In February it was celebrated The renewal of matrimonial votes of Camilo and Evaluna, in an intimate ceremony held in Villa Bokéh, in Antigua Guatemala. Marcos Sáenz, executive chef of that place, described the event as a family, simple and special, which brought together about 18 people, who tasted a four -stroke menu accompanied by Guatemalan coffee. The renowned couple has visited the country on other occasions and considered that it was the ideal site to celebrate their love.
“In short, Guatemala is a destination that is fashionable,” says Pamela Morales, Wedding Planner de Crea event.
By 2027, each wedding in Guatemala is expected to generate an economic spill of approximately US $ 470 thousand, according to Claudia Coronado, head of the Inguat operation and marketing department. In addition, Anita Beteta, president of the wedding union and honey moons of the Chamber of Tourism, ensures that this segment will be sought to quadruple internationally by 2033. Beteta adds that, specifically in Guatemala, the spill could increase 50% in the next five years, provided there is investment.
Coronado details that a wedding of 100 people leaves an approximate spill of US $ 70 thousand. To this are added related expenses, such as lodging, transport and purchase of memories, which range between US $ 1,200 and US $ 1,800 per guest.
Morales emphasizes that all destination weddings imply greater investment, because expenses are included in hotels, restaurants and bars, in addition to lasting more than one day. On average, according to Wedding Planner data, such a wedding extends for about three days.
The strongest market for this type of weddings, according to Beteta, is in the United States and Canada. However, weddings of Salvadorans, Hondurans and Mexicans have also been recorded.
Economic impact
“The destination wedding market is valued at approximately US $ 39.2 billion. This market refers exclusively to couples who marry outside the United States, Canada and Mexico,” says Anita Beteta.
During 2015, Claudia Coronado mentions that about 100 destination weddings and honey moons were held. Ten years later, the figure amounts to between 300 and 360 weddings per year. “It’s almost a fate and luxury wedding per day,” compares Coronado. In addition, the Head of the Inguat Operation and Marketing Department indicates that, in Antigua Guatemala, about 350 weddings are celebrated a year, while in Atitlán around 120 are carried out.
The minimum cost for a destination wedding in Guatemala is approximately US $ 30,000, according to Eduardo Reyna, Wedding National and international wedding planner. This type of celebrations requires the participation of more suppliers than a conventional wedding. Reyna details that you need to have photography, video, decoration, makeup, hairstyle, lighting, music and transport services, not only for the couple, but also for guests.
“Now it’s not just about ‘I accept’, but also how to make my guests live an entire experience. That’s where Guatemala fits as a ring to the finger,” says Guillermo Durán, co -founder of a coffee artist, cafeteria that served drinks during the renewal of votes of Camilo and Evaluna.
Ricardo Valenzuela, photographer of Auguro Weddings, points out that couples usually travel to Guatemala about three times before their wedding, to know the place, meet with the organizers and meet the suppliers. Valenzuela adds that 90% of the destination weddings they cover are couples from two different countries. Its purpose, he explains, is that relatives not only travel through the wedding, but consider Guatemala as a destination to visit more frequently.
“The opportunity opens that this segment generates an equitable economic spill to other destinations,” says Beteta, who details that the goal is that, if the wedding is celebrated in Antigua, a visit to Lake Atitlán is also promoted, or that, if you travel to Petén, Tikal is known.
Guatemala strengths as wedding destination
Guatemala has an excellent location, as well as a stable and cozy climate. These are some of the positive aspects of the country, according to Anita Beteta.
“I think the point where we are is fabulous. Being able to come to Guatemala is quite easy,” says Eduardo Reyna, who points out that flights are short, which makes the country an attractive destination.
For its part, Ana Lucía Contreras, Human Talent Management Manager of the Casa Santo Domingo Museum Hotel, ensures that the establishment offers awarded gastronomy, natural environment and an attractive destination such as the colonial city. “In the end, those are the attractions for those couples who are looking for where to celebrate their wedding,” says Contreras. He adds that Santo Domingo del Cerro has established himself as an icon in the luxury wedding organization.
Contreras also emphasizes that the enclosure has quality and sustainability certifications, and ensures that many other spaces in the Antigua Guatemala region maintain high standards. “Lately I feel that the ancient category has been raised,” says Daniel López Pérez, a photographer specialized in luxury weddings, who indicates that a more exclusive profile has been reached in this type of event.
Ricardo Valenzuela, by Auguro Weddings, states that, of the 100 fate weddings that have covered, approximately 25 correspond to previous wedding guests who return in search of the same experience. This, he points out, demonstrates that Guatemala’s positioning as a destination for weddings is well established and advances in the right direction.
What should be improved?
Marcos Sáenz points out that, to strengthen this sector in the country, it is necessary to promote Guatemala and position it in the “Eye of the Hurricane”, so that its ability to offer locations (Venues) and receive important personalities is recognized. He ensures that the country already has a favorable nature and climate, and deepens Guatemala’s potential to project itself as an ideal wedding destination.
“Our landscapes, volcanoes, lakes, which of course are important and great support are being promoted, but we could have the support of specifically promoting the destination weddings and honey wedding, which also enters this segment,” says Eduardo Reyna.
Claudia Coronado identifies traffic and security among the country’s challenges. However, it ensures that actions are being executed inter -institutionally to strengthen security, although it clarifies that traffic escapes the Jurisdiction of the Inguat.
Along the same lines, Beteta adds the challenges in road and aerial communication: “I think it is a common denominator for both destination weddings and any other type of tourist segment.” For his part, Ricardo Valenzuela argues that a better road infrastructure would allow couples to more destinations, and not only to Antigua Guatemala. Valenzuela reports that they have worked with couples who land at 3:00 p.m. and do not arrive in old but until 7:00 p.m.
The most wanted destinations
According to Anita Beteta, the destinations identified for the development of destination weddings in Guatemala are:
- Antigua Guatemala
- Lake Atitlán
- The southern coast
- Izabal
- Petén
- Guatemala City
“Guatemala has the perfect stages. We do not talk only about Antigua Guatemala. There are places like Tikal, the volcanoes,” says Claudia Coronado, who points out that many people also look for options that include adventure. Other couples opt for Alta Verapaz, attracted to orchids, adds Coronado.
Daniel López indicates that, in fate wedding photographs, we always try to incorporate the environment, architecture and landscape.
Ricardo Valenzuela ensures that the most requested destination is Antigua Guatemala. However, he mentions that Petén, with his lagoons and rivers, is also attractive, although suppliers are usually elevated due to distance.
Valenzuela also comments that Monterrico has begun to position himself as a new place for weddings. “The coffee sand is not the typical Caribbean, the waves are a little larger and the sea is more active than the Caribbean. For the bride and groom it is also pretty to experience that type of atmosphere,” he says.
Ancient, “to the top”
Anita Beteta points out that it is important to start considering other sectors of the country as potential for destination weddings. “Sometimes, the occupation for a wedding is up to 80 rooms, and that is already a large size,” says Beteta, who adds that it is necessary to make a good count in the different destinations to know the capacity of each one.
Beteta also proposes that more destinations could be identified and start training or developing new spaces, since there are “spectacular” places throughout the country that could serve as ideal scenarios. Among them, he mentions Chimaltenango, a sector with areas that could benefit from infrastructure improvements to attract adventurous boyfriends.
For its part, Pamela Morales indicates that Antigua Guatemala is close to her maximum capacity. “We need more hotels, more rooms to be able to host more people,” he says. In addition, the Wedding Planner underlines the need for greater investment and that more hotel entrepreneurs are interested in that destination.
Along the same lines, Eduardo Reyna emphasizes that a key aspect is to have more professionals in the field of destination weddings, since the so -called “low season” is beginning to disappear.
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