Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, Guanacaste Elopement Photo Story Award

A couple holds hands at the altar during their destination wedding ceremony, surrounded by seated guests in a picturesque scene

Couple holds hands at altar for destination wedding ceremony, with seated guests filling the frame

A destination wedding couple holds hands at the altar during their Costa Rican ceremony, as rows of seated guests occupy the periphery of the frame.

Anne and Gary's destination wedding in Costa Rica was a simple and stress-free affair, with just 21 of their closest friends and family in attendance. The couple chose the Riu Palace, an exclusive resort in the north part of the country, for their special day.

The couple's grandchildren served as the flower girl and ring bearer, adding a personal touch to the ceremony. Anne and Gary wanted their wedding photographs to capture real, candid moments rather than posed shots, showcasing their love for each other.

The Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica, where the wedding took place, is located on the edge of the beach of Matapalo. Guanacaste, the region where the hotel is located, offers a unique landscape with plains and dry forests that resemble an African savanna.

Anne and Gary's destination wedding was a beautiful and intimate celebration, surrounded by the natural beauty of the country. With the Riu Palace as their venue, the couple and their loved ones were able to relax and enjoy all that the resort and its surroundings had to offer. The stunning photographs captured the genuine love and happiness shared between Anne and Gary, creating lasting memories of their special day.

A young boy joyfully carries the rings down the aisle at a Costa Rica destination wedding

A young boy, the groom's grandson, carries the rings as he walks along the aisle in a Costa Rica destination wedding

The ring bearer, who is the groom's grandson, walks down the aisle at this Costa Rica destination wedding.

A stunning Costa Rican destination wedding ceremony at Hotel Riu Palace where the bride and groom exchange rings and vows

Bride and groom exchange rings and vows at a captivating Costa Rican destination wedding ceremony at Hotel Riu Palace

The bride and groom join hands at the altar during their captivating Costa Rican destination wedding ceremony, where heartfelt vows and rings were exchanged.

A newlywed couple shares a romantic kiss framed by a driftwood arch in front of Hotel Riu Palace, Costa Rica

Newlyweds share a tender kiss outside of Hotel Riu Palace in Costa Rica, framed by a beautiful driftwood arch

In this photo taken at a picturesque destination wedding, the happy couple share a romantic kiss on the beach with a captivating arch of unique driftwood overhead, creating a stunning frame.

A bride and groom embrace each other lovingly amidst loved ones at Hotel Riu Palace wedding reception

Bride and groom share a tender moment during the wedding reception, surrounded by loved ones at Hotel Riu Palace

The couple shares a heartfelt moment during the wedding reception, with family and friends nearby. The black and white photograph captures the bride and groom gently touching their heads together.

Energetic and joyful elderly wedding guests dance and celebrate during a lively reception at Hotel Riu Palace

Mature wedding guests dance and celebrate with energy and joy during the lively reception at Hotel Riu Palace

Wedding guests of all ages participated in lively dancing festivities during the reception.

A heartwarming scene captures wedding guests at Hotel Riu Palace in Costa Rica hugging passionately while grandson joins in

Guests at Hotel Riu Palace in Costa Rica embrace in a loving group hug, joined by a doting grandson

Guests at a wedding reception share a heartfelt group hug, including the adoring grandson.

A couple and family in the Hotel Riu Palace, Costa Rica, laughing and filled with joy during their wedding reception

Bride, groom, and guests share laughter and joy at the wedding reception in Hotel Riu Palace, Costa Rica

The bride and groom at the wedding reception are captured joyously laughing alongside their guests.

Silhouetted bride and groom stand under trees at sunset for a romantic portrait at Hotel Riu Palace in Costa Rica

Bride and groom pose for silhouetted portrait under trees at sunset at Hotel Riu Palace in Costa Rica

The couple poses for a silhouetted portrait under the trees at sunset at the Hotel Riu Palace in Costa Rica.