An Elegant Costa Rica Wedding in a Private Villa

Today I’m really excited to share a gorgeous Costa Rica wedding shot by one of my favorite photographers – Sylvia Guardia.  When she sent me Melissa and Silvio’s album, I was immediately captivated by the romantic setting and simple yet elegant details.

Melissa really wanted the décor to include peony flowers.  But because that wasn’t an option in Costa Rica, she was able to achieve the same look and feel with similar flowers in light colors.  The results were perfection.  From the soft color palette to the flowing fabric – I am loving everything about this intimate destination wedding.   The beautiful bride is here to tell us more.  Enjoy!

Real Destination Wedding Advice from the Bride

Why did you choose to have your wedding in Costa Rica, and in this private villa?

Silvio’s family is all in Italy and my family all in Colorado. We wanted a beach location with fun activities for all the guests traveling to join us on our special day.  Everyone we talked to about Costa Rica had nothing but glowing reviews, so we were excited to see for ourselves. We found Villa Estrella online and loved the location and amenities they offered.   Playa Ocotal seemed like a safe part of Costa Rica but close enough to try various excursions without having to travel very far.

What was your favorite wedding detail?

I loved the setting. With only 12 guests, the ceremony was very intimate and personal. It was so special and just what we wanted.

Was there something particularly memorable that happened on your wedding day?

While I was getting ready for the wedding, we had howler monkeys with their babies right outside the window. I’ve been told monkeys bring good luck to marriage.

Was there any tradition that you skipped for your destination wedding?

We didn’t have a typical reception.  Since we stayed at the Villa, after dinner we all went swimming. It was fantastic and memories I’ll never forget!

What was your favorite part of having a destination wedding?

I love that I got to spend quality time with each and every one of my guests. We only had our closest family with us and it was extra special for that reason. We got to spend a week with everyone instead of one night that goes by too fast.

What was the biggest challenge in planning your destination wedding?

I am a visual person, so planning everything without being able to see for myself was hard.

What’s your advice to brides planning a destination wedding?

Do not get consumed by the details. No matter how hard you try, things will probably be different than expected. Don’t forget what the day is about. By going with an open mind, I let myself have an amazing day. We would not have changed a thing!

Vendors:

Photography:  Sylvia Guardia M
Reception Venue:  Villa Estrella
Wedding Planner:  Barbara Broutin from Four Nineteen Weddings
Cake:  Victoria Zoch
Flowers:  Floristeria Cristal
Ceremony Music:  Trio Los Peninsulares