successful. Both of them have phenomenal families who love them very much and have given them amazing examples and great example to follow. The love they share for each other and the love they are given will get them far in this life and those of us who are fortunate to be their friends are blessed to know them and to be a part of this journey they have begun.