San Miguel de Allende, Mexico / November, 2015 –

San Miguel has become the number one wedding destination in Mexico. Why? Because it’s so romantic with all it’s cobble stoned streets, colorful buildings, its history and artistic charm. It was started in the fifteen hundreds and has numerous old churches from the seventeen and eighteen hundreds. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site for many reasons. It gained its later name from the founder of the last revolution – Ignacio Allende, as this was his birthplace.

San Miguel is probably best known for its iconic churches and the Jardin (town square) where most festivities take place. It’s also only about a three hour drive north of Mexico City, so it’s a wedding destination spot for many Mexicans from MC. After all, what father wouldn’t want his daughter to be married in an iconic catholic church in the most colonial city in all of Mexico?

As is so often my routine, I was camera ready upon a return visit from the Jardin when and I rounded the corner at Quebrada and Umaran. Low and behold, this beautiful bride-to-be was with her father getting some pre-wedding photos taken in her graceful dress. It just appeared to be so in contrast to the fading paint and slightly chipped plaster wall behind her. Take note of the eroded cantera stone window frame and well aged wood shutters that seem to eccentuate the bride’s skin tones and white dress. I like the composition and three major elements within the framework.

The relationship between the three people was intriguing for me (even though the father has been edited out), but more so with the wedding photographer. It appeared he was trying to get her to pose a certain way when really all she needed to do was relax and be herself. I have another photo of this moment, with her father quite prominent, but this backdrop and her stiff pose (to seemingly satisfy the intrusive wedding photographer), was my first choice to share. I shot this only two days ago.

Quebrada is an exception to the standard cobble stones but still has that aged look. The lighting couldn’t have been much better. I’ll share more wedding photos down the road from my growing collection. This is a major wedding town with church bells constantly ringing in celebration. With weddings come pre-wedding stag parties. More on that to come.