History
Amanda and Leo celebrated ten years of shared life with us. Although they have lived in various cities, they always choose places with personal significance to take the important steps in their lives. This is how they got engaged in Potsdam, a historic city near Berlin, where Leo grew up and where his parents still live.
Amanda, who had already brought Leo to Cuba at the beginning of their relationship, was clear that she wanted to celebrate her wedding in Cuba. However, the arrival of COVID disrupted their plans, leading them to an intimate ceremony in Copenhagen. Although significant, the big celebration they dreamed of with their family and friends had to be postponed.
As they reached ten years since the beginning of their relationship, this couple finally fulfilled their wish to renew their vows in Havana. Amanda followed our weddings on social media with special interest, particularly those held at La Guarida. For her, there was no doubt: she dreamed of her wedding at La Guarida and with Aire de Fiesta.
However, up until the day of the ceremony, Amanda had never visited La Guarida. All the coordination was done remotely, through messages and WhatsApp audio notes. When they finally saw the result, they were amazed. Amanda remarked that they couldn't believe we had achieved not only the ceremony they imagined but something even more special. This vow renewal was their dream wedding, filled with all the emotion and significance they had hoped for.
The ceremony: the most exciting moment of this wedding at La Guarida.
Upon arriving at La Guarida, Amanda and Leo were guided to different spaces to create a special entrance. While the guests enjoyed cocktails in the main hall, Leo made his entrance from the street, while Amanda was taken to the top level via the back staircase to avoid being seen before the ceremony. When the music started, Amanda descended alone down the iconic staircase, adorned with flowers and tropical foliage. This dramatic moment marked an unforgettable entrance.
The exchange of engraved bracelets, instead of rings, was a gesture full of meaning that moved everyone present. Additionally, a close friend officiated the ceremony, adding a personal touch with words filled with love and shared memories.
Photo session: Moments before the wedding at La Guarida.
Before the ceremony, Amanda and Leo had a photo session at some of the most iconic places in Havana. The tour included stops at Sloppy Joe's bar, where they shared a toast and enjoyed an intimate dance, as well as visits to the Havana Cathedral and other iconic streets of the city. Amanda had always dreamed of a pink convertible to cruise around Havana, and she fully enjoyed the experience. Meanwhile, Leo was intrigued by the Ladas, vintage cars from the '80s that are rare to find elsewhere. In an unexpected turn, they ended up using the photographer Iván's Lada, which became part of the memorable photos of the day.
Wedding decoration: A tropical design inspired by Amanda's shoes.
El proyecto de diseño ya estaba en marcha con un concepto greenery, basado en flores blancas y follajes dispuestos de forma sutil. Sin embargo, todo cambió cuando Amanda compartió con su coordinadora una foto de sus zapatos. Decorados con aves tropicales que evocaban una reinterpretación del tocororo cubano, estos zapatos no solo captaron nuestra atención, sino que se convirtieron en el punto de partida para un cambio completo en la decoración. De inmediato, le dijimos: “Son perfectos para una boda tropical”. Este detalle marcó una de las transformaciones más únicas que hemos realizado como organizadores de bodas en Cuba: una boda cuyo estilo estuvo inspirado en un par de zapatos.
We presented a sketch of how to transform the iconic staircase of La Guarida for the wedding under this tropical approach. Amanda and Leo were delighted with the proposal, although they admitted that even seeing the sketch, they couldn't imagine the final result. When Amanda saw the decorated staircase wall, she commented that she had never seen anything like it and didn't believe it was possible to see something so beautiful again. As for Leo, we pleased him by incorporating the vintage touch of La Guarida's chairs into the design. Fascinated by the history and uniqueness of each piece, he insisted that they be part of the decoration. We carefully selected the ones that best integrated into the concept we had developed.
Dinner and party time.
After the emotional ceremony, the guests ascended to the upper terrace of La Guarida, decorated in a tropical style and featuring characteristic views of the rooftops of Havana. This intimate space was ideal for enjoying dinner and the party. The menu combined the gourmet cuisine of La Guarida with a special detail that Leo wanted to share: a roasted pig, a Cuban tradition he presented to the international guests. This blend of the sophisticated and the traditional reflected the unique character of the wedding.
The return to Havana not only marked a special chapter in Amanda and Leo's life but also allowed Amanda to reconnect with her roots and share them with Leo's family. During dinner, speeches from family and friends recalled key moments of their relationship, celebrating this reunion in a place full of meaning. At Aire de Fiesta, we love vow renewals almost as much, or even more, than weddings. It's beautiful to see how couples relive the excitement of their early days, reinforce their commitment, and honor the journey they have taken.
