I hope I don't have to write too much here. These great wedding photos tell a story.
Naomi & Cory eloped at The Springs Resort & Spa in La Fortuna. The weather in November can be unpredictable. The sun came out from behind the clouds many times that day and we were so lucky that during the ceremony it was bright. As soon as the officiant said "And now you can kiss the bride" it started to rain.
When you are planning a wedding in Costa Rica, you have to remember that some regions can be rainier than others.
Costa Rica is not only about beaches. Here you will find many interesting wedding venues surrounded by nature. When it comes to elopement, the variety could be even greater. For example, it is much easier to organize an elopement on the waterfall than a wedding with a large number of guests in the same location.
Wedding elopement in Costa Rica can take place on the beach, by a waterfall, in the middle of a rainforest, overlooking a volcano or at the top of a mountain.
Remember to discuss all the details with me, I will be happy to tell you when and where you could organize your wedding in Costa Rica.
Some of recommended wedding venues in Costa Rica are: Villa Caletas, Riu Palace, Four Seasons, Zephyr Palace, Dreams Las Mareas, The Springs Resort & Spa, Andaz Papagayo.
Everything wedding cost is different. Where would you like to elope? Do you want to hire a photographer / videographer? Will it be official or just symbolic? Do you need arch / flowers / decorations? Maybe musician? Professional hair and make up artist is also important.
If you're planning a wedding with few guests it's also good to consider renting some of costa rica wedding villas or or costa wedding resorts. Do you need costa rica wedding planner?
In most cases you will just need your passport.
Apart from bigger weddings we became true professionals in planning and organizing elopements in Costa Rica! They’re just so romantic, intimate, private and magical! I must admit that most of elopements we planned in Costa Rica were either last minute or planned with a little time ahead.
There are endless wedding venues to elope in Costa Rica. Elopement ceremony doesn’t require much space, complicated logistics or much preparation. It requires creativity, good organization and knowledge of different venues. Usually couples that want to elope already have an idea of the venue, or at least know if they want to get married at the beach, in the jungle, or maybe mountains or waterfall. Sometimes however they can be spontaneous. Like Erin and Chris decided to elope in Costa Rica while on vacation! Literally! They planned their wedding while traveling in Costa Rica! And they got married only couple days later in beautiful Guanacaste. It was a romantic ceremony followed by a private boat tour the next day with a photographer on board.
You can expect Costa Rican gorgeous nature, pristine beaches, animals, friendly people, unforgettable excursions, picture perfect venues and lots of Pura Vida! When planning with us you can expect exactly what was planned unless the weather changes suddenly which rather does not happen here.
Your wedding attire, your rings and your vows if you wish to exchange them.
Not at all! All you need is to send us copies of your passports, your witnesses and fill up a form with basic questions.. If you don’t have witnesses, don’t worry, will help you with that. In case you’re divorced or have any other status then single then bring a legal document confirming your civil status. You’ll receive your marriage certificate in your mail in 2-3 months since it has been registered in Costa Rica.
Legal vs Symbolic - First thing first, decide if you want to get married legally or have just a symbolic ceremony and do the legal part at home.
Hire a planner, we know venues and vendors. We know who where and how much.
Hire a photographer. Choose the one that is right for you. It is important to check their portfolio to be sure their style and editing fits your expectations.
Video – it is really great to have one. It will remind you the day forever. Perhaps, if your budget allows it is recommended to hire a videographer. Not only as a memory of your loving celebration of matrimony, but also to show your family and friends who were unable to enjoy your perfect day with you.
Hair and makeup – it is always nice to leave that part to professionals. They know the weather and what are the best makeup and hair products that will last.
Music – will discuss below.
Cake – sure if you want one! You can even do the traditional cake cutting as husband and wife after ceremony.
Costa Rica’s nature is amazing, you don’t really need an arch when getting married at the waterfall, you’ll have a wonderful natural background! But you may want to consider one when eloping at the beach just to frame the ceremony spot and make it extra special. You can choose from traditional wooden or bamboo frame with flowers, you can add fabric to it, or maybe you prefer modern irregular shape metal or wooden frame with exotic flowers.
That is absolutely up to you! I feel like wedding bouquet is a finishing touch and often brides have one in mind or they have a collection of pictures saved in Pinterest, so you can just send a photo over and we can order a similar one or create a unique bouquet just for you.
Not always requested but if you have the budget and want to make your wedding extra special go for it! Imagine a soft guitar sounds or even saxophone while walking down the aisle. Music when dancing as husband and wife while photographer is doing his magic...
It starts from $1700 - $3500 depending on services you’ll choose. Let’s say you’re convinced you want to elope in Costa Rica while on vacation! So, where do you start? Send us your itinerary and we will advise you what’s the best venue for you and will give you a proposal and vendors recommendations. You don’t have an itinerary? No problem, we can also help with planning and booking for you the entire stay in Costa Rica! We take care of large groups as well as just couples like you! So don’t think no more! Email us for details and see you in beautiful Costa Rica!
By Catherine from Costa Rica Paradise Wedding
Costa Rica Photographer - Elope Costa Rica Beach Elopement Costa Rica
The following is a list of the documentation required to be legally married in Costa Rica.
If you're looking for a wedding officiant Costa Rica, I will recommend you the best ones.
If you're planning a wedding in Costa Rica, you've probably noticed that there is a huge amount of wedding venues to choose from. Where you organize your wedding will depend on many factors. For example, whether you are planning a small wedding or an elopement, or maybe a big wedding for 200 people. Would you like to have ceremonie on the beach, in the garden, in the mountains, with a view of the volcano, and maybe with a waterfall in the background.
If you are at the beginning of planning your wedding in Costa Rica, maybe this short guide will help you in choosing or give you some ideas. As a wedding photographer in Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to see many different locations and weddings. From elopement to the great wedding for several hundred people.
On this list you will find wedding venues in various regions of Costa Rica. I will try to attach a brief description and photos from each location so that you have more or less a vision of it.
If you have any questions, you need help organizing your wedding in Costa Rica, I will gladly share your experience and recommend you a wedding planner in Costa Rica.
Here I will share with you first part of the guide Costa Rica Wedding Venues for your destination wedding in Costa Rica:
1.
Definitely one of my favorite locations. Dreams Las Mareas was built a few years ago and belongs to the AMResorts group. This is a great all inclusive hotel located in the north of Guanacaste, close to the border with Nicaragua (a great place to go on a day trip). This is one of the driest parts of Costa Rica and here you can expect the most reliable weather.
The hotel has several locations to organize a wedding. Here you can organize an intimate ceremony with your loved ones or a great wedding for several hundred people. You can choose from 2 different locations on the beach, a beautiful garden or a terrace overlooking the ocean. But the ceremony is one thing and the wedding reception is another thing - for the wedding reception you have the choice of beaches, gardens, terraces, ballrooms and other locations. In my opinion, one of the best options is to organize the whole wedding from the ceremony through the wedding reception on the beach. It's a beautiful location that looks just like a still from a movie. Imagine string lights hanging between trees, wooden tables decorated with tropical flowers and maybe even fireworks at the end of the party. The choice is yours and a great team of wedding planners will help you make your dreams come true.
2.
This is one of my favorite places for a small intimate wedding or elopement in Costa Rica. Close distance to Liberia (you will get here in less than 30 minutes), only a few minutes hiking (everyone can get there) and unforgettable scenery. If you are planning a wedding, elopement or engagement photos I recommend that you go there preferably during the week in the early morning or late afternoon. At the weekend it is usually a very crowded place - both by tourists and local people. If you dream of a waterfall ceremony and also want to have photos on one of the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, this is a great choice: you can reach many beaches from here in an hour or an hour and a half. Read more about the elopement at the waterfall in Costa Rica on a separate blog.
3.
Here you can find some luxury hotels with panoramic volcano and mountain views where you can organize elopement and also larger weddings.
This region of Costa Rica, in the area around Arenal Volcano National Park is a perfect place for those who like hot springs, hiking, canopy tours, here you can also go on a hanging bridges trip, biking as well as windsurfing or fishing on Lake Arenal.
Nearby you will also find great hotels: The Springs Resort & Spa, Tabacon Resort & Hot Springs, Nayara Springs Relais & Chateaux, Hotel El Silencio del Campo, Nayara Gardens Relais & Chateaux.
Presented pictures shows elopement from Hotel Kioro Arenal Suites & Spa.
4.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo - a concept by Hyatt is part of the Hyatt hotel family, is located about a 30 minute drive from Liberia’s airport. The hotel itself is situated in the Papagayo Peninsula, specifically overlooking Culebra Bay.
Here you can do an intimate wedding or an elopement or a great party for several hundred people. There are several locations to choose from, beach, garden, everyone will find something for themselves. There are also other large and smaller resorts in the area:
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Planet Hollywood, El Mangroove - Autograph Collection, Casa Conde Beach Front Hotel, Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica as well as many private villas where you can organize a wedding for several to several dozen people.
5.
"Your wedding at Costa Verde can be an intimate gathering or a grand affair, whether at our cliff-side pool with the sensuous fragrance of tropical blossoms floating on the sea breeze, or right on the beach with the sounds of breaking waves, a spectacular sunset sky, and sand beneath your feet."
That's what they wrote on their website. And it's true. Costa Verde is a hotel located in Manuel Antonio. A unique place in Costa Rica. A winding "mountain" road leads to the town. Here you will find Manuel Antonio National Park, beautiful beaches, great surf spots, delicious food.
Back to the topic: In Costa Verde you can organize any wedding, from elopement to large weddings. The hotel offers various locations, a large terrace with a beautiful ocean view, a beautiful garden for smaller ceremonies, as well as many different options for wedding reception. If you dream of a beach ceremony, it's a great option because you have several options to choose from and you can arrange a wedding reception in one of the hotel's restaurants - one of the most popular is El Avion, whose hallmark is a huge plane built into the building. The restaurant offers delicious food and amazing views.
Costa Rica Photographer, Wedding Costa Rica, Costa Rica Wedding Venues, Wedding Planner Costa Rica, Photographer Costa Rica, Elope in Costa Rica
Amanda & Brittain eloped in Costa Rica on the beautiful Conchal beach in The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa.
The Westin Costa Rica hotel is ideal for small intimate weddings and large events as it has over 400 rooms. This all-inclusive, eco-friendly retreat is set between the exotic forests and unspoiled beaches of Costa Rica's North Pacific Riviera.
If you are planning an elopement or a wedding in Costa Rica, book a photographer as soon as possible because the best ones have a quickly completed calendar. It will be my pleasure to provide you with the best photography and video service for your destination wedding in Costa Rica. Whether you are planning a wedding in Guanacaste, in the south in the Manuel Antonio or Uvita area or in the Caribbean we will get everywhere.
Apart from bigger weddings we became true professionals in planning and organizing elopements in Costa Rica! They’re just so romantic, intimate, private and magical ! I must admit that most of elopements we planned in Costa Rica were either last minute or planned with a little time ahead.
There are endless wedding venues to elope in Costa Rica. Elopement ceremony doesn’t require much space, complicated logistics or much preparation. It requires creativity, good organization and knowledge of different venues. Usually couples that want to elope already have an idea of the venue, or at least know if they want to get married at the beach, in the jungle, or maybe mountains or waterfall. Sometimes however they can be spontaneous. Like Erin and Chris decided to elope in Costa Rica while on vacation! Literally! They planned their wedding while traveling in Costa Rica! And they got married only couple days later in beautiful Guanacaste. It was a romantic ceremony followed by a private boat tour the next day with a photographer on board.
You can expect Costa Rican gorgeous nature, pristine beaches, animals, friendly people, unforgettable excursions, picture perfect venues and lots of Pura Vida! When planning with us you can expect exactly what was planned unless the weather changes suddenly which rather does not happen here.
Your wedding attire, your rings and your vows if you wish to exchange them.
Not at all! All you need is to send us copies of your passports, your witnesses and fill up a form with basic questions.. If you don’t have witnesses, don’t worry, will help you with that. In case you’re divorced or have any other status then single then bring a legal document confirming your civil status. You’ll receive your marriage certificate in your mail in 2-3 months since it has been registered in Costa Rica.
Legal vs Symbolic - First thing first, decide if you want to get married legally or have just a symbolic ceremony and do the legal part at home.
Hire a planner, we know venues and vendors. We know who where and how much.
Hire a photographer. Choose the one that is right for you. It is important to check their portfolio to be sure their style and editing fits your expectations.
Video – it is really great to have one. It will remind you the day forever. Perhaps, if your budget allows it is recommended to hire a videographer. Not only as a memory of your loving celebration of matrimony, but also to show your family and friends who were unable to enjoy your perfect day with you.
Hair and makeup – it is always nice to leave that part to professionals. They know the weather and what are the best makeup and hair products that will last.
Music – will discuss below.
Cake – sure if you want one! You can even do the traditional cake cutting as husband and wife after ceremony.
Costa Rica’s nature is amazing, you don’t really need an arch when getting married at the waterfall, you’ll have a wonderful natural background! But you may want to consider one when eloping at the beach just to frame the ceremony spot and make it extra special. You can choose from traditional wooden or bamboo frame with flowers, you can add fabric to it, or maybe you prefer modern irregular shape metal or wooden frame with exotic flowers.
That is absolutely up to you! I feel like wedding bouquet is a finishing touch and often brides have one in mind or they have a collection of pictures saved in Pinterest, so you can just send a photo over and we can order a similar one or create a unique bouquet just for you.
Not always requested but if you have the budget and want to make your wedding extra special go for it! Imagine a soft guitar sounds or even saxophone while walking down the aisle. Music when dancing as husband and wife while photographer is doing his magic...
It starts from $1700 - $3500 depending on services you’ll choose. Let’s say you’re convinced you want to elope in Costa Rica while on vacation! So, where do you start? Send us your itinerary and we will advise you what’s the best venue for you and will give you a proposal and vendors recommendations. You don’t have an itinerary? No problem, we can also help with planning and booking for you the entire stay in Costa Rica! We take care of large groups as well as just couples like you! So don’t think no more! Email us for details and see you in beautiful Costa Rica!
By Catherine from Elopement Costa Rica
Costa Rica Photographer - Elope Costa Rica
Read this amazing story of Erin and Chris. What a crazy, romantic couple. I think it's a ready script for a movie.
“Sometimes something just feels so right that you decide 36 hours of being engaged was long enough. On May 6th, we got married on the most beautiful beach, at sunset, bare foot, without telling a soul, and without a care in the world. We had absolutely no intention of doing any of this. Chris didn’t plan on proposing this trip, and we certainly didn’t plan on becoming husband and wife this trip. We had no rings, no dress, no legal documents prepared, nothing. After knowing each other for roughly 22 years, growing up on the same street, and loving each other for nearly 6 years, we realized that life is too short not to be with the one you love, and why wait? We messaged a local photographer who just happened to be available, and by a complete coincidence his sister was a wedding planner. We rented a car, bought inexpensive rings (with a lot of sentimental value) to use until we got home, and after looking for hours for any kind of dress we drove 1.5 hours and finally found a store that sold dresses, where there was only 1 white long dress for sale that just happened to be beautiful and in my size . Within 12 hours everything was set. We spent the rest of our time surfing, and enjoying each other’s company, with not an ounce of stress. On May 6th, we helped each other get ready, I did my own hair and make up, and we went to a beach about 30 min away and devoted ourselves to each other for the rest of our lives. We wrote our own vows, and made promises to each other that we will work together everyday to keep. We then rented a private sailboat and spent the next day on the water, falling even more in love. We stripped down a wedding to make it exactly what we felt it was meant to be about. Two people promising to love each other, no matter what. We know we are absolutely crazy, but we could not be happier if we tried. (And before you ask, no I’m not pregnant!!!) Although we had our own private ceremony, we will still be having a reception to celebrate with all our family and friends at a later date.”
Isn't it an awesome story?
Get inspired by these wonderful elopement photos:
You should elope in Costa Rica! And you have to hire a destination wedding photographer in Costa Rica!
Last minute elopement wedding photographer in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Wedding Venue: One of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Wedding Planner: Costa Rica Paradise Wedding
Costa Rica Wedding Photographer: Papaya Wedding