We just got back from a wedding in Cartagena and WOW! It is not new news that Cartagena is a hot wedding destination, but being a guest at so many family events, and the big day, provided an entirely new way to experience the city. Given our love of Cartagena, I’m sure if we ever decide to renew our vows, Tom will want to do so here. Why, you ask? For the same reason our friends Boris and Naila (and countless others) picked Cartagena this year.
World-class destination: Our friends had their friends and family coming from as far away as Azerbaijan, and as close as Baranquilla (which is just up the coast). For those making the trip, Cartagena provides a great airport, a full range of accommodations to suit any budget, and the kind of overall experience that any guest will treasure, on top of the excitement of the wedding itself. Cartagena puts the “destination” in “destination wedding”.
Venues: There are so many options for the wedding ceremony and reception - from the many upscale hotels, to the wall itself, from the convention center, to the museums and of course the many churches. Our friends didn’t have a religious ceremony, but a justice of the peace did the honors on the terrace of the convention center, overlooking the harbor, in the cool breezes at the end of the day. We moved inside to one of the halls to eat, drink and kick up our heels until well after dawn. Note to brides: if you do pick a venue on the water, be prepared for the well-wishers who may be cruising in late after a day on the water (and maybe a few drinks).
In addition, there was a pre-wedding party at Hotel Badillo Zen, where we danced, ate and drank for too long, the night before the official festivities. It was an intimate group, and so fun to cut a rug with the groom’s family. They are old friends, and it was the perfect place to let off a little steam in the stressful run-up to the official ceremonies.
There was also a post-party, at the Hotel Playa Vista, on Tierra Bomba, the island opposite Castillo Grande. Amazingly, a whole crowd turned up for the ferry at 11am after dancing until 5am. I truly wonder how the bride and groom managed it all. For the better part of the day after, this group continued the party (in the rain), with music, great fresh seafood, and more drinks.
Music: Every wedding makes the DJ vs. band decision, and the mix for the wedding we attended was great. There was authentic music from the Caribbean coast, as well as contemporary Colombian pop. There were traditional dancers to entertain while the band took its breaks, and when the 11 piece band was in place, they covered all the latin classics - salsa, merengue, cumbia, and too many others that I couldn’t possibly keep up with. Those guys worked up a sweat like no other wedding band I’ve ever seen! We were told this was a “true” Cartagena wedding given the music.
Restaurants: Like any couple with guests traveling in from far away, our hosts were attentive to making sure everyone had someone to dine with. Each night, another restaurant was selected as the gathering spot, and Cartagena has MANY great options to choose from. We especially enjoyed Maria, the spot next door to the famous Donjuán that opened in 2012, and Cande, where AfroCarribean dancers entertained us between courses. We had a few relaxed beers at the KGB bar on Parque Fernandez Madrid, and took in great music at Cuba 1940s, right on the corner of the Plaza Santo Domingo, by the Hotel Santa Clara. Same great band wearing plaid pants was there two nights in a row!
And like every trip we have made to Cartagena in the last ten years, we met great new people, enjoyed the warm breeze, the cool drinks and the soft music that drifts along every street. The visit was too short, but it was super unique to be there to celebrate Boris and Naila!
World-class destination: Our friends had their friends and family coming from as far away as Azerbaijan, and as close as Baranquilla (which is just up the coast). For those making the trip, Cartagena provides a great airport, a full range of accommodations to suit any budget, and the kind of overall experience that any guest will treasure, on top of the excitement of the wedding itself. Cartagena puts the “destination” in “destination wedding”.
Venues: There are so many options for the wedding ceremony and reception - from the many upscale hotels, to the wall itself, from the convention center, to the museums and of course the many churches. Our friends didn’t have a religious ceremony, but a justice of the peace did the honors on the terrace of the convention center, overlooking the harbor, in the cool breezes at the end of the day. We moved inside to one of the halls to eat, drink and kick up our heels until well after dawn. Note to brides: if you do pick a venue on the water, be prepared for the well-wishers who may be cruising in late after a day on the water (and maybe a few drinks).
In addition, there was a pre-wedding party at Hotel Badillo Zen, where we danced, ate and drank for too long, the night before the official festivities. It was an intimate group, and so fun to cut a rug with the groom’s family. They are old friends, and it was the perfect place to let off a little steam in the stressful run-up to the official ceremonies.
There was also a post-party, at the Hotel Playa Vista, on Tierra Bomba, the island opposite Castillo Grande. Amazingly, a whole crowd turned up for the ferry at 11am after dancing until 5am. I truly wonder how the bride and groom managed it all. For the better part of the day after, this group continued the party (in the rain), with music, great fresh seafood, and more drinks.
Music: Every wedding makes the DJ vs. band decision, and the mix for the wedding we attended was great. There was authentic music from the Caribbean coast, as well as contemporary Colombian pop. There were traditional dancers to entertain while the band took its breaks, and when the 11 piece band was in place, they covered all the latin classics - salsa, merengue, cumbia, and too many others that I couldn’t possibly keep up with. Those guys worked up a sweat like no other wedding band I’ve ever seen! We were told this was a “true” Cartagena wedding given the music.
Restaurants: Like any couple with guests traveling in from far away, our hosts were attentive to making sure everyone had someone to dine with. Each night, another restaurant was selected as the gathering spot, and Cartagena has MANY great options to choose from. We especially enjoyed Maria, the spot next door to the famous Donjuán that opened in 2012, and Cande, where AfroCarribean dancers entertained us between courses. We had a few relaxed beers at the KGB bar on Parque Fernandez Madrid, and took in great music at Cuba 1940s, right on the corner of the Plaza Santo Domingo, by the Hotel Santa Clara. Same great band wearing plaid pants was there two nights in a row!
And like every trip we have made to Cartagena in the last ten years, we met great new people, enjoyed the warm breeze, the cool drinks and the soft music that drifts along every street. The visit was too short, but it was super unique to be there to celebrate Boris and Naila!
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