Colombian wedding: a surrealist spectacle of lockets and unexpected delights
Elizabeth and Holden Blanco’s Medellín wedding wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a meticulously crafted experience, a vibrant collision of Colombian artistry and personal storytelling.
Breaking tradition, building memories
The couple, already legally married in a Philadelphia housewarming party in 2023, opted for a themed celebration, diverging dramatically from traditional wedding norms. They envisioned a multi-day event, a project as much as a party, fueled by a shared passion for visual art – specifically, the surrealist works of Fernando Botero and the intricate textile traditions of Colombia.
“We really had a teamwork approach to this wedding, so we were the only ones that knew the schedule and knew all the little moments and surprises,” says Elizabeth. “It took a lot of pressure off it being this one day. I really wanted to just approach this whole wedding as a project, make stuff, and bring our own art into this.”
A wardrobe of dreams
The couple’s distinctive wedding attire became a direct reflection of this artistic vision. Elizabeth stumbled upon an Odylyne the Ceremony gown at a trunk show, captivated by its dramatic, billowing fabric. “There was just one day I had available, and I thought it was meant to be,” she recalls. Holden, equally drawn to the ethereal quality of the dress, encouraged her to fully embrace the theme. “It was almost like costume in a way. It was big, voluminous, and really set the tone,” she remembers.
Lockets as legacy
Elizabeth’s passion for lockets quickly took over, leading her to amass nearly 1,000 of the vintage keepsakes. She transformed them into a stunning, personalized bag – a repository of memories, each locket containing a photograph of a cherished pet, past or present. “Honestly, the hardest part was like hunting through my friends’ Instagram profiles to find photos,” she shares. “For most of our wedding, I didn’t speak a lot about it because I wanted it all to be a surprise.”
A delicate message
The lockets also adorned Elizabeth’s Juliet cap veil, each one meticulously beaded and strung together, spelling out “Blancos para siempre” – “Blancos Forever.” “I didn’t even remember to show people that,” says Elizabeth, laughing. “But it was fun for Holden and I.” Holden’s bolo tie, a custom-made piece featuring antique wedding photographs, offered a more understated approach to the theme.
Beyond the bride: a collaborative celebration
The couple’s planner, Laro Japerdiz, played a crucial role in allowing Elizabeth to focus on the intricate details and DIY elements. “They do everything, which meant I could focus on fun tasks and DIYs. I wish I had time for even more projects, but constraints are good for creativity,” she reflects. As the evening unfolded, Elizabeth opted for a ruffled white mini dress by Aknvas, a bold contrast to the earlier dramatic gown, while the groom and his brother design duo, Lugó Lugó, created a surprisingly unconventional, yet utterly captivating, menswear ensemble.
Final note:
The Blanco wedding wasn’t simply a celebration of love; it was a testament to the power of shared vision and a deeply personal artistic expression – a memory meticulously crafted, one locket at a time.