Erin and Bryan traveled from Virginia to commit to one another for the rest of their lives. They held an intimate ceremony on the rooftop of a 5-story luxury villa, situated in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle with views of the Pacific Ocean. Erin and Bryan were both so easy going and fun to be around. They both always had a smile on their face, and a friend close by to be conversing with.

The day started with Erin getting ready. She was getting ready in the master suite which has beautiful floor length windows and glass doors looking out towards the ocean. Erin's dress was a soft champagne color, with beautiful hand beading. On the inside of her dress she pinned a gold leaf brooch with a piece of blue fabric in honor of her deceased mom and dad.

At the ceremony site a beautiful white arch accented with green tropical leaves awaited the couple. White lanterns lined the aisle. Technically this wedding took place during the rainy season of Costa Rica, but there was not a rain cloud in site on this beautiful afternoon. 

After some group photos we headed down to the beach to see if we could get a few portraits there. The tide was super high, and the waves were making it all the way up to the road. Erin and Bryan braved the tides for a few short minutes, I think it was worth it. 

While guests were enjoying cocktail hour the rooftop deck was being transformed from ceremony space to reception. Long, rectangular tables were quickly moved in and decorated with tropical garlands. The setup was beautiful. 

Photographer: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Punto de Vista
Wedding Planner: Oasis Destination Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon
Flowers: Costa Brava
Guitarist: Alvin Urbina
Catering: Chef Desiree
Cake: Mariposa Pastry

With the rainy season comes morning weddings, and sometimes we get overcast, cloudy skies, and sometimes beautiful shining sun skies. On the day that Georgianna and Aaron eloped the sun was shining bright and the sky was a beautiful blue. The light is so different in the morning verses the evening here, and the photos really have a completely different feel to them. Even though we had to work around the harsh shadows created by the sun, the photos still turned out stunning of this beautiful couple and family. 

Georgianna asked me for a recommendation for an officiant, but the normal officiant I recommend wasn't available, so in a pinch my husband, Alvaro, officiated the wedding. It was something different and a little bit fun for him. The three girls stood by watching. 

I think Nissa is one of my favorite brides ever! She is so fun to be around, full of positive energy, and so uniquely herself. Her happiness is contagious and attracts people to her, as demonstrated by her large group of girlfriends, eager to celebrate her wedding in Costa Rica. I didn't get to spend as much time with Gabe, but from the time I did spend with him I could tell he is the perfect partner for Nissa, and a really nice guy. One of those guys that a mother always hopes their daughter finds and marries. 

The weather was questionable that afternoon, and luckily the call was made to move the ceremony inside, as it did begin to rain just before the ceremony started. The ceremony was officiated by Fernando, the hotel manager, and two family members did readings as well. 

Nissa was getting ready with her mom, sister and friends. She was cracking jokes the entire time, and even laughing about how classy she was by drinking Coors Light on her wedding day. Some very odd baby hands props had been acquired before the wedding, and made their weird appearance throughout the day. 

Gabe was getting ready with his two groomsmen. He looked quite dashing in his navy blue suit.

The ceremony was held in the thatch roofed restaurant at Alma del Pacifico. A beautiful arch with large tropical arrangements awaited the couple. During the ceremony, Gabe and Nissa partook in the Costa Rican wedding tradition of passing 13 coins back and forth to one another.

Nissa and Gabe's wedding cake was topped with a custom cake topper, featuring their German Shepherd dog from back home. 

Once the dancing started Nissa changed into a cute little romper which went perfectly with her country gal cowboy boots. The ladies were eager to catch the bouquet, while the guys passed the garter around like a hot potato, hoping the music wouldn't stop while it was in their hand. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Alma del Pacifico
Planner: Katherine Gamboa
Officiant: Fernando Alfaro
Flowers: Alma del Pacifico
DJ: Son Latino Discomovil

Alison and Tom traveled from New York to marry one another on a tropical beach in Costa Rica. The wedding was nothing short of perfect, as the sun peeked through the rain clouds to shine on them during their vows. It had been down pouring earlier that day when we arrived, and I was certain that the ceremony would have to be held indoors. But the weather cooperated and stopped just long enough for the ceremony and a few photos, before it started drizzling again. 

Alison was getting ready with her mom and her bridesmaids. She looked beautiful. Her bright blue eyes sparkled, and her lace dress had a beautiful back and neckline. She was very sweet and down to earth, and even with the back and fourth and uncertainty of the weather, she remained calm and collected. 

A stunning tropical arch awaited Tom and Alison. The ceremony was held on the beach just in front of the all inclusive Riu resort. 

After the ceremony we took some photos along the beautiful beach. I normally start with family photos, but Alison wanted to start with photos of just her and Tom, just in case it started raining again. I didn't think it was going to rain, but of course obliged, and I am so happy we did start with them because literally 5 minutes later it started raining. Luckily we got a few great shots before the rain, and even one of Tom defending his wife's dress from a beach dog. 

The reception was held in the Riu's event center. Upon entering, the newlyweds took to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Riu Guanacaste

Samantha and Tiago held an intimate ceremony on the Manuel Antonio beach, just under the shade of the wild almond and palm trees. This sweet couple was on the fence about hiring a professional photographer, but I am so glad that they did, and I am sure it is something they will not regret.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Location: Karahe, Manuel Antonio
​Flowers: Floristeria Quepos

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: The Tree House
Wedding Planner: Oasis Destination Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon
Cake: Mariposa Pastry
Officiant: Ana Castro
Flowers: Floristeria Quepos
​Lighting: Ambiance Event Lighting

Lariza and Igor are not only world travelers but world livers. Igor is originally from Slovenia and Lariza from Honduras. When they first reached out to me they were both living in Amsterdam, but by the time the wedding date rolled around they had made a big move to California. These two are not afraid to take risks, make big changes, and see the world. 

They came to Costa Rica to marry one another, which further proves their love for travel. Family and friends joined them on the sandy shores of Playa Pan de Azucar to witness their union to one another. It was an overcast day and thunder could be heard, but luckily it didn't rain.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Sugar Beach Hotel
Wedding Planner: Lat 10 Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Marisol Santana
Flowers: Floristeria Ocasiones
​Cake: Victoria Zoch
DJ: Zach Schmidt

McKinzie and Garret married one another in the small beach town of Playa Portrero at the beautiful resort Bahia del Sol. Friends and family joined the couple to celebrate their union. The weather that day was a bit overcast, but the rain held off just long enough for all the outdoor activities. And even through the clouds of rain storms the sun peeked out and gave us a beautiful color show. 

McKinzie and her girls were getting ready in one of the hotel rooms. The jungle paths that lead to the rooms created a beautiful space for the dress photos. Speaking of dresses, take a look at the oh-so-cute bridesmaids dresses. They were made from bird of paradise print fabric, and were just perfect for a Costa Rican destination wedding.

The ceremony was set literally steps outside of the resort. Beautiful, soft, pastel colored flowers decorated a natural wooden arch. 

After the ceremony the guests enjoyed a sunset cocktail hour, while the bridal party took to the beach for photos. 

I didn't get to stay for the whole reception, but I did have enough time to get photos of the beautiful setup and delicious cupcake table. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Bahia del Sol
Wedding Planner: Weddings Costa Rica
Dessert table: Victoria Zoch
Florist: Floresteria Crystal
Officiant: Mark Jenest
​Hair: Cortni Shaffer
Makeup: Jenna Townsend

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

Shaunessy and Alec traveled with a close group of family and friends to marry one another in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. They wanted the event to be easy going and fun, just like the two of them. The group all stayed near to one another in rental houses all in the Manuel Antonio Estates Property, allowing frequent pool parties and get togethers to happen throughout the week. 
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The day started with Alec and his friends making some pre-ceremony celebratory toasts. Alec chose to honor his Scottish heritage by wearing a formal kilt, complete with a traditional dagger which is called a sgian-dubh. 

​Shaunessy was getting ready with her mom, her sister and a few of her friends. She didn't need to do much to look absolutely stunning, as her natural beauty shone right through.

The ceremony was held in the garden area of the Manuel Antonio Estates Spa. Shaunessy and Alec asked for the guests to form a big circle around the couple as they exchanges their vows to one another. 

Alec and Shaunessy really wanted to spend as much time enjoying their wedding day as they possibly could. In light of that they had decided to go to the beach the evening before their wedding, to take portraits so that they wouldn't have to leave the wedding for photos. It worked out really well as the wedding day was just relaxed as could be.

We took just a few portraits on the wedding day as well, for good measure.

A large empty room upstairs from the spa was transformed into a beautiful tropical reception. 

The newlyweds were warmly welcomed into the party, and everyone feasted on a potluck meal lovingly prepared by the whole group. Many toasts were made in honor of Shaunessy and Alec, and it was no surprise the number of nice things that people had to say about these two. 

Photographer: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Manuel Antonio Estates
Wedding Planner: Oasis Destination Weddings
Flowers: Floristeria Quepos
​Lighting: Ambiance Event Lighting