Are you considering planning a destination wedding and wondering where to go? You have to add the Historic Convento Capuchinas in Antigua Guatemala to your list of places to consider. This location is truly in a league of its own! It might just be your dream wedding venue if you want to say “I do” in a location with a rich history as well as a place that is intimate and full of magical, old-world charm.
As a documentary wedding photographer, I was elated when Haley and Nathan asked me to be a part of their wedding and even more excited when I found out it was going to be a destination wedding in Antigua! Guatemala is an absolutely beautiful country, and I knew their wedding would be incredibly special.
Read on to learn more about what planning a wedding in Antigua, Guatemala, looks like…
Planning a Wedding in Antigua Guatemala at Convento Capuchinas
Convento Capuchinas is a charming old nun convent located in the heart of Antigua, Guatemala. If you know anything about Antigua, you know that it is an exquisite city and beautiful people, and this convent was no exception.
Its construction began in 1731 and was completed in 1736. This was the last convent to be built within the city, and it remains one of the most beautiful locations, serving as a fine example of an 18th-century convent, with its remains still very much intact. The structure features a blend of Baroque and Moorish architecture, most notably in the church’s stonework.
Convento Capuchinas was used until 1850 when a private family purchased the property. Later, it would be restored, turned into a museum, and opened to the public.
If you do want to book your wedding here, please note that bookings open in the first three months of the year for the following year. Once you’ve confirmed, you’ll need to attend an appointment and sign the proper paperwork. After this process, it takes a month or so to receive confirmation. When you have confirmation, you will then make full payment and then sign the additional paperwork required.
However, don’t let the booking process overwhelm you! There are several companies that will guide you through the entire process. One I’d personally recommend is Zeeba Wedding Planning, which specializes in destination weddings in Antigua.
Haley + Nathan’s Romantic Antigua, Guatemala Wedding at Convento Capuchinas
If all of this has captured your attention, here’s a behind-the-lens look at Haley and Nathan’s beautiful wedding to inspire you for your celebration:
Background on the couple
Haley and Nathan met in college at the University of Oklahoma, and while Nathan was absolutely smitten with Haley immediately, Haley kind of blew Nathan off….for a while. However, after some time, Nathan continued to show up for Haley and reveal what kind of person he was. After a couple of trips together with their friend groups, they realized they had a lot more in common than they thought. Eventually, they hit it off.
This quickly turned into realizing that the two of them were actually lovers of all things travel and fun! Once college was over, Nathan told his family that he’d be moving from Oklahoma to Arizona to be with Haley.
Fast forward years later, with loads of trips around the country and world, tons of memories made, and one epic proposal at Royal Palms in Phoenix, these two were ready to plan an epic wedding!
Choosing the wedding venue
Haley and Nathan knew that they wanted to get married somewhere absolutely stunning. While they’d never been to Guatemala or Convento Capuchinas, they immediately fell in love with the venue. They knew this was their dream location for their celebration.
They decided to go all out on an incredible ceremony with their closest friends and family, featuring a ceremony and reception drenched in stunning colors and fresh fruits. Everyone had the absolute time of their lives at their wedding – it would be impossible not to!
Getting ready and first looks
On the day of their wedding, these two got ready separately. Haley’s best friends did her hair and makeup, and their day was filled with laughter, love, and many tears – and maybe one wine spill on Haley’s dress, but thank goodness for sparkling water, which never fails to immediately remove wine from material!
I grabbed some couple portraits of both of them separately before they had an emotional and heartfelt first look in the charming garden at the convent that overlooks the nun’s former dormitory ruins. This was such a tender and special moment for these two.
I always love it when couples choose to do a first look, as it’s such a meaningful and intimate moment that only the two of you get to share before the rest of your day catches up to you.
Haley also chose to have a first look with her dad, which was a touching and beautiful moment as well. During her first look with her dad, after he had turned around to see his daughter for the first time, filled with emotions and wiping away tears, he wrapped his arms around Haley and said, “I’m so proud of you,” and that is something I will truly never forget. This day was full of so many moments that just pulled at your heartstrings.
The ceremony
Haley and Nathan had their ceremony in the church at the convent. When the ceremony started, my partner headed up to the choir loft as Haley proceeded down the aisle, accompanied by her mom and dad, and the views from above were immaculate!
Everywhere you looked in this church was simply breathtaking. Their ceremony was, of course, beautiful, and everyone was so excited for these two to tie the knot and begin this new chapter in their lives together.
After their ceremony, we made sure to capture some portraits throughout the convent, including the ruins, above the reception space overlooking the fountain square, in the choir loft, in the stairwells, and in the gardens, before heading to the reception to celebrate these two!
This was a photographer’s dream venue as there were so many incredible spots to take gorgeous photos. I absolutely loved being a part of Haley and Nathan’s celebration – this was a wedding I will truly never forget!
Ready to Book a Photographer for Your Destination Wedding?
I hope you found all of this info helpful! Whether you want to plan an epic destination wedding in Guatemala or somewhere else in the world, I’m down for the adventure and to capture every beautiful and meaningful moment of your celebration.
My goal as your documentary wedding photographer is to let you and your partner fully express who you are. I will portray your love story to show the intimacy, emotion, and the bond you both share. You can get in contact with me here or learn more about my services here. Let’s start planning your dream wedding!
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