Curator’s statement
When we told people we were having an our wedding in Cartagena, at least a dozen people told us we were crazy. Others told us no one would show up. Most of those reactions were driven by inaccurate assumptions and misconceptions about Colombia. In reality, Cartagena is just as safe as any major tourist city like NYC or Paris, and honestly in many ways it feels even safer. The Walled City of Cartagena is essentially an upscale resort town tucked behind fortress walls, filled with boutique hotels, great restaurants, and beautiful plazas. The entire area is lively, walkable, and full of visitors from around the world.
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Cartagena offers an experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else, especially in the United States.
The Walled City feels like a resort town with upscale restaurants, shops and boutiques, incredible cuisine, world-class cocktail bars, and vibrant nightlife
From a logistics perspective, it’s incredibly easy. The airport is only about 15 minutes away, and once guests arrived, everything was within a 10-minute walk.
Instead of a single evening, we were able to host a full weekend of events across some of the city’s most iconic spots.
Thursday: Mondo Cocktail Bar
We kicked off the weekend with welcome drinks at Mondo Cocktail Bar, a stylish cocktail bar in the Walled City. It was a relaxed way for guests to arrive, grab a drink, and start the weekend together.
Friday: Beach club & welcome party
On Friday we took a boat to Blue Apple Beach Club for a beach day on Tierra Bomba Island. We relaxed by the water and enjoyed what was easily the best paella of the trip.
That evening we hosted our welcome party at Alquímico, one of the city’s most famous cocktail bars. With multiple floors and a rooftop, it’s a lively and fun spot for a celebration.
Saturday: Ceremony & reception
The ceremony took place at Baluarte de Santiago Apóstol, a historic bastion built into Cartagena’s city walls overlooking the Caribbean.
The reception was a few steps away at Baluarte de San Francisco Javier, where the celebration continued late into the night.
There was endless entertainment for guests, including a cigar roller, lyra performers, fire girls, a DJ and live band, fireworks, shot girls, dancers, a 10-foot LED robot, and, of course, an open bar.
Sunday: Farewell brunch
We wrapped up the weekend with brunch at Hotel Casona del Colegio before guests headed home.
Looking back, the entire weekend was more than we could have ever hoped for.
Need to know
Weather
Cartagena is warm year-round, typically between 80–90°F. The dry season (December–April) tends to have the best weather for events.
Walking tours
One of the highlights was a private walking tour of the Walled City with a local guide who shared the history behind Cartagena’s colorful streets, colonial architecture, and centuries-old fortifications. It was a great way for guests to learn about the city’s culture and history while exploring the neighborhoods.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cartagena page.
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