Entre Palmas Wedding Costa Rica: Maf & Marcelo
Entre Palmas Wedding Costa Rica: Maf & Marcelo
The sun painted the sky in shades of amber as Maf kissed her grandmother’s cheek, a tender moment before walking down the aisle at their unforgettable Entre Palmas wedding. With about 250 guests gathered in the gardens of this Central Valley venue, this January celebration captured the essence of a relaxed, garden-formal Costa Rican wedding.As Costa Rica wedding photographers, we are sharing how Maf and Marcelo’s day at Entre Palmas came together, and what we would tell any couple planning a wedding here.
Casarnos, que empiece nuestra vida como familia — To get married, and to begin our life together as a family.
1. The Love Story: Why Entre Palmas Wedding Costa Rica Called to Their Hearts
Maf and Marcelo live in Costa Rica, so this was a hometown wedding rather than a destination one. After ten years together, they told us exactly what they wanted: a relaxed celebration without the usual protocol, outdoors, surrounded by the people they love most. The concept they gave us was garden formal, relaxed but still premium, with plenty of green, warm wood and beige tones.That is why they chose Entre Palmas. They wanted an outdoor venue where a garden party could still feel like a wedding, with the ceremony, the cocktail hour and the dancing all happening among the plants.When we asked what they were most looking forward to, their answer was simple: getting married, starting their life as a family, and celebrating with their people.
2. Entre Palmas Wedding Costa Rica: A Venue That Defines Elegance
Entre Palmas is a garden venue in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, west of San José. What suited Maf and Marcelo is what we noticed first as photographers: a big lawn, greenery all around, and enough space for the ceremony, the cocktail hour and the party to each have their own corner of the property.The ceremony took place in the garden beside the pool. Cocktails were set up on the lawn next to the tent, and the party ran under the tent that evening, still surrounded by plants. Their guest list was around 250 people, so the layout mattered: lounge-style seating areas replaced fixed dinner tables, and only the older guests had regular tables with assigned seats.If you are considering Entre Palmas, ask the venue directly about capacity, layouts and what is included. Details and prices change, so confirm them with the venue.
3. The Ceremony: Golden Hour Vows at Entre Palmas
The invitation said 4:00 PM, with the ceremony planned to start around 4:30, roughly an hour before sunset. In late January the sun sets in the Central Valley at around 5:35 PM, so the light was already soft and low as guests settled into the garden.Maf and Marcelo chose not to do a first look. The first time they saw each other in their wedding clothes was when Maf walked down the aisle, so our job was to be ready for both faces at that moment. Marcelo’s best friend led a ceremony of about half an hour: words from their two sisters, vows, the exchange of rings, and the signing of the legal paperwork before the kiss.When it ended, the couple walked back up the aisle with their guests, who headed straight to cocktails while we stayed at the altar for family photos.
4. Couple Portraits: Capturing Costa Rican Romance
While guests enjoyed cocktails, we took Maf and Marcelo out for portraits in the last hour of daylight. Sunset was around 5:35 PM that day, so the light was low and golden across the lawn.They had told us up front that they don’t like photos that feel posed or forced, and that they wanted pictures about people, reactions and moments rather than styled details. So we kept the direction light: walking together, laughing, and moving through the gardens while we followed along.Having photographed weddings across Costa Rica, we know how quickly the light changes in the last hour of the day, which is why we plan portraits around sunset instead of leaving them for later.
5. The Reception: Where Celebration Met Sophistication
After cocktails, the party moved under the tent. Maf and Marcelo had told us they are party people, and that the dance floor was the point of the night: good music, friends and family, and plenty of room to move.The first dance was planned around a live performance, with Maf’s father and aunt singing the song, a surprise for most of the guests. Those are exactly the reactions we watch for as photographers.There was no staged exit on the plan. Their idea of a good ending was to keep dancing until the music stopped and the lights came on.
6. Wedding Details and Decor at Entre Palmas
Maf and Marcelo’s wedding was built around people more than props. They told us they cared less about styled shots of rings, shoes and the dress, and more about reactions and moments, so the details here are about atmosphere: a palette of greens, warm wood and beige with a touch of boho, plenty of plants, and lounge-style seating areas instead of rows of tables.If you are planning your own Entre Palmas wedding, our advice is to keep the decor simple and let the garden do most of the work.
7. Planning Your Entre Palmas Wedding Costa Rica: Essential Guide
Here is what Maf and Marcelo’s wedding taught us about planning a day at Entre Palmas:Location: Entre Palmas is in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, west of San José. Compared with the beach venues, which are hours away by road, it is a short trip from the city, so check the drive time for your guests’ arrival day.Guest count and layout: Maf and Marcelo’s guest list was around 250, with lounge-style seating areas instead of dinner tables. Ask the venue which layouts it can support for your numbers.Best months: December through April is the driest stretch of the year in Costa Rica. Maf and Marcelo married on January 24, when the sun sets around 5:35 PM.Timeline and light: Their ceremony was planned for about 4:30 PM, which left the cocktail hour and portraits for the last hour of daylight. Count back from your sunset time when you choose your ceremony time.Planner: With a guest list this size, they worked with a wedding planner, and we recommend one for any wedding with a long guest list and a tight timeline.Photography coverage: For a day like this, from getting ready through the first hours of the party, we recommend 8 to 10 hours of coverage.
8. Frequently Asked Questions About Entre Palmas Wedding Costa Rica
Where is Entre Palmas?
Entre Palmas is a garden venue in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, west of San José. Confirm the exact address and directions with the venue when you book.How many guests did Maf and Marcelo’s wedding have?
Their guest list was around 250, with lounge-style seating areas instead of fixed dinner tables. If you are planning a wedding this size, ask the venue how it recommends laying out the space.What is the best time of year for an Entre Palmas wedding?
The dry season, from December through April, is the most reliable for outdoor ceremonies in Costa Rica. Maf and Marcelo married on January 24.What time should the ceremony start for good light?
Count back from sunset. In late January the sun sets in the Central Valley around 5:35 PM, so a ceremony that starts around 4:30 PM leaves roughly an hour of low, golden light for portraits.Do I need a wedding planner for an Entre Palmas wedding?
For a wedding with a long guest list and a precise timeline, we strongly recommend one. Maf and Marcelo worked with a planner for their wedding of about 250 guests.How many hours of photography should I book?
For a day like this one, from getting ready through the first hours of the party, we recommend 8 to 10 hours of coverage.How much does a wedding photographer cost?
Our wedding photography collections start at USD 2,680, and travel within Costa Rica is included. Tell us your date and venue and we will send the full breakdown.Why choose Adri & Lucas for an Entre Palmas wedding?
Adri and Lucas have photographed and filmed weddings since 2013, so we know how to read a new venue’s light quickly. We photographed Maf and Marcelo’s wedding here, and we would be glad to photograph yours.
9. Vendor Credits
Photography & Videography: Adri & Lucas Weddings
Venue: Entre Palmas, Costa Rica
Vendor Credits
Photography & Videography: Adri & Lucas Weddings
Venue: Entre Palmas, Costa Rica
Start Planning Your Entre Palmas Wedding Costa Rica
Ready to create your own unforgettable wedding story at Entre Palmas? As Costa Rica wedding photographers, we’d love to be part of your celebration. Let’s chat about your vision for the perfect Costa Rica destination wedding.