Merida Wedding Photographer
for couples planning an unforgettable destination wedding in Yucatán’s white city
Destination Wedding Photographer in Merida.
Your Merida destination wedding deserves photography as beautiful and timeless as your love.
TIMELESS, NATURAL, INTIMATE & EMOTIVE
That´s how YOU FEEL your wedding, this is my STYLE.
Congratulations on your engagement!
Capturing the Magic of Your Destination Wedding in Merida
Hi, I’m Antonio Ojeda, and I photograph destination weddings across Mérida, Yucatán and the colonial heart of Mexico’s southeast.
Mérida is not Tulum. It’s not Riviera Maya. It’s something older, quieter, and infinitely more elegant. Here, you’ll marry in 400-year-old haciendas surrounded by limestone arches and ceiba trees, dance under crystal chandeliers in Spanish colonial salons, and celebrate with cochinita pibil cooked in underground pits the way it’s been done for centuries.
My photography reflects this balance: the grandeur of colonial architecture and the warmth of Yucatecan hospitality. Every image honors the history around you while keeping your love story at the center.
Why Mérida Is One of Mexico’s Most Timeless Wedding Destinations.
For Couples Who Want History Without the Tourism Circus.
Mérida is the anti-Cancún. There are no all-inclusive resorts, no beach clubs pumping reggaeton, no spring breakers. Just colonial mansions painted in ochre and turquoise, haciendas that survived the Caste War, and a city that moves at the pace of afternoon siestas. Your wedding here won’t feel like a destination wedding. It will feel like you’ve stepped into a novel by Gabriel García Márquez.
The Venues Are Unlike Anywhere Else in Mexico
Hacienda weddings: Think 17th-century estates built during the henequén boom, vaulted ceilings, arched porticos, gardens that end in cenotes. Venues like Hacienda Yaxcopoil, Hacienda Temozón, and Hacienda San José Cholul offer a level of historical authenticity you simply can’t find in beach destinations.
Colonial salons in Centro Histórico: If you want an urban celebration, marry at venues like Quinta Montes Molina (a French Beaux-Arts mansion) or Casa Lecanda (a restored 1900s home). These aren’t event spaces — they’re museums that double as wedding venues.
Cenote ceremonies: Within 30 minutes of the city, you can have a ceremony beside underground cenotes in Cuzamá or X’kekén. Imagine saying your vows with limestone stalactites overhead and turquoise water reflecting candlelight.
The Light Is Perfect for Film Photography
Yucatán’s light is soft, golden, and consistent. Unlike the harsh Caribbean sun in Tulum, Mérida’s colonial architecture creates natural shade and diffused light, ideal for analog film photography. The white limestone facades reflect warmth without glare. I shoot a significant portion of my Mérida weddings on medium format film (Portra 400, Kodak Gold) because the city deserves it.
It’s Affordable Compared to Tuscany or Provence
Couples often compare Mérida to European destinations, Seville, Provence, Amalfi, because of the colonial architecture and hacienda estates. But unlike Europe, Mérida offers:
– Lower venue costs ($3,000–$8,000 for hacienda buy-outs vs. $15,000+ in Italy)
– Easier logistics (most guests fly into Cancún, 4-hour drive or short flight to Mérida)
– Better weather reliability (dry season November–April is nearly guaranteed sunshine)
You get old-world elegance at new-world prices.
Where to Get Married in Mérida: The Best Venues for Destination Weddings.
Hacienda Yaxcopoil A 17th-century henequén hacienda 30 minutes south of Mérida. Features original machinery from the hacienda’s working days, sprawling gardens, and one of Yucatán’s most photogenic courtyards. Perfect for couples who want rustic elegance and 100+ guests.
Hacienda Temozón (a Four Seasons property) Fully restored luxury hacienda with suites for guests. Ideal for multi-day celebrations. The property has a cenote on-site and offers white-glove service. Expect to spend $12,000+ for a buy-out, but it’s worth every peso.
Hacienda San José Cholul Smaller, more intimate hacienda (50-80 guests max). Known for its chapel with original frescoes and gardens that feel like a secret. Great for elopements or micro-weddings.
Quinta Montes Molina A French-inspired mansion on Paseo de Montejo. If you want an urban, sophisticated celebration with Art Nouveau interiors, this is it. The grand salon fits 120 guests for a seated dinner.
Casa Lecanda Boutique hotel in Centro Histórico with only 7 suites. Perfect for intimate weddings (20-40 guests). The rooftop terrace overlooks the cathedral, and the interiors are styled like a Kinfolk editorial.
Hacienda Sotuta de Peón A working hacienda where henequén is still processed. You can incorporate horse-drawn carriage rides through agave fields into your wedding timeline. Extremely photogenic and authentic.
Timeless, Elegant, and Documentary Wedding Photography
My approach is a combination of documentary storytelling and editorial artistry. I capture real, emotional moments with the elegance and sophistication that luxury weddings deserve.
If you’re looking for soft, romantic portraits, spontaneous laughter, and breathtaking details — all preserved in a clean, timeless way — you’re in the right place.
What to Expect When You Hire Me for Your Mérida Wedding
I shoot on both digital and film Your gallery will include a mix of digital (for consistency and coverage) and 35mm/medium format film (for timeless, editorial images that age beautifully).
I know the city and the light I’ve photographed weddings at Hacienda Yaxcopoil, Temozón, Quinta Montes Molina, and several private estates. I know where the best light hits at 5pm, which courtyards echo footsteps beautifully, and how to work with the stone architecture without harsh shadows.
I work quietly and unobtrusively Mérida weddings tend to be more formal and traditional than Tulum beach weddings. I photograph documentarily, you won’t see me staging moments or directing your guests. What you get are real, unguarded emotions.
I include travel and accommodation in my pricing No surprise fees. My Mérida wedding collections start at $3,500 and include my travel from Seville (or wherever I’m based), accommodation, and all files delivered within 8 weeks.
The High Experience
With this collection, you’ll experience a complete photographic journey, capturing every meaningful moment from beginning to end, ensuring no detail is missed.
The perfect choice for those who want to preserve absolutely everything from their most special day.
Memories Collection
This package ensures you capture all the essential moments and memories of your wedding day, along with an additional event, making it a popular choice among couples.
Essentials Package
The perfect collection to document your wedding day.
Elopement
Mini
Designed for smaller ceremonies and micro weddings, this service provides up to 5 hours of coverage, capturing all the key moments of your special day in a beautiful, elegant, and timeless way.
Recent Mexico Weddings I’ve Captured
– JENNIFER & DANIEL –
«Antonio’s photos from our wedding in mexico were beyond what we ever imagined — elegant, natural, and full of emotion.»
faq
QUESTIONS?
Ready to Photograph Your Mérida Wedding?
Let’s talk about your vision. Fill out the form below and I’ll send you my full pricing guide, availability for 2027-2028, and a curated portfolio of my work in Yucatán.
