Matt and Carolyn envisioned a stunning view as a backdrop for their intimate wedding with close friends and family. Tamarindo was a great choice for the ages of their kids, and the variety of activities, shops, and restaurants and Casa Bali was the perfect ocean view villa to share with their guests for the week. They wanted everyone to feel really taken care of, with transportation from the airport, breakfast every day, a couple of golf carts to get around town easily, a fridge stocked with local foods, and carefully selected experiences planned for each day.
A couple of their friends were yoga instructors so we arranged some rental yoga mats for them to lead guests in yoga sessions most mornings during their stay. An afternoon catamaran cruise until sunset was a huge hit with the guests. And some of the guys went on a sportfishing charter, the photos they texted us of their fishing triumphs were so fun to receive! Another highlight of the trip was when some of the guests took private surf lessons. Tamarindo is one of the best surf spots for beginners.
The evening before the wedding, the rehearsal dinner was catered by a private chef using only the best ingredients and string lighting overhead for an intimate atmosphere.
Ocean View Villa Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Menu
Signature Cocktail: Catalina Sunset - vodka, fresh watermelon + a splash of cranberry juice
Hors d’œuvres: Crimini mushroom stuffed with duxelles and served with a Parmesan tuille. Crispy patacon with pork belly and grilled pineapple salsa. Crispy local organic goat cheese with microgreens, and passion fruit reduction.
Appetizer: Fresh yellowfin tuna, lime, seasoned avocado, mango, red onion & microgreens. Gazpacho with avocado puree.
Main Course: Surf and Turf with beef tenderloin and lobster, yucca croquette, and julienne vegetables. Quinoa cakes with an avocado leek sauce and roasted red pepper coulis.
Dessert: Freshly homemade coconut ice cream served in a coconut with fresh fruit and a shot of Cahuita Costa Rican coconut rum.
The morning of the wedding, the bridal party had pretty blue satin robes while they had their hair and make-up done. The groom put on his laid-back plaid suit jacket and khaki pants before taking some time to polish up his vows. Blue is a beautiful color that embraces the surrounding sky and ocean views. All the men wore it to the wedding which was a fun little coincidence!
Ocean View Villa Wedding Playlist
Ceremony: Wouldn’t it be Nice by the Beach Boys
Bride Entrance Song: 1,000 Years by Christina Perri
Ceremony Exit Song: A Kiss to Build a Dream on by Louis Armstrong
Cocktail Hour: I Choose You by Chasing Cars
First Dance Song: Turning Page by Sleeping at Last
Reception Song: Something just like this by The Chainsmokers
Exit Song: I Like Me Better by Lauv
For the ceremony, guests were greeted with a pipa cart at the entrance so they could enjoy a refreshing drink before being shown to their seats. There was a freestanding arch made of driftwood with foliage and white flowers decorated on both corners. There were 16 teak wood benches in the sand for guest seating facing the incredible view. Carolyn's son escorted her from the villa to the ocean view ceremony. She carried a bouquet of mixed white flowers, vibrant and soft greens, and wildflower-style blooms mixed in. She looked so beautiful! We loved the way Matt's face completely lit up when he saw her.
After saying the big I do, everyone headed back to the poolside to watch the sunset over the water. The twinkle lights around the pool started to sparkle as the day turned to night and floating candles in the pool added a touch of luxury. Everyone drank cocktails and snacked on their favorite fresh seafood as an appetizer from the seafood boat. The deejay chose songs to set the atmosphere, and Carolyn's daughter and her boyfriend performed a couple of songs as a special touch.
For the dinner, the couple wanted a romantic, soft, and classic design with a relaxed upscale mood. We used five dinner tables set underneath warm lighting to create an intimate ambiance. The tables were dressed with a soft white fabric draped in the center. We used mixed blue bud vases with white florals, and floating candles and votives to set the tone. Small white flowers like orchids, snapdragon, babies breath, and lisianthus added a touch of life to the centerpieces. Each place setting had a clear vintage goblet and blue rocks glasses, layered white dinner plate, and gray napkin with a blue accent plate. It was a really romantic coastal feel without feeling too overly beachy.
Ocean View Villa Wedding Dinner Menu
Seafood Boat: Jumbo shrimp cocktail, tropical seared tuna, ceviche shot, coconut crab & lobster salad served in a coconut, and ostion local scallop ceviche.
Hors d’Oeuvres: Crispy local organic goat cheese, microgreens, and a passion fruit reduction. Marinated chicken skewers with coconut lime sauce served in a coconut.
Salad: Sandia Summer Mixed greens, fresh watermelon, and toasted macadamia nuts, with feta and fresh basil vinaigrette.
Main Course: Sea Bass with mango avocado salsa + lime beurre blanc, grilled organic beef tenderloin with chili hollandaise sauce, Caribbean risotto with coconut milk + pico de gallo.
Sides: Vegetable stack with grilled portobello mushroom, tomato, zucchini, and parmesan cheese with pesto and balsamic reduction. Plantain basket filled with potato puree.
Dessert: Chocolate volcano cake baked on-site with a liquid center, draped with a chocolate ganache, and served with vanilla ice cream finished with strawberry coulis.
The adventure didn't stop there! The day after the wedding, some of the group went on a canopy zipline adventure and spent the afternoon exploring shops and restaurants around Tamarindo. The following day the couple moved to The Springs Resort with their kids where they enjoyed hot springs, visited the waterfall, and explored La Fortuna. For the last day, they went to Playa Hermosa for a relaxing beach day to soak in those last moments of Pura Vida before flying home. It was not only the wedding of a lifetime but also an amazing trip to remember forever!
