Costa Rica Wedding Traditions

The path to a Costa Rican wedding doesn’t start with Pinterest boards-it begins with your future father-in-law sizing you up over strong coffee while your palms betray your nerves. La Pedidalah peh-DEE-dahformal family request launches an 18-month marathon that would exhaust Olympic athletes.

The Timeline That Rules Your Life:

• 18 months before: La Pedida unleashes planning chaos
• 12 months out: Engagement party for 150 “close” friends
• 6 months ahead: Charlas prematrimonialesCHAR-lahs preh-mah-tree-moh-nee-AH-lehspre-marital counseling test your patience
• 1 week before: La Serenatalah seh-reh-NAH-tah announces your love to sleeping neighbors
• Wedding weekend: 48-72 hours of non-stop celebration

Modern couples in San José might compress this timeline, but 65% still honor traditions because Tico families have long memories and longer guest lists. Urban adaptations include video-call Pedidas for international families, but the emotional investment remains nuclear-level.

• Monthly family dinners: $2,000-$5,750 USD total
• Engagement party: $1,600-$4,800 USD
• Pre-marital counseling: Free (but costs your sanity)
• La Serenata musicians: $350-$1,000 USD
• Stress-eating chocolate: Priceless

Picture your boyfriend’s entire family-parents, siblings, that cousin from Miami-dressed in Sunday best, arriving at your parents’ house with flowers, imported chocolates, and visible anxiety. This is La Pedidalah peh-DEE-dahformal marriage request, performed with state-dinner solemnity despite everyone knowing this day would come.

The groom’s father speaks first, praising your family while his son fights fainting. Your father responds with prepared words about responsibility. Then comes negotiation-not about dowries, but wedding dates, guest lists, and who pays what. All this over café y repostería(coffee and pastries) nobody touches because everyone’s too nervous.

Regional variations spice up this drama:

• Central Valley: Formal speeches, European pastries
• Caribbean coast: Calypso sneaks in, rice and beansrice and beans appear
• Guanacaste: Folk songs between speeches, corn snacks
• Rural areas: Extended families turn it into a pre-party

Imagine keeping a secret in a Costa Rican neighborhood. Now imagine that secret involves hiring a 12-piece mariachi band. Welcome to La Serenatalah seh-reh-NAH-tahtraditional serenade, where romantic gestures reach telenovela proportions and privacy dies spectacularly.

The Serenata Play-by-Play:

1. Groom arrives (9-11 PM) with musicians in tow
2. Neighbors materialize from thin air (they knew all week)
3. Bride “surprises” by appearing in her best dress
4. Musicians perform 5-10 songs (“Bésame Mucho” = mandatory)
5. Mother cries (required by law, apparently)
6. Father pretends he’s not crying (fools nobody)
7. Neighborhood gets free concert
8. Spontaneous party erupts

The magic lives in details: Female relatives cluster inside, “not” filming on phones. Male relatives stand outside, failing at looking stern. That tough uncle who never emotes? He’ll request “Sabor a Mí” with tears.

Regional Soundtracks:

• San José: Classic mariachi, 6-12 musicians ($400-$800 USD)
• Guanacaste: Marimba bands with folkloric vibes ($350-$600 USD)
• Limón: Calypso-reggae fusion gets everyone moving ($500-$1,000 USD)
• Northern plains: Romantic trios with cowboy flair ($250-$500 USD)

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Here’s what your destination wedding planner might forget: In Costa Rica, getting married requires more paperwork than buying property and more ceremony than a coronation. You need two ceremonies-civil and religious-and yes, both are essential.

The Civil Ceremony Reality: The government demands a legal ceremony by authorized lawyers or judges, costing $250-$500 USD and lasting 15 minutes. Think marriage DMV. Requirements:

• Valid passports (duh)
• Birth certificates (apostilled if foreign)
• Divorce decrees (apostilled too)
• Death certificates (if widowed)
• Two conscious witnesses
• Patience of saints

The Religious Ceremony: This is where hearts pour out. Catholic ceremonies dominate (76% of population), lasting 60-90 minutes with enough symbolism to fill theology textbooks:

• Las Arraslahs AH-rahs(thirteen coins): Representing Christ and apostles, $160-$800 USD
• El Lazoehl LAH-soh(unity rope): Binding couple together
• Velación: Unity candle your primo will definitely photograph
• Flores a la VirgenFLOH-rehs ah lah VEER-hehn: Bride offers bouquet while everyone cries

• Church donation: $320-$800 USD
• Musicians: $250-$500 USD
• Flowers: $500-$1,300 USD
• Tissues for tears: Buy bulk

Just when you think you’ve survived the ceremony and endless photos, someone dims lights, cranks salsa, and announces El Baile del Billeteehl BAH-ee-leh dehl bee-YEH-tehmoney dance. Your wedding becomes the world’s most elegant fundraiser.

Money Dance Mechanics:

1. DJ announces at 10 PM (post-dinner, pre-drunk)
2. Wedding party distributes pins and tape
3. Guests line up with ₡5,000-₡20,000 bills ($8-$32 USD)
4. Each dances 30-60 seconds with newlyweds
5. Dress trains become cash displays
6. Maid of honor manages overflow
7. 45-90 minutes of profitable dancing
8. Typical haul: ₡500,000-₡2,000,000 ($800-$3,200 USD)

Unlike transactional money dances elsewhere, this represents community investment. Abuela’s bill comes with whispered advice. Your boss’s contribution includes job security jokes.

Nothing-NOTHING-prepares you for La Hora Localah OH-rah LOH-kahcrazy hour. Your most reserved relatives suddenly morph into Carnival dancers at midnight, wielding glow sticks like weapons of mass celebration.

Orchestrated Insanity Includes:

• LED masks materializing from nowhere
• Stilt walkers towering over drunk tíos
• Drummers appearing like musical ninjas
• Confetti cannons violating physics
• Your accountant cousin leading congas
• Smoke machines creating instant rave
• That “non-dancing” aunt doing limbo

The Science of Madness: La Hora Loca strikes when energy crashes. Instead of letting guests drift away, you assault their senses until second wind kicks in. It’s crowd manipulation perfection.

Regional flavors:

• Guanacaste: Folk dancers in full regalia
• Limón: Window-rattling Caribbean percussion
• San José: LED shows and lasers
• Rural areas: Live bands, traditional masks

Costa Rican wedding cuisine follows one rule: Nobody leaves hungry. Ever. These aren’t cocktail hour nibbles-we’re talking 4-6 hour food marathons that challenge the structural integrity of your wedding dress.

The Traditional Feast Timeline:

• 3 PM: Cocktail hour with bocas (appetizers) including ceviche and chifrijochee-FREE-hohbeans, rice, pork, and chips
• 5 PM: Dinner service begins with casado-the national dish that ironically means “married”
• 7 PM: Coffee service with traditional desserts
• 10 PM: Late-night snack attack
• Midnight: Post-Hora Loca emergency calories

Must-have menu items that’ll make guests weep with joy:

• Gallo pintoGAH-yoh PEEN-toh(spotted rooster): Rice and beansrice and beans that taste like home
• Plátanos madurosPLAH-tah-nohs mah-DOO-rohs(sweet plantains): Caramelized perfection
• Tres leches cake: Milk-soaked heaven that ruins all other cakes forever
• Arroz con lecheah-ROHS kohn LEH-cheh(rice pudding): Comfort in a bowl
• Guaro sourGWAH-roh sour cocktails: The national liquor dressed up fancy

Regional Specialties That Steal the Show:

• Guanacaste: Tamal asadotah-MAHL ah-SAH-dohroasted corn cake and chorreadaschoh-reh-AH-dahscorn pancakes
• Caribbean: Rice and beans cooked in coconut milk that converts coconut haters
• Central Valley: Olla de carneOH-yah deh KAR-nehbeef stew that takes 12 hours to perfect
• Coastal regions: Whole fried fish that stare at you (deliciously)

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Meet Los Padrinoslohs pah-DREE-nohswedding sponsors-the couple who’ll mentor your marriage, fund your flowers, and definitely judge your first fight. These aren’t symbolic positions; they’re investors with actual responsibilities and expense accounts.

Padrino Job Description:

• Married 10+ years without homicide
• Financially stable ($800-$3,200 USD sponsorship capacity)
• Available for 4-6 counseling sessions
• Willing to answer 3 AM “marriage is hard” calls
• Expert at dispensing wisdom without preaching

They’ll guide religious ceremonies, hold arras(coins) and lazo(rope), pay for wedding elements, and host your first anniversary dinner (mandatory).

Modern Sponsorship Options:

• Floral package ($500-$1,500 USD)
• Photography ($1,000-$3,000 USD)
• Mariachi band ($400-$800 USD)
• Honeymoon lodging ($1,000-$2,000 USD)
• Entire bar tab (heroes)

Contemporary couples select multiple padrino couples, each sponsoring different elements-wedding crowdfunding with emotional support. Catholics especially value this-45% maintain formal padrinos despite expense and drama.

In rural Costa Rica, your wedding becomes the village’s wedding. This isn’t metaphorical-we’re talking about your neighbor’s cousin’s wife spending three days making tamales in your mother’s kitchen while men you’ve never met build structures in your backyard.

The Community Wedding Machine includes:

• Las señoraslahs seh-NYOH-rahsthe ladies who commandeer every kitchen in a 2-kilometer radius
• Men constructing enramadasehn-rah-MAH-dahstemporary palm shelters like it’s barn-raising day
• Los músicoslohs MOO-see-kohsmusicians who mysteriously don’t require payment
• Children recruited as flower girls, ring bearers, and general chaos agents
• Neighbors lending plates, chairs, tables, and unsolicited opinions

This communal approach transforms private celebrations into public affirmations. Your wedding validates the social fabric holding communities together. That’s why María from the pulpería contributes homemade dulce de leche even though you only know her as “the lady who sells phone cards.”

Urban vs Rural Community Involvement:

The beauty lives in the chaos. Your wedding becomes woven into community memory, referenced for decades. “Remember when Don Carlos danced until 4 AM at your wedding?” becomes shorthand for joy itself.

Costa Rica packs more geographic diversity into its tiny territory than seems physically possible, and each region stamps its personality on wedding celebrations like a particularly enthusiastic passport officer.

Caribbean Coast: Where Weddings Dance to Different Drums

Limón province weddings assault your senses in the best possible way. Here, century-old Jamaican influences transform Catholic ceremonies into calypso-infused celebrations that would make your conservative tía clutch her pearls.

Distinctive Caribbean Elements:

• Ceremony languages rotate between Spanish, English, and Patois (sometimes mid-sentence)
• Rice and beansrice and beans means coconut milk-infused perfection, not regular gallo pintoGAH-yoh PEEN-toh
• Steel drums replace guitars during cocktail hour ($650-$1,300 USD)
• Brides might wear African-inspired head wraps with traditional white gowns
• Johnny cakes and patipah-TEEspiced meat pastries dominate cocktail hour
• Rum punch flows like water (stronger than it tastes-beware)

Guanacaste: Where Cowboys Meet Tradition

In Costa Rica’s wild west, weddings embrace ranching culture with the enthusiasm of a rodeo crowd. These celebrations honor sabanero (cowboy) heritage while maintaining Catholic foundations.

Guanacaste Wedding Signatures:

• Marimba bands provide soundtrack ($350-$600 USD)
• Corn rules the menu: tamales, tortillas, chorreadaschoh-reh-AH-dahs, everything corn
• Traditional folk dancers in elaborate costumes perform bombas (rhyming challenges)
• Ceremonies often happen outdoors under ancient Guanacaste trees
• Guest arrive on horseback (seriously)
• Dress codes accommodate 35°C heat and dust

Central Valley: Where Tradition Meets Modern Money

San José and surrounding cities blend old-world formality with contemporary flash. These weddings cost the most ($12,800-$24,000 USD) but deliver Instagram-worthy experiences.

Urban innovations include:

• Drone photography capturing aerial ceremony shots ($500-$1,000 USD)
• LED dance floors responding to music
• Molecular gastronomy alongside traditional dishes
• Live-streaming for international relatives
• QR codes for digital money dance donations
• Professional wedding planners (15-20% of budget)

Costa Rica leads Latin America in environmental consciousness, and weddings increasingly reflect this green dedication. Eco-friendly celebrations cost similar amounts but redirect funds toward sustainable choices.

Green Wedding Elements Gaining Popularity:

• Digital invitations saving paper and postage ($50-$100 USD vs $300-$500 USD)
• Local flower arrangements reducing carbon footprint
• Farm-to-table menus sourcing within 50 kilometers
• Biodegradable decorations (bamboo > plastic)
• Carbon offset programs for guest travel ($200-$500 USD total)
• Donated flowers to hospitals post-wedding

🌿 Eco Tip: Venue selection impacts sustainability most. Choose locations with renewable energy, water conservation, and waste management. Many eco-lodges offer wedding packages.

Popular Eco-Venue Options:

• Cloud forest lodges in Monteverde
• Organic farms in the Central Valley
• Solar-powered beach venues
• Permaculture centers near Dominical
• Wildlife refuges with event spaces

One trend gaining traction: tree-planting ceremonies replacing unity candles. Couples plant native species together, creating living monuments to their union that’ll outlast their grandchildren.

Costa Rica hosts 15,000+ international weddings annually because apparently, paradise makes an excellent backdrop for eternal commitment. These celebrations generate $300 million in tourism revenue, proving love is good business.

Why Costa Rica Dominates Destination Weddings:

• No hurricanes (unlike Caribbean competitors)
• Direct flights from major cities
• Every landscape imaginable within driving distance
• “Pura VidaPOO-rah VEE-dah” hospitality that feels genuine
• Legal marriage recognition (with paperwork patience)
• English-speaking vendors in tourist areas

Popular Destination Wedding Mathematics:

• Intimate beach ceremony (20 guests): $3,000-$5,000 USD
• Mid-size resort wedding (50 guests): $10,000-$20,000 USD
• Luxury villa extravaganza (100 guests): $25,000-$50,000 USD
• Planning services: 15-20% additional
• Guest accommodation: Not your problem (traditionally)

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Destination Wedding Hotspots Ranked:

1. Tamarindo/Guanacaste beaches (45%): All-inclusive ease
2. Manuel Antonio (20%): Beach meets rainforest
3. Arenal Volcano (15%): Drama queens love lava views
4. Monteverde (10%): Cloud forest mystique
5. Caribbean coast (10%): Off-beaten-path charm

Modern Costa Rican couples cherry-pick traditions like they’re building custom wedding burritos. This cultural fusion creates personalized celebrations honoring heritage while embracing contemporary life.

The 2025 Fusion Formula:

• Keep: Family-centered values, community spirit
• Modernize: Music selections, technology integration
• Adapt: Traditional timelines to busy schedules
• Personalize: Religious elements to match beliefs
• Upgrade: Sustainability practices, donation options

Real couples’ fusion examples showcase creative adaptation:

“We live-streamed our serenata(serenade) on Instagram for international friends, then had my grandmother teach everyone traditional dances via pre-recorded video during the reception.” - Carlos, tech worker

“Our money dance donations went 50/50-half to honeymoon, half to local turtle conservation. Guests loved knowing their contributions had double impact.” - Isabella, environmental lawyer

“We kept Las Arraslahs AH-rahswedding coins but used my great-grandmother’s coins from 1952. The priest blessed them via Zoom from Spain where my family lives.” - Ana, international teacher

Tech Integration Changing the Game:

• Virtual reality venue tours for planning
• AI-created playlists blending traditional and modern
• Drone light shows replacing fireworks
• Social media walls displaying guest photos
• Translation apps helping international guests navigate

Budget Allocation Evolution (2025):

• Experience elements: 35% (up from 20% in 2015)
• Traditional catering: 25% (down from 35%)
• Photography/videography: 20% (up from 15%)
• Venue/decorations: 15% (stable)
• Attire: 5% (down from 10%)

The shift toward experience investment reflects younger couples prioritizing memories over materials. They’ll rent a dress but hire premium photographers. They’ll skip elaborate centerpieces but invest in La Hora Localah OH-rah LOH-kahcrazy hour that guests discuss for years.

How much should I budget for a traditional Costa Rican wedding?

The short answer that’ll make you reach for your calculator: $12,800-$24,000 USD for 150-200 guests if you’re local. But here’s what those numbers actually mean in real life…

Rural weddings can cost as little as $8,000 USD because your neighbor’s tía volunteers to cook for 300 people and the venue is your uncle’s mango farm. Urban celebrations in San José hit that $24,000 USD mark faster than a thunderstorm in rainy season, especially once you add professional everything. Destination weddings? International couples drop $20,000-$30,000 USD on average, with luxury affairs exceeding $50,000 USD when you’re flying in orchids and hiring aerial performers.

The kicker? These figures don’t include the 18-month engagement period expenses. Add another $4,800-$12,800 USD for monthly family dinners, engagement parties, and keeping both families happy with traditional gestures. Pro tip: Start a wedding fund the moment someone looks at you romantically.

What’s the one tradition we absolutely cannot skip?

Great question, and the answer might save your relationship with your in-laws. La Serenatalah seh-reh-NAH-tahtraditional serenade wins by a landslide-78% of couples include it because skipping this tradition is like announcing you don’t actually love your bride.

Here’s why it’s non-negotiable: This isn’t just about music. It’s a public declaration that brings communities together, makes mothers cry, and gives fathers a chance to pretend they’re not emotional. The $350-$1,000 USD you’ll spend on musicians buys more than songs-it purchases family approval and neighborhood recognition of your union. Skip the fancy centerpieces, shrink the guest list, serve only rice and beansrice and beans if necessary, but hire those mariachis. Your future mother-in-law will forgive many sins, but not the absence of “Bésame Mucho” floating through her windows while neighbors gather to witness your devotion.

Do we really need both civil and religious ceremonies?

Simply put: legally, yes for civil; culturally, yes for religious (unless you enjoy family drama). Costa Rica requires civil ceremonies for legal recognition-no exceptions, no shortcuts, just lawyers and paperwork costing $250-$500 USD.

The religious ceremony is technically optional but socially mandatory for most families. With 76% of Costa Ricans identifying as Catholic, skipping church means explaining your decision at every family gathering until death. The religious ceremony provides the emotional and spiritual moments everyone actually remembers: the arras(wedding coins) blessing, the lazo(unity rope) binding, your grandmother singing off-key but with tremendous feeling.

Destination couples often solve this by marrying legally at home, then having a symbolic ceremony in Costa Rica. You get tropical paradise without apostille nightmares-win-win.

How long do these celebrations actually last?

The polite answer involves checking your watch. The truthful answer? Pack provisions and comfortable shoes because you’re in for a marathon. Urban weddings run 6-8 hours (2 PM ceremony, 10 PM reception end). Rural celebrations laugh at such constraints-we’re talking 12-15 hours minimum, often spilling into the next day.

But wait, there’s more! The wedding itself is just the main event in a trilogy. La Pedidalah peh-DEE-dahformal request happens 12-18 months prior. La Serenata rocks the neighborhood one week before. The actual wedding day stretches from morning preparations through dawn cleanup. Post-wedding gatherings continue the celebration. Some couples report their wedding “week” lasted ten days. Costa Ricans don’t believe in rushing life’s important moments-Pura Vida(pure life) philosophy means savoring every second, every dance, every tear, and every shot of guaro.

What food will make or break our reception?

The answer lives in three words: casadokah-SAH-dohmarried person’s meal, gallo pintoGAH-yoh PEEN-tohspotted rooster, and tres leches cake. Skip these at your own risk. Casado isn’t just food-it’s cultural identity on a plate. This marriage of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and protein costs $25-$40 USD per guest but delivers authenticity that fancy fusion cuisine can’t touch.

Gallo pinto must appear somewhere, whether at the late-night snack station or morning-after breakfast. It’s comfort food that says “you’re family now.” And tres leches cake? This milk-soaked sensation has ruined regular wedding cakes for everyone. Moist doesn’t begin to describe it. One bite explains why 90% of Costa Rican weddings feature it.

Regional musts include coconut-infused rice and beans(rice and beans) on the Caribbean coast, corn-based everything in Guanacaste, and fresh ceviche anywhere near water. Budget $15,000-$25,000 USD total for food and drinks-Costa Ricans believe in abundance, and running out of food is social suicide.

Should we worry about the money dance tradition?

The Baile del Billete(money dance) might sound awkward to outsiders-pinning cash to newlyweds while dancing feels transactional. But this tradition represents community investment in your future, not a wedding cash grab. Expect to collect $800-$3,200 USD total, with guests contributing $8-$32 USD each based on their relationship and finances.

The magic happens in the details: Your boss pins a bill while whispering job security jokes. Your grandmother’s $5 comes with marriage advice worth millions. That cousin who always borrows money? They’ll contribute generously because public pride demands it. The dance lasts 45-90 minutes, depending on guest count and alcohol consumption. Modern couples add QR codes for digital contributions or announce charitable donations, but the physical act of pinning money while dancing remains central. Worried about your dress? The maid of honor follows with bags and emergency pins. Concerned about looking greedy? Don’t be-this tradition predates Venmo by centuries.

Can foreigners pull off an authentic Costa Rican wedding?

Absolutely. The 15,000+ international couples marrying here annually prove it. The key? Embrace authenticity over perfection. Hire local vendors who’ll guide cultural elements. Include a serenata even if you need song subtitles. Serve traditional food alongside familiar options. Most importantly, adopt the Pura VidaPOO-rah VEE-dah mindset-joy matters more than perfection.

Popular elements for destination weddings:

• Mariachi serenatas ($400-$800 USD)
• Traditional cocktail foods: chifrijochee-FREE-hohbeans, rice, pork and pataconespah-tah-KOH-nehsfried plantains
• La Hora Localah OH-rah LOH-kah with local performers ($500-$1,600 USD)
• Bilingual ceremonies honoring both cultures

Skip: DIY family-style cooking (hire professionals), expecting American timing (embrace flexibility), and fighting customs (resistance is futile). Many venues offer cultural packages with built-in traditions. Just communicate your authenticity desire-Costa Ricans love sharing culture with respectful outsiders.

What exactly are wedding godparents, and do we need them?

Los Padrinoslohs pah-DREE-nohswedding sponsors aren’t your average wedding party members-they’re marriage mentors with checkbooks. These married couples provide spiritual guidance, financial support ($800-$3,200 USD typically), and year-one marriage counseling whether you want it or not.

Traditional padrino duties include paying for ceremony elements (flowers, music, or photographer), holding symbolic items during religious ceremonies (arras, lazo), providing pre-marital counseling (4-6 sessions), and hosting your first anniversary dinner (mandatory). Selection criteria: married 10+ years successfully, financially stable, emotionally available, and diplomatically skilled (they’ll navigate your first marital crisis).

Modern adaptations allow multiple padrino couples, each sponsoring specific elements. Some contribute expertise instead of money-your photographer uncle becomes photography padrino. The tradition remains strong among religious couples (45% maintain formal padrinos) but has evolved from general financial support to targeted assistance. Warning: Choose carefully. These aren’t honorary titles-they’re relationships lasting your entire marriage.

What should guests expect at a Costa Rican wedding?

Buckle up for a marathon, not a sprint. Guests should expect 6-15 hours of celebration, depending on urban versus rural location. Arrive hydrated, wear comfortable shoes disguised as formal ones, and pace yourself through multiple meal services.

The dress code varies by venue: beach weddings allow lighter fabrics and colors, church ceremonies demand modest coverage (shoulders and knees), and evening receptions get progressively casual as La Hora Loca(crazy hour) approaches. Never wear white (bride’s color) or solid black (associated with mourning). The tropical climate (22-32°C / 72-90°F) favors breathable fabrics. Pack a pashmina for aggressive air conditioning.

Gifts traditionally include cash (in a nice envelope) or household items from a registry. The money dance requires additional cash ($8-$32 USD) for pinning. Expect amazing food, loud music, and dancing until dawn. Don’t plan anything important the next day. When someone hands you a glow stick at midnight, resistance is futile-you’re entering La Hora Loca whether you like it or not.

When should we plan our Costa Rican wedding?

Dry season (December-April) offers reliable sunshine but premium prices and tourist crowds. February and March hit the sweet spot with perfect weather and peak availability of venues and vendors. But here’s the insider secret: veranilloveh-rah-NEE-yohlittle summer in July provides a two-week dry spell during rainy season with 40% lower prices.

Rainy season (May-November) doesn’t mean constant downpours-mornings are usually clear, with predictable afternoon showers. Smart couples plan morning ceremonies and covered receptions. The landscape turns impossibly green, and you’ll have venues practically to yourself. International couples favor Northern Hemisphere winter months (December-March) for guest convenience. Local couples often choose July for the veranillo window or December for holiday atmosphere.

Avoid: Easter week (everything closes), Independence Day week (September 15-locals travel), and Christmas week (family obligations conflict). Book venues 12-18 months ahead for dry season, 6-9 months for rainy season. Remember: Costa Rican planning operates on “Tico time”-everything takes longer than promised, so buffer accordingly.