George and I landed in Panama City without much fanfare. The transition from 13 degrees at Logan to the 90+ degrees in Panama was…um….AWESOME! We couldn’t wait to get to our hotel and put shorts on. We would spend one night in Panama City before heading out to the Bristol Buenaventura in the small seaside town of Rio Hato.
We spent the evening exploring the city. George was on a mission to find an authentic Panama hat. What caught our eye first though, was a pair of red, white and blue wristbands that we immediately bought for Alana.
The next day, we drove to Rio Hato with another couple who was attending the wedding. They said their travel guide described the Bristol as “hedonistic indulgence.” I can’t say that we were upset with this description.
We arrived at the Bristol a little less than two hours later. A massive Corotu tree enveloped the center of the plaza. A small white chapel to our left was the future location of Anabela and Larry’s wedding ceremony. To our right, the open air lobby was busy with hotel staff and other guests. We knew right then that we never wanted to leave this place.
One of the Bristol’s staff offered to give us a tour after we put our bags in our room. We couldn’t wait to see the place. During the tour, we came upon a rather unassuming building that our guide referred to as the “clubhouse.” Walking up a few steps, we entered an open-air hallway. I looked up and almost lost my breath. A long, crystal clear pool lined with cabanas and palm trees on each side was directly in front of us. Just beyond the pool was the Pacific Ocean. We had found paradise.
Moments later, we encountered Anabela and Larry for the first time since our arrival. Anabela looked perfectly relaxed in her sundress, sun hat and sunglasses. Larry, well, to be frank, looked like a lobster just taken from a boiling pot of water. We all hugged. Larry was laughing and smiling from ear to ear.
“You can Photoshop me, right?!” he said.
“Have you ever heard of sun block?” I responded.
“I used it, I swear!” he vowed.
Anabela just shook her head in disbelief and said, “Thank goodness we have a couple of days before the wedding.”
George and I just laughed.
Thursday night was poker night for Larry and the guys. A glass-walled hut built out over the lagoon would serve as their venue. Cuban cigars, two Panamanian card dealers, hot hors d’ouvres and a well stocked bar were the icing on the cake.
George and I stood in the corners and snapped candids as the guys puffed their cigars and threw verbal jabs at each other from across the table. They knew that only one of them would leave with the spoils. Victory didn’t come until 3 a.m. – so I’m told.
On Friday, after a day of fun, planning, partying and of course, more amazing weather, an evening white beach party was held for the wedding guests. Anabela asked one of her college friends Illich Mujica to be the DJ for the event. She could not have made a better choice.
Illich is probably the only 6’5” Venezuelan I’ll ever meet. Better know as DJ Spline, he’s known in NYC for his dark underground beats and dance mixes that keep the crowd moving all night. This party would be no exception.
As the sun set, the Bristol staff put the finishing touches on the setting for the party. Guests started arriving in twos and threes. Larry came in with some of the guys. Anabela would make her entrance a bit later with her ladies. She looked simply stunning in her white party dress. Every eye turned her way as she arrived.
It’s one thing to throw a party. It’s a completely different thing to throw a white party on a beautiful beach in Panama with a New York underground DJ, absolutely amazing food, fireworks and 100 or so of your closest friends and family. One. Amazing. Night.
George nailed it with this shot!
Boys being boys…
I think Larry missed a spot with the sunblock…
Ahhh…the AMAZING White Party!
Illich gettin’ pumped for the evening.
The venue…
Larry and a guest helped themselves to the amazing food.
Anabela lit up the beach when she arrived…just gorgeous!
Yes, that is the moon…
Larry’s parents sharing a funny moment.
Cutting the groom’s cake
So many lovely ladies in attendance…and they all looked beautiful!
George’s killer shot of the fire pit on the beach
Anabela dancing with Larry’s mom
The Murga kicked off crazy hour and the fireworks.
The couple of the night..
Love this shot of Anabela’s brother!
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