Intimate Beach Elopement – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 2014

This intimate beach elopement ceremony took place on the Tulemar Beach in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. The bride and groom were staying in the Buena Vista Villas, my wife and I met them at their villa before going down to the beach. The afternoon was absolutely perfect, the weather the ceremony and the sunset could not have been better. My wife, Katharine, conducted the ceremony, (as the couple had been legally married in the US, she was able to be a non-legal officiate). After the ceremony we took a few aerial photos and then got some portraits using various backdrops. The bride was particularly keen to get in the water for some “Trash the Dress” photos. As the sun went down I surprised them with a wish lantern, it was such a special moment, my wife and I both felt moved just watching them…an amazing couple, best of luck!

Location: Buena Vista Villas
Hair: Monica Mosapor
Officiate: Katharine Evans
Photography: John Williamson

Wedding in Dominical – Costa Rica – May 2014

This couple love to surf, so they decided to come down to Dominical, Costa Rica for a surfing vacation and to get married. The ceremony took place with the bride and groom stood on some volcanic rocks by the Pacific Ocean’s edge. We got some great beach photos and I love the sequence with the wish lanterns…gorgeous! I even got a couple of photos of the couple with their surf boards in their VW Camper Van…then the party kicked off at Roca Verde, a great night!

Last weekend I did a follow up shoot with the bride and groom, I got them in the surf and even paddle boarding in their wedding gear…photos to come!

Romantic Beach Wedding – Manuel Antonio – Costa Rica April 2014

How do I describe this beach wedding? ” Fun and romantic with a twist of vintage chique”…sounds about right! This fun-loving couple chose Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio’s famous beach for their wedding day; the aisle was decorated with whimsical bunches of soft pink roses. After the ceremony we took some photos on the beach, even climbed some trees and let off a beautiful wish lantern. Then the wedding party returned to their rental home, Casa Las Brisas; for a wonderful dinner on the roof top terrace….a perfect day!

This wedding was organized by wonderful Chelsea from Oasis Weddings in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Chelsea is also one of Costa Rica’s finest cake bakers and made their spectacular wedding cake.

Location: Manuel Antonio Beach and Casa Las Brisas a gorgeous vacation rental by Escape Villas

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
John

Wedding at Los Sueños Resort – Costa Rica – March 2014

This wedding couple love fishing, so what better to have their wedding but at a marina in Costa Rica. The Los Sueños Resort and Marina in Herradura is on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and has great sportfishing! Apart from the bride and groom the star of the show was their bulldog “Chancho” looking very suave in his bow-tie. The wedding took place on the lawn of the Los Sueños resort and then there was a reception dinner, dancing to a fantastic music group, a fabulously fun photo booth and to top it off fireworks. Did I mention the bride and groom like fishing? …check out the cake topper!

 

Beach Wedding and Trash the Dress – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica March 2014

A fun-loving couple wanted some unique photos for their wedding day…so how about a helicopter drone and some underwater photos?!
This gorgeous wedding was planned by Costa Verde and the ceremony was held at Playitas Beach. Playitas is the quieter end of the Manuel Antonio beach with great views looking towards the Manuel Antonio National Park. After an intimate ceremony we got some great photos on the beach and climbing in caves. I got the wedding couple to climb to the top of the big rock (seen on the first photo) and got some amazing aerial photos using my helicopter drone. Later, the wedding party went to El Avion one of Costa Verde’s restaurants for the reception dinner. The next day I met the newly married couple and we did a Trash the Dress session at the Costa Verde Pool…what fun!


This wedding was organized by Isabel,  Hotel Costa Verde’s Wedding Planner in  Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

Hasta Pronto!
John

Wedding at Ylang Ylang Beach Resort Montezuma Costa Rica March 2014

This colorful and fun wedding took place at the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma last month. The wedding took place under a wooden arch on the beach in front of YlangYlang. After the ceremony we took photos on the beach and then the wedding party returned to YlangYlang for the reception. After a wonderful dinner, the bride and groom had their first dance, I LOVE the passion captured in these photos. Then onto the beach for a bonfire and fireworks…what an amazing night!


This wedding was organized by the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort  in Montezuma, Costa Rica.

Hasta Pronto!
John

Surprise Beach Wedding – Manuel Antonio Costa Rica February 2014

February is the month for romance! We’ve had the fabulously romantic sailboat engagement and now a surprise wedding!
When my good friend called me, telling me that her cousin wanted to surprise her boyfriend with a wedding, I thought..this is going to be FUN!
The couple were engaged but had just not got round to tying the knot, so this was a great relaxed way to it do it. To entice the unsuspecting groom the Tulemar Beach in Manuel Antonio we made up a story about my friend needing some photos done. And when they arrived at the beach there was an officiant and flowers…the fiancee was over joyed and it was a lovely simply beach ceremony….ahh vive la romance!


Have a wonderful weekend!

John

Beach Wedding at “The Bali House” – Manuel Antonio – Costa Rica – Jan 2014

This beautiful beach wedding took place at sunset of Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio’s main beach. The wedding party were all staying at the stunning Casa Akira, often know as “The Bali House”. Casa Akira is one of the very few beach front rental properties in Manuel Antonio, there is a short trail from the house to the beach through beautiful jungle gardens. This means the wedding party could “step out” on the gorgeous Manuel Antonio beach, but still have privacy. Such a beautiful day, gorgeous colors and lovely people.

I have included several photographs of the lighting of the paper lanterns, as I love these images! They captured such a wonderful moment!


Location: Casa Akira (The Bali House) Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Feliz Dia de Amor y Amistad!
John

Wedding at Ylang Ylang Beach Resort Montezuma Costa Rica January 2014

This whimsical romantic wedding took place at the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort last weekend. The bride and her two sisters looked stunning with flowers woven into in their long tresses.  The wedding took place under a wooden arch in Ylang Ylang’s beautiful gardens right next to the beach. The whole vibe of the wedding reminded me of Shakespeare’s a “Midsummer Night’s Dream”, specially when we started playing with the star projector (see second to last image). The last photo I took walking back along the beach from Ylang Ylang to the village in Montezuma. Looking out to the water, I saw the phosphorescence dancing in the waves. I magical end to a magically romantic wedding, all is missing is Puck on a surfboard!


This wedding was organized by the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort  in Montezuma, Costa Rica.

Hasta Pronto!
John

Beach Elopement – Montezuma Costa Rica November 2013

Montezuma is a laid back artsy little town on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. A perfect location for this couple from Canada! This elopement wedding took place on the beach, there was a little sprinkle during the ceremony, but that did not stop us…it’s lucky too!


This wedding was organized by the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma. The Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma, Costa Rica is wonderful place for a destination wedding. Montezuma itself is a small colorful artist-filled town and it’s just a short walk along the beach to Ylang Ylang’s secluded bungalows set in lush tropical gardens.

John

Wedding at Ylang Ylang Beach Resort Montezuma Costa Rica November 2013

This French Canadian couple got married on the beach in front of the beautiful Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma, Costa Rica. The wedding was conducted in both French and English. The bride wore red and she looked stunning and I love how the red pops out against the darkening sky. The group returned to the hotel for a fun reception party and then had a bonfire on the beach. Check out the last photo of the couple next to bonfire, I managed to capture a lightening bolt over the ocean for an epic wedding photo!


This wedding was organized by the beautiful Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma.

Wedding at Ylang Ylang Beach Resort Montezuma Costa Rica February 2013

The Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma, Costa Rica is wonderful place for a destination wedding. Montezuma itself is a small colorful artist-filled town and it’s just a short walk along the beach back to Ylang Ylang’s secluded bungalows set in lush tropical gardens.
An added bonus is that for me to get to Montezuma from Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific coast I need to take a speed boat…Awesome!!
The wedding took place in the grounds of the beautiful Ylang Ylang Beach Resort followed by fun photos on the beach and a then the guest returned for an amazing dinner at the Resort.


This wedding was organized by the beautiful Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma.

Wedding at Villa Caletas Costa Rica December 2012

Villa Caletas  is spectacular venue for a sunset wedding on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, the views and the ambiance are hard to beat. This beautiful wedding was organized by the amazing team at Weddings Costa Rica , their attention to detail and creativity once again made a perfect intimate wedding ceremony and celebration. The wedding ceremony took place at sunset on Villa Caleta’s private terrace and the wedding reception dinner was also at the hotel.


Wedding Planner – Weddings Costa Rica

Location-Villa Caletas

Wedding at Manuel Antonio Beach Costa Rica April 2012

Another beautiful beach wedding in April. This was a fun wedding to shoot and there was beautiful light on this sunny afternoon. The wedding ceremony took place on the Manuel Antonio beach in front of the Hotel Karahe with views of the Manuel Antonio National Park in the background. The wedding party were staying at Casa Fantastica, one of Manuel Antonio’s stunning rental properties available through Escape Villas.

This wedding was organized by Erin from Oasis Weddings.

Wedding at Villa Caletas Costa Rica April 2012

This April wedding ceremony took place  at Villa Caletas; a spectacular venue for a wedding on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific. As it looked like it might rain, the wedding ceremony took place on a covered terrace in the hotel, the rain held off so we could go down to the hotel’s ocean front amphitheater, Zephyr Palace for some dramatic photos at sunset.


This wedding was organized by Larissa at Weddings Costa Rica.

Wedding at Hotel Gaia Manuel Antonio Costa Rica February 2012

Another beautiful beach wedding in February. This elopement wedding ceremony took place on the Manuel Antonio beach with a gorgeous sunset. As it was just the couple we spent some time getting interesting photographs using the light, volcanic rocks, and even a monkey came to join the fun. I particularly like the photographs with the boat, these boats ferry people back and forth from the Manuel Antonio National Park, the captain kindly lent us his boat for a few minutes.


This wedding was organized by the Hotel Gaia in Manuel Antonio.