Uplifting Timeline: Creating a Beautiful Costa Rica Wedding Day Schedule

As a wedding photographer in Costa Rica, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-planned wedding timeline in Costa Rica can make all the difference between a stressful wedding day and one that flows beautifully. At Crissorama Wedding Photography, I love helping couples create the perfect schedule for their special day. After all, timing really is everything when it comes to capturing those magical moments!

Let me walk you through a comprehensive wedding day timeline, with special considerations for Costa Rica’s beautiful beach and mountain venues.

The morning of your wedding sets the tone for the entire day. This precious time allows you and your wedding party to prepare while I capture those intimate behind-the-scenes moments.

• Hair and makeup services typically require more time than you might expect. For brides, hair styling usually takes about 1 hour, with makeup requiring another 45-60 minutes. For bridesmaids, plan for about 30 minutes for hair and 45 minutes for makeup per person.

• When should I arrive? I recommend that I arrive about an hour before you’re fully dressed. This gives me plenty of time to photograph important details like your rings, dress, invitations, and venue. It also allows me to scout perfect photo locations before the day gets busy.

• Getting dressed is a special moment worth documenting! These intimate shots of you with your closest friends and family are often some of the most treasured.

• First Look option – Many of my couples are now choosing to do a “First Look” before the ceremony. This private moment when you see each other for the first time typically takes 15-30 minutes and offers several advantages. Not only is it incredibly romantic, but it also gives us time for couple’s portraits and wedding party photos before the ceremony, which means more time to enjoy your cocktail hour later!

 Want to know more about planning your special day? Check out How to Plan Your Wedding with a Costa Rica Photographer.

While ceremonies vary in length and style, they’re always the emotional centerpiece of your wedding day.

• Guest arrival usually begins about 30 minutes before the ceremony’s scheduled start time. I recommend planning for your ceremony to actually begin about 15 minutes after the time stated on your invitations – this ensures everyone is seated and ready.

• Ceremony duration varies widely based on your preferences. Non-religious ceremonies typically last around 20 minutes, while religious ceremonies can extend to an hour. For planning purposes, 30 minutes is a good average to work with.

• Beach and mountain considerations – For beach ceremonies in Costa Rica, timing is crucial! I always recommend scheduling your ceremony with the sunset in mind. The golden hour light is absolutely magical for photographs. For mountain weddings, consider the changing weather patterns and have a backup plan ready.

Looking for the perfect wedding style in Costa Rica? Explore Exciting Costa Rica Wedding Style: The Best Research Guide.

After you’ve said “I do,” it’s time to celebrate! This period balances formal photography with allowing you time to mingle with guests.

• Cocktail hour typically starts immediately after the ceremony and lasts about an hour. This gives us time for any remaining formal photos while your guests enjoy drinks and appetizers.

• Post-ceremony photos – If you didn’t do a First Look, we’ll need about 30 minutes for couple’s portraits. We’ll also want to capture some family combinations, so having a photo list and a family member to help gather people is incredibly helpful!

• Sunset portraits – In Costa Rica, we’re blessed with incredible sunsets. I always recommend setting aside 30 minutes around sunset for some breathtaking couple’s portraits. Trust me, these photos are often absolute showstoppers!

For the best lighting advice for your Costa Rica wedding photos, read Expert Wedding Photography Lighting: The Best Time and Place in Costa Rica.

Your reception is where you can relax and celebrate with your loved ones. Here’s how to plan this portion of your day:

• Grand entrance and first dance – About 10 minutes total, this is your moment to shine as newlyweds! Your first dance typically follows your entrance and lasts about 5 minutes.

• Dinner service usually takes 45-60 minutes, depending on your serving style (buffet, family-style, or plated).

• Toasts and speeches are often interspersed throughout dinner. I recommend keeping each speech to 4-5 minutes maximum to maintain good energy. The total time for toasts is usually around 15-20 minutes.

• Parent dances follow the speeches and last about 10-15 minutes combined.

• Cake cutting works well about an hour before the reception ends and takes about 10 minutes. This is also a good time to thank your guests.

• Open dancing – Now it’s time for everyone to hit the dance floor!

• Grand exit – If you’re planning a special send-off with sparklers, bubbles, or other flourishes, schedule this for about 5 minutes before the official end of your reception.

Curious about Costa Rica wedding costs? See How Much Does a Wedding in Costa Rica Cost? (2025 Guide).

For beach weddings, I always recommend building your timeline around the sunset. Not only does this provide the most comfortable temperature for your guests (avoiding the midday heat), but it also gives us that dreamy golden light that makes beach wedding photos so stunning. Remember to account for tide schedules too!

Discover amazing beach wedding locations in The Best 9 Beach Wedding Locations in Guanacaste Costa Rica.

Our mountain venues offer breathtaking panoramic views, but they can also experience quick weather changes. I suggest planning your ceremony earlier in the day, leaving flexibility in your schedule in case we need to adjust for weather. The misty mountain light can create incredibly romantic photographs!

Find the perfect venue in Top Wedding Venues for Photography in Costa Rica.

If you’ve booked 7-8 hours of photography coverage, we’ll have plenty of time to document everything from detailed getting-ready shots to your reception dance party. For shorter coverage (4-6 hours), we’ll focus on the ceremony, cocktail hour, and key reception moments like your first dance and cake cutting.

For information about photography packages, see The Most Promising Costa Rica Wedding Photography Packages: What’s Included?

As a Costa Rica wedding photographer, I’ve helped countless couples create timelines that work beautifully for their specific wedding style. Here are some suggested timelines for different wedding scenarios, based on my experience capturing these special moments at Crissorama Wedding Photography!

Beach weddings in Costa Rica are all about capturing that magical sunset! Here’s a sample timeline for a 5:00 PM ceremony designed around sunset:

12:30 PM – Getting Ready Begins

• Hair and makeup services for bride and bridesmaids
• Detailed shots of dress, rings, invitations

2:30 PM – Photographer Arrives

• Capture final hair and makeup moments
• Detail shots of accessories and venue

3:30 PM – Bride Gets Dressed

• Intimate moments with family members helping

4:00 PM – First Look (Optional)

• Private moment for couple to see each other
• Couple’s portraits at beach locations

4:30 PM – Wedding Party & Family Photos

• Group photos before ceremony
• Family combinations (if First Look was done)

5:00 PM – Guests Begin to Arrive

• Capture candid moments of guests arriving
• Detail shots of ceremony setup

5:30 PM – Ceremony Begins

• Timed to finish about an hour before sunset
• 20-30 minute ceremony length

6:00 PM – Ceremony Concludes & Cocktail Hour Begins

• If no First Look was done, couple and family portraits now
• Guests enjoy drinks and appetizers with ocean view

6:45 PM – Sunset Couple’s Portraits

• Take advantage of golden hour lighting
• Beach portraits with dramatic sky backdrop

7:15 PM – Reception Grand Entrance

• Wedding party and couple make entrance
• First dance immediately follows

7:30 PM – Dinner Service Begins

• Welcome speech from father of bride
• Additional speeches interspersed during dinner

8:30 PM – Parent Dances

• Father-daughter and mother-son dances
• Open dancing begins afterward

9:00 PM – Cake Cutting

• Thank you speech from couple
• Continued dancing and celebration

9:30 PM – Photography Coverage Ends

• Final shots of dance floor energy
• Party typically continues until 11:00 PM or later

Planning a beach wedding? Check out The Ultimate Costa Rica Destination Beach Wedding Guide Plan.

For mountain weddings, earlier ceremonies often work better due to afternoon weather patterns in Costa Rica!

10:30 AM – Getting Ready Begins

• Hair and makeup services start
• Relaxed preparation with bridal party

12:30 PM – Photographer Arrives

• Detail shots and final preparation photos
• Capture mountain venue and decorations

1:30 PM – Bride Gets Dressed

• Document the dress reveal moment
• Individual portraits of bride and groom

2:00 PM – First Look (Recommended for mountain venues)

• Private couple moment with mountain backdrop
• Extended couple’s portraits utilizing scenery

2:45 PM – Wedding Party Photos

• Group shots with dramatic mountain views
• Family formal portraits

3:30 PM – Guests Begin to Arrive

• Candid arrival photos
• Final ceremony setup shots

4:00 PM – Ceremony Begins

• 30-minute ceremony with mountain backdrop
• Timed before typical afternoon mountain mists

4:30 PM – Ceremony Concludes & Cocktail Hour

• Additional family photos if needed
• Guests enjoy cocktail hour with panoramic views

5:30 PM – Reception Grand Entrance

• Couple and wedding party entrance
• First dance follows

5:45 PM – Dinner Service

• Welcome speeches and toasts
• Dinner with sunset mountain views

7:00 PM – Sunset Photos (Weather Permitting)

• Quick break for additional couple’s portraits
• Capture dramatic mountain sunset if skies are clear

7:30 PM – Parent Dances & Open Dancing

• Special dances followed by opening the dance floor
• Keep indoor/outdoor options depending on evening temperature

8:00 PM – Cake Cutting

• Thank you speech from couple
• Return to dancing

8:30 PM – Photography Coverage Ends

• Final dance floor and celebration shots
• Party typically continues until 10:30 PM

For optimal timing by season, see The Best Time for a Remarkable Costa Rica Wedding.

For couples choosing more limited photography coverage, here’s how to maximize your time:

3:00 PM – Photography Coverage Begins

• Quick detail shots of venue and decorations
• Brief getting ready photos (bride already in hair and makeup)
• Individual portraits of bride and groom

3:30 PM – First Look & Essential Portraits

• Efficient couple’s portrait session
• Priority family photos and wedding party shots

4:30 PM – Guests Begin to Arrive

• Ceremony setup and arrival photos
• Brief candids of guests

5:00 PM – Ceremony

• 20-30 minute ceremony length
• Capture key emotional moments

5:30 PM – Post-Ceremony Family Photos

• Quick, pre-planned family combinations
• Wedding party photos if not done earlier

6:00 PM – Cocktail Hour & Couple’s Portraits

• Take advantage of golden hour if possible
• Key venue and reception detail shots

6:45 PM – Reception Grand Entrance

• Capture entrance and first dance
• Parent dances moved up in timeline

7:15 PM – Dinner Begins

• Streamlined toasts before food service
• Cake cutting earlier than typical

8:00 PM – Photography Coverage Ends

• Final couple’s portraits
• Opening of dance floor

For pricing information on shorter coverage options, see How Much Are Wedding Photographers? Complete 2025 Pricing Guide.

For intimate ceremonies with just a few guests:

2:00 PM – Photography Begins

• Getting ready final touches
• Detail shots of small-scale decorations and rings

2:30 PM – First Look & Pre-Ceremony Portraits

• Extended couple’s portrait time
• Utilize multiple locations around venue

4:00 PM – Intimate Ceremony

• Capture arrival of small guest list
• Document ceremony details and vows

4:30 PM – Post-Ceremony Group Photos

• All-guest group photo
• Family combinations

5:00 PM – Golden Hour Portraits

• Extended beach or mountain portrait session
• Relaxed pace without typical timeline pressure

5:45 PM – Intimate Dinner Reception

• Document table setting and details
• Capture toasts and intimate conversations

6:00 PM – Photography Coverage Ends

• Final sunset portraits if applicable
• Couple enjoys private dinner experience

For help choosing a photographer for your destination wedding, read How to Choose the Right Destination Wedding Photographer.

• Consider travel time between locations if your ceremony and reception are in different venues.

• Account for Costa Rica’s early sunset (around 5:30-6:30 PM year-round) when planning outdoor ceremonies.

• Build in weather buffers especially during green season (May-November).

• Remember that beach access points might require extra walking time for you and guests.

• For mountain venues, plan for cooler evening temperatures that might require timeline adjustments.

• Discuss your priorities with me so we can ensure your most important moments get proper coverage!

Every wedding is unique, and I’m happy to help you customize a timeline that perfectly fits your vision for your Costa Rica wedding day. The beauty of working with a local photographer is that I understand how to navigate our beautiful locations to capture the most stunning images while keeping your day running smoothly!

For month-specific tips, check out Costa Rica Best Wedding Guide: Month-by-month Photographer’s Surprising Perspective.

• Add buffer time – Things almost always take longer than expected on wedding days, so build in some extra time between activities.

• Communicate with vendors – Share your final timeline with all your vendors so everyone is on the same page.

• Be flexible – Sometimes the most beautiful moments are the unplanned ones! Having a timeline is important, but being able to go with the flow is equally vital.

• Enjoy every moment – Above all, remember that this day is about celebrating your love. A good timeline helps ensure you can be present and enjoy every second.

Creating your perfect wedding timeline in Costa Rica might seem overwhelming, but as your photographer, I’m here to help! At Crissorama Wedding Photography, we bring years of experience planning Costa Rica weddings and would love to help you craft a schedule that captures all your special moments while keeping your day relaxed and joyful.

Looking to work with an experienced professional? Learn more about Make the Best Wedding with a Special Costa Rica Photographer.

¡Pura vida and happy planning!