WEDDING BLOG

Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Made the Most Breathtaking Backdrop for This Costa Rica Elopement

July 3, 2026 | justine

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.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Papaya Wedding
Venue – Llanos de Cortes Waterfall
Officiant – Noel Ibo Campos
Makeup + Hair Styling – Paola Gamboa Villegas

This Scotland Elopement Swapped the Highlands for The Most Charming City Bookstore Ceremony

July 2, 2026 | justine

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For many couples planning a Scottish elopement, the first images that come to mind are misty mountains, dramatic Highland landscapes, and iconic tourist spots. But for Rita and Alex, a quieter and more personal experience felt much more like them.

The Salt Lake City couple traveled across the UK with Rita’s immediate family, turning their wedding into part of a larger adventure together. Instead of planning an elaborate event from afar, they focused on creating a day that was relaxed, intimate, and reflective of the things they genuinely enjoy.

That decision eventually led them to a one-of-a-kind bookstore wedding ceremony tucked inside an independent bookshop in Edinburgh, surrounded by local businesses, thoughtful details, and a neighborhood that felt less like a destination and more like a place they’d want to return to for years to come. Junebug vendor Solen Collet, who shared their story with us, captured all the little moments that made the day feel so distinctly them.

What We Love About This Bookstore Wedding Ceremony

A bookstore became the setting for a legal wedding ceremony
The entire celebration highlighted small independent businesses
They built the day around a neighborhood instead of a traditional venue
The itinerary felt relaxed without sacrificing iconic Edinburgh experiences
Their first dance happened inside the bookshop itself

Featured Vendor:
Solen Collet

Why Planning Around Shared Interests Made Long-Distance Wedding Planning Easier

Planning a wedding from another country can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve never visited your destination before. Fortunately, Solen has built her entire approach around solving exactly that problem.

Rather than asking couples to choose a theme first, she starts with simple questions: How do you spend time together? What would your ideal day off look like? What kind of spaces do you naturally gravitate toward?

“I try to be the eyes on the ground for couples I work with, do some quality control and ask lots of questions about how they tend to spend their time together so we can build something that represents them even if they’ve never been here before,” she explains. Rita and Alex immediately connected with the idea.

As they planned their UK road trip with Rita’s parents and brother, they loved the opportunity to support local independent businesses along the way. Once they found a stylish Airbnb in the exact Edinburgh neighborhood Solen recommended, the rest of the day naturally fell into place.

Choosing a Bookstore Instead of a Traditional Ceremony Venue

One thing the couple knew almost immediately? They wanted a bookstore involved. “They pretty quickly said they really wanted to use a bookstore for their ceremony location,” Solen says. Unlike many places around the world, Scotland gives couples remarkable flexibility when it comes to where they can legally marry.

“So long as you have the landowner’s permission and the correct information for your paperwork, you can marry pretty much anywhere.” That freedom opened up possibilities that simply wouldn’t exist elsewhere. Their chosen venue, Argonaut Books, had actually never hosted a wedding before.

The independent bookstore’s owner, Adam, previously worked for the Edinburgh Book Festival and brought plenty of event experience to the occasion, helping create an atmosphere that felt welcoming from the moment everyone arrived.

Instead of a grand entrance, the day started with simple moments. They took a quick cab from their apartment, picked up champagne from the independent bottle shop across the street, then walked over to meet their celebrant.

How They Turned an Entire Neighborhood Into Their Wedding Venue

Rather than treating Edinburgh as a backdrop for photos alone, Rita and Alex made the neighborhood part of the celebration. After the ceremony, guests returned to the nearby apartment while the couple spent an hour exploring the city with Solen. A little rain made an appearance, but in Scotland, that’s considered good luck. “They say it’s good luck because back in the day, tying the knot of the handfasting ribbons, if it got wet it would be harder to untie.”

The newlyweds wandered through Calton Hill, the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, and several of Edinburgh’s famous “closes” (alleyways) before ducking into the city’s beautiful library to escape the rain and include even more books in the story. By designing a neighborhood-based wedding instead of a venue-based one, they managed to enjoy both a local experience and some of Edinburgh’s iconic landmarks.

Wedding Advice: Focus on One Great Local Team Instead of Dozens of Endless Searches

One of the biggest challenges Rita and Alex faced was simply the distance and time difference. “It’s quite difficult for couples to chat online with vendors when there’s a huge time difference so they really need to trust that you are making good choices for them.”

Instead of acting as a traditional wedding planner, Solen introduces her couples directly to local creatives so they can collaborate together. “This really helps couples get to collaborate creatively with their florist or baker and bring even more personal details into the mix.”

For couples considering a destination wedding, this approach also creates a stronger connection to the place. Rather than booking generic vendors, you’re building relationships with people who genuinely know and love the community.

Local Scottish Businesses Brought Every Detail Together

The day may have been simple, but every detail felt intentional. The couple worked with Ochre Botanical Studios, a local florist collective specializing in seasonal Scottish flowers and foliage.

Their officiant, Fiona, brought a storytelling approach to the ceremony. “She interviews couples both together and apart to build the story of what brought them to this milestone together.” She also introduces couples to Scottish traditions, including handfasting and drinking from a quaich, a traditional two-handled loving cup that symbolizes trust and love. Every ceremony she creates is unique because it’s built entirely around the couple’s story.

Later, everyone gathered at Good Brothers Wine Bar for speeches, drinks, and aperitivo before heading to Little Capo for a celebratory meal inspired by seasonal Italian flavors.

A First Dance in a Bookstore Became the Most Emotional Moment of the Day

For Solen, one moment stood out above all the others. “It was really special to see them do their first dance in the bookshop after the ceremony. I got a little misty eyed.” Even with family present, the celebration still maintained the intimacy of an elopement. “Even though they had Rita’s immediate family with them, it still felt like an elopement. They only had eyes for each other.”

There was no pressure to make the day bigger than it needed to be, and that simplicity ended up being its biggest strength. “Most importantly, they never overcomplicated things. “I just loved working with them. They’re both really gentle and kind people who wanted to make something simple but special.”

Rita and Alex also show that there’s another way to experience a Scotland elopement. Rather than racing between iconic landmarks, they spent the day exploring a neighborhood, supporting local businesses, and creating memories in places they can revisit for years to come.

Because getting married in Scotland can be just as memorable without climbing a mountain.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Solen Collet
Ceremony Venue – Argonaut Books
Reception Venue – Good Brothers Wine Cellars
Floral Design – Ochre Botanical Studios
Family Dinner – Little Capo
Officiant – Fiona Flanagan
Makeup + Hair Styling – The Made Up Team

A Lush Jungle Wedding in Tulum With Art Nouveau Glamour and Cirque du Soleil Energy

June 30, 2026 | justine

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Long before Yulia met Dean, she had fallen in love with Tulum—the jungle, the ocean, Mexican culture, and especially its music scene. By the time Dean proposed, Yulia had already spent years picturing herself getting married in Tulum. That felt fitting for a couple whose story began because of music in the first place.

Believe it or not, Yulia and Dean met at a nightclub in Philadelphia while seeing one of their favorite DJs perform. Yulia was dancing by herself when a stranger shoved her and told her not to stand so close to him. Dean saw the entire thing happen.

“He immediately came over, gave me the biggest bear hug, and told me not to pay attention to that guy because he was completely in the wrong. Then, in true gentleman fashion, he actually went up to him and made him apologize to me.” What started as an act of kindness quickly turned into something bigger.

“Looking back now, it feels like something straight out of a movie: two people finding each other in the middle of chaos, connected by music, timing, and one unforgettable moment of kindness.” Years later, they brought all of those pieces together for a jungle wedding in Tulum that borrowed a little from a glamorous dinner party, a little from Cirque du Soleil, and a lot from their love of music.

What We Love About This Jungle Wedding in Tulum

Art Nouveau and Gatsby influences that felt right at home in the Tulum jungle
Mariachis, tequila, and a DJ flown in from Russia to kick off the wedding weekend
Emotional family moments, including their pug Giuseppe walking down the aisle as ring bearer
A Cirque du Soleil-inspired reception packed with live entertainment
Yulia’s hands-on approach to bringing her creative vision to life

Featured Vendor:
MemoryBox Photography

Why Tulum Was Always The Destination

For Yulia, getting married in Tulum was years in the making. “Ever since I first visited Tulum six years ago, I dreamed of getting married there.” The destination represented everything they loved as a couple: beautiful scenery, incredible music, vibrant culture, and a sense of adventure. They also knew they wanted a January wedding since it’s one of the best times to visit Mexico, and Tulum hosts one of the biggest music festivals in the world at the beginning of the year.

When Yulia started searching for venues after their May 2025 engagement, she came across Kima Tulum on Instagram. The search basically ended there. Nestled deep in the jungle, it was intimate, striking, and unlike any venue they had seen before. But what truly stood out was how personal everything felt. The venue is family-operated, and Yulia connected directly with owner Dorothee Ftaiti from the beginning. “It never felt transactional or corporate.”

Learning that Kima only hosts around 30 to 40 weddings each year made it feel even more special. Instead of a large-scale operation, it felt warm, thoughtful, and genuine, which happened to be exactly how they wanted their wedding to feel too.

The Ceremony That Confirmed They Really Do “Share One Brain”

One of Yulia and Dean’s biggest inside jokes is that they “share one brain.” They’re constantly saying the same thing at the same time, finishing each other’s sentences, and texting each other simultaneously. That connection became impossible to ignore during their vows. Dean opened his with: “My sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet Yulia.” Meanwhile, Yulia ended hers with: “Your sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet Yulia.” Neither of them knew the other had written something so similar. “Hearing that in real time completely broke both of us.”

Family made the moment even more emotional. As a Russian immigrant who has spent the last 19 years living in the United States on her own, having her parents and brother travel from Russia to Mexico meant everything. Her mom walked their pug, Giuseppe, down the aisle as ring bearer, while her dad walked her to the ceremony.

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Finding People Who Could Bring Big Ideas To Life

Yulia was heavily involved in putting together her vendor team. A self-proclaimed planner, she personally sourced many of her vendors herself, including the venue, videographer, and content creator. She also brought her friend Sofia, who not only did her hair and makeup but organically became a second photographer throughout the day.

Wedding planner Angelina Cardenas quickly became one of the most important people throughout the process. Then came wedding designer Maria Limon, who helped transform Yulia’s endless references and ideas into something tangible. “I came into the process with so many details, references, and creative visions, and Maria somehow managed to take everything I imagined and elevate it even further.”

Photography was another major priority. When Yulia found Junebug vendor Memory Box Photography, she instantly connected with their style. “They captured moments in such an authentic and editorial way, which perfectly matched the atmosphere and aesthetic we envisioned for the wedding.” More importantly, everyone they hired brought a sense of calm to such a big day. With a wedding this ambitious, that mattered just as much as talent.

When Art Nouveau Met The Jungle

Originally, Yulia envisioned something timeless and elegant. Since the venue was already surrounded by lush greenery, she chose a green color palette paired with crisp white accents. Then something unexpected happened. The aesthetic started taking on a life of its own. “As all the design pieces slowly started coming together, I realized we were naturally leaning into an Art Nouveau meets Gatsby-inspired aesthetic.”

Once she embraced it, everything clicked. The wedding became this beautiful mix of old-world glamour, romance, mystery, and celebration. The jungle did a lot of the heavy lifting, so there was no need to overcomplicate things. Candlelight, greenery, and classic details worked together without taking attention away from the setting.

How They Turned Their Reception Into A Live Show

The reception was probably the clearest reflection of who they are as a couple. “Our biggest goal for the reception was for it to feel nothing like a traditional wedding.” Yulia wanted guests to participate rather than simply observe. So throughout the evening, guests encountered:

Acrobats
Jugglers
Fire performers
Aerial artists
Dancers
Stilt walkers
Magicians
A tarot card reader

The overall feeling was exactly what she envisioned. “Cirque du Soleil meets Tulum jungle.” There was always something happening no matter where you looked. Then Yulia unveiled one final surprise. She secretly planned a burlesque-inspired performance for Dean that absolutely nobody knew about. It quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.

Their Biggest Advice? Stop Thinking About What A Wedding Is Supposed To Look Like

At the end of it all, Yulia’s advice is simple. “Do what truly makes you happy and create the wedding that feels authentic to you as a couple.” It’s easy to get caught up in traditions and expectations, but people tend to remember the weddings that have personality. The ones where they leave knowing exactly who the couple is.

And that’s probably the best way to describe Yulia and Dean’s jungle wedding in Tulum. It wasn’t trying to fit into a category. It was two music lovers creating the biggest, most joyful version of themselves and inviting everyone they loved to come along for the ride.