Wedding Photography

destination wedding in
manuel antonio
costA Rica

Jessie + Tanner

First comes photography class, then comes a lifetime of photos together…

Bride and groom dancing on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista.

Jessie + Tanner’s love story began way back in high school when Jessie was a freshman & Tanner a junior. Because both of their last names started with “W”, they were seated next to each other in photography class. They both had significant others, but there was a spark — they’d innocently flirt, but once that semester ended, they went their separate ways. 

Then, out of the blue in late 2012 Tanner randomly messaged Jessie on Facebook, “Hey, I don’t know if you remember me….”

He was living at beach in Alabama at that time and Jessie was still back in their home town miles away in Missouri. The spark was still there, and they texted back and forth for months. Eventually Tanner asked Jessie if she would go to dinner with him. Of course Jessie laughed and asked, “How? You live at beach”. Tanner replied, “I will drive home to take you to dinner”.

Rather than just for one evening, Tanner ended up staying the whole weekend in their home town. They spent every bit of time together they could that weekend, including fishing on Jessie’s uncle’s lake. Which, might be where she HOOKED HIM (no pun intended) — Jessie might have out fished Taner that day!!!

Tanner went back to beach when the weekend was over, and they continued to text and talk daily. Jessie made a few trips to beach to see Tanner, and eventually asked, “Are you ever going to ask me to be your girlfriend?” 

Tanner wanted to wait for the right moment, asking her to be patient. Short after, he went ahead and texted Jessie, “This isn’t how I wanted to ask you, but, Jessie, will you be my girlfriend?” 

Her answer, “It’s about damn time!”

Their bond continued to grow, and they dated for four years, then they decided to buy a house and move in together in their home town. Soon after, they adopted the most beautiful husky sweet Maui.

Throughout their several years together, they’d taken numerous vacations and have been fortunate enough to make many trips to Manual Antonio Costa Rica, where they had fallen head-over-heels in love with the people, the beauty and vibe. They knew after a couple of trips that it was where they’d get married one day…Tanner just needed to ask Jessie!

Finally, after six years together, Tanner completely surprised Jessie with an epic, romantic fairy tale on a private balcony at the Bellagio in Las Vegas! He told her that they were going on a business trip, and she never questioned it, because in Jessie’s own words, “I never question anything with Tanner!” 

The whole trip was amazing and very grand — stretch limo, exquisite dinner, followed by access to a private balcony overlooking the fountains. Tanner led Jessie out onto the balcony and in his own carefully chosen words, proceeded to explain that the entire weekend has been for Jessie!

He went on to say that Jessie made him the happiest man and that he wanted her to be his wife. Not for one single second did Jessie ever suspect that this would be the moment that Tanner, Jessie’s “true love” would propose to her! And, not for one single second did Jessie hesitate to scream, “YES!” 

Fast forward a year and a half later, Jessie, Tanner, and their close group of family + friends hopped on a plane for their intimate destination wedding in Manuel Antonio at Villa Punto de Vista.  They spent the week fishing, relaxing at the beach, and enjoying all the tropical flor and fauna of beautiful Manuel Antonio. It was everything Jessie + Tanner had dreamed, celebrating their union with a destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica. And the highlight of course was their wedding day that was beautifully planned + designed by Tropical Ocassions.  

Congrats you two!

Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and her mom before her destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride with her father. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Groom before his destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom kissing on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom kissing on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Beautiful wedding dress. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom laughing after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom kissing on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom dancing on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista, planned by Tropical Occasions. Bride and groom dancing after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista.

Bride and groom kissing on the beach after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Bride and groom kissing on the beach during sunset after their destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista. Destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica at Villa Punto de Vista.

 

 

Flowers: Stylos y Flores
Cake:
HMU:
Music: Nablo Vibes
Videography: Bacalao Films
Planning: Tropical Ocassions
Venue + Food: Villa Punto de Vista

Pura Vida,
Kristen

P.S. Love Jessie + Tanner’s destination wedding in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica? Check out my Wedding Photography portfolio!

P.P.S. You’re ready to chat? YESSSS!!! – – I’m so stoked 😁😎🙌🏻!! Fill out the form below & my assistant Gidget the Chihuahua will let me know it’s time to catch a wave in from surfing!

Let's chat!

I would love to hear what photographic ideas you have cooking, whether it be playing on the beach with your family, wandering the Spanish Moss squares in Savannah, hiking up to a beautiful waterfall, or capturing the intimate love at your wedding. I know there are countless other awesome photographers to choose from, so how about we grab a cup of delicious Costa Rican coffee and get to know each other? If the fit is right, I can’t wait to welcome you and your loved ones to the Samba to the Sea familia! Fill out the contact form or email me at hola@sambatothesea.com — you can count on me to get back to you within a day!

P.S. my clients love working with me as much as I love working with them; be sure to read their beautiful words of praise!

Recent Work

Surfer Family Photos in Tamarindo || Casey Family

Surfer Family Photos in Tamarindo || Casey Family

Costa Rica is one of the Casey family’s favorite places to visit, especially to surf. I first had the pleasure of meeting and photographing the Casey’s in 2018. Two years later we planned on meeting up again on the beach in Tamarindo for surfer family photos, but that was March 2020 and COVID had other plans.

read more