the community gathers in a shared expression of faith and gratitude
The origins of this tradition date back to colonial times
evolving over the centuries as a blend of Indigenous and Catholic beliefs
was revived in 1924 by the workers of the La Aurora textile factory
At the core of La Alborada lies the symbolic reenactment of the celestial battle between Saint Michael the Archangel and Lucifer
portrays Saint Michael as the divine warrior who leads the heavenly forces against the fallen angel Lucifer in a clash that symbolizes the fight between good and evil
On Friday night, the neighborhoods of La Aurora, La Estación and Valle del Maíz become gathering spots for eager revelers. These celebrants carry enormous stars made from colorful paper and illuminated from within by candles that are a glowing homage to Our Lady of Light
all groups begin their spirited walk towards the Jardín
reflecting Saint Michael’s fiery determination to protect the faithful and drive back the forces of darkness
It is a luminous offering to please Saint Michael in hopes that he will grant blessings for the year ahead
Attendees fortify themselves with a drink or two for courage
The Red Cross and fire trucks are parked all around on standby
the church bells toll to mark the beginning of La Alborada
Rockets start shooting from the church’s courtyard
tracing bright lines in the dark sky before exploding with a deafening bang
Most of these missiles are launched directly towards the thousands of people gathered in front of the church
There’s something primal about this religious fervor
fireworks are launched from the opposite side of the Jardin toward the church
This turns the square into a dramatic battlefield where the crowds are caught in the crossfire
The sheer volume of this seemingly endless barrage is intense in this explosive showdown
a castle joins Saint Michael’s arsenal
Some of these fireworks spin and shoot fire in all directions
avoiding the sparks flying from the structure
There are as many lights on the ground as there are in the sky
When all sides of the castle have burned out
the circular top ignites and begins to spin rapidly
The smoke from the fireworks grows so thick that it becomes its own challenge, creating a dark atmosphere where the biggest concern isn’t just the low visibility or the fire raining down, but the lack of oxygen. The thick smoke lingers amidst the massive colonial buildings
Saint Michael has defeated the forces of darkness
celebrating the good news: a prosperous year full of blessings is promised for all
This high-energy revelry culminates in the singing of “Las Mañanitas.”
consider yourself warned: this is not a quiet night in San Miguel de Allende
diving straight into the action at the city square can be the ultimate adrenaline rush
It’s a chance to participate in joyful chaos and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with locals and fellow thrill-seekers
for those who prefer to keep a safe distance
Consider snuggling your pets in a pillow bunker and slipping on an extra pair of earplugs
The sheer volume of pyrotechnics means thick smoke can settle over the city
Whether you’re in the thick of it or watching from afar
La Alborada is not for the faint of heart — but it’s certainly a night to remember
Sandra Gancz Kahan is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]
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This quaint city in Mexico is a charming place for a vacation
Due to recent events, you can now leave online condolences with each obituary posted on the Kutis Funeral Home website. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance – FEMA is now helping those that have lost a loved one from COVID-19. Click HERE to review the information on eligibility and requirements on the COVID-19 Funeral
died peacefully at Breeze Park-Lutheran Senior Services
Bob was retired from the Monsanto Company and was co-founder of Custom Sensors and Technology in St
He was a former member of Concordia Turner Hall
a beloved CSMAC and SDS CYC Soccer and Baseball coach
He is an alumni of Hadley Technical High School in St
William and Catherine (nee Grapperhaus) Kessler
his brothers William (Patricia deceased) and Eugene (Linda deceased) and his sisters Agnes (John) Machek of Creve Coeur
Kessler (nee McNamee); his sons Sean (Patricia) of Rocky River
MO; a sister-in-law Georgann (Victor) Basse of Carbondale
Visitation Thursday, January 23, 10:00 a.m. until Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Savio (Holy Cross Academy Campus) 7748 Mackenzie Rd. (63123). Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Affton Meals on Wheels and/or Tunnel to Towers Foundation
.thoughts and prayers for Bob and entire family
Remembering our down-the-street neighbors with Mrs
Kessler always admiring and loving his wife and his boys
I had met Bob in 1985 at Monsanto and had the privilege and pleasure to work with him for 6 years
He was truly one of the nicest and most honest people that I’ve had the honor to work with
his family came first and it was apparent to all
I know Bob will be greatly missed and his warmth
compassion and humor will not be forgotten
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five-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Martin Fletcher conducted a fascinating interview with literary icon Margaret Atwood in San Miguel de Allende
Entitled “From Fiction to Reality — Has Our Dystopian Future Arrived?”
the live event was a scholarship fundraiser for the upcoming 20th annual San Miguel Writers Conference
Mexico News Daily reporter Ann Marie Jackson had the pleasure of continuing the conversation with both Fletcher — who is also a Mexico News Daily trustee — and Atwood
probing deeper into issues of importance to Mexico
Founder and President of the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival
and Executive Director Jodi Pincus launched the evening by presenting Ms
Atwood with the conference’s first annual Award for Literary Excellence
“It is not an exaggeration to say that Margaret Atwood is a pioneer of the written word,” noted Page
“Her work transcends genres… and explores virtually every facet of the human experience
In addition to her extraordinary literary output
Margaret Atwood… uses her platform to speak out against injustice
and I believe she is a model for a future in which literature serves as a guiding light in troubled times… We are grateful for her stories
former NBC Middle East correspondent and Tel Aviv Bureau Chief
current commentator for MSNBC and PBS NewsHour
Fletcher shared his own “Margaret Atwood moment,” which happened in Afghanistan
After the first Taliban government fell in 2001
he went there to do a story on a women’s art class
“After living for years under extreme restrictions
these women were finally able to leave their houses unchaperoned by a male relative,” he explained
but what struck me was that half of them essentially showed the same image: dark edges all around and a little strip of the world showing in the middle — which was all they had been able to see through the eye slit in their burkas.”
this is Margaret Atwood’s world in real life.”
“that you wrote The Handmaid’s Tale from a woman’s point of view because 1984 by George Orwell and most other works of dystopian fiction were written from a male viewpoint?”
“There were some female-written utopian works early on
Utopias were popular through the 19th century into the early 20th
but then there was a turning point… After World War Two
it was just not possible to write utopias for a while.” Ray Bradbury and others wrote powerful dystopian works in that era
“I started thinking about writing The Handmaid’s Tale after the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980
He immediately began dismantling the progress made by 1970s second-wave feminism as well as the social contract of the New Deal
A friend of mine who escaped from Poland as a child
so-called ‘religious right’ is now refashioning itself as a political power
and one of the things they are saying is that women should be back in the home?”
“Whenever anyone says ‘women should,’ I always think about how they could implement it
They were earning money; they had credit cards; they had some freedom
I wondered — and the answer I found was by obliterating the jobs and thereby cutting off the money.”
Atwood also knew she needed to fill in a gap in her knowledge of American history by studying Puritanism in the New England colonies
and I’m here to tell you that America did not begin as a democracy
It began as a theocracy — and if you have something like that in your background
it’s quite likely to recur.” Fletcher concurred that the current Christian nationalist movement in the United States is frighteningly influential
“There’s a recurring tendency in human history,” noted Atwood
“to believe in a Golden Age and that there’s some way of returning to it
and it’s the same with Make America Great Again
which period of time are you thinking about
We actually don’t know when the supposed brightness was; it’s false nostalgia
“The inauguration has not even taken place yet
and we’ll know what movie we’re in — is it Game of Thrones
Trump have an unfortunate fall down a flight of stairs
“We’re watching a pitched battle for power amongst the billionaire courtiers
Peter Thiel and others who hate each other
I think we’re in the Machiavellian Renaissance,” said Atwood
noting that the present political situation in the United States appears to be uniquely difficult in part because of the historic rise in the influence of unelected billionaires
He also shared his concern with Jackson that Mexican immigrants in the U.S
will be targeted during the early months of Trump’s second term
Many of the new president’s campaign promises to the MAGA base will be impossible to fulfill
but sweeping up some undocumented immigrants is both possible and politically appealing
When asked by Jackson about Mexico and America’s joint dystopian reality around illicit drug use and cartel violence
The real solution I suppose is to remove the appetite for drugs
but you can’t do that without making life more attractive for those who consume them
America right now is a deeply unhappy nation — and the more drugs
Fletcher noted that as the writer of the incredibly prescient Handmaid’s Tale
is now treated by many people as something of an oracle or prophet
Her deadpan response to his question of just how much could actually come true
I don’t think we’ll get the outfits.”
Fletcher and Atwood then more seriously discussed the responsibilities of writers as activists
Atwood volunteers with a group called the Theater of War that puts on Greek tragedies for targeted groups of people
I would have every horse race thoroughly covered.”
Atwood insisted that she is not a “real,” full-time activist
but acknowledged the importance of using her platform to speak out against injustice
while I’m a self-employed writer who can’t be fired
I’m so old; I’m not worried about my future
People can’t get at me the way they could if I had a job and were younger
So when I frequently get called to speak about these things
Atwood also shared with Jackson her respect for Mexican activists and journalists covering narcos
“They’re amazingly brave people,” she said
when asked about calling others to activism
“I can’t tell other people how they should be called upon to behave
Their circumstances are different; they could be a lot more vulnerable
They could be supporting a family or they may be part of a community that’s quite censorious and punitive
There are all kinds of reasons why people can’t answer their inner conscience publicly
So it’s not up to me to tell people what to do
People will tell themselves what they can afford to do and should be doing.”
This fascinating event raised funds for the San Miguel Writers’ Conference student scholarship program. For more information and to purchase tickets to the 20th annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference on February 12-16, visit https://sanmiguelwritersconference.org
All the coffees here are sourced from coffee producers in Oaxaca. One of the cafe’s co-founders is a competitive barista, and the passion and dedication they have for coffee feels immediately present inside the space. This is the perfect first stop for a coffee lover in San Miguel de Allende.
A picturesque mix of Spanish and Mexican culture hiding in the parched highlands of central Mexico
San Miguel de Allende is known for its cobblestone streets
lovely plazas and beautiful colonial architecture
including the famous pink Parroquia that towers over the central square
with parties that last all night and colorful performances — some that date back to ancient indigenous traditions
dancing in the streets and voluminous fireworks that often overshadow even the best Fourth of July pyrotechnics
“Fall is a great time to experience San Miguel de Allende,” said Christian Ramirez Gonzalez of the Tourist Council of San Miguel de Allende
“We have many events happening during this time
The autumn festivities in the city kick off on Sept
The independence movement began in San Miguel de Allende
where the rebels first conspired against the Spaniards
so the city now celebrates this national holiday with gusto
One of the most beloved events of the year is the celebration of the city’s patron saint
the festivities include several spectacular performances
Kicking off the event is a late-night parade of mojigangas — a procession of larger-than-life dancing puppets that are made by local artists
People sing and dance on the streets as mariachi bands play music until dawn
and fireworks light up the sky long after midnight
they may even let you wear their mojigangas outfit
conchero dancers arrive — different indigenous tribes dressed in traditional clothes and masks
The flamboyant performance is a mix of folk dancing
religious ceremony and commemoration of the Spanish conquest
Another not-to-miss spectacle is the ancient ceremony of Voladores de Papantla
or the Dance of the Flyers — a Cirque du Soleil-like performance in which four men swing upside down from a 100-foot-tall pole on long ropes while a fifth person stands on top playing a flute
several hundred equestrians trot in front of the Parroquia to receive a blessing for their horses
locals begin prepping for Day of the Dead in early November
festivities pick up during Christmas and New Year
summer brings a slew of film and music festivals
Travel + Leisure has named San Miguel de Allende its favorite city to visit,” said Daniela Leaman
deputy director of the Mexico Tourism Board
“It’s very rare that a city enjoys such a nomination in two consecutive years
We hope that more will choose to visit San Miguel and enjoy what it has to offer.”
The DetailsMexico Tourism Boardwww.visitmexico.com
Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
a Belmond hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Miguel de Allende
is excited to welcome new General Manager Michael Näther
is a seasoned veteran of the luxury hospitality industry who brings more than 35 years of experience to his new role
Näther served as dual general manager for two world-renowned luxury properties
Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet Resorts in Saint Lucia
director of operations at Banyan Tree Mayakobá
executive assistant manager at The Ritz-Carlton
and director of food and beverage at InterContinental Berlin
Näther is passionate about hospitality's potential for creating memorable experiences and fostering emotional bonds
His warm and personalized approach with both his teams and guests aligns with Belmond brand's focus on authentic experiences and world class service
After December’s whirlwind of festivities, you might think San Miguel de Allende would take a breather
we love going out both for the walk itself
San Miguel de Allende offers the perfect opportunity to settle down and dive into deep thoughts
Here’s a look at the events that will spark curiosity and fuel meaningful conversations in January
Kick off the new year with a shopping spree that gives back! Explore rooms packed with new merchandise at the Heart to Heart Charity Bazaar, benefiting Patronato Pro Niños
you’ll find incredible deals and hidden treasures
dental and psychological care for the children of San Miguel de Allende who need it most
San Miguel de Allende is rolling out the red carpet to honor Margaret Atwood
author of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” with the San Miguel Award for Literary Excellence
“From Fiction to Reality: Has Our Dystopian Future Arrived?”
features Atwood in conversation with award-winning journalist Martin Fletcher
Together they will explore the intersection of dystopian fiction and our rapidly changing world
This bilingual evening kicks off with a wine and cheese reception
a dynamic conversation and a Q&A session
this event is a fundraiser for the San Miguel Writers’ Conference 20th Anniversary Student Scholarship Program
making it an evening where inspiration meets impact
The 5th edition of Hilos de Esperanza invites you to donate your hair to support girls and women battling cancer. This heartfelt initiative offers an opportunity to provide hope and strength to those facing challenging times. Schedule your haircut appointment in advance via the Rotaract SMA
A post shared by TEDxCalle Aldama (@tedxcallealdama)
and paves the way for a sustainable future
this dynamic event features an impressive lineup of speakers
including digital strategist Alejandra Lagunes
global business strategist Diego Jiang and more
The experience will be elevated with captivating performances by Aulladora Banda Lobo and the Indigenous Dancers of SMA
Talks in Spanish and English will be seamlessly accessible via live translation earpieces
VIP tickets include an exclusive gourmet dinner with the speakers at Bovine Restaurant
Celebrate the beloved tradition of the Blessing of Pets at the Templo del Oratorio
a practice rooted in the early colonial era and inspired by San Antonio de Abad’s deep reverence for nature
This heartwarming annual event welcomes pets of all kinds — dogs
The ceremony begins with a priest reading from Genesis
reflecting on the creation of animals and their vital role in our lives
followed by a prayer of gratitude and the sprinkling of holy water for divine protection
Celebrate the legacy of Generalissimo Ignacio de Allende with a series of events marking his 256th birthday
Allende is a key hero in Mexico’s War of Independence
His leadership and ultimate sacrifice symbolize patriotism nationwide
The festivities begin with a civic ceremony at the Jardín at 9:00 a.m.
followed by a National Flag presentation at the Municipal Palace at 6:00 p.m.
and end with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00 p.m
Explore the fascinating world of generative AI with Michael Werner
a teacher of computer science for 30 years at Wentworth Institute of Technology
This interactive class dives into cutting-edge AI tools like ChatGPT
Learn how these technologies are reshaping creativity
from writing essays and composing music to producing professional-looking art
all while raising questions about authenticity
attribution and the future of human creativity
Through hands-on experimentation and lively discussions
you’ll gain insights into how AI generators work and their implications for art
The course encourages students to try out tools on their own and share their experiences in class
Dive into the complexities of Mexico’s leadership with “Global Relations in 2025: A Speakers Series.” Travis Bembenek
will lead “Presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum: A Case Study in Leadership,” an insightful discussion at the Teatro Santa Ana on thechallenges and opportunities Mexico’s new president faces
Bembenek will examine critical decisions shaping Mexico’s environmental
Tickets are 280 pesos with a 10 percent discount when paying in cash
On a frosty January night more than a century ago
five singers from the Yale Glee Club gathered at Mory’s Temple Bar in New Haven
starting a musical legacy that thrives to this day
the world’s oldest collegiate a cappella group
are bringing their timeless charm to San Miguel de Allende
the Whiffs will perform at the Templo de la Tercera Orden
showcasing a dynamic repertoire of timeless classics and modern arrangements spanning various musical genres
This unique concert will also support a meaningful cause: raising funds for Chorale San Miguel’s historic 1875 Johnson and Sons pipe organ
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary performance while contributing to the preservation of San Miguel’s musical heritage
Sandra is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]
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Print 1 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
Mexico — If ever there were a town that lived on its good looks
And if ever there were a time when American travelers were obsessed with pretty pictures
So when I showed up here in the mountains about 170 miles northwest of Mexico City
I assigned myself a mission to match the time and place
Instead of just looking at the colonial structures and cobblestone streets that have made San Miguel Instagram-ready since the 18th century
I would enlist local experts to help me take better photos
I would see how the city is bearing up amid a burst of new hotels and restaurants in the last few years
given that readers of Travel & Leisure voted San Miguel their favorite city in the world in 2017 and 2018
Travel & Experiences
Whether you’re snapping with a smartphone or a fancy digital single-lens reflex camera
try these tricks to make your photos shine
I arrived in September with a DSLR, digital single-lens reflex camera (Nikon D7500), a GoPro, a smartphone and an appointment with Javier Barras
who has been shooting commercially and teaching photography in San Miguel for several years
San Miguel is about 6,100 feet above sea level
You can’t miss La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
On my first morning in town I met Barras at Starbucks (yes
He laid down several ideas about what makes a strong photograph
including the “rule of thirds” (keeping your subject slightly off-center) and the pictorial detail you can harvest if you shoot in uncompressed RAW mode (resulting in higher-quality images) rather than the standard JPG format He was firm on matters of technique
but when I asked about selfies and social media
Facebook and the sharing of photos is fabulous,” Barras told me
“There’s an amazing volume of horrible photography that people have fun with
and I think it’s great they’re having fun.”
more than 300 miles from the nearest beach and more than an hour from the nearest international airport
San Miguel (population about 170,000) has always drawn a mellower
It trades on its tranquillity the way Cabo San Lucas trades on its rowdy bars and sport fishing
Even as violent crime has reached historic levels in Mexico and increased in the surrounding state of Guanajuato
San Miguel has sprouted ever more sophisticated restaurants
destination weddings and gentrification abound
and expats sort conflicted feelings about living in la burbuja — the bubble
“it’s becoming a victim of its own success,” gallery owner Ted Davis told me
“Like Venice, overrun with T-shirted foreigners year-round, the city’s soul has been largely drained by tourism,” wrote restaurant critic John Mariani in a 2018 piece for Forbes
As Barras led me through El Jardín with camera in hand
he reminded me to get as close as possible to my subjects and to use a tripod whenever possible
But the best thing about lugging a tripod is that it forces you to slow down
is the way to make an image strong enough to slow a casual viewer
“If someone’s looking at your picture for more than three seconds,” Barras said
Inside La Parroquia we tried shots of the intricate neo-Gothic ceiling. Outside, we crept in the shadows of the facade and towers dreamed up in the 1880s by indigenous stonemason-turned-architect Zeferino Gutiérrez.
Tour guides like to say that Gutiérrez drew his inspiration from European postcards and sketched his design in the sand with a stick. The city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site designation
But you can’t train a lens on that building without thinking about the old world and this new one
I wanted one standout shot of the Parroquia
I looked for Instagram-friendly details to grab with my iPhone: bold
simple compositions that would catch a stranger’s eye even when reduced to 2 by 3 inches
whose wide-angle lens captures broader scenes than the other lenses do and is waterproof
you can see what happened when I set the GoPro in a puddle by El Jardín and at the corner of a busy intersection.)
From 30-some years of observing as a reporter and amateur photographer
They lie down in mud if a better image might come of it
They wait hours for a pedestrian or cloud to fill the frame just so
And I discovered an enormous upside: During those midday spells of harsh
I have only admiration for the emerging San Miguel
Spanish colonizers started building the city in the 1550s
they had laid out more than 60 city blocks
the city was playing a crucial role in Mexico’s break from Spain — the Boston of Mexico
By the late 1940s, scores of Americans were showing up to study at the Escuela de Bellas Artes, now known as the Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromonte” and later the Instituto Allende
Nobody is certain how many Americans and Canadians call the city home, but InternationalLiving.com estimates they make up 10% of the population
And when newcomers take their first steps in town
just about every photographer and painter among them thinks: These doorways
There are doorway posters and doorway prints
And there is the exasperation that overtakes the face of photographer
teacher and gallery owner Jo Brenzo when this subject comes up
“San Miguel doorways! Give. Me. A. Break,” she said to me one day. Brenzo, who opened the Photographic Gallery in 1998, runs classes, leads trips, hosts a Saturday morning photo meet-up and beseeches lens-bearing visitors to look beyond the obvious
I had no festival to work with. But I did roam side streets, stake out Calle Aldama (which some people call the city’s prettiest street) and browse in Fábrica la Aurora
old textile mill that houses dozens of galleries and studios
In fast-gentrifying Colonia Guadalupe, I joined a mural tour led by Colleen Sorenson
who since 2012 has been a pioneer in encouraging street art outside the city’s historic core
More than once in all this walking and talking, I heard locals complain that traffic is worse and crime isn’t as rare as it used to be. (Statistics for the state of Guanajuato back this up.)
Still, as a man with moderate Spanish skills who walked alone after dark (but not after 10 p.m.), I never worried. The U.S. State Department, which rates destinations on a 1-4 scale (safest to most dangerous) gives the state of Guanajuato a 2 — exercise increased caution
I loved the absence of traffic lights and the many people who say
What’s the worst thing a visiting photographer can do here
I posed that question one afternoon to Ted Davis, a photographer who opened his San Miguel gallery five years ago
“is going up to a local indigenous person who’s selling tchotchkes and shoving a camera in their face.”
where it’s hard to walk four blocks without bumping into an aspiring photographer
seeing me raise my camera or hearing my request for permission
But Los Angeles Times policy forbids paying for a photo or interview
Whether they’re using phones or fancy cameras
too many travelers grab pictures without pausing to ask
Every request to take somebody’s picture is a potential conversation-starter
And conversations are what turn a silent stage set into something better
as did an antique merchant and a proud young father with his tiny son
A young man in mojiganga regalia paused for my benefit
Instead of just moving in and letting loose a burst of snaps
bartender Gabriel Avila was filling a carafe with water on a slow afternoon
He told me how he’d come from Tijuana five years before
“It’s the best decision in my short life,” Avila said
The way they conserve all the culture of the epoch of the conquest and the independence of Mexico.”
I snapped five or six shots and we spoke a little more
When I looked over my photos later — all 1,679 of them — my favorite people picture was of Avila
Even in the beauty queen of Mexican cities
a pretty picture plus good talk beats a pretty picture every time
Aeroméxico and Delta offer connecting flights (change of planes) to Querétaro
The same airlines also offer connecting flights to León
PhotographyPhotographic Gallery, 57 Mesones, San Miguel de Allende; (011) 52-415-154-5366, acdphoto.com. Exhibits and workshops
Jo Brenzo teaches three-day digital photo courses and leads photographer meet-ups at 11 a.m
Javier Barras; (011) 52-415-149-3453, frescofotosma@gmail.com, javierbarras.com/home
a commercial photographer who often works with the Photographic Gallery
also leads group and private photo classes
A three-hour private walking-and-shooting session costs about $100
Hotel Boutique Hacienda El Santuario, 42 Terraplen, Centro, San Miguel Allende; (011) 52-415-152-0335, www.haciendaelsantuario.com
About 33 rooms around a calm courtyard in the oldest part of town
Hotel Amparo, 3 Calle Mesones, Centro, San Miguel de Allende; (011) 52-415-152-0819, hotelamparo.com. Five stylish rooms in a 300-year-old mansion; restaurant adjacent
Hotel Casa Blanca 7
Nómada Cocina de Interpretación, 88 Calle Hernandez Macias, Centro, San Miguel de Allende; (011) 52-415-121-6165, bit.ly/nomadacocina
Casa Blanca Café, Hotel Casa Blanca, 7 Juarez, San Miguel de Allende; (011) 52-415-688-1438, casablanca7.com/cafe-casablanca7
Three-course lunch (with incredible mushrooms)
Querencia, 4B Julián Carrillo, Colonia Guadalupe, San Miguel de Allende; facebook.com/QuerenciaSanMiguel
Geek & Coffee, Calzada la Aurora, Fábrica la Aurora, San Miguel de Allende; facebook.com/geekandcoffee
Visit Mexico, bit.ly/gosanmiguel
Discover San Miguel de Allende, discoversma.com
Born and raised in California, Christopher Reynolds has written about travel, the outdoors, arts and culture for the Los Angeles Times since 1990.
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ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelOutdoor Fun — Balloons, Beaches, Horseback Riding — Near San Miguel De Allende, MexicoByLea Lane
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
I'm an award-winning travel writer/podcaster; been to 100+ countries.Follow AuthorMay 01
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Michael in San Miguel de Allende in the background
Here are a few special ones to add to one of my favorite destinations in the world
Archeological tours: Coyote Canyon Adventures in San Miguel de Allende offers horseback riding and cultural tours; an oppotunity to feel the essence of this central Mexico region
And you can spend the evening learning to cook or taking a wine tour
Special tours geared to children are also availablle
Hotel: View Cabañas
Just eight minutes from San Miguel de Allende toward Celaya
"El Hotel View" focuses on the surrounding landscape
This boutique property offers firepit experiences by candlelight
sunset teepee experiences and moonlight dinners with roses and a three-course menu
View also offers wellness activities at Aruma Spa
including hydromassage with salts and flowers
and unique therapies such as medical biomagnetism
get out into local prehistory on a cave painting expedition
Oils: Finca Luna Serena
Also on the outskirts of San Miguel de Allende
Finca Luna Serena is home to the region’s resident experts in extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar and oil-based beauty products
You can rent a country house on the property for one night
Horseback riding: Xotolar Adventures
This ranch operated by the Morín Ruiz family generation after generation
guarantees a safe and comfortable horseback riding experience amid impressive natural landscapes
Xotolar offers half- and full-day riding excursions to Cañada de la Virgen (“Virgin Canyon”) as well as camping experiences and rural cooking classes
Guided tours are designed and adapted to the needs of the group
Hot-air ballooning: Globo San Miguel
Offering daily flights above San Miguel de Allende and its surroundings
Globo San Miguel boasts 27 years’ experience in the area and more than 50 years of ballooning expertise in California’s Napa Valley
Services include a classic flight at sunrise
and exclusive flights for groups and couples — ideal for marriage proposals
flights are not being operated at 100% capacity
Safety protocols in place include social distancing and masking to ensure a secure outdoor experience.)
Beach: Manaia at Valle de los Senderos
with natural sand and crystal-clear spring waters
Enjoy the transparent thermal pool with some fins and a snorkel mask
Valle de los Senderos offers packages that include family tickets
as well as picnic packages for Mexican eatery "Sal y Canto," an where activities and opportunities focus on ecology
well-being and contact with nature and beauty
Dining: Mama Mía Campestre
In a mesquite forest along the San Miguel-Dolores Highway, Mama Mía Campestre, a wood-fired Italian cuisine and local craft beer, La Hechicera. All dishes are prepared in grills or ovens fed with mesquite wood, and are served with vegetables grown in Huerto Rancho Luna using organic methods.
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A great new deal on airfare makes a trip to the charming town in Central Mexico even more appealing
American Airlines and United Airlines both have a number of big discounts on flights to San Miguel de Allende for travel in the spring and even into the start of summer. San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the architecture and colorful streets in its main town square
San Miguel de Allende became a haven for artists in the 20th century
It has since become a desired place for retirees to settle in to enjoy their golden years
thanks to its quality of life and relatively affordable nature
Most of the fares in this deal are for flights between March and June of this year
A few routes are even on sale from August until January 2025
you'll be flying into Queretaro International Airport (QRO); the airport is in Santiago de Queretaro
the capital city of the state of Queretaro
it's about 41 miles to San Miguel de Allende
Some routes involve flying into Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) in Leon — a city in the Mexican state of Guanajuato
which is about 90 minutes from San Miguel de Allende
American's fares come with a free carry-on
you can upgrade to economy class for $30 to $35 each way
That also gets you seat selection and the ability to change your reservation for free
Dallas and Houston to San Miguel de Allende
How to book: Browse Google Flights
Travel dates: Mainly for flights between March and June 2024
with some routes available from August 2024 through January 2025 (Thanksgiving included)
This deal was originally sent out by Going. Sign up for Going to get up to 90% off select flights via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $69 per year. You can also upgrade to the Elite tier for $199 per year for all the Premium deals
Related: Why San Miguel de Allende is a great family destination
We found lots of sub-$300 fares out of Chicago in this deal
You can fly round-trip from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to QRO for $299 in March
United has itineraries from Chicago to Queretaro in April for $299 round trip as well
that's almost $500 less than you would normally pay for this ticket
ee found the best availability and the best prices during April
you can book a flight from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for only $238 round trip
Keep in mind that with United's basic tier
We also found lots of $238 round-trip fares on United out of Houston in May
That fare is less than half what it usually costs
We found some absolute steals out of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
You can book a nonstop American flight from Dallas to Leon for just $234 round trip in April
That price is about as low as you'll find for this route at this time of year
We found several available flight options at this great price
We found a good one in December as well: You can fly nonstop from Dallas to Leon for $434 round trip in December — a perfect time to make an escape to Mexico
is $700 cheaper than that itinerary usually costs
be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases
Take this opportunity to visit a unique Mexican city during 2024
There is widespread availability and the tickets are massively discounted from their normal prices
Just keep in mind that if you choose a United flight
the basic economy fare won't include a carry-on bag
remember the golden rule for getting the best possible fare price: Be flexible with your travel plans
Tip: If you're a fan of tequila, pay a visit to La Casa Dragones, the home of the popular tequila company. It's a small, intimate experience that offers tastings and even mixology classes.
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives
helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach
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has unveiled a new upscale brand – Pueblo Bonito Vantage
The first property to represent the new brand
the Pueblo Bonito Vantage San Miguel de Allende
scheduled to open during the first half of 2023
The colonial town was ranked by Travel + Leisure as the "World's Best City" in 2021
Marked by sloping cobblestoned lanes and colorful
well-preserved 17th- and 18th-century Spanish colonial buildings
chockablock with art galleries and sidewalk cafes, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The city is tucked away in the central highlands roughly equidistant from Guadalajara and Mexico City and an hour's drive away from both Leon and Queretaro airports
Pueblo Bonito Vantage San Miguel de Allende will enjoy a prime location overlooking the city's historic quarter and the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel (Church of Saint Michael
the soaring neo-Gothic cathedral around which the entire town revolves
including a rooftop bar with a breathtaking view of the pink sandstone cathedral
In addition to banquet space for groups and conventions
a beautiful grass area for weddings and events also overlooks the magnificent church
only a 10-minute walk from the city's historic downtown area
which will be introduced to the market this spring
Next in the planning stages is the Pueblo Bonito Vantage Los Cabos and the Pueblo Bonito Vantage at Punta Maroma
the latter which fronts the Caribbean Sea on Mexico's Riviera Maya
Deluxe amenities designed to elevate the Pueblo Bonito Vantage brand include:
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Historical circumstance left this colorful city remarkably intact
who arrive in search of its ineffable magic
Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform
T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world
They've visited small towns and big cities
With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe
they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas
and inspiration at every point of a journey
ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelExploring One Of Mexico’s World Heritage CitiesByJudy Koutsky
10:38am EDTShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 2 years old.Aldama Street in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque colonial town located in the heart of Mexico and known for its cobblestone streets
art galleries and historic churches and a culinary and wellness vibe
The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel rises above the city’s main square and is often the first stop
The architecture of the church has been depicted on postcards and paintings of the city
The church was built over a period of ten years and the pink sandstone was extracted from the slopes of the extinct Palo Huérfano volcano
many travelers book a guided tour of the Museo de la Máscara (Mask Museum)
a museum created to display ceremonial masks used throughout Mexican history
Another good option is visiting Fábrica La Aurora
an old textile factory that is home to dozens of art galleries and shops displaying antiques
San Miguel de Allende has a bustling city center
The hot springs flowing throughout San Miguel de Allende are also a big draw
One of the most popular is Escondido Place
which has a variety of indoor and outdoor pools some of which are interconnected
La Gruta is an open-air hot spring that has an area nestled in a small grotto that makes it feel like a steam room
There are also strong jets of water that visitors utilize to relieve muscle tension in the back and shoulders
Xote is the oldest hot spring in San Miguel de Allende having opened in the early 1970s
Xote is known for its temazcal Mayan steam baths
San Miguel de Allende is famous for being a wine-producing region
San Miguel de Allende is also famous for being a wine-producing region
Wine tours can include visits to several different vineyards
which is known for its European architectural design
the property also offers a workshop on the benefits of lavender (lavender fields surround the area)
Hacienda San José Lavista is perched on top of a hill and is known for its reds
Vinícola Toyán specializes in organic wines and tours include a tasting of four wines
along with snacks made with local ingredients
The arboretum at El Charco del Ingenio houses plants native to Mexico
San Miguel de Allende has a nature reserve whose main attraction is El Charco del Ingenio
a botanical garden that specializes in the central Mexican plateau region
There is also an extensive network of interpretive trails that attracts bird watchers and nature enthusiasts
and a labyrinth of ceramic artifacts from the pre-Hispanic era
At El Charco del Ingenio’s northern end is a temazcal which hosts a steam bath on the weekend closest to the full moon
There are also concerts and other events held throughout the year at the botanical gardens
A hot air balloon rises over the city of San Miguel de Allende
Another popular activity in Miguel de Allende is a hot air balloon ride
Watching the colonial city come to life as the sun rises is a unique way to experience this region
full and multi-day excursions are available
Trails run through the Coyote Canyon to explore the changing landscape and peaks and valleys of the region
Cultural enthusiasts can partake in a Mojigangas workshop
Mojigangas are large puppets that have become iconic in San Miguel de Allende; they appear in a variety of both secular and religious festivals
Day of the Dead and many wedding celebrations
Live Aqua Urban Resort San Miguel de Allende
It’s a new property and it’s the largest hotel in San Miguel with 153 guest rooms
Some rooms include a jacuzzi in the private garden patio
The spa at Live Aqua Urban Resort San Miguel de Allende
The spa has various treatments on the menu
lunch and dinner and has a variety of Mexican cuisine as well as international dishes
The Spice Market has a variety of Asian fusions featuring dishes from China
The hotel pool bar—Mario Canario—has seafood
The Casa Dragones Cigar Bar has a variety of tequilas (they offer tequila tasting) as well as cigars
several Jacuzzis and views of the mountains
Live Aqua is ideal for those who want to be close to all the activities of San Miguel
but with the space and luxury of a resort accommodation
Patricia Sheridanpsheridan@post-gazette.com
marigolds fill the cemeteries and churches open the crypts for all to welcome back the dead — for a day
El Dia de los Muertos is actually one of the more lively celebrations in Mexico
It’s about enticing relatives who have died back from the spirit world to the earthly realm for a visit
this tiny Spanish colonial town in the mountainous state of Guanajuato attracts visitors from around Mexico and the world for a weeklong celebration
literally “Festival of the Skull,” includes parades
dinners and altars set up in shops along the main square outside of San Miguel the Archangel Cathedral
visitors experience an event combining Christian and pagan traditions
with both a cemetery and an Aztec ceremony honoring the dead
museums and churches to explore in this UNESCO World Heritage Site
They usually include photos of loved ones along with things they enjoyed while alive
In the square in front of the Church of Our Lady of Health
there is the Pyramid of the Dead designed by artist Tomas Burkey
Strings of perforated paper flags known as papel picado hang everywhere
Cemeteries are filled with visitors who adorn graves with flowers
light candles and enjoy meals with the departed
The idea is to give their souls a warm welcome
a reason to make the trip from the spirit world to comfort those they left behind
dancing and parades with giant papier mache puppets known as mojigangas
Revelers in costumes or with painted faces stream into the main plaza
where locals dressed in Aztec feathers and body paint perform a ceremony between the Allende garden and the cathedral while children and adults in skeleton costumes look on
Visitors and residents paint their faces white and black to represent a skull
Death is symbolized by La Calavera Catrina
a skeletal woman that is not so much feared as revered
The waiters at Hotel Matilda’s famous Black Dinner dress in black
The multicourse dinner is made by American chef Eduardo Garcia
If you plan to attend — and enjoy the liberal libations — be sure to make reservations well in advance of your trip
San Miguel de Allende has very narrow sidewalks and steep
cobbled streets that become slick when it rains
Fly into Del Bajio International Airport — Leon/Guanajuato
Make arrangements at your hotel for a shuttle
taxi or private car for the 80-minute trip to San Miguel de Allende
stay at Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada or Casa 1810
Both are close to San Miguel Archangel Cathedral and the center of town
There is also a five-star Rosewood property that is farther from the center of town
Patricia Sheridan: psheridan@post-gazette.com
is not the first place you’d associate with jewelry designer Gogo Ferguson
where Ferguson—a descendant of the Carnegies
who made Cumberland their winter home in the late 19th century—is one of just a handful of residents
Ferguson has become almost synonymous with the wild
whose flora and fauna are the primary source of inspiration for her necklaces
But few people know that over the past 15 years
she and her family have made another home in San Miguel
There she gathers inspiration for her line
and takes in the views from her family’s hacienda-style stone house overlooking the colonial-era city
ShopI love the store at Sollano 16
A woman from Santa Barbara named Anne Harte opened it in an old colonial building
and you can find beautiful housewares and accessories from Mexico and all over the world
He hand-pounds everything and creates all the intricate details in our Alpaca and Tumbaga collections
When we did the exhibition at the High [Gogo: Nature Transformed
and he was just blown away to see the collaboration of our work
Among other places, Gogo pieces are available at the High Museum of Art gift shop, her eponymous store in Redfern Village on St. Simons Island, and at gogojewelry.com
This article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2016 issue of Style Book
whose last name happens to be his nickname
were introduced through mutual friends at a charity event in New York City
“My business partner was dating and is now married to the cousin of one of Tipper’s good friends from college
who was dating and is now married to one of his best friends from high school
friends on both sides thought we should meet.” How they would actually make each other’s acquaintance was the tricky part
Normally a very outgoing and social person
Tipper was overwhelmed by the idea of being set up
After an initial attempt failed due to Tipper’s stubbornness
their friends continued to conspire ways for them to get together
they settled on inviting both to attend a Young Audiences New York charity event that a mutual friend was involved in organizing
While Tipper’s friends led him to believe that he was attending any other fundraiser
started laying the groundwork a few weeks in advance
she kept pestering me about what I was going to wear that night,” remembers Georgie
the connection between us ended up being instant.”
“I will never forget seeing Georgie walk into the party in a bright pink dress,” says Tipper
and I was immediately struck by how beautiful she was
We exchanged smiles the moment she entered the event
and I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.” Georgie confidently introduced herself
knowing that Tipper might be too shy to say something
which allowed me to be natural and not try too hard,” remembers Tipper
in an attempt to get a few moments with Georgie alone
I saw that Georgie had already jumped in a cab
too—her head was sticking out the window and she was waving goodbye,” says Tipper
my friends were there to save the day yet again
and I was able to track her down and set a date for later that week
the couple got engaged in Nantucket in the fall of 2016
Tipper spent his early years living in several states across the Northeast
The one constant in his life was the fact that his family always spent summers in Nantucket
It was always the place he called home,” explains Georgie
This only intensified after learning Tipper shared the same love.”
Nantucket was the only choice,” says Tipper
“I always like pulling off little surprises for Georgie
and the proposal was going to be my biggest yet
and I had convinced her that we should head there to sort through a storage unit that my family had that was full of furniture that we might want to bring back to New York for our new apartment
she would never expect a proposal coming in October when the island had begun to shut down for the season
we went out to dinner with one of my close friends from high school who lives on the island
My friend—aware of the real reason that I’d brought Georgie to Nantucket that weekend—invited us to Brant Point the next morning to go scalloping in the Sound
I knew that I wanted to propose by the lighthouse on Brant Point
but I also knew that it would be a challenge to get Georgie out of bed and over there early enough in the morning before the crowds of dog walkers and fisherman
so fabricating a plan of scalloping worked well
The next morning we made the short walk over toward Brant Point to go ‘scalloping.’ Georgie
who self-admittedly is not much of a morning person
was too tired to really understand what was going on
Tipper got down on one knee and proposed—and the surprise didn’t end there
“Little did I know Tipper had arranged for a photographer to hide in the dunes to capture the proposal and the moments following,” says Georgie
“It was still early in the morning and the only other people around were on the ferry making its way back to Cape Cod
The boat blew its horn and the passengers cheered and waved after recognizing that we had just gotten engaged.” A short walk up from Brant Point held another surprise
as Tipper had a boat waiting with Champagne to take them across the Sound to spend the rest of the weekend at The Wauwinet on the far side of the island
it was my goal to make sure that Nantucket shared just as big of a place in Georgie’s heart as it did in mine,” says Tipper
With family and friends spread across the country
the couple quickly decided a destination wedding would be best
Georgie vacationed in Mexico with her family throughout her childhood and had always been drawn to the beauty and charm of San Miguel de Allende
I asked Tipper half seriously what he would think of getting married there and showed him a picture,” says Georgie
“Though he had never heard of the city before that night
I was shocked when he excitedly agreed to check it out.” Thanks to its narrow and colorful cobblestone streets
Tipper instantly fell in love with the town
and the two couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else
Tipper was set on wearing a tuxedo, so the couple decided to dub the attire for the wedding “black tie or bow tie”—cueing their guests to wear fun colors. The groom’s custom tuxedo was by Bindle & Keep, a bespoke clothing company based in Brooklyn, and his monogrammed velvet slippers were from Broadland Slippers in England.
The Reverend Ernest Townsend of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in San Miguel officiated at the ceremony, which took place in one of the gardens on the property. A string quartet welcomed guests, and the bride walked down the aisle to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which was always a special song for the groom’s late mother, Kathy.
The couple incorporated the lasso ritual, a tradition that’s popular in Spanish, Mexican, and other Latin communities, into their ceremony. “Lassoing is a declaration of intent,” explains Georgie. “The lasso is in the form of an ‘8,’ which is a symbol of infinity and represents the couple’s everlasting union. This cord that binds you together is a symbol of your enduring relationship. Keep that relationship strong by your prayers and your own efforts each moment of your married life.”
When we ask newlyweds to think back on what they wanted most for their big day — and we’ve interviewed hundreds of them over the years — the most common response is “For it not to feel like a wedding!” But in a monsoon of flower crowns and macaron towers
how do you see beyond the usual tropes and actually pull off a non-cookie-cutter affair
we decided to interrogate the cool couples whose weddings we would actually want to steal — right down to the tiger-shaped cake toppers
the director of corporate communications at Louis Vuitton
are two native Californians who met at UC-Santa Barbara before reconnecting in New York and marrying in San Miguel de Allende
It was a persimmon-inspired affair where they served guava mezcal margaritas and hibiscus empanadas before the dancing got dirty (“You need to be nastier,” the bride kept telling the DJ)
I’ve never been into orange in my life; it’s just not a color I’m attracted to
Michael: We decided on Mexico as the destination
because at the time we got engaged last January
and she worked with a company that asked her to look at wedding venues
she stumbled on this wedding in San Miguel de Allende and just loved the color patterns
Emily: We found a venue, Casa Chorro ($5,000). They provided nothing but the space; we would have to bring everything else in. But the venue connected me to a planner, Monserrat Guerrero ($2,000)
coming back to me with “These are the three options.” She was definitely more of an executer
but that’s okay because I used to do event-planning
I’m used to the rhythm of it; I’m also very particular
The hardest part was handling the logistics for our 100 guests to get there
and then figure out the hotel — things like that
it was less stressful compared to planning a wedding in L.A
Michael: We contemplated getting married in L.A; that’s where we’re originally from and where we’ve since moved back to
We met in undergrad at UC-Santa Barbara in 2005
and eventually reconnected over ten years later when we were both living in New York
But we wanted to create a vibe where people get to detach from their everyday working lives for a few days and gather and spend quality time
Emily: And planning a wedding in Mexico it was like, you choose this or that. We hired one business, Maye Cordova Events
I sent a Pinterest board to my bridesmaids
where the inspiration was persimmon and Aperol spritz and dusty orange
their own silhouettes; I was open to pattern
And the flowers were greenery with white flowers
as well as kumquats and other orange touches
Michael: I had my bachelor party in Mexico the same week
and the day before the wedding we did a parade through the streets — a pretty common thing to do in San Miguel — and the wedding party makes bigger-than-life puppets of the wedding couple
We had them also make one of our little dog
I had baby’s breath in my hair but it kind of fell out
Michael: Emily says it was harder to figure out my suit than her dress, because I’m a pretty tall guy with weird dimensions and broad shoulders, and jackets tend not to fit me really easily. We bounced around a bunch of shops, went to J.Crew and Nordstrom’s. We chose one from Paul Smith on Melrose ($1,500)
Emily: We did a first look before the ceremony, and I’m really glad we did because we just wanted to party after the ceremony, hang out with friends, not set aside an hour and a half to do pictures (Pierce Weddings)
I caught my dad’s eye — he is such a lovely man and he was crying
Two friends of ours from college officiated
Alex was Emily’s roommate in Brooklyn when we reconnected and started dating
and she witnessed the genesis of our relationship
I started spending all this time at their apartment
which was a trek from where I was living in Harlem
and Emily would cook a meal and I’d do clean-up and it was like
Emily: Leah and Alex were the perfect balance of sweet and funny officiants for the ceremony
They emailed all the guests beforehand and asked them to fill out a questionnaire asking how did they know we were meant for each other
or “Tell us a basic story about Emily and Mike,” that kind of thing
Michael: We wanted it to be lighthearted but not so lighthearted that it didn’t convey the importance of the moment
The wedding parties walked in to Donna Lewis’s “I Love You Always Forever,” poppy but really romantic
and then for Emily’s entrance we did “Mysteries of Love” by Sufjan Stevens because we both loved Call Me By Your Name
which is really great because you can break it up
People had welcome drinks at the top where you enter
and then the ceremony was at the lowest garden level
so then we went back upstairs for cocktails by the pool and on the balcony
We had two specialty cocktails named after each of us
a regular margarita and a guava mezcal margarita
I wanted them to be really colorful and tropical
Michael: We brought out the Omar puppet again during the cocktail hour and made our entrance to the dining area dancing with him to “Get Money.” We are both big hip-hop fans
Dinner was — I’m sure this is very common for weddings
I think I got a total of three bites of food
Michael: We had our parents and our maid of honor and best man give speeches
we did a combined thing: we started with “Love” by Kendrick Lamar
which we had segue into “Summertime Magic” by Childish Gambino
We have a couple of friends who do sound engineering who helped us with that
Emily: If you’ve seen the “Summertime Magic” video
it’s basically Donald Glover singing and trying to flirt with Rihanna and she’s just sitting on the beach like “Okay
because he was the one who had to dance while I sat there
and it turned into a strip dance: full-on Magic Mike
I was on the chair and he was basically dancing for me
Michael: The dance floor was one of my favorite parts of the whole thing. Emily was the driving force behind almost all of the planning, but the one thing I claimed responsibility for was the playlists. We had a night-before playlist, a cocktail playlist, the dance floor. It took us a while to settle on a DJ we trusted, but DJ Symmetry ended up being great ($1,250)
Michael: The dance floor was mayhem for three and a half hours
The only time there was a break was for the piñata and cake
Emily: I really hesitated on whether to have a cake, because I didn’t think it was necessary. We had churros, I love churros. But we did have a cake. Ovenly’s blackout cake is my most favorite
and I’d always dreamt of having that as my wedding cake
which I gave up when we were planning a wedding in Mexico
So I sent the recipe to my wedding planner and it took her a few weeks but she found someone to make it ($180)
and servers were bringing around cocktails
Everyone was getting a nice little buzz going for the dance floor
Emily: Whenever we have a friend gathering
so it’s very appropriate that they were there
Michael: The DJ had to stop playing at 1 a.m.
but we could play our own little boom boxes for the last couple of hours
We went up to the pool for a late-night swim
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A Michelmas Procession in upper Bavaria image BROKER.com & CO
Through the countryside of Gissach (Bavaria)
Hungarian shepherds in traditional dress for the Michelmas procession
a shepherd bringing down his sheep from pasture
Michael strike the devil at the Turamichele Fest
St Michael crushing the Devil in the Michaelmas procession in San Miguel de Allende