We are Charleston wedding photographers who have been photographing destination weddings around the world for nearly 20 years. This one took us to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
Hotel Nantipa Wedding
“We’re all gonna die someday, so have a great time! And say yes to drugs!”
That was the bride’s toast to her guests at the rehearsal dinner, the night before the wedding at Hotel Nantipa in Costa Rica. Not many brides could get away with a speech like that. But Taylor is not like any other bride we’ve ever met.
Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way, lest you begin to make judgements. Taylor is currently in San Francisco studying to become a psychedelic integration therapist. She is well versed in knowing how to use psychedelic drugs safely and beneficially in conjunction with therapy. So yes, party favors were handed out at the reception. And everyone had a great time dancing to the Grateful Dead under the stars, on a dance floor with colorful lights and fog machines.
Just Say Yes
But that is really not the wonder of this wedding. The wonder, and utter delight, for us was that these two amazing, giving, open souls – Taylor and Matt – live in the moment and are so grateful for every second of it all. Their joy, often bursting at the seams, is palpable and contagious. They both love fiercely. And they will often tell you how much they love you, looking you straight in the eyes, making sure you know they mean it.
They take nothing for granted and are so appreciative of every happiness in life. Around them, you feel free, like there are endless possibilities. This definitely influenced how we photographed their wedding. They said yes to everything, and so we did too (except the party favors, as we had to leave that very night for another event in another country).
How We Met
We met Taylor and Matt through one of our best friends, Sam Knights, in Denver (Sam was our officiant at our own wedding in Mexico, and was Taylor and Matt’s as well). We immediately felt Taylor and Matt’s warmth and kindness. And even though we went to a couple of concerts with them, including Phish, and had a couple of coffee dates, I can’t say we got to know them very well before their wedding. But somehow, in the four days we spent with them in Costa Rica, a deep friendship was initiated and solidified. And our lives are already better for it.
Freedom in Marriage
In her wedding vows to Matt, Taylor said she had never before equated a romantic relationship with freedom, but that her relationship with Matt had “set her free.” Now knowing them the way we do, I understand it. They have put in the work to learn each other inside and out, and to understand each other.
They know they can say anything or be anything to the other, and it’s OK. It’s safe. It’s expanding. In fact, Matt’s vows to Taylor said something to the effect of this. I found it so beautiful.
To know you are free to be every version of yourself, and to keep growing and changing alongside the person you want to keep forever… it’s truly the most heightened, evolved form of love. And it makes me so happy to know these two are out in the world showing others just how possible it is.