Orion and Stephan

Drake Bay Wedding

Having a Drake Bay Wedding, reaching the venue is an adventure all in itself.  Drake Bay is next to Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, one of the most remote areas of Costa Rica.  To reach the Drake Bay side of Corcovado, you need to drive part way down the peninsula, and from there, take a 1.5 hour boat ride through the mangroves, and then along the coast.  It is a gorgeous ride through the mangroves and it give you a chance to see some rare wildlife.

My second shooter Joseph Nance, and I were dropped off at a pristine beach, where we would have to hike up the trail to find our lodging.  From there it was a 12 minute hike through the jungle to get to where the wedding was being held, in La Paloma lodge, which made for an interesting commute.

Orion and Stephan decided to have their wedding in Drake Bay to have a remote location to have a more intimate wedding, with just their closest friends and family.  La Paloma Lodge is also a stunning place for a wedding ceremony, the location looks out right over the beach and the volcanic rocks.  We started the day shooting Orion and Stephan getting ready in two different parts of the property, then everyone came together for the emotional reception.  Afterwards, we had some time on the beach for family photos and a short portrait session with Orion and Stephan.

We had planned on having a Day After Session the following morning, so we focused on taking advantage of the beach and rocks nearby.  Orion and Stephan were so comfortable and relaxed with each other, and I knew we were getting some great photos and would get even more in the Day After Session.  The Reception was held in the restaurant in the lodge, and as it was a small group, Joseph and I could really move around and shoot everyone dancing and enjoying themselves.  The party wrapped up at 10 PM, and Joseph and I had to trek it back through the jungle in the dark to make it back to where we were staying.

Then next morning we arrived early to get last minute photos of Orion and Stephan getting ready.  The idea of A Day After Session is to have a chance to get more creative photos that you most likely won’t have time for the day of the actual wedding.  Everything can get pushed back on wedding day, and sometimes the portrait session for the bride and the groom gets cut down to less than 20 minutes.  The Day After Session ensures that there is time to get some beautiful portraits, as well as the opportunity to try a couple of different locations.  Orion and Stephan chose to have a couple of horses ready by the beach, which was a wonderful idea.   We were able to get some great shots in the morning light before heading to the hanging bridge to finish the session.  Joseph and I had scouted (and this other location) the hanging bridge the morning before, and it looked like something right out of a fairy tale, which matched perfectly with this epic wedding in Drake Bay!

Want to have a Day After Session / Trash the Dress at your wedding? Check out my complete guide below!