Yelapa wedding

An Intimate Yelapa Wedding at Verana Hotel

Today I’m sharing a truly unforgettable Yelapa wedding, a celebration full of love, calm energy, and connection, all set in the magical Verana Hotel.

Before we even talk about the wedding itself, let me just say: this place is a gem. It’s tucked away in the jungle, and yes, you have to hike a bit to get there. But once you arrive, you’re in paradise. Quiet, peaceful, beautifully designed, and completely disconnected from the outside world. As a Puerto Vallarta wedding photographer, I’ve seen many incredible spots, but Verana really has a magic of its own.

Zoe & Josh’s Intimate Wedding in Yelapa

When Zoe and Josh first reached out to me, I had a feeling their wedding would be something special. They described it as intimate, personal, and totally relaxed, and that’s exactly what it was.

They had just 18 guests, which made everything feel even more meaningful. It was one of those weddings where every person present felt deeply connected to the couple. No fluff, no pressure, just love, emotion, and togetherness.

A Warm, Laid-Back Start to the Weekend

The celebration actually started the day before the ceremony. We did a casual photo session around the hotel, a great way to break the ice. It helped Zoe and Josh get comfortable in front of the camera and gave me a chance to capture their natural dynamic without the wedding day nerves.

That evening, everyone gathered at the hotel restaurant for dinner. One of the most emotional moments was an open mic, where guests took turns sharing heartfelt words with the couple. Honestly, it was the perfect way to begin the weekend, with laughter, a few tears, and a lot of love.

  • beach with rocks in yelapa
  • ocean wave hitting the rocks
  • A path that is made of stone in the jungle
  • verana hotel entrance
  • a pool with an view of the ocean
  • a couple standing together in the jungle
  • a man kissing a woman in black and white
  • a girl kissing a guy in yelapa
  • Yelapa engagement session
  • Couple sitting on chairs overlooking the ocean.
  • couple seated in a chair
  • A couple playing bocce ball in the sand.
  • Couple walking on the grass in front of the ocean.
  • Couple holding hands in costa rica.
  • Couple in love at the beach.
  • Couple in the mountains during their engagement session.
  • a group of people during a rehearsal dinner
  • A black and white photo of people at a dinner table.
  • A group of people sitting at a big table under lights at rehearsal dinner

The Wedding Day Vibes: Calm, Candid, and Full of Love

On the wedding day, everything felt effortlessly calm. No rushing. No pressure. Just two people, surrounded by their favorite people, soaking it all in.

Zoe got ready in the main suite with her two best friends and her mom. There was so much laughter in that room, plus some happy tears when she stepped into her dress. She looked absolutely stunning.

Meanwhile, Josh got ready solo (and quickly, I think he was ready in five minutes flat). He was relaxed, smiling, and clearly just excited to see his bride.

  • A pair of earrings and a necklace laying on a table as wedding details
  • wedding shoes details
  • bride getting her hair done next to a window
  • bride's hands with engagement ring
  • A woman sitting in a chair and her reflection on a mirror
  • bride getting ready
  • a groom putting on his shoes
  • groom putting on his tie
  • a groom walking
  • a groom checking himself in the mirror
  • groom's portrait standing in Yelapa
  • wedding flowers
  • bride putting on her dress with a friend helping het
  • A woman is getting ready for her wedding.
  • bride getting ready for her wedding
  • bride putting on her earrings
  • bride portrait on Yelapa wedding
  • Two women putting on a bracelet together.
  • bride portrait in black and white
  • bride's portrait
  • bride getting her vail on
  • bride and her wedding dress in black and white
  • a bride sitting looking at the camera
  • bride portrait facing down

A Beautiful First Look in the Jungle

Zoe and Josh chose to do a first look just outside the suite, with the jungle all around them and some amazing views. It was quiet, emotional, and so genuinely “them.” You could see the love in their eyes the moment they saw each other.

Afterward, we explored the grounds for portraits. Verana Hotel has such a unique mix of natural textures and architecture, stone pathways, open-air spaces, tropical plants everywhere. Every corner was a dream to photograph.

  • bride walking towards her groom
  • bride and groom first look
  • bride and groom facing the camera
  • portrait of bride and groom
  • bride and groom kissing in Yelapa
  • bride and groom next to a window with shades
  • A bride and groom kiss in front of a window.
  • A bride and groom standing in front of a rustic door.
  • bride holding her bouquet
  • bride and groom walking in the jungle
  • groom looking at his bride while posing
  • bride and groom kissing in the middle of the plants
  • bride and groom together in the jungle
  • bride and groom in a pool with the mountains on the background
  • bride and groom at the edge of a pool
  • bride and groom looking at each other
  • portrait of bride holding her bouquet
  • groom posing for the camera
  • bride and groom sitting in the stairs
  • Yelapa wedding
  • bride and groom together next to a massive rock
  • bride and groom together at a library
  • bride and groom together
  • groom and bride kissing with some reflections, in black and white
  • groom kissing his bride next to a window

A Cliffside Ceremony Overlooking the Coast

The ceremony took place at the highest point of the property, with an unbelievable view of the coast. It was simple and short, but powerful.

Just the two of them, their closest people, and the ocean breeze. It was intimate, emotional, and romantic, the kind of ceremony that makes your heart swell.

  • wedding ceremony altar in mountain with an ocean view
  • bride looking at a window
  • groom standing next to a window
  • bride and groom together in the dark
  • bride walking down the aisle with her parents
  • groom looking at bride while she walks down the aisle
  • bride walking down the aisle with her parents
  • wedding ceremony with a view of the ocean in Yelapa
  • groom putting the ring on his bride
  • first kiss as married couple
  • just married couple walking and people throwing petals to them
  • just married couple walking and people throwing petals to them
  • bride vail with some rose petals
  • bride and groom walking on a garden in black and white
  • details of hands together
  • bride and groom kissing with a window reflection
  • bride and groom under the vail
  • bride and groom inside the vail
  • bride laughing with groom inside a vail

One Long Table, One Beautiful Night

After the ceremony, everyone walked down to the reception area, where a single long table waited under string lights. That’s one of the things I love most about small weddings, everyone shares the same space, the same energy. There’s no divide.

Dinner was full of good food, deep conversations, and more heartfelt speeches. There were tears. There was laughter. And then, it was time to dance.

Even with a small group, the energy was amazing. Everyone was on their feet, dancing like no one was watching.

  • A long table with white and pink flowers and a wooden tablecloth.
  • wedding table set up with flowers
  • wedding table set up with flowers
  • wedding table center piece with flowers
  • A long table set up for a wedding reception on the beach.
  • bride and groom entrance on their wedding reception
  • Guests at a wedding reception in the backyard.
  • A man in a suit is holding a plate of food.
  • bride walking to the reception
  • Couple walking down the stairs to their wedding ceremony in the jungle.
  • bride and groom with a beach view in their background
  • Couple in love at sunset in Yelapa
  • Couple dancing at sunset at the beach in costa rica.
  • couple walking on the beach in Yelapa
  • A wedding party sitting at a table at the Verana Hotel in Yelapa
  • bride and groom cheering together
  • a wedding party toasting in the table
  • a man pouring champagne in the glass on the table
  • A wedding party is seated at a long table listening speeches
  • A wedding party is seated at a long table.
  • A group of people at a dinner table with wine glasses.
  • bride and groom cutting the wedding cake
  • groom feeding cake to his bride
  • bride feeding cake to his groom
  • bride and groom in the dance floor
  • bride and groom on their first dance in Yelapa
  • A bride is carried by her groom during a wedding reception.
  • A groom in a suit is sitting on a chair while people are around him.
  • bride and groom dancing on their wedding reception in Yelapa
  • bride and groom on a bar in their intimate wedding
  • Casa de campo wedding.
  • bride dancing on her intimate wedding reception
  • groom having a shot with his friends

My First Time Shooting a Wedding on Film

One more thing that made this Yelapa wedding extra special? I brought a film camera with me, for the first time in my wedding photography career.

Funny enough, I actually learned photography on film. But like many of us, I eventually moved to digital. Lately though, I’ve been feeling nostalgic, and with film making a comeback, I thought, why not?

It was so fun to shoot on film again. There’s something magical about the texture, the color, the unpredictability. I’ll definitely be bringing it to more weddings in the future.

  • bride and groom standing on a door arch on film
  • bride and groom walking on the edge of a pool on film
  • bride and groom walking on a garden on film
  • Wedding ceremony at the verana hotel in Yelapa on film
  • A wedding ceremony in the mountains with flowers on film
  • bride and groom together under the vail, on film
  • Two orange chairs on film
  • A table set for a dinner party on a beach, on film
  • couple on their wedding
  • wedding setup details with flowers on film
  • A group of people sitting at a table with string lights on film
  • A group of people at a dinner table with candles on film
  • bride and groom cutting the cake on film

Final Thoughts

Zoe and Josh’s wedding reminded me why I love what I do. It wasn’t about a big production, it was about connection. About celebrating love in a meaningful place, with the people who matter most.

This Yelapa wedding will forever be one of my favorites.

Here are other intimate wedding that you might enjoy looking at:
Brooke & Christian
Emily & Jon
Markie & Fabian