We are so excited to share Amy and Scott’s incredible Costa Rican adventure with you today! This spirited couple took their closest family and friends on a week-long jungle safari that was filled with tropical rainstorms, brilliant flora and fauna, waterfalls and natural water slides, rafting and horseback riding activities, and of course, a completely romantic wedding. Enjoy this glimpse into their destination wedding celebration, from Beautiful Day Photography!

The Goals: Amy said, “Scott and I are both very close to our families, and felt that it was important that they have the opportunity to get to know each other during our celebration. Having the wedding in Costa Rica, and at Rafiki in particular due to its remote location, encouraged instantaneous bonding that will last a lifetime. We were over 4,000 miles from distraction, and it was truly a family affair. I think the families thought we were slightly crazy for wanting to have our wedding in the remote tropical jungle, and were admittedly slightly out of their comfort zones when they first got there. But almost a year later, we all talk about the adventure and how incredible it was, all the time! Additionally, Scott and I love nature and adventure, so Rafiki fit the bill!”

The Design: The wedding was romantic, rustic, and entirely unique! Amy bravely booked The Rafiki sight unseen, on the glowing reviews that Scott had given her about this special place as early as their first date. The Rafiki is an adventurous destination; not an all-inclusive luxury resort, but a back-to-nature collection of safari tents in the rainforest. Amy and Scott knew that they’d be surrounded by incredible native flora and fauna, so they let the naturally stunning rainforest be their main decor. The couple hosted a reception a few weeks later for friends back home at the Salish Lodge, so the forest (this time temperate) was once again a starring feature. There they gave guests white potted orchids at the reception as a nod to the beautiful Costa Rican forest they had been married in.

The Look: Amy wanted a bridal look that was simple, elegant, and un-embellished. She turned to one of her favorite dress shops, The Finerie, for a gorgeous Madina Vadache evening dress that was customized with a beautiful low-back and a more traditional ivory silk than the original black color the dress came in. From there, she accessorized with blue earrings made by her aunt to match Scott’s suit, and wore ginger flowers in her hair. As for her hair and make-up, Amy describes her photographer, Laura from Beautiful Day Photography, as a Renaissance woman! Laura was worried about timing, and wanted to get good photos before the expected rainstorm, so she jumped in and did Amy’s hair and make-up to keep things moving. (Amy also revealed that Laura jumped in and sang “Proud Mary” with Fuzzy and the band at the reception…Renaissance woman indeed!)

The Moments: While Amy said she’d be hard pressed to beat the experience of exchanging vows with the love of her life under a fern and orchid covered arch with the misty rainforest and mountains in the background, she did have some hilarious and exciting stories from their wedding-week jungle adventure! Over the course of their stay, they took their group on a class 4 white water rafting trip; had multiple impromptu feasts in the rainforest; slid down natural stone water slides (during the daytime, AND in the pitch black, post-wedding reception!); went horseback riding; and organized a rescue mission to fetch the wine and champagne that was stuck on the other side of the river when a road washed out. Whew!

The Pros: Please visit Amy and Scott’s page in our Real Wedding Library for all of the talented people that made this amazing day happen!

Thanks for sharing your amazing tropical adventure with us, Amy and Scott! The memories are sure to last a lifetime!