La Casa de La Ruina Santa Rosa Wedding

La Casa de La Ruina Santa Rosa, a luxury house and garden located in the beautiful city of Antigua, Guatemala, is located right next to the iconic Santa Rosa ruin. Antigua itself is renowned for its well preserved Spanish colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage, and was the ideal setting for couple Kat and Carlton’s wedding. Their photographer, Guatemala-based Manuel Aldana, was able to incorporate traditional features—such as adobe walls, red-tiled roofs and wooden balconies—into the editorial look and feel of the couple’s wedding portraits.

Kat and Carlton are the kind of couple who have a special connection, says Aldana. “They lit up just by seeing each other and were already smiling with their eyes before any festivities began,” he recalls.  “They were so happy and authentic.”

Aldana continues: “Something special about Kat and Carlton is that they look like models. That, combined with their elegant taste and originality, made the day at La Casa de la Ruina Santa Rosa  unique and memorable. The light was spectacular, the weather a little warmer than usual in Guatemala, and their energy was contagious.”

The exotic florals and bright details added color to the beautifully weathered environment. And the  bride’s floaty, ethereal, off-the-shoulder gown with dimensional applique details and glamorous white movie star sunglasses made their wedding a truly fashionable affair. The groom, Carlton, looked equally chic in a blue velvet tuxedo.

Taking advantage of the quality golden light of the day, Aldana captured several editorial photos that showed off the couple’s style combined with the gritty textures, architectural lines and vibrant colors of the city and the beautiful environment of La Casa de la Ruina Santa Rosa. 

For the wedding day, as well as for the couple portraits, Aldana focused on making his photos as sharp as possible with open apertures, freezing moments and “always enough light to surround my frames.”

We love the relaxed vibe, extraordinary venue, and the way Aldana captured the emotion and essence of the day. 

Looking for a stunning venue for your destination wedding? Take a look at La Casa de la Ruina Santa Rosa, then check out more of Manuel Aldana’s work on his website and profile. When your wedding means the world to you, this is where you will find your photographer.

Vendor Credits

Photography by Manuel Aldana (Second shooter: Javier Piedrasanta; Assistant: Abner Piedrasanta)

Videography by Auguro Weddings

Florist + Decor by Santiago Stragá

Catering by Grand Tikal Futura Hotel

Music by DJ Elise

Planning by Vivianne Brichaux

Hair & Makeup by Sebastian Catalan

Bride's Dress by Pronovias

Groom's Suit by Bindle & Keep

Invitations designed and made by the bride

 

For Photographers

Camera: Canon R5

Lenses: 85mm on the photographer’s right and 35mm on his left