Alex and Kyle are one of those couples that everyone wants to be friends with. They walk into the room with big smiles and the energy is instantly lifted up ten notches. They had a large group of family and friends join them in Costa Rica and it was so clear to me why there were so many people there supporting them.

We joined them the day before on a sunset catamaran cruise for their alternative rehearsal dinner. Every single guest seemed to enjoy themselves, even some of the older people in the crew jumped from the boats rooftop deck into the water. I feel like the theme for the wedding and probably their entire trip was to have fun, and fun was indeed had!

The wedding day started with Kyle getting ready with his groomsmen. He had his beard trimmed which was the perfect way to be pampered on his wedding day.

Alex readied herself in a different room with all of her bridesmaids as well as both mothers. She wore a special ring from her grandfather that she incorporated into her hair, it was such a beautiful and unique touch. Her sister helped her into her all-over lace dress that had a ballgown silhouette to it. 

Alex and Kyle's ceremony was held on Costa Verde's helipad. The helipad is a terrace that sticks out over the jungle and has beautiful views any way you look. The skies were overcast which made for beautiful soft lighting for the photos.

The reception was held at the event center, which is a large pavilion type structure. Upon entering Kyle and Alex played the shoe game, which is always full of laughs. Other traditions took place throughout the evening and then started the PARTY!

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Costa Verde Hotel
Wedding Planner: Manuel Antonio Sunset Weddings
Flowers: Floresteria Cristal
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon
DJ: DJ A Class

Kristin and Derrick are just the sweetest couple. They were both so friendly and genuine people, it was easy to see why so many friends and family made the trip to Costa Rica for their wedding day. Kristin and Derrick held their destination wedding at Las Catalinas. This was my first time to Las Catalinas and I have to say I am in LOVE with it. It is not a hotel or a resort, but more of a little town nestled right on the beach. It is beautiful and reminds me a bit of Italy with little winding pathways and beautiful spots for photos at every corner.

The day started with Derrick getting ready. His two brothers, both dads and grandpa were all there to hang out and help him. He looked dapper in his steel blue suit complete with suspenders and a pink floral tie. 

Kristin and her bridesmaids and both mothers were all getting ready at a beautiful house in Las Catalinas. Kristin has such a natural beauty about her. She looked beautiful and her bright blue eyes were full of light. 

Kristin and Derrick really wanted to be able to spend as much time as possible with their friends and families so they opted to do  first look. There was a beautiful ivy covered wall just outside of Kristin's villa that was the perfect spot for the first look. We wandered the cobblestone walkways and found so many different spots for photos. 

The ceremony was held on a sandy overlook with views of the beautiful blue ocean. 

The reception was set under the stars. Beautiful natural wood tables lined either side of a brick courtyard. String lights hung overhead and really set a soft and romantic atmosphere. It was such a beautiful and fun evening.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Las Catalinas
Wedding Planner: The Tropical Code
Flowers and Rentals: Los Primos Design
Hair and Makeup:
DJ: Dj Teemoor

Chuck and Nicole traveled from Minnesota to marry one another in tropical Costa Rica. They decided on Costa Verde Hotel for their wedding venue because of the jungle like grounds and beautiful ocean views. An intimate ceremony was held on a grassy hilltop overlooking the warm Pacific waters. Afterwards, a dinner reception took place in La Cantina restaurant, one of Costa Verde's 4 restaurants. 

Nicole was getting ready with her mom and bridesmaids. She was calm, cool and collected and just enjoying being pampered. Her dress was a slim fitted with lots of delicate lace patterns, it looked beautiful on her and had a stunning train. 

Chuck got dressed adjacent to where the ceremony was taking place. His father and best man joined him. He sported a really nice pair of suspenders that were custom made for his wedding day. 

An intimate ceremony was set on the grassy knoll at Costa Verde. In the distance guests could enjoy the view of the ocean and islands. Tropical flowers adorned the arch where Nicole and Chuck said their vows to one another.

After the couple was pronounced husband and wife we headed towards the beach for portraits. We grabbed a few photos on the jungle pathways of Costa Verde just for good measure.

With a small wedding group Nicole and Chuck were really able to enjoy and relax at the laid back reception. They still included all of the normal traditions, but the evening really had this nice easy going feel to it. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Costa Verde Hotel
Wedding Planner: Isabel Vargas
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon
Flowers: Floresterai Cristal
Officiant: Marcelo Galli

Amy and Kyle traveled to Costa Rica to marry one another. Family and friends joined them on the sandy shoreline, in front of the beautiful beach house they rented in Hacienda Pinilla. The reception was also set in the sand and under the stars, it was such a beautiful and romantic evening. 

Kyle was very down to earth and excited to be in Costa Rica and getting married. He joked a lot with his groomsmen and was in the best of spirits. After Kyle and his groomsmen got dressed we took to the beach for a few photos. 

Amy and her bridesmaids were getting ready together, along with Amy's mom. They popped champagne and had a great time. Amy looked beautiful. She had a beautiful wedding day glow about her and almost a permanent smile on her face.

The ceremony was set in the sand just bordering the ocean. A natural bamboo arch decked with tropical flowers awaited the bride and groom.

I love how Amy and Kyle really embraced the beautiful nature of Costa Rica and used it as a focal point in their decor. The green tropical napkins that lined the table added the perfect touch of fun to the elegant setup.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Hacienda Pinilla
Florist:
Catering:
DJ: Dj Zach Schmidt

Lindsay and Jim were just so absolutely happy on their wedding day. I don't know these two very well, but I have a feeling that they are this way everyday. They invited close family and friends to join them in Costa Rica to celebrate their marriage to one another. 

The day started at Punto de Vista, a beautiful luxury villa. There Lindsay was getting ready with her sister and friends. She wore a boho lace dress that looked beautiful on her.

There ceremony was held on the beach under the wild almonds trees. A tropical arch was set in the sand where Lindsay and Jim said their vows to one another.

After Lindsay and Jim did their happy dance down the aisle we took to the beach for portraits. The newlyweds were blessed with a colorfully painted sky, just perfect for photos.

The reception was held on the rooftop of Punta de Vista where there were views of the lingering sunset. 

After dinner the party moved downstairs where the cake was cut and the dance floor was filled. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Punto de Vista
Wedding Planner: Weddings Costa Rica, Larissa Banting
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon 
Officiant: Marcelo Galli
DJ: Zach Schmidt
Rentals and Flowers: Costa Brava
Cake: Mariposa Pastry
Catering: Mango Catering
Lighting: Ambiance Lighting

Janelle and John held their intimate wedding at Costa Verde. The ceremony was on the grassy knoll, which overlooked the Pacific Ocean. After the ceremony we explored the grounds of Costa Verde, taking photos on hanging bridges and tropical pathways. 

Janelle looked stunning in a sheer dress with crystal embellishments. She was getting ready with her mom at the hotel. Janelle has such a beautiful smile, she was so easy to photograph.

The reception was held in a private area of La Cantina restaurant. Costa Verde has many unique features to all of its buildings. The glass wall bottle pictured below is just one of many. 

I love the cake topper Janelle and John brought. It is super elegant yet still included John's love for fishing, which probably played a part in picking Costa Rica as their wedding destination.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Costa Verde Hotel
Wedding Planner: Isabel Vargas
Officiant: Rodrigo Campos

Elyse and Kyle invited their family and friends to join them in Costa Rica to witness and celebrate their marriage. They picked the beautiful Hotel Mariposa as their venue, a hill top hotel with stunning views of the Manuel Antonio National Park. 

Elyse was so enthusiastic and full of big smiles on her wedding day. She was excited for each and every part of it. Her bridesmaids helped her to get ready in the honeymoon suite. She wore a delicate dress with a plunge neckline, it looked beautiful on her.

On the other side of the hotel Kyle was getting ready with his grandpa and a few friends. 

A beautiful geometric arch was set on the terrace at Hotel Mariposa. This particular hotel has one of the best views in all of town, and Kyle and Elyse were lucky enough to have it as the backdrop for their ceremony.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Hotel Mariposa
Makeup: Priscila Solano

Chris and Dani brought a handful of family and friends with them to Manuel Antonio for their emotional marriage to one another. The weather was questionable but in the end the rain held off, and beautiful mist floated off of the waves and into the background of their images.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Espadilla Ocean Club
Officiant: Rodrigo Campos

Frank and Sandi were so much fun! They were both in such good spirits from the moment we arrived until the moment we left, soaking in every moment of their wedding day. The couple traveled from New Jersey just as the weather there was turning cold, to marry one another on one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Conchal. One side of Playa Conchal boasts white sand, while the other side is entirely made of shells. Bits and pieces of shells, which allows the water to be crystal clear since there is no sand to be turned up.

The day started with Frank getting ready. His best man was there to help him, as well as a few family members. Sandi and Frank color coordinated their wedding perfectly, and even the lining of Franks jacket matched the color scheme.

Sandi was in a nearby hotel room getting ready with her mom, sister and her nieces and nephews. She wore a beautiful lace dress with a plunge neckline. She was excited and eager to see her husband to be. 

A decadent reception was prepared for the newlyweds and their guests. Beautiful floral runners lined the natural wood tables, and a dessert table that was to die for surrounded their stunning cake. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Hotel W
Wedding Planner: Heidy Quesada Co.
DJ: DJ Teemor
Rentals: Eventos Artesanos
Guitar: Master Crew
Florist: Floristeria Cristal
Cake: Victoria Zoch
​

Mike and Emily decided to elope in Costa Rica and it was such a magical moment. They decided to get married at Dreams las Mareas, an all inclusive hotel in Northern Costa Rica. They had a first look with one another near the hotel buildings, and then made their way to the beach taking photos along the way. 

The ceremony was held just on the edge of the sandy shore. They professed their love for one another and said, "I do". The ceremony was followed by champagne. 

After the ceremony we took photos along the beach until the last rays of sunlight disappeared.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
​Venue: Dreams las Mareas