Costa Rica is quickly becoming the #1 choice for destination weddings
For many creative couples. Whether your dream setting is beach, a mountain top, or hanging from a ZipLine 100 feet above the floor of the rainforest, a destination wedding in Costa Rica will not wedding costa rica wedding planners costa rica wedding planner costa rica disappoint.
This tiny Central American country has more variety of environments and desirable settings to offer than almost anyplace on earth. First there is such a wide range of micro climates such as the Rainforest, dry cool Cloudforest or choose from an oceanfront beach ceremony on not just one coast….but your choice of the waves of the vast and mighty Pacific Ocean or the white sand and turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Yes, it’s true….one paradise, two oceans.
Many couples seek wild eco-adventure, some are looking for a casual atmosphere and warm weather year-round, some for terrific value in an exotic location…Costa Rica offers them all. The most common thread with most of these couples is to preserve some elements of cultural or religious tradition in their ceremony while still enjoying the exotic scenery, celebrating their raw, adventurous sides and creating one-of-a-kind memories for the whole group that weren’t just popped out of a mold in a factory like many typical weddings.
One very vibrant couple made this dream a reality while creatively combining centuries-old East Indian tradition with a spicy Latin twist.
This was no ordinary East Indian wedding.
The setting was Los Sueños Resort and Marina on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
This particular couple has a passion for a tropical environment and the sea so they also wanted a beachfront wedding. The question was…how do they achieve it all…all in one amazing place?
They really had an interesting mix of requirements and a travel planner in the U.S. recommended they consider Los Sueños, just a 2 hour drive from the capital city of San Jose (soon to be a 1 hour drive when the new national highway opens in early 2010)
The family knew they had some challenges ahead with such unique requirements and it would take a very special, dedicated team to pull off all the complicated and specialized details.
They visited the Los Suenos resort, met with the CR Luxury Wedding Coordinator, explained their requests and requirements, and decided they’d found exactly what they wanted.
A Pre-wedding visit to experience the destination, the resort or hotel is highly recommended. Some venues even have a program allowing a one or two night complimentary visit, site tour and planning meeting.
Many hotels and resorts also offer a special bridal package which sometimes might include items like a complimentary cake, flower arrangement, banquet room and even a honeymoon suite at no charge for the bride and groom with a certain number of condominiums or hotel rooms booked for friends and family.
Check with the group sales department, reservations department, concierge or wedding planner for each venue you are considering and ask what offers they may extend and how much value you will receive for your dollars spent. Always consult a professional when preparing for a destination wedding either through the services of an independent planner or an “in-house” wedding coordinator.
Someone with expert knowledge of the location and great relationships with local vendors can help provide every detail and pull it off without even the slightest bump in the process. Well, almost any event planner will tell you; “there are bumps in carrying out any event…but a true professional will identify issues and find a creative solution to remedy the situation quickly where everyone in attendance will see only a hugely successful, joyful event”. The most important thing in almost any wedding planning process is to minimize the stress and maximize the pleasure of the entire experience from the first visit and consideration of the location, through the return home from the honeymoon.
The couple was amazed at how a team in Latin America, who never previously had any contact with East Indian culture, stepped right in, were happy to assist with every unusual detail and never were flustered by even a fleeting thought, of not being able to deliver every wish .
This well-traveled bride, grew up in Costa Rica and still has family in the country so she knows first hand all the wonders that Costa Rica and Latin America have to offer. She knew this was the perfect place to bond their relationship and blend the two, vastly different cultures she calls her own.
Once the plans were made they flew from their home in Boston and after a few days in the city it was time to head west toward the Pacific coast to Los Sueños to begin the elaborate 3 day celebration.
The group arrived at Los Suenos Resort, checked in with the CR Luxury Diamond Concierge Team and the family met with their personal “in-house” wedding coordinator who immediately put them at ease ahd had every detail covered. Next stop….AAAAhhhhhhhh!
The bride said“ Once everyone arrived and checked into their luxury condominiums, everyone was so relaxed…..I think this set a great mood for the entire trip right away.”
It was November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving family did not want to miss that tradition either. The CR Luxury Concierge ordered a full Thanksgiving Dinner that was delivered to the family at their condominium.
This was another great example of the blending of cultures…An American Celebration, enjoyed by an East Indian family across the street from the rainforest, in Costa Rica! This just goes to show what a warm welcome can be found for all cultures in this little Latin American paradise!
The bride also tells us that the luxury condominiums were “such a great decision”. They all enjoyed a beautiful, spacious home that allowed everyone to be comfortable and gather together several times and enjoy each other’s company as a family and as a group. She also told us that they were impressed at how the units are so well kept. She said that the time shared and closeness would not have been possible if they were all staying in a luxury hotel.
Arrangements were made for the first ceremonial events…the ladies participated in a ritual called Mehndi and they flew in a special Henna artist from Toronto for the event while the family men gathered for drinks at sunset and enjoyed a memorable time.
The next event called Sangeet, began almost immediately afterward…poolside at the private, Los Sueños Beach Club.
Just another example of blending of the scenery of this Latin American paradise and rich East Indian culture.
The Sangeet event began with drinks and appetizers, being served.
While the guests were sipping and dining, there were dance and musical performances, the Newlywed Game and an open mic for speeches from friends.
Then came the wedding day and it was spectacular right from the start!
In a more typical setting the family and guests of the groom would proceed together fully costumed and decorated to the home of the bride for the wedding ceremony. For this creative couple, there was an exciting twist!
With the groom’s dressed in formal East Indian wedding attire, he mounts a horse and the group of family and guests begin the colorful procession, called Baraat winding through the Los Sueños resort toward the Beach Club for Milni where the bride’s family greets the groom’s for the ritual exchange of garlands.
The wedding couple were married on a stage with floral alter specially designed and built right here in Costa Rica of wood with a steel bowl for a special fire just for this particular ceremony.
A tented beachfront reception, decorated in linens and ribbon of white, gold and green followed the ceremony. Drinks and appetizers were served as well as a fantastic, authentic dinner catered by the family’s favorite restaurant East Indian restaurant from San Jose.
This lovely bride commented that every task and request, no matter how unique, strange or unconventional, from a horse for the groom’s procession to a specially built stage and alter was possible due to the “can do” attitude of the CR Luxury Diamond Concierge team.
The beach, rainforest covered mountains, outdoor venues, spacious luxury accommodations and the oceanfront views allowed this modern, young couple to create a very personalized, unique series of events which blended their rich East Indianheritage with their love for the beach and the tropics for a spicy Latin twist!
This was an example of just one couple’s unique creative dream wedding.
Never let your wedding dreams have limits…reach for the sky…right here in Costa Rica!
See what bride and groom had to say.
Treat your special someone to something totally unexpected this Valentines day, book a romantic escape to Costa Rica today! Costa Rica is the ideal location to spend a long and memorable weekend with your loved one.
With five internationally flavored restaurants to choose from, you and you’re loved one might just not ever want to skip a meal. Contemporary, exotic, and freshly prepared courses are often served overlooking the spectacular Costa Rican sunsets. Go casual at our classic American pub or spice things up with Bambú’s Asian-inspired menu. Also known as a popular nightlife spot, you’ll often be treated to live local music and can dance the night away hand in hand without ever having to the leave the resort.
