Shalini and Chris are world travelers so it made sense that they wanted to bring their family and friends on an adventure for their wedding. They chose Costa Verde as their wedding venue, a tropical resort overlooking the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park. The wedding celebration lasted the whole day long, starting at mid-morning with the ceremony out on the wedding terrace, and ending with dancing at El Avion Restaurant. 

Shalini and her bridesmaids were in one of Costa Verde's very unique rooms getting ready. The room is inside of an old airplane, still intact with the original windows. The airplane is nestled in the jungle, and you must cross a suspended bridge to get to it.

Chris and his groomsmen were getting ready in a nearby room. The guys were easy going and full of smiles. 

The ceremony was out on the wedding terrace which boasts 280 degree views of the ocean. The mid day light allowed for blue skies in the photos. 

After the wedding ceremony the celebration continued with a cocktail hour in another airplane hotel suite at Costa Verde. Guests were invited to come and go as they pleased, allowing the couple to enjoy quality time with each and every one of them.
After the extended cocktail hour we began to take portraits around the hotel grounds, and then at the Manuel Antonio beach.

The reception was held on the second floor of El Avion Restaurant. A travel theme ran through the wedding decor. I especially liked that Shalini and Chris honored the distance that each guest traveled to be with them by creating a sign showing how far each of them traveled. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Costa Verde Hotel
Wedding Planner: Isabel Vargas
Hair and Makeup: Priscilla Solano
DJ: DJ Kika

Costa Rica loves fireworks. They especially love putting on amazing fire works shows for weddings, and the firework show for Sam and Miranda's wedding was nothing short of that. It was beautiful, mesmerizing, and a big surprise to all of the guests.

Miranda and Sam married one another at the all-inclusive resort Riu Guanacaste. An intimate group of friends and family joined them for the celebration. It had been raining on and off for the morning, but luckily the rain held off for the events schedules outdoors, and the ceremony was able to take place on the beach as planned.

The day started with Miranda getting ready with her bridesmaids, and female family members. She had her hair and makeup done in the spa, and then moved over to her room for the final preparations. 

The ceremony took place just as the sun was dipping below the mountain line. Miranda was escorted down the aisle by her father, I got a few shots of her beaming smile just before her emotions took over and the tears started rolling down her face.

After their first kiss as newlyweds we headed straight to the beach to catch the last light of the day for photos. 

The reception was held in an open-aired event space. Unique pineapple centerpieces dressed up the tables, while blue lights twinkled above. For their first dance Miranda and Sam pulled off a great choreographed piece. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Riu Guanacaste
Videography: Costa Rica Cinematography

Emily and JP brought family and friends to the tropical area of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. They were there to celebrate all week together, including fun tours and beach days, all climaxing with the marriage between these two love birds. The couple stayed at Villa Pelicano, a large luxuary villa that is great for entertaining. The wedding ceremony was held their on the lawn, and the reception on the terrace. It was perfect for this down to earth couple who just liked to have fun.

The say started with Emily getting ready. She was so sweet and eager to marry JP, the man of her dreams. Her dress was a beautiful all lace gown that she had purchase on a whim while vacationing with JP in Rome. He also purchased his handsome navy suit in Rome as well. A stunning sapphire ring served as Emily's something blue. 

On the other side of the villa JP was getting ready with his groomsmen. The couple wrote letters to each other to read before seeing each other at their first look. 

Emily and JP did a first look out in the garden area in front of the villa. We took a few portraits there and then had the bridal party join for a few more fun photos. 

JP escorted his lovely wife to be down the aisle, just after the two grown flower boys sprinkled it with petals. I loved how this couple kept things lighthearted the entire day. And even though they had some fun things throughout the ceremony, the ceremony wording itself was very beautiful and meaningful. 

After taking their first selfie as Mr. and Mrs. we headed down to the beach for a few more portraits. It was high tide at the beach which left us with only a small space to work with, but it was still beautiful.

The reception was bright and tropical, beautiful handmade table runners added a special touch to the decor. 

Emily and JP started the party off with a bang, dancing a salsa dance with each other as their first dance. Speeches and dinner followed. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Villa Pelicano
Wedding Planner: Events & Weddings Costa Rica
Officiant: Daniel Barrett, Horizon Church
Florist: Costa Brava Weddings and Events
DJ: Banana's Event Music
Lighting: Ambiance Event Lighting
Desserts: Mariposa Pastry

They say weddings are normally only about the bride and groom, and although it is true, that this is their special day, Rachel and Rick effortlessly made this celebration so much about their families as well. Throughout the wedding day there were so many times when you could tell just how important family is to this down to earth and easy going couple. It was such a moving thing for me to see and document. 

Rachel was getting ready with a group of girlfriends, which included her mom and sister. They had rented the quaint Forsyth B&B for the wedding group to do their preparations. The bed and breakfast was a beautiful old building with unique lighting and decor which added a modern look to it. It had great lighting and was a really nice place to photograph in.

Upon meeting Rachel I could tell that her softness would come through beautifully in the images. She was stunning and her beautiful hand beaded dress gave her just the right classic look. Her earrings were a vintage heirloom that her mother had actually worn at her own wedding as well.

Although this couple swore that a first look was too corny for them to do, it worked out naturally to do an informal first look in the historic garden area of the Senate House State Park. We continued with portraits around the building and grounds. I think I can easily say that the portrait session was the least fun part of the day for this camera shy couple. But they were good sports and their silliness with each other made it a bit more bearable. On top of that, you can't even tell that they don't love getting their photo taken as they look like total naturals in the images.

Rick has a really special relationship with his grandparents and that could be seen throughout the wedding day. It was really important to him to get some good photos of all 4 of them together, and this one is just priceless. Right after taking the formal photos Rick played a prank on his grandmother, which is something he has been doing to her since he was little. He led his grandmother to their "seats" for the ceremony, and told her she would be sitting in the last row right behind a man wearing a big sombrero. She immediately knew what Rick was up to and a full hearted laugh broke out from everyone involved. 

Rick, Rachel and their family headed indoors for the signing of the Ketubah. The ceremony took place in the bridal suite of the Senate Garage, and all the family packed into the room to witness this special moment. 

Outside, just in front of the historic Senate House, the ceremony was set in place. A beautiful birch tree chuppah decorated with greenery was awaiting the couple for their wedding ceremony. Rick walked down with his family and then they turned and waited for Rachel and her family to walk down and meet them. Rachel's mom was trying to contain her emotions as they approached Rick's family who they all love so much. What I really loved about this processional is that when the two families met, Rick and Rachel each hugged one of the others parents instead of hugging each other, really meshing the two families together as one. 

After the ceremony the bride and groom stole away to a private room for some time alone together. Guests enjoyed a delightful cocktail hour in the Senate House outdoor garden area. The afternoon temperature was perfect and the evening couldn't have gone any better.

The reception was held inside the Senate Garage, a historic garage converted into an event room. The room boasts beautiful exposed brick walls and modern industrial lighting, the perfect location for a unique reception. 

The reception started with Rick's grandparents breaking the challah bread, followed by the newlyweds first dance and the most anticipated hora dance. 

After speeches which reiterated the importance of family to both Rachel and Rick they each shared a special dance with their prospective parents. Rick and his mom surprised everyone with a choreographed number to Uptown Funk which got the crowd cheering and on their feet. 

Rick and his buddies participated in a tradition where they all pass around a flask and take swigs from it, ending withe the new Mrs. taking the last sip. Rachel killed it in the badass picture below of her showing she can hang with the guys and keep up with the best of them. 

The beautiful lighting in the Senate Garage was impossible not to take advantage of. The couple left the party for a quick few minutes to get a few night portraits before heading back and kicking the dancing up to the next notch. 

The photo below was the very last photo I took, just at the end of the very last song for the evening. I think it sums up the awesomeness of the wedding, the party and this couple and the love everyone has for them in just one photo. Rachel is in there somewhere, being squeezed by all of the excitement. Just like it says in the title, this wedding was truly an epic day that will never be forgotten. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Senate Garage
Getting ready venue: The Forsyth B&B
Wedding Planner: Hudson Valley Ceremonies
Wedding Coordinator: Sandra O'Connel
Hair and Makeup: Beauty on Location
Videographer: Jonathan Cortizo
Officiant: Cantor Kathy Barr
Caterer: Bridge Creek
Florist: Petalos
DJ: DJ Chris Rose

Karri and Greg married one another on the beautiful rock lined beach known as Playa Ocotal. This beach is located in the Northern region of Costa Rica, and has striking black sand and a natural water spout from the waves crashing against the volcanic rock.

The couple and their guests stayed at the beautiful luxury villa, Villa Ocotal. The villa is setup more like a hotel, which makes it great for events and large groups. The rooms are all individually accessed, there is a lounge area and pavilion that works perfectly for small receptions, and of the pool overlooking the ocean tops it off. 

The day started with Karri getting ready with both of the moms, her sister and some friends. In the room just next door Greg got ready with his guy friends. Kristen Brown was second shooting with me today so she covered the groom getting ready, while I photographer the bride.

The ladies of the group surprised Karri with a special custom made pin. Charms on the pin represented each of them, and it was also her something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Greg and his groomsmen were hanging out and having fun in the room next door. We could hear hoots and howls coming from their room which made Karri giggle. 

Karri and Greg met each other out on the adjoining balcony to hold hands and exchange a few words before seeing each other at the ceremony.

The guests were shuttled down to the beach for the barefoot ceremony. A beautiful floral arch awaited the couple. 

The volcanic rock was just perfect for photos. Pools of water were left in the craters and the rock was flat enough for the newlyweds to venture out onto it. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Second Shooter: Kristen Brown
Venue: Villa Ocotal
Wedding Planner: Pamela Cox and Guillermo Viquez