Tropical Occasions

Great Wedding Video by Thirty3 Studios

Please enjoy a recent video created by the oh so talented Mario Arroyo at Thirty 3 Studios. Mario helped us design a fabulous web site for my sister company Santa Teresa Beach Weddings He as well was the creator of the two videos that show us at work, you can see those here Video 1 of our team and Video 2 of our team at work

Mario approached me last year and said he really wanted to get into the Wedding film business (please note when they are this good it is an insult to call it Videography!) We gave him some pointers and here you will see what he has created. He is on his way into a new career as a VERY talented Wedding Film Producer. Congrats Mario we are so happy with your work!  Here is the link to watch this video of Clara and Joey's wedding at Villa Caletas earlier this year, Enjoy and if you want to book Mario for your wedding, just let us know!

 

Real Weddings - Sabrina and Phil - April 2011- Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Sabrina and Phil are a stunning, chic couple from New York City.   It was truly a pleasure to work with their fun, unique style.  They started the festivities a few days before the nuptials with group surf lessons and a welcome BBQ provided by Casual Cooking for 40 guests at Sabrina's rented house.

The soft lines of the bride's dress was enhanced with embroidered lace giving it a traditional twist on a modern gown.  Her bouquet of white orchids, lillies and roses with  just a hint of green kept the sophisticated, clean lines that carried throughout the design.  They married on the sunlit beach under a bamboo altar covered by a floating white silk canopy.  The simplicity was an amazing reflection of their love.

Special touches like the lace garter with an amethyst colored brooch and Sabrina's hand written thank you speech once again lent to the traditional aspect of the couple. I loved the book marks that described the different activities for their guests as well as all the special touches that went into their plans. The invite was a full guide book to Costa Rica, amping up the excitement for each and every guest that attended.  It was very well thought out and an awesome courtesy to the people who traveled to be with them on their special day.

The reception was breathtaking.  Sabrina had asked us to bring in a very organic look that also celebrated a beach side affair. Woven chargers held a single succulent flower atop the crisp white napkins welcoming the guests to dine.  Bamboo folding chairs and driftwood centerpices flanked by white votive candles in glass sparkled on the table.  White lights twinkled in the trees as night fell.  Square wood vases held white dendrobiums and greens in a most artful design.  The natural woven burlap criss cross material that served as an overlay to the white tablecloths on each of the tables was really in keeping with the simple, natural theme the couple were going for. 

I loved the simplicity of this natural design not only because it was a true reflection of the way Sabrina and Phil live their lives, but it actually added to the beauty of the surroundings that is Costa Rica!  We were all very pleased with the outcome.

Enjoy the beautiful photography courtesy of Mike Blum Photography 

 

  



 

Best wishes for a fantastic life together!  Thank you so much for letting us design and coordinate your gorgeous wedding!  Enjoy all sunsets as if each was your first as husband and wife! 

Real Weddings - Michelle and Bryan - March 2011-Playa Potrero, Costa Rica

This wedding was bold and beautiful!  The bright reds and sunset orange tones were a perfect match for Michelle and Bryan. 

I really loved bringing so many elements of design into play at once.  We were able to incorporate many unique pieces into the mix.  The wedding invite was the inspiration with a bold red and a fun damask with cartoon monkeys. White paper lanterns hovering over the venue gave a softness and subdued light while at the same time, we brought on red linens with damask runners and red place cards outlined in black featuring those same cartoon monkeys as bride and groom.  It was diverse and eclectic and it really worked!

The bride’s all red rose bouquet was just as thrilling against her white gown.    The Gerbera daises and red roses that masqueraded as tie backs for the white sheers on the canopied bamboo altar framed Michelle and Bryan as they turned to their guests for the first time as husband and wife.

I really loved the red fans sitting on the benches for each guest at the beach ceremony.  They were not just practical, but added a real highlight and yet another gorgeous pop of color against a white background. The red carpet of rose petals that the bride made her entrance on created an awesome balance of color and texture to the already amazing  sunset.

Enjoy the bold and beautiful photos by Mike Blum Photography and El Velo Photography. 

 

Best wishes for a bright future, Michelle and Bryan.  Somehow, I don’t think that will be hard for you two!!

 

Real Weddings – Nicole and Dave- March 2011 – Reserva Conchal, Costa Rica

Nicole and Dave are a young and incredibly fun couple from Walnut Creek, CA.  I had the pleasure of meeting with them in person 2 times during our planning. The first time was in Costa Rica and the second at their home town in Northern California. Each time we would meet I would get more and more excited about their wedding day from all the great ideas, to the simple enthusiasm they both showed for showcasing their love of one another.  Their style and attitude were reflected throughout their wedding from gorgeous flown in handmade high end linens (and let me say it was worth all the drama to get them there) to the elegance of the altar tent with hanging orchids flowing organza with the beautiful blue sea as their backdrop. The aisle was a carpet of white and orange rose petals.

The color scheme was all sunset and glamour.  The cocktail hour boasted deep orange, red  and lime green linens and each dinner table was draped in beige silk linen that had the most amazing beadwork of bling, that simply sparkled under the countless votive candles.  The cake table which held the four tier cake created by Victoria Zoch had a gorgeous puckered linen a shade darker than the guest tables and the orange Asiatic lilies remarkably complimented the gathers in the material. 

I was so happy to be able to actually be there and see the flawless execution of the well thought out design.  It was such an incredible collaboration of dreams and visions by all involved.  The way it all came together just heightened the joy of the awesome day.

Please enjoy these photographs by El Velo Photography and Thornton Cohen.

 

 

Nicole and Dave- it was beyond a pleasure to work with you and more so to simply hang with you both- You are such lovely people as well as your families and friends.  I wish you all the very best life has to offer.

 

 

Royal Wedding Re cap and my intereview with Today Show.com

I am so excited to have been able to comment on the royal wedding and what it means to me as a professional wedding designer and coordinator!  It was thrilling to wake up today and not only get to see the most anticipated wedding of the century, but share my thoughts on what it means to my future brides!!

I have examined and reexamined Charles and Diana's 1981 wedding and I have been closely following all the pre-wedding coverage of Will and Kate, or now as she is referred to Katherine.  This is what I was quoted for TODAY.com, "I'm watching all the shows this week that highlight what has gone into the plans this far.  I have my TiVo ready to record all the coverage from TLC, The Style Channel, E!, BBC, and all the major U.S. networks.  I want to know what each and every one has to say and be prepared for any bride who may reference any one of them."  

Go to the Today Show and read the article by Kristen Seymour, a TODAY.com contributor.  I was so pumped to see my name and company listed first among top planners in the business like Nilo G. of Kapture and Jes Gordon AND Colin Cowie.  Woohoo!  Check it out!  

So my comments on the Royal Wedding....GORGEOUS GOWN, Grace Kelly would be proud, ELEGANT PRINCESS, in every word. They said the dress would define Katherine and it says that William has chosen to wed a women who is classy, beautiful, refined and aware.  A VERY LOVING KISS..... I think after having watched every Royal wedding, that these two are truly in love and it is a fairy tale romance that every woman has dreamed of, The commoner who married a prince and we all have that hope that they will live happily ever after.

  

 







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Katherine's- Second Dress

The Cake- Made with McVitties- My Favorite UK Biscuit!!

And my favorite detail the Get Away car, My husbands favorite a 1969 Aston Martin Volante- Classic!

I am married to a Scotsman and both he and my son are UK Citizens.  Watching today and witnessing this amazing event and the public support, not to mention the overall fabulous pageantry has me so honored to be married into a family from the United Kingdom. I think Katherine will be an outstanding addition to the Royal family and the peoples princess before her, William's Mom, Diana is definitely smiling down on them both today. Slante (Cheers in Gaelic!) to the Newlyweds.

 

 

 

Real Weddings - Megan and Brent - April 2011, Reserva Conchal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

This Wedding is a very special post to me, as this wedding, was one I planned and then attended as a guest for a good college friend. 

Megan and Brent, I know him as Otis, are friends of mine. Otis and I went to University together and have shared many wonderful memories and fun times together.  I was so excited and very honored when they asked me to design, coordinate and then best of all party at their fabulous wedding!  The wedding took place last month at the Reserva Conchal.

Megan was gorgeous from the soft curls in her hair to the greek goddess draping of her one shoulder gown and her ever present stunning blue eyes.  Her bouquet, made up of white orchids and roses was artfully and sentimentally tied with a piece of her mother's wedding gown.

Otis, decked out in an killer dress shirt with beautifully indian print cuffs and collar, was thrilled to meet his stunning bride under a canopy covered in organza with white and green orchid garlands.  After the I do's, the couple strolled on the beautiful beach taking in the romance of the day and anticipating the fabulous night to come.

Refreshing tropical rum cocktails housed in coconuts and ready with straws awaited the guests as the photo shoot on the beach and insane sunset played before their eyes.

Megan and Otis are huge wine lovers, and we wanted to incorporate this into the design. We used corks from their cork collection tied together served as place card holders for the guests. Megan even mentioned in their toast that the corks used were from bottles that many of us there that night had probably drank at their home at one time. Woven square chargers held the napkin and menu with a green orchid finishing the look. Strikingly tall to simply stunning and short centerpieces using tropical monstera leaves, orchids, bear grass and curly willow branches lined the center of the tables and gave it that "organic - jungle" look we were after.  All of that against the deep brown table linens on the long banquet table gave the reception a warm, elegant yet very down to earth feel, much like Megan and Otis, who are both class act in my very partial opinion.

The best part of the evening was when the authentic Costa Rican comparsa (which I forced on them with a "You have to do this!" plead) with stilt walkers, drummers and dancers arranged as a surprise from Megan and Otis performed for the guests.  Not one guest was left out as fake moustaches, bolero hats and boas made their way out onto the dance floor.  Even Megan's baby nephew got in on the action!  

These photographs so beautifully taken by Katie Stinnett for Comfort Studio  and bring back all the fun that went into planning and executing this fantastic wedding for my friends.

 

Of course I had to share a photo of me with the fabulous bride, who is bowing down to me. making me feel oh so silly... since no bowing was necessary!! This is one of many hysterical moments throughout all the planning, I had so much fun planning with Megan throughout it all.  I have to say in the end it was a great learning experience as well.  As I sat in the wedding as a guest come the day of and was able to take it all in, from the other side that is... I realized I have an amazing team, on my staff as well as all the other professionals who take a part in all the events we plan. I am so proud of them all and all they do to make these events so fabulous. I am so thankful to each and every vendor who did a wonderful job for this wedding of friends and every other wedding we are all honored to plan and design day in and day out.

Megan and Otis, thank you for letting me and my team at Tropical Occasions share your day, your style and your fun!  This was truly one of the greatest events I was fortunate enough to be a part of because your friendship and entrusting me to this day means the world to me!  Best wishes for everything good in your new life together and guess what-  you survived... now carbs and the wine of the night club can reenter your fabulous lives!

MUUAAHH big kisses to you both!

Aimee

Real Weddings - Megan and Sean - March 2011, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Megan and Sean, a chic pair from California, celebrated their nuptials at breathtaking Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.  Their incredible design plan was orchestrated by my sister company, Santa Teresa Beach Weddings and its fabulous co-owner, planner and designer, Anahi. Thirty guests enjoyed the ethereal stylings and soft design palette of the day.  The fun personalities of the couple was not overlooked with monkey figurines resting atop the plates at the reception and the most adorable wooden bride and groom dolls standing sweetly as a cake topper.  

Megan's gown was so romantic with draped fabric and rose petals floating on the tiers.  When she walked down the beach to an altar made of bamboo and white sheers, all eyes were on her.  The bouquet, made up of white and light and dark pink roses was perfect with the modern meets victorian classic theme.  We loved how she brought the ring holder element from one of our favorite companies, Paloma's Nest.  We have been dying to use this company and it was a perfect detail in this awesome mix.   

Since a favorite drink of the duo is an icy cold margarita, there of course needed to be several carafes of the beverage ready for the guests as they ventured into cocktail hour.  The casual, fun part of Megan and Sean was even captured with little chalkboards on easels that gave everyone the heads up to what they were going to be putting down! 

When I first saw the long banquet table all dressed up with pink rose arrangements and white birdcage lanterns holding votives, I was taken aback.  Kudos to the most incredibly talented designer and business partner, Anahi Contreas of Santa Teresa Beach Weddings, for rocking out this stunning, magical wedding!! The way she was able to capture all the elements of the couples style and make it all look so seamless is so apparent in the following photos by Comfort Studios. Take a look - I think there is a piece of all of us in this wedding!  

Congratulations, Megan and Sean!  Thanks for letting us help bring your fantastic style to life and always remember to keep having fun!

Real Weddings - Danielle and Jeff, Photos by The fabulous Otto Schulze

This is one of those times when making a decision is not my forte!!  These photos of Danielle and Jeff's gorgeous wedding are too fantastic not to share as many as I could! So Prepare yourself for a very large posting. I had previously worked with Otto Schulze  (One of the Photographers who is the genius behind the lens of this art you will see below) last summer in Colorado. I was so blown away by his talent, I knew he would create magic in Costa Rica, and as you will see, he did just that.

Danielle and Jeff our gorgeous bride and groom are fellow Coloradoans, now recently relocated Californians. We got to meet in person in the mile high city to plan their big day, which was great. Then they headed to the tropics and my wonderful mid pacific manager and planner Karen Ogden executed a stunning wedding for them. They were married at the beautiful Los Suenos Beach Club in Playa Herradura, Costa Rica. The bride was a vision captured so flawlessly by the photographer (not a hard task, as she is a gorgeous woman)  The bouquet was hand tied with fabric selected by the bride and the flowers were a mix of white cala's and fuchsia dendrodiums, which were the perfect contrast to her brilliant ruffled wedding gown.  The bridesmaid held single orchids showcasing the elegance of the event that welcomed 80 guests from all over the world.

The tropical palm arch made up of two bamboo bases with palms coming out and tied together at the top. The flowers adorning the arch were Monstera leaves, haliconia, along with phalenopsis and dendrodium orchids.  

The bride walked down an aisle lined with coconuts and more Monstera leaves  The fans on the chairs cooled the already totally cool guests!  

Loose orchids and candles sparkled in the light of the tiki torches as everyone enjoyed a specialty cocktail.  At dinner, the guests were seated at round tables with trio centerpieces of submerged white Phalenopsis, green and fuscia dendrodium orchids with floating candles.  At the entry to the reception were the fun escort cards of mustaches in cylindrical vases full of sand for each guest to have fun with. At the head table were Wayfarer sunglasses for all the wedding party.  These fun props added a lot of humor to the event and showed the true playfulness of this amazing couple.

The party went on with a festive lit dance floor, and great tunes spun by DJ Jose PM of Costa Rica Weddings DJ's and an awesome group on non stop dancing guests.  Fireworks explode into the Costa Rican night Illuminating the sky and creating a perfect end to a truly beautiful and memorable event. 

Please enjoy these phenomenal gallery-like photographs by the very talented Otto Schulze and Eric Clausen This is the first time they have showcased a joint wedding, where these two remarkably talented men have joined forces to create a masterpiece wedding album- Enjoy!

The Rehersal and Rehearsal dinner at the wonderful http://www.adventurediningcr.com/

 

 

The Wedding Day!

 

 

Best wishes for a lifetime that echoes your fabulous wedding day! We were honored to help bring the dream to life! Aimee, Karen and Isabel
And a huge kudos to Otto and Eric for some of the most stunning photographs I have ever seen.

Real Weddings - Kristen and Ben - Casa Capitan, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Kristen and Ben, an awesome couple from NYC, tied the knot at the beautiful Casa Capitan in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.  Their wedding was designed and produced by my sister company Santa Teresa Beach Weddings. 

Their palette was comprised of soft whites, pinks and greens.  We loved working with the muted tones because they highlighted the sophistication of Kristen and Ben. 

White and cream roses, asiatic lilies and white orchids made up the bride’s bouquet which was tied with antique white satin ribbon similar to the sash around the bride’s gorgeous lace overlay gown.  Her hair was pulled back softly with white orchids tying the whole ensemble together.

The bridesmaids were set apart perfectly from the demure bride in their knee length, strapless navy dresses.  Their bouquets were made up of pink roses which matched the ties on the groomsmen.

The reception was held under trees draped with moss and white lights parading up their trunks.  White paper lanterns cast echoed reflections in the pool which set a very romantic yet festive mood.  Smoky green glass vases holding orchids were placed on the banquet table that seated all the guests together. 

Take a look at these beautiful photos by Katie Stinnett Photography. Another fabulous couple, another fabulous wedding!!

 

Here’s to Kristen and Ben’s perfect start to a beautiful life together.  Thanks for letting us share in your beginning!

 

Real Weddings - Katrika and Quintin - March 2011,Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Katrika and Quintin are very simply put, a lovely down to earth couple.  Their style shines through with all the earth tones and elegant choices they made for their perfect day.  

Katrika's gown, beautiful fabric falling in drapes around her, set the tone for the whimsical feeling of the ceremony and reception.  White orchids securing her up-do was soft and elegant against her silhouette.  The beaming couple exchanged vows outside under a canopy lined with streamers of white and green.  A bouquet of white roses and orchids and a splash of greens highlighted the beauty of the bride. 

At the reception, the couple chose a long banquet table decorated with brown linen napkins and smoky green vases which held a few white orchids each.  The earth tones and materials were highlighted beautifully by the white lights crisscrossed over the table.  Hearing the ocean ebb and flow behind them gave this party real life!  As night fell, tiki torches and white paper lanterns brought on the ambiance and the party rocked on.

Take a look at the gorgeous couple and gorgeous light captured by photographer Julie of Comfort Studio.

Thank you , Katrika and Quintin, for choosing Tropical Occasions to coordinate the wedding of your dreams.  We wish you all the best for a spectacular future!