Enchanting Costa Rica wedding elopement

These adventurous newlyweds planned this magical Costa Rica wedding day without compromising on what they wanted. Here's how they did it...

Jessica and Stephen sitting on a golf buggy at their Costa Rica wedding.

Jessica and Stephen were childhood sweethearts and met when they were just 16. "For our first date he took me to a romantic restaurant." says Jessica.

Stephen proposed after the couple had been together for eight years. "He asked me to marry him on a cliff edge after a long hike with our dog and had a arranged a champagne picnic." Jessica says.

"It felt very surreal and emotional. He got down on one knee."

Stephen helping to secure Jessica's wedding dress on their wedding day.

Discovering Heidi Hudson

Jessica visited Leeds wed2b in Yorkshire and found her dress on her very first visit. "I found the whole experience really good, and the lovely staff settled my nerves. They gave me advice about material and styles due to us getting married in a tropical jungle this was really important." says Jessica.

Black and white image of Jessica spraying perform while she's getting ready for her Costa Rica wedding/

She chose our bohemian Baxter wedding dress by Heidi Hudson, a super soft sheath with all-over lace and lovely eyelash detail.

"I chose the Baxter dress due to the dramatic lace back and train." says Jessica.

"It was perfect for our jungle elopement given how lightweight and comfortable it was. I absolutely loved the back of the dress which shows off all the lace detail."

Black and white images of Jessica having her make-up applied on the morning of her wedding.

The perfect balance

Baxter is a stunning choice, full of relaxed boho styling but also with a delightful comfortable stretch jersey lining. If you're looking for the perfect boho wedding dress with a modern feel take a closer look at Mylos or try Pallene or Dorit with long sleeves.

The big day

The couple chose a unique venue for their elopement on 31st March 2022, a rainforest in Costa Rica.

"There was just the two of us." Jessica says,

Jessica walking up the steps of her OCsta Rica wedding in the raiforest with Stepehn helping to hold her dress train.

"We completed a steep hike down 750 stairs to the base of a roaring waterfall - all whilst wearing my dress!" Jessica and Stephen woke up at 4am to get ready and begin the hike just as the sun was rising. "We were the only people there, and it was surreal standing next to a roaring waterfall saying our vows."

Jessica approaching Stephen ready for their first look photos.

"I got ready alone on the morning of my wedding and it was the most peaceful morning which was exactly what I wanted." says Jessica. "After we were both ready, we did a first look."

"After we exchanged our personalized vows at the waterfall we returned to our lodge in the rainforest." Jessica continues,

"We then rode up the surrounding mountains and jungle on horseback!"

Jessica tapping Stephen for thieir first look.

"We were able to plant our own tree in the rainforest to commentate our special day and hope one day to return to see how it has grown!"

Jessica reading her personal wedding vows to Stephen.

The rainforest Oasis

"The hotel then organized for us to have a private dinner for me and my new husband. We were served dinner in a glass chalet which was suspended over a river. The chalet was lit only by candlelight and it was very romantic and intimate." says Jessica.

Beautiful shots of Jessica and Stephen on their wedding day.

Two different photo shots of the happy couple Jessica and Stephen kissing at their Costa Rica wedding.

A Costa Rica wedding

"We had vow books made and we wrote our own personal vows to one another." says Jessica. "I had a local florist make me a stunning bouquet of local flowers. We stopped on the side of the road on the way back to our lodge for a quick bite at a traditional Costa Rican soda - in our wedding outfits!"

Close up image of the couple looking at one another.

The best bits...

"The most memorable part of our day was seeing the cascading waterfall for the first time."

Jessica in her Lace wedding dress perfect for her Costa Rica wedding day.

"The sun was just rising, and we had the whole place to ourselves, it felt like we had stepped back in time and it was very intimate."

Back shot of Jessica in her lace wedding dress and another photo of the couple kissing with the waterfall visible in the background.

And for other Heidi brides…

"My advice to future brides would be to do what makes you and your partner truly happy and do not feel you have to give in to norms or what is expected of a wedding day. The day is about yourself and your partner!"

If you’ve loved reading about Jessica's Costa Rica wedding as much as us, then please share your big day pictures too. We just love finding out how you’ve worn and styled your Heidi design. Click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. You can see more free-spirited Heidi weddings here, too!

With love and laughter,
The Heidi Team