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Andrea and Kevin | A Wedding at Riu Palace

A bride stands on a lower balcony and a groom stands on an upper balcony of a white multi-story building with arches and a dome, under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the romantic elegance of a wedding at Riu Palace.
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Andrea and Kevin

White building with two domed towers and balconies, surrounded by palm trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds—the perfect setting for a romantic wedding at Riu Palace.

Andrea and Kevin got married at Riu Palace in Guanacaste on a February evening, and from the moment I arrived it was clear this was going to be a family wedding in the best possible sense.

They’re Cuban American, and it showed in all the right ways. The families already knew each other well — you could feel it. There was none of that awkward two-sides-of-the-room energy. Everyone was already together before the day even started.

A lot of couples tell me when we first connect that family is the most important thing to them. With Andrea and Kevin, I didn’t need to be told. I could see it in every part of the day — the first look Andrea had with her father and her brother before the ceremony, the memorial chair on the bride’s side with a list of names, the way the families mixed together all day like they’d known each other for years. Because they had.

  • Black text reading Costa Rica 2026 with a turtle, a wave, and a seashell design on a white background—perfect for capturing memories of your dream wedding at Riu Palace.
  • Two women have their hair styled by two stylists in a bright room at the Riu Palace, with makeup tools and products visible in the foreground. One woman smiles at her reflection in the mirror, capturing a joyful moment as they prepare for a beautiful wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A woman with wavy dark hair in a light blue tank top smiles and laughs, looking off to the side, capturing the joyful spirit of a wedding at Riu Palace. The background is softly blurred with pops of color.
  • A man in a tuxedo adjusts his jacket, preparing for a wedding at Riu Palace. He wears a bow tie, boutonniere, and wristwatch. The image is in black and white.
  • At a wedding at Riu Palace, a person applies makeup with a brush to another person’s face, who has dark hair and wears a light blue top. The makeup artist has a tattooed arm and wears a smartwatch.
  • A woman with long brown wavy hair, wearing a light blue tank top, smiles softly at the camera. The background is blurred with artistic colors and shapes, reminiscent of the elegant atmosphere of a wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A black suit jacket hangs on a white wall in a bright, sunny outdoor corridor with palm trees and a building in the background—capturing the elegant atmosphere of a wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A man in a black tuxedo stands on green grass in front of tall palm trees, with a large white building and blue sky in the background, capturing the elegance of a wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A man in a black tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere stands outside on the grass, smiling during a wedding at Riu Palace. Palm trees and a white building are in the background.
  • A smiling bride in a white lace wedding dress holds a bouquet of purple flowers, standing in a bright hallway with arched windows during her elegant wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A bride in a white gown stands on a balcony during her wedding at Riu Palace, surrounded by four women in colorful dresses. They are helping her get ready, smiling and holding her veil. A garden is visible in the background.
  • A bride in a white gown holds hands with a woman in a purple dress, both smiling during their wedding at Riu Palace. Two people in lavender dresses hold the bride’s train on a balcony with white columns and a sunny outdoor view.
  • A bride in a long, flowing wedding gown and veil stands on a balcony between two pillars, smiling at the camera during her elegant wedding at Riu Palace. Trees and greenery are visible in the background. The image is in black and white.
  • Outdoor wedding at Riu Palace setup with white chairs facing a floral arch and altar on green grass, surrounded by trees under a clear sky.
  • A chair on grass has a white cloth draped over it, displaying a memorial message and a list of loved ones' names, honoring those remembered at a wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A woman in a purple dress kneels on grass, holding a microphone, while an older man in a suit sits on a mobility scooter nearby during a wedding at Riu Palace. Palm trees and a hill are visible in the background.
  • A young boy wearing a black suit and tie stands outside on a green grassy hill, with trees and a rocky, brown hillside in the blurry background, capturing the charming moments before a wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A bride in a white dress walks arm-in-arm with an older man across a grassy lawn during a beautiful wedding at Riu Palace, while seated and standing guests watch and take photos.
  • A bride in a white dress walks down an outdoor aisle with an older man during a beautiful wedding at Riu Palace. Guests seated and standing watch, some taking photos. Palm trees and mountains are in the background.
  • A smiling groom in a black tuxedo stands at an outdoor wedding altar with groomsmen during a beautiful wedding at Riu Palace. A person in a black suit faces the bride, who is in a white dress, while purple flowers and green trees complete the picturesque background.
  • A bride in a white gown and veil smiles at the groom during an outdoor wedding at Riu Palace, standing under a floral arch adorned with purple, white, and pink flowers.
  • An outdoor wedding ceremony on a lawn with guests seated. Palm trees and the iconic towers of the Riu Palace’s large white building are in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds, setting the perfect scene for a memorable wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A bride with long brown hair, wearing a white lace dress, veil, and pearl necklace, smiles gently while looking at someone during a romantic wedding at Riu Palace, with a blurred outdoor background.
  • A bride and groom walk down the aisle outdoors during their beautiful wedding at Riu Palace, smiling as guests seated on white chairs look on. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a long veil. Bubbles float in the air, and lush greenery surrounds the scene.
  • A bride and groom share a dramatic kiss during an outdoor wedding at Riu Palace, surrounded by guests seated on white chairs, with flower petals on the grass and floral arches in the background.
  • A bride and groom walk hand in hand down an aisle outdoors at their stunning wedding at Riu Palace, smiling, with guests seated on white chairs behind them. The scene appears joyful and celebratory.
  • A large wedding party poses outdoors on green grass, with trees and sunlight in the background. The bride and groom stand center under a floral arch at their wedding at Riu Palace, surrounded by guests dressed in formal attire.
  • A man in a suit smiles and shakes hands while holding a champagne glass outdoors, with greenery and other people in the background at a beautiful wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A bride shows her ring to three smiling men in suits under a floral archway at an outdoor wedding at Riu Palace, with greenery in the background.
  • A bride and groom in formal attire walk hand-in-hand on a green lawn, smiling at each other, with a white building and landscaped bushes in the background during their elegant wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A bride and groom walk hand-in-hand down a garden path lined with leafless trees, with a white building and lush greenery in the background, capturing the timeless elegance of their wedding at Riu Palace.

The reception was something else. Cuban American weddings and dance floors go together, and this one did not disappoint. The whole room knew what they were doing. It wasn’t the usual tentative first-song shuffle — it was a full dance party from the start, and it went all night.

Riu Palace worked really well for a wedding this size. About 40 guests, everyone staying at the resort, nobody needing to figure out transportation or where to go next. The beach for couple portraits, the ceremony on the grass, the reception under the stars. It’s a good setup for a group that wants to be together all week. Read my full guide to weddings at Riu Palace if you want to know more about how the day flows there.

  • A nighttime outdoor stage with colorful lighting and an audience in front of a large, illuminated building at a wedding at Riu Palace, surrounded by palm trees and under a starry sky.
  • Five men in dress shirts laugh and huddle together at a party during a wedding at Riu Palace, some wearing glowing neon light-up glasses. The image is blurry, capturing movement and vibrant lights in the background.
  • A man in a white shirt and tie dances at a wedding at Riu Palace, wearing glowing neon glasses. Colorful light trails swirl around him while other people dance in the background.
  • A group of people in formal attire laugh and watch as a man in a white shirt and black pants lies face down on the dance floor during a lively wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A wedding reception at night by a pool, with guests seated and couples dancing. The room is modern, with geometric wall designs and colorful lighting—setting the perfect scene for a memorable wedding at Riu Palace.
  • A bride in a white floral dress smiles and dances with guests at an indoor wedding at Riu Palace or wedding reception, holding a drink in one hand. People around her are also dancing and enjoying themselves.
  • A bride and groom stand behind a DJ booth, smiling and enjoying their wedding party at Riu Palace as guests take photos. Colorful lights create a festive atmosphere.

Andrea and Kevin, thank you for having me. Watching a family that close celebrate together is one of the best parts of this job.

Wedding Video

This wedding was covered by both photo and video. Here’s the wedding film from Andrea and Kevin’s day at Riu Palace.

If you’re planning a wedding at Riu Palace or Riu Guanacaste, read my full guide to weddings at Riu — ceremony options, how the day flows, and what couples should know before they book. For a broader look at all-inclusive options in Costa Rica, the all-inclusive Costa Rica guide covers how Riu compares to other resorts.

If you’re in the early stages of planning a wedding in Costa Rica, that guide covers everything from legal requirements to timing and what to expect.

Vendors:

Location:  Riu Palace, Costa Rica

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.

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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