GUANACASTE · WEDDING VENUE FIELD GUIDE
Westin Playa Conchal
One of our favorite hotels in Costa Rica — and Conchal beach, ranked among the country’s most beautiful, is literally steps from the ceremony sites. Generous space for big guest lists without the day ever feeling spread out.
WHEN TO SAY YOUR VOWS
Ceremony timing at Westin Playa Conchal
The single biggest decision for your photos is the ceremony time. Our rule on this coast: end your ceremony as golden hour begins, so your first portraits as a married couple happen in the best light of the day.
THE LIGHT, MONTH BY MONTH
Sunset & golden hour at Westin Playa Conchal
Computed for this exact spot (Guanacaste) — mid-month times, accurate within a few minutes year to year.
| Month | Golden hour | Sunset | Ceremony we’d suggest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:10 PM | 5:40 PM | 3:55 PM |
| February | 5:22 PM | 5:51 PM | 4:06 PM |
| March | 5:26 PM | 5:54 PM | 4:09 PM |
| April | 5:25 PM | 5:54 PM | 4:09 PM |
| May | 5:28 PM | 5:57 PM | 4:12 PM |
| June | 5:35 PM | 6:05 PM | 4:20 PM |
| July | 5:39 PM | 6:09 PM | 4:24 PM |
| August | 5:32 PM | 6:01 PM | 4:16 PM |
| September | 5:16 PM | 5:43 PM | 3:58 PM |
| October | 4:57 PM | 5:25 PM | 3:40 PM |
| November | 4:47 PM | 5:17 PM | 3:32 PM |
| December | 4:53 PM | 5:24 PM | 3:39 PM |
FIELD NOTES
What we’ve learned shooting here
Where the sun drops
Know your month: in November daylight ends around 5:30 pm — ceremony at 4:00 sharp, never later, golden-hour session ~4:55–5:20. In April the light lasts until about 6:10, so a 5:30 couple session is perfect after a cocktail-hour break.
Portrait spots we return to
- The garden, bridal-suite building — Our favorite first-look spot — first floor, soft light.
- The plant room — Where the dad (or partner) first looks happen.
- Conchal beach — Steps from the ceremony — bridal party and family photos with zero travel.
- Poolside ceremony spots — One under the tree (shade + natural backdrop), one with open views. Visit both and see how you feel.
If it rains
Tropical rain here usually passes in about 20 minutes — and the light right after is often the best of the day. We always arrive with a plan.
Logistics worth knowing
Getting here: fly into LIR (Liberia) — the closest international airport for this stretch of Guanacaste.
Drone footage
Wind, rules, and permissions decide drone flights — we never promise a specific aerial shot, and we always ask the venue first.
What to avoid
Midday portraits (11 AM–2 PM) in harsh tropical light, scheduling anything in the 30 minutes before your ceremony, and a family photo list that says “and family” — name every person.
OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC POINT OF VIEW
“This guidance comes from photographing more than 300 weddings in Guanacaste. At the Westin the beach is steps from the ceremony, the garden building gives us real window light for getting ready, and the golden-hour session happens during cocktail hour — nobody misses you, and you come back married with the best light of the day in your gallery.”ADRI & LUCAS
QUESTIONS COUPLES ASK US
Planning a wedding at Westin Playa Conchal
Where should we get ready?
The Bridal Suite in the garden building — not the spa. It keeps you close to everything, and the first-floor garden right below is our favorite first-look spot.
There are two poolside ceremony spots — which one?
The tree spot gives your guests shade and a natural backdrop; the open spot gives bigger views but direct sun. Both photograph beautifully. Our honest advice: visit both when you arrive and see how you feel.
How many family photo combinations should we plan?
Each combination takes 2–4 minutes. Around 15 right after the ceremony is the sweet spot — and assign someone bossy to call the groups. Thirty-one combinations would eat two hours of your party.
Is the beach far from the ceremony?
Steps away. Bridal party and family photos happen right there — no major travel needed on your timeline.
What time should our ceremony start?
Late afternoon — always. We build your day backward from sunset so the ceremony ends right as golden hour begins, and your first portraits as a married couple happen in the best light of the day. Roughly: 3:45–4:15 pm from October to January, 4:00–4:30 pm from February to September. Your exact times live in the Light & Timing tool.
What if it rains on our wedding day?
Tropical rain here usually passes in about twenty minutes — and the light right after is often the best of the whole day. We always arrive with a plan, and some of our favorite images ever happened because it rained first.
Can we get drone footage here?
Wind, venue rules, and permissions decide drone flights — so we never promise a specific aerial shot, and we always ask first. When conditions line up, we fly.
When should we arrive in Costa Rica?
Two or more days before the wedding. The buffer beats the stress: luggage has time to catch up, attire gets steamed, and you actually arrive at your own wedding rested.
Dreaming of Westin Playa Conchal?
We’d love to hear your plans. Our booked couples get the full private guide — timelines built around the light, checklists, moodboards, and every field note we have.
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