Ask.CostaRica

jaye118, All of the following have plenty of years and experience in the biz. Donna Mickley of Pura Vida Weddings only does weddings in Northern Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Flamingo, Potrero, Langosta). Costa Rica Paradise Wedding, Events & Weddings CR, Weddings Costa Rica & Tropical Occasions cover the whole country. Oasis Weddings - Manuel Antonio Prestige Weddings - Dominical

dstanley89, Knowing that you're form California I assume that you will want your friends to be close to surf spots. Your best bet will be Tamarindo - surf out front (45min from Liberia airport). All-inclusive in Tamarindo would be Tamarindo Diria (http://www.tamarindodiria.com/costa-rica-weddings.aspx). Breakfast included only would be Capitan Suizo (http://www.hotelcapitansuizo.com/index.php?english)or you can look into villas for rent. Flamingo Beach Resort is and AI option (surf is 30min away) and Bahia Sol in Potrero (http://www.bahiadelsolhotel.com/bodas.aspx)is the not inclusive option but a great place and $$$ for a wedding. Let us klnow if you have any other questions

ckntb, For weddings at the Riu keep in mind that they have staff photographers. If you bring someone outside the hotel there will be a fee of $200 for photographer and a day pass ($80). The flower providers are the same ones for the general area of Guanacaste so you can rest with this area, just give them specific designs you want. Here is a wedding that took place there recently. Beach is dark sand but pretty photogenic. Nice location. http://web.me.com/elvelophotography.2/Site/jennifer_%26_craig.html

Endearing, Hello. Congrats and thank you for choosing Costa Rica for your wedding. Here are some suggestions of where you can tie the knot and let the FI go surfing (a surfer myself). Top of the list is Tamarindo, he will be able to surf close by (the rivermouth, Playa Grande, Langosta - 30 min away, Playa Avellanas & Playa Negra. For hotels, Capita Suizo is beautiful and quiet (on the south end of Tama beach), Tamarindo Diria is AI but on the busy beach. Lots to do in Tama. Wedding at the Diria: http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shannon_%26_angelo.html Wedding at Capitan: http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/sarah_%26_sean.html Wedding at Marrakesh Langosta (Cala Luna Point):http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/hillary_%26_jason.html Next is Malpais. Great surf all over and lots of cool rentals. It is a little hard to get to (Ferry boat ride, bad road) but part of the adventure. Lots of activities, nite life and good eats. Wedding at Casa Capitan: http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/molly_%26_patrick.html Casa March: http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/megan_%26_brent.html Wedding at Sandy Lane Estate: http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tasha_%26_steve.html Let us knwo if you want to see photo samples of a specific area.

Just yesterday we returned from a wedding in Dominical and an amazing villa with views of the "whale tail" beach in Uvita. We will posting that wedding soon. The wedding was coordinated by Ana Montesinos of Prestige Weddings. Unpopulated beaches, amazing wildlife, spectacular views, awesome venues, intimate celebrations (Ana manages may of them). All brides to be should look into this area more!

carleyanne, Reserving is a just professional etiquette, all coordinators know each other and they just make a phone call to each other. Liquid I'm sure has a list of musicians that are in the area. Double check with them, don't want to step on their toes.

lstephens10, What music are you looking for? We have seen blues, reggae, salsa, you can find just about anything in CR.

The Reserva Conchal Beach Club is spectacular for receptions (either one, pool side or in the main restaurant area). Conchal Beach is one of the most beautiful and photogenic locations for a wedding (without trying to sound cliche), white sand, soft surf and not so busy with people since it is so long a beach. Main restaurant reception wedding: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/chelsea_%26_lance.html One of the Reserva Conchal managers had a garden ceremony with a poolside reception: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/colleen_%26_leo.html Playa Conchal weddings: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/rosemina_%26_matt.html#17 http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/victoria_%26_brian.html

carleyanne, Make sure Liquid checks that there will be no other weddings at Cala Luna Point that day. Coordinators usually respect this if the place has a wedding going on. We have had two incidents where two weddings were taking place at the same time after it had been announced that the point was "reserved"

Kai, A couple of things I want to shed some light on. This time of year in Manuel Antonio is hot & humid and some of the Costa Verde rooms do not have a/c (make sure you get a/c the day of while you get ready otherwise you will be sweating). It may rain but CV has a great event center. You can hold ceremony & reception there and then head down to Playa Espadilla (park entrance) with some umbrellas for some beach pics (photogs should be able to run you down to the beach for this (5min away). Here is a CV wedding: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/kim_%26_george.html I also suggest looking into Los Altos, great prices, brand new condos, Karolas Restaurant is a great venue: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tiffany_%26_paul.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/valerie_%26_chris.html Don't sweat the rain so much, if it is not a down pour you can always get some nice photos. This wedding took place under a drizzle: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/molly_%26_patrick.html

Kai, Sunset in June is 6pm, July 5:45pm. Manuel Antonio is very tropical so count on the possibility of rain (rainy season in this area has already started - get a tent). Guanacaste gets rain a little later in the year. Weather has been wacky but we usually get an Indian Summer in July.

Amy G, If you want good surfing it narrows down to one choice, Barcelo Langosta. Barrels peeling off out front. The Riu and OccGPap are about an 1 and 20min away from surf. Flamingo would be about 30 min from surf spots. Unfortunately we are not big fans of the Riu (many other photographers express the same), they treat us really badly (no bathroom or even a glass of water and this is after an $80 charge just to enter). Occidental is a beautiful location but a high tide can be an issue, check your tides. http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/jennifer_%26_donald.html Flamingo Beach Resort has amazing sunsets and it is a really pretty beach. Try not to have your wedding on a weekend, a lot of locals hit the beach during this time. They have a nice set up above the restaurant. http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shene_%26_micha.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/stephanie_%26_jedd.html

The Events, Sales and Wedding Manager, a very professional person BTW, I believe is planning on keeping her staff. We promise to keep you updated on everything.

Just an FYI I wanted to share. Managers in charge of events and weddings will be staying with the hotel (Westin), they are concerned about clients like you. They are waiting on word of this whole transition in order to give you correct response. As soon as they know you will know. We were just in their offices on fri/sat.

Hello btemple. The magazine will be an e-zine (online) out middle of Nov.

btemple, We have lots of suggestions but I think you will be able to answer many of your questions with this magazine launching in Nov (Costa Rica Wedding Magazine). Focus hotel of first issue is Villa Caletas, tips of the area, etc. I would also type in search with your topic in this forum, lots of info in other threads.

Remdog, Hello. I see your points. Our Comments: To hear the waves crashing you will need to book the rooms closest to the beach, north side of PPConchal. Fot Tamarindo Diria, the ones facing the beach. Flamingo Beach Resort, the set up would be difficult for you to get wave sound, Hilton, also, rooms/cabins closest the beach, the sand is darker (very fine lava rock) but pretty in it's own way: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/caroline_%26_tim.html, http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/christina_%26_simon.html. All hotels and resorts & cabins have activities, the activities will come to you, promise..... Nite life, go dance salsa, or check on reviews of places to go dancing to. All areas have them. Hotels have nitelife but get some cross-cultural experiences. We will soon be launching a magazine with all these topics (Costa Rica Wedding Magazine - out in Nov online). Hilton has some high views but by choice, there are some rooms level with the beach. The whole experience of being in Costa Rica will be amazing for your guests. Def more practical to be in an AI.

Remdog, Hello. We just had two wedding yesterday at PPC and had a chance to ask about the whole transition. Up to May 1st everything will be under PPC and after that the Westin will take over. A lot of the current staff will remain and there will be some mayor remodeling. There is a lot of talk about what will be done about the new wedding booking that are coming in and as of yet they are waiting to see what the Westin wants to do. PPC has a similar setup as far as restaurants go, some are included, some are not - not much different from the Westin. Andre is awesome! We have been working a lot with him. Our marketing manager is visiting him today as a matter of fact for some '11 planning. There will always be a lot to do any way you cut it. Costa Rica hotels are setup that way. the activities that the Hilton will have will also be available at the Flamingo, Diria, PPC, etc. It will be a matter of what look of hotel you want. We have had some bad experiences with The Riu we do not want to relive. We don't get why the operate the way they do.

remdog, A lot of hotels are going AI; (Tamarindo Diria, Flamingo Beach just did) I would bet it will be AI. We will let you know as soon as we get word.

Hello Everyone, My apologies for giving the wrong hotel chain. It will be the Westin. Again sorry about that. No news yet weather it will be a an AI. As soon as we hear something we will post.

Agree! What a place! For us the Four Seasons is the king of retro, this is where we get to pull out the vintage cameras, 8mm, 16mm, Rolleiflex, Hawkeye Brownies, so much fun! Such top of the line service. Give yourself 15/20min more time into your photo shoot, the sun sometimes sets behind a rocky point and the light goes quicker. Here are some images of several weddings. http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/cassandra_%26_justin.html This was a beautiful wedding, we also filmed it in 16mm motion picture. Kisha & Jason had some medium formats of their wedding: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/kisha_%26_jason.html The NY Sales Manager of the FS: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/elaine_%26_eric.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/alysha_%26_marc.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/lindsay_%26_giovanni.html Check out this beautiful film of a wedding at the FS: http://www.elvelophotography.com/main.php#Galleries/Video%20Gallery/Dynamic%20Digital%20Film/2 (if it does not load thru the link, it's Dynamic Digital Video #2)

Hello Phinicky, Take a look at La Diosa in Cahuita, your guests might stay in diff places but La Diosa has a huge event area for a wedding. We have been talking a lot with Arenal Nayara and this could be a great possibility. We had a 70 guest wedding in Lost Iguana as well. A bit crammed if it rains but otherwise a nice location.

Fly into San Jose and then you can drive to PV (4 hours) or fly into SJ and then Nature Air to Limon then 45min to PV.

Ok, here is the scoop from the Sales Manager at Paradisus. Â Hyatt will be that chain that will be taking over PPC. It is expected to be open by April 30th. It should be a pretty smooth transition (most of the same employees) and the sales dept is preparing a report for all brides past this transition date. We are very close with PPC so we will keep you in the loop as soon as we know more.

Ceremony times and sunset: Â All too often this is overseen and ceremonies start 4:45/5:00 during this time of year (Oct-Jan) leaving little or no time for your sunset photos. Â During November the sun is setting between 5:10/5:20 Â For March your sun will be setting at 5:30/5:40 check and see how hot it is for a 4pm ceremony Sallee and you may be able to push it a bit. Photographers should be able to wrap up a photo session in 20-30min. Â