What Is an Andean Wedding Ceremony in Cusco — and Why You Should Experience One

If you’re looking for a unique, deeply meaningful way to celebrate your love, forget the traditional wedding playbook. A church, a ballroom, a cake… it’s been done.

What we offer in Cusco is something different:
An Andean wedding ceremony that’s not about formality or tradition — it’s about connection. With your partner. With nature. With something older than both.

In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what this ceremony is, how it works, and why more couples are choosing this path over the typical destination wedding.

What is an Andean wedding ceremony?

An Andean wedding ceremony is a symbolic, spiritual ritual rooted in Incan tradition.
It’s not legal. It’s not religious.
But it’s incredibly powerful.

The ceremony is guided by a Q’ero shaman, a descendant of the Inca people. The couple exchanges intentions, offerings are made to Pachamama (Mother Earth), and a fire ceremony is held to mark the union.

The experience includes:

• A personal blessing from the shaman

• An offering ceremony with coca leaves, flowers and symbolic items

• A fire ritual to seal the intentions

• Sound cleansing with traditional Andean instruments

• A shared Andean meal like pachamanca (cooked underground)

• A woven bracelet as a keepsake

This is not a performance. It’s not something for social media.
It’s private, intimate, and created just for you.

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Sound healing: more than music — it’s ancestral medicine

One of the most powerful parts of the ceremony is the sound cleansing, led by Vicente, a long-time friend and member of our team.

This is not just background music. Vicente has spent over 20 years studying the healing power of wind instruments used during Inca times. His connection to these sounds is deep and intentional.

Using flutes, conch shells, bells, and other instruments, Vicente creates a space where vibration replaces words, and the body is allowed to release, recalibrate, and reconnect.

Most couples say this is when they feel the ceremony “sink in.”
Some close their eyes. Others cry. Many simply breathe and feel the shift.

It’s not a performance.
It’s medicine — from the Andes, through the air, and into the heart.

Where does the Andean wedding ceremony take place?

Most ceremonies are held in our own home — a cozy, welcoming space in the Sacred Valley, with a beautiful garden surrounded by mountains and native plants. It’s quiet, private, and full of heart. This is where we’ve shared the most intimate and unforgettable moments with couples from all over the world.

But we know that every love story is different.
That’s why we’re also prepared to take the ceremony to other special places that resonate with you.

We can organize the ceremony:

• In front of a sacred mountain (Apu)

• Beside a lagoon, still and reflective

• By the river, with the sound of flowing water as your soundtrack

• Or even on private land you choose, if you already have a spot in mind

What matters is that you feel at ease, held, and connected to the place.
The ceremony will adapt — it always does.

Who is this Andean wedding ceremony experience for?

This ceremony is for anyone who wants to celebrate love with honesty and intention.
It’s ideal for:

• Couples who are already married and want to renew their vows

• Couples who want a non-religious, spiritual union

• LGBTQ+ couples looking for a sacred and safe experience

• People on a healing journey

• Travelers who want to connect love with the energy of the Andes

There’s no “right” way to come here.
You just have to feel called to something more meaningful than a traditional wedding.

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What’s included in the experience?

Every Andean wedding ceremony in Cusco includes:

• Private ceremony (never shared with other couples)

• Guidance from a real Q’ero shaman

• Offering ceremony (mesa) with your participation

• Fire ritual

• Sound cleansing with live Andean instruments

• Traditional Andean lunch (pachamanca or buffet if you upgraded)

• Handwoven bracelets as a gift

• Transport from Cusco or Sacred Valley

• A loving team that’s there with you — not just for you

We keep it intimate, real, and focused on your energy, your pace, and your moment.

A shared Andean meal — with your shaman, your sound healer, and your host

After the ceremony, the experience doesn’t end.
We all sit down together to enjoy a home-cooked Andean meal — usually a pachamanca cooked underground, or a local buffet depending on the season.

This is not just lunch.
It’s part of the ritual.

You’ll share the table with:

• Your Q’ero shaman

• Vicente, your sound healer

• Doña Brígida, who prepared your meal

• And Katherine, your multilingual host and cultural bridge

Everyone eats together — not as staff and guests, but as people who just lived something powerful, side by side.
It’s in these moments, over potatoes, fresh cheese, chicha and warm conversation, that the cultural exchange becomes real.

You’ll hear their stories. You’ll be able to ask questions.
You’ll laugh. You’ll connect.
And you’ll leave with so much more than a ceremony.

Why this ceremony: Because energy is everything

Most weddings focus on what you see — the decor, the outfits, the cake, the photos.

This ceremony is different.
It focuses on what you feel.

When you sit in front of the fire, in front of the shaman, in front of your partner — something happens that you can’t rehearse, pose for, or plan.

This is not about the perfect timeline.
It’s about alignment — of your intention, your heart, your past, your future.

The Andes are full of energy. Not just scenic beauty — real, grounding energy.
The people who lead this ceremony — the Q’ero shaman, the sound healer, the cook — are not performers. They’ve lived this connection their whole lives. They speak Quechua, the language of the land, and they carry knowledge that doesn’t come from books.

Through fire, music, ritual, and silence, you’re invited to release old patterns, anchor your relationship in something timeless, and receive the blessings of Pachamama (Mother Earth).

It’s not magic.
But it feels like it.
Because when the energy around you shifts — and you allow yourself to be fully present — your body knows. Your emotions soften. Your mind slows down.

This ceremony gives you something most modern weddings never do:
a moment of total presence, shared not just with your partner, but with the land, the people, and yourself.

This is not just a ceremony — it’s a reset

An Andean wedding ceremony in Cusco isn’t about following a script.
It’s not a tourist show.
And it’s definitely not for the camera.

It’s for couples who want something real, spiritual but grounded, ancient but alive.
Whether you’re renewing your vows or committing for the first time, this is a moment to pause, reconnect, and be fully present.

You’ll be surrounded by nature.
Held by the mountains.
Guided by people who carry this wisdom in their blood.
And you’ll walk away feeling more grounded, more connected, and more in love — not just with your partner, but with life itself.

Ready to create your Andean wedding ceremony in Cusco?

This is not an experience we rush.
We only do a few per month, and every detail is cared for with intention and respect.

👉 Book at least one month in advance, so we can coordinate with the shaman and local community.
We’ll walk you through everything.

And if you still have questions, we’re happy to talk. No pressure. Just honest guidance.

🔗 Click here to see full details and reserve your ceremony

We’ve seen couples arrive tired, unsure, a little skeptical.
And we’ve seen them leave in silence, glowing, hands held tighter than before.

Because this isn’t about ceremony.
It’s about energy.
It’s about remembering why you chose each other — and choosing again.

If you feel called, trust that feeling.
The mountain is already listening.

Frequently Asked Questions — Andean Wedding Ceremony in Cusco

Is this a legal wedding?

No. This is a symbolic and spiritual ceremony rooted in Andean tradition. It does not replace a civil or legal marriage, but it adds a deeper emotional and energetic layer to your union.

Can we do it if we’re already married?

Absolutely. Many couples choose this ceremony as a vow renewal or to reconnect emotionally after years of partnership. It’s perfect for celebrating anniversaries or second chances.

Do we have to be spiritual?

Not at all. You don’t have to follow any specific belief system. All you need is an open heart and a genuine desire to connect — with each other, with nature, and with the moment.

Is it LGBTQ+ friendly?

Yes. 100%.
All forms of love are honored and welcomed in this space. We’ve hosted couples from all walks of life, and respect is non-negotiable.

Where does the ceremony take place?

Most ceremonies take place in our private home in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by a beautiful garden and mountains.
We can also arrange ceremonies by a lagoon, a sacred mountain, or a river — depending on your vision and comfort.

What if we don’t speak Spanish or Quechua?

No problem. Katherine, your host, speaks English, Spanish, and French, and will guide you through everything. She also facilitates a respectful cultural exchange between you and the local Quechua-speaking team.Also you can add a translator for the ceremony with the Shaman at the booking time.

How far in advance should we book?

At least one month in advance.
Our shaman and local team travel from remote communities, and the ceremony is prepared with care and intention. Early booking ensures everything flows beautifully.

Is food included? What do we eat during the ceremony?

Yes — food is an essential part of the experience.

Most ceremonies include a traditional pachamanca, a dish cooked underground with hot stones. It features a delicious variety of native ingredients such as:

• Potatoes and sweet potatoes

• Corn (choclo), fava beans, and plantain

• Traditional meats like chicken and cuy (Peruvian guinea pig)

If you are vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, let us know — we can adapt the menu with no problem.

We also offer the option to upgrade to an Andean buffet during booking, which includes additional regional dishes and variety.

💛 Bonus: If you choose pachamanca, you may bring 2 additional guests at no extra cost to share the meal with you.

Is transportation included?

Transportation is not included, but we’re happy to organize it for you from Cusco or any hotel in the Sacred Valley. Just let us know when booking and we’ll add it to your reservation.

Can we bring guests?

Yes. The experience includes you, your partner, and 2 additional guests (only if you choose pachamanca).
If you’d like to invite more guests, just let us know — extra costs may apply depending on group size.