When deciding between an elopement and a traditional wedding, it’s important to think about what truly matters to you on your wedding day. Here’s why more couples are deciding on eloping in Costa Rica (or have their intimate wedding there), over a traditional wedding.
Understanding the Differences
First let’s define what an elopement, intimate wedding, and a traditional wedding are.
Elopement
An elopement is a small, intimate wedding that typically involves just the couple (and sometimes a few close friends or family members as witnesses) getting married in a private setting, without the large guest list or formalities of a traditional wedding. Elopements are all about the couple’s connection. It gives the the freedom to have a personalized, low-stress, and adventurous experience. Unlike a traditional wedding, an elopement might last only an hour, or can be an all day experience without the requirement of a rigid timeline. Couples who elope often choose to do so in a beautiful destination and/or a place that is very meaningful to them. Elopements are usually more relaxed, budget-friendly, and can be planned quickly.
Intimate Wedding
An intimate wedding is a small, personal wedding that includes the couple’s closest family and/or friends. The number of guests is usually between 20 and 45 people. It’s a middle-ground between an elopement and a traditional wedding, giving couples the opportunity to share their special day with loved ones while keeping the focus still on their love and connection and keeping the day more relaxed and meaningful for everyone. Intimate weddings are often set in beautiful, unique venues that offer more personalized experiences without the pressure and high cost of a traditional wedding. They let couples have more quality time together and with their guests, celebrating in a way that feels special and memorable. Intimate weddings are often very similar to elopements and sometimes referred to as elopements due to the personal and extraordinary experience that come with them.
Traditional Wedding
A traditional wedding (by North American standards) is a larger, more formal event that usually includes a significant number of guests ranging from family, friends, and sometimes acquaintances. The traditional wedding usually follows customs and expectations, like a set timeline, venue, formal attire, and a range of events such as a cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. While traditional weddings can be beautiful and celebratory, they focus more on entertaining guests and following tradition. This can sometimes shift the focus away from the couple’s personal connection and experience. Traditional weddings are best suited for couples that want to have the experience of a big celebration or party, while elopements and intimate weddings are better suited for couples that want to create a deeply, personal, intimate experience.
Intimacy and Personalization
With an elopement, the day is all about you, making the experience more personal and intimate. Costa Rica offers plenty of secluded and private locations such as hidden beaches, waterfalls, and rainforests. By eloping in Costa Rica at one of these secluded spots, you won’t need to worry about appeasing guests, planning seating charts, or managing a timeline for a big crowd. A traditional wedding often means spending more time catering to a large guest list and less time focusing on your relationship and experience together. While it’s wonderful to celebrate with everyone, planning and executing a large wedding can be very stressful and it can make your special day feel more like an event for your guests, rather than for you.
Why choose Costa Rica: The natural beauty and serene settings of Costa Rica can help you create a truly personal and intimate ceremony. Whether exchanging vows on a secluded beach or at the foot of a volcano, you and your partner can focus on what matters most and be fully present for each other.
Eloping in Costa Rica Cost and Budget
Eloping in Costa Rica can be a more affordable option without sacrificing the magic of your day. Instead of spending thousands on a large venue, catering, and entertainment for dozens or even hundreds of guests, you can focus your budget on what really matters to you. Whether that’s a luxury resort stay, an incredible photographer, an adventurous beach activity (like a private dinner), or a combination of all of the above! A traditional wedding can quickly become expensive. Especially when you’re factoring in the cost of catering, decor, and entertainment for a larger group of people. If your priority is creating a meaningful experience for you and your significant other rather than hosting a big event, an elopement allows you to use your budget in ways that enhance your personal connection.
Why choose Costa Rica: Costa Rica offers the prefect balance of luxury and affordability. Imagine having a high-end experience, with a stunning backdrop, romantic accommodation, and local cuisine, all for a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding. You can spend your money on what’s important to YOU, and it will go a lot farther!
Stress-Free Planning
Planning an elopement in Costa Rica is much simpler and stress-free compared to organizing a traditional wedding. Many resorts and vendors offer all-inclusive packages that handle the details for you. Whether it’s booking your officiant, securing your location, or planning a post-ceremony celebration. With fewer moving parts and fewer people to accommodate, you can truly relax and enjoy your day without worrying about logistics. Traditional weddings often come with months of planning, from selecting a venue to managing guest lists and coordinating multiple vendors. Even with a wedding planner, it can be a stressful and time-consuming process.
Why Choose Costa Rica: With many resorts and Costa Rica vendors offering packages that take care of all the details for you, you are bound to have an elopement experience that is full of love and fun. If your dream is to focus on your love for each other and not the pressure of planning, a full-service elopement package is the perfect option! You can avoid the stress of planning a large event and instead focus on enjoying your wedding day in a beautiful, stress-free day.
Shameless photographer interjection: I am one of those vendors providing full-service elopement packages where I take on the majority of your planning for you! I’ll search for and recommend travel and accommodations, location scout and obtain permits, and find other vendors that you may desire to make your elopement perfect. I also offer a Build-Your-Own-Elopement-Package where you can choose exactly what you need to build the perfect day. Reach out to me set up a consultation call and learn more about how I can help you have the most perfect Costa Rica elopement.
Adventure and Experience
If you’re adventurous and want your wedding day to be more than just a ceremony, Costa Rica is the prefect destination for you. Eloping here allows you to weave incredible experiences into your day. Think hiking through the rainforest, horseback riding on the beach, or even exploring volcanoes. Your wedding can be both a celebration and an adventure, giving you memories you’ll cherish forever. A traditional wedding tends to follow a set structure – ceremony, reception and possibly a party afterward. But it often leaves little room for spontaneous adventure or unique experiences.
Why Choose Costa Rica: If you dream of an unforgettable day where every moment reflects your love of travel and exploration, an elopement in Costa Rica gives you that freedom! Costa Rica is an adventure lover’s paradise. It offers a sense of adventure that simply can’t be matched by a traditional venue!
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Venues
With an elopement in Costa Rica, you can say your vows surrounded by stunning natural beauty, whether it’s the crashing waves of a pristine beach, the vibrant greenery of a rainforest, or the roaring sound of water crashing from a waterfall behind you. The country’s diverse landscapes provide the perfect setting for a deeply romantic and personal ceremony. Plus, there’s no need for elaborate decorations. Traditional weddings often take place in formal venues, like banquet halls, hotels, or churches, which don’t usually offer the same connection to nature or the freedom to choose a truly unique, outdoor location.
Why Choose Costa Rica: If you want to have a wedding that’s all about the beauty of the natural world and your connection to each other, Costa Rica’s outdoor venues are perfect for you.
Flexibility and Freedom of Eloping in Costa Rica
Eloping in Costa Rica gives you the flexibility to create a day that’s truly yours. You can get married at sunrise, say your vows at sunset, or spend the whole day (or week) exploring with just the two of you. There’s no pressure to stick to a strict schedule or adhere to traditional wedding customs. Hell, you can make your own traditions and customs together! It’s all about you, your love and how you want to celebrate. A traditional wedding comes with more rigid timelines and expectations. There’s often a set order of events which can feel limiting if you want something more personal and adventurous.
Why Choose Costa Rica: An elopement in Costa Rica offers the ultimate freedom to create a day that is uniquely yours. If freedom and flexibility are important to you, an elopement offers the perfect opportunity to break away from the norm and create something that feels truly extraordinary to your relationship.
In the end, if you’re craving an intimate, personal, and adventurous experience where the focus is entirely on you and your love story, eloping in Costa Rica could be the perfect choice. Rather than the formality, structure, and stress of a traditional wedding, you can build a wedding that’s all about your connection, set against some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Planning on Eloping in Costa Rica with Your Significant Other?
Letβs make your dream elopement a reality! I’m Sara, a Costa Rica elopement photographer who documents weddings in a style that shows raw, intimate, emotional love. Reach out today to discuss your vision. Together weβll plan an unforgettable adventure in the stunning landscapes of Costa Rica that truly reflects your love story. Your perfect getaway awaits!
In the meantime, you can learn more about me here, and check out some more Costa Rica resources on the journal! I recommend starting with these below to kickstart the planning process and ensure it all comes together seamlessly:
How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Costa Rica?
Best Beaches in Costa Rica for a Beachfront Elopement
Top Destinations for Costa Rica Honeymoons
Featured on the Blog: The Allure of Eloping in Costa Rica
The Couple
From Mayra: “Wow π₯ I love them, I’m obsessed!” “I love it! It’s like a dream!”
“All of them are incredible π It will be difficult to choose which ones to post π ”
From Roy: “Wow π€©. These are incredible. You have a great eye and great vision keep it up π”
Vendors
Villa: Villa Amaite | Couple: Mayra Calderon and Roy P (@mayracalderon_) (@the_royp) | Dress: Ouma Bridal (@ouma_bridal) | Florist: Narcissus & Echo Floral (@narcissusandechofloral) | Hair & Makeup Artist: Makeup by Jac Foo (@makeupbyjacfoo) | Stationary/Invitations: Lulla Belle Design (@lullabelledesign)
Photography by Sara Anne | Eloping in Costa Rica
