There are a few places on the grounds of the Barcelo Maya where couples can tie the knot - terraces overlooking the ocean and on-site chuches - but the southern-most beach of the property (Playa Azul) allows lovers the treat of having the ocean nip at their heels as they wed. 

I stood in as the groom for the purposes of a promotional video (similiar to what I did in Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo... see photos). It's a rather strange feeling to watch the chairs being set up, the flowers spread out on the sand. I sat under a straw palapa, awaiting the arrival of my bride in a golf cart resembling an Escalade. 

I've never been married (or even close), so needless to say walking down the aisle is an interesting experience. There are a lot of stresses that come along with a beach wedding (weather, for one), but I've got to be honest: At the end of the day, the sand between my toes felt a lot better than the inside of any designer shoe.

 

 

 

Bare feet!

 

Playa Azul

Sorry I've been so distant in terms of a lack of words - time constraints have made photos essays the go-to thing to post lately. 

It's somewhat annoying: As a writer, it's hard to support the notion that a photo says more than I could with a thousand words, but these sure come close, and I refuse to rush my words if I simply don't have the time. 

It only took a half second to push the button on my camera and capture these moments, yet the feelings pour out of the images, as if I had spent half the day trying to express myself. I stare into that glowing orb and can't look away - something that's not possible in reality, even with the best of sunglasses shielding my eyes.

Even though the moment is special, sometimes the true beauty doesn't come out until after the fact, when we have a chance to sit back and appreciate it.

Man, if that ain't life...

Tucancun Sunset

 

Barcelo Maya Sunset

 

Barcelo Maya Sunset

 

Barcelo Maya Sunset