Cristina & Rolando’s Guanacaste Beach Wedding: From Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo

A woman in a white dress holds a colorful bouquet of pink, yellow, and orange blooms after her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. Her face is partially visible, smiling softly beneath a lace shawl, surrounded by lush green leaves.
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From Quepos to Guanacaste: Why Location Matters

A recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica features a wedding ceremony outdoors under a large tree with string lights, as guests sit on wooden chairs facing the couple at the altar.

Even though Cristina is from Quepos, she and Rolando chose Guanacaste for their big day. Smart choice. This would be their new home after the wedding. Plus, guests were coming from all over Costa Rica, making Guanacaste the perfect middle ground.

They planned for about 70 people to join their beach celebration. The guest list included family and friends who’d traveled from different corners of the country.

Isabel Vargas from Sunset Weddings was the perfect wedding planner for this wedding in Pangas Beach Club. I’ve worked with Isabel at weddings all over Costa Rica and knew the set up would be amazing.

Getting Ready at Las Guapas Villas

Cristina and her family got ready at Las Guapas Villas in Tamarindo. The villa was perfect for wedding prep. Natural light streamed through the windows. The space felt calm and happy.

I love photographing getting-ready moments. There’s something special about capturing those quiet times before the big celebration starts. Cristina looked relaxed and excited as her family helped her prepare.

  • A white building with a wooden door is partially covered by a lush bougainvillea bush with vibrant pink flowers. Cacti and ornamental grasses line the front, perfect for capturing moments from a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica under clear blue skies.
  • A white wall features a black line drawing of a small building with a cactus and the text Las Guapas Villas Tamarindo, evoking memories of a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. A tall green cactus stands to the left of the illustration.
  • A pair of elegant slip-on shoes with pointed toes, adorned with intricate pearl and bead embellishments on lace—perfect for a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica—set against a soft beige background.
  • A close-up of a colorful bouquet from a recent elopement in Costa Rica, featuring yellow and pink flowers, including chrysanthemums and carnations, with green leaves and a blurred background.
  • A cream-colored vintage-style dress with lace overlay and tiered ruffles, perfect for a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica, hangs on a wooden hanger against an arched black metal frame and white background.
  • Close-up of wavy, light brown hair with a loose, twisted braid running through the middle, capturing the texture and natural shine—perfect for a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica.
  • A woman with wavy hair smiles as she applies blush to her cheek with a makeup brush, her joy from a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica shining through. She holds an open makeup palette and sits in a well-lit room.
  • A smiling bride in a white robe looks down while adjusting her sleeve, savoring memories of her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. In the background, two women sit on a bed, one wearing pink, surrounded by wedding preparations.
  • A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a yellow top and a white flower in her hair, holds a colorful hand fan. Inspired by her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica, she stands indoors with decorative woven wall hangings and a woven lamp behind her.
  • A person wearing a cream-colored dress with lace details holds the lace fabric at their sides, capturing a quiet moment from a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. Another person in a pink dress with a large bow is visible in the blurred background.
  • A woman in a white dress and headband stands in a doorway of a modern building with large black-framed windows, smiling as she looks outside. Lush cacti and green plants by the wall hint at her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica.
  • A woman in a long, flowing white dress and lace shawl, fresh from a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica, walks beside a wooden door, looking downward and smiling. A decorative window and pool grace the black-and-white scene.
  • A smiling woman in a white dress walks outside a white building, with blooming bougainvillea and tall cacti nearby—capturing the joy of her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica.

Private Wedding Vows at Langosta Beach

Before heading to the ceremony, Cristina and Rolando decided to have their private vows at Langosta Beach. This wasn’t just any random beach. It held special meaning for them both.

Private vows can be some of my favorite moments to capture. The joy, the tears, the laughter. Langosta Beach gave us the perfect backdrop for their private moment together.

  • A woman in a white dress holds a colorful bouquet of pink, yellow, and orange blooms after her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. Her face is partially visible, smiling softly beneath a lace shawl, surrounded by lush green leaves.
  • A woman in a white dress and lace shawl sits on a rustic wooden bridge in a forest, holding a colorful bouquet and smiling at the camera—capturing the joy of her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica as sunlight filters through the trees.
  • A smiling bride in a white dress and lace cover-up stands on a sandy beach holding a colorful bouquet, celebrating her recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica with the ocean and distant mountains in the background.
  • A bride holding a bouquet of colorful flowers stands beside a groom in a tan suit on a sandy beach, surrounded by green trees and palm trees under a clear blue sky during their recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica.
  • A couple stands on a beach during their recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. Facing each other, one smiles as the other gently touches their face, with ocean waves behind them and a colorful bouquet of flowers in hand.
  • A couple stands on a beach during their recent elopement in Costa Rica. The groom, in a beige suit, reads vows from his phone, while the bride, holding a colorful bouquet, smiles warmly at him.
  • A couple stands on a sandy beach facing each other after their recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica; the groom in a beige suit holds a bouquet, while the bride, in a lacy gown, faces him with the ocean waves in the background.
  • A man in a beige suit and white shirt stands outdoors, smiling after his recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. He has dark hair and wears a pink boutonniere on his lapel. The blurred background features lush green and brown tones.

The Ceremony: What Mattered Most

For Cristina and Rolando, candid moments were everything. They didn’t want stiff, posed photos. They wanted real emotions captured. Laughter during the vows. Happy tears from grandma. Kids being kids on the beach.

They also had a sweet request. They wanted good photos of each family and couple. Not for social media, but to print and give as gifts later. Such a thoughtful touch that shows who they are as people.

  • A wooden table set with plates, baskets, and folded napkins stands outdoors under a large tree at Wedding Pangas Tamarindo, near a stone wall with greenery, in a peaceful natural setting.
  • A wooden sign with Spanish text stands on an easel outdoors at a wedding in Pangas Tamarindo, next to a vase with dried flowers and greenery. Large trees and wooden benches are in the background, creating a natural, serene setting.
  • A wooden outdoor table set with white plates, glasses, and small vases filled with colorful fresh flowers, inspired by a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica, surrounded by green trees and soft natural light.
  • A groom in a beige suit stands under a large tree with an officiant beside him, waiting at an outdoor wedding ceremony—reminding us of a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica. Guests on wooden chairs smile amid lush greenery and water in the background.
  • A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet walks down an outdoor path between two people, likely her parents, surrounded by lush green tropical plants and palm trees during a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica.
  • A man in a beige suit stands and smiles outdoors near a large tree and colorful flower arrangement, celebrating his recent elopement in Costa Rica, with two people blurred in the foreground.
  • A bride in a white dress, holding a bouquet, walks outdoors after a recent elopement in Costa Rica, flanked by an older man and woman who hold her arms. All three appear emotional as they stroll beneath trees.
  • A group of people attends an outdoor wedding ceremony, reminiscent of a recent elopement in Costa Rica, under a large tree near a riverbank, with rows of wooden chairs and string lights hanging in the background.
  • A couple stands holding hands under a large tree during a recent elopement in Costa Rica, with a celebrant between them. Guests sit on wooden benches beneath string lights, as the scene overlooks water and lush greenery.
  • A couple stands under a large tree exchanging vows at an outdoor wedding ceremony, reminiscent of a recent elopement in Costa Rica. String lights hang above as sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.
  • A group of six people dressed in formal summer attire sit closely together on wooden chairs at an outdoor event, smiling and looking ahead, sunlight illuminating them—celebrating a recent elopement in Costa Rica. Some hold drinks or flowers.
  • A group of well-dressed people sit closely together on wooden benches at an outdoor event in Costa Rica, smiling and watching attentively in warm sunlight. The mood appears joyful and celebratory after a recent elopement.
  • A group of people sit outdoors, attentively watching something. A woman in a yellow dress, possibly celebrating a recent elopement in Costa Rica, holds a fan and a phone, surrounded by casually dressed men and women. The setting appears sunny and relaxed.
  • A bride and groom exchange rings during a recent elopement in Costa Rica, with two women in bright dresses beside them and an officiant holding a microphone. Large tree trunks and sunlight fill the beautiful outdoor backdrop.
  • A couple stands hand-in-hand under a large tree, surrounded by bridesmaids in magenta dresses and an officiant, as guests seated on wooden chairs observe their recent elopement in Costa Rica.
  • A couple kisses at their recent elopement in Costa Rica, standing beneath a large tree, surrounded by seated guests. The bright outdoor ceremony is beautifully decorated with flowers.
  • A bride and groom walk down an outdoor aisle under a large tree during their recent elopement in Costa Rica, as guests on both sides smile, clap, and take photos. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a bright and festive scene.
  • A smiling bride from a recent elopement in Costa Rica hugs a guest at an outdoor wedding, surrounded by people in festive attire, sunlight, and trees in the background.

Dogs on the Beach: A Vet’s Perfect Portrait

True to her profession as a veterinarian, Cristina insisted on photos with their dogs Rafi and Vivi during the couple portraits. We walked down to the beach with their furry family members.

These photos turned out to be some of my favorites from the whole day. You could see how much their pets mean to them.

  • A bride and groom celebrate their recent elopement in Costa Rica, standing barefoot on a sandy beach with two older adults. The bride holds a colorful bouquet, and everyone is smiling with calm water in the background.
  • A group of eight adults, celebrating a recent elopement in Costa Rica, stand together smiling on a sandy beach with water and greenery in the background. The bride and groom wear wedding attire; the women are in dresses, and the men wear shirts and trousers.
  • A newlywed couple in wedding attire walks barefoot on the beach at Pangas Tamarindo, holding hands and smiling, each with a leash for their two dogs. The ocean and trees create a stunning backdrop for this joyful wedding moment.
  • A woman in a white dress and lace shawl stands on a beach, smiling at a person in the foreground who is out of focus. The scene captures the joy of their recent elopement in Costa Rica, with calm water and soft, warm light behind her.
  • A smiling woman in a white lace dress and floral hairpiece embraces a man in a light beige suit, holding a pink flower, at their romantic wedding at Pangas Beach Club, Tamarindo, with a softly blurred background.
  • A man in a light suit and a woman with curly hair and a floral headpiece face each other closely, smiling warmly at their wedding at Pangas in Tamarindo, with a soft, blurred background.
  • A couple dressed in white walks along a sandy beach at sunset, holding hands—celebrating their recent elopement in Costa Rica. The sky is soft and golden, with sailboats anchored in the calm sea behind them.
  • Two dogs sit on sand, both wearing white bandanas; the German Shepherd also has a red bow tie. String lights and trees hint at a recent elopement in Costa Rica, creating a festive atmosphere.
  • Silhouette of a couple walking two dogs on a beach at sunset after their recent elopement in Costa Rica, with soft pink and purple hues in the sky and the sun low on the horizon.
  • A couple, fresh from a recent elopement in Costa Rica, walks hand in hand along the beach at sunset, silhouetted against the colorful sky and calm ocean, with tall grass visible in the foreground.

Perfect Sunset, Perfect Reception

Mother Nature gave us an amazing sunset that evening. The sky turned orange and pink just as the reception was starting. The timing couldn’t have been better.

As the sun went down, the party really got going. Older family members sat at tables sharing stories and catching up.

Cristina and Rolando had planned with Isabel the coordinator to have a special sparkler entrance for the wedding couple. With the sunset it made for some great memories. And best part Rafi and Vivi were part of the show.

  • A woman in a light blue dress walks hand in hand with a young child along a sandy path toward the calm beach near wedding pangas Tamarindo, with grassy dunes and distant hills under a soft, overcast sky.
  • Three women in dresses stand outdoors on sandy ground, snapping photos with their phones toward a green, tree-lined landscape—a joyful moment from a recent elopement in Costa Rica. One woman uses a cane for support.
  • A group of people, including women in dresses, hold sparklers and smile at an outdoor evening event with string lights in the background, celebrating a recent elopement in Costa Rica. The atmosphere is festive and joyful.
  • A bride and groom smile as they walk together, holding hands and bouquets, leading two dogs on leashes. Guests in colorful outfits line the path with sparklers under string lights, celebrating their recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica.
  • A bride and groom walk hand in hand down an outdoor aisle at their recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica, smiling as guests on both sides hold sparklers above them. The scene is festive, with colorful attire and a sunset sky in the background.
  • A joyful couple in wedding attire walks with a large dog on a leash, holding a bouquet of flowers, surrounded by guests with sparklers at an outdoor evening celebration after their recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica.
  • Pangas Beach club, a cozy outdoor venue under large trees is decorated with string lights at dusk, where guests of a recent Guanacaste beach wedding in Costa Rica gather around tables, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere surrounded by lush greenery.

Planning Your Own Guanacaste Beach Wedding

If you’re thinking about a beach wedding in Guanacaste, there are so many great spots to choose from. Each location has its own personality and advantages.

The key is picking a place that means something to you as a couple. Cristina and Rolando chose their ceremony location because it would be their new home base. That connection made their day even more special.

Beach weddings also work well when you have guests traveling from different areas. Guanacaste is easy to reach and offers plenty of accommodation options for wedding guests.

Wedding Album

Click the video to the left to see how the wedding album came out.

Making Memories That Last

At the end of the day, Cristina and Rolando got exactly what they wanted. Beautiful candid photos of their loved ones. A relaxed celebration on the beach. And memories with their furry friends included.

That’s what beach weddings in Costa Rica are all about. Real moments, natural beauty, and the people who matter most to you.

Want to learn more about having weddings at Pangas Beach Club? Just click the link below:

Weddings at Pangas Beach Club
Vendors:

Location:  Pangas Beach Club, Manuel Antonio

Hair and Make Up: Priscilla Solano

Want to learn more about the best wedding venues in Costa Rica? Check out the link below.

Hacienda Pinilla. A seaside wedding setup with rows of wooden chairs facing floral arrangements. Palm trees frame the scene, and two musicians with string instruments stand to the right. The ocean is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

Check out my Guide to the Best Wedding Venues in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to an incredible variety of wedding venues, offering couples the perfect setting to celebrate their love. Whether you dream of a romantic beachfront ceremony, a luxurious private villa, or a secluded rainforest retreat, there are options to match every wedding style.

About Kevin Heslin Photography

Real Moments, Real Memories

Capturing Your Costa Rica Wedding

Hi, I’m Kevin — a local wedding photographer who’s spent years capturing love stories around Costa Rica.

My style is all about natural, candid moments — the real laughs, the quiet glances, the pure joy.

You can check out my Costa Rica Wedding Packages here.

If you’re ready to make memories that last a lifetime, I’d love to be there to capture every moment.

Get in Touch