If you know us, by now you know that love stories are our jam! We are all about couples who challenge each other, grow, travel, and adventure together. This couple's love story has knocked it out of the park! We totally had tears in our eyes towards the end.
The beginning of this adventurous love story started with a leap outside of Katie's comfort zone. She packed her bags and moved to a job two hours away from home in the middle of the mountains, literally.. with no cell service.. middle of nowhere. As she adapted to her new home, she discovered her passion for the great outdoors and for her cute boy next door.
Not long after moving in, she discovered a handsome and crazy intelligent engineer that lived in the cabin next door named Jake. The remote mountain town had only a few people that lived there, so everyone all ate together, worked together, congregated together, and explored together. Katie and Jake quickly grew to be friends.
Since that fateful beginning, her life was forever changed. Their love for the great outdoors and travel has propelled them to experience some pretty amazing things and places together. Together they zip-lined and surfed in Costa Rica, hiked Volcanos in Nicaragua, ate Tapas and drank sangria in Spain, eaten on the top of the Eiffel Tower, absorbed all the history in Italy, and went diving in Thailand. Oh, and that one time they rented then crashed a yacht in Croatia.. to say the least, there was always an adventure with these two!
Back home, Jake and Katie were always hiking together. Katie loved the outdoors and the vistas, while Jake loved the challenge of a nice hard hike. Over 3 years, they had hiked more often and their love grew stronger with every step. Katie said with every hike she grew physically tougher while Jake grew mentally stronger. With every hike she needed fewer break stops while Jake grew to have more patience, asking for more stops to enjoy the views and the experience! Every vista was a special moment they both will cherish forever.
Then the couple signed up for the infamous Mount Whitney summit. The highest point is 14,508 ft, making it the highest peak in the lower 48 states. Not everyone is allowed to attempt it. Katie and Jake tried their luck and got lottery assigned permits! Together they trained every single day for the next three months to prepare for their biggest adventure yet.
The morning of the climb everyone was so excited. They started their two-day ascent with a crew of 5; Jake, Katie, and three close friends. The first day was difficult but everyone stayed in positive spirits as they trekked up to base camp. The adrenaline didn't help them sleep on night one and before you knew it, it was 3:00 am and time to start back on the trail. Katie said it was the most difficult thing she had ever done. Mentally, emotionally, physically. She swears she made it every single step of the way thanks to Jake's constant encouragement.
After countless steps and mental mantras, they finally made it to the top! Here is how Katie explained this incredible moment. "When I saw the cabin at the top of the summit I wept to myself, so incredibly proud, exhausted but proud. Once everyone summited most of us cried. (and I just cried again while writing this) We sat there, soaking it all in. Then Jake asked his cousin if she would take a picture of the two of us at the summit. As she did, he pulled out a box with a ring. If we weren’t all crying before, we all were now! I wish I could tell you what he said but nobody remembers. The happiness, the joy, and quite frankly the shock is all we remember. It was the best moment of my life. We did it. Together. Something we built up for. Worked hard for. Something we will never forget. Some say it was meant to be, fate, circumstance, luck, serendipity. More than anything, it was my biggest blessing. Good thing I sacrificed two pounds in my pack to surprise everyone with moonshine at the top to celebrate!" What a great proposal story! Katie goes into even more detail on this article of How He Asked.
After a few weeks of celebrating their amazing journey and new engagement, they went to work planning their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio. When we first asked Katie how she envisioned her tropical chic wedding day, her response was perfect! She said "Well, I am a firm believer in not competing with nature and your surroundings, but rather to embrace it! I picture wooden chairs, a lot of greenery, seasonal florals, soft lighting, absolutely no roses or elaborate drapery and chandeliers, etc. I could get married anywhere with that stuff! I want to enjoy the views, have things clean, fresh, and simply beautiful - truly embracing that pura vida!"
Cata and Katie started designing right away! First they stared with florals, Katie carried a tropical bridal bouquet with greenery, soft florals, and phalaenopsis orchids. The bridesmaids held bouquets with monstera leaves, Mokara orchids, and roses. She also wanted to incorporate her family into the big day. The bride's cousin did her make up and the bride's brother was the officiant. She was really thoughtful about all of her choices. Katie picked out a special Tom Ford perfume to have a signature scent for the big day.
JJake wore a causal Joseph Abroad navy suit with Maledetti Toscan shoes with a mustard-colored floral boutonniere while the groomsmen wore boutonnieres made of greenery. They wanted to add intimate touches too and incorporate their family. Katie's cousin does hair and make up for weddings professionally in California, so she served up all the natural glam for this bride and her gals.
For the ceremony, they decided on a beautiful tropical broken arch with lush greenery and rust-colored florals mixed with white flowers. Everyone sat on wood benches that had fans on each seat that Kate and Jake painted. Katie's brother officiated the wedding and added some extra special lines into the ceremony that brought everyone to tears.
Tropical Chic Wedding Playlist
Ceremony Opening Song: Old Pine by Ben Howard
Recessional Song: Kusanagi by Odesza
First Dance Song: Rose of Sharon by Mumford & Sons
Bouquet Toss Song: Lady Marmalade by Christina Aguilera
Garter Toss Song: Pony by Genuine
Last Song: Shout by The Isley Brothers
For the rooftop dinner, we decorated Guanacaste wood tables with palm leaves on chargers, avocado dyed napkins, clear and amber goblets, and elegant floating candles. Their sweetheart table had stunning cascading florals for a unique touch. Everyone sat under a hanging tropical chandelier with twinkle lights that really transformed the night. The best part of this venue is looking into a magical view overlooking the water.
Tropical Chic Wedding Menu
Specialty drinks: Passion fruit colada and red sangria
Appetizers: Mahi-mahi ceviche with plantain chips, pulled pork and chicken tostadas with chipotle salsa, fresh mango and avocado spring rolls with a sweet chili sauce, meat, and veggie samosas with homemade chutney.
First Course: Seasonal salad of watermelon, feta, pepitas, and balsamic.
Main Course: Pan-fried sea bass served with rice, mango salsa, coconut gravy, and a veggie Mix. Mini chayotes, carrots, roasted mini zucchini, and yellow squash.
Beef filet mignon with chimichurri sauce, potatoes, and a veggie mix.
Vegetarian option with zucchini and corn cakes with peppers and coconut gravy.
Dessert Course: Bananas and pineapple flambé with vanilla ice cream, upside-down pineapple cake, and mango tarts.
Late Night Course: Hand-rolled street tacos with chicken, ground beef, and red salsa on flour tortillas with plenty of lime wedges.
We knew from the start this bunch wanted to leave it all on the dance floor. So we brought in a wonderful DJ to really turn up the music after dinner! It was truly a magical night for a really wonderful pair. Congrats Katie + Jake! We can't wait to see what adventure you two take next!
Katie + Jake’s Tropical Chic Wedding features on Boho Weddings
We are so excited to feature Katie + Jake on Boho Weddings!