WEDDING BLOG

By the time Zoe and Pete exchanged vows on the beach at Restaurante La Luna had already become woven into their relationship. The destination had hosted family vacations, memorable trips together, and Pete’s proposal on Playa Guiones. Choosing it as the setting for their Nosara, Costa Rica wedding felt less like a decision and more like the natural next chapter.

Their story began on a November night in Aspen when mutual friends introduced them at a local restaurant. Pete was celebrating his birthday, and Zoe had agreed to go out for “just one.” The connection was immediate, but between travel and illness, nearly two months passed before they were finally able to spend time together. Once they did, everything felt easy. Over the years, they built a life filled with adventure, family, and plenty of laughter together.

What We Love About This Nosara, Costa Rica Wedding:

• The barefoot golden-hour ceremony overlooking the ocean
• The tropical-modern design that complemented the natural surroundings
• Zoe’s mother’s watercolor artwork woven throughout the paper goods
• The candlelit reception under the palms at Restaurante La Luna

Starting With a Place They Already Loved

For Zoe and Pete, the location came first. They immediately knew they wanted to get married at Restaurante La Luna in Playa Pelada, one of their favorite places in Nosara. The oceanfront setting, palm trees, and relaxed atmosphere captured everything they loved about the area. “We started with the location and let everything else grow from there,” Zoe shared.

A planning trip to Costa Rica in late 2024 helped bring their ideas into focus. Rather than bringing in a completely separate vision, they wanted the wedding to feel unmistakably tied to Nosara.

That decision influenced everything that followed. White florals, lush greenery, woven textures, raw wood tables, and candlelight all complemented the natural surroundings instead of competing with them. The result was a tropical-modern aesthetic that felt elevated without feeling formal.

Finding Local Experts Who Know the Area

Planning a destination wedding came with unique challenges, which made local expertise especially valuable. Their coordinator, Esperanza Casanova, became an essential part of building the wedding team. During an early planning trip, the couple quickly connected with her and came to trust her recommendations.

“For a destination wedding, that local knowledge made such a difference,” Zoe said. They looked for vendors who understood the area, communicated easily, and could help create a beautiful experience without adding unnecessary complexity.

For photography, they immediately connected with the warm and natural style of Junebug vendor Kuba & Sol Okon. Music came from DJ Kika, whose energy kept the celebration going well into the night. Florecer Nosara handled the florals, creating arrangements that felt perfectly suited to the tropical surroundings.

Featured Vendor:
Kuba Okon Weddings

Keeping the Ceremony Simple and Personal

Despite the incredible setting, the ceremony itself remained refreshingly simple. The couple exchanged vows barefoot on the beach, surrounded by family and friends who had traveled from around the world to celebrate with them. Rather than adding elaborate ceremonial elements, they focused on simple choices that mattered to them.

One of the most special decisions was asking Zoe’s cousin, Katie Lawson, to officiate. “Having someone from my family officiate made the ceremony feel especially personal,” Zoe said.

Walking down the aisle with her father was another moment she remembers vividly. Seeing all of their guests gathered together on the sand created an overwhelming sense of gratitude and connection.

Finding Wedding Fashion That Fit the Setting

The couple’s wedding day fashion followed the same approach as the rest of the celebration: relaxed, elegant, and right at home on the beach. Because the ceremony took place on the sand, everyone went barefoot.

Pete wore a custom Italian linen suit that felt polished while still fitting the beach environment. Zoe chose a silk Michelle Mason gown that balanced structure with ease. “I loved that it was clean and understated, with beautiful movement and just enough structure,” she shared.

For hair and makeup, Zoe wanted to look like herself. Her natural curls, sun-kissed makeup, and a single orchid tucked into her hair created a look that felt effortless and perfectly in step with the relaxed atmosphere of the day.

Weaving Family Creativity Into the Details

Some of the most meaningful details weren’t visible at first glance. Zoe designed the entire paper suite herself, including the save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, table numbers, and thank-you cards. The artwork featured throughout the suite came from her mother, an artist who painted watercolors of locations that held special meaning for the couple during a visit to Nosara in 2024.

The paintings appeared throughout the wedding weekend, from invitations featuring the beach to thank-you cards showcasing the family pool where guests gathered during the celebration. Those details helped guests feel connected to the places that meant so much to the couple. Rather than serving as decoration alone, they became a way to tell the story of Nosara before guests even arrived.

Focusing on the Experience Instead of More Decor

Because so many guests were traveling internationally, Zoe and Pete focused their budget on the parts of the day everyone would experience together: the venue, food and drinks, music, photography, florals, lighting, and overall guest experience. The natural beauty of La Luna made that easier.

The ceremony took place directly on the beach at golden hour, with the ocean behind them and guests gathered barefoot in the sand. As sunset faded, the celebration moved into an open-air reception beneath palm trees and string lights.

Long wooden tables were dressed with woven chargers, white orchids, anthuriums, monstera leaves, palm fronds, and candles that glowed throughout the evening. Instead of adding layers of decor, they focused on details that complemented what was already there.

Leaving Room for Guests to Enjoy the Destination

While many destination weddings fill every hour with activities, Zoe and Pete intentionally took a different approach. They hosted a rehearsal dinner at Lagarta Lodge and a welcome party at Pete’s family home in Playa Guiones. Both events were relaxed and outdoors, giving guests an opportunity to connect before the wedding day. 

Beyond that, they left plenty of free time. The couple wanted guests to experience Nosara for themselves, whether that meant spending time at the beach, surfing, exploring town, or simply relaxing. That balance helped the entire weekend feel less like a packed itinerary and more like a shared vacation with the people they love most.

For Zoe and Pete, sharing Nosara with their family and friends was one of the most meaningful parts of the celebration. By the time guests headed home, they had experienced firsthand why this place has become such an important part of the couple’s story.