Tips from the Top Wedding Planners in Costa Rica for Your Pura Vida Celebration
If you dream of tying the knot in a place where the rainforest kisses the sea, where toucans fly overhead, and every sunset feels like a mirage, Costa Rica is calling. But planning a destination wedding in this lush paradise requires more than a Pinterest board and a passport. It calls for expertise, vision, and a little bit of pura vida magic. That’s where the best wedding planners in Costa Rica come in.
At Villa Punto de Vista, we’ve spent more than two decades cultivating relationships with some of the best planners in the country. So, we spoke with them to get their take on what it really takes to bring your Costa Rica destination wedding to life.
From cultural details to logistical realities, here’s your definitive guide to working with a wedding planner in Costa Rica—and making your special occasion a celebration you and your loved ones will treasure forever.
Why Hire a Wedding Planner for Your Costa Rica Wedding?
But first, what’s the importance of having a planner when you’re planning a destination wedding in Costa Rica?
Well, it seems only fitting to have them tell you:
“I always advise couples to get a planner when considering a destination wedding in Costa Rica.
You’ll hear a lot of people telling you exactly what you want to hear, because culturally, Costa Ricans don’t like to disappoint anyone. You need someone who will tell you the truth and not just sugarcoat everything.
It’s essential that you interview planners to find someone you genuinely trust and connect with, as it becomes a very personal relationship,” says Karen Ogden, Lead Planner and Director of Operations, Costa Rica & Central America for Tropical Occasions.
In a place where the weather changes on a dime and ‘Tico time’ is a very real thing, your planner isn’t just your logistical quarterback—they’re your advocate, translator, and local insider. They’ll navigate everything from permits and power outages to where to find the freshest florals after a tropical storm.
More importantly, they’ll hold your vision when you’re 2,000 miles away and can’t see the puzzle pieces coming together.
At Villa Punto de Vista, we’ve hosted hundreds of destination weddings, and we know that a seamless wedding day doesn’t happen by accident.
Our team offers trusted referrals to vetted planners who specialize in luxury destination weddings and understand the unique rhythm of Manuel Antonio. We’ve worked with them for years, some having even planned family weddings at the villa; that’s how much we trust them.
What Top Wedding Planners Want You to Know About Your Costa Rica Wedding
Now, the wedding planning and wedding day tips you’ve been waiting for.
Planning a destination wedding in Costa Rica is thrilling—but it’s also a unique beast. Between the tropics, the tides, and the logistics of flying in 80+ guests, it’s not your average stateside affair. The wedding planning business in Costa Rica is dedicated to providing comprehensive services tailored to each client, offering a wide range of services to ensure every detail is covered, both on the event planning side and the travel planning side.
With all that in mind, here’s what these planners who bring clients dreams to life, stress free, every day, want every couple to know about getting married in Costa Rica:
1. Your Wedding is a Whole Trip—You Need Event Planning Support to Plan it Like One
Destination weddings in Costa Rica are about more than the big day. It requires some serious event planning savvy.
Planners are responsible for weddings that are woven into the entire trip—tours, welcome parties, farewell brunches, catamaran bachelorette parties—the list goes on. It’s about aligning the ceremony, tours, meals, and adventures into a flow that feels organic and joy-filled. And that’s not simple! Your wedding planner works hand in hand with the villa concierge to make sure planning is simple.
Susan La Reau, Founder of Susan La Reau Weddings and Events, shared, “That’s why it’s huge that the villa has a concierge. We work closely with Gloria and the concierge team, and on our end, we also build a custom website for each couple. It includes everything—how to get to the villa, what tours are available, who to contact. We manage the wedding, they manage the trip. And when we’re aligned, it makes the couple look amazing and keeps things stress-free.”
That’s where a wedding planning service is invaluable.
From helping guests with transportation logistics to working with our concierge to arrange spa treatments or surf lessons, top planners specialize in seamless coordination that allows the couple to relax, enjoy the ride, and create memories with friends and family. A dedicated wedding planner acts as your partner throughout the planning process, working closely with our villa team and you as the couple to ensure every detail is perfect.
2. Expect the Unexpected—and Embrace the Wild Beauty of Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s beauty lies in its wildness.
You’re in the rainforest—there are monkeys, there are thunderstorms, and there’s always a chance nature will make a cameo during your ceremony!
The good news?
It always adds magic. The key is planning ahead and staying flexible.
3. Timing Is Everything
While Costa Rica has two seasons—dry (December to April) and green (May to November)—that doesn’t mean rain is a dealbreaker, in fact, it could help your decision process.
“A lot depends on your budget and your vibe. Rainy season here is gorgeous everything’s so vibrant, and there’s still plenty to do. But you’ve got to have a rain backup. If you’re not open to the idea of tents or changes, don’t book your wedding in October, November, December. On the flip side, if you want to avoid paying more during high season in March, low season might be the perfect fit. It really comes down to your flexibility and what matters most,” Ogden explained.
4. Wedding Planning is Easier with Local Vendors
Bringing in vendors from abroad sounds glamorous, but Costa Rica has a strong community of bilingual photographers, florists, and musicians.
These vendors know things like which florals can withstand heat, how to expertly select and coordinate beautiful flowers for wedding decor and floral arrangements to enhance the ambiance while fitting the style the bride loves, how long a family can sit on a humid day for a ceremony before needing a little AC, and what needs to be considered for beach acoustics and perfect entertainment.
Not all wedding pros are created equal. Simply put, there’s no substitute for local knowledge.
The planners know the terrain, the weather patterns, the tides, and which DJs bring backup power, and more. When you hire someone based here, you’re getting boots-on-the-ground expertise. You can’t Google your way to that.
- Transportation Matters More Than You Think
Many couples fall in love with villas nestled in the jungle or perched above the sea—but forget to factor in how their guests will get there.
Larissa Banting, Founder of Weddings Costa Rica, noted, “Because of the hills—especially during rainy season—I never recommend renting a sedan. If you’re going to drive, make sure it’s an all-wheel drive or 4×4. You need that clearance. Even I made the mistake of switching to a car without it and instantly regretted it—and I live here and know how to drive these roads. Also, just be mentally prepared: we don’t have super highways. You’ve got to embrace the pura vida pace.”
They’ll help you create these notes for your wedding website. Plus, our concierge team at the villa supports as well.
6. A Beach Wedding is a Lot More Logistically Complicated Than You Think
While it’s tempting to say “I do” with your toes in the sand, not all beaches in Manuel Antonio are accessible or suited for weddings. Luckily, the one just steps away from the villa is. But, the planner will know how to navigate if you want to explore.
Banting explained, “People love the idea of a beach wedding—and it sounds romantic—but there’s a lot more to consider. At high tide, the beach disappears completely. That’s why timing is critical.
“Most couples end up doing the ceremony at the villa and heading to the beach for photos. A good planner helps you think through all the logistics—sunset timing, heat, terrain, guest comfort, even things like bathrooms and parking. There’s a reason we build the day backward from the ceremony time. Every detail matters.”
7. Sustainability Isn’t Just a Trend—It’s a Lifestyle Here
Costa Rica is one of the most eco-conscious countries in the world, and guests often expect weddings to reflect that.
From biodegradable décor to locally sourced menus and zero-waste florals, your planner can help you design a celebration that honors the land you’re standing on.
Sustainable weddings here are just as luxurious, and often even more meaningful.
8. Book Early—Earlier Than You Think
In-demand villas and vendors in Manuel Antonio book up fast, especially during the dry season from December to April.
“I’m doing a couple of weddings now within a six-month period—but it’s hard. Your vendors are limited. You may not have all the options,” said Kristina Ullrich, Owner, Designer, and Coordinator at Perennial Weddings and Events.
Treat it like planning a vacation and a wedding—early bookings make everything smoother.
9. Budget Realistically—But Know It’s Worth It
While Costa Rica can offer better value than many U.S. venues, planners want you to know not to expect a budget wedding.
“People think they can have a $20,000 or $30,000 wedding for 80 people just because it’s in Costa Rica—and that’s just not realistic. In general, Costa Rica isn’t cheap. It might be less expensive than the U.S., but it’s still the most expensive country in Central America,” La Reau says. Experienced planners help couples create and manage realistic budgets for their Costa Rica wedding, ensuring expenses align with their priorities.
- Don’t Skip the Site Visit (or the Zoom Walkthrough)
“People think Costa Rica is all the same, but it’s not. We have dry tropical forests, the Central Valley, tropical rainforests—it really varies by region. When you picture Costa Rica, you probably imagine lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and wildlife—but if you’re up in Guanacaste, it’s a completely different landscape,” Ogden explained.
Even if you can’t visit in person before your big day, do a virtual walkthrough so you can get a feel for the landscapes and the venue.
Seeing the space—even through a screen—helps you visualize the flow of events, photography spots, and guest experience.
During this process, be sure to identify the best locations for your wedding photos to ensure you capture the most memorable moments. If you can come down beforehand, turn it into a mini-moon or little pre-honeymoon and sample the local cuisine, vibe, and weather firsthand.
Why Wedding Planners in Costa Rica Love Villa Punto de Vista
For planners, it’s about more than the view. Here’s what they love:
The Privacy
And the best part? No strangers.
La Reau commented, “It’s a combination between having a hotel for yourself and in a house, so it’s private enough, but you have all the services of a hotel. So you’re not sharing with strangers, but you have amenities that a hotel offers related in relation to the actual event. The villa gives you this beautiful canvas, but you’re not locked into using specific vendors. You can bring in your own bartenders, servers, even your own alcohol if you want to—whatever fits your budget and your vision.”
“And the cherry on top? You can party all night. There’s no noise restriction. You can go loud on the first level, end up in the pool at sunrise, and no one’s going to stop you.”
The Location
Banting shared, “When people picture Costa Rica, they’re imagining Manuel Antonio with the lush rainforest, wildlife everywhere, ocean views, and a laid-back town with great food. You can grab a cold beer on the drive in. It’s paradise, but it’s also accessible.”
She also shared that many couples fall in love with places off the beaten path near areas like La Fortuna with Arenal Volcano in the background, but when you’re flying guests in for a wedding, you want to think about their comfort, too. There aren’t always rental companies or vendors in these remote places, so it’s important to choose a wedding location that has the services you need to actually host a wedding you’ll love.
Ullrich mentioned, “You always have the option to go to the beach. If it’s February and sunny, it’s just down the hill—you can do the ceremony there and head back to the villa.”
Which La Reau expanded on sharing, “What’s so special about the villas is that you don’t have to choose just one vibe. If you want a beach wedding, it’s just a couple minutes down the street. If you want that epic ocean view without being in the sand, the roof deck is perfect. And if you’re going for a jungle vibe, the first floor is surrounded by trees—sometimes with monkeys swinging through during your ceremony.”
“That’s what’s so unique about this villa and Manuel Antonio as a destination. The jungle literally meets the ocean. You get the rainforest, the beach, the wildlife—all in one place. It’s exactly what people picture when they think of Costa Rica.”
The Layout & Venue Features
The estate’s flexibility is a wedding planner’s dream and makes it perfect for hosting weddings and other special occasions.
La Reau shared, “There are so many options for flow at the villa. One scenario is having the ceremony on the beach, coming up to the first floor for cocktails, moving upstairs for dinner, and then heading back down for dancing. Another is using the rooftop for the ceremony, then going down one level for cocktail hour while the team flips the top floor for dinner—and then you’re back up with the view for the meal. The transitions just work.”
With space for up to 100 guests for celebration and 54 overnight guests, it’s ideal for micro-weddings, elopements, or full wedding weekends. Plus, there are multiple levels for different parts of the event:
- First floor for cocktail hour
- Rooftop ceremony
- Mid-level for reception or rehearsal dinner
“We set it up like a cocktail hour downstairs, then went upstairs for dinner, and then into the ballroom area for the party. That flow worked really well,” shared Banting.
The Team
For many of the best planners in Costa Rica, they’ve been working with our team for years, and many of our team members have been at the villa for decades. With that tenure comes meticulous attention to detail and deep relationships from working many events with the planners.
Ullrich shared, “The staff at Punto de Vista—they know how I work, and I think they trust me. There’s very little turnover, which is rare. With hotels, it’s always someone new, and they don’t know me from anyone else. But at the villa, we’ve built a relationship. I’ll do things for them, and they do things for me. That’s really special as an event planner.
The same staff has been there for years—and I think that says a lot.”
Similarly, La Reau noted, “It’s a very genuine service. You know how sometimes at luxury locations, the smiles don’t feel real? That’s not the case at the villa. I say this honestly—people are really happy there, and they truly want to serve. Not just because they’re paid to, but because they feel good being there.”
“I was in the hotel industry, and when management takes care of their team, it shows. So I think that reflects because when somebody treats you super well as a vendor, I know they are taking care of my clients as well.”
It’s Time to Create Memories You’ll Treasure Forever: Book Your Costa Rica Destination Wedding Today
Hiring a wedding planner in Costa Rica isn’t just a smart move—it’s what makes the entire destination wedding experience feel effortless.
Whether you’re dreaming of a barefoot ceremony beneath the palms or a ballroom bash with candlelit tables and gourmet cuisine, having a planner who understands the culture, climate, vendors, and flow of events is what transforms stress into magic.
With venues like Villa Punto de Vista, the vision becomes reality.
Ready to create an event your guests will talk about for years and one you’ll treasure forever? Let the top wedding planners in Costa Rica help you plan the kind of celebration that truly reflects your life, your love, and your pura vida.
Inspired to start planning your Costa Rica destination wedding?
Follow @villapuntodevista on Instagram for real wedding inspiration and visit our site to start your wedding planning journey and check dates for your big day in Costa Rica!
