Location, Location, Location!

Pura Vida

In just under two months my husband and I will be traveling to Costa Rica to watch our friends get married on a beautiful black sand beach.  I cannot wait.  I love weddings, I love vacations...I love vacation-weddings!  So I dedicate this post to my friends!


Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places in the world so I've been told! I can't wait to experience the beautiful beaches and lush nature.


Legalities:

There are no residency or blood test requirements for foreigners to marry in Costa Rica, and for individuals not of the Catholic faith, lawyers are able to conduct civil ceremonies.

The most tedious part is ensuring that the proper paperwork is completed. Couples may need to provide the following documentation at least one month before their wedding in Costa Rica:

• Valid passports
• Birth certificates
• Divorce papers or letters stipulating to their single status (divorce papers may need to indicate the previous marriage ended at least 300 days earlier)
• Police records

During the ceremony, two non-family witnesses must be present, and the lawyers or wedding planners should be able to provide them if necessary. For the wedding to be legal in the United States, Americans getting married in Costa Rica will need to have their marriage certificate translated, notarized, and submitted to the proper authorities - generally, the presiding lawyer will handle those details.

Note: For updated legal requirements, couples are advised to consult a Costa Rican marriage attorney.

Location Idea:

When getting married in Costa Rica, you have options - you can go for a resort or rent a villa depending on your wedding size.  For those of you interested in a truly luxurious wedding experience - you need to check out the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Pennisula Papagayo:

"Welcome to Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. Spilling down a coastal hillside to an isthmus of golden sand, Four Seasons creates an ambience of simple luxury in this pristine natural setting. With two unspoiled beaches, an indigenous spa, championship golf and the magic of the tropical dry forest."

The resort offers brides many choices for the ceremony and receptions and offers wonderful on site planners.  To find out more about planning your wedding at this amazing resort...click here now!

Now I know I know, get to some pictures! 

This is a real wedding that took place at the Four Seasons in Costa Rica.  The couple, Ashley and Kyle met at SMU...love a good Texas tie in :) and traveled with their family and the very talented photographer Jenny Martell to Costa Rica. Feel free to out the full bunch of photos from Ashley & Kyle's wedding, but here are some of my favorites that highlight the location:

Kudos to the bride & groom on this - their details were stunning, their location unbelievable...I'm sure their guests had an unforgettable time. 

Pura Vida: translated it means "pure life" but to Costa Ricans, it means "full of life"

However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties with good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune of magnitudes small and large alike.