In Antigua, Guatemala, Ana and Juan hosted the kind of wedding weekend people both gleefully anticipate and talk about long after it’s over. There was a volcano hike with more than 100 guests, an all-white welcome party, a candlelit dinner under the stars, and a reception that ended with a surprise DJ set from the groom.

The celebration unfolded between the historic ruins of Santa Clara and the gardens of Villa Bokeh, weaving together music, culture, travel, and plenty of unexpected moments.

But the real story started nearly a decade earlier. Ana and Juan met in 2016 at the University of Miami as finance majors, where study sessions eventually turned into a relationship. Years of traveling, growing up together, and building a life side by side ultimately inspired the way they approached their wedding: not as a single event, but as an opportunity to bring everyone they love into the world they had created together.

What We Love About This Antigua, Guatemala Wedding

• A volcano hike with more than 100 guests before the wedding day
• A ceremony inside Antigua’s historic Santa Clara ruins
• Tropical florals paired with centuries-old architecture
• Handwritten letters for every guest
• Colombian and Venezuelan traditions woven into the party
• A groom who secretly practiced a DJ set for months

Giving People A Reason To Turn A Wedding Into A Vacation

Ana and Juan kept returning to one question while planning: What can we create that people will genuinely enjoy and remember? “We envisioned our wedding as more than a single day. We wanted it to feel like a giant vacation where we could bring together all of our favorite people to one of the most magical places we’ve ever visited.”

Interestingly, neither of them had ties to Guatemala. But after visiting Antigua for the first time, they immediately understood why people fall in love with it. The colonial architecture, volcano views, colorful streets, and welcoming atmosphere made it an easy choice.

Since most people were flying in from abroad, they put together a weekend itinerary that encouraged everyone to settle into Guatemala instead of simply attending a wedding there.

Things began with a hike up Volcán de Pacaya alongside more than 100 friends and family members. At the summit, everyone roasted marshmallows over volcanic heat, ate pizza cooked using the volcano itself, and took in panoramic views.

The following evening, they hosted an all-white welcome party at Casa Troccoli. “Seeing family and friends from all over the world gathered together in one place for the first time was one of our favorite moments of the weekend.”

A First Look Helped Slow Everything Down

Scheduling a first look ended up being one of their smartest decisions. “Seeing each other for the first time (after nearly nine years together and countless conversations about what this day would look like) was incredibly emotional.” It also freed up more time later in the day so they could join cocktail hour instead of jumping between photos.

They carved out another private moment immediately after the ceremony, too. Before anyone entered Villa Bokeh, the two of them slipped away to see the reception space for themselves. “For a few minutes, it was just the two of us taking it all in.” After more than a year of planning, everything they had discussed was finally sitting right in front of them. 

Pairing Tropical Florals With Colonial Architecture

Instead of importing a ballroom aesthetic into Guatemala, Ana and Juan looked to Antigua for inspiration. They described their aesthetic as “tropical garden party meets historic Antigua.” At Santa Clara, they let the centuries-old architecture do most of the work. Towering stone archways, weathered walls, and greenery became part of the setting.

The floral palette leaned into coral, pink, orange, burgundy, and green, while terracotta details, wood textures, woven accents, and candlelight warmed everything up. At Villa Bokeh, guests stepped into a garden layered with hanging lanterns, tropical foliage, and long candlelit tables.

One standout installation was the greenery-covered tent and dance floor with cascading orchids and disco balls suspended overhead. Designer Bea De La Roca was responsible for pulling everything together. “Some of our favorite design elements were the ones she dreamed up herself.” Handing over creative freedom ultimately led to details they never would have thought of on their own.

Finding Ways To Honor Family And Heritage

Their ceremony at Santa Clara carried a lot of personal meaning. They walked down the aisle to “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey before exchanging vows centered around growth and the different versions of themselves that led them there. “We reflected on the younger versions of ourselves who dreamed about finding love, and the future versions of ourselves.”

Parents, siblings, and close family members all played important roles during the ceremony. That sense of connection carried into the reception, too. At one point, Ana and Juan entered carrying the flags of Colombia and Venezuela while family and friends danced around them. “It was a joyful tribute to our families, our roots, and the cultures that helped shape who we are.”

Using Fashion To Mark The Different Parts Of The Weekend

Their outfits also helped signal the shift from one event to the next. For the all-white welcome party, Ana wore a lavender PatBO two-piece set with floral applique details while Juan matched her in a lavender linen suit.

On the wedding day, Ana chose a custom Galia Lahav gown with intricate floral lace and a dramatic lace bolero that complemented Santa Clara’s architecture beautifully. Juan skipped a traditional black tuxedo and opted for a dark green Indochino tuxedo instead. Ana also kept her beauty look timeless with soft glam makeup by Jessie Harrison and a sleek low bun.

Later that evening, she changed into a beaded Retrofête mini dress that was made for dancing.

Featured Vendor:
Sparks Wedding

Spending Extra Time Finding The Right Planning Team Paid Off

Planning a 160-person destination wedding in a country unfamiliar to them meant finding the right team early on. Ana and Juan interviewed 10 to 12 planners before choosing Junebug vendor Sparks Weddings. They were drawn to a team that didn’t hesitate when ambitious plans entered the conversation.

“We came to them with what felt like some pretty ambitious ideas, from hiking an active volcano with more than 100 guests to transforming an elegant garden reception into a full-blown music festival-inspired party, and somehow they always had a solution.”

They approached every vendor relationship the same way. Before signing contracts, they spent time getting to know people personally rather than relying solely on portfolios and social media feeds. “Beyond talent, we wanted to work with people who understood our personalities, shared our excitement for the vision, and felt like partners throughout the process.”

Logistics also became a priority. With people arriving from all over the world, transportation, communication, and timing mattered just as much as flowers and music.

The Smallest Details Were Some Of The Most Memorable

Instead of traditional escort cards, every person received a handwritten letter alongside a Guatemalan worry doll. It was a simple gesture that carried a lot of weight.

They also introduced a playful tradition called “ring leaders.” Each table had a designated party starter who received a bottle of aguardiente and the responsibility of getting everyone involved. It immediately loosened up the room.

Turning A Garden Dinner Into A Tropical Rave

The evening unfolded in phases rather than following a traditional reception format. It began with dinner under the stars, heartfelt speeches, and live entertainment. Then came fireworks set to “A Sky Full of Stars,” followed by Latin performances and a packed dance floor. Then everything suddenly went dark.

Moments later, Juan appeared behind the DJ booth for a surprise set he had secretly been practicing for months. At the same time, Ana entered wearing illuminated fairy wings. The rest of the night became exactly what they had hoped for: energetic, playful, and impossible not to join in on. CO2 cannons, lasers, disco balls, late-night arepas, tequeños, and nonstop dancing kept everyone going well into the night.

And because these two clearly don’t do anything halfway, they put their wedding attire back on the following morning and hiked Volcán de Pacaya at sunrise with their photographers. “Standing on an active volcano in our wedding attire while watching it erupt in the distance felt surreal.”

Their Advice? Focus On What People Will Actually Remember

“The biggest piece of advice we would give couples is to remember that your energy sets the tone for the entire wedding weekend/day.” That idea became a useful filter every time they had to make decisions.

Years later, people probably won’t remember every flower arrangement or every perfectly folded napkin. They’ll remember roasting marshmallows on a volcano, waving flags on a packed dance floor, discovering a new country, and spending uninterrupted time with people they don’t often get to see.

That’s ultimately what Ana and Juan created: not just a wedding day, but a reason for everyone to press pause and be together for a little longer.