Denise and Bryan wed in beautiful Costa Rica surrounded by friends and loved ones. Denise explained how this special spot was selected. “We always discussed the importance of keeping our wedding a true celebration of our love, without allowing too many distractions or stress to creep in. Having a destination wedding seemed like the perfect way to ensure that we could accomplish that.
During our first year of dating we took a trip to Costa Rica and completely fell in love with the country. The vast differences in landscape from picture‐perfect beaches to rugged mountains and lush rainforests offered a multitude of opportunities for adventure, and the locals couldn’t have been more welcoming. We knew we would want to return at some point, and our wedding seemed like the perfect opportunity.”
This bride was the crafty type! “My favorite handmade detail was most definitely my wedding shoes. I knew I wanted to wear a high heel so that I could easily kiss my groom who is over a foot taller than me, but didn’t think heels would be appropriate on the sand. I was wishing for a bridal‐looking shoe similar to a pair of wedges I already owned that are so comfortable I could live in them, when my brilliant mother suggested we paint the heels pink to match my decor. The straps were already a skin‐tone elastic, so painting the multi‐colored raffia wedge pink was the perfect solution. I delegated that project to my mom since she is an absolute perfectionist and an expert painter. After the shoes had been transformed, I added pink peony faux flower buds to the straps to make them even more feminine and romantic.”
“Everything we planned for our wedding was about balancing opposing elements and reflecting who we are as a couple. We are naturally laid‐back, fun loving people who strive to make our loved ones happy, but we also appreciate style and beauty. If you were to come to a party in our home, we’d happily welcome you in your pajamas, but you could expect to find our dining room table decked out with a stunning tablescape and handmade favors at each place setting. That’s why even though we had a buffet style barbeque dinner, we asked guests to dress “resort formal” and paid special attention to the décor.”
“I wanted to reflect romance and femininity, but balance it with more rustic and natural elements. My design aesthetic tends to lend itself to juxtaposing elements, so the wedding décor followed suit. Our elegant white chiavari chairs were draped in floor‐skimming ivory tulle that danced in the wind, and the tables were outfitted with rustic burlap overlays and rattan chargers. Centerpieces were pink and peach blooms in glass cubes set aglow by votive candlelight. A must have for me were string lights. I love how they photograph and as I planned our décor, photos were always top of mind. Our incredible planner, Barbara of FourNineteen Weddings wisely made use of the regal palm trees on the property to string the lights between, and create a defined area for dining.”
“Our friends and family delighted us by letting loose and hitting the dance floor for the majority of our reception. We even had one guest do a karaoke version of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” which was followed up by several guests jumping into the pool fully clothed. It was a truly joyous occasion made even more memorable by the people that matter most to us.”
“Our day was picture‐perfect, and we wouldn’t have changed a thing. Thankfully we had the amazingly talented Jennifer Harter there to capture every moment in her captivating, romantic, and artistic style.”
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Destination Wedding Photographer: Jennifer Harter
Wedding Vendors: Wedding Planning + Design: Four Nineteen Weddings, Ceremony at Playa Langosta, Hacienda Pinilla, Reception at Villa Tranqila, Hacienda Pinilla, Hair + Makeup: Maravilla Weddings, Officiant: Marcelo Galli, Flowers: Artflower, Catering: Basilico Catering, Cake: Victoria Zoch
