LOVE was word of the day today for this intimate caribbean beach wedding and Victoria House fit them like a glove!
Julie & Travis, your day was one of a kind and absolutely perfect! I could feel your happiness and love and all I can say was “Amazing”! I know you felt it that way, and I know I did.
Enjoy first photos!
Here is a little good to know post. They say that rain on your wedding day is a blessing and will bring you good luck but when you dream about your wedding, the last thing you probably want is RAIN. Most people associate rain with wet clothes, ruined hair and runny makeup….or worse yet being stuck inside a restaurant or hotel when you came to Belize for a tropical wedding.
Well…not from my point of view. For me, your wedding is YOUR day, no matter what the weather does. You dreamed about this probably since you were a kid and it will be one of the most important moments of your life. It would be a shame to allow the weather to ruin your big day.
Days are different in our lives, not because of the weather, but because of the memories we create. When you think back to a special time in your life, you don’t usually remember the weather first, you remember the moment.
One of my best Wedding Photos at Mayan Ruins is because of the dramatic sky. This photo would have a completely different flavor with a blue sky.
Bear in mind that when it is raining, the sky is different and gives so much flavor to our photos. Yes, we can go inside the restaurant or hotel and remain dry but better yet, we can have some really cool photos outside! The rain in Belize is usually on and off, so it is not impossible to photograph. If you prefer to stay dry we can just wait for the rain to take a break.
Bridal Photoshoot Rain Wedding at Victoria House, Belize
While raining outside, we had bridal portraits inside
The Sky is more dramatic. @ Cayo Espanto, Belize
Bridal Photoshoot, after rain. @ Cayo Espanto, Belize
Sky right after rain...
Dramatic sky after rain. @ Cayo Espanto, Belize
july rain - dramatic sky. In San Pedro town, Belize
Catamaran Trip, with rain behind us.
Don't forget the rainbow you might get after rain
or Double Rainbow
Rain & Wedding. Ambergris Caye, Belize
rain & moods. Ambergris Caye, Belize
Rain, Sky, Wedding & Drama
Bridal Portrait and sunset after rain
Bridal Portrait and Rainy Sky
Belize is know for short but dramatic sunsets, special after rain... @ El Pescador, Belize
There is a wedding that I fondly remember particularly because of the weather. Tracy & Shawn (at Rojo Lounge) planned their wedding in February because at this time of year there is a much lower chance of rain. And… guess what?! You will never believe it but they had TROPICAL RAIN on their day! The rain began during their ceremony and then it started pouring just after. No wind at all, just raining cats and dog. Everyone was “OMG… this is terrible”…what now? I could see the mood started to lower and then I reminded myself that no matter what, this is their day and they will have these memories and photos of their wedding for the rest of their lives. So I asked them “How much do you care if get wet?” They both answered me, ”So long as it’s fun, we’re up for anything you have in mind”. Minutes later we had a photoshoot in the rain, the first dance in the rain and the entire wedding party (30 of them) joined us in the rain! We enjoyed great music and had a fabulous time. I will never forget the happiness from that evening. I think this was one of the most fun weddings I have ever attended! Everyone loved it so much! And yes with TROPICAL RAIN!
Tropical Rain Wedding . Rain for 14 hours straight. @ Azul Resort, Belize
Rain Wedding, Rain Photos. . @ Azul Resort, Belize
Rain Wedding, Rain Photos. . @ Azul Resort, Belize
First Dance - Tropical Rain
Wedding Day: First Tropical Rain Dance. . @ Azul Resort, Belize
Wedding. Rain. Love=Oli Rusu Photos. . @ Azul Resort, Belize
If you want something different and unique, maybe you should even hope for rain, at least at the end of your day and of course with me as your photographer!! :)
All these photos were taken during 2010-2011 and I was not equipped or prepared for rain. Now, in my camera bag I have special accessories just in case it rains… and all I can tell you is that I am very excited to use them!
Don’t worry about things that are beyond your control, such as the weather. What really matters is that at the end of the day you’ll be married and will have amazing photos of your fabulous day…and maybe with a few extra blessings too!!
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
Oli Rusu
p.s. As long you have a backup for staying dry, you’re “safe”.
Marisa & Kristian are my very good friends from San Pedro. I had my first photoshoot at mayan ruins with them (the gorgeous photo with the cloudy Xunantunich…).. Later, Marisa,being pregnant wiht her first son, Ethan, Christmas Photos this year and again pregnancy and also new born (few hours old) baby Ava. She was my first photoshoot in an hospital, only hours after born… Check my blog 11/11/11 :)
Baby Ava was actually the reason of this photoshoot. She turn 6 months old and we needed this. We did not plan anything.. I just told Marisa “I’m coming, and we’ll see”. When I reach at the house, Marisa told me “Oli… I have not a clue what to wear” so I asked “what color is Ava?” PINK! Well… let’s find pink for everyone! And than, we start :)
So much fun. First photo I snap was “girls, getting ready” :)
Enjoy first photos. More coming soon…
This past friday (May 11 2012), Belize Bank celebrated the 25th Anniversary. This was my first time while I was working with them and I just loved it. Location was fantastic (Radisson Hotel), the food exquisite and the fun, all around.
After few speeches and our prime minister, Dean Barrow, revealing the new logo of Belize Bank, everyone enjoyed and celebrate until late.
I felt honoured that I was the photographer chosen for this event. Thank you!
I will leave my photos to speak better.
Oh, and THANK YOU Cindy, my gorgeous assistant that helped me the entire evening. I look forward to work with you in the future ;)
Enjoy!
When I blog about a wedding or event, I usually choose 1 word to define a wedding. And first word is coming in my mind when I’m thinking about this wedding is “WOW!” One of the most beautiful and amazing weddings I ever had the pleasure to photograph. I’m still blown away about memories. I have goosebumps while I am writing this and an amazing feeling. I am soooo happy about everything!
Jessica & Michael… guys, I heart you both! I had many emails with Jess and I get to know what she likes, I loved her personality (very much similar with mine actually) and I loved Michael, also. I was in shock when I heard (days after the wedding) that he actually avoid photos as much as he can… Well, Michael, I was convinced you love doing this… because you, guys, were one of my best models I ever had.
Wedding moments:
Start from now on, all weddings at mayan ruins will have a specific ring photo on an mayan carving calendar:
Family Photos were extremely emotional… Michael’s mom was crying,
Family Photos
Jessica’s mom was emotional as her daughter wear her veil (a 40 year old long veil with lace on the edges), the wedding dress was pure lace (a dream wedding dress).
Jessica, my gorgeous bride!
When they asked me what place from Cayo I suggest them to get married, somewhere around San Ignacio town… I did not even blink: San Ignacio Hotel Resort! I am hunting a wedding there from years now and finally, I was lucky enough to have the chance doing it here.
Bridal Portrait at San Ignacio Hotel
The Reveal of Bride and groom was at San Ignacio hotel on an amazing setting (everything is phenomenal there)
The Reveal. They see eachother before walking down the aisle
…walking down the aisle start from the hotel, until the mayan temple and was tons of fun!
Walking down the aisle from San Ignacio Hotel to Xunantunich
the Wedding ceremony was at Xunantunich, mayan temple in Belize,
…bridal photoshoot around Xunantunich, at sunset time (OH!),
Bridal Photoshoot at Xunantunich, Belize
Bridal Photoshoot at Xunantunich
..the reception at San Ignacio Hotel Resort and night bridal photos on my favourites spots from San Ignacio Hotel…
Champagne, candles & love. Bridal Photoshoot at San Ignacio Hotel.
Fairytale setting at San Ignacio hotel, Cayo
This is one of the most complete weddings I ever photographed (we start at 11 am and finished almost at 11 pm…). You can definitely tell the difference between few hours photoshoot and a full day. I could never achieved this if I would be hired for few hours only… Keep in mind that our night photoshoot start at 10 pm . I was convinced that they won’t want do it, but… “photos are REALLY important”… and yes, I hope you agree that worth every minute.
I am extremely excited to work on all those photos and design this album.
Guys, I know that after your wedding you’ll heart Belize and cherish this place forever!
Thank you, Belize Weddings for making this possible. Thank you, San Ignacio Hotel Resort, for all your efforts and amazing hospitality and thank you Jessica & Michael for making me the honour to photograph your wedding!
Bridal Portrait at San Ignacio Hotel
Also, I want to mention one more person… someone that brings me luck. I had one more wedding with her and was a total blast. Her name is Karen Diaz. She definitely bring the “personal touch” to any event and I love the way she work!
Bridal Portrait at San Ignacio Hotel
More photos coming soon…