Ay vámonos pa' Cartagena! Vivir la vida buena, bailando juntos en la playa. O nos vamos pa' Cholón, nos metemos un par de ron y te como a besos en la muralla!
Elliott Castillo
Jennifer Marin
Elliott Castillo
Jennifer Marin
May 24, 2024
Nuestra Historia de Amor
Cupid Shoots From Above It was the after party for their friends' wedding when they first met and "Dimples" was all it took for Elliott. What started as a simple flirt quickly turned into a deep conversation when "Dimples" asked Elliott about his tattoo. Elliott opened up about his mother, and how she recently passed away from cancer, to which Jennifer opened up about her job as an outpatient infusion center oncology nurse. At that moment Elliott caught goosebumps because what Jennifer didn't know was that Elliott's mother was always trying to hook him up with one of her oncology nurses! At that moment Elliott knew he found the one, and this was before he saw Jennifer karaoke and dance to Karol G! But alas all good things must come to an end, and when it came time to say goodbye Jennifer was anxiously hoping that they would see each other again soon. Elliott Fumbles.... During the next few weeks Elliott and Jennifer kept in contact and spoke every day. During this time, Jennifer was referring to Elliott as her husband to her closest friends and Elliott opened up about his passion for healthcare and his many moonshot ideas. It was during one of these calls that Jennifer was invested in his ideas and business pitch. Jennifer had sealed the deal in Elliott's book, now the only thing left was for Elliott to go visit her in New Jersey. Just a simple 3 hour flight. But no, Elliott managed to fumble it up and almost lost Jennifer for good! He flaked out twice on visiting her in July and August, and after the second time Elliott almost extinguished the feeling she had for him. ...But Recovers! It didn't take long before Elliott realized he made a BIG mistake. Messages were being left on read with days going by without replies. Luckily for Elliott, Jennifer doesn't hold grudges and she responds to the love language of action. Elliott patiently waited for the next opportunity to strike, like a hunter watching every move his prey makes waiting for the right time to reach out. His patience paid off, and Jennifer was greeted with tickets to Orlando, a visit to Epcot, and reservation to one of the best seafood restaurants in Orlando. That weekend Jennifer and Elliott rekindled their feelings and they were ready to move forward in their relation. Short-Lived Long Distance Over the next few months they both got to know each other, and their friends and family a little better. Jennifer saw in Elliott the values she wished for her life partner to have. Elliott showed his respect, love and commitment in ways that touched Jennifer’s heart. From a distance Elliott found ways to make her smile in the purest of forms, love letters by mail being one of them. Jennifer realized she met the life partner she always hoped to find. Two separate lives came together as one seamlessly. It was joy, it was laughter, it was passion, it was peace, and it was God. Love is funny like that, when you know, you know.
RSVP
Please enter the first and last name of one member of your party below.
If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.
Wedding Week Schedule
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Welcome Cocktail Party
5:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Calle Velez Danies 33 # 4-39, Rooftop Bar, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar 130001, Colombia
There will be cocktails and a few light bites provided. Can't wait to see you all in Cartagena!
Friday, May 24, 2024
Ceremony
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Calle de los Santos de Piedra, Cra. 4, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia
Please start arriving by 4PM. Church Doors will close once the ceremony starts. Cartagena is HOT and HUMID!!! Please keep this mind in regards to your formal or semi-formal attire. There will be a 10 minute procession from the ceremony to the reception venue. Events will take place outdoors and indoors.
Reception
Fri, May 24, 2024, 6:00 pm - Sat, May 25, 2024, 2:30 am
Cra. 9 #39-12, Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia
Semi Formal/ Creative Formal.
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Boat Day
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Colombia
If you are interested in a boat rental and going island hopping on Sunday please let us know. We will connect you with the Captain Diego Marin, the bride's brother. He will provide you with all the details.
Flight & Accomodation
Flight
Airport Code: CTG
Avianca American Airlines Jet Blue Spirit Airlines
Hotel
Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena
Hotel
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Travel Note
Centro Historico
Cartagena has a little something for everyone. We highly encourage and recommend that you stay within the walled city (Historic Center), as you will be at most a 15 minute walk away from any point within the wedding itinerary. Hotels Charleston Santa Teresa Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel Movich Cartagena De Indias Nacar Hotel Cartagena by Hilton Arsenal Hotel (Getsemani) Osh Hotel (Getsemani) Popular Luxury Boutique hotels Bastión Luxury Hotel Casa Pombo Casa San Agustin Airbnbs are the most affordable option and great for groups! Make sure it has AC!
Travel Note
Getsemani
If you feel a little adventurous, Getsemani is a beautiful Wynwood meets colonial style neighborhood that is a little further out walking (25/30 minutes).
Travel Note
Bocagrande
Rounding off the neighborhood list is Boca Grande. It is about a 10-15 minute cab ride out but this is where you will find high rise buildings with ocean views and is more affordable than the historic center. Hyatt Regency Cartagena Intercontinental Cartagena
Registry
Wedding Party
Ethan Marin
Ring Bearer
Daliah Maria Marin
Flower Girl
Maddison Sciotto
Flower Girl
Mila Sophia Sierra
Flower Girl
Things To Do
Candé
Beautiful restaurant with live music that is next to the Serrezuela Mall and was in the Netflix series "Fake Profile". The decor, food and cocktails are delightful.
La Cevichería
A Cartagena staple for ceviche! We love this place, but don't just take our word for it, Anthony Bourdain loved this spot too! You can't go wrong with any dish on the menu. Jennifer's fave is the Colombian Ceviche Temptation.
Baruco by Cuzco
A mix of caribbean and peruvian cuisine with exotic drinks! The decor, service and ambiance is unremarkable. There is live music and dancing in the evenings!
Buena Vida Marisquería
Our favorite restaurant in Cartagena! The coconut rice is delicious, and the seafood is scrumptious! And the jaiba..YUM!
Quebracho Parrilla Argentina Restaurante Bar
Elliott's favorite restaurant when he wants a heaping amount of red meat! When you feel like you had your fill of seafood and need something closer to a steakhouse, this is the place to go to. The ribeye is good, but we recommend getting the Argentinean style cuts such as the Punto de Ancha, Skirt Steak, Bofe and the Chorizo. If you feel adventurous the Blood Sausage (Morcilla) is also a good choice.
El Pasquín de Joaco
Each floor will surprise you with its beautiful décor. The vibe, the cocktails and the evening rumba make this spot worth checking out.
La Laguna Azul Cocktails
Probably the best ceviche in the city, and the cheapest. Complete bang for you buck, but be warned the service here is a bit DIY.
El Sombreron Ostreria
This place serves gigantic portions of seafood in a styrofoam cups and they hold the record for the largest served ceviche portion!. They go from a small (4oz) all the way up to a 32oz. They specialize in both ceviche and cocktail style seafood. A bit on the sweeter side, but a definite must try!
Cocteleria Y Cevicheria La Jaiba
Same deal as El Sombreron. Very tasty ceviche and seafood cocktail spot that hits the spot. If the line at El Sombreron is too long this is a solid back-up. Also the cocktail sauce isn't as sweet.
Arepa de Huevo
A Cartagena specialty! These are great to eat at any time of the day. Whether as a breakfast item, a midday snack, or a late night after drink/turn up quick meal! It's an arepa that is cooked with an egg inside, and it is delicious!
Isla Rosario Tours
Get on a boat and tour the Rosario Islands, an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia. Snorkel to where Pablo Escobar's drug smuggling plane was wrecked (Narcos fans know what we're talking about!) and see some Little Mermaid type wildlife for the more adventurous souls. For our more turnt-up guests, check out Isla Cholon for the best rumba in the ocean! Fun Fact, this is where Jennifer first saw Elliott's Lobster Man Dance.
National Aviary of Colombia
For our nature lovers...a beautiful world class aviary with all of Colombia's rich aviary biodiversity represented in one place. Here you'll find the national bird of Colombia, the Andean Condor, one of the largest birds in the world. Alongside Elliott's favorite bird, the Harpy Eagle, the largest eagle in the world in a beautiful setting. Plenty of toucans and other gorgeous birds of paradise with an unrivaled colorful set of plumage. Overall, a great activity and one of our favorite attractions!
Sunset at Cafe del Mar
Catch a beautiful sunset across the Caribbean Sea with your imbibement of choice at Cafe Del Mar. Be warned, the seats fill up quickly so try to get there a little early! A walk on the murallas will guarantee a beautiful sunset as well.
Alquimico: A Global Top 50 Cocktail Bar
Rated as a top 50 cocktail bar across the globe, once you have one of their signature drinks you will understand why! This is our favorite spot to get drinks. They also have a rooftop!
Clocktower (Monumento Torre del Reloj)
The clocktower was built in 1888 and is considered one of the most popular landmarks in the walled city. It is a great place to people watch or get souvenirs. At nighttime, it is a fun place to grab a drink at one of the rooftop bars in the area.
Centro Comercial La Serrezuela
A high-end and modern shopping mall, built around the reconstructed former Plaza de Toros (Bullfight Arena) from the 1930s. Here you'll find affordable leather goods, boutiques with local products, upscale dining and the popular Andrés Carne de Res Cartagena (a great party dinner location).
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
The castle was built in 1536 and is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. The fortress was involved in several battles between the late 17th to early 19th centuries between European powers. A visit here will give you great views of the city and an opportunity to learn about Cartagena's history.
Palenqueras
While walking around the centro historico, be sure to take a photo with a Palenquera or buy some fruit from them. If you take a picture with them, make sure you give them a tip. The history of the palenqueras ranges from tragedy to triumph. The women from San Basilio de Palenque (a township located 45 minutes from Cartagena) descended from African slaves brought over during Spanish colonial rule. The ancestors of the present-day palenqueras escaped slavery to create their own settlement. Palenque is known for being the first free Black slave town in the Americas. There are various tour agencies available to experience the Afro-Colombian culture in Palenque!
Getsemani
Walk through Getsemani! Stroll the streets of this small neighborhood filled with art, murals, colorful homes, live music, and fun outdoor bars in "calle angosta"! Let us know if you'd like specific recommendations.
FAQs
Question
WHAT AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO?
Answer
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG)
Question
HOW DO I GET TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT?
Answer
The ride from the airport to the historic center is about 20 minutes. The yellow cabs outside the airport are safe. The cost is ~20 mil pesos (approximately $5).
Question
WHEN SHOULD I FLY IN?
Answer
We will be there as early as Tuesday, May 21st and plan to leave Tuesday, May 28th. We hope you are able to enjoy the magic of Cartagena and join us for our wedding weekend festivities!
Question
ARE CHILDREN INVITED?
Answer
Children are welcome to attend the ceremony (Church). However, due to limited numbers, we hope you understand that only children in the wedding party are invited to the reception. There are various Nanny services in Cartagena. Please inform us if interested.
Question
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND CARTAGENA?
Answer
Cartagena is a small and very walkable historic town. You will not need to rent a car and taxis are easily accessible. Although inexpensive, we recommend you ask your driver how much it costs to get to your location beforehand.
Question
HOW CAN I PAY FOR THINGS IN COLOMBIA?
Answer
Bars and restaurants accept credit cards. We recommend you exchange some money for cab rides, street vendors, souvenirs, etc. Ordering pesos from your local bank usually gives you the best exchange rate. Colombia's official currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Currency is expressed in hundreds, thousands and millions, which can be a bit confusing. Currently $1.00 US = $4,200 COP. For mental calculations think of it as ~$4.20 US dollars in terms of value. Happy to explain further =D
Question
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Answer
HOT & HUMID! Did we mention breezy but also HOT & HUMID. Ladies keep this in mind when picking your attire and hairstyle. Gentlemen, bring extra shirts to change at night after sweaty days!
Question
WHAT FORMS DO I NEED TO ENTER AND LEAVE THE COUNTRY?
Answer
You will need to complete an online COVID screening before your flight to Colombia and your flight home. There is also an immigration online form that will need to be completed before your inbound and outbound flight. https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en Closer to the date, WE WILL UPDATE this section as regulations are always changing.
Question
IS CARTAGENA SAFE?
Answer
YES! Don't be flashy Avoid sex tourism Don't do drugs...pretty please (insert praying hand emoji >here<)! Otherwise, you're the one who is not safe!
Question
WHO ARE THE YOUNG MEN RAPPING WITH SPEAKERS?
Answer
They are super fun, talented lyricist and freestylers. They each expect a tip for their time. If not interested, be sure to be stern and say NO thank you or they will continue their efforts to get you engaged.
Question
ARE THERE VEGAN OPTIONS IN CARTAGENA?
Answer
Unfortunately, there aren’t vegan restaurants in Cartagena. The following restaurants are known to have vegan options: Quero Arepa, La Mulata, Pezeterian, Alma, Agua de Leon, Kokoa Sushi, El Baron and Galeteria Paradiso.