Colombian couple's surreal wedding features 1000 lockets, vintage photos
Elizabeth and Holden Blanco's destination wedding in Medellín, Colombia, was a surreal celebration of their artistic bond. The couple, already legally married after a surprise ceremony in Philadelphia, designed their Medellín wedding as a themed experience filled with unexpected delights.
Unconventional style shines through
Drawn to the works of Colombian artist Fernando Botero and local textile artisans, the creative pair decided to flip traditional wedding planning on its head. '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,' Elizabeth explains.
Going against convention felt fitting for their relationship. As Elizabeth notes, 'I think it took a lot of pressure off it being this one day.' The Medellín wedding would allow them to fully celebrate with both their American and Colombian family.
Diy delights abound
Elizabeth's wedding wardrobe was where the couple's artistic spirit truly shone. After discovering Odylyne the Ceremony's dramatic gowns on Instagram, she made a last-minute trip to a local bridal salon, where she fell in love with an off-the-shoulder design featuring billowing fabric. 'It was almost like costume in a way. It was big, voluminous, and really set the tone,' she recalls.
Holden enthusiastically supported his bride's choice, encouraging her to lean into the dramatic theme. From there, Elizabeth scoured thrift stores and markets for vintage lockets, eventually accumulating nearly 1000. 'I just really got into the lockets like a container themselves for memory,' she says.
With her growing collection, Elizabeth devised an idea: using the lockets to create a unique bag for the big day. Not only would the bag feature vintage lockets, but also images of guests' beloved pets, past and present. 'Honestly, the hardest part was like hunting through my friends' Instagram profiles to find photos,' she admits. 'For most of our wedding, I didn’t speak a lot about it because I wanted it all to be a surprise.'
The lockets made appearances throughout the celebration, including on Elizabeth's DIY bag and down the aisle. She purchased a lace-trimmed Juliet cap veil from Etsy, embellishing it with beading and a string of lockets spelling out 'Blancos para siempre,' or Blancos forever, in minuscule letters.
Holden also sported a locket design as part of his ceremony look. 'I’m calling it a bolo tie, because I don’t really know what else to call it,' Elizabeth explains of her custom-made piece, which featured vintage wedding photos hidden inside.
As the night continued, the couple changed into their after-party attire. Elizabeth opted for a ruffled, white mini dress by Aknvas, while Holden wore a coordinating ensemble by Colombian-based design duo Lugó Lugó. Reflecting on the weekend, Elizabeth expresses her gratitude for her planner, Laro Japerdiz, whose meticulous handling of the run of show allowed her to focus on the special details.