If you ask Clara and Matt about the start of their love story, it begins with a snowstorm, a musical, and a Chipotle burrito. (Yes, really.) Their first meeting happened during a community theater production of Jesus Christ Superstar in snowy Minnesota—Matt was an actor, Clara the choreographer. “Matt shared about his traveling experiences, especially about his trips to Costa Rica,” Clara recalls. “And I showed off my ability to eat an entire Chipotle burrito in 5 minutes.”

Fast forward nearly a decade, and those early sparks turned into a full-on fire. So, it’s no surprise that when it came time to plan their wedding, they knew a destination celebration was in the cards. Where? Costa Rica, of course. “Matt had traveled to Costa Rica multiple times during grad school, and one of our first conversations was about those trips,” Clara explains. “I’d always dreamed of going since middle school—I was that kid who was super into tropical rainforests.”

A Venue Worth the View

The couple tied the knot at the breathtaking Los Lagos Chapel in Costa Rica. Nestled in the rainforest with a front-row view of Arenal Volcano, the stone chapel offered the perfect balance of the spiritual and the scenic. “I’ve always wanted a church wedding, but also to be outdoors,” says Clara. “This chapel felt like both. You can’t beat that view!”

Personal Touches with Heart (and Art)

Clara and Matt’s ceremony wasn’t just a checklist of wedding traditions—it was intentionally shaped by what mattered most to them. Instead of scripture readings, Clara proposed something more personal: a foot-washing ritual symbolizing humility and love. “I asked Matt if he’d be comfortable doing it, and he said yes because it meant a lot to me,” she says. “During the foot-washing, I whispered to him, ‘I told you that you would love this.’ It was so beautiful and so memorable to us both.”

Guests also participated in a “ring warming” circle, where each person held the rings and offered a blessing—some even sang. Clara read a letter she had written to her future “someone” five years before ever meeting Matt. “It was uncanny how the letter matched who Matt is, along with who I had become,” she says. We’re not crying, you’re crying.

To top it off, their friend and talented artist Trisha gifted them a live painting of the ceremony with Arenal Volcano towering in the background. “It was so beautiful and definitely brought a unique element to our wedding day,” Clara says.

A Reception with Flavor and Family

When it came to the party, things took a delicious turn at Jalapas Restaurant, a family-owned gem that stepped up as a last-minute venue change just weeks before the wedding. “We were happy to be Jalapas’ first wedding and hopefully not the last!” Clara shares. “The food, the music, the people—it was perfect.”

Décor was both vibrant and relaxed, with teal napkins, amber glassware, and personalized leaf place cards. Guests shared a family-style meal on rich wooden tables lit by the warm glow of candles, all with the surrounding rainforest humming in the background.

The Power of Intention (and a Great Planner)

Of course, planning a wedding from afar can be daunting. But Clara and Matt found their dream team in Mil Besos Weddings. “Meghan and her team were amazing—they didn’t just plan our wedding, they helped us plan our vacation,” Clara says. “They were with us every step of the way, even during our three-week honeymoon across Arenal and Tamarindo.”

In fact, the close-knit nature of the event turned out to be one of the best parts. With only 18 guests, everyone got to know each other on a deeper level. “We stayed at the same villa, did activities together, and spent the whole week together,” Clara says. “Our friends and family now consider each other ‘The Costa Rica Family.’ We’re hoping to have a reunion!”

Clara’s Advice for Future Couples

If there’s one thing Clara hopes other couples remember, it’s this: “Make your wedding your own and everyone will be happy because you’re happy. Your day should reflect you—your story, your passions, your weird little traditions.”

Also, her pro tip for destination weddings? “Spend as much time as you can at your location. It really helps slow everything down so you can savor the moments.”

Vendors: Photography & Videography: Bacalao Films; Venue: Rainforest Chapel; Wedding Planner: Mil Besos; Reception Site: Jalapas Restaurant; Florist: Flores de Campos; Hair & Makeup: Wanderlust by Karla Calero; Rentals: Los Primos Designs