Veronica + Chris
(March 22, 2022 in Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
In this blog post, we hear from a couple who knew they wanted a destination wedding with a beautiful beach and an all-inclusive experience. After considering various options, they decided on Costa Rica, a place that perfectly fit their vision. As the day approached, things got a little chaotic, but in the end, it was perfect for what they needed it to be. The author shares her number one tip for future brides: to stand up for what you want and not give in to family pressure. Ultimately, the wedding day is about the couple, and it should be spent doing what makes them happy and brings them joy.
By our real bride, Veronica:
What was the vision for your wedding?
From the beginning, Chris and I knew we wanted to do a destination wedding. I am NOT the mushy gushy type who could confess my undying love for somebody in front of a group of 100+. Not to mention the tears I knew he was going to make me shed! Our primary must-haves were: a beautiful beach, all inclusive, and not somewhere “easy”. We tossed around the Maldives, Jamaica, and the Bahamas before all signs pointed us to Costa Rica.
As we started to research it more we realized how perfect it was! Beach, adventure, tropical, wild… it was PERFECT! We utilized a travel agent who put us in contact with the wedding planner who did her wedding 10+ years prior, and holy cow, how easy was that? After chatting and reviewing her work we decided it was the perfect fit, so Chris and I fully committed and told our closest friends and family that we were going to celebrate our love in the beautiful country of Costa Rica.
How did it go the day-of?
The day of our celebration was… interesting. I’d love to say it was perfect, but let’s be real, it was a little chaotic. Or was I just high stress? Probably both if we’re being honest. The day started with room service delivering coffee (for him) and a secretly stashed can of sugar free Monster (for me) while we split ways to finalize writing our vows. While not being “traditional”, this was very “us”. Last minute caffeine junkies? Check!
We split ways and celebrated our day with our family and friends. Chris went to a friend’s room and spent time relaxing while watching Netflix before his uncle, my dad, and our best friend went to get ready with him. While getting ready there was a mass panic among the group when they realized nobody knew how to tie a bow tie. Thank goodness for Google and YouTube University!
In the bride’s room, hair and makeup showed up an hour and a half early, lunch was early, and the photographer showed up a tad late. Turns out, it was all perfect for what the day needed to be. We both sent each other a small gift on the day of the wedding and what a special moment that was! If you need a warmup to crying, this is the way!
What is your #1 tip to future brides?
ELOPE.
I’m kidding… mostly! The biggest piece of advice I can give is to stand up for what YOU want, and not to give in to family pressure. It is so common for the wedding to be an event for other people to enjoy themselves, when in reality, all that matters on your wedding day is for you and your spouse to be happy and making memories. Do you want to have a 500+ person wedding? Do it. Do you want to have a private ceremony with the two of you and your witnesses only? Do it. What about traveling to a foreign country and having the celebration of a lifetime but only inviting the people you can’t live without? DO IT. Do you want to have sushi for dessert and ice cream sundaes with garlic bread for dinner? DO IT!
This day is about the two of you. Spend it doing what makes you happy and brings you joy! Nothing else will matter when it’s all said and done.
GOWN: MADELYN BY ALYSSA KRISTIN
HAIRPIECE: TINA FLORAL HAIR COMB
PHOTOGRAPHER: BACALAO FILMS
VENUE: WESTIN RESERVA CONCHAL
DJ: KIKA ARUGELLO
CAKE: VICTORIA ZOCH
WEDDING PLANNER: MIL BESOS COSTA RICA
