Happy to share another beautiful wedding we did last year in Santa Teresa. It was featured recently on one of my favorite magazine's blogs. This simple and elegant event was designed by Anahi Contreras and myself (Aimee) and brought to you from my sister company Santa Teresa Beach Wedding. Thanks to Destination I Do, a truly fabulous magazine and blog for any couple thinking about a destination wedding.
Click here to see the feature.
Graham and Ever were married in beautiful Santa Teresa Beach on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. Not only is this my personal favorite area of the country, they also chose my favorite venue as well. The wedding was held at the Fabulous luxury estate of Casa Capitan. I love this estate so much it is where I celebrated my 40th birthday last year with all my nearest and dearest and where I am currently planning the wedding of my only sibling. This wedding was co planned by myself and my amazing business partner, Anahi Contreras from my Sister company Santa Teresa Beach Weddings.
Graham and Ever are both so incredibly beautiful people - both physically and internally. They both glow with kindness and sincerity as do their entire families. I remember at the end of their wedding, Anahi and I shared a moment and agreed that people like them and their guests are what make us love what we do. Having helped such good people plan and then celebrate a day they will always remember, is an honor and such a joy for us as planner and designers.
Their wedding was as well featured in the blog of the wonderful Magazine I Do Destination. For the full blog entry on I DO Destination just click HERE
I still wanted to share some of my favorite images from their wedding and showcase not only a beautiful event, but one that brings back such fond memories for both Anahi and I and simply makes me smile.
Planning the design with Graham and her mother was a blast. Graham sent me many pictures and inspirational pieces. She is a lot like me and simply loves all beautiful things (So much so, she works at SAKS and was wearing a to die for wedding gown by one of my favorite designers Marchesa!) So I took all the beautiful elements she sent and we came up with what you will see here- I like to call it Bohemian Chic, meets modern preppy. Hope you enjoy!
Graham and Ever (and each and every one of your lovely family members and guests!) We cannot thank you enough for your warm and welcoming personalities. As we always strive to allow our clients to have zero stress on their wedding day, and be able to feel like a guest. You also did the same for us. We both felt as if we were guests at your event. You are such wonderful people and we were so honored to be part of your wedding celebration.
Also big Kudos to folliwng fab Vendors
Don Mirra for his amazing photography.
INSANE as always catering by the Gorgeous chef James Kelly at SOMA CHEFS
Lighting design by Cabo Luna
Much Love,
Aimee & Anahi
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!
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!!
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.
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
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!
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.
Under a bamboo canopy draped in sunset colored sheers, a handsome groom meets his gorgeous bride. Jennifer and Scott are totally adorable and their wedding party was a riot. You can see the fun and absolute joy in these two as they smile their way through the ceremony and reception.
The bride's silhouette reveals white orchids loosely holding her hair in place and her gown shimmers in the late afternoon light. The bridesmaids are a vision in their matching sunset tinted dresses. Bouquets of white orchids, orange roses and orange asiatic lilies are held by each and used as tie backs for the canopy's sheers. Twilight colored flower petals become the elegant walkway to the altar.
Day turns to night and the banquet tables are illuminated with votives. Paper lanterns that share the same color scheme as the bridesmaid dresses hang above the dance floor and tables. The atmosphere is electric as the best man (Scott's twin brother) makes his humorous speech. Dancing begins and a lifetime together is fully underway.
Take a look at the fabulous photography by Julie of Comfort Studios.
Here is a video of their wedding and the days leading up to it. It is very creatively put together by Jonathan Yonkers and the music is perfect!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSgd4roeefU
Best wishes to you, Jen and Scott. We had a blast helping you realize your dream wedding. You deserve all good things for a lifetime of beautiful sunsets!
First off my apologies for the disappearing act over last few weeks, Every day goes by and I say I need to blog... day ends and next day I say same thing! Alas, I am getting to it. So to make up for my lack in blogging and what we have been up to....which is A LOT, thus the reason for no blogging time. I wanted to share a truly wonderful wedding we did with you. Many more to come... check back soon.
The minute I started working with this wonderful bride (Mrs. Jeanne Choi) I knew I had met a fellow design enthusiast and all together amazing person. I loved every idea she brought to the planning table and we had a really fun time co creating a really beautiful event. From the start we were like peas and carrots and the result as you will see was something very different than we usually produce- Jeanne thank you so much for the inspiration to bring old fashioned whimsical to the tropics, we miss you!
The Event was held on the private beach of Tuelmar Estates. Accommodations by Buena Vista Villas Photos courtesy of the lovely and extremely talented Steve Stanton
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