Amanda & Jonathan
The idea of a destination wedding was exciting and appealing to Amanda and Jonathan as they wanted to return to tropical Costa Rica, where they had become engaged two years earlier.
They both loved the natural beauty of the country, and they really wanted their families and friends to experience the gorgeousness that is Costa Rica. Playa Arboleda, and the venue ‘Dreams las Mareas’ on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, was the beautiful place they chose for their wedding. 63 guests traveled from different parts of Canada to witness their vows on the stunning white beach.
Amanda and Jonathan decided they wanted their wedding to celebrate and acknowledge the vibrancy of Costa Rica through the theme and venue. They included the tropical landscape, the lush greenery, the warm sunset and bright colored flowers in the design and color choices of their wedding. They purposely chose navy for the bridesmaids to wear to highlight the beautiful tropical bouquets that displayed bright orange, red and yellow flowers.
To them, it only seemed right to tie it all together with a wedding on the beach. Can you imagine walking barefoot down the wedding aisle and hear the ocean in the background of your ceremony? That is exactly what Amanda and Jonathan did.
Their wedding arch was a wonderful bower of tropical flowers. With the sound of the waves in the background and the sand under her toes, Amanda said yes to her Jonathan and on February 27, 2020 their lives became one.
After the ceremony, sunset session and cocktail hour, the guests were greeted in the dining area on the beach where the tables and chairs were decorated beautifully. It was notable that they had drawn inspiration from the landscape and textures found all around them; tropical and colorful elements were featured in the designs and decorations.
The wood harvest-style tables and bamboo chairs brought a bohemian feel to their reception. The wood complimented the navy dresses, mixed greenery and candlelit setting so well and pulled the boho vibe of the reception together.
The open-air reception under the palm trees and the stars made the Wedding day extra special. It was lit with string lights and tiki torches, making it feel like a fairy tale under the stars. From the music and decor to the vibe of the wedding, they really succeeded in focusing on making their wedding authentic, fun, and comfortable! They had suggested a casual dress code and many of their guests were barefoot on the beach.
During Amanda and Jonathan’s first dance, they surprised their guests with a fireworks display. It was such a magical moment seeing the sky lit up over the beach reception and surprised guests. The fireworks lasted for around 10 to 15 minutes while the local rock band Pinky Guaro performed in the background. It was truly surreal and was a great start to the party!
Amanda and Jonathan’s wedding was amazingly fun; it was one of the most energetic and joyful weddings we have experienced. The vibe was kept high throughout the day, and the guests danced the night away to the uplifting music. The band was a hit!
There was so much beauty and happiness in one place, and so many memorable moments from beginning to end. The guests could not stop talking about how much fun they had!
We are deeply thankful that we, together with our amazing team photographer Maciej Bogusz from Papaya Weddings, got to document your day and highlight some beautiful moments Amanda and Jonathan!!
A Video Production by: Destination Wedding Stories | Photography: Papaya Weddings | Venue: Dreams las Mareas | Officiant: Stephanie Waltrip | Music: Pinky Guaro