.png)
Andean Weddings, Elopements, and Vow Renewals in the Sacred Valley of Peru
- Karen Wilson
- Dec 4, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 7
An Authentic Celebration of Love and Tradition in the Andes- Designed and Planned by Casa Karima Weddings & Events
Photo Credits- Miguel Palomino
Watch more of our Andean wedding and blessing ceremonies on Casa Karima’s YouTube channel
A Warm Andean Wedding Welcome at Mountain View Experience
Guests arrive at Mountain View Experience in the Sacred Valley to an open panorama of the Andes. In August, the landscape is dry and golden, a blend of rugged terrain and fields in soft wheat tones. The entrance is simple and intentional, featuring a wooden arch dressed with eucalyptus and sunflowers, natural textures, and local blooms that mirror the surroundings. A customized welcome sign anchors the space, announcing the celebration that awaits Ursula and Charlie.
As guests take in the jaw-dropping views, they sip cocktails and sample Andean-inspired canapés, a relaxed beginning that reflects the local flavors and spirit of the Sacred Valley.
Mountain View Experience is surrounded by wide open valleys, rolling golden fields, and the gentle presence of llamas that wander freely through the property. Their calm energy adds to the peaceful rhythm of the Andes, where time seems to slow and every sound feels connected to nature. The scene blends authenticity and joy, perfectly capturing the heart of an Andean celebration.
Walking with Llamas: The Andean Way to “I Do”
To honor the intimacy of the couple’s union, guests are escorted to a secluded location far from the main area, visitors, and cars. In the open pampas near Maras, a sacred ceremony space awaits. As guests gather in a circle, traditional Andean music begins to play, welcoming the couple as they make their way to the site, its melodies drifting softly across the mountains.
The couple begins their walk to the ceremony, escorted by a herd of llamas — one of Casa Karima’s signature experiences. Moving slowly through the sunlit fields, the llamas bring a natural rhythm to the moment, carrying with them the true soul of the Andes. Their gentle curiosity and calm energy reflect the deep connection between life, land, and celebration.
Guests are delighted by the sight, bursting into laughter as the llamas head straight for the wedding flowers decorating the arch. It is these unplanned, real-life moments that define a Casa Karima celebration — where authenticity, connection, and respect for this extraordinary place come beautifully to life.
In the Presence of the Apus: The Ceremony Setting
The ceremony space overlooks the vast Andean expanse, a perfect reflection of the land’s untamed beauty. Every element feels alive, from the wind and sunlight to the shifting clouds above the snow-capped peaks. The space is open to the elements and surrounded by the powerful presence of the Apus Chicon and Verónica, the sacred mountain guardians of the valley. In Andean cosmology, these peaks are considered living ancestors, protectors who watch over the land and all who enter it.
Standing within this landscape carries a deep sense of reverence. The air feels both charged and calm, as if the mountains themselves are witnessing the ceremony. A simple wooden arch adorned with eucalyptus, pampas grass, and wild-grown Andean roses frames the horizon in soft natural tones. It mirrors the spirit of the region—raw and deeply connected to the earth.
The Heart of the Andes: A Sacred Ceremony Space
At the heart of it all, the couple is seated before paqo (Andean priest) Mariano, accompanied by his wife, Rina. This husband-and-wife team from the Q’ero lineage guides the ceremony through prayer, music, and offerings. Their presence connects everyone gathered to generations of ancestral wisdom, bridging the physical and spiritual worlds in this sacred act of union.
Threads of Balance: The Masculine and Feminine of the Andes
In Andean tradition, every element of the ceremony honors the balance between the masculine and feminine, the sun and the moon, the earth and the sky. Men are represented by the color white and the sun, while women are represented by red and the moon, symbols that hold deep meaning within Andean cosmology. White and the sun represent masculine energy (Inti), light, clarity, and the external world. Red and the moon represent feminine energy (Quilla), blood, fertility, intuition, and the inner world.
Paqo Mariano wears vibrant, traditional attire: a colorful, woven poncho adorned with earth symbols and a soft alpaca wool chullo that connects him to his lineage and spiritual duties. His presence is both grounding and powerful, carrying the wisdom and calm of the mountains.
Beside him, Rina, his wife, wears a richly embroidered lliclla, a traditional woven shawl that symbolizes femininity, motherhood, and protection. Her terracotta-colored wool hat is detailed with the Nawi Intention Band, with Nawi meaning “eye” in Quechua, believed to reflect negative energy and invite good fortune.
Together, they embody harmony and unity, a living expression of the balance between masculine and feminine energies that connects them to their ancestors and the living spirit of the Andes. As part of the ceremony, the couple is invited to wear traditional Andean textiles to honor the land, the ritual, and the generations who have celebrated in this way before them. In doing so, they become part of a timeless tradition, carrying forward the beauty and wisdom woven into every thread.
The Despacho Offering: Honoring Pachamama in the Andes
The Andean Haywarikuy is one of the most sacred ancestral traditions of the Andes. It is rooted in the belief that life flourishes through balance and reciprocity with nature. At its center is the despacho, a ceremonial offering created as an act of gratitude to Pachamama, Mother Earth, and to the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits who protect and sustain all life in the Andes.
The ritual begins with the k’intus — small groupings of three coca leaves, symbolizing the three Andean worlds: Hanan Pacha (the upper world of the sacred and divine), Kay Pacha (the present world of humans and nature), and Ukhu Pacha (the inner world of ancestors and spirit). Into these leaves, each participant whispers their prayers of gratitude, love, and intention, sending their energy directly into the heart of the offering.
Each k’intu is then placed into the despacho, along with symbolic natural elements: colorful flower petals representing beauty and abundance, grains for prosperity, sugar and candy for sweetness in life, and seeds to honor fertility and new beginnings. Layer by layer, the paqos build a living mandala of gratitude and balance, representing harmony between humans, nature, and spirit.
Once complete, the despacho is blessed through sacred smoke and prayer before being offered back to the earth or fire. This final act completes the circle of ayni — sacred reciprocity — returning to Pachamama the love, respect, and energy that she gives so freely every day.
At this moment, the couple and guests quietly leave the sacred circle, stepping away with reverence to allow the spirits to receive the offering in peace. In Andean tradition, it is said that as the fire burns, the Apus and ancestors feast on the gifts within the despacho, consuming the prayers and intentions carried within it.
Guests are invited to eat and celebrate at the same time, sharing their own meal as the Apus receive theirs. This act of simultaneous nourishment reflects the essence of ayni, sacred reciprocity. It honors the understanding that life is a shared exchange between the physical and spiritual worlds, a cycle of giving and receiving that sustains harmony on earth.
The Feast of Flavor by the Fire
As the ceremony concludes, guests make their way to the reception, where a warm and inviting open space awaits under the vast Andean sky. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains, the atmosphere feels both intimate and expansive. The scent of wood smoke drifts through the afternoon air, and the crackle of the bonfire draws guests together to share in the joy of the day. A large fire surrounded by wooden benches and soft sheepskin rugs creates a cozy gathering place filled with laughter and conversation.
Dinner is served in the true spirit of Andean hospitality. A traditional Creole buffet presented in handcrafted terracotta pots offers a taste of local flavors and the region’s rich culinary heritage. Guests help themselves freely, enjoying a meal that celebrates community, generosity, and connection to the land.
A long wooden dining table set against the panoramic Andean landscape becomes the heart of the reception. Each place setting reflects rustic elegance, blending natural textures with understated beauty. Locally grown flowers, eucalyptus, and sunflowers bring brightness and warmth to the table, mirroring the golden tones of the surrounding valley.
As the afternoon softens into evening, the celebration continues around the fire. Guests roast marshmallows and dance to Andean beats mixed with modern rhythms as the sun sets over the mountains. It is a moment of pure connection between the couple, their loved ones, the land, and the living spirit of the Andes.
Video Credit- Joseph Geffrey
Whether you are planning your own Andean wedding, elopement, marriage vow renewals, or looking for a unique, cultural destination for your celebration, Casa Karima Weddings & Events offers an exceptional blend of tradition, beauty, and spiritual connection. Let us help you create an unforgettable experience that honors the rich heritage of the Andes and the love that binds you together.
Reach out today to begin your journey to an Andean wedding like no other. We’re here in to bring your dreams to life with personalized attention, expert planning, and a deep respect for the traditions that make your day truly special.
Celebrate your Andean Wedding in the Sacred Valley Peru.
Comments