Destination Wedding Costa Rica — Stylish Occasions

2014 was a great year for us here at Stylish Occasions Wedding & Event Planning! We planned a destination wedding in Costa Rica and we also planned a celebrity wedding for actor Ryan Merriman and his beautiful (now) wife Kristen! Kristen and Ryan were married on September 6, 2014. The couple live in the Los Angeles area but the bride is from Lancaster County. Kristen's mom, Karen, came to me in February of 2013 after realizing how hard it would be to plan her daughter's wedding with them living on the other side of the country.

Kristen had a list of specific things she was looking for in a venue. Karen and I visited several venues and took lots of photos and video to send to the couple so they could get a feel for the venues. I also sent them pictures of real weddings at the venues to give them a better idea of what it could look like. They ended up choosing Moondancer Winery in Wrightsville, PA for it's beautiful view and for it's blank canvas. They could dress up the tent however they liked.

The couple added fabric draped throughout the tent with lights in them as well as chandeliers hanging from the tent ceiling.

Kristen wanted a romantic feel with lots of lace and neutral colors such as beige and off white. We had Shumaker PDT come in to hang fabric and chandeliers from the tent. We rented gorgeous farmhouse tables from Barnes Farmhouse Tables. We layered lace and burlap runners from Special Occasions & Queen Street Linens on the tables. Petals with Style provided the gorgeous and romantic flowers.

The burlap and lace table runners looked gorgeous on the farmhouse tables and with the centerpieces.

Kristen and Ryan knew they wanted an arbor for the ceremony. We searched everywhere but couldn't find quite what they were looking for. They ended up having a custom arbor built by a family friend and then decorated by the florist.

A family friend built this custom arbor for the wedding ceremony.

Based on the couple's personality I knew the perfect photographer for them - Jeff Benzon Photography. He's such a fun guy to work with and takes great photos to boot!

Kristen and Ryan chose Mike from Mixed Up Productions as their DJ. Kristen went to school with Mike so it was an obvious choice. I would have recommended him anyway because he does such a great job! He kept everyone on the dance floor all night long! At one point he even had the couple get up to DJ a song!

The DJ needed a break...lol...so Kristen and Ryan stepped in...

During the ceremony many couples have either a unity candle or unity sand. Kristen and Ryan decided to have a unity cross instead. It was such a great idea and something they can keep and display in their home to remind them of this amazing day.

The couple putting together the unity cross during the wedding ceremony.

One of my favorite parts of the evening was when the groom and groomsmen performed a surprise song and dance for the bride. Kristen was completely surprised and she smiled the entire time!