Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
- lisefiad
- Apr 29
- 6 min read
Our wedding at Hotel Atitlán in Panajachel: all the details, vendors, and logistics in one place!
Getting married in Lake Atitlán was the best decision we ever made... even though it took a little extra effort to plan from afar. It's not as popular or convenient as Antigua for weddings, which is exactly why we’re sharing everything we learned along the way. From travel logistics and budget to our dream vendors and secret honeymoon spot, here’s everything you need to know if you’re dreaming of tying the knot on the shores of Guatemala’s most beautiful lake.
Why a Destination Wedding is the Way to Go
If you’re on the fence about a destination wedding, let us make the case for it... because we’d do it this way again in a heartbeat.
Fewer People, More Meaningful Moments
One of the most unexpected gifts of planning a destination wedding is that it naturally keeps your guest list more intimate. The people who show up really want to be there. They’ve made the effort, taken the time, and arrived ready to celebrate you wholeheartedly. That kind of energy makes every moment feel richer.
Built-In Beauty (No Extra Décor Required)
When your backdrop is a volcanic lake surrounded by misty mountains and wild bougainvillea, you don’t need to overthink anything else. The setting does the heavy lifting... and lets you keep the focus on connection, not decorations.
Your Honeymoon Starts the Moment You Say “I Do”
No packing up the next day. No rushing to catch a flight. You’re already there. After the guests leave, you slip right into honeymoon mode... barefoot breakfasts, lazy afternoons, and that blissful just-married feeling in the exact place you said your vows.
A Chance to Fully Unplug
Being in a remote destination pulls you out of your routine in the best way. No last-minute errands, no work calls, no distractions. It gives you and your guests a rare kind of presence... the kind where time slows down, and the day becomes more than just an event. It becomes a shared experience no one forgets.
Getting There
The nearest airport is La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. From there, it’s about a 4-hour drive to Panajachel, the gateway town to Lake Atitlán.
We arranged a private shuttle through Hotel Atitlán for all our guests, which made things super simple. You can also book private or shared shuttles through local travel companies, depending on your group size and arrival time.
Why Lake Atitlán?
Lake Atitlán isn’t the easiest destination wedding spot... but that’s part of the magic. Fewer crowds, fewer cookie-cutter packages, and a lot more authenticity. You won’t find as many vendors or streamlined planning services as in Antigua, but you will find volcano views, lush gardens, and the kind of stillness that makes everything feel more meaningful.
The Wedding
We got married at Hotel Atitlán in Panajachel on February 22, 2024, with 50 guests by our side. The venue has an old-world colonial feel, manicured botanical gardens, and an insane view of the lake and surrounding volcanoes. It’s romantic in the kind of way you only see in storybooks.
Everything: the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and boat party all took place on-site, which made the flow of the day feel effortless.
Bonus: The hotel includes a wedding coordinator, and ours, Guillermo Matzar, was incredible. He handled everything from vendor coordination to day-of timing. The tent and chair rentals for the ceremony were also set up through the hotel, which saved us a ton of extra coordination.
Wedding Day Breakdown:
Venue: Hotel Atitlán, Panajachel, Sololá
Date: February 22, 2024
Guests: 50
Coordinator: Included (Guillermo Matzar)
Tent + Chairs: Rented and set up through the hotel
Ceremony + Reception + Cocktail + Boat Party: All on-site
Total cost for venue, food, drinks, cocktail hour, and rentals: Approx. ~$14,000
Let’s Talk About the Food
One of the biggest questions we got from guests beforehand was: “But is the food safe?” And we totally get it... traveling abroad can come with some worries, especially when it comes to food and water.
But honestly? The food at Hotel Atitlán was incredible... not just on the wedding day, but every single meal throughout our stay.
Everything was fresh, locally sourced, and full of flavor, think farm-to-table Guatemalan ingredients with just the right amount of flair. From the wedding menu to casual breakfasts on the terrace, we were blown away. Not a single guest got sick, and more than one person said it was some of the best food they’ve had at a wedding, ever.
If food is important to you, know that you’re in really good hands here.
The Post-Reception Boat Party
After the reception, instead of a traditional send-off, we took the whole crew on a surprise private boat party across the lake and it was our guests favorite part. Picture champagne, music, a sky full of stars, and the lake gently rocking beneath us. It was the perfect, unexpected ending to an unforgettable day, and such a Lake Atitlán thing to do.
If you’re considering something similar, ask the hotel to help organize a private boat captain in advance!
Our Vendors
Florist: Tono (unfortunately, we didn't get his last name)
Tono was a hidden gem. He came recommended by a local friend and handled not only all the florals but also the tent lighting, and charged a fraction of the cost of other quotes we got, his arrangements came out better than we could have imagined.
Contact: +502 5414 1446
Cake: La Pastelería by Sofía Cobián
Elegant, delicious, and exactly what we wanted... not too sweet, super fresh, and beautiful.
Wedding Photography: Manuel Aldana
We booked Manuel for both the wedding and a private honeymoon shoot. His work is crisp, emotional, and artistic without feeling overly styled.
Contact: manuelaldana.com
Wedding Videography: Ultra Weddings Filmmakers, Junior Espina
Our wedding film captured everything we felt but couldn’t put into words. Their team is incredibly professional and fun to work with.
Contact: ultraweddings.gt ; info@ultraweddings.gt
Hair + Makeup: Galilea Avila
Galilea is based in Panajachel and has a calming presence, which you definitely want on your wedding day. Her work was polished, lightweight, and stayed put all day.
Contact: galileamakeup.com
DJ: DJ Serch
Our guests were on the dance floor all night. He nailed the vibe, according to our playlist recommendations and also played the aisle songs for our ceremony.
Contact: proaudiogtm@gmail.com
The Alcohol Setup: Open Bar Without the Overhead
One of the best decisions we made... both for the party and the budget was handling the alcohol ourselves.
Hotel Atitlán allowed us to supply all our own alcohol, which gave us way more flexibility (and savings). We brought everything in ourselves and worked with the hotel’s bartenders to serve it.
That meant we were able to offer a full open bar all night long at the cocktail hour, reception, and on the boat party afterward, without paying hotel markup prices. Think signature cocktails, local beer, wine, and plenty of tequila to keep the dance floor going.
If you're planning a wedding here, definitely ask the hotel about this option. It kept costs down and gave us way more control over what we served. The bartenders were super professional and kept the drinks flowing all night.
Our Honeymoon: Hotel La Fortuna
We spent our honeymoon at Hotel La Fortuna, and honestly, it felt like an entirely different universe. With only a few private waterfront bungalows, it’s peaceful, secluded, and completely unplugged — no roads, no reception desk, just the sounds of birds and waves.
Pro tip: You’ll want to book at least a year in advance. The place is tiny, and that’s exactly what makes it so magical.
We also did a honeymoon photo shoot there with Manuel Aldana. It was private and low-key, but the photos turned out insanely romantic — misty morning dock, jungle backdrops, barefoot bliss. Highly recommend.
Exploring the Lake by Boat
You don’t drive between towns here — you take a boat. Water taxis (lanchas) run from Panajachel to all the major lakeside villages every 20–30 minutes during the day. You can flag them from the docks, hop in, and pay in cash (usually Q25–30 per ride for tourists).
Towns worth exploring by boat:
San Marcos La Laguna – Known for yoga, meditation, healing centers, and good cliff-jumping if you're bold.
San Juan La Laguna – Artisan village with handwoven textiles, natural dye workshops, and friendly locals.
Santa Cruz La Laguna – Quiet, stunning, and home to a few great eco-lodges and lakeside cafés.
Santiago Atitlán – The largest town on the lake, rich with Maya history and cultural traditions.
Jaibalito – A car-free village that feels like a secret. Amazing views and great for a mid-day swim.
Final Thoughts
If you're considering getting married in Lake Atitlán... we say go for it!
Yes, it takes more planning. Yes, it’s a little harder to pull off. But what you get in return is a wedding that feels like yours ... ntimate, magical, and set in one of the most beautiful places on earth. And once the day’s over, you’re already in paradise.
Comments