Mélanie & Ganaël’s Balandra Beach Elopement in La Paz, Mexico

When Mélanie from Canada and Ganaël from Belgium reached out to me through a Google search, they had a clear vision: an intimate elopement for just the two of them in Mexico. After meeting during a university exchange program back in 2016 and navigating long distance before settling in Canada, they wanted to celebrate their love somewhere special. That somewhere turned out to be Balandra Beach in La Paz, one of Mexico’s most stunning and secluded spots.

As they shared in their initial consultation, Mélanie and Ganaël both love sports, volleyball, and were currently learning to windsurf. They wanted to exchange simple vows without a ceremony or minister, just capturing their special day in Mexico. What drew them to my work was seeing authentic, in-the-moment photos,  especially the getting ready shots from Taylor and Alejandro’s elopement.
When they asked about spots in La Paz that offered more than just beach views, I shared 3 different spots (Google pins), but they were undecided because they all looked so beautiful. So I told them they could arrive a few days early to visit these 3 places and make their decision. They ended up choosing Balandra Beach one day before their elopement.

My day with Mélanie and Ganaël began at their Airbnb close to La Paz town. They wanted me to document them getting their stuff ready, which I love because it captures those quiet, intimate moments before the big day unfolds. There’s something beautiful about seeing couples in their natural element, preparing for such a meaningful moment.
Since Balandra Beach requires a 45-minute drive from La Paz and often has no cell reception, I usually ride with couples to make sure we don’t lose time trying to find each other. This also lets me show them the exact trail we’ll take,  especially important for a location like Balandra where there are multiple spots but only one truly private area.

Once we arrived, Mélanie and Ganaël changed into their ceremony clothes right there at the beach,  a smart move to keep their outfits pristine during the 10-15 minute hike to our secluded spot.
I led them down the trail I’ve scouted many times before, away from the main beach area where day visitors typically stay. This hidden spot offers complete privacy and the most stunning backdrop of turquoise waters and unique rock formations that Balandra is famous for.

November 19th turned out to be perfect,  it was a Tuesday, which I had specifically suggested for privacy. The weather was a bit windy, but this actually worked in our favor, making Mélanie’s dress flow beautifully in the breeze and creating that dreamy, romantic effect in photos.
What made their ceremony truly special was the personal touches they brought.
They had a speaker and played a song for their first look and ceremony. After exchanging vows, they played audio messages that their friends and family had recorded for them. Listening to these heartfelt messages from their loved ones made the session feel incredibly natural and relaxed.
They also brought champagne to toast their new marriage, and I surprised them with spark lights and Christmas lights for the evening photos,  something they weren’t expecting but absolutely loved.
The timing couldn’t have been better. We had the entire area to ourselves, and I didn’t even have to remove people from the background like I sometimes do at other locations.

If you’re considering Balandra Beach for your elopement, here’s what you need to know:

Permits Are Essential: You need to get permission from CONANP at least one month in advance. There’s a payment fee for this, plus you’ll need to pay the park entrance fee online. https://descubreanp.conanp.gob.mx/es/conanp/home

Check the Tides: Tide levels are crucial for accessing the secluded ceremony spot. Make sure to check high and low tide times for your chosen date to ensure you can walk along the shore to reach the best locations.

Plan for the Hike: It’s a 10-15 minute walk from the parking area to the prime photo spots. Wear comfortable shoes for the hike and consider changing into your ceremony clothes once you arrive.

Weekdays Are Best: I recommended Tuesday  for Mélanie and Ganaël, and it was perfect. Weekdays generally offer more privacy and fewer crowds.
Bring Personal Touches: Like Mélanie and Ganaël did with their music and family audio messages, small personal elements make your ceremony uniquely yours.

Getting There: 45 minutes from La Paz city center. I recommend renting a car from the airport for flexibility.

Best Time: November through April offers the most comfortable weather and calmer waters. If you hate heat, then January & February are usually windy and could be chilly.
What to Bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, any personal items for your ceremony, towels and water for the hike.
Vendor Recommendations:
Mélanie’s beautiful bouquet was created by
@Diseño Floral Nanthli
who understands the logistics of beach ceremonies.

Map Location: Balandra Beach

After their elopement, Mélanie and Ganaël left this review:

“We couldn’t be happier with our experience with Mariana! She is not only an amazing photographer but also an incredible person who went above and beyond to make our wedding day truly unforgettable. From our very first exchange she was very responsive and was able to make send out of our vision. She provided useful insights and recommendations. She knows the most stunning and hidden spots that took our photos to the next level—places we never would have found on our own (La Paz and surrounding).
Her calm and professional demeanor made our day completely stress-free, and she took so much time with us to make sure everything was perfect. We are not used to have our photo taken, but she made us feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, which shows in every single photo.
 Her dedication and kindness truly set her apart. We highly recommend Mariana to anyone looking for someone who will go the extra mile to capture memories you’ll cherish forever!Thank you again for everything!!!”



As your Mexico elopement photographer, I specialize in guiding couples to stunning, off-the-beaten-path locations like Balandra Beach and ensuring your day is stress-free and authentically you. Let’s connect and start planning your unique love story!