One of the most beautiful parts about running a wedding blog is being able to see wedding celebrations from all around the world. Today’s couple, Diana and Michael, chose to be married in her home country of Columbia, choosing a romantic, elegant wedding that tied together the bride’s discerning style with the country’s amazing culture. Centuries-old buildings and a celebratory post-ceremony parade paired effortlessly with a classic reception.
Read on for more from the bride about her wedding in Colombia:
“Our story begins in the spring of 2013 when Michael and I crossed paths on a street in San Francisco, California. As I saw him in passing, I was curious and drawn to him, so I dared to say hello and the rest is history. Over the next couple years, we spent our time discovering the differences and commonalities of our two worlds. I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia and Michael in Lima, Ohio. I introduced him to Colombian cuisine and my colorful native culture. He introduced me to Ohio’s seasons, which I love, and the charm of his small town upbringing. During our first trip together to Cartagena, Colombia we were instantly captivated by its history and beauty. Cartagena is like stepping into one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novels, all at once romantic, authentic, mysterious, inspiring and magical. So when Michael popped the question in the fall of 2015, there was no doubt we wanted an unforgettable wedding in the most fairy-tale like city we knew, Cartagena.
My wedding inspiration was influenced by Californian and Tuscan weddings. I wanted to create a romantic, garden style, incorporating soft and natural tones with accents of green; what I imagined as natural elegance. My palette was pale blush, peach, taupe and white. I envisioned garden roses, eucalyptus foliage, vintage candleholders, tapered ivory candles, simple calligraphy and warm lighting. Cartagena’s Spanish-colonial architecture, centuries old stone walls, cobblestone streets, vast balconies and historic churches where the perfect canvas for my natural elegance vision. For the ceremony, we selected the effortlessly beautiful, 16th century church, San Pedro Claver, and chose to utilize delicate altar arrangements and a pathway of candles to enhance the church’s natural beauty. For the reception, we selected a restored Spanish-colonial mansion turned boutique hotel, Casa Pombo. We built upon the main ballroom’s unique features including, walls with preserved fresco paintings and wrought iron chandeliers, incorporating long wooden tables, silk runners, and delicate centerpieces to create a soft, natural look. The night was celebrated with a live salsa band and the bride and groom dancing until the early morning hours.”
