Your Guide to Hosting an Idyllic Destination Wedding on Lake Atitlán
What it means to get married on Lake Atitlan: the venues, the planners and the creatives to bring your lakefront dream wedding to life.
A Destination Wedding on Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
For couples drawn to Guatemala’s natural beauty but looking for something more secluded than Antigua, Lake Atitlán offers one of the most breathtaking wedding destinations in Central America. To put it simply, if Antigua is Guatemala’s historic heart, Lake Atitlán is its soul. It’s a destination wedding location for couples dreaming of something more natural compared to Antigua’s cobblestone charm.
Lake Atitlán offers an entirely different kind of magic. Often compared to Lake Como for its vastness and layered landscape, Atitlán is ideal for art-forward couples seeking an immersive, sensory experience. But that exclusive remoteness, accessible only by boat or helicopter, means the success of your celebration depends on the right creative team.
Here’s my shortlist of trusted planners, venues, and designers who consistently bring high-level artistry and precision to one of the most breathtaking wedding destinations in Central America. Known for creating art-driven celebrations for couples who want more than just a beautiful setting, but an entire escape.
Why Host Your Destination Wedding on Lake Atitlán
Part of what makes Lake Atitlán so special is what surrounds it. The culture, the people, and the art that lives in every corner. You’ll ride through narrow callejones in a bright tuk-tuk, pass the painted houses of Santa Catarina Palopó, and see street murals unfold across San Juan La Laguna.
Every village feels distinct, with different traditions yet all share a spirit of creativity. Markets overflow with textiles, fresh fruit, and movement. The Lake is serene and chaotic at the same time, a place where you don’t just host a wedding, you step into another realm. The venues and planners who work here, choose to incorporate local culture into the entire experience. Embracing the volcano views, the boat access and colors and textures of the region.
And for couples who value true connection, there are countless ways to give back by supporting local initiatives in education, the arts, and sustainability. We’re happy to guide you through it all.
Lake Atitlán Wedding Venues: The best Wedding Venues in Lake Atitlán for couples planning a destination wedding in Guatemala.
Anzan Atitlán – A private, design-forward estate surrounded by gardens, volcanic rock, and uninterrupted lake views. Here, modern architecture meets natural beauty. The perfect venue for intimate weddings or elopements. Anzan offers all wedding planning in house with Joseph Nance as their exclusive photographer. Read the full property feature here: “A Wedding Experience Like No Other”. Private boat access and helipad available.
Casa Palopó – A Relais & Châteaux Michelin-Key boutique hotel known for its artful interiors and expansive terrace views. Perfect for small to mid-size weddings with a focus on design and culinary excellence. Accessible by road, boat, or helicopter.
La Fortuna – A hidden gem with a bohemian spirit and lakefront villas tucked in nature. A favorite for creative couples and elopements who want something truly intimate and unfiltered. Accessible only by boat.
Hotel Atitlán – A classic choice for larger weddings, known for its botanical gardens, panoramic ceremony stage and infusion of local culture. A timeless venue that balances accessibility with natural charm. Accessible by road, boat, or helicopter.
Private Homes – For ultimate intimacy, contact David Yates of Guatemala Luxury Vacation Homes to explore private villas featuring docks, gardens, and lake views. Ideal for welcome receptions or additional guest accommodations.
Wedding Planners for a Lake Atitlán Destination Wedding: The best Lake Atitlán wedding planners for your lakefront wedding.
Muckay Ixcamparij – Known across Guatemala for transforming raw landscapes into cinematic wedding scenes. Their logistical precision and artistic eye make them the go-to for large-scale productions around the lake.
Pamela Morales of Crea Evento – Pamela brings warmth, creativity, and experience managing complex destination weddings. Her approach blends local expertise with refined design sensibility, offering high-quality options and thoughtful ideas for décor, venues, and creative direction.
Gaby Aguilar – Gaby brings deep local knowledge and a refined, romantic touch to every event. Known for guiding couples seamlessly through both the Antigua and Lake Atitlán wedding landscapes, she curates experiences with intention, warmth, and an eye for atmosphere.
Valentina of Unio Events — Valentina is one of the freshest voices in the region’s planning scene, offering a modern perspective grounded in care and meticulous attention. Her approach centers on thoughtful detail and guest experience, ensuring couples can stay present and fully savor a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
Lake Atitlán Wedding Florals & Event Design: The best wedding decor and florals for your Lake Atitlán wedding.
Bea de la Roca of Addy Florales – The region’s most artful floral designer, known for sculptural arrangements that transform natural spaces into editorial backdrops. Her work around the lake always feels intentional and alive.
Paulo of Decor Guatemala – Elegant, organic, and imaginative. Paulo’s florals enhance Lake Atitlán’s natural beauty, balancing color and texture with refined ease.
Olga of Pauline Lippmann Events – For decades, Pauline Lippmann set the standard for wedding design in Guatemala with her unmistakable eye and timeless aesthetic. Today, her daughter Olga carries that legacy forward, bringing the same level of artistry, expertise, and thoughtful detail to every celebration.
Lake Atitlán Wedding Photography & Film: The best Lake Atitlán wedding photographers.
Franco Giomi – A core member of the Joseph Nance team bringing an editorial, cinematic and documentary vibe in both digital and film. Franco captures light, atmosphere, and emotion with honesty and artistry.
Rodrigo Zadro – Guatemala’s leading cinematic wedding filmmaker, known for creating films that feel intimate, emotional, and timeless.
Behind the Bride – Federica captures the in-between moments through stylish digital content that keeps couples’ stories alive on social media while full galleries are still in production.
Bring Your Dream Destination Wedding on Lake Atitlán to Life
Weddings at Lake Atitlán aren’t just beautiful. They’re immersive experiences built on collaboration, creativity, and trust. The lake’s remoteness calls for professionals who can anticipate every detail and translate it into something effortless.
After years photographing luxury weddings across Guatemala, Joseph Nance Photography works alongside the region’s most trusted planners, florists, and filmmakers to bring each lakeside vision to life. From intimate elopements to full weekend celebrations.
Please click here to inquire about availability and to set up a personalized consultation. Together we ensure you’ll have a wedding experience unlike anything else in the world and Joseph Nance Photography will capture each moment, suspended in time, framed forever in art.
To see more destination wedding photography in Guatemala follow along at @josephnancephoto. If you’re considering getting married in Antigua, Lake Atitlan, or anywhere that’s special to you we’d love to hear from you!
Please click here to inquire about availability and to set up a personalized consultation for capturing a cinematic and documentary-style wedding on Lake Atitlan shot on leica for a timeless, artful aesthetic. Together with the creatives mentioned in our guide, we ensure you’ll have a wedding experience unlike anything else in the world and Joseph Nance Photography will capture each moment, suspended in time, framed forever in art.
To see more destination wedding photography in Guatemala follow along at @josephnancephoto. If you’re considering getting married in Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Spain or anywhere that’s special to you we’d love to hear from you!
