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

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

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

Arjun and Erika held a beautiful wedding at the all-inclusive resort, The Westin. The day was full of laughter, celebration and love as family and friends celebrated this lovely couple. I already knew that Erika was sweet as can be, as I had met her a few years earlier when I photographed her twin sister's wedding in Costa Rica. Even though Erika and Arjun picked the same country as her sister and husband had, the wedding was in a completely different region of the country and distinctly Erika and Arjun's style. 

The day started with Erika getting ready with her girlfriends. She opted not to have a large bridal party, but that didn't mean that she didn't have a large group of supportive friends surrounding her the entire day. Arjun's wedding ring, pictured below, was a gift that was passed down to him from his father. On our ride together in the elevator he told me a bit about the tradition of his culture and passing rings down through the family.

Erika and Arjun did a first look in the courtyard of the hotel. Beautiful tropical gardens created a lush backdrop for this moment when the bride and groom see each other for the first time.

The most amazing ceremony setup awaiting this couple and their guests. I must say it was one of my very favorites of all of 2018. I love how romantic it looks, and how the florals drip from the arch. The beautiful blue ocean as the backdrop just adds the perfect touch to the bright purple hues that were present.

After the ceremony we took family photos and just as the sun was setting behind the hills we took newlywed photos of Arjun and Erika. 

The reception was held just footsteps from the beach and a beautiful new beach club. Twinkle lights, lanterns and candles all added to the warm atmosphere of the reception. Arjun and Erika were announced into their party and performed their first dance as husband and wife, a fun choreographed one. 

The night ended with everyone on the dance floor. DJ Teemoor kept the party going, and even played a few traditional Punjabi songs. It was so much fun to see not only Arjun and his family dance to those, but Erika and her family as well. It was such a beautiful blend of two cultures. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: The Westin Resort
Wedding Coordinator: Heidy Quesada
Cake: Victoria Zoch
DJ: DJ Teemoor
​Florist: Floristera Cristal

Elba and Jason held a fun wedding at Casa Espanola, a vacation villa in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Family and friends joined the couple for a wonderful vacation with the highlight of the week being the nuptials of these two. Elba is sweet as can be, she has a beautiful smile which she often displayed, one of those smiles that is contagious. Jason was more of the quiet yet friendly type, his daughter was there as well supporting them both. 

Elba was getting ready in the Master Suite, which is a bedroom adjacent to the rooftop deck with large windows and fantastic views. 

A beautiful arch was setup in the corner of the rooftop deck for the ceremony with perfect views of the Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park. Jason's daughter sung a song for the couple to start the ceremony, and the only time during the ceremony that Elba had tears rolling down her face was when she turned to Jason's daughter to say a few words to her, she must hold a very special place in not only Jason's heart but Elba's as well. 

While we were down at the beach taking photos the rooftop deck was being transformed into the dinner reception. Elba and Jason had their first dance under the stars. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Venue: Casa Espanola
Videography: Baltodano Films
Florist: Floresteria Quepos
DJ: Dj Esteban Rodriguez
Caterer: Tropical Catering
​Cake: Mariposa Pastry

Haley and Zach traveled with family and friends to Costa Verde Hotel in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. They planned a beautiful wedding which took place on the grassy knoll, with the reception at El Avion. Zach did a lot of the planning as Haley was busy with her teaching schedule, so he is who I communicated with prior to the wedding. Even though I hadn't emailed much with Haley, upon meeting her it was as if I had known her for years. She is one of those people that just make you feel so welcomed and comfortable. 

Haley was getting ready with her mom and her bridesmaids. She was bubbly and full of smiles, but warned me that both herself and her mom cry very easily. 

The ceremony had a beautiful arch setup, accent flowers hung along the aisle, and fans for each guest to cool themselves. Haley walked down the aisle holding back tears, and teetered between big laughs and tearful sobs during the ceremony, it was such an emotional moment for everyone involved and I am honored to have witnessed it.

Haley and Zach entered the reception and were greeted with loud cheers from their guests. They took to the dance floor for their first dance, which ended with a surprise choreographed routine. 

Photography: Madison Baltodano Photography
Videography: Baltodano Films
Venue: Costa Verde Hotel
Wedding Planner: Isabel Vargas
Hair and Makeup: Mademoiselle Salon
Music: Alvin Urbina

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