Nothing is more romantic than a soft and slow kiss from your newly married wife. The only thing that could possibly be more romantic is running away to Costa Rica with your lover and marrying them with your toes in the sand and without a care in the world. 

Ariane and Chris traveled from Tampa, Florida to do just that. Ariane was so sweet and excited to be getting married. She opted not to do getting ready photos so I met her at the hotel reception and we made our way down to the secluded beach at Arenas del Mar. There Chris was waiting for her, under a beautifully decorated arch. 

Just before the bride and groom kissed each other, Marcelo, the officiant, read a rather interesting passage to the couple. It was a message from Ariane's father, a rather threatening message from her father to Chris. It was all in good humor as the couple began laughing at what seemed a normal behavior from the bride's dad. They kissed on a happy note, and with smiles on their faces.

After the ceremony we took to the beach of Areanas del Mar. The tide was a bit high but it made the sand perfect for footprints. 

I love how the photo below came out, especially considering what the area looked like in person. I think Ariane and Chris probably thought I was crazy to have them sit on this log with a very messy background full of dead leaves and branches. But with the right settings and the right lighting this stunning image was created. 

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Arenas del Mar
Officiant: Marcelo Galli
​Flowers: Floresteria Quepos

Allison and Joe said "I Do" in front of family and friends at Alma del Pacifico, Esterillos. Allison spent a good portion of her life living in Costa Rica, so it was like coming home for her. Her family was quite large, and I didn't quite understand all of the connections, but it was so beautiful to see a big family all getting along and happy. It was also beautiful to witness Joe being welcomed into the family and Allison being welcomed to Joe's. 

Allison was getting ready with her sisters and mother. Her mother in-law to be helped style her hair, as one sister put it, "with every hair in place, just how Allison likes it to be". Allison made such an elegant bride. 

The ceremony was setup in Alma del Pacifico's grassy area just in front of the beach. Tropical flowers adorned the arch while wicker chairs lined the aisle. 

After the ceremony we walked straight to the beach for portraits with the soft sunset in the background.

The reception was beautifully set with tropical centerpieces, twinkle lights and tea light candles lining the long rectangular tables. The newlyweds were welcomed in and immediately took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. 

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Alma del Pacifico
Wedding Planner: Kalie Walter
Videographer: Los Buenas Dias Filmes

Jamie and Jared traveled from Chicago to the misty mountain town of La Fortuna, Costa Rica to marry one another. La Fortuna boasts Arenal, one of the most well known volcanoes in Costa Rica. It also has a unique climate as it is a bit cooler than most other parts of the country and tends to receive more rain, keeping the jungles lush. 

Jamie really wanted to have a photo that represented some of Costa Rica's local culture. For the photo above we left the hotel grounds and drove less than a minute away to a pulperia. A pulperia is a small corner store, normally located in the owners house. I had gone earlier with the wedding planner to get permission to take the photo there, and when we arrived the whole family was excitedly awaiting the couple. Typical Costa Rican hospitality. 

Jamie and Jared both did their wedding preparations at Los Lagos Hotel. 

Upon arriving to The Springs Resort I was lead down to the riverside ceremony and reception setup. It was absolutely beautiful. Large tropical leaves will the space, paired with thoughtful details brought by the bride. The ceremony was setup under a clear tent just by the babbling river. 

After the ceremony we took photos near the river, waterfall and other beautiful spots on the hotel grounds.

After the cocktail hour and photo session the guests were invited into the open event space. Jamie and Jared shared their first dance, followed by speeches, dinner and the cake cutting. 

The couple kicked the party off right by surprising their guests with a traditional Costa Rican Comparsa band. The entertainment arrived in full costume to the beat of extremely loud and high energy drumming. The dancers perform first and then grab people from the crowd to get the whole group involved. 

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: The Springs Resort
Wedding Planner: Weddings Costa Rica
Assistant Coordinators: Tui Frye, Melanie Marsell
Hair and Makeup: Diego Alpo
DJ: A Class DJ
Comparsa: Latin Sound
​Rentals: ​Eventos Boadicea

Marije and Michiel traveled all the way from Holland to Costa Rica to marry one another. They chose a very unique location to tie the knot, a small beach called Playa Ventanas, or Window Beach. The beach earned this name because of the small tunnels with windows of light that the ocean tide created. Marije and Michiel planned everything out in secrete, without telling their families or friends that they were marrying one another. What a happy surprise for everyone when they returned back home.

The couple stayed at a small hotel called El Mono Feliz, owned by a couple also from Holland. It was really nice because they spoke the same language and were able to connect easily because they came from the same culture. The hotel owners took great pride in adding many special details and elements to the day for Marije and Michiel. 

The couple opted for a morning wedding to avoid the greater risks of rain. Marije was getting ready in the hotel owners wooden cabin while Michiel patiently waited to see his bride for the first time. 

After the informal first look we took photos around the hotel grounds. There were beautiful bridges and greenery throughout the property.

Marije thoughtfully brought everyone involved in the wedding a small gift of delicious wafers from Holland. We all took the short drive down to the beach for the ceremony. 

After the ceremony a short story of the couples lives was read in Dutch and a toast was made with everyone involved. 

After all of the celebrating had taken place, we continued with more portraits of the newlyweds. 

Photography: Yours Truly
​Venue: Mono Feliz
​Hair and Makeup: Hair by Monica

Krystle and Chris traveled from Georgia to marry one another at the stunning Zephyr Palace. The decadent complex is located Herradura, Costa Rica, on it's own small peninsula with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Family and friends joined the couple for a week of fun in the sun and wedding celebrations.

Krystle was getting ready with her bridesmaids and mother. Soft rosy pinks were found throughout the wedding decor. Her dress had a beautiful invisible lace neckline that looked stunning.

On the other side of the resort Chris and his groomsmen were getting ready. Chris was easy going and easy to talk to. 

The ceremony was set pool-side. Guests enjoyed refreshing lemon waters and live guitar music while waiting for the ceremony to begin. 

Just after the ceremony Krystle took a celebratory shot with her new husband and bridesmaids. They were getting the party started right off the bat!

The reception was held at Mirador in Villa Caletas. Beautiful tall center pieces lined the single rectangular table. I was able to get some day time detail shots before the ceremony, and then night time shots as well.

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Zephyr Palace, Villa Caletas
Wedding Planner: Weddings Costa Rica
Officiant: Ana Castro
Flowers: Stylos y Flores
Cake: Mariposa Pastry
DJ. A Class Productions
Video: Costa Rica Cinematography

Chelsea and Joel traveled with friends and family to the luxurious resort known as Villa Caletas. On the same grounds as Villa Caletas is the stunning event space, Zephyr Palace. One of my favorite places for upscale weddings.  It was a medium size group which left plenty of room on the dance floor for everyone to enjoy.

Chelsea and Joel are high school sweethearts. The couple met during a drivers ed class, and the rest is history. It isn't too often you get a couple that have been together since high school, but when you do it is so nice because they have been together for so long already that they feel completely comfortable around one another. 

I started the day with Chelsea and her bridesmaids. She wore a beautiful high neck lace dress.

I also had the honor of getting some getting ready shots of Joel and his groomsmen.

The ceremony was setup under the tented terrace at Zephyr Palace. Two large floral arrangements set a perfect space for a ceremony. Chelsea's aunt officiated the ceremony.

The weather on the day of Chelsea and Joel's wedding was a bit back and fourth. It would start to rain, then stop, then drizzle lightly, then stop. We followed the weather pattern and took photos inside and outside as permitted. 

The reception was held in the Zephyr Palace ballroom. Chelsea and Joel shared their first dance as husband and wife, and then shared dances with their parents. Speeches were given by the maid of honor and best man. 

This beautiful cake was quickly smashed and dripping from the bride and grooms face. I love it when couples still follow the tradition of the cake cutting.

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Zephyr Palace
​Wedding Planner: Mariana Carmona
Hair and Makeup: Xinia Chacon
Flowers: Costa Brava Weddings
DJ: Mason Dunn

Carol and Sean didn't want a big over the top wedding, instead they wanted something that truly represented who they are as a couple, and they got just that. The couple married one another in front of a stunning yet powerful waterfall amidst a jungle and at the foot of a volcano in Costa Rica. It was extremely intimate and emotional. 

The couple stayed at Hotel Nayara, and that is where Carol was getting ready and we held the first look. Carol is highly educated and is studying for her PhD in Spanish Linguistics. It was fantastic because she was able to directly communicate with the stylist and other vendors involved who only spoke Spanish. She was so sweet and down to earth. Her dress was absolutely to die for, soft and romantic and just perfect for a waterfall wedding.

The first look took place along side of the hidden fish ponds at Hotel Nayara.

After the first look we all headed to La Fortuna Waterfall. On the steep hike down I was able to capture photos of the couple.

At the bottom of the hike sits the waterfall. The couple stood on a narrow wooden deck overlooking the fall for the ceremony. I was looking forward to hearing Sean's vows, as Carol had talked up his writing skills, but the crashing waterfall drowned his words, at least for my ears. I could tell from Carol's facial expressions and tears that they were better than she thought they would be.

Just next to the waterfall is a massive rock wall. It was beautiful for photos. 

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Hotel Nayara
Location: La Fortuna Waterfall
Wedding Planner: Mil Besos
​Day of wedding planner: Tui Frye
​Officiant: Einar Villavicencio

A beautiful sunset kissed the horizon on the wedding day of Ronnie and Jade, a rare sight as we were in the middle of Costa Rica's rainy season, Ronnie and Jade brought family and friends to Herradura beach for a simple ceremony joining the two in marriage. 

Jade showed up to the beach in a bikini, but even though she was in a bathing suit she still looked like a bride as her hair and makeup was flawless and she was glowing, Her mom and friend helped her change into her dress behind a large tree, not your typical getting ready photos but it worked perfectly for this laid back couple.

After the ceremony we took some group and family photos and then continued with photos of the newlyweds.

Photography: Yours Truly
Location: Playa Herradura
Officiant: Marcelo Galli

Kristi and Dustin traveled from California with their children to marry one another and become one big family. The wedding took place in one of my favorite venues of all of Costa Rica, Punto de Vista. An intimate group of family and friends joined the couple to celebrate this special moment in their lives. 

Kristi was getting ready with a few other girls. Kristi looked stunning in her sheer wedding dress and floor length veil. 

Dustin was getting ready in the pool room. His young son, and both fathers among many others accompanied him. 

The ceremony was setup on the rooftop of the villa. Beautiful green garland lined the white drapery. The couples children were their attendants. 

After the ceremony cocktail hour was held on the rooftop while Dustin and Kristi toured the villa with me for photos. 

The dinner table was beautifully set on a terrace adjacent to the kitchen. Bright tropical flowers accented the garland down the center of the table.

Kristi and Dustin joined each other for their first dances before heading down to cut their cake together.

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Punto de Vista
Wedding Planner: Tropical Occasions
Wedding Design: Aimee Monihan
Coordinator: Karen Ogden
Hair and Makeup: Hair by Monica
Officiant: Marcelo Galli
Cake: Mariposa Pastry
Florist: Stylos y Flores
​Rentals: Costa Mesa

Sarah and Zach were such a pleasant and easy going couple. Upon meeting them I could just sense their excitement and love for one another. Sarah was full of energy and happiness radiated out from within. The couple chose to elope in Costa Rica on the sandy shores of Tulemar Beach. They were planning to have a Persian ceremony back home with family and friends to honor Sarah's culture. One of the things she told me about Persian wedding ceremonies is that sugar is sprinkled on the couple to represent sweetness for the rest of their lives. I thought that was just so cool. 

​I started the afternoon with the couple in their villa at Tulemar Vacation Homes and Rentals. Zach headed off shortly after with the officiant while I stayed behind and helped Sarah get dressed. 

The weather was questionable that day so the ceremony was setup on the terrace of a villa. Sarah made her way through Tulemar's well manicured pathways to the ceremony location. It was a very emotional ceremony as Sarah smiled through her tears for joy. 

Just after the ceremony Sarah walked back onto the terrace and exclaimed to Karen, her wedding planner, "did you just setup this arch, it is beautiful". She had been so focused on her husband to be she hadn't even noticed the beautiful arch they were standing under. A moment later a pair of Scarlet Macaws, who mate for life, flew by while the newlyweds gazed out and took in the moment. 

After the ceremony we headed down to the Tulemar Beach for portraits. They were so natural together I hardly had to give any direction. 

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Tulemar Vacation Homes and Rentals
Wedding Planner: Tropical Occasions
Design: Aimee Monihan
Coordinator: Karen Ogden
Officiant: Melissa Klassen 
Flowers: Stylos y Flores