With the most stable government in all of Central America and tourism on the rise, Costa Rica has moved to the forefront of the destination wedding choices for many couples. This post is a brief overview of the country from a Costa Rica wedding planner perspective.
The Law: Attaining a marriage license in Costa Rica is a relatively easy and painless process. Costa Rica marriage license laws can be found here.
The Geography: One thing that sets Costa Rica apart from other destination wedding locations is the diversity of its landscape. With a great variety of beaches, volcanoes, cloud forest and calm gulf waters, this country offers something for everyone.
The Lifestyle: The most common phrase that you will hear while travelling through Costa Rica is “pura vida” which translates to “the pure life”. The beautiful people of this small country are considered to be some of the happiest people on earth. Their positive demeanor is absolutely contagious.
The Flowers: Costa Rica provides the ideal growing environment for orchids. The country boasts over 1300 varieties of orchids alone. Combine this with birds of paradise, many varieties of ginger, heliconia and bromeliads and you have yourself a stunning and locally harvested bouquet. The great thing about tropical flowers is that, not only are they beautiful and vibrant, but they are also hardy, so the wedding flowers can be enjoyed throughout the entire trip.
As we continue to explore all that this beautiful country has to offer, we fall further and further in love with it as the perfect destination wedding location. For additional information about our travels throughout Costa Rica, please check out our Insider Guide to Costa Rica.
We have scoured the internet for the most romantic and fun outdoor lighting configurations. This blog is dedicated to the DIY bride who is looking to create amazing ambiance on a budget.
Beautiful and inspiring lighting can be achieved on any budget. Check out Luna Bizaar for over 20 varieties of Chinese lanterns. Sival Lighting is a great source for commercial grade string lights. If you are looking for candle lanterns, Wholesale Mart has a good variety of reasonably priced items.
This post is part of our insider guide to Costa Rica section of our blog. In an effort to gain a greater handle on the ever changing landscape of Costa Rica, we have made several research trips throughout the country. This last trip takes us to the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, an area with lush rain forests, stunning beaches and abundant surf. Our trip started out in the town of Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio- This town has been on the tourist radar for many years now, so during peak holiday travel it can become flooded with travelers. Don’t, however, let this sway you from visiting the area. What brings people to this area are the gorgeous ocean views and the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park. This protected stretch of coast land is home to hundreds of different species of birds, sloths and 3 types of monkeys. Since it is a mountainous coastline, the majority of accommodations are perched up high overlooking the Pacific ocean. Even though this area can get crowded, we consider it a must see if you are headed to Costa Rica’s central Pacific area. It is the ideal location for honeymooners, families and backpackers alike. Accommodation Suggestions: Costa Verde and Buena Vista Villas.
Esterillos- Although the sleepy town of Esterillos is just off the busy route from Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park, you wouldn’t know it when you are walking on the beach. Most travelers drive right past this idyllic stretch of tropical coastline. The area is divided into Esterillos Oeste (west) Esterillos Centro and Esterillos Este (east). Each area is separated by a nature rich estuary, but it is, otherwise, one long stretch of beautiful beach. We visited several beautiful villas while in the area and were quite impressed by the panoramic views and solid construction of many of them. There are also several beach front hotels to suit a wide range of budgets. If you are imagining Costa Rica as an untouched natural wonderland with pristine beaches, then this town would make a great location for your next trip. It is truly unspoiled and not touristy, which is exactly what we love about it. It has great surf too! Accommodation Suggestions: Xandari, Encantada and Casa Exotica
Playa Hermosa- This world renowned surf spot attracts hardcore surfers from around the world. Known for its wave consistency and hollowness, Playa Hermosa is the perfect place to go for the active traveler that can handle advanced surf. This black sands beach is situated just 6 miles south of Jaco, but has a distinctly different flavor. It is considerably smaller than Jaco and mainly composed of beach side hotels and restaurants. Accommodation Suggestion: Backyard Hotel
Jaco- Located just 1 hour from San Jose’s Sanatamaria International Airport, it represents the closest beach stop for many city dwellers who are looking for a weekend getaway. In the last 5 years or so, the town has experienced substantial growth with the addition of many new businesses and condo developments. Unfortunately, there are few zoning measures in this area and the new growth lacks any uniformity. Businesses use gaudy sign-age to attract the attention of would be customers and the result is rather hodge podge . What Jaco lacks in aesthetic and charm, it makes up for in amazing crafts and great bargains. We have found the best and most affordable souvenirs in this coastal town. If you are looking for something special to take home to loved ones, Jaco would make a great afternoon stop. Accommodation Suggestion: Doce Lunas
One of our friends in Costa Rica is the artist responsible for the hand carved signs found on most businesses in the beach town of Playa Tamarindo. The other day, he came over and presented a sign that he made for us as a gift. We were so thrilled that we put it up directly in the entryway to our office. After spending a few days admiring it, a light bulb went off. We have found the perfect personalized destination wedding gift. If you are a wedding guest looking for a signature gift for the wedding couple, then look no further. This would also make a great gift for the wedding party. How cool would it be to send your wedding guests home with an exotic wood memento from your destination wedding. For a personal touch, you could have the artist inscribe a special thank you message on the back of each sign.
Like many small businesses throughout Costa Rica, our friend Greivin Quiros Obando doesn’t have a website. If you are interested in having him create a custom sign for your event, please contact us at info@fourwindsweddings.com and we will forward your inquiry to him.
Our job as destination wedding planners tends to exceed the act of simply planning and orchestrating the actual event. We are our clients eyes and ears on the ground in Costa Rica and this is a job that we take very seriously. In an effort to become a complete resource for our clients, we constantly travel the country to uncover the most beautiful and romantic honeymoon locations. We tend to prefer smaller and more intimate hotels ourselves, which is reflected in our selections. Here are our top five.
1.) Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort: When we visited this hotel it really struck us as a the perfect first honeymoon stop in Costa Rica. The rooms are all well appointed with all of the luxury amenities of a 5 star hotel including a large Jacuzzi soaking tub, quality king sized bed and gorgeous furnishings. What really sets this hotel apart from others, however, is its location. As you might gather from its name, Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort contains some of the most gorgeous hot springs on the planet. The resort is situated in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. Arenal is one of the 10 most active volcanos in the world. On a clear night, the volcano can be seen spewing fire and ash from its crater.
2.) Los Altos de Eros Luxury Inn and Spa: If you have been a follower of our blog in the past, you will know that we are big fans of this small hotel (check out our previous blog post). Los Altos de Eros is unique in that it is located high up in the hills, overlooking the Guanacaste countryside and pacific ocean in the distance. With its location, the owners of the hotel have struck a balance between complete serenity and close proximity to surrounding tourist hotspots like Playa Tamarindo and Avellanas. They have several full time drivers on staff that will take you from the hotel to the destination of your choice. Spa de Eros is an opened air, but completely private area that allows for ultimate relaxation. We highly recommend the couples spa package, which includes your choice of three spa treatments and a delicious lunch.
photo: Bi-drop
3.) Ylang Ylang Beach Resort: This beach front hotel is actually comprised of several private stucco bungalows and is located in Montezuma, one of our favorite towns in Costa Rica. The resort has gorgeous manicured tropical gardens with paths that lead guests from the main facilities to the individual bungalows. The town of Montezuma is charmingly small with several restaurants and shops throughout. One of the largest attractions to this area besides the beaches are the Montezuma waterfalls. Located walking distance from town, these falls are a must see for cliff divers and nature lovers alike.
4.) Hotel Capitan Suizo: Located on the more private south end of Playa Tamarindo, the impeccably manicured grounds of this hotel are a jungle oasis in an area surrounded by dry forrest. Howler monkeys, flocks of birds and curious iguanas call this small sanctuary home. Capitan Suizo is a swiss owned boutique hotel with arguably one of the best beachside pools in all of Tamarindo. The honeymoon bungalow is tucked away on one of the many winding paths that line the grounds. It has a spacious living space with a patio that faces the ocean, a large Jacuzzi soaking tub and a very comfortable bed. Every friday night (from December to May), Capitan Suizo hosts a beach side barbeque where guests can feast on a large assortment tasty food. After dinner, everyone is treated to the traditional dance and music of the Guanacaste. There is a marimba band that plays throughout the evening.
5.) Hotel Punta Isleta: Located in the decidedly less touristy area of Samara, this beautiful hotel provides all the privacy that one might want in honeymoon destination. We recommend staying in one of the casitas (spanish for little house). Each casita is beautifully furnished with rustic, but elegant furniture. Step outside and you will discover a private patio and plunge pool where sunbathing and general relaxing can take place. What is unique about this property is that, while it is perched in the hills overlooking Samara bay, the hotel also has a beachside facility with an amazing pool, swim up bar, private lounge area and a casual restaurant. This hotel truly captures the best of both worlds!
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As earth day approaches, what better time to draw inspiration from mother earths brilliantly designed natural elements. Lets face it, nature is cool and so are natural products. Why not show your admiration for mother nature at your wedding and get in touch with your earthy side? We’re not talking about getting married in a creek, while your guests all stand misserbly on the muddy banks mucking up their dress shoes. We’re talking, more along the lines, of incorporating rustic chic design elements into your wedding decor. You’ll see…
Being huge nature lovers ourselves, we fully support a theme that is, purposefully, a little rough around the edges. For a truly rustic chic decor, pair rustic items such as various handmade wooden objects with natural chic items like pearls and feathers. Twine, leather and burlap become jaw-dropping textures when balanced with elegant decor elements.
Because of our roots in the Pacific Northwest we chose noble trees for today’s inspiration. Keep in mind, a rustic chic theme could take many forms. Get inspired by your natural surroundings!
If your thinking to yourself… I could make something like that cake stand. You can – and heres how!
As much as we believe in unique creative design, there are a few design elements that are natural combinations and timelessly beautiful. For destination weddings, that combination is bamboo and a sea shell laden Costa Rican beach.
The hanging shell accents are a beautiful way to add a little accent of decoration that doesn’t distract from the bride and groom.
Dark brown bamboo Chevali chairs are a classy way to accent any beach reception. Also, adding a sheer color fabric to your arch is a great way to incorporate your color them into the wedding decor without overwhelming the senses.
We are rapidly approaching outdoor wedding season in the northern hemisphere! I couldn’t possibly be more excited to go over outdoor wedding layouts with our couples. I might, however, be biased towards the use of a tent. Thinking back…I mean way back, I remember constructing makeshift tents in the living room using a haphazard combination of chairs, pillows and a blankets. There was just something about being inside the security of a tent, that felt incredible. Maybe this is where my love for tents started. In a more practical setting, like a wedding, a good tent can give you the feeling of being outdoors with the security of knowing that you are prepared for the elements. The use of a tent also allows you to create your own romantic scene complete with gorgeous lighting
The above photos might challenge your ideas of what a tent could be. The top photo is from an event with a two tent set up. The second photo is a clear tent setup that provides natural lighting, but also creates coverage for the event.
These two are more traditional interpretations of the wedding tent. The top image shows the elegant draping of this large tent. The picture below is of a circus style tent with large posts in the center.
Whether you are looking to create your own ambiance with a tent, or simply having a backup plan if the weather forecast looks bleak, there are a lot of options out there to choose from. Check outTown & Country Event Rentals for more tent inspiration and if you feeling like jazzing your tent up with sophisticated lighting, check out Luminous Designs for inspiration. On a non tent related note, we are currently hosting a Costa Ricaluxury vacation giveaway. Take a second and sign up to win. We pick a winner on April 30th!
Four Winds Weddings& Events is excited to announce the giveaway of a luxury couples package valued at over $3200. The package includes a five night stay in a king room poolside at Los Altos de Eros Luxury Inn and Spa. This 5 star hotel has received top honors fromTrip Advisor community. In 2010 alone, it was rated #1 Central/South America in Luxury, #2 Central/South America in Service, #4 Top 10 Luxury Hotels of the World. Perched on one of the highest hills in the area, the hotel offers stunning mountain and ocean views throughout the property. The yoga studio is an opened air, Zen-inspired structure that allows for ultimate peace and serenity. Included in the package is 2 days at Los Altos de Eros Spa, as well as a day cruise for two on The Blue Dolphin, an all-inclusive catamaran.
Photo credit: Toh Gouttenoire of Bi-Drop Photography
The drawing will take place on April 30th. To enter to win this package please fill out the giveaway submission found here. Limit one submission per person. We will announce the winner live on our website and on ourfacebook fan pageat 6pm pacific time on 4/30/10. Check our blog at that time to see if you have won the vacation of a lifetime.
Picture this: As your wedding winds down, all of your guests have that warm and fuzzy feeling as they gaze into the summer night sky. Their smiles widen and their eyes glow from the flaming sky lantern that just took flight. Messages expressing admiration for you as a couple and tips of wisdom for present and future romantically involved couples, soar up into the star filled abyss.
Not only is the release of sky lanterns a wonderfully romantic way to end your wedding day, you will also be continuing an age old tradition and creating lifetime memories for your guests. For centuries,the practice of releasing sky lanterns has been tradition in celebratory festivals and ceremonies throughout the Far East. In more recent years sky lanterns have been released at a variety of different gatherings for their beauty, their symbolism of love and just for the fun of it. With their growing popularity around the globe, the tradition has taken on new meaning and new elements have been incorporated. For example, at a wedding, guests could write meaningful messages on the lanterns and as they are released into the sky their messages could be read out loud to the bride and groom and all of their guests.
When making the decision to use sky lanterns there are a few thing that are important to keep in mind. First of all, make sure that you are selecting an environmentally friendly product. Sky lanterns are now produced with 100% biodegradable material. You will want to look for a product that does not use any metal wire (potentially harmful to creatures, large and small)! You will also want to look for lanterns that are flame resistant and crafted out of rice paper or any safe material that rapidly disintegrates.
Another thing to keep in mind before you purchase these lanterns, make sure you are going to have the appropriate venue to incorporate this type of ceremony. Lastly, on the day of your event you will have to make sure that the weather is cooperating. If it is raining or there are strong winds, the lanterns ceremony will have to be cancelled. You can, however, always give the lanterns to your guests. They make excellent parting gifts! You will want to have gift bags or ribbon ready in case of a last minute change of plans. For their beauty, symbolism of love, and because they are simply stellar, sky lanterns are perfect for any evening wedding or party!
