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Mrs. Pancakes, New York/Costa Rica Age and Occupation: 26, Law School Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Latin American Policy Analyst Engagement Date: March 12, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Casa Punto de Vista About Me: I’m a perfectionist with a big heart. I love a good laugh and firmly believe no one has ever regretted being prepared! My motto is “go big or go home.” I am incapable of doing anything in moderation, especially when it comes to shopping, TV, food and travel, and some would say wedding planning! The other half of this nearlywed team is a laid-back, adventure-loving, accident prone, sweetie from LA. He makes me laugh, is always down for an impromptu dance party, and totally indulges most of my hare-brained schemes. Now, in my final year of law school, we’ll be spending the spring abroad in Amsterdam and planning a DIY, whimsical, detail-filled destination wedding in Costa Rica!
About Mrs. Pancakes

Destination: Wedding

December 10th, 2010 @ 5:03 pm by Mrs. Pancakes

For a number of reasons, we have decided we want a destination wedding.

Destination: Wedding :  wedding costa rica venues Caribbe

{Source}


I have literally been dreaming about my wedding day since I was seven. When I think about my wedding it is not a series of small parties that lead up to the big day. Instead it’s more like Mardi Gras. It’s an event that just builds for about a year but is basically a week- (or more) long vacation filled with laughter, friends, fun, and of course a little bit of alcohol. Additionally, because our friends and family are coming from all over the U.S. and some from even further, I really wanted to make sure I would get to enjoy having all my favorite people in the same place. How amazing does that sound? I know it’s selfish, but it’s MY WEDDING. :D

Originally the debate was between somewhere in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Then we realized that we kind of had to get married on the Pacific. That’s where we met, that’s where we are both from, and according to Mr. Pancakes, the Atlantic is not even really an ocean. It quickly became obvious that all WE really wanted was to have the wedding in Costa Rica. Pacific Ocean…check. Surf…check. Monkeys (yes, monkeys)…check. What more could we want?!!?

Then came the guilt…I felt guilty that it’s gonna cost my friends so much, I felt guilty that we weren’t going to be able to have a Catholic wedding, I felt guilty that the wedding is all about us and not at all about my parents.

Then I stumbled upon this amazing blog, Tulle and Feather, that follows the journey of two California brides-to-be, one from San Diego and one from San Fransisco. Here’s what I read regarding destination weddings:

“[I]f you’ve been debating about whether or not to have a destination wedding, do it. [B]y far, the best decision we’ve ever made. [W]hen we set out on our wedding planning process we knew we wanted something more than one day. [W]e wanted several days of memories, laughter, tears, and pure selfishness. [A]ll our favorite people in a favorite place that we would never be able to recreate again in our lives without the excuse of a wedding to do it.”

{For more from Tulle and Feather}

I don’t know why it took the words of a stranger to make my decision, but I totally agree with her. I only pray that my friends and family will support our decision and decide to join us on this amazing journey. We love and adore you all.

How did you decide where to have your wedding? Was it a tough decision? Were your friends and family supportive?

Tags: costa-rica, Venues |
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14 Responses to “Destination: Wedding”

1.
CantWaittillMAY
Member
CantWaittillMAY (message)  768 posts, Busy bee

A Costa Rican wedding had always been my dream. But when my FI and I realized that his Dad and some of my close family members would not be able to make it to do health/money issues we decided to keep the wedding stateside. It was a touch decision for me, because I gave what I had always dreamed of for my wedding. But now, I am really happy we decided to keep it local and include everyone. We are going to Honeymoon in Costa Rica and I feel good that I made the compromise with my future Hubby.

 
2.
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Bee
Miss Panther (message)  1,046 posts, Bumble bee

Monkeys were one of my requirements for our honeymoon! Monkeys are SO important!

 
3.
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Bee
Mrs. Glasses (message)  2,741 posts, Sugar bee

Simply put, a destination means no bullsh*t to me. And the monkeys just sweeten the deal! If we ever have a vow renewal, it’s going to be a destination somewhere in Europe so that Mr. G’s family can come (they didn’t come to our recent wedding in L.A.).

 
4.
Mrs. Sand Dollar
Bee
Mrs. Sand Dollar (message)  1,305 posts, Bumble bee

One of my great high school friends is planning a destination wedding to Greece next September, and I can’t be more excited! We had about a year’s notice so we can plan and save up. Since our honeymoon pretty much sucked, and this is an 8 day vacation of AWESOME, in which my friend fits in getting married somewhere in there, is so thrilling. We’re using it as our 1-year anniversary trip and re-do honeymoon all in one! I think pretty much all her guests are as excited as we are

 
5.
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Bee
Miss Pancakes (message)  85 posts, Worker bee

@Miss Panther: I agree! Monkeys are really a dealbreaker!

@Mrs. Glasses: I thought a destination wedding would mean less bullsh*t unfortunately its turned it this huge logistical mess but I’m sure it’ll be worth it.

@Mrs. Sand Dollar: I am sorry to hear that your honeymoon sucked : ( We also gave our guests about 14 months notice….Greece will be amazing. We are hoping to get down to Greece while we are in Amsterdam.

 
6.
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Guest
Kim

I just got back from my own destination wedding in Mexico and i wouldn’t have done it any other way. It was a great time for all of us. be warned though, people will surprise you in both good ways and bad ways. You will also have to be ok with a few people being unable to go regardless of the reasons. despite all of this it was a great time!!! it was one of those rare occasions when both families and friends were able to get to know each other. ENJOY!!!

 
7.
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Guest
Meghan

you are right. the atlantic is not an ocean because it does not have actual waves :)

 
8.
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Guest
Erica

We didn’t really have a choice since because of our situation any place we would have picked would have resulted in a destination wedding for almost all the guests! In the end we picked Italy and already know both our immediate families will be there - but I do envy a bit the brides and grooms who get married in their hometown where everyone else is from too, since they know they will have everyone they care for at their wedding, while we probably will not. In the end if for you this is a lesser priority you should go for it!

 
9.
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Bee
Miss Pancakes (message)  85 posts, Worker bee

@Erica: That was definitely a concern for us but since most of our friends know us as the adventurous types . When we first suggested a wedding in the States people were like “really? not a cave on some mystical mount in the galapagos or some underwater cave wedding!” ( Which we then researched for weeks and considered doing! totally not kidding …http://www.jul.com/weddings.html)
@Kim: Congratulations! Welcome back. I definitely want it to be an opportunity for our families to get to know each other because we are soo close to our families and they won’t ever be on the same side of the globe again!

 
10.
jordynrose
Member
jordynrose (message)  6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

Yay Costa Rica! That is where we spent our honeymoon. We absolutely loved it!

 
11.
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Bee
Mrs. Husky (message)  1,754 posts, Buzzing bee

I think your destination wedding sounds wonderful!

 
12.
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Bee
Ms Cheetah (message)  1,188 posts, Bumble bee

We wanted the best of both worlds, so we are gong with a semi-destination :)

 
13.
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Member
jennyjan16 (message)  43 posts, Newbee

We live in California and got married in Hawaii with 40 friends/family. We spent 5 days with everyone, got married, then 2 more days with family and we were off to our honeymoon for a week. It was amazing and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!

 
14.
MsChievous08
Member
MsChievous08 (message)  134 posts, Blushing bee

Thank you all for your inspirational posts. They were very motivational. As my FI and I are rapidly becoming frustrated with the entire planning process of hosting a traditional wedding, the idea of cruising to a Mexican destination is becoming more appealing with each passing headache!

 

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Mrs. Pancakes
Mrs. Pancakes

Mrs. Pancakes, New York/Costa Rica Age and Occupation: 26, Law School Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Latin American Policy Analyst Engagement Date: March 12, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Casa Punto de Vista About Me: I’m a perfectionist with a big heart. I love a good laugh and firmly believe no one has ever regretted being prepared! My motto is “go big or go home.” I am incapable of doing anything in moderation, especially when it comes to shopping, TV, food and travel, and some would say wedding planning! The other half of this nearlywed team is a laid-back, adventure-loving, accident prone, sweetie from LA. He makes me laugh, is always down for an impromptu dance party, and totally indulges most of my hare-brained schemes. Now, in my final year of law school, we’ll be spending the spring abroad in Amsterdam and planning a DIY, whimsical, detail-filled destination wedding in Costa Rica!

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