This Luxe Cartagena Wedding Featured a Drag Queen, Dancer-Led Parades and a Traditional “Crazy Hour”

Nicki and Emily's extravagant Cartagena wedding, planned by Two Lovers, consisted of parades through the street led by traditional Cartagenian dancers, drag queens, and a traditional “Crazy Hour.”

Nicki and Emily celebrated their love in a vibrant wedding in Cartagena, Colombia with 56 of their closest friends and family in attendance. The celebration was a perfect blend of personal touches and cultural elements, executed flawlessly by local planning team, Two Lovers, to create a truly unforgettable day.

Choosing Cartagena as their wedding destination was a sentimental decision, as Emily has Japanese and Colombian heritage. The couple fell in love with the stunning architecture and magical ambiance of El Marqués Boutique Hotel, which also provided accommodations for their guests. The reception at Baluarte de San Francisco Javier, with its breathtaking views of the city and shoreline, especially at sunset, was a dream come true. “Another reason we decided on Cartagena is because of their beautiful traditions. We had dancers dressed in cultural wedding attire, and had a parade from Marqués to the wedding reception,” adds the couple.

The ceremony, officiated by Nicki’s best friend’s mom, a pastor, was personal and heartfelt. “As a couple, we don’t have any traditions, so the ceremony was very straightforward,” says Nicki. “My 34-year-old sister wanted to live out her childhood dreams of being a flower girl, so we obliged. The ring boy was Emily’s three-year-old nephew. It was adorable watching my sister and her nephew trail behind each other going down the aisle.”

The theme incorporated tropical elements, with an abundance of greenery and colorful tropical flowers accentuating the already lush surroundings. The couple chose sunset colors for their decor, reflecting the warm, vibrant hues of Cartagena’s architecture and street art.

Nicki and Emily’s attire was a highlight of the day. Both brides found their perfect dresses at a Latin-owned shop in Miami, making the experience even more special. They agreed not to see each other’s dresses before the wedding, adding an element of surprise to their day. The floral design was spearheaded by the planning team. “We’re both very hands-off with details like this,” laugh the brides. “We sent our wedding planner floral inspiration from Pinterest. The colors were green and leafy, mixed with white and tropical colors for the reception.” The Two Lovers planning team delivered, and created a lush event design that beautifully integrated wtih the already gorgeous venue.

The reception decor continued the tropical theme with colorful plant and flower arrangements on each table. Large green plants were strategically placed to separate different areas, while string lights added a romantic glow. The dance floor, a porcelain white with the couple’s initials in large gold lettering, became the foundation for dancing late into the night.

One thing the couple was detail-oriented about: the dessert. “I take my desserts very seriously,” says Nicki. The guava-infused wedding cake was complemented with a variety of mini desserts such as mini tortas and copitas, cheesecakes and pie.

Entertainment was a key component of the celebration. Guests were treated to a pre-wedding beach club day and party buses, setting the tone for a fun-filled weekend. A live band featuring cellos, violins, and saxophones provided beautiful music during the ceremony. Traditional Cartagenian dancers and musicians led a parade from the ceremony to the reception, adding a festive touch. The reception featured a 360 photo booth, a Colombian drag queen performance, and a lively “Crazy Hour” with dancers in extravagant costumes (a Colombian wedding tradition), culminating in a fireworks display.

The couple’s favorite moment was their first dance medley, a mix of Nicki Minaj’s “FTCU,” Muni Long’s “Made For Me,” and Lauryn Hill’s “Nothing Even Matters.” Nicki’s father, who had recently recovered from surgery, made a special appearance. “He was so excited and happy for us, he stood right next to us on the dance floor … photo bombing all of our solo dance pictures,” laughs Nicki.

Nicki and Emily’s wedding was a beautiful reflection of their love and cultural heritage, blending vibrant traditions with personal touches to create a day that will be remembered for a lifetime.

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