Jill and Adam opted for a destination wedding high in the hills in a private villa in beautiful Costa Rica. Jill shared with us the story of how a destination wedding ended up being just the right fit for them.
People often say that wedding planning was one of the most stressful times of their lives, I however do not feel that way. After we got engaged, Adam and I looked at venues locally, but nothing had the luxurious and romantic feel that I wanted to surround myself with on my wedding day. One night, Adam suggested a destination wedding, at first I scoffed at him, but I quickly got on board as it is so “us”. So instead of having a big, boring cookie cutter wedding, we turned it into a trip of a lifetime not only for us, but also for our family and friends.
I had always wanted to go to Costa Rica, the culture, activities and overall vibe of the country seemed like it would be the perfect match for Adam’s and I adventurous side. Some quick Googleing led me to Villa Punto de Vista. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this house and the staff. The owner David, is attentive and has built a magical place that I will always remember.
Once we booked the venue everything else fell into place. Some more Googleing led to me the most incredible wedding planner Tropical Occasions. Together Aimee and Karen make the perfect team. Karen’s no nonsense approach makes planning easy, she is the person you want to have by your side on the big day because you will not have to worry about anything. She has every detail covered and is always three steps ahead of you. She is responsive, kind and truly one of the best in the business. Aimee is creative and brilliant and has this way of taking what you imagine in your head and making it come out even better. She instantly understood what I wanted and was able to make it happen and stay on budget! My wedding was truly more than I could have ever expected, every detail was perfect.
Once the couple enlisted the expert guidance, planning and design from Costa Rica’s longest running destination wedding planners, Tropical Occasions, owner Aimee Monihan began the design process.
Jill was so amazing to work with. When we initially spoke about the look of her wedding she used words like “happy, natural, fun & colorful. She also made it clear she wanted it to feel like a wedding taking place where it was taking place. Costa Rica, in the jungle at a gorgeous Ultra Modern Luxury estate. So as the designer for my company I was smiling ear to ear. First I was just happy to not have to design another rose gold and blush wedding and I had been wanting to do something just like she described at this house. So we dove into a color palette of the colors of the Costa Rican sunset. Vibrant and deep Fuchsia, Orange, Yellow and red’s.
We introduced elements like beautiful exposed Costa Rican grown teak wood tables. Matched with Modern Ghost Chairs with a bright colorful tangerine orange cushions (Design tip! – you need these in tropics cause you will literally stick and sweat like crazy in a ghost chair). We found a fun yet modern runner to match the seat cushions and blend beautifully with the colors of the floral.
The altar was natural and kept it classic with covering the already existing structure and we had a great leaf garland to again bring in all the green jungle surrounding the setting. We love to re use as much as we can with our designs from ceremony into the reception- BIG DESIGN TIP- re use, re purpose your floral from ceremony in your tables. We do this all the time, allows our clients to save $, us to feel better about being sustainable in our designs and above all your look is automatically cohesive!
The flowers were by far my favorite part to plan and Jill let me have carte blanche as far as what they would look like. I used lots of fun textures, deep to bright colors and fun details here and there. The mix included Floral in the sunset palate using Mokara, phalenopsis and dendrobium orchids, Roses, Coxcomb, Orange and yellow Gloriosa’s, sweet pea, Snap dragons, Tulips & Lisanthus. We also added in texture with Succulents, Artichokes, air plants and a mix if green leaves from Tropical, to coffee, to citrus, to echo a bit of the foliage growing all around the setting in Costa Rica. Flowers were put into different sized Teak wood boxes to compliment the tables. We as well with all our events feel that like the Bachelor there is no such thing as too many candles… so we added lots of candles from votives, to floating and as well LED flickering in glass hurricanes. Design tip #2 for the tropics. Use as much LED as you can. Every says they want open flame… but when you use an abundance of candles and its already 80 degrees… its like a campfire next to you in a already hot climate!)
The design in the end was a complete reflection of our clients. I did not realize that when Jill described her perfect wedding the words she used were a reflection of who she and her husband are. FUN, Beautiful, Natural, Happy and colorful to their beautiful shining souls. Planning and designing this event for them was our great honor. They were the types of clients that remind us that we are so blessed to do what we do and meet and help great people like them!!
From the bride: For anyone who is thinking of a destination wedding, do it, it will be so much more than you ever expected. Thank you Aimee, Karen, Natalie, Madi, David, and all of the others who helped make this the most beautiful wedding, I cannot thank you enough.
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Destination Wedding Photographer: Madison Baltodano Photography
Wedding Vendors: Wedding Location: Villa Punto de Vista, Manuel Antonio, CR, Wedding Planner: Tropical Occasions, Event Designer: Aimee Monihan, Tropical Occasions, Wedding Coordinator: Karen Ogden, Tropical Occasions, Hair/Makeup: Jasmine Rodriguez, Florist: Stylos y Flores, Caterer: Citrus, Officiant: Marcelo Galli, DJ: DJ Doug Gomez, Dress: Allure Couture C261, Sposabella Bridal, Feasterville, PA, Veil: ABusyMother/Etsy, Bride’s Shoes: Shoes of Prey, Garters: Millieicaro, Groom’s Suit: Tommy Hilfiger, Macy’s, Grooms Men Ties: The Tie Bar, Groom’s Cufflinks: BackZeroDesign/Etsy, Groom’s Men Attire: Tommy Hilfiger, Macy’s, Bridesmaid Dresses: Adrianna Papell, Nordstrom, Bride’s Rings: Ritani, Groom’s Ring: Handmade by bride, Ring Bearer Box: LittleWeeShop/Etsy, Bridal Party Robes: Silkandmore/Etsy, Chair Back Sings: ZCreateDesigns/Etsy, Table Runners: Carousel Designs, Invites: Winsome Blooms, Wedding Paper Divas, Wedding Welcome Bags: White Apple Threads/Etsy, Costa Rica Map Guest Sign: Embie Designs/Etsy, Cake Topper: Better Off Wed/Etsy, Bridal Dress Hanger: WhiskeynWeddingBells/Etsy, Mr & Mrs. Champagne Flutes: SweetWaterWorkshop/Etsy
