Say "I Do" in Costa Rica

A crimson sun slowly dips into the violet-blue sea. Streamers of pink and orange streak across the wide, deepening blue sky. Coconut palms bow lightly in the breeze. You and your beloved are there on the soft sand promising your love and commitment, exchanging rings and kisses.

Sound like your dream wedding? It easily can be.

Costa Rica has become one of the premiere locations for destination weddings in the world. Its fabulously gorgeous beaches, lush rainforest, friendly people and abundance of hotels, resorts and vacation homes ranging from over-the-top luxury to relaxed and informal all combine to make this tiny Central American nation the place to be wed.

You’ve always wanted to travel there. Why not combine your wedding and honeymoon destination and make it one big party with your family and friends? Or go even simpler … just you and your sweetheart sharing the intimacy of a private “elopement” ceremony. Whatever your wedding wish, it can come true in Costa Rica. A nice plus is that citizens from any other country can get legally married in Costa Rica and have it be valid in their home country.

Whether you plan a big “fiesta” or keep it small and intimate, a “must-have” for your destination wedding is a professional planner. It’s hard enough trying to design a party or event where you live, let alone in a completely different country. A wedding planner takes all of that stress away from you and leaves you to simply dream and have it happen.

“This is one of the most important days of your life, so you should entrust a professional to take complete care of every little detail,” says Aimee Monihan, owner of Tropical Occasions and Santa Teresa Beach Weddings. Their professional team of event coordinators enthusiastically helps you create your dream wedding from start to finish, and has handled more than 700 events in Costa Rica; beach weddings are their specialty.

One of Costa Rica’s secluded gems for weddings and honeymoons is Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific’s Nicoya Peninsula. Santa Teresa is the perfect backdrop for a romantic wedding. The wide, light sandy beaches, lush vegetation and spectacular sunsets set an amazing stage for your magical moment. The leisurely-paced town of surfers and fishermen offers many boutique hotels for your idyllic setting.

An excellent choice is Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat, winner of the 2012 Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award. Pranamar Villas is a gorgeous, intimate oceanfront hotel with luxury two-story villas built around a free-form saltwater pool and tropical gardens, luxurious beachfront villas and tropical bungalows. Picture tropical Indonesian architecture designs with bamboo, hardwoods, stone, water and plenty of windows and doors to let in fresh sea breezes. The hotel’s name “Pranamar” is a combination of the word “Prana” which means “breath” in Sanskrit, and “Mar” which is “sea” in Spanish.

Pranamar specializes in extraordinarily beautiful beach weddings, with their own on-site coordinator to help you make your wedding the day you’ve always dreamed of having. From abundant tropical flowers to catered unique food and drinks, they’ll take care of it all. The beautifully designed open-air restaurant and tea lounge specializes in healthy, delicious cuisine. The hotel can sleep 30-35 guests; having the entire property for your party ensures complete privacy.