Antigua Ruins | Where to Say “I Do” in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in Central America.
Couples are drawn to Antigua’s historic charm, dramatic landscapes, and unforgettable backdrops. Among the city’s most unique features are its ruins—centuries-old convents, churches, and monasteries that now serve as breathtaking venues for weddings, elopements, and photo sessions. These historic wedding venues in Antigua are what set the city apart, offering couples cinematic and meaningful places to say ‘I do.’
These spaces bring together rustic texture, open courtyards, and timeless architecture, offering couples the chance to celebrate surrounded by Antigua’s history. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or an intimate ceremony, these ruins offer some of the most unique wedding venues in Antigua Guatemala. In a city framed by volcano views, cobblestone streets, and colonial architecture, every venue brings a different atmosphere to your celebration.
Santa Clara | The Iconic Wedding Venue of Antigua Guatemala
Santa Clara is one of the most iconic Antigua Guatemala ruins for weddings. With its towering archways, quiet courtyards, and soft natural light filtering through, Santa Clara is perfect for couples who want a cinematic and historic setting for their destination wedding portraits and ceremony. Some of the most unforgettable weddings I’ve photographed have unfolded here. Santa Clara really has a way of holding both grandeur and intimacy at the same time and serves as the perfect backdrop for your dream wedding.
Capuchinas Convent | For a Grandiosa Antigua Wedding Backdrop
Known for its circular tower and unique stonework, Capuchinas offers symmetry and intimacy. Couples choose this venue for elopements and smaller weddings where historic character, rustic textures, and architectural beauty take center stage. The possibilities of hosting a romantic circular ceremony at Capuchinas are unlike anywhere else in Antigua. Couples who choose Capuchinas always end up with moments that feel both bold and quietly romantic.
San José El Viejo | An Intimate Wedding and Elopement Venue
Recognized for its grand stone façade and golden-hour glow, San José El Viejo is ideal for couples seeking a dramatic and powerful backdrop. Its wide courtyard creates space for both ceremonies and receptions in one of the most historic venues in Antigua Guatemala. At nighttime, this venue really comes alive. The candlelit intimacy paired with the high-ceiling domes feels straight out of a fairytale wedding in Antigua Guatemala.
Santo Domingo | The Most Classic Wedding Venue in Antigua
A blend of ruins and restored spaces, Santo Domingo combines history with modern amenities. It’s popular with couples who want the authenticity of a historic venue while still having the flexibility and comfort needed for larger destination weddings in Antigua Guatemala. It’s one of the few places where you can host a large, 2,000 guest wedding while capturing history and luxury in the same frame. Destination weddings here always feel different in the best way possible.
La Ermita de Santa Cruz | Rustic & Unique Wedding Getaway
Couples are drawn to La Ermita for its unique offering as an intimate historic venue in Antigua Guatemala without the added fuss. Its genuine and rustic style is perfect for those who are attracted to architecture and appreciate history. Although its authentic structural design does not offer any covered areas, you and your guests can dance the night away under Antigua’s starlit skies. This is an unforgettable and meaningful choice for couples that feel particularly rooted in celebrating history, art, and nature.
Planning a Destination Wedding in Antigua Guatemala?
As a UNESCO World Heritage city of Central America, Antigua continues to be one of the best destination wedding venues not just for its history, but for the artistry it inspires. Choosing the right venue in Antigua is about more than architecture. It’s about atmosphere, light, and the sense of history you want woven into your wedding day. From the dramatic ruins of San José El Viejo to the intimate arches of La Ermita, every couple can find a backdrop that reflects their story.
If you’re planning a destination wedding in Antigua Guatemala and want your portraits to carry both beauty and meaning, Joseph Nance Photography captures weddings with an editorial eye and emotional depth that stand the test of time. Set against volcano views, cobblestone streets, and colonial ruins, Antigua remains one of the best destinations in Central America to begin a marriage story.
Every one of these venues highlights Antigua’s layers of history while offering couples distinctive backdrops for their wedding day. From grand courtyards to quiet ruins, Antigua Guatemala remains one of the most unique places in the world to say “I do.”
A Poem of the Ruins by Joseph Nance Photography
Want to see more moments inside these iconic wedding venues? Scroll through this gallery below or visit our Ten Years of Wedding Photography blog to see how Joseph captures it all on Leica.
FAQ: Antigua Guatemala Wedding Venues
What are the best ruins for weddings in Antigua Guatemala?
Santa Clara, Capuchinas, San José El Viejo, Santo Domingo, and La Ermita de Santa Cruz are the venues I return to again and again. Each offers its own rhythm., from the grand courtyards of San José El Viejo to the quiet intimacy of Capuchinas.
How far in advance should I book an Antigua wedding venue?
Larger venues like San José El Viejo and Santo Domingo often need to be reserved a year out, while more intimate ruins can sometimes be booked closer to the date. My advice: the earlier the better, especially if you’re hoping for peak season golden light.
Which Antigua venues have the best light for cinematic photography?
Santa Clara glows with soft natural light in the courtyards. San José El Viejo is unmatched at golden hour. Capuchinas offers dramatic textures and shadow play throughout the day. Each venue gives me something different through the lens — it really depends on the mood you want captured.
To see more destination wedding photography in Antigua, Guatemala follow along on Instagram at @josephnancephoto. If you’re considering getting married in Guatemala we’d love to hear from you! Book Joseph Nance Photography or Inquire About Your Wedding Date
