Cartagena is a port city in Colombia known for its
beautifully preserved Spanish colonial architecture,
historic squares, and quaint cobblestone streets—the
kind of picturesque elements that make saying “I do”
there special. Valentina Hernandez Botero, who was
born in Bogotá and raised in South Florida, convinced
George Dufournier, her boyfriend of five years, that it
was just the spot for their nuptials. “I wanted to show
my country to his family and have them experience
everything I love about it,” she says of her French
in-laws, who live in Paris, where George grew up and
where he proposed in December 2017.
To that end, the couple—who met in 2012 as college
students at a boat party in Miami—orchestrated three
days’ worth of fun, blending age-old Colombian tradi-
tions with a distinctly modern approach. “We decided to
focus on what was most important to us—making our
guests feel like they were on the most amazing trip—and
forget the rest.” What didn’t make the cut? A wedding
cake, printed invitations (they used Paperless Post), and
any florals beyond the bridal bouquet. Instead, they
sprang for a band and a DJ, a
four-course seated dinner, and
an all-day beach party the day
after the reception.
The ceremony was held at
Catedral de Santa Catalina de
Alejandría on Friday after-
noon, and after their vows the
newlyweds ambled down the
aisle to “I Say a Little Prayer”—
performed by the bride’s sister, the recording artist
Naty Botero—and into one of the horse-drawn carriages
transporting the 130 guests to the Sofitel Santa Clara
hotel, a former convent built in 1621. After dinner and
lots of champagne served by waiters dressed in monks’
robes—a unique hotel tradition—guests boogied until
midnight, or hora loca (“It translates to ‘crazy hour,’”
says Valentina) when the party went into full-on carni-
val mode with drummers, dancers, feathered head-
dresses, and guaro shots until 4 a.m.
The next day, with the formalities behind them, the
couple could relax with friends. And they did, heading
to a house on the ocean for a “Just Married” bash. Not
that there was much lazing around: “Our friends DJ’d
for a full 12 hours—no joke!” says the bride. Everyone
had plenty of energy thanks to enjoying another
Colombian wedding custom the night before. “At about
2 a.m., waiters brought out soup called levante
muerte—raise the dead. You sip on the broth and no
hangovers, guaranteed!”—Jenny ComitaJOYFUL
Moments“Our motto is to
always do the unex-
pected and create
experiences that
make people feel
alive,” says Valentina.
C
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brides.com august + september 2019