The Bride Made Her Shimmery, Golden Dress For This Eclipse-Themed Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Okay, all you star-gazers out there, prepare yourselves for the celestial-inspired wedding of your dreams.

Linny + Peter got engaged on July 2nd, 2019 in the midst of a total solar eclipse. These two travel enthusiasts (check out their YouTube page for more of their travel adventures!) were on a trip to Chile when Peter popped the question, and both the eclipse and their adventurous world travels quickly became prime wedding inspo. 

Linny + Peter, with the help of Ana at Prestige Weddings & Events, planned an intimate 35-person destination celebration at Villa Mareas in Dominical, Costa Rica. Together they shared a week-long vacation with their guests and soaked up tons of tropical beauty, relaxing beachiness, and adventure.

For Linny + Peter that proposal eclipse came to represent the two of them coming together like the sun and the moon. They filled their wedding with solar and lunar inspired touches and twinkling stars. Linny, a graphic designer and self-professed “chronic crafter,” DIY-ed countless details and the result was this glittery, gold-and-white seaside celebration full of meaning.

And Chris and Ruth Photography caught all of the shimmery sun + moon magic!!

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Linny’s headpiece by Amaroq was chosen for the way it reminded her of the sun’s rays.

Adding a statement piece to your hair is a great way to personalize your whole wedding day look. Take a peek at our fave bridal headbands.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Linny’s beautiful wedding band is by Anna Sheffield, and Peter’s is from JLoose. Also, just take a sec to soak in those sparkly star-shaped Oscar de la Renta earrings 🌟

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

A DIY Wedding Dress

Let’s all give bride Linny a standing ovation because SHE MADE THIS WEDDING GOWN HERSELF!!! Since their wedding was centered around the idea of an eclipse—Peter was the moon, and Linny was the sun. She designed her wedding day look to include all sorts of sun-inspired details like the gorgeous gold glitter bodice and the solar eclipse phases beaded along the bottom of the skirt.

I did not have $20,000 to spend on the whimsical, barely-there, heavily beaded dresses I wanted by the designers I loved (looking at you Paolo Sebastian!),” says Linny. “My mother taught me how to sew and embroider from a young age so this was something I felt confident in, but I definitely underestimated how long this process would take. I did all of the beading and embroidery myself, with help from my husband near the end when the deadline was fast approaching and we knew it was physically impossible for me to finish it alone in the time remaining. All together the dress took over 300 hours of work to complete. I kept track out of curiosity. I started working on it in 2020 and finished it the morning of the wedding.”

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Thought it couldn’t get any more amazing?? The skirt is actually a star map of the sky the night Peter proposed!!

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Linny’s heavenly metallic gold nails are by The Nailist. If you are looking for some wedding nail inspo, we got you!

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

We love those white ankle-wrap block heels from Forever Soles.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

If you’re feeling inspired by Linny’s handmade sun-inspired gown but aren’t an embroidery genius yourself, check out these celestial wedding dress.

All these dashing groomsmen scored their linen look from ASOS.

The First Look

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

NBD, just Linny looking like a *literal* sun goddess ☀️

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica
Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Peter’s chic, breezy white linen suit from ASOS was his homage to the moon (don’t miss the amazing moon pin on his lapel). His brown leather loafers from Massimo Matteo are perfect for a the wedding’s laid back, beachy vibe.

Linny’s ethereal curls are by Roberth Quiros, and her radiant makeup is by Tamara Sabaté.

The Ceremony

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Unstoppable bride Linny ALSO taught herself calligraphy and designed and made all of the wedding day signage like this gleaming metallic gold welcome sign!

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Stylos y Flores created the day’s florals including this pampas grass crescent moon ceremony backdrop and the flower petal covered aisle.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

So cute! Coconuts for cocktail hour! And yes, that sign is Linny’s handiwork as well.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica
Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica
Our Musical Choices

Processional: “I See the Light” from Tangled (guitar cover)

Recessional: “Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2 (guitar cover)

First Dance:

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Check out some ideas for how to plan your own intimate wedding if keeping the guest list small like Linny + Peter did sounds like the right move.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica
Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Linny’s light and flowy one-of-a-kind gown is PERFECT for the oceanside setting. Get into more beach wedding dress ideas to find the right gown for a sandy ceremony.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

From Linny: "One of my favorite moments of the day was after walking down the aisle hand in hand with Peter, heading straight to the coconut bar and cheers-ing fresh coconuts. I don’t think anything ever tasted so refreshing. All of the stressful parts were over, we did it, here we are in Costa Rica and we are finally married. I was flooded with a sense of relief and giddy joy. From here on out we just got to fully immerse and enjoy ourselves."

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Look at this gorgeous, golden bunch! The only parameters Linny gave her bridal party when choosing their dresses for the day was that it could be anything, it just had to be gold.

Scroll through some of our favorite gold wedding day looks if you’re thinking of adding a glow to your wedding palette.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Planner Ana was the one who nudged Linny + Peter to keep the tides in mind when planning this ceremony by the sea. How high the water would be on the shore was a major factor in exactly when these two decided to say their “I do’s”

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica
Our Advice To Those Planning Now

From Linny: "My advice for brides planning right now would be to not take on too many DIY projects just to save some money. Your time and happiness is worth more than saving a little bit of money (usually not much after the cost of craft supplies!). The weeks and months leading up to the wedding were full of working on the wedding dress and a myriad of other projects and I didn't get to take the time to enjoy this time in my life. Even after we had arrived in Costa Rica, I was finishing up last minute projects that had taken longer than expected until the morning of the wedding. It is a fond memory looking back – the night before the wedding our room was filled with family and friends helping me finish up last minute projects – but I would have rather been able to relax and enjoy the wedding trip I had been planning for years. Some DIY is fine, but don't go overboard and know that sometimes it's better to just buy the thing, even if it isn't 100% "your vision," because on the wedding day it will be the last thing you care about anyway."

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

The Reception

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Stylos y Flores started the vibe off right with this neon sign!

We KNOW you’ve got twinkle envy. Here are some ideas for how to make your celebration sparkle with string lights.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica
Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Furniture from Eventos Artesanos like those amazing rattan chairs at the sweetheart table absolutely embraced the vibe of the venue.

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Linny + Peter’s delicious Homemade Specialties wedding cake was adorned with a celestial cake topper by Suzanne Oddy Design.

Starry-eyed 🤩

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

Toasting this total eclipse of the heart!!

Eclipse Themed Boho Beach Wedding in Costa Rica

This impulsive crew cooled off with a mid-reception pool jump and then partied on till the wee hours of the morning!

Sun Beat Films put together this totally charming video of Linny + Peter’s big day.

So glad the stars aligned for your epic eclipse-themed extravaganza, Linny + Peter! Congratulations from GWS!!

photography: Chris & Ruth Photography // venue name: Villa Mareas, Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica // event design: Bride / Linny + a Montesino // planning: Ana Montesino / Prestige Weddings and Events // florals: Stylos y Flores // wedding dress: Bride / Linny // hairpiece: AMAROQ // bride's shoes: Forever Soles // bride's ring: Anna Sheffield // getting ready robes: Shop at Bash on Etsy // hair stylist: Roberth Quiros // makeup artist: Tamara Sabaté // groom attire: ASOS // groom's shoes: Massimo Matteo // groom's ring: J.Arthur Loose // groomsmen attire: ASOS // videography: Sun Beat Films // paper goods: Bride / Linny // calligraphy: Bride / Linny // handmade details: Bride / Linny // catering: The Private Chef // cake: Homemade Specialties // desserts: The Private Chef // tabletop rentals: Stylos y Flores // furniture rentals: Eventos Artesanos // linen rentals: Costa Mesa Event Rentals // music: Ricardo Fonseca // lighting: Eventos Artesanos // cocktails: The Private Chef // neon sign: Stylos y Flores // bride's nails: The Nailest // cake topper: Suzanne Oddy Design // bride's getting ready robe: Camas Lilly Co

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