Missy and Ben hosted a beautiful wedding at a beach front vacation house in Jaco. I was so surprised when I showed up at the house, because I had never bee to that far end of the beach and it was just beautiful! The house sits directly on the beach, which made the access extremely easy. It also allowed for them to have their dinner reception on the beach which was so intimate and romantic. 

Missy was getting ready when I arrived and was sweet as can be. Her bridesmaids and both moms were also there. The weather was great with blue skies and all, which was awesome as it had been a bit rainy a few days before. 

Ben and his groomsmen were getting ready downstairs and doing fireball shots together to celebrate. I was only with them for a short amount of time, but in just those few minutes I could tell they were a fun group.

A beautiful ceremony was setup just in front of the house. Pale colored roses and beautiful succulents adorned the corner of the arch. The eucalyptus smelt wonderful! Missy left an empty chair in the front row with a rose and photo, to honor her deceased father. It was such a unique and touching way to honor him. 

Everything aligned perfectly just before the ceremony started. The sun was blazing hot, but right before it moved behind a cloud and stayed there for the whole ceremony, creating beautiful soft light for the photos. Also, just as the musicians began to play, a pair of scarlet macaws (who mate for life) flew over the ceremony area. I don't think there is a better omen than that. 

After the ceremony we took photos with the family and bridal party. We then walked down the beach towards the rocky edge which made for beautiful photos of the newlyweds.

The sun made its dramatic exit just as we finished up the portrait session. 

Like I mentioned earlier the reception was set directly on the beach. It was beautiful and perfect for Missy and Ben's close group of family and friends.

Photography: Yours Truly
Wedding Venue: Casa Rio Mar
Wedding Planner: CR Boutique Events
Florist: Costa Brava
​Hair and Makeup: Xinia Chacon

Sara and Jake decided to marry one another on the beaches of Manuel Antonio. They wanted an extremely intimate ceremony, and that is exactly what they got. Their wedding date was on the cusp of the rainy season, and so they decided to have a morning wedding to evade the risk of rain. 

The weather was perfect, blue skies radiated as Sara got ready at Hotel Costa Verde. Sara's dress was beautiful. It was an ivory color with a deep plunging neckline that made it so delicate looking.

The couple decided to do a first look before heading down to the beach together. We used Costa Verde's brand new suspended bridge for the first look, which worked out great. Sara and Jake read each other their personal vows at this time as well, it was a emotional moment for both of them.

The ceremony was held down at the beach. It was blazing hot out so the couple was set in a shady area under the palm and wild almond trees. It made the ceremony even more private as it felt like they had that whole area reserved to themselves, without beach goers walking by and watching. 

After the ceremony we walked along the beach, stopping for photos as we went. We ended the session with a few fun photos in the water.

Photography: Yours Truly
Wedding Planner: Mil Besos
Day of Coordinator: Carolyn Onay
Officiant: Einar Villavicencia
Hair & Makeup: Priscilla Solano
Flowers: Floristeria Quepos

As I sit here and write this blog post for Ashley and Levi I am reminded just how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful country full of wildlife, flora and fauna. White faced Capuchin monkeys are to my left right now, loitering in the trees and peering into the restaurant, most likely hoping to snatch some leftover food from a nearby table. The photos from this wedding don't illustrate the animals of Costa Rica, but they do definitely show the amount of greenery and natural beauty that the country has. 

Ashley and Levi chose to marry one another in Arenal, one of the greener areas of the country. Arenal, unlike other areas of the country, stays green all year long. It received rain frequently and therefore the forests are full or large leaved plants and mossy trees. Hotel Nayara, where the couple stayed, has some of the most beautiful grounds I have seen to date. There are endless pathways, groomed to perfection. Which makes it a great place for taking photos.

Ashley was getting ready in her room with her best friend. Later on she was joined by Levi's mother as well. The wedding was extremely intimate with only 5 people n total, including the bride and groom. Ashley was a sweet as can be. She was just one of those people who you could tell was very honest and genuine. 

Ashley's friend told a story about how Levi had loved Ashley from the moment he set eyes on her. She said he would have married her on the spot if he had the chance. It was so sweet to hear the story of how they met and how their relationship evolved into what it is today.

The ceremony was held under a pavilion on the grounds of the hotel. A beautiful flower alter was created for the couple, along with a heart shaped area for them to stand. 

I love the photo of Ashley and Levi just after they kissed. They look so happy and excited, with the expression of "yes, we did it, we are married!" I always like to see where the bride and groom look to first, once they are officially married. It is normally to someone in the front row, a parent, a sibling or a close friend. 

After the ceremony Ashley and Levi cut the cake together and celebrated with some toasts and champagne. 

We took photos around the grounds of Hotel Nayara. Ashley wore a unique wedding dress, it had a beautiful hemline that looked great on her. 

Ashley and Levi also wanted to have photos at the La Fortuna Waterfall. The whole group headed there and made the hike down to the falls. The powerful water crashing in the background is another example of the natural beauty of this small country. 

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: Hotel Nayara
Officiant: Noel Ibo Campos

I have been thinking about this blog post for over a month now. And even with that much time to think I am still sitting here writing, and erasing, and rewriting, because I can't seem to find the right words to express all of the love that I have for this beautiful couple and their families. 

I have known Rachel for as far back as I can remember. Growing up, her younger sister Emma, was my very best friend, actually probably my first best friend ever. Our families quickly became friends and we all just meshed together. Play-dates, long weekends and even vacations were shared between our two families. Rachel is like a big sister to me and her family like second family. Even after years of living far apart, I still felt just as welcomed as soon as I stepped into their house. 

Rachel was getting ready at her parents house with her mom and her sister. Most photographers would cringe hearing that the bride was getting ready at a house, as normally houses are cluttered, don't have great lighting and aren't very conducive to taking photos. But Jamie and Jay's house (Rachel's parents) is so beautifully designed and decorated, it was just perfect. The house looks like a bed and breakfast styled for a magazine. It sits right on the Hudson river with views of the Tappen Zee Bridge, and the big floor to ceiling windows flood the rooms with beautiful natural light. 

Rachel used her mom's pearl clutch from when her mom and dad married one another. Inside the clutch were the very same tissues that Jamie used for her wedding, as well as her seating chart. It was such an unexpected surprise.

Rachel's flowers were gorgeous. Oversized dahlia's with colors similar to a sunset were paired with green buds and ferns. She used a local florist and gave them pretty much free range to use whatever was in season. It was so beautiful and so different from the tropical flowers I am used to.

Bill and Rachel opted to do a first look and take all of their family and group photos before the ceremony. We also did the majority of their portraits as well, which left a lot of time for them to enjoy and mingle later on at the cocktail hour. The first look was done in the backyard of the house, where beautiful gardens were planted all along the sloping property. 

After family photos we continued with newlywed portraits of just Rachel and Bill. The couple even ventured out onto the sandy river shore for some beautiful photos. It was starting to get a little overcast and the rain began sprinkling just as we finished with portraits.

The light rain brought all the good luck it could, including a beautiful rainbow that was cast in front of the river. Once it brought its good luck for the wedding day it stopped as quickly as it had started and the outdoor ceremony was able to go on as planned.

The ceremony was held just a few minutes away at the C.V. Rich Mansion. A beautiful building complete with the perfect patio and backyard for an outdoor ceremony.

Rachel and Bill arrived early and patiently waited in the bridal suite while all the guests were ushered in. The ceremony was officiated by Jay, Rachel's father. He is a smooth talker and full of good jokes. He also happens to be a photographer and has his abstract photography displayed in a gallery in New York City. 

Rachel and Bill exchanged their own vows. Bill's unconventional vows kept a big smile on his bride's face, Rachel had a few jokes of her own as well. 

Immediately after the ceremony we took advantage of the last rays of light to get a few photos on the grounds of C.V. Rich. 

The cocktail hour was held in a few different rooms of the Mansion. Each room had its own appetizer station. In addition to that there were passed hors d'oeuvres that look good enough to make your mouth water. 

The reception was held in a large ballroom that was also part of the Mansion. Beautiful flowers of pale greens, pinks and cream adorned the tables. The couple was announced in and took to the dance floor for their first dance. They invited all of the couples to join them on the dance floor.

Speeches and toasts were made for the happy couple and dinner was served. 

Photography: Yours Truly
Venue: C.V. Rich Mansion
Catering: Caperberry Events
Hair and Makeup: New York Bridal
DJ: BOK Music
Flowers: Festoon on Hudson