Cover photo credits: Daniel Maldonado – www.maldonadodaniel.com
Without a doubt, one of the most desired activities by a couple is the celebration of marriage and the looking for the best location it’s one of their priorities. Although trends have changed in recent years, churches have not gone out of style and are an essential part of an unforgettable wedding.
Due to their heritage, art, history, tradition and charm, many of Ecuador’s churches are the ideal setting to celebrate this act of union. Check our list of the most outstanding temples to get married in the Country of the Four Worlds:
~ La Compañía de Jesús Church ~
Quito
If you hope to give your wedding an elegant and sophisticated style, the “Compañía de Jesús” will be your dream church. It’s an architectural and artistic icon in Quito and is the masterpiece of Latin American Baroque. Its construction took more than 160 years. Its extraordinary front is a work of art carved in volcanic stone, which has Solomonic columns, similar to those made by Bernini in the Vatican. The splendor of its interior is a dazzling mix of decorated altarpieces, galleries and a pulpit, covered in gold leaf with magnificent carvings. There are between 50 and 54 kilos of gold inside the temple, decorated with gold leaf.
~ San Francisco Church ~
Quito
If you are looking to show a part of history, the church of San Francisco will give you all the facilities, since it’s one of the main historical and artistic attractions of Quito’s Old Town, considered the largest religious architectural complex in the 16th century. The complex got a main church, chapels and an imposing convent, originally made up of seven patios. The syncretism of indigenous beliefs and the Catholic religion can be seen at various points in the building. Its front and atrium will allow you to get the best photographs.
~ La Basílica Church ~
Quito
If you want to get married in one of the largest temples in South America, your wedding should be in the “Basílica del Voto Nacional”. This temple got a neo-Gothic style, that will draw the attention of your guests, that can appreciate its impressive front, stained glass windows and sculptures. Also they will have the opportunity to obtain an impressive panoramic view of Quito’s Old Town, since its towers are located at 83 meters high. The construction of this church began in 1892 and it has not been fully completed. It was blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1985. Imagine everything that it keeps inside!
~ Rosario Chapel ~
Quito
It’s the best known of Santo Domingo’s chapels. Its construction began in 1581 and took 148 years. It was built on three different levels. Its baroque style will make all your decoration shine with splendor. On the side altars, your guests will be able to admire relics of saints, brought from Rome.
~ Balbanera Church ~
Colta – Riobamba
If you want your wedding to make history, you must get married in the temple of “María Natividad de Balbanera”, the first Catholic church in Ecuador. This enclosure is located in front of the Colta Lagoon, in the province of Chimborazo. It was built by indigenous and Spanish migrants in 1534, during the colonial period and has almost 500 years of history. The Balbanera church is the main attraction, from which your guests can have a fantastic view of the snowy Chimborazo. Its stone front, arch, bell tower and large wooden doors will give your ceremony the perfect style.
~ Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Church ~
Santa Elena – Comuna La Entrada
If you have always dreamed of a wedding at sunset by the sea, the “Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Church”, located in the northern part of the province of Santa Elena, will be your ideal refuge. This modern church has large windows through which you and your guests will be able to appreciate the amazing view of the sea in the middle of a dreamy sunset.
~ San Pedro Apóstol Metropolitan Cathedral ~
Guayaquil
If you’re planning to have your wedding in Guayaquil’s Old Town, the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral will welcome you with its beautiful semi-Gothic style towers. At the inside, the pillars intersect at the top of the vaults, forming dreamlike arches. In addition, your guests will be able to admire large and spacious windows where light enters through stained glass windows. This will create the perfect harmony for an unforgettable memory.
~ El Sagrario Church (Old Cathedral) ~
Cuenca
Located in the heart of Cuenca, this church got a colonial architectural style and offers you a beautiful decoration in its interiors. During the colonial era it was the main center of religious worship for being the «parish of the Spanish». The carved stones brought from Tomebamba ruins were used for the foundations and the walls. Currently, the church maintains its colonial structure despite several renovations carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Photo Credits: Sandro Miguitama~ San Blas Church ~
Cuenca
San Blas is an ideal church for weddings, because of its elegant style and the pink marble walls that gives to it a special charm. Its construction dates back to the 16th century and stones from the destroyed Inca buildings of the ancient city of Tomebamba, were used on the temple. The church was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century, with a new dome and roof.
Photo Credits: Homero Ortega
~ La Merced Church ~
Guayaquil
“La Basílica Menor La Merced” it’s inspired by the neo-Gothic-Byzantine style and it’s decorated with flowers and angels. Walking under its ogival arcades will transport you to Gothic beautiful times, where beautiful cathedrals of the Middle Ages were built. Its architecture will leave you with a spiritual impression that will be remembered for a long time. In addition, in front of the church, is the “Plaza de La Merced”, which contains an elegant design of low bars and small gardens, and beautiful night lighting.
