A Story of Language Barriers
About James & Manuela
21 November 2021
On what was supposed to be a four-week trip to Colombia, James met Manuela on the night of 21 November 2021. After a single date with her, he cancelled his trip plans and even his return to the US out of pure excitement. The language barrier, however, was high.
8 January 2022
James officially asked Manuela to be his girlfriend. In reference to the aforementioned language barrier, he thought she said no.
28 January 2022
On their first trip together, James and Manuela traveled to a small Colombian beach town. A Venezuelan rapper asked him if Manuela was his girlfriend. Under pressure, he said más o menos… because he thought they weren’t dating.
14 February 2022
On Valentine’s Day, Manuela introduced James as her “boyfriend” to her family. In this moment, James learned Manuela was, in fact, his girlfriend.
He was elated. She was not.
12 September 2023
After a couple difficult years of immigration limitations, James obtained residency in Colombia and invited Manuela to live with him.
8 March 2025
After the best years of his life and understanding she’s the woman of his dreams, James proposed to Manuela in Parque Arví, Medellín – the site of their second date three years prior.
22 March 2026
See you in Medellín, Colombia.
About the Wedding Destination: Medellín
James (from the US) has lived in Medellín for nearly five years. Manuela was born and raised here. We met here, fell in love here, and have built our little life together in this valley, El Valle de Aburrá.
Medellín is green, high-altitude (5,000-8,000 ft above sea level), and full of life. Locals are warm and welcoming, the food is international and rich, and the views are unforgettable (in the true sense of the word). Mountain breeze, rooftop dinners, hikes in the hills, an abundance of waterfalls, and some decent coffee here and there.
If you’re staying in the city, we recommend El Poblado for accommodations, restaurants, and nightlife. For a more peaceful and comfortable stay, try renting a finca with your family or several guests in Llanogrande or Rionegro – just minutes from our wedding/reception venues and the Medellín international airport.
Medellín is safe. But like any big city, be smart and take normal precautions.
Also, keep a little cash on hand for taxis or small shops. You can grab pesos at an ATM in Medellín after you land (not a currency exchange at home).
You’re in for a beautiful time – whether it’s three days or seven. We can’t wait to show you our little corner of the world.
Travel Recommendations
Flight Recommendations
Fly into José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Rionegro, 30 minutes from Medellín. Most major US and European cities offer flights to Medellín – perhaps with a layover in Bogotá, Panama City, Houston, Orlando, or Miami.
Transport from the Airport
Once you land, you’re about 10 minutes from the wedding venue and 30-45 minutes from most accommodations in the city.
Uber: Available! We recommend using the free airport WiFi to call one, then confirm pickup instructions.
- Taxi: Safe, reliable, and around $40 USD to El Poblado.
- Private shuttle: Great for groups. Reach out to Manuela or James for contacts.
If you’re staying in Llanogrande or Rionegro, your finca will likely be just a short 10-20 minute drive away. Let us know your arrival details and any questions.
You have two great options. Stay in the city for Medellín’s culture and accessibility, or rent a finca in the countryside for peace, quiet, and fresh mountain air. Most will stay in Medellín from Wednesday or Thursday to Monday.
Option 1: El Poblado (the City)
If you want easy access to restaurants, cafes, nightlife, and city views, book a hotel or Airbnb in El Poblado. It’s the most popular area for visitors – and for good reason. It’s gorgeous!
We recommend the three following luxury, boutique hotels:
- Click Clack (promo code JAMESYMANUELAMARZO2026MDE)
- Binn Hotel (promo code BODAMANUELAYJAMES)
- Zarzo (promo code bodajamesymanuela)
Each hotel is centrally-located in Medellín’s touristic, shopping, and cuisine district.
You can also check out our list of preferred Airbnbs in El Poblado if you want more space.
Option 2: Llanogrande or Rionegro (The Countryside)
Traveling with family or friends and want space to breathe, relax, and enjoy the Colombian countryside? Book a finca (a large countryside “farm” home) in Llanogrande or Rionegro – just 10-15 minutes from the wedding venue and Medellín airport.
Airbnb and Booking.com have plenty of great finca options. These areas are safe, calm, and beautiful.
El Poblado
Restaurants
- Carmen
- Casa el Ramal
- Chez Migu
- El Cielo
- Colosal
- Inzolente
- Mal de Ojo
- La Provincia (James’s #2 favorite)
- OCI.Mde
- Oni Nikkei
- Sambombi (James’s #1 favorite)
Cafes & Brunch
El Oriente
- Martín Mulatto (El Retiro)
- Get groceries before heading to the finca
If it’s your first time in Colombia, Medellín is the perfect place to jump into the culture and have some fun.
Take the cable cars up to Parque Arví (one of James’s favorite places) for some silence, mountain air, walking trails, and little food stalls. Walk through Comuna 13 to see colorful street art and hear inspiring stories about how the neighborhood has changed from the world’s most dangerous to a flourishing tourist destination.
If you want a morning workout, hike Cerro de las Tres Cruces (60 minutes up and down) for awesome views of the valley. Or take a day trip (2 hours) to Guatapé, a bright and colorful lakeside town with a giant rock you can climb.
For a chill afternoon, walk around Ciudad del Río with its sculptures and green space, or watch the sunset from any of El Poblado’s rooftop restaurants and clubs.
At night, check out Provenza for trendy restaurants and bars, or if you’re more adventurous, La 70 for dancing and a more local vibe.
Don’t skip Medellín’s museums (La Casa de la Memoría is James’s favorite), Jardín Botánico, Parque Explora, and even the zoo.
You’ll fall in love with Medellín quickly.
The Schedule
For those making the international trip, we’ll have various optional events planned Thursday through Sunday, in addition to what you see below. When you RSVP, please indicate whether you’re interested in these events, so we can get accurate numbers before reserving them.
Day 1 • Rehearsal Day
Friday, March 20
Those invited to the groom’s evening dinner will enjoy a special gathering of the couple’s families and wedding party. Location will be shared in advance.
Day 3 • Wedding Day
Sunday, March 22
The wedding will start at 2pm at La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Chiquinqirá. For those who don’t live in Colombia and don’t have transportation, we will be in touch about your options from the city to the church, to the reception, and back to your hotel. The party will end at 2am.
RSVP Now
Save your spot at James and Manu’s wedding in Medellín by clicking the button below. We will invite every guest individually. Do not add a plus one unless they were explicitly invited.
Please Consult Before Planning Your Trip
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dress Code?
The dress code is cocktail attire.
Men: Please wear a suit (tie optional) or blazer with dress pants.
Women: Please wear a long formal dress or pants. And please avoid any burnt orange, light pink, or white.
Where are the Wedding and Reception?
- Catholic mass and nuptials at La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Chiquinqirá
- Reception at Zona E Establo
What is the Schedule?
Before the Wedding Day
Visit the schedule here.
Wedding Day
Important: Eat before coming!
For non-wedding party guests, the day begins promptly at 2pm at La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Chiquinqirá. Arrive beforehand to secure your spot in the small church and take photos if you wish. Here, we’ll enjoy a translated and brief mass and traditional Catholic nuptials before heading out to the garden for photos.
Then, at 4pm we’ll gather again at the reception venue, the Zona E Establo. (This is just a 10-minute drive from the wedding venue.) We’ll enjoy …
- hors d’oeuvres,
- drinks,
- appetizers,
- dinner,
- speeches by the best man, maid of honor, and others,
- and dessert
… before the celebration begins. The night will end around 2am, but be sure to stay for a few surprises until at least 10pm.
What is the Schedule for the Special Day?
Important: Eat before coming to the wedding.
There will be no food or drinks provided at the wedding venue. Please bring bottled water or other beverage.
At the reception venue following nuptials, guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please indicate them in the RSVP process.
How Can We Communicate with the Wedding Party or Each Other in Colombia?
Download WhatsApp before entering the country. This is how most non-Americans communicate globally. Message James or Manu with any questions you have in anticipation for the wedding.
Once in Colombia, we will send wedding updates and directions in a WhatsApp group chat, so you’re always in the know.
If you don’t have cell service in Colombia, you can purchase temporary eSim plans on Airalo or Holafly. We use these often when traveling abroad, and they’re great.
Are Children Invited?
Unless explicitly invited by the wedding party, no.
Can I Bring a Plus One?
Unless explicitly invited by the wedding party, no. We will invite every guest individually.
Is There a Hotel Block for Wedding Guests?
We recommend the three following luxury, boutique hotels:
- Click Clack (promo code JAMESYMANUELAMARZO2026MDE)
- Binn Hotel (promo code BODAMANUELAYJAMES)
- Zarzo (promo code bodajamesymanuela)
For most guests, the trip to Medellín will be just as much a vacation as a wedding. We encourage you to make the most of your stay in the City of Eternal Spring and choose the ideal place for you. Most accommodations will be significantly more affordable than what you’re accustomed to in your home country.
If you need more recommendations, text James or Manuela.
Will the Wedding Be Indoors or Outdoors?
Indoors but without air conditioning. As is customary in Medellín and the surrounding area, most buildings (especially if older) are open-air because of the cool, year-round spring climate. The temperature in Rionegro (the location of our wedding and reception venues) is 5-15º cooler than the temperature in Medellín. Plan accordingly.
Will Transportation Be Provided?
For those coming from outside the country and don’t have transportation while here, we will be in touch about your options in advance of wedding day. If you have transportation, there will be ample parking at the wedding and reception venues.