Our beach engagement photos in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

W-o-w, three years! It’s been three years since Aaron and I tied the knot. While aspects of our wedding feel just like yesterday, our walking, talking toddler is proof it definitely wasn’t.

This morning, as most couples do on their anniversary, we took a trip down memory lane and looked back on our beach engagement photos. I thought I’d share a few snaps, as well as some tips for anyone planning to take their engagement photos while on a tropical vacation.

Why we chose to do beach engagement photos

Our favourite place to travel as a couple is Mexico. We LOVE it there! The beaches are beautiful, the people are friendly, the food is amazing and sometimes you just want to relax and enjoy the amenities of staying at a beach resort. Annnnnnd tequila.

We actually talked about getting married in Mexico but decided on the United States instead. So, when I couldn’t get the beach off my mind, I snapped up an amazing deal to Puerto Vallarta and booked a beachy, tropical engagement photo shoot!

Tips for beach engagement photos

I think getting ready before an engagement session is pretty simple: you want to look and feel your best and appear comfortable in front of the camera. However, if you’re a Canadian girl like me and aren’t quite used to tropical temperatures, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Book a photographer in advance

Yes, most large Mexican resorts have in-house photography services. But it only took a quick online search to find professional photographers based in Puerto Vallarta who had the exact style we were looking for. We ended up choosing Toms Cirksis based on his beautiful portfolio, and the photos he took of us matched the style and professionalism showcased online.

Think through your hair and makeup

Long story short, my hair was a HOT mess. I paid $100 at the resort salon only to have my hair fall flat within ten minutes.

While I’m all about leaving it to the professionals, I really wish I’d just trusted my own skills – I always do my own hair and makeup for special events, and it’s especially finicky on vacation.   If you don’t trust your own skills, I’d recommend doing a trial. Or at the very least buffer in a bit of time so you can make any touch ups before heading out to meet your photographer!

Remember: it’s hot!

It was only January but man, was it hot AND humid!   I brought face blotters and some pressed powder to keep my makeup looking fresh and to stop it from melting off my face! I’d also highly suggest wearing false lashes or waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Raccoons are cute but have no place in your engagement photos, LOL!

I also brought along an extra shirt for Aaron. He could get a white shirt messy in an empty room haha. And I packed a bandana for him to blot his face and a beer, so he could stay hydrated / loosen up a bit!

Decide on a vibe

You’ll want to head into the shoot with some semblance of an idea of what theme you’re rolling with. No need to overthink it – as long as it feels true to who you are as a couple, it works!

When I first reached out to our photographer, I let him know I was looking for a romantic walk on the beach at sunset. We started our two-hour shoot by getting comfortable and exploring the streets of Puerto Vallarta. We then ventured down to the beach for golden hour. I loved how the sun set behind us!

Pick your outfits

You’ll want to pick out an outfit (or two!) for you and hubby that complement one another, the location and your vibe. Don’t wear anything too tight, but don’t let your outfit swallow you up, either!

Whites and neutrals play beautifully with a sunset background. I bought this white linen dress from a street vendor the day before our photoshoot. Same with Aaron’s linen shirt. While I definitely took a laidback approach and we totally lucked out, I’d definitely suggest doing your shopping back at home.

Here are a few cute beachy dresses that caught my eye:

Trust your photographer

They’re the pros, after all! Aaron and I had never been to Puerto Vallarta before, so we just trusted in our photographer to choose the best locations and I’m so glad we went with his expertise.