A private wedding weekend at a villa feels very different from a resort wedding. The couple and their closest guests share one home for several days, meals happen at the same table, and the ceremony becomes part of a longer celebration. That intimacy also means more planning falls to the couple, so a clear checklist helps.

This checklist is written for couples considering a small wedding weekend at Villa Alberti in Las Catalinas. If you are still deciding between a resort and a villa, start with our guide to what a destination wedding in Costa Rica is actually like.

Key Takeaways

Confirm in writing that the villa approves your wedding before you book anything else.
Overnight capacity is not event capacity. Ask separately about ceremony guests who are not staying.
Decide early whether the legal marriage happens in Costa Rica or at home.
Plan the weekend, not just the ceremony: arrival, welcome dinner, the day itself, and a farewell brunch.

Step One: Confirm the Villa Can Host Your Wedding

Private villas set their own rules for weddings and events, so ask the Villa Alberti team for its current policy before you set a date. Get written answers to these questions:

Whether a ceremony and celebration dinner are permitted on your dates.
How many total guests may attend, including anyone not staying overnight. The villa sleeps up to 21, and event limits may differ.
Which outside vendors may come on site, and when they can set up and break down.
Quiet hours, music limits, and any community rules in Las Catalinas.
Event fees, deposits, insurance, and photography policies.

Getting these answers first prevents the most expensive kind of surprise: a plan built around a guest list or timeline the property cannot support.

9 to 12 Months Out: Set the Foundation

Choose legal or symbolic. Costa Rica recognizes civil marriages performed by a notary public, and the marriage takes effect once it is registered with the National Civil Registry, according to Costa Rica Law. Many couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in Costa Rica.
Pick your dates. Guanacaste's dry season runs from late November into April and is the most popular window for outdoor ceremonies.
Set the guest list. Separate overnight guests from ceremony-only guests from the start.
Hire a planner. A local wedding planner familiar with Guanacaste vendors can coordinate the event while the villa team handles hospitality.

The rooftop bar at Villa Alberti, a natural spot for a welcome toast with the wedding party.

6 Months Out: Build the Team and the Room Plan

Book key vendors. Officiant or notary, photographer, florist, and music. Peak-season dates fill early.
Assign suites. Decide where the couple, parents, and wedding party will stay. Villa Alberti has seven primary-standard suites, described on the accommodations page.
Send travel details. Share flight guidance for Liberia International Airport and the arrival window so transfers can be grouped.
Plan the welcome. Decide on a welcome dinner and any group outing for the first full day.

3 Months Out: Paperwork, Menus, and a Backup Plan

Finish legal documents. If marrying in Costa Rica, work with your notary or attorney on the documents they require, which can include apostilled records and translations.
Plan menus with the chef. Share dietary needs and discuss the welcome dinner, celebration dinner, and brunch. The dining page describes the executive chef's tailored menus.
Create a weather plan. Choose a covered alternative for the ceremony and confirm it with the team and your planner.
Confirm vendor logistics. Share arrival times, parking or drop-off points, and setup windows with every vendor.

1 Month Out: Lock the Details

Write a run of show. List timing for hair and makeup, photos, the ceremony, toasts, and dinner.
Confirm final numbers. Send the final headcount, seating plan, and any changes to the villa team and planner.
Confirm transfers. Match every arriving guest to a vehicle and time.
Prepare welcome notes. A one-page schedule in each suite answers most questions before they are asked.
Settle payments. Pay final vendor balances and confirm gratuity plans in advance.

The ocean-facing infinity pool at Villa Alberti, looking out over the bay toward the Pacific.

Planning the Wedding Weekend Itinerary

Most villa wedding weekends work best over three or four nights. Guests arrive and settle in before the big day, and the couple has time to enjoy the people who traveled for them. Sunset timing matters too: in Liberia it ranges from about 5:15 to 6:10 p.m. through the year, according to sunrise and sunset data for Liberia, so plan the ceremony start around your date's sunset.

A Sample Four-Day Wedding Weekend

Day	Plan
Day 1	Arrivals and transfers from Liberia; relaxed welcome dinner at the villa
Day 2	Free morning; optional group outing; rehearsal or family dinner
Day 3	Getting ready, ceremony at sunset, celebration dinner
Day 4	Farewell brunch and departures

Small Touches That Make a Villa Wedding Personal

A welcome toast. Gather everyone on the first evening so guests meet before the big day.
Family-style dining. A shared table often feels warmer than a formal banquet layout.
A plan for children. Arrange a separate activity or sitter during the ceremony, subject to availability.
Quiet time for the couple. Block an hour before the ceremony with no plans and no visitors.
A slow morning after. A late brunch gives everyone time to share photos and say goodbye.

Las Catalinas and the Guanacaste coast at dusk, where guests can walk to the beach and restaurants between celebrations.

How Villa Alberti Fits a Private Wedding Weekend

Villa Alberti is a fully staffed private estate with seven primary-standard suites for up to 21 overnight guests, so the couple and closest family can stay under one roof. The rooftop bar, two pools including an ocean-facing infinity pool, and open-air living spaces give the group places to gather, and the estate's southwest-facing setting looks toward the Pacific sunset.

The on-site team includes a general manager, concierge, executive chef, bartenders, and housekeeping, and a chauffeured SUV from Liberia is included with every stay, according to the destination page. Event use, extra guests, vendor services, and additional staffing are subject to approval and may carry separate charges, so confirm the full scope before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we hold our wedding ceremony at Villa Alberti?

Ask the team. Wedding and event use depends on the property's current policy and your plans. Share your date, guest count, and plans with the team to confirm what is possible.

How many guests can attend a villa wedding?

Villa Alberti sleeps up to 21 overnight guests. Ceremony and dinner limits for additional guests must be confirmed with the property.

Do we need a wedding planner?

For most couples, yes. A planner manages vendors and the event timeline, while the villa team focuses on hospitality.

Plan Your Wedding Weekend Inquiry

Share your preferred dates, guest count, and wedding plans below. The Villa Alberti team will follow up to discuss availability and what is possible for your celebration.

Private Wedding Weekend Checklist for Villa Alberti