Matt + Laura :: Peru
- Posted on:
- 27 July 2010
Matt and Laura have a love story that is incredibly romantic and practically Shakespearean; filled with drama, love at first sight and travel over long distances. The abridged version, however, is that they met over a Thanksgiving celebration while serving in the Peace Corps in Peru. Both were working in different cities and would take bus rides over the Andes to meet in a city in Northern Peru called Cajamarca. Given the importance that Peru had in their relationship and the large number of friends and “family” in Peru, they decided to return to the country where they fell in love to celebrate their wedding. Incredibly, about 60 people from around the world made the trek to Cajamarca, and combined with the Peruvians from across the country that came to Cajamarca, it became one of the biggest international destination weddings I’ve ever seen! After getting to know Matt and Laura better, however, it is no surprise that so many people came to witness their marriage. Both have devoted their lives to serving others, and are obviously so beloved by their friends and family.
The wedding was held at a converted hacienda and bullfighting ring resort in a little town outside of Cajamarca called Banos del Inca, an area that is filled with hot springs where Atahualpa himself used to spend time. As the town is in the Andes, the temperature shifts dramatically over the course of the day, and in the early morning when it is still very cold, the hot springs create an incredible, surreal fog that covers everything. It was incredibly beautiful and unlike anywhere I’ve ever been! The lovely wedding was completely bilingual and incorporated both American and Peruvian wedding traditions, including Peruvian “dancing horses,” a huge spread of cuy, and a suprise marinera dance by Matt and Laura. It was such a unique and sweet wedding, and I could not have been more honored to get to return to Latin America for such a special celebration.
And also an enormous thank you to my dear Joel; I cannot imagine doing this trip without you, and to Miss Megan for the wonderful referral.
Comments
...and then I saw this post after your last one and was completely blown away again. Beautiful!
They are wonderful! So happy that I can look at them over and over!! XOXO, Andrea
I’m crying and I don’t even know these people. Unreal. These pictures are freakishly beautiful.
wow. amazing work! gorgeous setting!
WOW !! I am so sorry that I missed the wedding. The pictures are amazing. Laura and Marlene you look goregous and Kurt - how hard it must be to let go of your only daughter. She has a wonderful Husband to share her life with. Que tengas una maravillosa vida llena de amor!! Lots of Love, Sheila
Oh Olivia, these are absolutely beautiful. The colors pop and the dreamy haze just makes every moment feel so romantic.
Marlene, Kurt, Laura & Matt,
How beautiful, the colors, the people and the excitement. I love it! Beth
Olivia, these pictures capture everything we were feeling that day. This wedding for us was a dream come true. We were so happy you and Joel were there with us. Thank you.
Diane See - thank you for letting me see these beautiful picures.
A pleasure to see such joyous pictures. thier happiness is
bursting all though the photos
Laura, this was such a beautiful album. I too am emotional over these because you are such a special and the most beautiful person inside and out;I could just feel your love.
I am very happy that your dream wedding came true and that you found a wonderful man to spend the rest of your life with.
God bless you both!
Sylvia Studt
Olivia, Laura and Matthew,
MUY BONITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamie
WOWWW!!! So gorgeous, BREATHTAKING!!!! Thanks so much for sharing them!
Laura & Mathew: You look so happy! The photos really show what a beautiful couple and how perfect for each other you are. The beautiful Peruvian background made your wedding just magnificent. We wish we had been there!
As an aside, thank you for loving my old country and honoring it by choosing it as the site of your most important day.
Love, Consuelo & Tom
AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHS!!!!!!!!! These photos captured the pure joy and love that was felt on this special day in addition to the beauty of these two young people and the stunning location. Olivia, you have a gift and a talent that is unsurpassed.
LAURA~!!!!!!!!! You look STUNNING! What a beautiful wedding day =) Thank you for sharing that with me & I am so sad that I missed seeing you glow in person! You look incredibly happy & I really look forward to meeting Matthew one day (hopefully soon!). Congratulations and bless you & your marriage so much - with adventure, fun, love, honor and belly-aching laughter! Much love to you friend. xx
Absolutely stunning! I love all the rich colors, beauty and emotion captured in these photographs. You two look SO happy! Congratulations!!!
Love, Joelle
Ummmm… BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Thanks for sharing. I felt the love and happiness that everyone must have felt that day.
The photos were spectacular.