When Journey Latin America's recently married Head of Product Diana Henderson and her husband headed off on honeymoon to Peru, there was one particularly unusual item on the itinerary – a second wedding! This time the ceremony would include the age-old rites and customs of the Incas, in keeping with their destination, Machu Picchu. Over to the newlyweds for both
sides of the story...
THE INCA GROOM: LARRY
"Deep in a canyon, the sound of water rushing by outside our five star hotel. Meandering back to our room after a ten course meal, recently married and planning to spend the remainder of the evening, well, together. We enter the room, and in the pool of golden light illuminating the bed lie... costumes? Brightly embroidered capes, a dress and mortarboard-looking hat atop one pile; trousers, a shirt and a hat with huge earrings and a pair of feathers atop the other.
""The Inca wedding!!". Diana is considerably more excited than I.
"We have been booked for an Inca wedding ceremony in the morning, departing the hotel at 10am. It will be conducted by a genuine Shaman, following time-honoured Inca-cum-Quechua customs.
"Dressing the next morning, Diana is enthralled by her trousseau. I am not so thrilled as it turns out my one-size-fits-all headdress features industrial strength elastic which, when stretched to fit my head, feels like an overtightened vice. The throbbing jaundices my view of the proceedings.
"Our transport to the ceremony venue is the public tourist bus, filled with Machu Picchu-bound excursioners. Diana, feeling an explanation is required for an Inca Princess and an Inca Prat, accompanied by a liveried waiter with a champagne bucket, tray and two flutes, proclaims to the crowd, "We're getting married!" (to great applause).
"After a short walk, we are met by a flower-strewing Quechua lady who leads us to the altar. The meticulously arranged tableau includes much beautiful but arcane symbology, chanting in a language I don't speak, haunting music, incense, and a robed cleric.
"The ceremony, despite my reservations and throbbing head, is impressive and, I blush to admit, moving. Diana is nearly in tears from emotion, me from that elastic.
"The champagne afterward helps, as we are surrounded again by a busload of now returning punters, to whom Diana announces, "We just got married!!" (to great applause).
"Was I glad we had the ceremony? Yes. Would I do it again? Well, maybe if the hat fit."
THE INCA BRIDE: DIANA
"I had heard rumours before we left for our honeymoon, but there it was: an invitation to have
another wedding, this time an Inca ceremony. I couldn't say whether it left me feeling more excited or filled with trepidation... what if it was really cheesy? What exactly were we letting ourselves in for here?
"The costumes were waiting for us on return from a 10-course dinner, and I was bowled over by the colours and detailed embroidery on my tunic and cape. Larry was huffing and saying he wasn’t going to wear
that – “that” being colourful trousers, a tunic, a large headdress with big round earrings and a Batman-esque cape! Needless to say, he did wear it, but he made sure to be perfectly clear that he wasn’t happy about it!
"Our transport was coming in 5 minutes. Imagine our surprise when we realised it was a public bus, full of tourists going to Machu Picchu! I felt an explanation was necessary: no, not fancy dress: we’re getting married! A very amusing journey ensued with many turned heads and cameras clicking. It was then I noticed we were not alone: the waiter from the hotel had also jumped on the bus equipped with silver tray, two glasses and a bottle of champagne.
"After a short drive followed by a short walk we reached the 'aisle'. A sweet little Quechua lady suggested I change my mortarboard for a freshly made, and somewhat lighter, rose petal garland. Now we were in the cool of the forest, the sun dappling through the trees, petals strewn at our feet as we walked up the path to the clearing and the small shelter that would comprise our church. It was all so beautifully made – such touching preparation just for us. A simple dwelling of interwoven palm leaves, the offerings of corn, beans, maize, music.
"Only once did I have the urge to laugh, as we were cleansed and purified with incense and different types of rock, but for the most I was trying hard to hold back the tears of emotion. I am not overly religious, and I haven’t been to church in a while, but it felt so spiritual with the mountains, the forest, Machu Picchu way up there in the clouds.
"I enjoyed our champagne in the forest, giving thanks to Pachamama the earth goddess, and even Larry had to admit he had actually quite enjoyed it, more so when he took his hat off! Yes, it was a very special few hours, and one of the lasting memories of our honeymoon in Peru."
