So you’d like to join souls with the one you love in Costa Rica? It’s undeniable; you’ve chosen one of the most magical spots to step into forever.
With such natural beauty, warm hospitality, and rich cultural heritage, this small yet incredible country is a paradise for friends, lovers, and everything in between.
Immerse yourself in lush rainforests, mysterious landscapes, seemingly endless coastlines, and turquoise waters, all the while imbibing the vibrant colors and serenity.
Yes, Costa Rica will be everything you dreamed of and more for a soul-filled and love-inspired ceremony.
But are you still on the fence about whether you should get married or elope in Costa Rica? Both are enchanting in their own way. Which one is right for you?
Getting Married or Eloping in Costa Rica: Which One is Right for You?
First off, what is an elopement? The definition varies greatly depending on who you’re asking.
Essentially, an elopement is when a couple decides to forgo a formal wedding and enjoy a more intimate affair either just the two of them (with witnesses) or with some of their closest friends and families.
Getting eloped is an intentional way of getting married where the focus is on celebrating your relationship in a way that’s authentic to you instead of just focusing on the wedding “stuff”.
A wedding on the other hand is often more traditional and an all-day-long affair with a larger guest list. It usually follows a scripted structure of a ceremony after which a wedding reception is usually enjoyed by all.
Weddings can take months (or a year) in advance to plan, and tend to be a lot more detailed and more expensive than an elopement.
So, which one is right for you? Perhaps this will help…
Elopements
- It’s more focused on you as a couple
- There’s less pressure to invite anyone or everyone
- It could take less time to plan
- It allows you to distribute your budget towards experiences, travel, your honeymoon, and/or hiring good vendors, without having to compromise
- It’s cheaper
- It could feel less personal to those who aren’t invited
- The day is more relaxed
Weddings
- More expensive
- Planning may take up to one year
- It may just be the biggest and best event/party of your life
- You can celebrate with any and everyone you love
- You may be obligated to invite people you don’t want to
- There’s a lot of pressure to make it “perfect”
So while there are key differences between weddings and elopements, each person has their own taste and expectations, so what may be a dream for one may not be ideal for another.
I personally love both weddings and elopements as each have their own unique sense of sparkle and energy. It’s truly the love and warmth of the couple that makes the day.
Alas, I’m going off-topic…where was I? Ahh! Eloping in Costa Rica!
Herewith, all the bits and pieces you need to know if you’re considering saying your “I do’s” in this magnificent country… starting with the benefits.
5 Benefits of Eloping in Costa Rica
1. The scenery
With a much smaller guest list, you could choose from a number of different backdrops for your elopement in Costa Rica. Consider getting married at sunset on the beach, in front of a waterfall or volcano, near the mountains, in the tropical dry forest, or another spectacular spot. Choosing the perfect place for your ceremony is much more doable when you choose to elope.
2. A relaxed affair
Costa Rica itself is a more laid back country, offering hot springs, thermal pools, and swim-up bars in various locations for ultimate relaxation or that fun vacay-like adventure. This coupled with the less-stressful option of eloping in Costa Rica makes the whole experience something to enjoy rather than worry over.
3. Adventure lovers
Costa Rica is the ultimate playground for adventure lovers. It’s a thriving country for activities such as snorkeling, boat tours, hiking, zip-lining through the rainforests, ATV off-road tours, surfing, whitewater rafting, canyoneering, and more. And the good news is, you could even incorporate one or more adventure activities into your elopement day. Because eloping is all about you and what you want out of the day, you can create something that is perfectly unique, there are no limits to your special elopement in Costa Rica.
4. Lower costs
Costa Rica can be a budget-friendly country in which to tie the knot. Then add in the fact that you’re going for a smaller and more personal elopement, you’ll be looking at a beautiful nature-inspired and gorgeous affair at a fraction of the price. This could make room for an extra few nights in Costa Rica to enjoy a honeymoon, or to keep in your savings for your new life together.
5. The diversity of your Costa Rica elopement photographs
Just as I mentioned the incredible scenery and all of the fantastic spots you could consider when eloping in Costa Rica, you could also opt to have your elopement photography (and videography) in various locations in Costa Rica. In this way, you can control the backdrop, the mood, and the energy. For example, do you want light and airy beach photos? Or what about dark and moody jungle elopement photographs? Consider some of the beaches that have black sand and giant rock formations for more edgy photos, or even a sunrise photography session in a more secret or secluded spot. The timeline is all yours.
What Do you Need to Elope in Costa Rica: The Legalities Checklist
It is almost unbelievable how easy it is to get married in Costa Rica. All you really need is:
- A valid passport from your country
- An officiant who is a lawyer (this is super easy to find in Costa Rica, but if you’re having trouble—get in touch and let me see if I can help!)
- Two witnesses (the officiant can provide you with witnesses)
Eloping in Costa Rica: A Wedding Planner or Plan it Yourself?
Now, once you’ve decided on eloping in Costa Rica, one of the big questions is: do you hire a wedding planner or do you plan it yourself?
You may think that a wedding planner is solely for big weddings and that elopements are way too small or intimate for such a service. But in actuality, weddings and elopements do have many parts that make it a whole.
You might really want to do those things yourself or you may find it quite overwhelming—in which case, a wedding planner is an excellent route.
Here are the things you would need to consider whether you’re planning your elopement yourself or with your wedding planner (in no particular order of importance):
An elopement venue: While there are undoubtedly more than five, I’ve written a piece on five of the best locations to elope in Costa Rica. Hopefully this will give you some insight, or perhaps you’ll find your dream venue in this list!
A date/ time of year: The best weather in Costa Rica is usually during the dry season which runs from mid-November until May. Adversely, it is also the most expensive and the busiest time of the year. A close second would be during the green season which is from May to early November. During this season, nature is lush, green, and beautiful. Take note however, that there is a greater chance of rain during the afternoon in the green season, but less so in the morning. And then, you may want to consider the transition months such as December or June to get better prices and fewer crowds.
An officiant: As mentioned in the legalities, an officiant for your Costa Rica elopement should be a lawyer but don’t stress about this, it’s really quite easy to arrange.
Flowers: If you have a planner, they may have special vendors or have insider discounts for flowers. If you’re planning your elopement, I suggest going to a local florist in the town you’re eloping in.
Makeup & hair stylists: Again, if you have a planner, they may help you in finding the perfect makeup and hair stylist if you choose to have one. If you’re planning your elopement, it’s best to go with someone who specializes in weddings. Most hair and makeup artists are based in Guanacaste, and they’re easily able to travel to any location. If you’d like some recommendations, feel free to get in touch.
Elopement photographer and/or videographer: Going with a wedding planner will surely open up a lot of doors for you in terms of great elopement photographers and videographers. I myself offer photography and videography packages for elopements in Costa Rica, so feel free to contact me.
Plan the ceremony: For the overall feel, theme, and timeline, you’ll have the chance to bring your vision to fruition how you want it and then put it into a timeline that feels right for you.
An example of an elopement timeline could look like this:
* preparing the venue with flowers and styling, if necessary, would need to be factored in depending on who is doing so. Then, post-elopement preparation, if necessary, would also need to be factored in depending on who is doing so.
- Hair and makeup
- Getting ready photos, together or individually
- Your ceremony and vows
- Couple photographs with those who have attended
- The couple get some time away for candid photos
- Capturing a (romantic dinner) celebration or a post-elopement breakfast
However, an elopement has the freedom to flow as much as you wish and to unfold on whichever timeline you prefer.
Other Things to Consider when Eloping in Costa Rica
- Guest list: Planning a guest list for an elopement should be a lot easier than for a wedding. And while it can be difficult to not include certain/many people, that is essentially what an elopement is—small, intimate, and with the biggest focus on your unique love.
- Post-celebratory party or reception: ask yourself: do you want to have any kind of celebration after your elopement? You could find a lovely restaurant for you and your guests to have a meal, or perhaps organize a small dinner on the beach? Or maybe you’d like to include adventure elements into your post-elopement fun for you and your friends?
- Attire: Remember that an elopement is less formal than a wedding, so there really are a lot less restrictions. Also, with the warm weather and possible humidity in Costa Rica, you may want to opt for something light and breathable. Maybe lightweight linen pants and a button down shirt, and a sleeveless or short-sleeved dress?
- Budget: Getting eloped is much more cost-effective than having a traditional wedding. But, before you dream big, have a budget in mind then consider all of the things and services you’d like to incorporate into your elopement before you confirm your arrangements.
- Transportation: If you’re new in Costa Rica (or simply escaping the noise for a blissful Costa Rica elopement) it’s probably best to hire a car if possible. This will offer you the most flexibility if you’re going to explore.
Accommodation: if you’re choosing to get eloped in Costa Rica during the dry season, do yourself a favor and book accommodation in advance. There are some out-of-this-world accommodation spots in Costa Rica, like secluded cabins or jungle destinations, beachfront apartments, vacation rentals, luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and more.
And lastly, a part of the elopement process that’s, well, not-so-nice. How do you (or do you?) tell people you’re getting eloped?
The Etiquette of Getting Eloped: Who to Tell and When to Tell Them
Having a wedding and getting eloped both face challenges when it comes to friends and families.
One may think it’ll sting less if not invited to an elopement, but actually it can be equally as difficult for both weddings and elopements.
So what are the most common ways to tell your friends and family that you’re eloping or you have eloped?
Some couples tend to tell their family and friends before they elope as a means to reduce any shock that it may cause.
Why might there be shock? Well, if said family and friends aren’t invited for one, but also, some families may believe in traditional weddings and may be dissatisfied with the choice of elopement.
In this case, remember that it is your decision while treading lightly to hopefully avoid hurting people’s feelings.
Then, some couples opt to tell friends and families after they’ve eloped. This is often to reduce the amount of outside influences and to keep privacy.
When the time comes, you may want to do an in-person announcement of your elopement with your family and closest friends. This shows the most respect and is appropriate given the sensitive nature of the subject. The best time to share your news is around one to two days after your special day.
As per other acquaintances, it’s okay to tell them your news via email or on the phone. This could be one to two weeks after your celebration.
Having said all of this, there’s no guarantee that everyone will take the news well. Some may be upset that they weren’t informed beforehand or that they weren’t invited.
In this case, giving them space and time is a good idea. Sharing wonderful photos and video from your elopement with those closest to you when you tell them the news could be a great way to soften the blow though. In fact, many couples who elope often opt for a videographer not only to immortalize their special day, but so that those who weren’t there have the opportunity to really feel what it was like.
Do you have your heart set on eloping in Costa Rica? A paradise location for lovebirds to make an eternal promise to each other while in the lap of exquisite beauty.
