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Silly and Fun Destination Wedding Party Portrait at Iberostar Paraiso Lindo by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Destination Wedding Portrait in Puerto Aventuras Mexico, bride and groom seated full of joy by Melissa Mercado Photograp

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Confetti and Kisses Elopement Portrait at Secrets Silversands in the Riviera Maya Mexico by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Playa Secreto Riviera Maya Mexico Destination Wedding Joyful Embrace on a beautiful Caribbean Beach by Melissa Mercado P

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Joy Bridal Party Portrait throwing their bouquets at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya Mexico by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Groom swoops up a joy filled bride while dancing in the golden lit lobby of the JW Marriott Cancun in the Riviera Maya M

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Groom jumps and clicks his heels walking in the Golden Hour light at the Real Resorts Playa del Carmen Mexico by Melissa

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Silly Groom Portrait with Bridesmaids at the Villa del Palmar in Cancun Mexico by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Two Brides in a joyful and spontaneous embrace during their Same Sex Destination Wedding at Papaya Playa Project in Tulu

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Bride and Groom exiting their Destination Wedding Ceremony at Blue Venado surrounded by thrown flowers illuminated with

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Weeping tears of Joy, a Bride and Groom embrace during their first kiss as Husband and Wife at Casa Mimosa in Isla Mujer

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Bride and Groom floating above the dock at sunset on their destination Wedding Day in Casa Mimosa on Isla Mujeres, Mexic

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Bride and Groom kiss under a heart-shaped cloud and rainbow over the pier at Azul Sensatori during their destination wed

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Bride and Groom dancing their first dance under twinkling lights at the Real Resorts of Playa del Carmen Mexico by Melis

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Joyful Bride and Groom dancing under Papel Picado and twinkling lights at Blue Venado in the Riviera Maya Mexico by Meli

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Bride and Groom elatedly exit their Destination Wedding ceremony at Secrets Maroma by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Bride and Groom enjoying shots of tequila as they exit their Sandos Playacar in Playa del Carmen, Mexico Destination Wed

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The entire wedding party joyfully throws roses into the ocean during a cosmic wedding ceremony at Amansala Chic in Tulum

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Bride gleefully dances in front of the Caribbean Ocean at Hyatt Zilaria in Cancun Mexico by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Bride and Groom jumping for joy poolside at Mahekal Beach in Playa del Carmen Mexico by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Bride and Groom portrait on the beach while the groom jumps for joy at his Destination Wedding Ceremony at Generations R

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Bride and Groom make silly faces under disco ball lights at the Destination Wedding at Sandos Caracol in Playa del Carme

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Joyful Bride smiles with roses in her hair at Secrets Cozumel on he Wedding Day by Melissa Mercado Photography

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Bride swooped up in a loving embrace under a dramatic sunset at Secrets Maroma in the Riviera Maya Destination Wedding b

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Love Should Be Fun

I believe in bringing emotion to life through images and having an absolutely awesome time in the process!

Let's embark on an unforgettable journey of love and laughter, where every frame is a celebration of you.

You've chosen this place to get married, surrounded by your nearest and dearest; so why not soak up all the sun, have that shot of tequila and give in to the fun?!?!

Trust me to capture the laughter while you embrace the love, get lost in the moment, and enjoy yourself.

After all, you should get to enjoy your wedding day too!

Silly wedding Silhouette at of a bride and groom while their best man lays naked in the surf behind them at their Zamas

Are you the adventurous,

fun-loving couple who value authenticity and aren't afraid to get down with some

Wedding Day Shenanigans?

You've Found Your Tribe

Wedding Portfolio

Portrait of Melissa Mercado of Melissa Mercado Photography in pink hair blowing a kiss to the camera

Hi! I'm Melissa,

Fairy Godmother of

Destination Wedding Photography Awesomeness

I can't wait to capture your day with a dash of humor,

a generous sprinkle of warmth,

and a carpet bag full of solutions to any

Wedding Day - Uh-Oh's.

About Me

Bride captured midair as she jumps in her wedding dress onto a giant inflatable swan during her Destination Wedding Rece

¡Carpe Diem!

Go ahead, take the plunge, Say I Do!

Investment

Say ¡Hola!

be happy for this moment,

this moment is your life.

- Omar Khayyam, 11th Century Persian Poet

Real

Love

Laughter

Joy

Silly portrait of a Bride and groom and their flower girl holding a sign that reads

The hardest part of planning a wedding day can be leaving enough room in the schedule to let the REAL moments happen. To have a clear idea that it's not about having a Perfect Day, but having a BLAST while the day unfolds the way the universe decided it's going to unfold. Because it's always more about the journey and less about the destination. It's in the unscripted. the unplanned, that the authentic is amplified.

Embrace the REAL.

Real

Love

Laughter

Joy

Two mothers embrace while seeing their beautiful bride as she gets ready for her El Dorado Maroma Destination Wedding in

In my 20 years of telling love-stories, I've always found that the best way to make sure you get a picture with every person who attended your wedding is to spend time with them. Embrace the Love, thank them for coming, shoot the tequila, gift them a hug, throw em in the pool.

Take the opportunity to share a real moment and I'll be there.

I promise.

Embrace the LOVE.

Real

Love

Laughter

Joy

Gleeful bride in a flowing windswept gown embraces her groom at their Destination Wedding at Finest Playa Mujeres Rivier

Wedding Days can be stressful, but if you keep the mindset that you're going to enjoy it - no matter what - that's when the REAL magic happens. If you can shift your attitude and accept that the kids will steal the show, the groomsmen may split their pants, the sisters might get wasted, the dads will most definitely say something embarrassing.

Take a breath, take a shot, and just...

Embrace the LAUGHTER.

Real

Love

Laughter

Joy

Pink-haired punk rock bride and groom give a silly kiss to their busty maid of honor at the Destination Wedding at Zamas

If you choose to just give into the process, let things happen the way they're going to, trust you've planned enough, and seek the joy in the moments you get to share on this magical ride of Love and Laughter, then you will WIN - EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Embrace the JOY.

I should be your Wedding Photographer because...

Bride and Groom jumping into the pool at Azul Beach during their Destination Wedding Reception in the Riviera Maya Mexic

YOU BELIEVE THIS DAY SHOULD BE A BLAST

When you include your guests in the unique experience

everyone wins!

Plan for fun for both you and your guests and your wedding day will be more memorable than you could ever imagine.

Bride and Groom sunset portrait between skull tequila bottles at Iberostar Paraiso del Mar in the Riviera Maya Mexico by

YOU VALUE MOMENTS OVER MATERIAL THINGS

Your wedding is about the moments that you’ll never forget.

Do I capture the Pinterest swoon-worthy stuff? Of course I do! I also know you'll love them more for the amazing moments they instigated, not just another staged product shot you'll never print.

Bridal Party throws glowsticks in the air at the pool of Secrets the Vine in Cancun Mexico by Melissa Mercado Photograph

YOU LOVE PLAY

OVER PERFECT

If you don't have the fun,

I can't capture it.

So plan for play.

Stiff poses are so yesterday. Let’s get silly and let the shenanigans commence! You know your crew better than I do, send me your ideas and I'll help instigate them.