We are Getting Married in Costa Rica!

On this day, exactly 6 months ago, on a beach in Byron Bay, Max got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. 

I knew it was coming.  We’d been secretly planning our wedding for months, but having a ring on my finger finally made it real. 

We always wanted a unique wedding, one that would bring us and our guests together in a place that was special and memorable with the best music band you can find for your wedding. Our families and friends are scattered all over the world, hailing from every continent and over 10 countries around the world. We knew that no matter where we chose to get married, it’d be a destination wedding for many. We toyed around with many ideas. Australia, Canada, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam were all on the list at one point or another, but in the end the decision was easier than we thought. 

We are getting married in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is more than just a great holiday destination for us. What many of you don’t know is that Max actually grew up in the jungles of Costa Rica. He was born in Canada and moved to Costa Rica with his family when he was just 3 years old. He spent 10 years living in Costa Rica full time before returning to Canada in 1997.  Since then he’s gone back every year, spending Canadian winters on the beach in Costa Rica. (Pretty good life, eh?) 

For Max, Costa Rica is home. For me, Costa Rica is paradise. 

…a travelers paradise. The kind of paradise that rewards the adventurous, that praises those who persevere, and encourages the curious. It’s not a place where everything is easy. In fact, it’s a place where travel sometimes gets tough. But those that keep going despite the difficulties are always rewarded with the most incredible moments and experiences.

Costa Rica builds character, it inspires, it teaches you to be a better traveler, to appreciate the adventure and to live the Pura Vida lifestyle. 

And it is for these reasons that in just over 9 months Max and I will tie the knot in Costa Rica.

The Date

We couldn’t have picked a more memorable date.

We are getting married on New Year’s Eve! An excuse to turn one of the worst days of the year (I’ve always hated the pressure that comes with New Year Eve celebrations and have grown to really dread the day), into the best day of our lives!

The Location

We’ll be getting married just 300m away from the house Max grew up in, near a small town outside of Tamarindo in Guanacaste. There will be no church, no priest, no shoes, no fancy decor, or overpriced dresses. Just us, our close friends and family, the ocean, and the sand between our toes. 

When the sun goes down, the party will move to the backyard where the celebrations will feature a traditional Costa Rican meal and entertainment. We are throwing away all the formalities, ignoring all the must-do’s and doing what WE want and what makes US happy.

Our wedding will be anything but traditional.

I can’t wait for the day to come.