The forecast for today? Bright yellow sunshine! Hilary and Kevin’s fun, tropical destination wedding to Playa Hermosa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, was beautifully captured by another great couple – the talented duo behind A Brit and A Blonde Photography. Enjoy this peek at Hilary and Kevin’s memorable and joyous day!

The Couple: Hilary and Kevin

The Wedding: 2.24.12 – Batik Costa Rica – Playa Hermosa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

What were the top three priorities for you in planning your wedding? We wanted to put our footprint and style into the wedding. It was important to give our guests something unique and something they would remember. We wanted them to have a magical experience, which is why we picked Costa Rica.

What wedding traditions or cultural traditions did you incorporated into your wedding and what did they mean to you? Im really not sure if our wedding had that many traditions! We did have a first dance and wedding toasts from our parents. Hearing what our parents had to say on our wedding day was a truly special experience.

Where there any places where you broke the rules in your wedding planning? Why and how did you do that? I dont think we followed the rules! We did what we wanted and stuck to our gut. We had an uneven amount of groomsmen and bridesmaids, and they didnt even match. We let them pick out their own dresses and suits that expressed their own style, but still worked with the overall color and theme. We served Coco Loco drinks to our guests as arrived. We also had a kids table which included a babysitter to entertain the kids with markers and paint. We ordered pizza for them, and made it fun for them while their parents enjoyed dinner.

What was your biggest wedding planning success? Hiring our amazing wedding planners, Miriam and Lisa at Mal Pais Green Weddings. We are so grateful that they were part of our wedding. Everything from the organization of the ceremony to the band they recommended and booked was so well composed. For the reception, they creatively incorporated the local beauty and ambiance into the design and decoration. They took our only half-complete ideas and developed them into an experience our guests will never forget. In addition to their ingenuity, both Lisa and Miriam are so laid-back and easy to work with. We felt so comfortable and at ease throughout the entire occasion.

What was the most important thing that you learned through the wedding planning process and what would you tell other brides-to-be? Do what you want and dont take things personally. Your true friends and family will be there for you. Try to enjoy the process and have fun. Definitely, get a good wedding planner. They make your life so much easier and stress free!

The Wedding Team:
Photographer: A Brit and a Blonde
Event Planner: Miriam and Lisa at Mal Pais Green Weddings
Ceremony Venue: Batik Costa Rica
Reception Venue: Batik Costa Rica
Officiant: Terri Zacanti
Catering: Soma Chefs
Florist: Floristeria Crystal
Wedding Dress: BHLDN
Bridal Accessories: Shoes – Chie Mihara
Bridesmaids Apparel and Accessories: BHLDN
Groom and Groomsmen Apparel and Accessories: Q Custom Clothier
Hair and Make-up: Make-up – Kristyn Shahan, Hair – Paula Benosa
Live Music: Los Mapaches
Dance Instruction: Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Favors: Houston Advance
Rings: Donohos Jewelers

Thank you so much for sharing your creative and fun wedding day with us, Hilary and Kevin!

For another peek at A Brit and A Blonde’s gorgeous photography (and more Costa Rican goodness!) check out Holly and Damian’s feature on What Junebug Loves, earlier this year. And planning your own destination wedding? Check out our World’s Best Planners Hotlist to find the perfect planner just as Hilary recommended!