Lisa and James traveled from Texas with a group of family and friends. They married one another on the beautiful beach known as Playa Conchal, or Seashell Beach. It is called this because at the nothern end of the beach there are only shells, no sand, which creates crystal clear water. 

Lisa and her bridesmaids were getting ready at The Westin Resort, an all inclusive resort which sits on Playa Conchal. Her details were beautiful, and she even had a unique see through invitation. 

A beautiful bamboo arch decorated with flowers awaited the couple and their guests. The sun was setting off to the left, behind the hills, creating a magical rainbow of blue hues across the sea and sky. Lisa looked stunning as she walked in on her fathers arm. 

Due to threats of rain the reception was moved indoors, but even inside the bistro lights and beautiful tablescapes looked just as magical. Lisa even special ordered majestic throne like chairs for her and James to sit in. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: The Westin Resort
Wedding Planner: Heidy Quesada
Florist: Art Flower
Cake: Victoria Zoch
DJ: Ciro
Rentals: Costa Mesa

Sonia and Bill married one another in a very intimate waterfall ceremony. The ceremony took place at Waterfall Villas, one of only two exclusively vegan hotels in Costa Rica. The ceremony was really special and meaningful for the couple, it included many elements and lasted for an hour. Prayers were said, ancient quotes shared and intentions set. The ceremony concluded with the couple sending off down the river a large leaf piled with seeds, flowers, soil and love. It was really a magical thing to hear and witness, and it was exactly what this couple wanted for their wedding.
The celebration concluded with an afternoon reception where Sonia, Bill and their guests were served a delicious vegan meal complete with a vegan wedding cake.

Photographer: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videographer: Baltodano Films
Venue: Waterfall Villas
​Officiant: Sacred Wedding Ceremonies by Raven

Sarah and Mark traveled from England to marry one another on the secluded beach of Tulemar Resort. Sarah wore a beautiful lace-all-over dress, while Mark wore a tweed suit, very appropriate for England weather but a little bit on the thick side for Costa Rican weather, he fared well in it though. 

This summer was a short one and I feel like I didn't have as many true sunset weddings as I normally do, luckily for this couple the clouds were no where to be found and a beautiful sunset revealed itself on the horizon. 

After photos the couple enjoyed a romantic sea-side dinner for two. 

Photographer: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Tulemar Resort
Wedding Planner: Oasis Destination Weddings
Officiant: Ana Castro
​Florist: Floristeria Quepos

This is not the typical photo that I post as the main image for a blog post, but change is a good thing, isn't it? Adam and Amanda have been together for a long time, from what I heard it has been 13 years. I think it is safe to say that these two, without a doubt, are meant to be together for the rest of their lives. Amanda actually told her father in law when she first met him, that she was going to marry his son. 

The day was overcast and there was a rumor of rain, which would have been a problem for this outdoor ceremony and outdoor reception. Luckily, the clouds stayed away and everything went off without a hitch. Amanda was being pampered in her room with a few of her girlfriends. She wanted a unique wedding dress, and I just love what she picked out. A lace dress with skin tone fabric underneath. Just enough to be different yet still look like a wedding dress.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Alma del Pacifico
Officiant: Fernando
Hair and Makeup:
Flowers:
​Cake:

Janell and Greg traveled from Ohio to elope in Costa Rica. They stayed at the all-inclusive Westin Resort, which is situated on Playa Conchal. Janell was so sweet and easy going, she bought two of everything, two pairs of earrings, two hair pieces, two barefoot beach sandals. She was so laid back that she would just ask her hair stylist which one she thought looked better, and would go with whatever she suggested. There was a lady in the spa who was enamored with Janell, she seemed like she wanted to just join in on the wedding ceremony. 

Greg is quite tall, a good bit taller than Janell. He really enjoyed lifting her up in the air though, which put them on a similar level. He also, like most men, enjoyed all the kissing moments for the photos. The couple informed me that they would be honeymooning in Arenal after the wedding day. 

Photographer: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Westin Playa Conchal
Wedding Planner: Mil Besos
Day of Planner: Heidy Quesada
Florist: Floresteria Cristal
​Officiant: Einar Villavicencio

I told Myran just before the ceremony that Ashleigh looked beautiful, and without thinking twice he so confidently said, "I know". These words stuck with me, and the way that he said them, he just KNEW that his bride was beautiful, without seeing her, he knew she looked amazing, and she did. 

Ashleigh and Myran traveled from Canada with their 7-month old baby boy, family and friends. They were very easy going and I had little communication with Ashleigh before the wedding, which told me right away that she was going to be a laid back, go with the flow kind of bride. It was a windy day, as it often is in the Guanacaste region of the country, and the ceremony was held at 3 PM, on the ealier side of the Costa Rican beach wedding. Ashleigh wasn't a big fan of wedding traditions, so they had a short and simple ceremony, followed by some down time where guests all met up at one of the bars before heading to the reception dinner. As the couple made their way through the resort they were constantly being congratulated and patted on the back by other happy vacationers. 

Ashleigh is a photographer. It is always such an honor to be hired by another photographer as their eye is even more trained when judging someone else's work. When the day started she was getting ready with her mom and her bridesmaids. Their baby boy was also floating in and out as friends and family volunteered to help care for him. Throughout the day grandma was mostly in charge, which being a mother, I can tell you was such a gift to Ashleigh and Myran so that they could really enjoy their special day and celebrate their love.

The ceremony was held on the beach under a large tree. I love the look on Myran's face as he hugs Ashleigh's father. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
​Venue: Riu Guanacaste

Kyle and Amanda married one another with their toes in the sand on Langosta Beach, at the laid back yet beautiful wedding venue Langosta Beach Club. It was a clear and windy day, and Amanda's ringlets blew softly in the breeze. Kyle was the one who contacted me and was my main point of communication during the pre-wedding process. It isn't often that I communicate with just the groom, but he was noted as the organized one during one of their speeches, so I guess that makes sense. 

One of the things that I really loved about this wedding was that it seemed like the parents and the older adult crowd was having just as much fun as the younger crowd. Everyone took over the dance floor once the DJ started playing.

The couple both got ready in their two story condo at the Diria Hotel. Kyle and the boys took over the downstairs while Amanda and the girls occupied the upstairs. Amanda did her own makeup and chose a bold lip color that looked beautiful with her sparkly blue eyes.

The simple ceremony garland arch looked beautiful with the blue ocean in the background. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Langosta Beach Club
Wedding Planner: Lat 10 Weddings and Events
​DJ: Dj Zach Schmidt
​Flowers: Floristeria Ocasiones
Rentals: Eventos Boadicea
Transportation: Tamarindo Shuttle

Christie had a FANTASTIC wedding dress, and she knew it. She emailed me before, letting me know of the amazing train that her dress had, so that I could prepare to take some dramatic images showcasing it. Jacob, who was dressed so sharply that he reminded me of James Bond, had the perfect touch of classiness to accompany his stunning bride. 

Now, if you are going to have a classy wedding, and want to do it right, then you get married at one of the classiest venues in Costa Rica, Villa Caletas, and that is exactly what these two lovebirds did. Friends and family gathered in the amphitheater to witness Jacob and Christie marry one another, and then were treated to a beautiful reception dinner, speeches and cake. 

It was an emotional day for Christie, as tears filled her eyes on multiple occasions. She had a lovely relationship with both her mother and her mother in law, both of which were with her while she was getting ready. Jacob, who I have learned is a big handyman and prefers to learn how to do things himself over hiring someone else to do something, actually learned how to work with gold and made his own wedding ring. I was blown away when I learned this, and especially once I saw his beautiful ring. It just makes his ring that much more meaningful, to have put the time and effort into forging the ring. 

The ceremony was held in the amphitheater overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 

After Christie and Jacob were pronounced husband and wife we took portraits around the Villa Caletas property. The majestic columns made for a beautiful background, and of course the sunset didn't look to shabby either. 

The reception was held in a dining room with large glass windows facing the horizon. Beautiful pink and green arrangements decorated the tables, and coffee beans awaited each guest at their place seating. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Villa Caletas
Planner: Mariana Carmona
Florist: Acacia
Officiant: Noel Ibo Campos
​Cake: Dulce Capricho
​Hair and Makeup: Xinia Chacon
​Music: Santafe Duo
Videography: Costa Rica Cinematography 

Jona and Adam wanted to start their married life in the morning to signify a new beginning to this new chapter of their lives together. They woke up early, and arrived to the beach at 5:45 AM, just as the sun was beginning its journey into the sky. Jona arrived in a robe and changed into her dress behind one of the volcanic rock formations before revealing herself to Adam. 

As Jona walked towards Adam his face literally lit up. He had a look of astonishment, excitement and joy as his wife to be joined him at the alter. The two shared a passionate first kiss, and immediately after Jona whispered that it was the best kiss of her life. 

Jona and Adam shared a first dance on the empty beach, as the sun peaked out from behind the tree line. Jona was as bit nervous, and was happy they had chosen to elope as she couldn't imagine the nerves that would have accompanied a big wedding. 

The couple was full of adventure, climbing rocks, splashing each other and ending up getting entirely soaked by the end of the photo session. It was such a fun time with these two, to be young and in love is such a beautiful thing. They had plans to continue the marriage celebration later that day with a sunset sailing tour. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Wedding Planner: Oasis Destination Weddings
Officiant: Rodrigo Campos
​Florist: Floresteria Quepos

 Lou and Chelsea are just the sweetest couple I have ever met. Normally I find that with couple's one person is a bit more outgoing and the other bit more reserved, which normally leaves me connecting more with the outgoing one, but in this case Lou and Chelsea were just both equally outgoing, kind, fun and generous. They invited me along to photograph their rehearsal dinner the day before. The dinner was held on a sailboat with everyone enjoying drinks, dinner and snorkeling. Their guests had a blast and it was so nice to get to meet the wedding group before the wedding day.

Lou and Chelsea brought a group of about 70 guests from NY all the way to Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The Guanacaste region of the country tends to be more windy, and their wedding day was no exception. It was a clear day without a cloud to be seen, and the breeze helped to keep everyone feeling fresh and cool. The ceremony and reception were held at Langosta Beach Club, which is situated beach front and works perfectly for weddings. 

Chelsea was getting ready in her room at the Diria Hotel with her mom and two flower girls. She opted to wear a bird cage veil which looked beautiful on her, and accented her delicate sweetheart neck line dress perfectly. 

Lou was getting ready with his best man and officiant in another part of the hotel. He proudly wore his "game over" shirt, as he blow dried his hair for what he told me was the first and probably last time in his life. 

Lou and Chelsea decided to do a first and see each other before the wedding. The idea was to take as many photos ahead of time so that they could spend more time with family and friends during the cocktail hour. I love the excitement on Chelsea's face as she approaches her husband to be. 

The ceremony was setup at the edge of the beach with the beautiful blue Pacific and blue skies behind it. 

Maria, Chelsea and Lou's wedding planner, loves these two just as much as I do. This is the first photo I have of Maria, even after working with her for so many years and so many weddings. She wanted to make sure she got one with them before the night was over. (She will probably fuss at me for posting a photo of her, she is so beautiful and so talented at what she does though, she deserves the recognition). 

The reception was held just off to the side of the ceremony area, where guests could still have their toes in the sand. It looked beautiful with the bistro lights overhead and the aftermath of the sunset in the background.  

One of Chelsea's girlfriends couldn't make it to the wedding so the other friends decided to print out a photo of her face and attach it to a stick. It made appearances throughout the night in group photos, at dinner and on the dance floor. It was such sweet idea, one that I had never seen before. 

A delectable dessert table was setup for guests near the dance floor. The desserts were made and styled by Victoria Zoch, the best baker in Guanacaste. 

The little flower girl got a hold of the veil and just loved wearing it. Her mom told me that when she mentioned to her daughter that she would have to take it off at some point, the flower girl responded, "well I won't sleep in it". So cute! And she really did keep it on the rest of the evening.

Lou came up to me and mentioned he may want to jump in the pool. moments after that, before he could even come up with a plan, his friends all canon balled in. 

Chelsea's family has a "family song" which is Puff the Magic Dragon. When the DJ played they all linked arms and sang the song together at the top of their lungs while swaying back and forth. It was so much fun I am thinking of coming up with a family song of my own for me and my loved ones.

The dancing and celebrating continued on after I left and from what I heard the younger crowd was planning to bar crawl their way back down the Tamarindo strip to their hotel. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue (getting ready): Hotel Diria
Venue (wedding): Langosta Beach Club
Wedding Planner: Lat 10 Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Marisol Santana
Music: Joe Hrbek
Flowers: Floristeria Ocasiones
Cake: Victoria Zoch
DJ: DJ Zach Schmidt
​Rentals: Los Primos