Magical Elopement In Costa Rica
With an aisle that makes it look like this couple is walking on water, this poolside elopement is nothing short of magical! Plus, we love that this entire setup was just for them...that's right, not one guest in sight, just the bride and groom. When you're eloping, truly eloping, it can be tempting to skimp on the festivities because you'll be the only ones there to see it but isn't that the point. Sure, if you have guests, you want them to have a good time, but at the end of the day, your wedding is for you.
You'll never believe that Mil Besos had just three months to plan this epic celebration at Villa La Luna. And, Stylos Y Flores truly knocked it out of the park with these floral arrangements that give the entire space an otherworldly feel. Between the reflective aisle and the fiery sunset, these photos by White Diamond will have you doing a double-take. To see even more from this gorgeous wedding, check out the full gallery and read on to hear more from Planner, Meghan Cox of Mil Besos.
MEANT TO BE
They had been together for eight years and traveled all over the world together. From the Bahamas, Las Vegas, and Russia for the World Cup to Istanbul–they love chasing an adventure. They said, even after eight years, they are still constantly surprised and learning new things about each other. Every day, they are motivated by their future together and all of the adventures they have yet to take. When we asked what he loves most about Mackenzie, Alex said, "I love her heart, her strength, her patience, and her smile."
AN ELOPEMENT FOR TWO
They were dreaming of the perfect ceremony in paradise to enjoy together, just for the two of them. They wanted something romantic, intimate, and dramatic. This pair has two young children, who Grandma and Grandpa offered to watch for the week so Mackenzie and Alex could have this time for themselves. Mackenzie contacted us three months before their wedding. In her words, she was looking for a partner to dream with her in designing a beautiful ceremony. They had already found a villa that they loved in Dominical overlooking the famous "whale's tail" landmass located in the South Pacific Ocean. This villa is a tropical modern masterpiece. It is surrounded by a serene jungle backdrop and luscious tropical gardens with banana, lime, avocado, and tangerine trees scattered around the estate. It is located on a hilltop 1,250 feet above sea level, which provides constant ocean breezes and cool temperatures all year round! They wanted something extremely luxurious, a setting that really represented their love for glam and their appreciation for the finer things in life.
A CANDLELIT DESIGN
They knew they wanted lots of florals and for everything to be candlelit and picturesque. Mackenzie provided us with a beautiful mood board and we knew exactly how to bring their wedding daydreams to life. We sourced the perfect florist and rental provider and recommended some remaining vendors perfect for their dream elopement, such as an officiant and baker for their wedding cake. We wanted their day to be magical and carefree and we served as a resource to help with any questions that may arise, handled design, and pulled together details like logistics and the timeline.
CUSTOM ENSEMBLES
The morning of the wedding day was very relaxed. The bride had a modern dramatic look for the big day. Our favorite part? She designed her wedding gown! There were so many details in this gown from the intricate beading to the sweeping train. It was truly a work of art! Mackenzie is very creative. She even shared with us that she designs all the French-inspired furniture in her home! She had so much fun designing this gown that she will actually be designing her mom's too for her future wedding coming up! We were blown away by her look. She complemented the gown with delicate accessories. Small hoops with pearls dangled elegantly from her ears and matched her hair accessory. She wore a beautiful pair of Jimmy Choo pumps with feathers and gems. She looked stunning. Alex had a high-end chic style in his white suit and Hermes shoes. He stood proudly at the alter waiting to see his beautiful bride.
THE POOLSIDE CEREMONY
The wedding ceremony was poolside at the private villa. The bride walked through the doorway from the grand living room which we originally covered in elegant white fabric that flowed in the breeze, but on the day of, we actually opted to skip that detail to allow photo and video more angles to shoot from inside the house. We installed a raised wood floor to cover the pebble-covered ground, covered that with a mirrored surface, and created an aisle with floating candles that led to a two-sided curved tall arch covered in white flowers. The water sparkled in the setting sun which created a dramatic backdrop for this elopement. After exchanging intimate vows they exchanged a big kiss and soaked in this moment as their biggest adventure yet!
A MEAL TO REMEMBER
As the sun started to slip into the water they enjoyed a romantic first dance, and it was time to enjoy dinner. Mackenzie led Alex to the white sofa seated behind a long table surrounded by floating candles and flowers. The floral runner cascaded down the table to touch the floor on both sides. The table was set with gold flatware for the dinner and they sipped pink champagne. This couple loves fine dining, so there was an emphasis on great food! Mackenzie is vegan and totally plant-based while Alex's favorite foods include duck, lamb, and caviar. The chef prepared the perfect meal for them to enjoy together. They laughed and joked over dinner, the intimacy felt like they were home together sharing a meal. We asked them what they are looking forward to most about being married and they had beautiful answers. Mackenzie said, "making a lifelong covenant with Alex and God, having a solid commitment and place where I belong in this world." While Alex said, "I am looking forward to this commitment to Mackenzie to be her lifelong partner, and knowing she is mine and has chosen me."
- Accessories & Lingerie: Sebastian Cruz Couture
- Accessories & Lingerie: Van Cleef And Arpels
- Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo
- Cakes & Catering: Mariposa Pastry
- Event Planning & Design: Mil Besos
- Flowers: Stylos Y Flores
- Grooms Attire: Hermes
- Photographers: White Diamond
- Rentals: Dgala Events
- Venues: Villa La Luna
- Wedding Films: White Diamond