Frequently Asked Questions
When should I RSVP?
Once you know if you will be able to join us, please let us know as soon as possible by clicking on the RSVP tab above.
Please RSVP by July 15th at the latest.
Are children welcome?
We have planned a series of events with only adults in mind. The ceremony and reception will be child-free.
If you would like to bring your kids to any of the other events, please let us know. If you need help arranging childcare, we recommend reaching out to your hotel or contacting Cartagenanny, which has a great name and even greater reviews.
Where can I find the latest info?
We will be doing our best to keep this website up to date and send important information via email.
We have also set up a wedding WhatsApp through which we will send flight price alerts, RSVP reminders, and other relevant info. We will also use it to coordinate once we all reach Colombia. Join the Whatsapp here: bit.ly/ProggaDanWhatsapp.
Where should I stay?
All of our events will be within the Walled City, so we would recommend staying in El Centro or San Diego, which are neighborhoods inside the Walled City, or right outside in the neighborhood called Getsemaní.
We would recommend staying at either the Voilá Centro Histórico or Cinco Quintas hotels for proximity and convenience with a touch of affordable elegance, but there are also some great Airbnb's and other hotels at cheaper price points - see the 'Travel & Accommodations' tab for more info.
A map of all the venue locations and recommended places can be found here.
What is the weather?
The weather in Cartagena in September is tropical and hot, with an average temperatures between 78-89°F, so we recommend you wear light clothing and, more importantly, sunscreen. The temperature is hottest between 12-4pm and does significantly cool off and become a little breezy in the evenings. In September, you can also expect the occasional fleeting rain shower.
Will the ceremony & reception be inside or outside? Are they in the same venue?
Both the ceremony and reception sites are outdoor venues. The ceremony will be at Baluarte de Santiago Apostl, which on top of the city walls and the cocktail hour, reception, and afterparty are all at Casa Conde de Pestagua, a 5 minute walk away.
What is the easiest way to get to the events?
We would recommend staying in the Walled City which will put you within walking distance to all of our events. There are also plenty of taxis/Uber's readily available should you need them.
When should I plan to be in Cartagena?
We will be hosting events from Thursday, September 19th through September 22nd. If you would like to attend all the events, we would recommend flying in on Wednesday and leaving Sunday late afternoon.
What should I wear?
Please check the individual event pages for more details. The attire for the ceremony and reception is Caribbean Formal - we would like our guests in suits and long dresses, but recommend choosing fabrics and colors that will be comfortable in the tropical climate.
Are there any colors we should wear or avoid?
Our welcome drinks event has a red & blue (or black) optional theme.
For the ceremony and reception, we recommend wearing bright colors and prints that mirror the colorful nature of Cartagena. The bridal party will be in a full range of bright jewel tones, so there is no one color you should avoid, except we do kindly ask that you avoid colors traditionally reserved for the bride: whites, ivories, and creams.
What shoes should I wear/not wear?
We would caution against wearing stiletto heels as the streets and ground will be cobblestones/unpaved and you will likely be walking everywhere. Progga did run around the city in 4in heels, so it is possible, but low/block heels or wedges will be a more pleasant experience .
Please note that the ceremony location is accessed via a ramp that's not super steep, but also not not steep if you want to factor that into consideration when thinking about footwear.
Is Cartagena safe?
Cartagena is an incredibly safe city, especially within the Walled City, and the people are some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet. Just as if you were walking in any city in the world, be smart, only keep small amounts of cash on you and keep an eye on your belongings. Avoid keeping your phones and/or wallet in your back pocket. You will possibly be approached by vendors and street entertainers and we find that is best to firmly tell them "NO, GRACIAS" immediately.
What should I do while I'm in Cartagena?
Check out our "Things to Do" tab for suggestion on restaurants, bars & nightlife, and activities in and around Cartagena. Here is a map of recommended locations.
If you like help with reservations or to set up a special experience, feel free to reach out to Carlitos of Natal Concierge (+57 310 7037903). They provide city/walking tours, volcano mud excursions, private chefs, cooking lessons, and more. Mention Progga for special pricing.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Nope! The Walled City is very tourist friendly, with most hotel and restaurant workers speaking some English. It may be worth brushing up on your travel phrases.
What is the currency? Do I need cash?
The official currency of Cartagena is the Colombian Peso, which you may see designated as "$COP." The meaning of periods and commas when it comes currency is the opposite of that in the US. For example, $20.000 = twenty-thousand Colombian pesos (about $5.00 USD).
We recommend bringing some cash with you to exchange at the airport (recommend doing it at an ATM vs a currency counter) for small expenses such as taxis or street vendors, but almost all of the establishments will accept credit cards. 10% is customary for tip, including for excursions.
Is it customary to tip?
There is typically a 10% tip (service) added to your bill. If service was extraordinary, feel free to add some extra pesos. If not, you will not be offending anyone. Please tip any tour guides you may use.