Ellie and Phil have a beautiful motto that they live by, "La vida es simple, la gente se complica". The meaning of this quote is that life is simple, people make it complicated. It is inspiring to think about, as it really is true. And a true reminder to try and not be the person that complicates life. The couple incorporated this motto of theirs into their wedding day decor. 

The day started with beautiful Ellie getting ready. She was bubbly and excited that her big day had finally arrived. She wore a gorgeous two piece dress, with a full ballgown skirt. It looked so romantic on the beach. Ellie had her mother and bridesmaids getting ready with her.

The ceremony was held on the grassy knoll at Costa Verde Hotel. A tropical arch awaited the couple and their guests. 

We arrived to the beach just as the sun was hitting the horizon. There was just enough time and light to capture some stunning portraits of the happy newlyweds. 

The reception was held at El Lagarto Restaurant, a unique steakhouse where they grill the dinners over hot coals. Greenery lined the tables and twinkle lights added a special touch to the atmosphere. Ellie and Phil performed an intricate tango as their first dance which wowed all of their guests. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Wedding Planner: Oasis Weddings
Venue: Costa Verde and El Lagarto
DJ: A Class Entertainment
​Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon

Chase and Antonio traveled to Costa Rica from Washington, D.C. Family and friends joined them from all over the United States to celebrate the love that these two have for each other. Chase and Antonio really wanted to spend time with their love ones as much as possible on the wedding day, so they hosted a pre-ceremony cocktail hour which they both attended. 

The wedding and reception was held at Costa Verde Hotel. Chase and Antonio got ready together in a room just a few steps from the ceremony location.

The ceremony was held on the helipad at Costa Verde with beautiful views of the Manuel Antonio National Park on one side, and ocean on the others. A tropical arch awaited the couple.

After the ceremony guests continued with cocktail hour while we took photos around the hotel grounds. Costa Verde has beautiful jungle pathways that make for great portrait locations. Chase and Antonio wanted to jump into the pool, they did it all of a sudden without telling any of their guests. It was such a fun way to start the celebration! After jumping into the pool they changed into some more casual clothes and we finished the portrait session with sunset photos.

Chase and Antonio arrived to a warm welcome at their reception. The dinner and dancing was held at El Avion, a restaurant with an old airplane build into it. The fun really began once the dance floor was opened as Grandma stole the show by dancing with all of Chase and Antonio's friends. The dancing continued throughout the evening and the happiness and love that everyone had for Chase and Antonio was very apparent. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Costa Verde Hotel
Wedding Planner: Isabel Vargas
DJ: MA Gigs

Vickie and Darrick were so easy going and fun to work with. They were here to have a good time and to marry one another. It was that simple. They pretty much allowed me to pick the spot on the beach for the ceremony, which I was so happy about. We used the shadow of a large volcanic rock for even lighting, and had the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park as the backdrop. 
The whole ceremony these two were in contact. Whether it be an arm around the other, holding hands, or their first kiss as husband and wife, these two were inseparable. Their love was apparent and came through in their beautiful photos.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Officiant: Marcelo Galli

I first met Brittany and Chris while they were here on a trip, scouting out venues for their wedding. We decided to take advantage of them being here and took some beautiful engagement photos. From the very first moment we met, I knew their wedding would be perfect. They are such a laid back couple and so full of joy, there was nothing that could make their day any less than perfect. 

Chris and some friends were getting ready in one of the casitas at Costa Verde, just a short walk from the ceremony area. He wore a navy blue suit with brown accents. Brittany gifted him a beautiful wooden watch, which went perfectly with the Costa Rica vibe.

Brittany was getting ready in the Penthouse with her mother. She looked absolutely stunning with a classic curly updo and a sheath beaded dress.

On our way to the ceremony we were able to pop into the reception area and get some beautiful detail shots of the setup. Pineapples were a bit of a theme for Brittany and Chris's wedding, and miniature pineapples were found in florals, they were so cute. 

The ceremony was set on the grassy knoll at Costa Verde. Surrounded by jungle yet with a view of the ocean, the grassy knoll works perfectly for intimate weddings. Chris and Brittany released bright blue Morpho butterflies at the end of their ceremony, it was a beautiful way to begin the celebration of this new chapter in their lives. 

After some family photos at the ceremony space the bride and groom made their way to the Manuel Antonio Beach, just in time for sunset. It was low tide and the volcanic rocks were exposed and accessible, making for some beautiful shots.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Costa Verde Hotel
Wedding Planner: Isabel Vargas
Flowers: Floristeria Cristal
Hair and Makeup: Hair by Monica
Cake: La Panera
DJ: DJ Kika

Siobhan and Jason married each other on the sandy shores of Manuel Antonio Beach. It was just the two of them, which is really all that is needed when love is involved. Siobhan wore an amazing dress, with multiple tulle layers. She looked gorgeous in it and it looked so romantic against the beach backdrop. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Wedding Planner: Costa Rica Paradise Weddings
​Venue: Makanda by the Sea
Hair and Makeup: Priscilla Solano

Janae and Jayce held an intimate wedding ceremony at a vacation house nestled in the Costa Rican jungle. They said their vows to one another with tears in their eyes, and smiles of joy on their lips. Family and friends joined them to celebrate, as well as two very important guests, their two sons. 

The day started with Janae getting ready. Her two little ones looked so cute in their little outfits, complete with bow tie and all. Janae wore a simple dress that beautifully displayed her body art. 

A tropical arch was set for the ceremony. Traditional Costa Rican bird whistles were given to each guest. They all blew on them and sang little bird songs as the couple exited from the ceremony. 

After the ceremony the newlyweds shared a first dance as an entire family, it was such a sweet moment, I am tearing up just writing about it. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Casa de las Brisas
Wedding Planner: Oasis Destination Weddings
Florist: Floresteria Quepos
Officiant: Melissa Klassen
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon

Brandi and Luke arranged a simple yet beautiful wedding on Manuel Antonio Beach. With a view of the Manuel Antonio Nation Park, this couple said, "I Do" to one another and committed to love one another for the rest of their lives. 
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Guests enjoyed the amazing sunset and wet their feet in the water before heading to a dinner reception at a nearby restaurant.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Officiant: Marcelo Galli
​Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon

This lovely family took a trip to Costa Rica to celebrate their 10 year wedding anniversary. They decided that a sunset photo session would be a great way to document this milestone. The sunset this evening was beautiful. 

Julia and Brian married one another in Costa Rica in front of a select group of friends and family. And although this wedding ceremony made their union official, it was not needed to prove that these two are committed to one another for life. Julia and Brian have been together for over 10 years and have two beautiful children together. The small daily routines of life and the support they provide to one another already shows just how committed they are. 

One of the things that I loved about these two are how laid back they were. Neither of them were nervous or stressed about the wedding, they weren't very particular about how things looked or flowed (even though everything looked beautiful and flowed seamlessly). They were eager to incorporate the children into their wedding day, yet also reserve special moments for just the two of them. 

A stunning tropical setup awaited Julia and Brian. Birds of paradise and red ginger flowers were in abundance. Alvin played on his guitar as Julia made her entrance, I couldn't tell during the wedding day, but after zooming in on her photos during the editing process I could see that she had tears welling up in her eyes.

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Casa de las Brisas
Wedding Planner: Oasis Destination Weddings
Cake: Mariposa Pastry
Flowers: Floristeria Quepos
Officiant: Rodrigo Campos
Guitarist: Alvin Chinchillo

Robie and Michele were set on getting married with their toes in the sand. They originally had scheduled their ceremony for sunset, but they didn't want the afternoon rains to interfere, so they decided to move it up to the morning, which worked out perfectly. Robie is a photographer as well, and had lots of ideas on what he wanted for his images. It is always nice to work with another photographer as they have an understanding of the craft and of the use of lighting.

Michele was preparing in a nearby villa with her sister and other close friends and family.

The ceremony was held down on the beach just like the couple wanted. The day was perfect, the sun was shining, and the wedding ceremony was beautiful. Afterward we took photos along the beach while all of the guests changed into their swimsuits and went for a swim. 

The reception was held later in the evening at Ronny's Place, a clifftop restaurant with stunning views of the ocean. Beautiful flower arrangements were set along a single rectangular table. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Ronny's Place
Planner: Tropical Occasions
Designer: Aimee Monihan
Day of Coordinator: Karen Ogden
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon
Florist: Stylos y Flores
​Cake: Mariposa Pastry
Rentals: D'Gala