I’ve always found that the most honest stories come from a documentary approach. There is a specific kind of freedom in shooting a wedding where the environment—like the vibrant, textured backdrop of Jalatlaco—does as much to tell the story as the people within it. Capturing Alissa and Natacha’s wedding wasn’t just about documenting an event; it was about observing a collision of two worlds and the quiet, candid moments that define them. It is exactly this kind of photojournalistic perspective that I aim to bring to every project, finding the depth in the unscripted.

Friday Night: Tattoos, Mezcal, and Mariachis

We kicked off the weekend at Jaguar Yuú, and right from the start, the vibe was anything but standard. There was this amazing, collective energy that felt completely organic. People were getting real tattoos, the mezcal was flowing, and the DJ kept the pace moving until the mariachis took over to close the night. It was the perfect prelude—a raw, honest welcome that set the bar for the rest of the weekend.

Bride laughing at her wedding cocktail in Oaxaca

Neon sign detail at Jaguar Yuu welcome party

Guests choosing tattoos at a wedding welcome event

Brides sharing a moment at their wedding in Mexico

Bride getting a real tattoo at her wedding celebration

Tattoo stencil paper detail at a wedding in Oaxaca

Wide shot of wedding guests getting tattooed in Mexico

Guest getting inked at a destination wedding party

Guest watching father getting tattooed at wedding party

Guest enjoying local Oaxacan appetizers at the party

Guests drinking cocktails at Jaguar Yuu in Oaxaca

Mariachi trumpet player at a wedding welcome party

Mariachi band singing with wedding guests in Oaxaca

Brides enjoying the mariachi band at their wedding

Before It All Began

The wedding day started in the best way possible—quiet and completely relaxed. I met up with Alissa and Natacha at Hotel City Centro while they were getting ready surrounded by their family. There was just this really warm, easygoing energy in the room before the rush of the day took over.

After taking a few quick portraits inside the hotel, we decided to step out. Walking through the streets of Jalatlaco with them was incredible. The textures of the neighborhood and the light in Oaxaca always offer the perfect backdrop, but honestly, it just felt like hanging out while capturing the day as it naturally unfolded.

Minimal architectural detail with pink walls and shadows at Hotel City Centro Oaxaca.

Courtyard cactus detail during a destination wedding at Hotel City Centro by Lucca Lazzarini.

Bride getting ready with Santo Domingo Church painting in the background.

Close-up detail of the bridal bouquet at a destination wedding in Mexico.

Bride reading her vows with Hierve el Agua artwork captured by Lucca Lazzarini.

Candid composition of a bride getting ready framed by her wedding planner.

Brides sharing a quiet moment in their wedding dresses before the ceremony.

Documentary shot of a bride putting on her veil during wedding prep.

Brides portrait framed by light and shadow against pink walls at Hotel City Centro.

Candid in-between moments during family wedding portraits in Oaxaca.

Spontaneous street photography wedding moment in Jalatlaco with a local walking by.

Brides walking past the colorful, textured walls of Jalatlaco, Oaxaca.

Friends watching the brides walk down the street on their way to the ceremony.

Close-up detail of a bride's tattoo during wedding preparations.

Brides portrait by a Jalatlaco mural saying girls have the power by Lucca Lazzarini.

The Courtyard Ceremony

Outside, the Oaxaca heat was starting to intensify, but inside the courtyard at Hotel City Centro, everything felt calm. The space slowly filled with their inner circle, and you could just feel this great, quiet anticipation in the air.

The ceremony itself was incredibly moving, but in a very real, honest way. There were no rigid scripts, just words spoken straight from the heart that had everyone tearing up. For me, capturing these genuine, documentary wedding photography moments is what it's all about. There’s something so powerful about getting your favorite people into one room and feeling all that collective energy focus on wishing the absolute best to the people you love. It all unfolded beautifully, exactly as it was meant to.

Architectural view of Hotel City Centro in Oaxaca.

Wedding guests chatting before the ceremony at Hotel City Centro.

Wedding guests conversing in the courtyard at Hotel City Centro.

Friends and family greeting each other before the wedding ceremony.

Violin and musical score details before an intimate wedding ceremony.

Bride looking at her partner with emotion during the ceremony by Lucca Lazzarini.

Bride walking down the aisle with her parents at Hotel City Centro.

Wide angle shot of the ceremony, the brides, and the architecture of Hotel City Centro.

Family members moved by heartfelt speeches during the ceremony.

Close-up of hands and colors during an authentic documentary wedding ceremony.

Parents of the bride visibly moved during the wedding ceremony.

Close-up of the brides holding hands while listening to the officiant.

Bride's family showing raw emotion during the wedding ceremony.

Bride smiling while giving her vows, captured by Lucca Lazzarini.

A creative street photography perspective of the altar featuring a mother and baby.

Detail of the officiant's notebook just before the ceremony ends.

The brides looking at their families seconds after being officially married.

Into the Streets

The moment the ceremony ended, the energy shifted completely. We stepped out of the hotel and straight into the heart of Oaxaca: the Calenda. It’s impossible to describe the feeling of walking through the cobblestone streets with a traditional brass band leading the way, the monos dancing, and everyone celebrating Alissa and Natacha in the open air.

It wasn't just a walk; it was a full-on street party. There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when you bring an entire wedding procession into the public eye—the city joins in, the colors pop against the old walls, and the raw joy becomes infectious. This is what destination wedding photography in Oaxaca is really about: embracing the chaos, the music, and the pure, unscripted celebration of the streets.

A wedding guest switching to comfortable shoes before the Calenda parade.

The brides changing into comfortable footwear for the Calenda in Oaxaca.

The brides taking mezcal shots to kick off the Calenda in Jalatlaco.

A creative reflection of the brides during the vibrant Calenda procession.

Friends and guests dancing through the streets during the Calenda parade.

Iconic giant Calenda puppets set against the bright Oaxaca sun and blue sky.

The colorful streets of Jalatlaco during a lively destination wedding Calenda.

Wedding guests capturing the Oaxacan Calenda parade on their phones.

Guests dancing and celebrating during the wedding Calenda in Oaxaca.

A happy guest dancing while holding a traditional papier-mâché turkey.

The brides dancing and laughing throughout the traditional Calenda parade.

A raw documentary moment of the bride's nephew crying during the parade.

Neighbors stepping out of their homes to watch the wedding Calenda pass by.

A vibrant, colorful Calenda puppet dancing in the street.

A child participating in the traditional Calenda parade in Oaxaca.

Wedding guests walking through the picturesque streets of Jalatlaco.

A wide-angle view of the bustling Calenda procession in Oaxaca.

The end of the Calenda featuring the brides and the giant puppets.

After the Streets

As the sun set, we moved the celebration into Bacanora. The transition from the streets to the dinner felt incredibly natural—a shift from the wild energy of the Calenda to a more grounded, intimate space.

There is a unique warmth to a wedding dinner in Oaxaca when the night focuses entirely on the people. Between the cocktails and the laughter, the speeches really anchored the evening. Watching Alissa and Natacha listen to their closest friends and family share stories was one of those moments that remind me why I love this craft. It wasn't just a dinner; it was a night where every detail, from the soft light in the room to the emotions shared around the table, felt like a genuine celebration of their story.

The brides entering their reception at Asador Bacanora with pyrotechnics.

Brides' friends sharing a heartfelt speech during the dinner.

The brides visibly moved during the wedding speeches.

The bride's brother giving his speech while holding his nephew.

The brides holding hands during the emotional wedding speeches.

Parents of the bride giving their speech at Asador Bacanora.

Friends and guests listening attentively to the reception speeches.

A candid portrait of the bride's nephew during the reception.

Close-up of the father of the bride's speech notes.

Wedding guests gathered and listening to the evening speeches.

The father of the bride giving his speech as the newlyweds look on.

Lights Down, Energy Up

Once dinner wrapped, the energy in Bacanora shifted again. The speeches gave way to the dance floor, and the room turned into a full-on celebration. It didn't take long for the party to reach its peak—the music got louder, the drinks started flowing, and when the drag queen took the stage, the energy just exploded.

Between the pride flags waving, the non-stop shots, and the dance floor getting absolutely packed, it was the kind of night where you just let go. Capturing that level of joy, where everyone is fully present and unapologetically themselves, is exactly why I love what I do. Danced until the music stopped, closing out an incredible day in the heart of Oaxaca.