Absolutely adore this wedding tablescape!!!

Made up of wonderfully fantastic colors; greys, corals, seaglass tones, and pops of yellow/orange.  It makes me feel as though I’m on a beach in Bali.  Great combination of beaded votives, driftwood, and little fun pieces.  What an electic, beautiful table!!!!!

Picture thanks to Green Wedding Shoes.

For more information visit the website here.

They returned the end of November, but this time they would get married!  I had the pleasure of bumping into aunts, uncles, friends, parents.  Everyone was so happy, so supportive, and so thrilled to be in Costa Rica, and even more excited for Lauren and Derek’s wedding.  This is always my favorite part of a wedding; seeing so many family and friends come together for two people, its truly something special.

The day of their wedding, I checked in with them multiple times and they were ready!  Lauren had on a stunning, one shoulder dress with “waves” of, what looked like, chiffon, and the perfect touch of glam with a sparkly little belt.  ALL of it was perfect.  Derek was going to be so, to say the least, blown-away!

The colors Lauren and Derek had chosen for the wedding were just lovely, shades of purple, accents of gold and silver, with just a few natural tones.  Tables were decorated with shades of purple flowers, silver Mano de Tigre leaves for each charger, and lots of candles.  I just adored their idea for using small wooden planes for “escort cards”, and the backdrop to this was a linen map, embroidered by a friend with places they have traveled.  All was set up beautifully next to the Diria’s swimming pool.

The night was danced away under a canopy of little twinkle lights and the night ended as it should.

Thanks for everything Lauren and Derek.  You two were truly a pleasure to work with and I hope you come back soon for a visit!!!

Coordinator: Kristina of Perennial Weddings (thats us!) / Ceremony and Reception Venue: Hotel Diria / Photographer: BiDrop / Dress: Vera Wang White

Mel and Steve have been coming and staying at Hotel Diria in Tamarindo, Costa Rica for six years, one to two times per year.  They have truly melded with the community, so much so, they had some locals in their wedding party and on the guest list, in fact, we shared a few friends in their group.  If I ever met a “Pura Vida” couple, they are it.  Cheers to Mel and Steve, married on November 12, 2011.

I met with them quickly for the first time and I knew it was going to be a great group, when I saw Mel with her fun tattoos, Steve with his surfer style, and guests getting out of the shuttle with skateboards strapped to their backpacks.   Immediately, when I see a bride and groom in their street clothes, I wonder what the attire for the wedding is going to be.  Mel being a hair stylist and Steve an Axion Footwear Rep, they were sure not to disappoint…and they didn’t!

As for flowers, Mel went from coral and orange flowers, to tropical and fushia, I think it was a great change.  It gave that pop of color to match their personalities!  The ceremony and bouquets were fushia and white orchids with an asymmetrical canopy.

Guests arrived to a reception FILLED with fushia Karen orchids, candles and mini Patron bottles at each place setting.  It was kicked off by the couples first dance and the cake cutting, followed by toasts from the wedding party and I believe all other guests as well !  Mel and Steve are truly loved!

The night ended with a surprise from one of their friends, sky lanterns!  About 50 of them were sent off into the night, it was beautiful and emotional!  I said my goodbyes to Mel, Steve and their parents.  Mel’s parents were so happy with everything; I received one of the best hugs I have ever gotten!  Thanks to all of you, especially Mel and Steve, you were a delight and I’m looking forward to seeing you on your return trips to Costa Rica!!!  Ever thought of making this your home?

Coordinator: Kristina of Perennial Weddings (thats us!) / Ceremony Venue: Langosta Beach Club / Reception Venue: Hotel Diria / Photographer: BiDrop / Videographer: Jonathan Yonkers / Dress:  Nicole Miller / Suit:  JCrew / Guy’s Shoes: Vans

The toasts that lead off the dinner were heartfelt, funny and very emotional.  This is one of my favorite parts of a wedding, you really get an idea of the couple; from the words of the people closest to them.  Jeff and Brett are blessed with wonderful people in their lives.  Kicking of the dancing was the first dance, friends and family joined in, and when it slowed down a bit, Jeff and Brett picked it up with a lap dance…nice work!

The night ended with canapes, cocktails, a bonfire and fireworks on the beach.  Sounds like a lot going on?  It wasn’t, it was romantic and beautiful.  A perfect way to end an evening that started with a wedding!

CONGRATULATIONS Jeff and Brett!  We wish you a lifetime of happiness!  You were a pleasure to work with and for!

Coordinator:  Kristina of Perennial Weddings (thats us!) / Venue:  Tamarindo Diria Hotel / Photographer: Richard May Photography

One of our, my husband and I, favorite towns in Costa Rica is Santa Teresa, which is located on the Nicoya Penninsula, about four hours South of Tamarindo.  Its a remote location, with eclectic restaurants and fun people.  Every time we go there, we stay at a different place, but I believe we’ve found our spot, Hotel Casa MarBella.  Its a boutique hotel, with zen-like decor, a view that can’t be beat, and an infinity pool.  Its about a four minute walk to the beach, within a half of a mile of about a dozen restaurants and right next door is an amazing one.  I enjoyed it so much, I had to have Stephanie and Jim (and daughter, Naia) be the interviewees of this weeks “WQS”!

What do you do?  We own and operate Hotel Casa MarBella.

Where are you from?  New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Who are you in 5 words?  Work Hard and Play Hard

What is your style?  Less is more.

What is  your favorite part of a wedding? Why?  The kiss because of the feeling of pure love that surrounds the moment.

What do you find to be the most memorable about a wedding?  The intimate and loving gazes that the bride and groom give one another throughout their special day.

What is a tip you would like to give brides and grooms about weddings?  Don’t sweat the small stuff!

In a few sentences, as to not bore us , what brought you to Costa Rica?  The idea of doing something different with our lives that we could enjoy together as a family.

What is your favorite place in Costa Rica?  Why?  Santa Teresa, because of the small hometown feeling that we have grown accustomed to over the years.

What do you love about your line of work?  Meeting people from around the globe and sharing this beautiful area with them.

Tell me something, anything.  We all need to step “outside of the box” sometimes!

For more information on Casa Marbella, check out their website here, fill out their contact form or feel free to email Stephanie and Jim directly, contact@casamarbel.la .

So, we all remember Gwen Stephani’s ombre wedding gown way back when, what DID you think about it?

Well, ombre is back!!!!  And in so many ways, options and ideas seem to be endless!

Here are some of our favorites:

Love this wedding dress on 100 Layer Cake, the ombre adds some funk and romance all at once!!!

The train on this Hendrik Vermeulen Couture, simple, silk, body hugging dress is out of this world!

And the details…

And HAIR!!!!

What do you think about Gwen’s dress now?!  Imagine the possibilities!

What are some ombre wedding ideas you have?

Bathsheba, owner and chef of Costa Rica Catering, lives and works in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.  Everything she touches and anything that comes out of her kitchen is wonderful!  My personal favorites include her panko crusted Mahi Mahi and her vanilla, passionfruit cake with butter-cream icing…okay, I’m drooling! 

Toh has been doing photography for about 15 years, both commercially and now for weddings.  He lives in Tamarindo with his family and we thoroughly enjoy working with him!

What do you do?  I capture moments and create images.

Where are you from?  Born and raised in the center of good old Europe: France.

Who are you in 5 words?  Image lover creative curious photographer

What is your style?  I guess it is either documentary or carefully crafted funky photography.

What is your favorite part of a wedding?  Why?  Just after the ceremony, when all the stress is down, people totally relax and just appreciate the moment they are living, not anymore the anticipation of it.

What do you find to be the most memorable about a wedding?  Well, the fact that it happened…

What is a tip you would like to give brides and grooms about weddings?  Relax… take it easy, especially if you are in Costa Rica… Enjoy the moment don’t ruin it with unnecessary stress, don’t be a BrideZilla, be a Pura Vida Bride…

In a few sentences, as to not bore us , what brought you to Costa Rica?  A travel habit fueled by curiosity. I have visited a lot of countries but fell in love with Costa Rica.

What is your favorite place in Costa Rica.  Why?  Tamarindo and surroundings of course (I live there…), for the beautiful bay, beach and waves, but also for the crazy multicultural community living here.

What do you love about your line of work?  Almost everything, how can’t you love being on the beach or other beautiful settings, taking photographs of happy people who give you their trust… honestly…

Tell me something, anything.  My daughter is the most intelligent and beautiful girl in the world… and nothing beats a real baguette sandwich with butter and cornichons…

For more information on Toh and Bidrop, go ahead and look them up at http://www.bidrop.com/.