FAQ’s About My Upcoming Wedding (Part 2)

March 3, 2011

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 thirty 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 three 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

Wedding Shoes

Earrings

I am obsessed with big, chandelier statement earrings.  I found these beauties on the bridal jewelry website Tejani.

Wedding Earrings

Engagement Ring

Engagement Ring

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, however then I made another Etsy discovery!  I found someone who could custom design something to exactly match the “love” and “amor” in my wedding invitation.

Wedding Cake Topper

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). . .

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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103 thoughts on “FAQ’s About My Upcoming Wedding (Part 2)”

  1. AudreyD

    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

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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!

      Reply ↓
  2. Emily

    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.

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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.

      Reply ↓
  4. Julia

    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” 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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

      Reply ↓
  8. Camels & Chocolate

    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.

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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!!!

      Reply ↓
  9. Maggie

    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!!

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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.

      Reply ↓
  11. kay*

    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.

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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

      Reply ↓
  12. Katherina

    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 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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.

      Reply ↓
  13. Roxanne

    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.

    Reply ↓
  15. Stefanie Anne

    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!!

    Reply ↓
  24. Alouise

    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?

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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!

      Reply ↓
  25. Odyssesus

    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.

    Reply ↓
  27. Andrea

    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)

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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?

      Reply ↓
  28. La Tortuga Viajera

    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!

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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!

      Reply ↓
  29. Patricia GW

    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?

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  33. Thomas

    Nice heels my wife would love a pair of those. And I must admit that will be a pretty long name Andi!

    Reply ↓
  34. Krista

    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. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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.

      Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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!

      Reply ↓
  38. Erica

    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!

    Reply ↓
  39. Ceri

    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. 😀

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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!

      Reply ↓
  42. Rease

    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.

    Reply ↓
  45. Katie

    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. 😉

    Reply ↓
    1. Andi Perullo Post author

      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.

      Reply ↓

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