Before I continue on with the FAQ’s, I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for all of the incredibly thoughtful comments you left on Part 1 of this series. I definitely feel the love! I have never received as many comments on a post before. I was scared that I would lose followers by straying away from my travel narratives and you certainly proved me wrong. Gracias, gracias, y gracias!
6. Are you going to take his name or keep your own?
Both! Professionally, I will keep my current name, however legally I will change it to Andrea Maria Perullo de Ledesma. Yes, I know it will be the world’s longest name, but I sure do love the sound of it. Besides which, I know no matter what my name is people will still end up calling me Andi.
7. Argentina is one of the most Catholic countries in the world, so how are you having a ceremony outside?
While Lucas and I were both raised in the Catholic Church, neither of us are religious now. Thankfully, our families encouraged us to do whatever our hearts desired regarding the ceremony. Also, since our wedding in Argentina will not be legally recognized due to choosing to bring Lucas to the United States on a K-1 Visa (our legal union must be in the United States), we were able to get away with having a non-religious ceremony, which is pretty unheard of in Argentina. One of my best friend’s from Graduate School just so happens to be a wedding officiant and as a wedding gift offered to officiate. I am working with her to make it a very personalized and meaningful ceremony that will be about 20-30 minutes long. Lucas and I have decided to exchange our own handwritten vows to each other.
8. What does your dress look like?
Due to his demanding job, Lucas rarely has enough time to breathe these days, let alone get online, however I do not want to take the chance of him seeing my dress by posting a picture. Thus, if you cannot wait another 2.5 months to see which dress I have chosen, please feel free to contact me and I will send you a picture. Having said that, I am more than happy to share what my accessories look like:
Shoes
Earrings
I am crazy obsessed with big, chandelier statement earrings. I found these beauties on the bridal jewelry website Tejani.
Engagement Ring
9. Do you have a wedding cake topper for your chocolate and dulce de leche cake?
I was going to forgo having a wedding cake topper, as nothing stood out to me, when I made another Etsy discovery! I found someone who could custom design something to exactly match the “love” and “amor” in my wedding invitation.
10. Who is your maid-of-honor?
Actually, I have a man-of-honor, my brother. He is the love of my life (sorry Lucas!), so this was the easiest decision I have ever made. In fact, we are getting married in May simply because my brother is moving to Hong Kong in June.
To be continued (please feel free to ask me anything you are curious about). . .
Holidays can still be affordable when you go for the best deals. All inclusive holidays mean that you know how much you are going to spend in advance and can budget for how much it will cost.
WOW!! The cake topper is exactly the same as in my design, how nice!! And so beautiful! I’m really impressed! And proud that a part of my design is also on your wedding cake:D
Isn’t that absolutely amazing??? Your invitation is actually the inspiration for A LOT of things in my wedding. Just you wait and see my love!
I love the shoes! I tried on the same ones for my wedding and thought they were really comfortable, but they didn’t have the color I wanted. Hopefully they’ll be comfortable for an entire night of partying Argentine-style.
They seem to be very comfortable! If not, I’ll take them off and go barefoot, you know I’m that kinda gal!!! Anyway, no one in the world could have better wedding shoes than you gorgeous.
I love how close you and your brother are! Wish I had siblings!
It (he) was the best present I’ve ever received, truly!!!
The engagement ring is gorgeous! And so unique. All I can think of when I see it is Vera Wang Princess perfume which I suppose is apt for a bride-to-be: “princess”
Oh you must not have seen the post I did a while back when I first showed off the ring? It’s super unique and that’s exactly what a I wanted! I didn’t want a diamond. It’s a cotton candy amethyst, diamonds, and pink sapphires with rose gold. I love Vera Wang Princess btw. Smells so nice!
Great post as always Andi, I love finding out these little wedding tidbits
I’m so glad that you enjoy hearing about the wedding details, I’m very touched!
I am in love with all of it! The ring is gorgeous. The shoes are gorgeous. And the cake topper is so cute!
And I’m in love with your comment, haha, thank you so!!!
I am totally living vicariously! And your Argentinian man, what a hunk! I’m on the edge of my seat to see your cake choice
He’s such a hunk, right!?! Normally I’m super humble about everything, but with him not so much haha.
Thanks so much for you sweet, sweet words!!! XOXO
As Scott also has a double last name, I had the same trouble with the loooong name. And hyphenating clearly wasn’t an option. While I kept my last name, as I have more than a decade of bylines floating around out there, I have a feeling eventually, I will start being called Kristin VV whether I legally change it or not. The same happened to my mom; she never changed hers to Luna and yet has gone by it for more than 30 years because people didn’t know any better! Your new moniker sounds so exotic.
The name change thing is a difficult dilemma, at least for me. As a feminist I want to keep my last name, having said that my last name isn’t exactly that much of a feminist statement either, as it’s my father’s last name and not my mother’s, but my mother’s last name is her father’s…soooo at the end of the day in my mind there is no real answer. That’s why I want to combine both of ours together! I think Kristin VV sounds cute, however I have a crush on your last name Luna. I wouldn’t change my last name if it was that!!!
It’s going to be a looong 2.5 months to see these beautiful photos! (I’m sure you’re thinking the same!) And I agree with Jenni, you made a catch, girl!!
Haha, yes that’s exactly how I feel, it’s being to be the longest 2.5 months in the world’s history! And thank you, I am a lucky, lucky girl to have landed Lucas.
Thanks for answering my question
It does have a nice ring to it!
You’re welcome and thank you!
Andi I love love these posts about your wedding! Everything sounds so beautiful and I love the gold in the accesories – a girl after my own heart
(I’ll still be keeping an eye out for those earrings for you—i’m determined to track them down!) i also love the non-traditional elements as that’s exactly how my future wedding will be–filled with non-traditional elements that reflect me (and my groom!)…a man of honour, how wonderful…i’ve often said my dog will be my ring bearer!
& i adore your invitations! so perfect.
Yay, so glad you’re enjoying them! I’m enjoying writing them!!! Oh gosh, I ONLY wear gold, been like that ever since a trip to Italy to meet my extended family when I was 16. Italians only wear gold!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping your eye out for those earrings. They are my most favorite earrings ever and sadly now my black pair just broke. So, I only have my pink ones left. Ahhhhh! While I’m a non-traditional girl, I still love certain traditions, so I’m definitely trying to mix both and make it work. How great that your adorable dog will be your ring bearer!!! <3
Those earring are fantastic!
I see you are keeping a bit of a latin tradition by doing both, keeping your name and taking his. It’s the usual in Spain, too… and I’m scared of getting married to some spaniard who happens to have a surname of more than 6 letters, and my name and surname are already long enough
Aren’t the earrings great??? They are like 3″ long, so very dramatic when worn, love it! Yes, I’ve decided to keep both last names. Now please don’t ask me what we’ll do when we have children haha. Thankfully, I have LOTS of time to think about that.
As a fan of chandelier earrings, travel-themed decor and the coexistence of Spanish and English, I am very charmed by our plans. I know you will make a stunningly beautiful bride.
We are like soul sisters!!! Thank you so much, I’m SO touched by your super thoughtful words. Besitos!
Hot shoes and I am sure you will make a beautiful bride. Auguri!
Grazie mil!!!!!!!!!! A presto baci!
Pretty ring! Haven’t seen you in a dang long time.. We’ll have to see about cupcakes n coffee sometime, xo … Hope all is well!!
I’m head over heels crazy in love with my ring! Would love to have a date, let me know when you’re free. XO
Congratulations! Seems like everyone is getting married these days…
Thanks!!! Yes, it does…I have to attend about 5 wedding this year.
Earrings. ra-ar
Thanks?
Your wedding plans sound so beautiful!! Love the earrings, and ring!!!!
Thank you so very, very much!!!
Love the fact that your brother is your man-of-honor that is SO sweet.!
Haha, he’s the best brother in the world, I’m so lucky!!!
Your wedding earrings are to die for! And my eyes are recovering from your engagement ring. Just gorg… fitting, I suppose.
Eeeeek, I’m crazy head over heels in love with my ring. It’s never ever coming off my finger!!!!!!!!!!
Sounding as amazing as ever! I wanna see the dress!! – the shoes are amazing
I’d be happy to show you the dress! And yeah, the shoes give me heart palpitations haha!
Beautiful!
Thanks!
You have the most amazing life!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t even know what to say other than thank you X a million!
We can’t wait to see the dress – please email us a photo!!
Sending now!
I love your accesories. And what a lovely gift that your friend can officiate the wedding. Are you having a big wedding in the US or is it going to be smaller?
Our wedding will be much smaller in the States. Honestly, I would just be happy to go to City Hall and be done with it, but I have a feeling my friends/family who can’t make the Argentine wedding will want us to have a big celebration. We shall see! I’ve just started planning it. And yes, my friend is SO wonderful to gift us with her officiating skills. I’m totally blessed!
Aww, you’re so cute Andi! I love the fact that you’re not showing your dress online but are willing to send individual photos. It’s like you’re writing your blog to a group of friends. (And yes, please. I want to see the dress.) Also, I am in love with those SHOES. Ack, too gorgeous for words.
Haha, you all are my friends!!! I adore every single one of my readers.
I just sent you pics! Aren’t the shoes FABULOUS!?! Really comfy too!
Ooooh I love your engagement ring! And I’ve never owned Manolo’s but I think now if I did, it would have to be for a special occassion. Maybe for my 40th birthday celebration?
I think for your 40th is the PERFECT occasion to by yourself a pair!!! If you want to save money look for the pair you want on Ebay.
Loving it all!! I really enjoyed getting married outside. John and I aren’t religious either and we were lucky his parents didn’t object (their tradition is orthodox, which means inside a church as well)
I think we (us Andrea’s and our grooms) are both so lucky that our parents let us do whatever we wanted! Not a lot of parents, especially when money is involved, let their children do whatever they want. My parents never pushed me once to have a religious ceremony, thank goodness! Who wants to fight when they’re planning one of the most special days of their lives?
Oh Andi – I’m so excited for you!!! So many parallels between your wedding and my own boda latina – the non-Catholic ceremony, the shoes, and even contemplations around last-name-taking. In Spain, women don’t take their spouses’ last names (if I did, people might think I were my husband’s sister!), so for now, I’m keeping my own. Your new name sure does have a beautiful ring to it, though! Keep the wedding updates coming!
I love it when I here someone else has or is having a similar wedding, must mean we’re soul sistas!
Do you have pictures from your wedding? I would LOVE to see a Spanish-inspired wedding. Must have been to-die-for!!! More wedding updates around the corner, promise. Besos chica!
I added you on Facebook – you can see the wedding pics there!
Yay!!!
Accessories look AMAZING! It’s so sweet you’re having your brother as your “man” of honor, you’re not afraid to change the conventional wedding rules to make your day special and customized to you and Lucas. May I get a sneak peek of your wedding dress?
Thank you lovely!!! I’m definitely changing the rules a lot, but at the same time trying to still keep some traditions. I love the mix of them both! Sending you pictures now.
Adorable!
Thanks!!!
Very touching that you chose your brother for such an honor. Congratulations once again.
Thanks my dear friend!
Wow! Your wedding accessories are, well, fierce! That’s the only way I can describe that sparkling colorful ring and your fabulous shoes. Can’t wait to see photos of your big day
Love that word, fierce! Gotta make a dramatic entrance right???
Nice heels my wife would love a pair of those. And I must admit that will be a pretty long name Andi!
I’m obsessed with these shoes! I want to wear them now, but am doing a good job of just “petting” them for now haha.
I adore chandelier earrings too, Andi – and those are some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen.
Just love that your families are so supportive of you doing whatever is in YOUR hearts. 
Ugh, I’m obsessed with chandelier earrings! I literally wear a pair every.single.day. These are beautiful in the picture, but in person they are STUNNING!!! And yes, we’re blessed with awesome families for sure.
Love the earrings!!!!!!! Cake topper is awesome but what I really love the most is that times have changed enough that we can have our brothers be our “man” of honor! I would select my brother too!
Thank you, thank you, and yes I LOVE that times have changed and it is socially acceptable for me to have a man of honor. So great to hear that you have a close relationship with your brother too!
I vote for Dulce de Leche for sure
Don’t worry it’s for sure!
Love those earrings! So gorgeous. And, how sweet that your brother is going to be the man of honor.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I love all of the sweet words I’m getting about my brother being my man of honor
I’m in love with your earrings and your ring! They are so beautiful and normally I’m not big on sparkly gems – but these ones speak to me!
Well, if someone who doesn’t like jewels loves me stuff, then I’m REALLY touched!!!
Andrea Maria Perullo de Ledesma? Andi, that name couldn’t fit you more. It might be long but it sounds so beautiful – Perfect for you.
I’m sure both ceremonies will be equally wonderful but, boy, that must be frustrating that your marriage won’t be recognised in the States first of all.
Everytime I see that engagement ring, I gasp because of how gorgeous it is. I worked at a jewellers for a while and, while I absolutely adore diamonds (and they do look pretty spiffy on me hehe), I’ve found that I do prefer other stones, especially amethyst.
Manolo Blahniks? Oh you know how to do it, girl!
Absolutely adore the cake toppers.
Man of honour – I love it! Good for you. I did see your Facebook status about your brother going to Hong Kong. How exciting! All you need to do is convince him to start his own blog now too.
Wow, this is the best comment I’ve ever received, thank you!!!!!!! You just totally made my day!
Haha, I love my soon-to-be-name too, sounds like royalty! Like I said though, I know everyone will still call me Andi. I’m stuck with that name for life. People started calling me that back in my swimming days, because it was much easier to cheer for Andi than Andrea Maria!
And yes, this whole legal process has taken years, seriously years, off of my life. I know all the stress will totally be worth it in the end, but it has not been a fun or easy process.
Have you seen the pictures of my ring on FB, here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=224538&id=500212569
Trust me, I love me some diamonds, but I wanted something super original and unique and well we found it!!!
Speaking of my brother and blogs, I’m most likely going to start a new series where he blogs from HK once a week. I think my readers would looooooove him. He’s so funny and clever with his words.
Thank you again for your gorgeous and thoughtful words. You really made me feel loved!
It’s so much fun following your preparations and in some way taking part of your wedding.
Stunning ear rings, I’m a fan of big dangling ear rings too!
I’ve seen your earrings in your videos and I adore them!!! I love that you feel like you’re part of the wedding.
HOLY CRAP…those are amazing! Tres exotic!
Hahaha, thank you and I totally agree!
That’s so sweet that your brother is your man of honor! If I ever get married I’d like my oldest brother to give me away because I don’t keep in contact with my father.
We are lucky that we live during a time in history where we can do WHATEVER we want for our weddings!!!
I love hearing about you beautiful wedding plans! And those shoes!!!!
So glad you enjoyed everything I had to share! The shoes are hot right?
Yay great post Andi! Very curious about your wedding dress. Very in love with those shoes.. :O! speechless
Thanks dear! The shoes leave me speechless too haha.
I love everything about this post, but the accessories really blew me away! Those earrings are fab (but I don’t think I could pull them off).
Just one comment about getting married in Argentina: even though it’s a Catholic country, not everyone is religious (as you point out), and plenty of people get married outside the church. In fact, the only legally binding ceremony in Argentina is the civil wedding, which is obligatory. Many people choose to have a separate church wedding, but others, like Daniel and me, just have the civil wedding.
I love the earrings too!!! I can’t wait to wear them. I won’t let myself wear them until the Big Day!
I agree that not everyone is religious in Argie, but it definitely feels like that!!! Especially with planning this wedding. Almost every single person I’ve encountered during the planning process has thought I was crazy for getting married outside the Church.
Love it all!
That fills my heart with joy to hear!
Great post, thank you, and good luck.
Thanks so much!!!
Thumbs up!!!
Haha, thanks!
Gorgeous details!!!
Gorgeous comment!
[...] for me it was just icing on top of the chocolate and dulce de leche cake, because I was already in the best of moods! Today was the day that I was going to surprise my [...]