Please join Juan + Rachel on August 11, 2023 as we celebrate our wedding (at long, long last) in Peru.

 

Juan

Juan was born in Lima, Peru and moved to Miami when he was just three years old. With the support of his family, he was able to pursue his passion of making the world a better place through politics and organizing. As luck would have it, his passion led him to meet the love of his life, Rachel.

Rachel

Rachel grew up in Central Florida and never imagined returning to Florida as an adult, until she fell in love with Juan (and Miami - which couldn’t be more different from the ’burbs of Winter Springs). Now Miami is her adopted home and she is so grateful for the beautiful community of friends and the life we’ve built here together.

Sami

Sami was born January 25, 2022 at 1:11 in the morning. He is the sweetest little bundle of joy and he can’t wait to see his mama and papa exchange vows in the mountains of Peru. His name, after all, is a Quechua word for fortunate or lucky.

Our Story

We met in 2012 working to re-elect President Obama. We fell in love pretty quickly after that (#ObamaLoveStory), bonding over a shared passion for politics, travel, elaborate theme parties, and margaritas. We were engaged in April 2016. Two puppies, a house, and a Sami later, we're (finally) getting married!

We can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our love and commitment to one another – in front of the people we love most, in one of the places we love most in the world. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce our family and friends to places that mean so much to us. We love Peru, and we know you will too.

 

Pre-Wedding

august 10 | 6 pm

join us for casual pizza party with wine and beer at the hotel the night before the wedding

Ceremony

august 11 | noon

foothills of the Andes
Sacred Valley, Peru

buses will depart starting at 11:10 am

Reception

to follow

Sonesta Hotel Posadas del Inca Yucay | Sacred Valley, Peru

Post-Wedding

MORNING AFTER

we’ll have breakfast at the hotel and a group activity to a nearby site TBD

 

Wedding Details

Weather and Attire

August in the Sacred Valley in Peru is winter! The weather will likely range from the 60s during the day to the mid-to-high-thirties at night and we will be outside (with heaters). The attire for the wedding is formal, but it's most important to us that everyone be comfortable! We recommend you wear a coat/shawl/wrap etc for the ceremony and feel free to wear whatever shoes, accessories etc. that will keep you warm. 

Child Care

Children are absolutely welcome at all the wedding events, but for any parents who would like to enjoy a break we are arranging child care on our wedding day.

 

(Optional) Pre-Wedding Group Activities!

We are organizing several group activities in the week prior to the wedding that everyone is welcome to join! Details below; please let Juan or Rachel know if you plan to join for any of these and of course if you have any questions.

WELCOME AT JUAN’S FAMILY HOME IN CUSCO | Sunday, August 6 from 3 - 6 pm

For those arriving early, join us for light snacks and coca tea at the home of Juan’s Tía Nancy y Tío Lino in the heart of Cusco! The address is Ahuacpinta 749 (ah-wak-peen-tah). If your taxi is confused, just tell them it’s next to Qoricancha (Ko-ree-can-cha), a well-known landmark and Inca ruin. We’ll head out to Museo del Pisco – one of our favorite bars in Cusco – for pisco sours y piqueos around 6:30 pm.

CITY TOUR | TOUR OF 4 MAJOR RUINS AROUND CUSCO | MONDAY, AUGUST 7 FROM 1 - 6 PM

Join us for bus tour of four significant ruins in and around Cusco – a great way to get to explore the area especially if it’s your first time visiting! The tour begins at Qoricancha so meet us there. We’ll visit:

  • Qoricancha, the most important temple of the Inca empire, also known as the Sun temple

  • Sacsayhuaman, a site showcasing remarkable Inca stonework

  • Qenqo, a site built in a natural rock formation which was created to represent the Andean constellations and the concept of the three worlds, each one representing sacred animals: the condor, puma, and snake

  • Puka Pukara, which was a shelter for travelers coming to Cusco from the Amazon and a military center

  • Tambomachay, known as the Temple of Water, where the Incas practiced religious traditions tied to water in order to rejuvenate the land

expedition FROM CUSCO TO THE VALLEY | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 FROM 9 AM - 4 PM

On Wednesday we’re heading as a group from Cusco to the wedding hotel, stopping for a picnic at a beautiful lake and then at the town of Chinchero, the “rainbow town,” a picturesque Andean town home to a colorful artisan market.

  • 9 am | vans depart from Ahuacpinta 749

  • 10:15 am | we’ll arrive at Piuray Outdoor Center to enjoy yoga, a walk around the lake, bird watching and more before lunch

  • 11:45 am | scenic picnic

  • 1:30 pm | vans depart to Chinchero

  • 2 pm | explore Chinchero, shop for artisan crafts

  • 4 pm arrive at the wedding hotel, Sonesta Posadas del Inca en Yucay

 
 
 

Recommended Itinerary

This trip includes time to explore Cusco – the historic capital of the Inca empire – as well as the many archeological sites around Cusco in the Sacred Valley; a trip to Machu Picchu; plus just enough time to eat the best ceviche of your life in Lima. And only take 5 days off from work.

9 days
Fri 08/04 - Sun 08/13
1 day in Lima
4 days in Cusco
4 days in the Sacred Valley
See More Here

Abridged Itinerary

While quick, it is totally possible to do a five-day trip – 
including Machu Picchu!

5 days
Tue 08/08 - Sun 08/13
2 days in Cusco
3 days in the Sacred Valley
See More Here

Inca Trail

We are embarking on the hike with a group of 20+ (so far!) starting the morning of Sunday 8/13 from the wedding hotel, getting back to Cusco by the evening of 8/16.
See More Here