The thing about destination weddings is that, while the wedding is the main event, they end up being about the overall experience. I first met Helene & Adam in Playa Grande, and loved them immediately. Cool, laid back, artistic and talented… with an idea for a wedding weekend that was all about enjoyment that was music to my ears. I knew, based on what they wanted, that Las Velas Blancas was going to be the perfect venue for them: a place where friends and family could stay together, in front of one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica (I live here, so maybe I am biased, but I think not), where they could host a weekend of activities.

Yoga, surfing, pool time, dinners… a nicely planned weekend with a distinctly relaxed vibe that was all Helene & Adam.

The main event was in fact the wedding, when almost 100 guests joined together to witness them say their I dos by the ocean, followed by a laid back communal dinner under lights and palm trees. Simple, green, minimal decor was all that was needed because the love was everything!

{photo} Jeffrey San Juan

{venue} Las Velas Blancas

{floral} Stylos & Flores

{rentals} Los Primos Designs / Eventos Artesanos

{DJ} DJ Guana

{hair} Famous Points Beauty

{makeup} Maravilla Makeup

{catering} Pots & Bowls

{bar} El Bar CR

{cake} Victoria Zoch

I have said this many times before… I love intimate weddings. Those small affairs with family and the closest of friends, that are surely to become the rule rather than the exception in the coming few months (or years). As a destination wedding planner, most of our weddings are on the smaller side, 30-80 guests, with very few going over 100 each year (which is still small in comparison to a lot of more “traditional” at-home weddings), but I hold a special spot in my heart for those weddings that are so very personal to the bride and groom.

Kasey & Patrick had one of these weddings, small, filled with love, and lots of special details (a good thing is that some beautiful touches that can be cost prohibitive with a 250 guest count are just right with a smaller guest list). Following a beachfront ceremony and cocktail at a Casa Islita, the group had a lovely poolside dinner at Langosta Beach Club. There is nothing like a celebration filled with love, good food, great music and beautiful flowers. Am I right?

{photo} Megan McCullor

{rentals} Eventos Artesanos

{floral} Stylos & Flores

{ceremony music} Ricardo Fonseca

{DJ} DJ Teemoor

{cake} Victoria Zoch

{hair and makeup} Nadia Cambronero

{venues} Casa Islita & Langosta Beach Club