Destination Wedding: Antigua, Guatemala

The enchanting colonial town of Antigua, Guatemala, is a top choice for those planning a destination wedding. The UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts perfectly preserved architecture, cobbled streets to die for and the surrounding volcanoes.

Some couples are put off destination weddings due to the hassle and expense of coordinating travel for their nearest and dearest, but flying time from New York to Guatemala City is less than to Los Angeles. It may well be easier and cheaper than you think to fly your loved ones down for the big occasion.

Antigua plays host to a mind-boggling array of restaurants and bars for such a compact town, and that abundance of options extends to wedding venues. A number of the historic ruins around town are available for hire, and some are in better shape than others, which might necessitate good weather during the ceremony. A few of the most beautiful ruins include the Templo Capuchinas, Ermita de la Santa Cruz and San Jose El Viejo.

© Jack Guy

The fee for each varies, but there is a venue to suit every taste. Several hotels, such as Hotel Santo Domingo and Mezon Panza Verde, are well known for their skill in hosting wedding receptions and there is no shortage of lodging options either.

With a huge variety of venues for both the ceremony and the reception, Antigua offers flexibility when planning a destination wedding. The dramatic setting of the town only adds to the magic of the occasion, and guests can enjoy the fruits of the local culinary and bar scenes without breaking the bank. Antigua has everything you could wish for; the only problem is choosing which of the many options you like best.

© Jack Guy