Location confirmed!! Punto De Vista

I decided to just pull the trigger and book Punto de Vista! I am not going to lie... it was terrifying and its so hard for me not to get on google to make sure I got the best deal possible. (I don't know why that would make me feel better because I would either waste hours confirming a decision I can't change or find out I got shafted and feel horrible about a decision I can't change! Argh... grumble, grumble)

We picked Punto de Vista for three reasons:
1. We really wanted to be within driving distance (around 2 hours driving being the max) from San Jose ... so we picked Manuel Antonio
2. We didn't want a cookie cutter resort wedding. When I was considering getting married at a resort, I started having nightmares about showing up at the resort and being the third wedding party to arrive... so we decided to get married at a private villa.
3. We really love our friends and we loved the idea of turning our wedding into a big group vacation. So we decided we wanted to rent a private villa large enough to house our whole bridal ... so we picked Punto de Vista

Here are more gorgeous pictures of my wedding location: (YAY)




Yes, it IS a rooftop jacuzzi with a view of the Pacific Ocean!



















*** Maybe it was meant to be!! the architect/owner of Punto de Vista is originally from Manhattan Beach. That's where D is from!! Did I mention that I'm a huge believer in fate :)

More Locations: Costa Rica

While I still love the idea of having my wedding at a beach in front of a private villa, I am starting to wonder if that is totally insane. My main concern is that the villa won't be equipped to handle a wedding reception. I really can't afford to have plates, cups, silverware, etc shipped or bought for the event.

Just in case I can't make it work I decided to neurotically look for possible alternatives.

After hours and hours of searching I have found 5 new (non- villa) wedding locations that I LOVE!

1.Beija Flor - Mal Pais


Beija Flor Resort is a boutique hotel in Mal Pais, on the southern-most tip of the Nicoya peninsula. Just 2 kilometers from the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve and steps away from the Pacific Ocean, it provides everything a person seeking relaxation and comfort needs: With eleven spacious rooms and one fully-equipped villa combine warm colors and local materials with a modern design. They are located in a tropical garden, which iguanas, squirrels and many birds call their home.

PROS: Private small location, high-quality food, surf, yoga, spa, and very affordable!

CONS: Hard to get to (it would require either a 30 min plane ride from San Jose, a 1.5 car ride, 1.5 boat ride and another 1.5 car ride, OR a 5.5 hour car ride from Liberia) and the rooms look like they are really dark,

2. Si Como No - Manuel Antonio


Si Como No Resort Spa & Wildlife Refuge is a central-Pacific coast resort in the jungle-covered hills just above Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s barefoot luxury with a pura vida vibe, perfect for families and couples who love the beach, tropical adventures, spa, pools, superb dinning and four-star accommodations. This award-winning eco-design nature resort & spa offers its guest its own signature version of “barefoot luxury.” Panoramic views are yours to enjoy from beautiful balconies looking down from the most idyllic hilltop in the area.

PROS: Only 3 hours from San Jose, Eco-friendly resort, and located on a beautiful beach.
CONS:Slightly more expensive than Beija Flor, and the color/decor is a little bright/tropical for my taste.

3. Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort - Playa Herradura


The Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is a luxury Costa Rica resort hotel nestled between the warm waters of the Pacific and a 1,100 acre tropical rainforest.This luxury resort hotel in Costa Rica also features 6 restaurants and lounges, the La Iguana Championship Golf Course, Stellaris Casino, 11,900 sq ft of versatile meeting space and the new Sibö Rainforest Spa & Retreat.

PROS: Only 1.5 - 2 hours from San Jose. If you rent at least 10 rooms, the wedding location is free. Full wedding menu which means options! Lots for event services available. Golf course, which our fathers would love.
CONS: Not a beach, its actually a closed in marina (and we don't really love the look of boats). I really really REALLY don't want to have a cookie cutter chain resort wedding.

4. Harmony Surf Resort - Nosara


Nesteled into the sleepy coastal town of Playa Guiones, far from the nearest paved road, high standards of sustainable living meet the creature comforts of low key beach life at the Harmony Hotel. With 24 rooms that reside on a path that meanders through a tropical garden overflowing with native vegetation. Harmony Hotel is another CST resort.

PROS:Another small beachfront resort. Yoga. Surf.
CONS: More expensive. Also a little difficult to get to. Don't think they do weddings or events of any :(

5. Arenas Del Mar - Manuel Antonio


Arenas Del Mar is a beach and nature resort located adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Arenas Del Mar is a CST Resort. Sustainability is a key component of the concept at all levels of the operation and the Certification for Sustainable Tourism-a program designed by the Costa Rican Tourism ministry-served as a guide for the building and continues to drive the operation of the hotel. Arenas Del Mar minimizes the impact on the surrounding nature, while maximizing the positive economic impact on the local community through employment and support for schools and Costa Rican culture.

PROS: Gorgeous. Eco-Friendly Boutique Hotel.
CONS: Most Expensive location.

*6. Costa Verde - Manuel Antonio


This location is not really an option for the wedding, but they have an airplane/treehouse!
Awesomeness...

not for a wedding but thought it was blog-worthy. If we have the wedding in the Manuel Antonio area, maybe I'll convince some of my friends to stay there!

Location: COSTA RICA!

Overall I had a pretty miserable day today... only because I rushed home for a hair appointment that didn't exist. (You better believe that someone got a strongly worded email!!)

On a brighter note, I got a chance to speak to my future wedding planner today (YAY), among other things, we discussed possible locations! These were the five places she suggested:

{ Iguana Azul }
This was her first suggestion based on a previous post about a location I love. (Another great thing about Larissa...she reads my blog!!). This a great little surf location off the beaten path! I think it looks amazing, but I don't know if its too isolated for my guests.


{Pacifico}
This location is GORGEOUSNESS. Located in Playa de Coco, this location is a little closer to the airport than the first location and closer to a town. So there will be more for my guests to do but it will also be pricier.


{ Hacienda Pinilla } This location would make an amazing site because it has a range of options.


{ La Reserva Manuel Antonio }
This location is gorgeous. Manuel Antonio is one of the most amazing beaches in Costa Rica (in my very uninformed opinion). One of the best things about La Reserva is that you don't have to stay there to get married there. All things to keep in mind.


{ Casa Capitan }
Located in Santa Teresa (One communter flight and an hour drive from San Jose), this house is INCREDIBLE! OMG!

I haven't had a chance to check out all the websites but you better believe I will be creating a spreadsheet to decide which location is best.

Larissa also sent over our contract today... is it bad that I am super excited about reading it?? It's not my fault, I am a lawyer!!

Best news of all, Larissa is coming to New York in August for a workshop so hopefully we'll get a chance to meet :D

Costa Rica Wedding

Today The Wedding Chicks posted about this amazing Costa Rica Wedding photographed by the one and only Jose Villa. I adore the fun, light, carefree feel of this wedding. This couple clearly knows how to have a good time!
For more from this wedding click here, here, and here.

Wedding Planner: Costa Rica

I found an amazing wedding planner. There is still A LOT to figure out but she seems amazing. By that I mean, she responded promptly to my email, included a clear list of her services, clearly explained the wedding planning process, and provided specific examples to illustrate her points. All these things make a type-A (former teacher) bride happy. :D

Her name is Larissa. Here is one of her weddings which was recently featured on Style Me Pretty.



{For more pictures click here}

Here are some images from her website.


{For more information about Larissa and her services click here}