When Lucas and I walked into the ballroom where our reception was being held both of our hearts skipped a beat. The room had been transformed, with the help of Julie and Faena Hotel + Universe, into an absolute masterpiece before our eyes!
We immediately went to the dance floor for our first dance, which was to the song Besame Mucho. I was incredibly nervous, as we had not had the opportunity to practice even once. However, I should have known there was no reason to be nervous, because Lucas is Latin and we all know that Latins are born with the innate ability to shake their hips.
Photo Taken by: Emily in Chile
Once our dance was over, we returned to our seats for dinner. . .and for some more kisses! Besame mucho, remember?
A while later, my Dad (with my brother as his Spanish translator) gave the father of the bride speech. It is quite long, but I have decided to share it regardless, as it is deeply touching — both endearing and funny at the same time — just take a look at the expressions captured on everyone’s faces as he delivered it:
My name is Rafael Francisco Josephe Perullo, the father of Andrea Maria. I would like to start by thanking all of the guests for sharing this day with Andrea and Lucas, especially those that have traveled great distances to attend.
One of my concerns before coming to Argentina was trying to remember names. I quickly realized that with the women, Italians and Argentinians have a very common trait: most women have a Maria in their name. Andi, my wife, my mother in law, my niece, my sister, Lucas’ mother, and I am confident that a number of other family members have it included in their name as well. So, if I forget a woman’s name, I will just use Maria and there is a good chance I will be right!
The more I thought about today, the more of Andi’s life came flashing into my head, and the reality that she has grown up and is now taking the biggest step of her life hits me. These two, Andi and Alex, are my daughter and son, but where in the world did the little children vanish to?
To say that Andi has led an interesting and amazing life at such an early age, and led it to the fullest, is an understatement. My wife, Margit, and I should have seen it coming when she was a child. Margit probably saw it, while I was a father and totally missed it.
I could spend hours telling “Andi stories”. Although, I will not, since Andi compares my talking to that of Fidel Castro, since I can just go on forever. However, I encourage each of you to ask her questions throughout the celebration. I can promise there are great stories behind each of them.
Here are some of my favorite moments:
- At 12, Andi believed she was a very good swimmer. She went to a swim club that a neighbor and friend of Andi’s, Kristen, who is here today, belonged to in order to be evaluated. She was placed at the lowest possible entry level and stormed out of the swim club furious and in tears. She was determined to show them. A year later, at 13 and not yet in high school, she won the State 50 meter freestyle championship defeating 17 year olds. She did not lose a race the next 2 years.
- Andi walked miles from the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island into Nassau, the Bahamas when she was 14 to get a tattoo of a daisy on her ankle. She hid it the entire vacation and told her mother and I while on the plane returning home.
- Andi called me from Bolivia to inform me that she had broken her ankle the day before in Peru.
- Andi called me from Mexico asking me to help her leave the country, as she had sneaked into Cuba, and her flight back to Mexico had been delayed, thus she missed her connecting flight back to the States. I told her that she had been in Cuba illegally, and that I was not a diplomat nor in the State Department, so there was nothing I could do. She figured out a way to get home. She always did. With all of her travels around the world, every time I see a movie about the CIA, I am convinced that my daughter is a member of the organization
- When she entered college, I told her to enjoy the experience and take her time. She double majored and finished in 3 years
- Andi called me from Spain to let me know that she had everything stolen and could not leave the country. Notice how she always called me and not her mother?
Andi knows how much her mother and I love and care about her and how very proud of her we are. I am lost for words in any attempt to describe my daughter’s beauty and how gorgeous she looks in her wedding gown. I want to thank everyone who made the wedding ceremony a success, especially Julie Watson Gomez. It would have been impossible without her help and patience.
I met Lucas five years earlier. I did not speak Spanish. At the time Lucas spoke very little English. We smiled and nodded a lot. Now he speaks English better than most Americans. Me, well, I still do not speak Spanish. My first impression of Lucas was that he was a handsome, respectful, and fine young man. I wished that he did not live so far away. What has happened over the last six years proves that love has no boundaries. Their commitment reminds me of a quote from a novel I read, “You know you are really in love when you cannot fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.”
To Maria and Jose, my promise is that our home is Lucas’ home. Margit and I will love and respect him as if he was our own child. Today is a day of great joy of celebration and happiness. Today the Ledesma and Perullo families are joined together forever.
I believe there are two lasting bequests we can give our children, one is roots and the other is wings. Ladies and Gentlemen, raise your glasses, and join me in welcoming the bride and groom: Mrs. and Mr. Lucas Perullo de Ledesma!
This year you should add Hawaii holidays to your Bucket List. It is only a quick plane ride away to tropical Paradise!
seriously one of the best speeches ever andi!!! love the little bits of stories your father mentioned about your travels. i got all teary towards the end. oh btw, in case you were wondering, i deactivated my fb. hahaha just doesn’t tickle my fancy any longer. who knows i may return.. ciao!
Good to know about FB, was wondering where you went! Isn’t it SUCH a gorgeous speech? I tear up every time I read it!!! You should have seen me at the wedding! XO
“You know you are really in love when you cannot fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.” <<< This has just become my new favourite quote. Love it.
Isn’t that beautiful? I need to find out which book he found that in!!!
I’m tearing up, and I don’t even know you! Ahhh, wedddings. Father-of-the-bride speeches are killer.
Awww it was a powerful speech I tell ya! I think it was my favorite part of the wedding!!!
What a beautiful speech!!
Thanks love! I will let him know
You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. – Dr. Seuss
Thanks for letting me know who the author of the quote was!
Now that is a speech!
He’s gonna have the biggest head when he sees all of these pretty girl’s on my blog giving him compliments!
“You know you are really in love when you cannot fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.” I copied this to comment on and saw someone above me already had but I can’t help myself. I LOVE it! Beautiful beautiful quote.
It was such a beautiful quote, he really surprised me when he said it! Who knew my Dad was such a romantic?!?
Yay! The reception! It was a blast. And so, so touching, like you’ve captured here.
I’m delighted that you had such a fabulous time, especially when you’ve been to some of the best parties in the world!
That is the best wedding toast I have ever heard!! Very beautiful, I love reading your blog and am really enjoying these wedding posts!!
I’m so touched by this comment, thank you to everything you said! Big hugs!!!
Andi, what a beautiful speech!!! I loved reading your dad’s favorite moments, especially you calling him after sneaking into Cuba!! And the photos captured all the emotion so beautifully! Ahhh, looks like such a wonderful wedding!
Haha, he will NEVER let me live the Cuba moment down! I’m so glad you loved the speech! Thanks a million darling!
Brought tears to my eyes! What a lovely speech your dad gave!
Awwww so happy it touched you too!
Seriously beautiful and touching!
Agree 110%!!!
I’m crying after reading this, Andi.
xo What a dear soul your Dad is. 
Isn’t he just the best of the best? I’m sooo blessed!!!
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Thank you!!!!
Such a great speech! Loved it
And I’m soooo delighted that you were able to be there for it!
You are the most beautiful bride ever, shhhh don’t tell my wife!
Ummmm thanks!?!
[...] the Father-Daughter dance. Thankfully, I was not nervous about dancing with my Dad, like I was dancing with Lucas. As, my Dad and I have been dancing together since I was a little girl. He introduced me to all [...]
Your dad’s speech was so great. I loved rereading it and getting to laugh all over again.
Imagine being with him on a daily basis, how much you would be laughing!!!
Your dad’s speech is absolutely amazing! So beautiful – loved every single word of it.
Awww he’s going to be SO touched when I tell him what you said!
Your dad’s speech is incredible. I love that you’re blogging every detail while it’s still fresh and vivid – what a treasure these words will be in years to come….
I agree! I used to scrapbook like crazy after every trip and then stopped when I started blogging. I take out my scrapbooks from time to time and I’m SO happy that I created them, just like I know I’ll be so happy I created this blog. I’m glad you enjoyed my Dad’s speech!!!
I’m speechless. That was beautiful.
My Dad is quite the speechwriter!!! I could read this speech over and over and over.
Your Dad is AMAZING!
I couldn’t agree more!!!
My fiance and I have a wedding planned for August up in Door County Wisconsin. The ceremony will be outside overlooking Lake Michigan, but our reception will be indoors. The area we will be having our reception in is covered in Norwegian Rosemaling. Neither one of us are Norwegian, but love the funky, folksy feel of that painting. We have a lot of singer-songwriter and bluegrass musician friends, and want to keep the feeling of the event as authentic and homemade as possible. We love our ties to the Wisconsin area, and want something that feel relevant to the area. Think:cherry orchards, pine trees, state parks, guitars, fish boils, etc!
Sounds incredible, congrats!!!!!!!!
Your father’s incredible, hun. What an amazing speech. I can see why he’d bring the whole place to tears – both with emotion and joy.
Thank you sweetheart! I’m so insanely blessed with having him in my life. I love him to peices!!!
[...] the greatest father in the world! I am who I am, because of him. If you have not yet read his Father of the Bride speech that he gave at my wedding, read it now, it will make you laugh and cry at the same [...]
I missed this post completely!!! I saw the video and almost cried but I really see how u are a good writer!! I’m speechless!!!! You should have seen my dad’s speech!! Hahaha 3 words! I was relieved because I didn’t want to cry that day! I think he said we wish you the best and cheers! Hahaha now u can see why I can’t write! Or give speeches! I still feel heartbroken when I see ur wedding pics and think that I couldn’t be there! We have to renew our vows but not the same year please! Xoxo
I seriously can’t think about you not being there or I get stomach pains. I wanted you there sooo badly and I wanted to be at your wedding sooo badly too. But we were there in spirit and yes I would love to renew our vows not in the same year haha!!! Can you renew your vows somewhere tropical like Tahiti??? You are a very good writer my dear! And now photographer too. My whole life I thought I got my writing skills from my Mom, but now I see I get them from both of my parents!
Oh my goodness–absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful speech!
~Tiffany
http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com
He’s pretty amazing with his words!
I’m so glad you linked to this in the “mole” post — how beautiful!!!
So glad you enjoyed it darling!
I love this…your father’s speech was so incredible. I grew up without my father in my life and I wonder now if he even so desires to give me a speech and if it will be 10 minutes or 1. Your wedding was beautiful Andi
Awww I’m so sorry to hear that dear. But, I bet you have other people in your life that love you more than anything!!! Thanks so much for your kind words!
I am crying, and smiling reading this! I love the quote your Father shared, so beautiful, and true:-) Love you!
Awww he’s got SUCH a way with words I tell you! Love you too dear!!!
Wow– this is such a sweet speech! Your dad is so cute
I can see you have been a free-spirited traveler even from a very young age!
Isn’t it so sweet? I’m blessed truly!