Rainbows & Lace : Jose and Ledyann's Love Story

“We wanted a traditional Venezuelan wedding and tried to include our culture into the celebration.”

When Jose and Ledyann got married, I was lucky enough to be maid of honour and share such a happy time in their story together. As a couple, these two go from strength to strength, they are both individually unique and different but at the same time they share a lot of qualities, particularly in their professional lives. These young entrepreneurs work together in a company they created and spend virtually 24 hours a day together, something that can put any relationship to the test, but with mutual respect, and a few holidays each year to spend quality time together, they make it work.

They met in November 2005 at the Engineering Faculty of LUZ University in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and although they had a lot of mutual friends, they had never crossed paths before then. “When we first met he was very upfront, he sat next to me and told his friend we made a cute couple”, Ledyann recounts as she giggles at the memory, “I was always at the student centre, I’d never seen him there and suddenly he started showing up every day, that’s how we began dating”.

Fast forward five years, on 20^th November 2009, they married during a beautiful and moving ceremony at the lovely San Ramon Nonato church in Maracaibo. The ceremony was followed by a reception at ‘El Guacamayo’ party hall, which was organized by Marlene de Andrade and decorated by well-known designer Hector Silva Vega. Although they didn’t have a specific theme, they managed to plan a wedding that reflected their mutual tastes and culture.

As a guest, one of my personal highlights of the evening was the ‘Crazy Hour’, this is a Hispanic tradition where for 60 minutes all the people invited get to wear novelty accessories like silly hats and oversized sunglasses and jump around to energetic and joyful party themed songs, the bride and groom had custom made head pieces that were very traditional and representative of their culture, it was fantastic.

ASK THE BRIDE

Where did you find the dress?

I tried on lots of dresses but ultimately decided to have my bridal gown custom made by Venezuelan fashion designer Algimiro Palencia.

What was the most special part of your day?

When the priest blessed our union and we exchanged rings. Also when we gave each other the silver coins called arras, the whole service was very emotional.

Best part of the evening?

The funniest part of the party was when Jose took the garter off my leg, he used his teeth and did a sexy little dance while he was doing it, everyone was laughing!

Favorite part of the whole experience?

Planning almost everything myself, I was very involved in the process and I loved the results.

Worst Bridezilla moment during planning?

When my bridesmaids started to complain about dress colours and aisle partners, I ended up with 4 bridesmaids instead of 8.

Were there any wedding day disasters?

The car rental company cancelled our booking without telling us so we had to find a last minute car where my dress could fit. I also forgot the arras at my mom’s house and had to get the driver to detour so we could pick them up, so I was late arriving at the church but so was the priest so that was ok!

Best souvenir or keepsake?

The arras, they are vintage silver coins that are exchanged by the couple to symbolize that you will share with the other everything you have. My aunt Lisida kept them for many years waiting for my wedding day to arrive. My aunt Zully also gave me a silver coin that was given to her on her wedding day as a sign of prosperity.