Planning a Wedding in Costa Rica | Frequently Asked Questions

Yep! You do not have to be a Costa Rican citizen to get married in Costa Rica.

Absolutely! All you need to get married legally in Costa Rica is a passport. If you’ve been married before you will also need a divorce or death certificate. Check out getting married legally in Costa Rica.
Alternatively, you can have a symbolic ceremony and handle the paperwork in your hometown if you prefer.

There is a lot of choices when planning a wedding in Costa Rica, which means you can set pretty much any budget. A simple beach elopement will be very inexpensive, but you can also do a grand affair in a fancy hotel or private villa. It’s up to you! 
Regardless of what you choose, you’ll find prices in comparison to staying at home to be very competitive — even with the added cost of airfare.

Honestly, it depends on the experience you’re looking for. Costa Rica, though a tiny country, offers a lot of diversity and you can find something for nearly everyone here. Hard-core adventurers might prefer the wildness of the Osa Peninsula, whereas those looking for a glamorous wedding would like the sparkling all-inclusive resorts in Guanacaste.
Manuel Antonio, in the Central Pacific, offers a little bit of everything. You can have a fancy wedding at a ritzy hotel, a rustic wedding in the jungle with monkeys hopping around above you, or an intimate (or not-so-intimate) ceremony on the beach. There are also tons of different types of activities to do in the area, which is perfect for guests to enjoy their stay as well. 
Check out where to get married in Costa Rica for more detailed information.

It depends on your priorities for this one. Pretty much anytime is a fantastic time to plan a wedding in Costa Rica, but there are some things to consider. 
For example, prime tourist season in the Central Pacific runs from about December to May. These are the hottest months of the year, and the driest. If you want sunshine all day every day for your trip, this is the time to come. However, it’s more crowded so you’ll want to book important things (such as the venue) well in advance to ensure you get your dates. Plus, prices tend to be higher.
May through November is considered the rainy season. However, it really doesn’t rain hard and long every day until about September-October. October is usually the rainiest month of the year and you should only come at this time if you really love a tropical rainstorm.
May through August, however, is a fantastic time to come. There are fewer tourists and many venues, tours, and hotels are offering discounts on services. The sunsets can be a bit more hit and miss since it tends to cloud up and rain in the afternoons (on the days it rains) but they are far more spectacular and definitely worth it!

Oh gosh. That’s hard to say. Even if you’ve never been to Costa Rica, just spend a few minutes browsing photos and you’ll see why. Costa Rica is a gorgeous country with tons of biodiversity and spectacular scenery. 
There are hundreds of venues that have taken advantage of the natural beauty and built gorgeous places for people to get married. Check out best wedding venues in Costa Rica for more information. You’ll find photos and information on what I consider to be some of the best and most beautiful wedding venues in the Central Pacific.

Getting married is pretty epic, but if you’re going to make the effort to come to Costa Rica, you might as well enjoy more activities around the country as well. Luckily, there are a plethora of things to do in the area. A few ideas include:
Ziplining
Sport fishing
ATV riding
Horseback riding
Nature walks
Hiking
And so much more!
Check out more information about wedding group activities here!

Don’t let a destination wedding come between you and your dream dress. I’ve seen brides successfully get married in Costa Rica in everything from simple sundresses to full-on ballgown style gowns. Simple dresses with slim silhouettes are the easiest dresses to travel with, but again don’t let that stand in your way.
If you choose a fabric that doesn’t wrinkle easy, you can fold your dress up carefully and stow it in your carryon. This is the easiest/cheapest option.
If you’re worried about wrinkles, bring your dress as a carry-on in a garment bag. Some planes will have a closet in first-class where you can hang the dress. If not, wait until a bin is full and then lay your dress out on top of the bags. 
If you have a large, poofy dress and/or are really concerned about it arriving in perfect condition, you can always buy the seat next to you and give the dress its own space to rest.

Oh yes! Sand gets everywhere, that’s just a given when coming to a beach to get married. However, you’ll also have a whole lot of new memories and adventures that you’ll get to treasure for a lifetime. 
Planning a wedding in Costa Rica is perhaps the biggest life-changing event you’ll experience. Why not experience it in paradise?

I offer several wedding photography packages to suit different needs, including full-day coverage, partial-day coverage, and elopement options. Each package is customizable to help bring your unique wedding vision to life.

Yes, I travel throughout Costa Rica for weddings, and I love photographing various beautiful destinations across the country. Whether it’s a beachside ceremony, a mountain backdrop, or a lush rainforest, I’m available to capture your wedding in the location of your dreams.

After your wedding, you can expect a beautifully curated collection of edited photos. The number of photos varies depending on the package, and I usually deliver them within 4–6 weeks, ensuring you receive a stunning gallery that reflects the story of your day.

Pre-wedding and engagement sessions are a great way to capture special memories leading up to your wedding day. Some packages include engagement sessions to give you a chance to feel comfortable in front of the camera and create some beautiful, relaxed images.

My photography style combines candid and editorial elements to bring out authentic moments and timeless elegance. I focus on capturing genuine emotions throughout your wedding day, along with a few guided shots to create natural yet polished portraits.

This is why planning is key 🙂  During our green and rainy season, we try to start the ceremonies earlier so we can do the ceremony and portrait session when there is less chance of rain.  If there is a reception, normally this is in an area with some kind of rain back up.  But anyway, if  it rains on your wedding day, rest assured we’ll make the best of it.  I can work with you to create stunning photos regardless of the conditions.