Weddings in Costa Rica
If you are thinking about planning a wedding in Costa Rica, there are some things you should know. I am from the States and my husband is from Costa Rica. We are having a wedding in Tamarindo Beach at the Diria in January so I know have a lot of experience with the wedding planning here in the country. I want to give you some tips if you are considering having a wedding in Costa Rica.
1. It takes a long time to receive your marriage certificate. I actually had my civil ceremony 8 months ago, because this makes the process smoother. We got married 8 months ago because we knew it would be a slow process and there is no way I wanted to be planning the wedding for an entire year and then waiting, waiting, and waiting for the certificate after the wedding. With the slow legal processes here in Costa Rica, it took 5 months to get our wedding papers back. Not only do you have to wait to get your certificate back from Costa Rica in Spanish, but then it needs to be translated by an official translater in English, and then you need to take it back to the States and have it filed in your county.
2. Weddings here are not cheap. After seeing my brother spend $15,000 on his wedding in the States last year, for nothing luxury, I was excited to save a few dollars here! Now that I am actually having to pay for things, I’m realizing we are not saving much other than having fewer guests because of the distance and commitment it takes to travel. Our wedding for 80 guests is costing about $8,000. When I compare that to my brother’s wedding, he had 250 guests for $15,000. He almost got the better deal! I feel like I am getting some deals on flower arrangements and set up costs, and the food and open bar is outrageous! Even the all-inclusive Hotels in Costa Rica charge $40/person for a private dinner for your guests when everyone should be eating for free!!
3. Loss of control over details. Even though I am living here, it is hard to plan a wedding in a foreign country. Most things are up to the events planners at the hotel because they are the ones with the contacts and control. You just need to hope that they are listening and taking note of what you want and that it turns out right. Because it is not easy trying to book your own details in Spanish and doing it the Tico way. I would say, to have a wedding here you need to be open to the details and and not worry if things don’t turn out your way.
4. No one will have a more beautiful wedding than you! Here is the most positive point, the country is beautiful. Can you imagine having the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers, chairs set up with white covers and bows, in a lush garden overlooking the ocean. Your guests are not only going to the most beautiful wedding, but you are giving the ones who could make it an entire life experience and something they will never forget!
5. Only get married here if you are willing to give up on the details and looking for an incredible experience. And do the legal stuff before you come and have a symbolic ceremony on the beach!
| Written by nicole |
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Filed under: Travel on September 10th, 2007
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“Our trip to Villa Cascada was the most amazing vacation we have ever taken. The service was absolutely impeccable, no request was ever denied. Planning a wedding from so far away had us a little weary, but every detail was considered long before we even arrived at the Villa, thanks to Doris and Pam, the wedding was beautiful, the flowers were plentiful and gorgeous, and the service was second to none. We had a band play during the ceremony and during the reception. I cannot even begin to describe the talent of these musicians. It was wonderful! Thank you to Gaby, Ronaldo, Felix and the wonderful housekeeping staff for making this trip so perfect!
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts!”
Rob and J.J. Blower
We were a tad apprehensive about taking a momentous family occasion to a foreign country. You and the Villa Cascada staff erased any questions we might’ve had. All we had to do for the ceremony was get dressed. That’s it! If we’d had a church wedding here in the states, it couldn’t have gone any better. The staff is first-rate without a doubt. Gabby and ALL the others: the cake lady, the flower people, chair and table rental people and the photographer, Juan Marcos and his assistant (who were so good and thorough), should not be overlooked. Not to be forgotten are the other members of the staff (Alex and Miguel, cooks, bartenders, drivers, housekeepers, security, etc.) who make sure that your time spent at Villa Cascada (and Villa Ocotal where our overflow guests stayed) is the best experience anybody could hope for. We took two babies (under one year) and all their needs were met in a way we could not have anticipated. Our minister we were bringing with us had to cancel at the last minute and Ricardo Estrada (even though he had to be there to witness and he said he loves weddings) filled in to perform the wedding ceremony which was also was the prettiest and most meaningful civil ceremony any of us could remember. The Costa Rican Family Code was especially moving. If anybody has any trepidation about having a wedding performed at Villa Cascada, let their worries cease. You and the Costa Rican people can put on a good one. This was our fourth (and youngest) child’s wedding. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts (and those of all the guests who are calling for a first anniversary repeat!). The Costa Rican people are GREAT and you’re the BEST! We loved it and hopefully we ALL will be back soon.
Sincerely,
The families and friends of Brett and Molly (Burns) Kirchoff
p.s. Anyone who might stay here, ask for the drink made with Cacique.
We all loved it!
Let the Villa Cascada Wedding Group take the worry out of your wedding plans.
I don`t understand!
Who were your wedding coordinators?
I had my wedding with http://www.costarica-weddings.com and they came up with the certificate in 8 weeks as expected. (the certificate was already official at the US embassy).
I guess that your example does not fit all of our experiences.
Laura Smith