Take The Knot’s Orchid vs. Hydrangea wedding poll.  Here in the tropics our vote is likely for our beautiful orchids of Costa Rica.

The hydrangea is currently in the lead.  Can the orchid take it down????  Caste your vote now and be part of the March Wedding Madness.

We love this article about how to receive, or politely decline, assistance with your wedding planning.  Whether it’s with family, friends or a wedding planner it’s good to establish some wedding event boundaries and priorities.  And, it all starts with your wedding vision.  We deal with lots of brides and it’s a rare occasion when a bride doesn’t know exactly what she wants.  It makes sense – she’s probably been dreaming about this day long before she even met the lucky husband-to-be!

Here’s some helpful tips from Offbeat Bride to give you the courage to say YES to a helping hand and NO to the “your messing up my vision” hand.  Weddings are for fun, a day that your dreams become real.  Don’t let Cousin Busybody take control of your day.  Read the full article here on How To Let People Help You With Your Wedding.

Erin and Jordan booked the highly sought after date of 12/12/12 for their big day – an auspicious date for some, for others, just plain cool.  And, not only was it to be there wedding date, but it would also be a reunion for Jordan, a soldier, to reunite with loved ones after having spent time serving Iraq.  He had returned to Austin, Texas only days before the big event!

Erin and Jordan heard about Hotel Costa Verde from their jeweler.  We hadn’t thought of that, but it makes perfect sense that most jewelers must hear about a variety of wedding locations and details form their couples.  In this case the jeweler’s sister had actually gotten married here at Costa Verde.  His referral words “she loved it”!

Erin and Jordan’s 1 1/2 year old baby girl Morgan was the flower girl and their nephew Owen escorted her as the ring bearer. See them below in their custom football jerseys.

So, their wedding was on 12/12/12, their room number was B12 and the ext. number for that room is 12-12.  Coincidence or not?

Newlyweds: Erin & Jordan

Hotel Costa Verde Manuel Antonio, December 12, 2012

Photographer: Carlos Charpentier

Hair and makeup: Givenchy Rojas

Flowers:  Merle Sardine

Reception site: El Avion Restaurant at Hotel Costa Verde

Wedding Planner: Isabel Vargas

We saw this wedding photos post on The Knot and just had to share slash copy.  Really, they are The Who’s Who of all-things-wedding afterall, right?  Yes, these photos are so gorge that we had to pull the idea and make it our own.

So, we’ve gathered just a small collection of some of our faves from shindigs past here at Hotel Costa Verde.  We feel that they capture the little somethings that make a special day  or a special couple unique.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

And thanks again to The Knot for a great idea!

Weddings Costa Rica is one of our favorite and mostly highly regarded wedding planners here in Costa Rica.  We are always in awe of the incredible events that they create.  We’re also proud of them for their community efforts – both environmental and humanitarian.  They actually recycle every candle from every wedding!  But, on a more serious note…

Recently on their blog they tackled an extremely important issue that all should take notice of.  We’re sharing it here in an effort to spread awareness about the severity of child marriage.  Our wish is for all children to grow up in their own time and one day have the wedding of their dreams – for love.

Read the full article about ending child marriage here on Weddings Costa Rica.

Ok, here’s a loooonng list of wedding savings tips from Wisebread – 131 tips to be exact!  There’s a few in here that we surely can concur with.  For instance:

16. Get a Day-of Coordinator Instead of a Wedding Planner – we’ve got both here at Costa Verde…you pick!

17. Consider Eloping – escape to our tropical paradise and have a secret event just for two!

29. Select a Naturally Beautiful Wedding Spot – easy and done…at Costa Verde.

47. Decorate Your Cake With Real Flowers – we’ll pick your cake flowers from the wild the morning of…

Put it all together and our NUMBER ONE wedding savings tip is:

1.  Book a destination wedding at Hotel Costa Verde in Costa Rica

Let our natural backdrop of Pacific Ocean, rainforest jungle and sizzling sunsets replace decorations.  Choose from our Wedding Packages or customize your own to fit your budget.  Plan your rehearsal dinner at one of our four restaurants.  The list goes on…

http://www.wisebread.com/budget-bride-131-savvy-ways-to-cut-wedding-costs

Wedding prep

Sharing smiles on the beach

Photographer: Alejandra Sura

Flowers: Merle Walker

Cake: Costa Verde

Hair and Makeup: Givenchy Rojas

Music: DJ Josh

Ceremony Music: Alvin Urbina

Officiant/Legal Documentation: Einer Villavicencio

Wedding Design: Isabel Varga, Costa Verde

Albert and Courtney’s wedding here at Costa Verde was nothing short of magical!  Our pool area was indeed transformed by the wedding planners at Events & Weddings Costa Rica and the love that filled the air from the bride, groom and family and friends in attendance.  Read more about how the day came together here:

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2012/08/18/costa-rica-wedding-highlight-from-life-stage-films/

We’re thrilled that Style Me Pretty featured this special day, our majestic Manuel Antonio and our very own Hotel Costa Verde.

Be sure to watch the video (it takes a few seconds to load)…you will certainly smile.

This couple, Alex and Lisa, are have weddings around the world!  We’re so proud that Hotel Costa Verde was on their list.  They had a beach ceremony then a wedding photo shoot in our El Avion Restaurant.

Read more about their stops here on Bridal Guide.

Pura Vida Alex and Lisa!

Alex and Lisa…ready for take off to their next destination wedding stop!