Gina and Josh’s Beautiful Tropical Beach Wedding in Costa Rica by Raw Shoots Photography

After a few days away in Cornwall, I am back with a week full of amazing weddings and styled shoots. Gina and Josh were married on 22nd February 2022 at Las Catalinas in Costa Rica. They held a legal ceremony the year before but it was a very small affair, so they wanted a bigger celebration where they could celebrate with friends and family in a gorgeous beach side location. Their day was chilled, laid back and filled with the most stunning decoration. With a mix of natural tones, mixed with earthy terracotta the ceremony area, the flowers and the reception tables looks absolutely stunning. This wedding makes me dream of summer, of sunshine and of holidays. Big thanks to the Event Planner, Mil Besos Costa Rica for the gorgeous submission and to Raw Shoots Photography for capturing it so perfectly.

Meghan the planner tells us more about the day

We love to create unforgettable experiences for couples who want to celebrate their love in a tropical paradise. That’s why we were thrilled to work with Gina and Josh, a sweet couple from Maryland who celebrated at the gorgeous wedding venue, Las Catalinas in Playa Danta.

Gina and Josh met through mutual friends and bonded over their love of hiking, cooking, attending car shows and exploring new places. Josh proposed to Gina during a hike in Great Lakes, Virginia, surprising her with a ring and a beautiful view. They were legally married in an intimate ceremony in 2021, but they wanted to continue their celebration with a bigger party in the golden coast of Guanacaste.
Las Catalinas is an ideal venue for a dreamy beach wedding equipped with its stunning sunset views, delicious food, and relaxed vibe. This couple wanted their wedding to feel like an intimate gathering of their closest friends and family, where everyone could find their bliss and enjoy the culture and Pura Vida lifestyle of Costa Rica. We knew just the place to recommend!
All guests were welcomed to the weekend with a tote bag filled with essentials like plantain chips and local coffee upon arrival to the resort. The day before the wedding, the couple had a quick rehearsal dinner at one of our restaurants, where they tasted some of the local flavours and specialties. Then, they joined their guests for a sunset catamaran cruise, where they enjoyed the views, the music, and the drinks. It was a perfect way to kick off the festivities and get everyone in the mood for the big day.

The ceremony space was nothing short of magical. Gina looked stunning in her dress that was perfect for her beach wedding with soft lace details and cut out sleeves. They wed under a rounded gold ceremony arch with asymmetrical flowers incorporating dried grasses and pops of neutral colours for a naturalistic aesthetic.
Each guest took their seats in the beautiful whitewashed Phoenix chairs to add softness to the ceremony seating, with hand-held fans to keep everyone comfortable. The atmosphere was warm and intimate. Although they were already married, Gina +and Josh re-read their handwritten vows in front of their loved ones, both crying tears of joy as they reaffirmed their love.

As day turned to evening, the sky was filled with colours that matched their wedding palette, creating a stunning backdrop for their photos. The reception held at Plaza Agave had a moody vibe, warmly lit with candles and bistro string lights and a local cigar roller.
The bride was Filipino, so incorporating local dishes and ingredients in their weddings’ cuisine was important to these foodies. They also wanted their guests to feel transported through the influence of Costa Rica’s culture.

Supplier Shout Outs

• Event Planner: Mil Besos Costa Rica
• Photographer: Raw Shoots Photography
• Cinema and Video: Bacalao Films
• Makeup & Beauty Artist: NADIA CAMBRONERO HAIR AND MAKEUP CO
• DJ: XDJ Costa Rica
• Equipment Rentals: Eventos Artesanos
• Reception Venue: Las Catalinas
• Accommodations: Las Catalinas
• Flowers: Lavanda Floral Design 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RAW SHOOTS PHOTOGRAPHY GO TO

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We are Rob & Lori a couple of wedding and portrait photographers based in Costa Rica, we really enjoy shooting couples in love in a documentary, organic and spontaneous way. Outdoor weddings are our favorites, we know that the stories are there, all the beauty and drama of life, all the characters and details are right there for us to capture them with our cameras. Our lifestyle is alternative, bohemian and adventurous; This is something that really defines us as a couple and photographers, we feel blessed to live and share this adventure together.