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Kim and Matt | An Elopement at Nayara Tented Camp, Costa Rica

A bride in a white dress and veil smiles while walking arm in arm with a groom in a black tuxedo and bow tie. They stroll along the stone path of their Nayara Garden Wedding, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful plants.
A white dress with short flutter sleeves hangs elegantly on a wooden hanger, set against a wall adorned with framed illustrations of butterflies and a bird—evoking the romance of an elopement at Nayara Tented Camp.
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Kim and Matt’s Intimate Costa Rica Elopement at Nayara Tented Camp

Kim and Matt had already gotten married back in the States. They came to Costa Rica to have the celebration they actually wanted — just the two of them, in the rainforest, at Nayara Tented Camp near Arenal Volcano.

Getting ready happened in their private tent accommodation. At some point a howler monkey settled into the trees nearby and just watched. That’s Nayara Tented Camp — you’re genuinely in the rainforest, not just near it.

The ceremony was on the camp’s terrace — open air, surrounded by rainforest canopy, with the Arenal Volcano somewhere behind the clouds. The volcano stayed hidden the whole day. It didn’t matter. The mist that rolls through the rainforest at Nayara Tented Camp creates its own kind of atmosphere and the photographs from that day are some of my favorites from La Fortuna.

  • Smiling woman with long brown wavy hair, wearing a white top, stands outdoors at a Nayara tented Wedding, set against a beautifully blurred background.
  • A groom in a formal white shirt and dark trousers adjusts their collar while looking to the side, reminiscent of a moment at a Nayara tented Wedding. They stand before a leafy, blurred backdrop. The image is captured in classic black and white tones.
  • A man in a white dress shirt adjusts his cufflinks while standing on a wooden deck at Nayara Garden, surrounded by lush green foliage. He appears focused and dressed formally, perhaps preparing for a wedding.
  • Black and white image capturing the back of a person at a Nayara Garden Wedding, adorned in a fitted dress with a row of buttons down the center. The ensemble features a deep V-shaped back and loose, flowing sleeves, with long hair cascading gracefully over their shoulders.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil beams with joy, holding a vibrant bouquet of tropical flowers, as she celebrates her Nayara Garden Wedding. Her long brown hair cascades gracefully against a dark backdrop, completing the picture-perfect moment.
  • A bride and groom share an intimate moment at their Nayara tented Wedding, smiling warmly at each other. The bride, holding a bouquet, gently touches the grooms face. Both are elegantly dressed, with the bride in a veil and the groom in a tuxedo. Black and white photo.
  • In the warmly lit Nayara Garden Wedding setting, a bride and groom face each other, holding bouquets. The groom dons a black tuxedo and bow tie, while the bride shines in a white dress with a veil. They seem to be exchanging vows or preparing for their enchanting ceremony.
  • A black and white image captures a person at the Nayara Garden Wedding holding an open notebook with handwritten text. They are dressed in a light-colored garment, with only part of their torso visible, drawing attention to the intimate details of the notebooks pages.
  • A silhouetted scene of a couple in wedding attire graces the wooden deck, surrounded by the lush greenery of a Nayara Garden Wedding. The groom holds what seems to be a book, and the bride listens intently, framed by serene foliage that enhances their intimate moment.
  • A couple stands in the lush surroundings of a Nayara Garden Wedding. The man, dressed in a black suit, reads from a notebook as the woman in a white dress smiles warmly. Its an intimate, emotional moment, possibly as they exchange vows amidst natures embrace.
  • A bride and groom share an intimate kiss in front of a pool at their Nayara Garden Wedding, surrounded by lush greenery. The bride wears a white dress and veil, while the groom is in a black suit. The scene is softly lit, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.

After the ceremony we moved through the property — the suspension bridge, the grounds around the camp, the Amor Loco restaurant with its distinctive decor. Two hours total. That’s all you need at a place like this.

Kim and Matt, congratulations. If you’re considering Nayara Tented Camp for your own elopement or wedding, take a look at my full guide to weddings at Nayara — it covers both the Tented Camp and Nayara Gardens next door.

  • The bride and groom ascend a staircase amidst lush, tropical foliage at their Nayara Garden Wedding. The bride holds a bouquet, her dress flowing gracefully, while the groom dons a suit. The black-and-white image accentuates the enchanting natural setting.
  • A couple dressed for their Nayara Tented Camp Wedding stand on a narrow suspension bridge enveloped by lush green trees. The bride, in her white dress, and the groom, in his dark suit, hold hands and gaze at each other affectionately.
  • A couple strolls on a suspension bridge in a lush forest. The woman, in a white dress, smiles at the man in a black suit. Tall trees and greenery envelop them, creating the serene ambiance of a Nayara Tented Wedding—a truly romantic escape.
  • A bride and groom share a kiss in front of a red velvet curtain framed by ornate woodwork, surrounded by small, glowing red lights. The scene evokes the theatrical, romantic ambiance of a Nayara Tented Wedding.
  • A bride and groom share a kiss in front of a red velvet curtain framed by ornate woodwork, surrounded by small, glowing red lights. The scene evokes the theatrical, romantic ambiance of a Nayara Tented Wedding.
  • Amid the lush green jungle foliage of a Nayara Garden Wedding, a bride and groom share a tender kiss on a narrow wooden bridge. The groom, in his dark suit, complements the brides white gown and bouquet perfectly, creating an exquisitely serene and natural scene.
  • In a lush Nayara Garden Wedding setting, a bride and groom share an intimate moment amid dense green foliage. The bride glows in her white dress and veil, while the groom looks dapper in his dark suit. The scene is framed beautifully by large leaves in the foreground.
  • A couple in formal attire strolls hand in hand along a stone path at the Nayara Garden Wedding venue, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant plants. Soft lighting from small lamps illuminates the path, highlighting this enchanting tropical setting.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil smiles while walking arm in arm with a groom in a black tuxedo and bow tie. They stroll along the stone path of their Nayara Garden Wedding, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful plants.
  • A bride and groom sit on the back of a golf cart, the bride barefoot in her white dress and the groom in his suit. Smiling at each other amidst lush Nayara Garden Wedding greenery on a brick path. Black and white photo.
A couple dressed for their Nayara Tented Camp Wedding stand on a narrow suspension bridge enveloped by lush green trees. The bride, in her white dress, and the groom, in his dark suit, hold hands and gaze at each other affectionately.

Nayara Resorts in Arenal

Want to learn more about having your wedding at Nayara in Arenal Costa Rica? Check out my full resource page.

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About Kevin Heslin Photography

Real Moments, Real Memories

Capturing Your Costa Rica Wedding

I’m based in Tamarindo and I’ve been photographing weddings and portraits in Costa Rica for over 20 years.

Before every wedding I spend time getting to know my couples — who will be there, how the family interacts, what moments are worth anticipating. That’s what makes the photographs look like their wedding, not just a wedding.

You can see my Costa Rica wedding packages here.

If you’re planning a wedding or portrait session in Costa Rica, I’d love to hear about it.

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