If these dreamy photos Kelly Oshiro and Beaux Arts Photographie sent our way are any indication of 2020 wedding trends, we are sooo here for it. This particular part of Costa Rica is not only a beautiful location for an elopement or micro wedding, it’s home to the newly renovated Nosara Beach Hotel, right above scenic Playa Pelada. Below, find info from our couple and Weddings Nosara on how to say I Do in Costa Rica, plus a couple cocktail recipes to get you in a tropical state of mind!
Nosara Beach Hotel is the one and only beachfront hotel in Nosara and boy is it pretty!
Kelly says, For the overall design direction, I really wanted to honor all things Costa Rican and the “Pura Vida” or “pure living” lifestyle. Starting with couple, both were local to the area, and I chose wardrobe that was appropriately unfussy and realistic for the steamy climate. For the bride’s ceremony look, local wedding dress maker, Yasmine Layani, made a flowing caftan that could be worn over a swimsuit. I added some drama to the bride’s look with a statement headpiece; a true orchid “crown.” I was especially inspired by the gravity defying floral headpieces of Joshua Werber.
Their couple was all about choosing a locale and design that was anything but your typical beach wedding vibe. They told us that enlisting both a planner and a stylist was well worth the investment to get the look and feel they wanted.
Local designer Yasmine Layani created custom dresses for the bride who went in for her fitting when she got into town. She loved the price point, too.
Quinn and Colin’s advice: It is so important to have the correct photographer documenting your wedding. We thought about using a relative who thoughtfully offered to provide a discounted service. In our opinion, using someone who is a professional makes all the difference in photos that really show the best parts of celebration. We didn’t want posed photos and lines of people. We wanted to remember the intimacy of our commitment and the artistic, eclectic look we created. Make sure you love the style of the person you choose. Beaux Arts Photographie perfectly captured every emotion we felt that day.
The Pacific Coast of Costa Rica has personal significance to them and is a great spot for sunset ceremonies. Remember to consider the time of year to determine the right ceremony time, as it affects the sunset lighting as well as the tide. But there are lots of other amazing places to say I Do in Costa Rica, so be sure to contact a planner to find what’s right for you!
The Hibiscus Cocktail
Handful of sliced orange
Couple sprigs of mint
1.50 oz hibiscus vodka
3 oz coconut water
Use dried hibiscus to infuse your favorite vodka (an hour or two max). Muddle mint and orange, add in 1.5oz hibiscus vodka, finish with coconut water, stir with bar spoon.
Pura Vida Cocktail
Handful of ground cherries
One passionfruit
Three to five basil leaves
1.5 oz rum
3 oz club soda
Muddle ground cherries, passionfruit, and basil leaves, add in rum, club soda to finish, stir with bar spoon.
Did you know there are over 1300 local species of orchid?! Kelly’s main goal was to highlight them and other local foliage, working with local supplier Gaby of Stylos y Flores.
The couple went for locally inspired sweets in lieu of a traditional wedding cake.
Isn’t this private balcony perfect, BTW? It’s at the hotel too.
Big thanks to the team below for all the tips and tricks on planning a dream Costa Rica destination wedding!
Photography: Beaux Arts Photographie / Hotel: Nosara Beach Hotel / Stylist & Floral Design: Kelly Oshiro / Wedding Planner: Weddings Nosara / Hair: Cherie Stam / Makeup: Belzi Quiroa / Invitations: Susan Silverberg / Dessert: Magdalena Nosara / Table & Chairs: Eventos Artesantos / Flower Sourcing: Stylos y Flores / Tabletop: Crate and Barrel / Wedding Dresses: Yasmine Layani / Jewelry: VLM Jewelry
