September 2011 wedding in Dominical

[marianney]

Hi there!

Looks like this area of the forums is kind of desolate so I hope some people are still out there!

 

I am getting married the last week of Sept at the Surf Compound in Dominical: cascodominical.com. Everyone that is coming to the wedding (20 of us) is staying at the villa. This is my 2nd wedding so I am trying to keep things low cost as possible. We are already paying for most of the food and drink (to make it all-inclusive) for the villa for our guests for the week and that is going to be the bulk of the cost. We are getting married officially back home in Colorado just before we leave so the ceremony on the beach will be a "fake" wedding I guess. We just didn't want to deal with the hassle. I don't have a wedding party and my bouquet will be from a local flower shop that we'll get that morning. I'm not picky. 

 

I have a few concerns and am hoping someone might have some ideas:

 

1. I know it's rainy in Sept, but will it rain EVERY DAY ALL DAY? Will it be warm enough to swim?

 

2. We were planning on going back to the villa for the wedding dinner/reception, but I am not sure how to make it more special than any other night at the villa. I am considering going to a local restaurant and depending on how much that costs, we might do that for something different, but if not, how can we make it more special back at the house and not like every other night? Maybe a band?

 

3. Does anyone have suggestions for a band we could hire in Dominical? We want typical local music. Salsa type stuff.

 

4. I am considering hiring a photographer. Anyone have recommendations? I would want a certain look to the photography. Are the prices better in CR than they are in the US?

 

Thanks a million in advance!!

[marianney]

Oh one more question. Can you get cupcakes in CR? I don't know that i want a traditional American tiered wedding cake. What are some local type desserts?

[Amanda+Dave]

I know the pastry shop we are using in Manuel Antonio does cupcakes. She is located in Quepos and here is a link to her Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mariposa-Pastry/130279440355534

[marianney]

Thanks so much Amanda. I will definitely check them out.

[subbi]

Hey there! I am also a September bride, September 16 to be exact at dreams Punta Cana. have to admit the weather has been playing on my alot lately. Hope it doesn't rain the entire time we're there. As for the photographer I book hdc they have great reviews. you can look them up and their prices are extremely reasonable. BTW where are you getting your flowers I want bougainvilleas but was told they are not alot during the september month. happy last minute planning as we are now down to the 2 month mark.

[subbi]

Ok just re-read this and realised it's in Costa Rica and I'm talking about Dominican, so sorry for hijacking this thread. Happy Planning nonetheless.

[JacoExpert]

     Hi there, don't know if you are still checking here. It usually rains between 430-530 during that time of year. Sometimes it goes all night, usually not. It will be plenty warm for swimming. Most bars/restaurants down there are not too expensive, I'm sure you'll find something to your liking. I can't recommend a local salsa band there, but salsa bands are usually pretty big, so they will be kind of pricey. Don't expect anything under 500, and you'll need to provide the PA as well. But, September in Dominical is slow, so you can bargain. I know Jaco a lot better, wish I could help more. There is a music school in Perez Zeledon[not far], you may be able to find a salsa band through them... good luck

 

[Kevin Heslin]

Hello,

 

October is the rainiest month here on the central pacific, and the last week of september is right on the cusp.  It can be pretty hit or miss for you.  Normally around that time, it doesn't rain all day, but just the early morning or the late afternoon.  This is great if you are visiting, because it is usually sunny for your activities, then it starts to rain around 4pm, around this time you are back at the hotel and getting ready for dinner.  By 7:30-8pm it could be cleared up to go out.  Of course there are years where around this time it rains for days.  It's all just luck.  Last year it was real nice around this time, and the rainy season started very late in the year.  

 

Between the ceremony and the reception/dinner at the villa you could have a cocktail hour at a local restaurant or bar.  That would mix things up a bit.

 

I know some musicians who play down in dominical who I've done a bunch of weddings with.  For a trio its $200 an hour, duo for $150, and a single guitarist for $100 an hour.  Quality musicians.  

 

If you are still looking for a photographer please feel free to check out my website: Costa Rica Wedding Photographer

I am located in Manuel Antonio, just down the road.  If you have any other questions about the area just ask!