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A Magical Place

sanpatell
1 post
A Magical Place

We got married in Iglesia Santo Toribio.

We were the 3rd couple to get married here and it was absolutely amazing. They could not have done any more for us. We travelled with Jonathan Spencer and the whole process from start to finish was smooth and efficient. Obtaining the documents required was not a massive strain and the wedding coordinator does everything for you.

The ceremony took place at 8:00 in the evening which was the best time to get married as it would have been far too hot during the day. The hotel staff decorated it beautifully with a red carpet, flowers and there was a live band playing. The wedding coordinator at the hotel arranged everything and included a few surprises which I wont mention as it would spoil it for anyone else getting married there! All in all it was an absolutely magical day. Cartagena is the perfect setting for your wedding day and we would not have chosen anywhere else for our special day. Our photos are simply beautiful and it is a day we will remember forever.

As for the rest of the holiday- what can we say. Words do not do this hotel justice. The food every morning was fantastic and there is so much choice you need a bigger plate! The bars and entertainment are all amazing. The city restaurants are perfect for lunchtime snacks as they serve everything from burgers to pizzas to salads. The views from the city are breath-taking, and we are so glad that most people disregard Cartagena as a holiday destination, as this is the best kept secret on South America!!

We would not hesitate to book here again, and that is the first time we have ever said that! The only issue with Casa El Carretero is that every small hotel we ever visit will be compared to it!

New York
2 posts
1. Re: A Magical Place

This sounds great. My husband to be and I are looking for places in Latin America to get married. Cartagena sounds like a great spot. We have a limited budget, but doing something in Latin America would sure beat the States.

Can you send me some leads as to who to contact in Cartagena and how much lead time you need to give? We are planning to get married sometime in November of 2007.

I am also considering Islas Margaritas. Does anyone have any tips there?

2. Re: A Magical Place

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norway
6 posts
3. Re: A Magical Place

I agree, Cartagena makes a wonderful wedding venue and Santo Toribio is a small intimate church with the advantage of A/C (donated by the F1driver Pablo Montoya when he got married there a couple of years back). Just 20 yards from the church is Hotel Casa La Fe which is a beautifully renovated B&B with english owners. The hotel has had many recommendations in TA and LP thorntree forums.

4. Re: A Magical Place

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New York
4 posts
5. Re: A Magical Place

I was in Cartagena this past August. My bf and I just got engaged and we're planning our wedding in Cartagena for next August - September. Do you have any contacts? I visited Sofitel and it seems like the perfect place for the reception. Do you have any information regarding reception rates? Music? Photographers?

thanks!

Zurich, Switzerland
50 posts
22 helpful votes
6. Re: A Magical Place

CARMEN CANON

I had the best wedding planner of Cartagena which got me really good deals (belive me I did my homework and the majority of them just charge you USD2000 for making the contacts . She is also the best cook of Cartagena (she catered events for proflora and for satrs like Juanes, the colombian singer), if you make your reception in the hotels they charge a lot for the food and is not nearly as good as the one of Adriana.

Her email is: adrianasantoseventos@hotmail.com

You will love Cartagena, look at my other entries with suggestions about hotels and some useful websites.

Pilar

Bedford, Canada
2 posts
7. Re: A Magical Place

I'm a Colombian native living in the US. My fiance and I are both planning a wedding in Cartagena, but we don't seem be able to find any resources on line or wedding planners contact info! How did you get in contact with yours? I was trying to get information from the Santa Clara Hotel but nobody seems to answer my emails nor care to give me any information on the phone. I also heard that the Santo Toribo church is really beutiful and romantic. But getting information on that church seems far fetched as well.

Anything you can do to help us, it will be appreciated!!

Zurich, Switzerland
50 posts
22 helpful votes
8. Re: A Magical Place

Quillera:

Contact Adriana, she know everybody in the city, But here an adviceto you. Cartagena is the caribbean, people here are SLOW so have patience, plan in advance, take your time and she will make you a great wedding.

Her email: adrianasantoseventos@hotmail.com

Bedford, Canada
2 posts
9. Re: A Magical Place

Sanpatell; Thank you so much for the tip! I'll contact Adriana.

New York
2 posts
10. Re: A Magical Place

Does the wedding planner ....adrianasantoseventos@hotmail.com speak english?

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