Andrea and Kevin’s Engagement Session

A couple stands closely together outdoors during their engagement session at Riu Guanacaste, smiling at the camera. The man wears a brown shirt and light pants, while the woman wears a white dress. The background is blurred greenery.
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A Magical Evening at Riu Guanacaste: A & K’s Engagement Session

There’s something truly special about photographing couples in the place where they’ll soon say “I do.” When A & K contacted me about capturing their engagement photos at Riu Guanacaste—the very resort where they’ll celebrate their wedding next year—I couldn’t wait to show them the magic this stunning location has to offer.

The Perfect Backdrop

We scheduled our session for late afternoon, when the Costa Rican sun casts its warm, golden light across the property. Upon arriving at Riu Guanacaste, I was once again struck by how perfectly this resort balances luxury with the natural beauty of Guanacaste province.

Our journey began in the meticulously maintained gardens of the resort. With the majestic hotel in the background, we captured A & K strolling hand-in-hand through vibrant tropical foliage. The architecture of Riu Guanacaste provided an elegant contrast to the lush greenery, creating a perfect harmony of natural and man-made beauty.

  • During a couples engagement session at Riu Guanacaste, a woman playfully hugs a man from behind under a palm tree on a sunny day. The man smiles at the camera as the woman leans in joyfully, with blurred trees and landscape in the background enhancing their happiness.
  • A woman in a white dress leans forward to kiss a kneeling man on the hand. They are outdoors at Riu Guanacaste, with a palm tree and blurred foliage in the background. Both are smiling brightly, capturing a tender moment from their couple engagement session in timeless black and white.
  • A couple strolls hand in hand down a palm tree-lined path at Riu Guanacaste, surrounded by lush greenery and towering buildings. The sky is a perfect blue with scattered clouds, setting the ideal backdrop for their engagement session in the warm sunlight.

Barefoot on the Beach

As the afternoon progressed, we made our way to the beach—a stretch of pristine sand that has witnessed countless promises of forever. A & K immediately relaxed into the coastal setting, their laughter carrying over the gentle sound of waves. There’s something about the beach that brings out authentic moments between couples, and A & K were no exception. Their connection was palpable as they walked along the shoreline, the ocean stretching endlessly behind them.

  • A couple stands closely under a canopy of lush trees, framed by large twisted branches. The sky is blue, and the setting at Riu Guanacaste is natural and serene, suggesting a warm, peaceful environment perfect for an engagement session.
  • A woman with long dark hair, in an off-shoulder white blouse, smiles warmly at a bearded man in a brown shirt. Captured during their couple engagement session at Riu Guanacaste, they stand outdoors amidst a blurred backdrop of lush greenery and gentle water.
  • A couple enjoys a romantic engagement session at Riu Guanacaste, walking hand in hand barefoot on the sandy beach. The woman, in a white dress, and the man, in a brown shirt and beige pants, smile as ocean waves gently kiss the shore behind them.
  • In a couple engagement session at Riu Guanacaste, a woman in a white dress walks barefoot along the beach, smiling with the ocean waves behind her. The blurred foreground features a persons shoulder, hinting at someone watching her approach.
  • A black and white photo captures a couple during their engagement session at Riu Guanacaste. The woman, in an off-the-shoulder dress, laughs as the man hugs her from behind. The blurred background adds to the soft, intimate atmosphere of their embrace.
  • A couple walks hand in hand along a sandy beach at sunset during their engagement session at Riu Guanacaste. The woman in a white dress and the man in a brown shirt with light pants enjoy gentle waves lapping at the shore, with a tree-covered hill gracing the background.

Sunset Magic

We saved the best for last—that magical moment when the Costa Rican sun begins its descent, painting the sky in breathtaking hues of orange, pink, and purple. As the colors intensified, so did the romance of our photos. A & K stood silhouetted against the vibrant horizon, creating images that perfectly capture both the beauty of Riu Guanacaste and the love these two share.

A silhouetted couple walking under trees at sunset near the ocean captures the essence of a romantic and tranquil engagement session. The Riu Guanacaste setting enhances the moment, with a sky in gradients of blues and oranges, framed by trees and scattered clouds.

From Photos to Keepsake

These engagement photos have already transformed into something tangible and meaningful—a custom signing album that will be present on their wedding day next year. Guests will have the opportunity to leave messages of love and support alongside these images, creating a cherished keepsake that blends professional photography with personal memories.

I can’t wait to reunite with A & K next year at Riu Guanacaste to capture the next chapter of their love story. If their engagement session was any indication, their destination wedding will be nothing short of breathtaking.

Planning your own destination wedding at Riu Guanacaste? Learn more about my comprehensive wedding photography packages designed specifically for this stunning resort

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