Ask.CostaRica

We had heard this from Paola (ex coordinator at PPC) It is a fact that it is changing over management but will be moreless the same staff present at the hotel right now. We will get details and post them for everyone. Â

Hello there, sorry we have been gone from the forum for a while. We have been hired to do some weddings in the US. Back on monday. We will clear up all sunset and ceremony times for all of you

Sjnovot, Â Hello & welcome! Cool! that is one place we have not been able to photograph at, we have had many at Punta Islita (part of El Silencio) and we have nothing but the best to say about Islita. Impeccable service and a beautiful location. Let us know what questions you have to help. Â

kicou, Â What about Maxi's in Manzanillo? Ricardo would probably close his restaurant to have your reception. Nice because it plenty of breeze since it is high up. rice'n'beans with fish, chicken, shrimp + patacones and some good scotch bonnet hot sauce! Â Did you check Villas del Caribe? beachfront, nice. You could even have the ceremony right there and then head to Maxi's. Â Sun sets behind the mountains around 4:15 so the light starts to go quick. Nice light from 4:30 to 5pm.

Kicou, Â Check out Azania Bungalows and Cariblue as well, they have reasonable rates. Â It is the rainy season for the most of the country but Puerto Viejo (and Limon) get little rain during this time(Oct -middle of Nov). What may happen is a 5-10min rain shower and it is over. Â Cocles to Chiquita (10km). The path is tricky, might be hard on some elderly folks and parents with kids. Some friends of ours recently got mugged there unfortunately (a month ago). Better if you look at Punta Uva or Cocles itself across the street from Azania where there are soem Almendro tress for shade. You will have no sunset (only sunrise) so light goes quick. Be walking down the aisle by 4pm so it does not get dark. We have had some very nice receptions at Amimodo and la Pecora Nera. Â It has been a while since our last wedding out there. Most planners have moved their weddings to Cahuita (La Diosa - they are so helpful there and it is really safe). We will fish out some past weddings and post them for you to see. Â

Hello Sallee, Â We have had a couple of weddings at the Riu (I will post them for you later). We want to give you an FYI about the place. Â - Outisde photographers pay a $100 fee (day pass) to get in (and are not allowed to use a bathroom of have a drink of water). - Their staff photographer apparently has limited flash cards, so, while Rome is burning (the sun is setting) the photographer runs off to download on his computer (we saw this being hired only for video on one occasion) - Make sure you don't set in stone your ceremony location. One of our clients did and ended up next to some construction (not very nice) and hotel was not willing to move. Very awkward situation. Â We refuse to return to this place. It kind of takes away the warm and fuzzy of the whole experience (for the client and for us). Â The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...........

Villa Caletas is a truly spectacular location. Not only does it have the Amphitheater, Terraza Mirador but they also have the Zephyr Palace as a wedding venue and the beach! We wanted to share with all of you the endless possibilities of Villa Caletas!  Amphitheater: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/sue_%26_jeff.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/karen_%26_sebastian.html Zephyr Palace: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/jordan_%26_adam.html Ioana & Rolfe had a beach photo session the following morning: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/ioana_%26_rolfe.html Kelly & Korey had their ceremony at the entrance of the Zephyr: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/kelly_%26_korey.html Edaire & Hemant had a Terraza Mirador ceremony and then Zephyr for the reception: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/edaire_%26_hemant.html It rained for Andrea & JuanCarlos, so ceremony was inside the Zephyr, rain stopped-photos outside and then reception at Terraza Mirador http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/andrea_%26_juancarlos.html  Here are a few more from our blog: http://elvelophotography.bigfolioblog.com/month/jan08 Morgan & Sean, Ayesha & Christopher, Caroline & Jamal: http://elvelophotography.bigfolioblog.com/month/mar08 Jennifer & Sean, Suzanne & Andre: http://elvelophotography.bigfolioblog.com/month/jul08  The Beach: Sadie & Jeff - http://crwphotographystudio.bigfolioblog.com/month/may08

Remdog, Â Just wanted to give you an FYI. Allegro Papagayo has some strange rules. We think it is entirely to benefit them ($$) regardless of what the client requests. We had a couple of clients that hired us for their wedding, everything booked and ready. When we arrived for the second time, the GM refused our entrance and told the client they had to use their in-staff photographer (not what you see on their site-model shots). Among photographer community, we have heard of this several times with different outfits. There were harsh exchange of words with bride (some yelling) until we were granted entrance (wedding day). We can only think that it is a situation like Sandals where you see beautiful conceptual photography but what you get is a very different end product (saw it first hand, bride crying and all. I did a quick session for them after seeing what had happened. It is in our blog, Hannah & Jason: http://elvelophotography.bigfolioblog.com/month/dec07. Anyways. the hotel capitalizes over this revenue by controlling all aspects of the wedding. I would double check with the hotel and mention the name of the outfit you choose to make sure you have a green light with this. Officiates they use are not that romantic either. Dry, technical ceremony, check on that as well. We have great relationships with EVERY hotel you can think of in this country, we provide them with audio-visual material to help promote this wonderful industry. We just don't get them.

You're welcome kjw. Let us know if you have any other questions. Time flies when you are planning your wedding! Before you know it you will be walking the walk......

Sorry Ask Costa Rica I didn't realize you were part of El Velo Photography. After going back and looking at all of the pictures it finally clicked. Â I looked up your June special which looks like a great package is that also for 2011? If you could also send me a price list that would be great [email protected]. Not that I would need anything more that what the package has to offer. I really think that the person I wanted is going to be out of my price range with travel expenses. Your pictures are beautiful and look like what I'm looking for "capture the moment not pose the moment". I was also considering doing a trash the dress. Is this something that you do? I think some of the best wedding photos come from that kind of setting. Besides I'm never going to wear it again I might as well get the most out of it. Â You guys aren't just Photographers at El Velo it seems your also great Costa Rica wedding advisors. Thank you for all of your help and I look forward to hearing from you. Â Remdog, Â We dont want to give the feeling that we are pushing a sale just because we are a photography outfit. We want everyone to have as much info as possible, and having it handy, we share it and try and give a clear picture of what your wedding location, beach, etc. will be like. Thank you for your comments. Correct June Specila will work for 2011. When we first started with PPC, we started as CRW Photography Studio. We have evolved into El Velo (but keep CRW online). PPC has the packages of CRW (they are so busy, it is hard to get them to change and add new things we have) but it would just be a matter of telling Lucia the Special (which exists only in EVelo to apply). We can sort it out. We can contact Lucia with your choice. We definitely would do a trash the dress session, here is the most recent one we did (towards the end of the photo set - page two): http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shana_%26_jason.html This is our other website, Elopements in Costa Rica -scroll down to Crystal & Paul: http://elopementscr.bigfolioblog.com/ Â Â

Megan, Â Thought we would give you some visuals on several locations at PPC: Â Outside of the events center (tables were set up in the entrance hallway - not bad at all): http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shelly_%26_sidney.html Inside the events center: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/amanda_%26_kyle.html Caracola open Rancho: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/candace_%26_mike.html Inside the restaurant (a/c) at Reserva Conchal Beach Club: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/marsha_%26_robert.html Outside the restaurant at Reserva Conchal - Beach Club: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/chelsea_%26_lance.html Poolside at the Reserva Conchal Beach Club: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/colleen_%26_leo.html

Hello remdog, Â Just wanted to add our two cents.... Â For reception, outdoors or indoors, you don't have to set anything in stone yet. June is the beginning of the rainy season but we have seen a lot of brides make the final call the day of. So, tell Lucia you want it outside with a Plan B in Gavit (or your other choices). It is easy to see what the weather will do once you are there. Lucia will also be able to tell you on your wedding day, we will keep our fingers crossed for you! There might be a fee to have the restaurant (pretty sure). We have had brides that had dinner at the restaurant and then went to the disco for dancing, they had their first dance at sunset on the sand, Tamara & Jonathan (photo with names just under it where she is smiling: http://elvelophotography.bigfolioblog.com/month/apr08 Give Lucia about a week for your questions. Make questions with answers as options. Something like this: "I would like to have my wedding at the beach and then reception poolside. If it rains we could have a plan B for Gavi or events center, right? Give me the costing for all three. Try and knock out a lot of questions with one email. Â Â

Megan11, Â Thank you for helping us promote CR, we love our little jewel! Likewise, we look forward to photographing your celebration. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Hello azkookie18. You are very welcome!  For Esterillos y recc Xandari Pacifico, really nice hotel with a sister hotel in San Jose (http://www.xandari.com/ByThePacific/weddings.html). Here is a wedding we just had there: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/lauren_%26_michael.html  There are so many places in Manuel Antonio, it will be a matter of your preference. We really like Los Altos, private beach, great place for a poolside reception or reception at their restaurant (Karolas). Here are a couple of wedding so you get an idea: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/valerie_%26_chris.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tiffany_%26_paul.html (ceremony at Tulemar - Buena Vista Villas & Casas) http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/amy_%26_tom.html (ceremony at La Mansion and reception at Karolas)  Lots to do in Manuel Antonio: white water rafting surfing horse back riding sunset sailing kayaking fishing Zip line MTBiking ATVing Nature Tours Nite life

Hey Amanda & Dave, Â Congrats on your first step! I was looking around among our material so you could see some pics of a wedding there and found this. It is from our other website blog: Scroll down to Tara & Eron http://crwphotographystudio.bigfolioblog.com/page/9

Hello Megan,  Congratulations on your wedding date! Thank you for choosing Costa Rica for your celebration.  We just wanted to add some info that may be helpful to all brides wanting to get married at Paradisus. We are like their staff photographers (we document approx 50 weddings a year with them), Sarah Browne, photographer now living in California used to work for us - actually coming down for some work in Dec probably. One thing we tell all brides for Paradisus is to have LOTS of patience, they handle such large volume that it takes them a while to get back to you. You may also have heard or read that PPC could not do wedding on the beach, that has been completely resolved.  For DJs, they a couple of choices, do not go with a budget DJ they offer. It is a very basic service. Ask for Ciro (they have a great set up controlled ambient lighting, fireworks - if you want all this. Otherwise as a DJ, his mixing is awesome! You can either have a dinner reception in one of the restaurants (quiet one) or in Feb you can have a poolside reception with music. They have an events center or Gavi (if you take over the restaurant - this is over by the adult pool). WC email is [email protected] (Lucia Chavez)  For the FI: Take him one day to Rincon de La Vieja National Park (1hr 20 away) Canyoning, hiking to the top of the Von See Bak Crater, mud baths, horsebackriding. It is a beautiful park, really. Try sunset sailing with snorkeling, that is a very cool experience (personally know) go with Marlin del Rey Catamaran - they are the best outfit.  Here are acouple of the last wedding we had at Paradisus:  http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/keri_%26_robert.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/briteny_%26_ryan.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/bonnie_%26_tim.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/marsha_%26_robert.html  Â

Definitely check out El Hicaco Restaurant (http://www.elhicaco.net/), it is like a historical landmark (been around forever, great for a rehearsal dinner). Have a shrimp pizza at Rioasis with their spicy scotch bonnet (chile panama) sauce.

Here is one wedding we did with Weddings Costa Rica (Larissa & Randy) at Casa Ponte in Jaco (http://www.casaponte.com/): http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/lindsay_%26_jack.html'>http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/lindsay_%26_jack.html  There is also Los Suenos Luxury Rentals and the Los Suenos Beach Club (http://www.crluxury.com/los-suenos-resort-amenities.htm): http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/lindsay_%26_jack.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shilpee_%26_deepak.html

Good point Lazy Bride. Either a morning wedding or count on rain and there might even be a possibility of rain anyways. I am one of the staff photographers for El Velo and for years since my parents moved down from NY we have vacationed in a property next to La Selva de Sarapiqui. On most occasions that I recall during the wettest months in SJ, as soon as we cross the Braulio Carrillo National Park, the rain stops. Take a look at this place which is 1hr 30mins from SJ. The restaurant area in huge and all walkways are roofed (just in case). The place is Sueno Azul: http://www.suenoazulresort.com/ The photos don't do the place justice.

We just had a chat with Kelsey (manager of Pacifico Beach Club) which reminded us of what a great location for wedding this place is. The villas are away from the beach but the beach club for a wedding or to just hang out is fabulous! It's in Playas del Coco (40min from the Liberia airport). http://www.pacifico-costarica.com/ Here are a couple of weddings so you get an idea: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/samantha_%26_anthony.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tara_%26_domenic.html Â

We agree with Larissa. If you are planning a very detail oriented wedding, Osa will definitely make vendor prices go up and many crazy logistics behind it (cake, flowers, chairs, tables, DJ),for sure you want expert coordination. It would be an AI situations with hotels but different to the AI buffets we have seen in more popular locations. One of the last weddings we had, they cooked up a giant Paella, Pork Roast and an amazing anitpasto (Iguana Lodge) or lunch was the boys catch of the day 54lb dogtooth snapper. Breakfast was pretty amazing too. Ticos drive hard deals but the current economy has seen some change. As locals, we bought 10 local airfare flights (Nature Air) to be cashed in for $24/each. If you are willing to put the work in calls, you may get some deals. Jaco - Esterillos area definitely has some beautiful locations as well. There is Pura Vida Gardens in Bijagual with an amazing view: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/maria_%26_ryan.html (Lizzy & Mark) http://elopementscr.bigfolioblog.com/month/jun08

Maybe el Castillo area in Heredia would have some rentals: http://www.caricohenderson.com/sales.asp?region_id=47 Hotel La Condesa is near el Castillo for reception. We thought of some other places that might interest you: Â Xandari (Alajuela)http://elopementscr.bigfolioblog.com/month/jun08 Rio Perlas (Cartago) El Tirol (Heredia) Casa Bella Rita - Brasil de Mora: http://web.mac.com/crwphototwo/Site/meredith_%26_rob.html

Get day-of coordination to get the vendors to you and set up a few things and then just let your wedding go, This should keep WC down if you keep your wedding simple.

azkookie18, Â Hello there! Â With the new highway from San Jose to Orotina you can be at Jaco in 1hr10min, Esterillos in 1hr30min, Manuel Antonio in 1hr50min and Dominical in 3hrs. Dont look at the car rides as a hassle, plan on a lunch on the road at some of the local restaurants (hole in the walls) and make it an experience (we can help with suggestions). Stop at the Carara bridge and look at the crocks. Your friends and family will be talking about these experiences for a long time. Osa would be something you and your family will not forget (my favorite place in CR). It is a long ride (don't do it by plane), hire minibuses to take all of you there (this will cut down cost). There is so much to do there; fishing, kayaking, trekking into Corcovado, surfing, whale watching. Check out Iguana Lodge (great food), we have done a couple of weddings there. Bosque del Cabo (higher end) or La Leona tented Camp in Karate (entrance to the park-to get the camp they send out a mule and carriage to pickup luggage and everyone walks on the beach to get to it). We have a wedding out there in Nov and will let you know when we post the images. If you want to fly, local airlines are offering $30 flights to locals in low season. Maybe if you drive a hard bargain you can get a good price. Nothing is set in stone here, just haggle hard.....

We have worked with most all WCs in CR. This is the list of top WCs we have at hand (no particular order):  Weddings & Events CR Weddings Costa Rica Tropical Occasions Costa Rica Paradise Wedding Pura Vida Weddings  So far as we know they keep the hotel booking prices separate (you have to haggle and do!). They will take care of everything, set up, decor, cake, music, tents, tablecloths, florals, fireworks, entertainment, help you with dinner menu, cocktail arrangements, etc. etc. Prices vary depending on coordinator and how much you want do (and how detailed). They all have a lot of experience and know the country very well, tides, rainy season plan Bs, menu. It has to do with the chemistry you have with the one you choose.