Booking a VIP wedding venue in Jacó Beach is the biggest single decision in planning a Costa Rica destination wedding — and the easiest to rush. Before you put down a deposit, run through this ten-point checklist. It’s the same set of questions we walk couples through at our beachfront Private Resort & Beach Club, and it’ll save you surprises later. See the full picture at www.jacobeachchef.com.
Wondering when to start? We break the timeline down in how far in advance to book your VIP wedding venue. Once you’ve picked a window, this is the list to bring to every venue conversation.
Your 10-point booking checklist
1. Confirm the date
Verify availability directly with the venue before anything else. For a private, exclusive-use property that hosts one wedding at a time, the date is the single hardest thing to lock down — especially December through April.
2. Understand the capacity
Check two numbers, not one: how many guests the property can seat for the ceremony and reception, and how many can sleep on-site overnight. They’re rarely the same.
3. Review the total cost
Ask for an itemized quote — venue fee, event fees, taxes, staffing and any add-on services broken out line by line. A single headline number almost always has extras underneath it.
4. Read the contract
Understand the deposit, the payment deadlines, and the cancellation and refund terms before you sign. Know what happens if plans change.
5. Ask about exclusivity
Confirm the property is reserved for your group alone on your dates. Exclusive use is what turns a venue into a private celebration.
6. Check vendor policies
Find out whether outside caterers, photographers, florists and entertainment are allowed, or whether you use the venue’s team. With us, the catering and bar are handled in-house by your private chef, which removes a vendor to vet.
7. Plan for the weather
Costa Rica’s green season brings afternoon rain. Confirm a covered terrace or indoor backup for both the ceremony and the reception so a shower never derails the day.
8. Coordinate accommodations
Decide whether everyone stays on-site or whether you’ll need nearby lodging for guests who don’t fit. A property that houses the whole party keeps the celebration in one place.
9. Confirm the event rules
Ask about music and noise limits, event end times, and any permissions required for fireworks, amplified sound or late-night dancing.
10. Get everything in writing
Make sure the agreed dates, services, fees and conditions all appear in the contract. If it matters, it belongs on paper.
Why this list matters in Jacó
Most venues answer three or four of these questions easily. The ones worth booking answer all ten without hesitation — because an exclusive-use property that combines the beachfront setting, the accommodations and the catering under one roof simply has fewer moving parts. Fewer vendors, fewer handoffs, one team accountable for the whole day.
That’s how our private chef and events team runs a wedding at the Private Resort & Beach Club: ceremony on the sand, reception space, in-house catering and bar, and room for your group to stay together. Run the checklist by us and we’ll answer every line for your date.
Request a free quote or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll walk your date, guest count and must-haves through this list together.