Sometimes, all it takes is one slightly awkward question to change everything.

Lourdes and Luis first met at a college party, where Luis complimented Lourdes on her hair. The interaction was brief and neither of them thought much of it at the time. Later that same night, they unexpectedly ran into each other again at a local pizzeria. Looking for a way to start a conversation, Luis asked Lourdes for the time, despite already wearing a watch and having a phone in his pocket. That small moment turned into a conversation that lasted until morning.

“What struck me the most from this night is that I have never felt as comfortable with someone like I did with Luis that night,” Lourdes shared. “It felt as though I needed to have him in my life and continue getting to know him better.”

As the years went by, they navigated college life, a long-distance relationship, the loss of a parent, and eventually buying their first home together. Through it all, one thing became clear: life was simply better when they were together.

Their wedding priorities were surprisingly simple: keep the stress low, spend time in nature, and make sure the day actually felt like them. Rather than booking a traditional venue, they decided to exchange vows at Llanos de Cortes Waterfall and let Costa Rica’s scenery do the rest.

What We Love About This Llanos de Cortes Wedding

• A waterfall ceremony that needed almost no extra decor
• Photo pendants honoring loved ones who couldn’t be there in person
• A stress-free elopement package that simplified planning abroad
• Personal fashion choices that felt true to each of them
• A post-ceremony stop at a local “soda” (Costa Rican diner) before a private canyon dinner

Featured Vendor:
Papaya Wedding

Handing Over The Planning To One Team Instead Of Managing Everything Themselves

Lourdes and Luis knew one thing right away: they did not want to spend months managing endless wedding logistics. “We always hated planning and that was still true when it came to planning our elopement.” Instead, they started by finding a photographer whose work they loved. That decision ended up setting the tone for the entire experience.

Junebug vendor Papaya Wedding offered a complete elopement package that included an officiant, location recommendations, a bouquet, and a makeup artist. Planning a wedding in a country they had never even visited before suddenly felt surprisingly manageable. All they really had to decide on were their outfits and where they wanted to stay.

Before finalizing everything, they scheduled a few calls to discuss weather, timing, and location options so they felt comfortable every step of the way. Their stay at Rio Perdido also became part of the experience, allowing them to settle in and enjoy Costa Rica before their big day arrived.

Choosing A Waterfall When Nature Is Already Their Dream Decor

Their vision was simple from the beginning. “We really wanted nature to be the backdrop, so we had no venue and opted to get married at a waterfall instead.” As two people who love being outdoors, they wanted their photos to feel intimate and natural rather than heavily styled. Llanos de Cortes Waterfall gave them exactly that.

The lush greenery, towering trees, and cascading water created a setting that didn’t need much else. Instead of spending energy managing a packed schedule, they were able to slow down and simply enjoy being there together. Sometimes, choosing less really does give you more room to focus on what matters.

The Thoughtful Detail That Helped Them Feel Close to Family

One of the most emotional moments of the day happened before they even reached the waterfall. After spending a few days at Rio Perdido, they had already discovered the perfect location for their first look: a bench overlooking a hanging bridge.

Getting ready in the same hotel room, however, was another story. “It was actually quite funny trying to get dressed within our hotel room without seeing each other. At one point, I hid behind the curtains to make sure Luis did not see me.”

But what made their first look especially meaningful was the way they chose to honor loved ones who had passed away. Both Lourdes and Luis had experienced significant losses and couldn’t imagine getting married without acknowledging those people. They printed photo pendants and attached them to Lourdes’ bouquet. “Having them there with us gave us a sense of peace and warmth.”

The moment felt bigger than simply seeing each other for the first time. It felt like moving forward while still carrying the people they loved with them. “It was as if they were there to help usher us into a new chapter.”

Finding Vendors They Trust When Planning From Another Country

One of their biggest concerns was planning a wedding somewhere they had never been before. Thankfully, they never felt like they had to figure everything out on their own. “To be honest, Maciej really helped us plan it all and bring the day to life.”

Beyond photography, he connected them with officiant Noel Ibo Campos, who handled all the legal requirements and officiated the ceremony, along with makeup artist Paola. Even though they had never met anyone in person beforehand, they were blown away by how smoothly everything came together. Paola especially stood out because she took the time to listen. “I was not a huge fan of heavy makeup and she ensured that my natural features would be  highlighted.”

Building Wedding Day Fashion Around the Details That Matter Most

Their fashion choices came together in very different ways, but both ended up feeling incredibly personal. Luis knew exactly what he wanted. “I just knew I wanted something green with some nice leather boots. I wanted to feel well put together, unique, and rugged with the boots and gold accents from my jewelry, especially my gold necklace from my late father that recently passed.”

Lourdes had a completely different experience. She walked into dress shopping with an idea of her dream dress already in mind, only to realize that trying dresses on changed everything. “As soon as I tried my dress on, I knew it was the one. It made me feel like a princess.” From there, choosing the rest of her look became much easier.

The Unexpected Post-Ceremony Detour They’d Recommend to Any Couple

If they could change one thing about the day, it would have nothing to do with decor, timelines, or photos. It would be lunch. “The only thing I wish I had done differently, is to make sure to schedule out time for lunch as I was getting ready.”

After their ceremony, their first stop wasn’t a reception or cocktail hour. It was a local soda, a family-owned Costa Rican restaurant, where they happily ordered greasy food because they were starving. Then they cleaned up and headed to a romantic private dinner on an observation deck overlooking a canyon.

For couples planning a similar experience, this is one piece of advice worth taking seriously: actually add meals to your timeline. It’s an easy thing to overlook when you’re excited and running on wedding-day energy.

Giving Themselves Permission to Celebrate Differently

By the time their big day arrived, Lourdes and Luis felt even more confident in the kind of celebration they wanted to create. “We knew what we wanted but it took us some time to plan. A few of our loved ones were opposed to the way we were deciding to go about our wedding, but we knew in the end that this is what was best for us.”

Going through loss during their engagement also reinforced something they already believed: there may never be a perfect time to celebrate the people you love. “We decided to continue with our planning and were reminded that it really is a blessing to be alive and not waste time.”

In the end, it all reinforced something they had known from the beginning: “Ultimately what matters is what you want out of your day and how you want to remember it. Ignore the noise and follow your hearts.”

Their Costa Rica elopement became exactly that. Surrounded by nature and carrying memories of the people they love, Lourdes and Luis got to celebrate everything they’ve already experienced together and everything still ahead of them.