(Abrahm Lustgarten)

The music? The melodic calls of tropical birds and the soft gurgle of a river. The flowers? Blooming off every tree and vine. The altar? The interlaced leaves of the jungle and the white ribbon of a waterfall. The bells won't be ringing and there might not be rice, but exchanging your vows flanked by the green canopy of a rainforest and the blue water of the Caribbean will keep the absence of tradition far from the minds of newly weds.

Adventurous couples looking to make their big day that bit more memorable will find options aplenty in Costa Rica, but Tortuguero National Park may be the dream chapel for a rainforest wedding. Over 47,000 acres of rainforest and 21 miles of coastline will supply all you need by way of romantic, isolated options. After the vows have been exchanged, you can retire to Tortuga Lodge, which seamlessly incorporates its jungle surroundings with privacy and the other creature comforts of home. The next day, begin the honeymoon with an adventure: board a canoe and explore the network of narrow waterways throughout the park, hike to cool-water lagoons and massive waterfalls in the rainforest, or wander the beach at night and watch the green sea turtles lay their eggs.

Rainforest weddings aren't for everyone, but, if you want to leave the church aisles behind, there are regional outfitters in and around Tortuguero who will be happy to assist in arranging the perfect, elegant ceremony. Costa Rica Expeditions, one of the country's long-standing tour operators, has received so many requests for rainforest weddings that they've designed packages to make planning that special day as easy as wading into the Caribbean. Each is geared around one of three eco-lodges throughout the country, including one in Tortuguero. All you need worry about is how you’d like to spend your honeymoon and compiling your guest list.

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