Do what makes you happy.

Be with who makes you smile.

Laugh as much as you breathe.

Love as long as you live.

 

Imagine this. Celebrating one of the most important days of your life at a spectacular, eco-luxurious resort in lush tropical surroundings, in one of the most beautiful countries on earth with the best company or starting the biggest and best adventures of your life with the person that your heart knew would be just for you from the moment your eyes first met.

That is exactly what Parador Resort and Spa offers you, your better half and your loved ones.

When it comes time to planning the big day or the destination you want to spend time in as newlyweds, what do you take into account? Do you prefer to look into the details and do it all by yourself (and add unnecessary worries) or you would rather have an expert and someone passionate about what they do take care of it all so that you can concentrate on being in top shape on THE day?

My personal preference is the latter since I would let someone else take care of everything as I prefer to stay calm, focus and not stress about it. Let the pros do what they do best.

During my visit to the resort, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and discuss with General Manager Mr. Jorge Rodriguez who told me some incredible and moving love stories that deserve to be shared and I am pretty sure that you will love them as much as I did (if not more).

Mr. Rodriguez mentioned that Parador Resort and Spa specializes in weddings, honeymoons and also helps with proposals 🙂

Weddings are organized according to the client’s specifications. They can be on the beach, on the premises and can be according to their religious faith (e.g.: an Indian wedding).

An English-speaking lawyer can be called in to perform a civil marriage outdoors

or a pastor can celebrate the ceremony at a church in the town of Quepos which is next door to the Resort.

Prior to arriving, the staff will ask as many questions as possible to that they can select a room that will wow the guests.

Parador Resort and Spa loves to be an accomplice when it comes time to love stories and proposals, especially when there is a surprise involved.

There is complicity between the boyfriend (or future groom) and the hotel staff, from the reception to fellow guests!

All through the years there have been many love stories but among the most outstanding is one of two Coca Cola employees.

The girlfriend (future bride) had to go to the reception desk to retrieve an envelope which had a hint or signal she needed to follow, one by one. It was surprise after surprise. The boyfriend had asked to have a private dinner where he would be waiting for the love of his life.

On the table there were two Coca Cola bottles. When she saw them, it said “Will You Marry Me?” and at that moment he got down on one knee and presented her the engagement ring!

Another memorable story is the following.

Since Manuel Antonio National Park is only a short distance from the hotel, an Ukrainian guest asked to have a special meal prepared at a nearby beach and to write THE question on the sand. The hotel staff went to down to the beach drew a heart with the proposal inside.

Now visitors already present at the park did not know this was going to happen. So the couple went for stroll on the beach until they found it (the groom knew all along).

Guess what the best part about this story is? Guess what was in the middle of the heart, right in the sand? Yes, that’s right, the rock, the ring! Once she said yes, everyone there cheered on for them! Needless to say that the girlfriend, turned fiancée, was beyond thrilled and totally surprised.

As you can see, the best things happen when you least expected but having accomplices make it all even more exciting, super original and definitely unforgettable!

 

When it comes time to planning THE big day, there is only one person that you need to turn to. You must meet Silvia Hernandez, a wedding planner extraordinaire and an exceptional human being.

She has been working for the hotel for the past 9 years and has been the Customer Service Manager for the last 3.

Silvia is in charge of planning, searching and executing everything that needs to be done so that your special day becomes one to remember, FOREVER.

She was recounting a story of a time when she had to prepare a flower bouquet for the bride and she had left it in the conference room.

She left the room for a moment as she was called away, however upon her return she did not find it!

Asking around, she found out that the chef had taken it to decorate the plates and she almost went into a panic mode.

She had to find a quick solution to her problem. So she went out to the garden and picked every type of flower she could find.

Then when it came time to offer the bouquet to the bride, she told her that there were 180 flowers in total which represented 180 wishes from each of the employees of the hotel!

Once she had to create a 3 tier bouquet, cascading down. It was gorgeous!

If you want to have an idea of what a wedding looks like and the details, have a look at the following pictures.

Another example is the complicity of the Tour Desk. There have been times when the groom asks the Tour Desk to provide an envelope with a clue inside and it ends up in being a clue hunt!

Once there was a wedding with 100 persons, the couple was young and the wedding happened on August 2nd which is called Virgen de Los Angeles, a holiday in Costa Rica. It held a lot of meaning since the couple was from San Francisco.

Would you like to know what moved me to tears? (and I am a tough cookie you know but when I heard her battle for life straight from her, it did pull some heart strings). Silvia’s story really moved me until I shared with her mine too.

Silvia was diagnosed with a type of Cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma from the time she was 12 years old until she was 18.

She had been living with Cancer but she did not want anyone to know and no one knew until she started losing her hair. Her long, shiny mane fell off and left her with a bald head.

She had to be internalized at a cancer wing at the hospital and her family visited her but had to wear protective gear in order to be safe. She was telling me how her nephew looked at her and said that he wanted to hug her but he couldn’t. It only made her heart ache 😦

She also received the full support from the staff and owners of the hotel who sent her flowers at the hospital. A true survivor and fighter she is!

Silvia shared a story with me of a lady who also suffered from Cancer and they mutually supported each other. I’ve already told her that she should share her experience with the entire planet as I am sure millions of people out there would be inspired don’t you think?

Her words of wisdom and advice are:

“Embrace your condition; you are beautiful just as you are!”

Now that goes straight into your heart and soul right?

Today she is rocking’, better than ever and making sure that guests who trust her as a professional just say one word: wow or fabulous!

I just tell her: *You go girl!*

If you want an unforgettable wedding in a stunning location,  contact Silvia by emailing her at shernandez@hotelparador.com. Tell her special K sent you 🙂

 

For more information please visit the hotel’s website:

www.hotelparador.com

 

or on their social media accounts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/paradorquepos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotelParador

 

Now over to you!

Tell me,

 

What has been the best proposal story you’ve heard of or yours?

Where did you go for your honeymoon?

 

 

Yes, I am very curious and would love to read all about it! Do share 🙂

 

Until next time,

Much love always.

Tashi Delek, all the best.

 

Kay