Wild Costa Rica Wedding with Leopard Dress & Samba Dancers Plus Separate Excursion Day to Private Island for Snorkeling & Sightseeing
A Vibrant Costa Rica Wedding and Destination Event at Toji Nature Retreat
With Samba Dancers, full day Island Excursion for guests, and a Fashion Editorial-Style Bridal Shoot
Photography by Michelle Elyse Photography
“Hi Michelle,
These pictures are astounding. Best I’ve ever seen, so organic and so beautiful. Just mind-blowing.
Thank you so much and we hope to see you soon.
Just crazy. My god.”
– a note from Jonna, the groom
CONTACT ME HERE: Michelle Elyse Photography
View my PORTFOLIO of International and US weddings HERE
A handful of favorites above, now onto the rest of the experience.
This beautiful wedding spanned the course of two days, which explored both the beauty of the ocean and the lush, mountainous jungle. We settled into the event by scouting and doing some sightseeing, and then met up with Heidi and Jonna for a beautiful Guest Experience day on the water. Make sure you scroll all the way through this one for both a whale AND a toucan sighting! This whole wedding was just magical!
PRE-WEDDING GUEST EXCURSION DAY
To make the most of their destination wedding in Costa Rica, Heidi and Jonna chartered a private boat and treated all their guests to a wonderful all inclusive trip to a private island, where there was snorkeling, banana boat riding, sightseeing, and relaxing.
One of the highlights of this trip was all the thought and care put in by both the couple and the involved vendors to ensure Heidi’s mother could attend the events. Pictured here is the beach wheelchair they were able to source – which was also able to go in the water (more on that later)
Snorkeling is my very favorite thing besides photographing weddings… we even saw a starfish! I really love being able to capture underwater photos too
After a delicious catered lunch, we got back into the water- and for the first time since her accident many years ago- Heidi’s mom was able to float in the ocean! It was a very special and emotional moment.
Then off for a short sightseeing hike before heading out into the sunset
Then- as if this day couldn’t possibly get any better- we saw a whale breach near the side of our boat
THE WEDDING DAY
What an unforgettable day in Costa Rica!
The next day, we arrived at Toji Eco Retreat to capture the celebration of Heidi and Jonna’s wedding ceremony and reception
Heidi and Jonna had their rings custom designed – and the organic band style fit perfectly with their entire wedding aesthetic
Getting ready with Heidi was so much fun, who wore a sheer leopard print slip. We had a little extra time before the ceremony, so we opted to do a quick, fun fashion inspired shoot before she changed in to her Vivienne Westwood ceremony dress.
As we walked back into the room where her ceremony dress was, the vibe was so high, Heidi literally started stripping down as she ran excitedly to her dress. That’s the type of in-the-moment energy that I love so much.
The excitement as we head up the hill to the ceremony site is palpable!
Seeing the ceremony site was extra special to me, because I had been a part of their creative design. As a Harvard Neuroscientist and a Critical Care Physician- these two are busy people. And so, in our chats prior to their wedding, I became what they dubbed as their “creative director”- giving both decor and fashion input. I also selected their ceremony site and orientation while Facetiming with them on a site visit in Costa Rica. This was all super fun!
So when Heidi mentioned that they weren’t too sure what to do about their ceremony decor- and they really didn’t vibe with the traditional arbor look- I suggested something more organic and deconstructed, and created a mockup idea showcasing various local jungle plants and flowers indigenous to Costa Rica to show their florist. Well, their florist took that idea and knocked it out of the park!
Yes that is a TOUCAN in the tree next to their ceremony site! He really loved to sing!
In planning for their first look and ceremony, Heidi and Jonna just wanted things to be organic. So for their first look- we just had them see each other on the lawn as their friends gathered around. It was so cute!
And then, similar to their first look, whenever the time felt right, the couple walked up to the ceremony site and invited their guests to stand around them to begin.
Their ceremony was officiated by NPR Radio Host William of WUNC
And then, once it finished, all their friends and family rushed up to the ceremony site for a big group hug!
We then paraded down the hill serenaded by the music on shoulder hoisted boom-boxes
Above: Note the handicap ramps their venue Toji so thoughtfully built in for Heidi’s mom, which blend so beautifully with the property
Below: The reception space looks just beautiful with ferns in macrame hangers and organically cut wood tables.
The toasts are always one of my most very favorite parts of the night- but then things got even more exciting when the Samba Dance Troupe showed up for an incredible, high-energy performance to kick off the dance party!
(the dress code was Miami formal)
Vendor Credits for this Costa Rican Destination Wedding
Photos: Michelle Elyse Photography
Host Venue, Bartending, Waitstaff, and Accommodations: Toji Nature Retreat
Wedding dress designer: Vivienne Westwood
Florist Siempre Verde
@fsiempreverde)
Samba Band Comparsa Tropical Show
https://www.facebook.com/
Wedding day catering and desserts? (business name and website + email if available) Joyli’s Events CR (@joylisevents_de_playa)
Ring Designer (business name and website + email if available) Anueva Jewelry https://anuevajewelry.com/
Maker of Leopard Print Dress: Rat & Boa
Maker of Red Reception Dress: Rat & Boa
A Vibrant Destination Wedding at Toji Nature Retreat, Costa Rica
With Samba Dancers, Island Adventures, and a Fashion Editorial Bridal Shoot
When you think of a wedding in Costa Rica, it’s easy to imagine lush jungle backdrops, turquoise waters, and a carefree spirit. But this wedding at Toji Nature Retreat was something else entirely—equal parts luxury celebration, epic adventure, and editorial dream. Captured by with elegant documentary and editorial style photography on land, air, and water, it was the kind of weekend that guests (and honestly, ourselves) will be talking about for years.
The Day Before: A Private Island & Underwater Adventures
In addition to the usual welcome dinner, this couple invited their guests on an unforgettable pre-wedding adventure. They chartered a private boat and set out across the glittering Pacific to a secluded island just off the coast. The day was packed with snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, sightseeing from the sea, and soaking up the sun on the white sand beach with drinks in hand.
I was there to capture it all—not just from the boat deck, but with drone and underwater photography that brings the whole day to life in vivid detail. Sunlight danced through the waves, schools of fish shimmered in every direction, and laughter echoed across the water as friends and family kicked off the wedding weekend in the most unforgettable way.
And as if things couldn’t get any better, as we watched the sunset on the way back… we saw a whale!
Bridal Portraits with Editorial Flair
On the morning of the wedding, before guests arrived and the festivities began, the bride slipped away for a quiet moment of editorial-style bridal portraits. With a backdrop of Costa Rica’s wild natural beauty and the sleek, modern architecture of Toji Nature Retreat, Heidi in her sheer leopard print dress created a set of images that could easily live in the pages of Vogue.
A Ceremony in the Jungle, A Party to Remember
As the sun dipped low and golden light filtered over the ocean and trees, the couple exchanged vows surrounded by the lush jungle and scenery that makes their Costa Rican wedding venue such a hidden gem. Everything felt organic and deeply personal—like nature itself was standing witness.
But as night fell, the energy turned electric. After dinner beneath the stars, guests were surprised with a full samba performance—complete with vibrant costumes, drums, and infectious energy that pulled everyone to the dance floor. It was pure celebration, full of color, rhythm, and joy.
The Photography – Costa Rica Wedding Photographer
Michelle Elyse Photography captured every nuance of this Costa Rica wedding with her signature blend of documentary storytelling and editorial polish. From sweeping drone shots to intimate underwater moments, every photo feels alive with emotion and beauty. If you’re dreaming of a wedding in Costa Rica, this gallery is all the inspiration you need.
Planning a Costa Rica Destination Wedding?
If you’re envisioning a tropical celebration full of soul, style, and adventure—Toji Nature Retreat is the perfect Costa Rican wedding venue. And with a storyteller like Michelle Elyse behind the lens, you’ll walk away with memories as vivid and unforgettable as the experience itself.