Leyva wedding

Krianna Isabell Rodriguez + Joe Anthony Leyva
married November 30, 2024
Corpus Christi, Texas
engaged 13 months

Click here to view the Leyva wedding spotlight gallery.
photos by Padre Ryan Photo + Video

How they met:

Our love story is a beautiful testament to the power of enduring love. Over the course of a decade, our relationship has grown, evolved, and blossomed into a deep and unwavering connection. Our journey began during our senior year in high school. Our mutual friends planned a lake day, and of course we both went, and caught a spark with each other. We talked and laughed, played some baseball, where Krianna got hit in the face with the ball, but that didn’t stop us from having fun, only created fun memories to think back on. Since that lake day, we continued to get closer and closer. We supported each other at every one of our sporting events and cheered each other on. From that moment on, we embarked on a remarkable adventure together. Through great triumphs and challenges, our love has only strengthened with time. With every passing year, our band has deepened and we’ve built a life filled with cherished memories and shared dreams. This 10 year love story is not just about the passage of time, but a celebration of the enduring, passionate, unbreakable love that has brought us to our wedding day, where we’ll start a new chapter together as one through God.

The proposal:

On October 6, 2023, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary, and I knew it was the perfect time to propose. I had planned an evening at the beach, imagining a picnic by the ocean, a warm fire flickering as the sunset painted the sky, and I would ask her to be mine forever. But, as often happens, the universe had its own plans. We arrived long after the sun had set, the firewood was drenched by the sea, and the picnic food became a buffet for the bugs. Despite all the setbacks, the moment felt right when one of our songs began to play. After dancing, which felt like an eternity, I finally mustered the courage to drop to one knee and ask her to marry me. I can’t remember the exact words I said, but all I recall is her tear-filled eyes, a huge smile, and a nod of yes. In that moment, the imperfect night became exactly what it was meant to be: the beginning of forever.

Favorite detail:

Bride: I loved every detail about our table décor. The colors and arrangements looked so simple, but beautiful.
Groom: I loved our ceremony, especially because it took place in the church we attend every Sunday. Also incorporating our family traditions, like having padrinos and madrinas, made the ceremony even more meaningful.

Favorite moment:

Bride: My favorite moment was at our ceremony. Fr. Raju spoke beautifully about Joe and I & about the power of the love that we share.
Groom: My favorite moment was undoubtedly seeing my now-wife walk down the aisle. It was as if time stood still, and I knew, without a doubt, that I was the luckiest person in the world.

Biggest challenge:

Bride: The biggest challenge of wedding planning was choosing vendors. There are honestly so many good vendors out there. It all came down to who was communicating the best while getting information and who talked to us with such great energy. There was one vendor that we chose where communication wasn’t the best and it became challenging because the day was getting closer and we were getting more stressed, but thankfully they did come through at the end.
Groom: I think the biggest challenge was ensuring we had every detail covered and nothing important was overlooked. While the planning went smoothly overall, there was always that underlying sense of wanting everything to be perfect. What made it easier, though, was that Krianna and I are both very “go with the flow” people. I knew that if something went off track, we would be able to adapt and handle it together. That flexibility was key, and it really helped ease any stress along the way.

Funniest or most embarrassing moment:

Bride: The funniest moment for me was when we were doing our first dance, we messed up on a rehearsed part and Joe saved us. Right after he saved us from messing up badly he made a face like “Did you see that” and it made me laugh as well as others who probably saw. Even better that Laura caught it on camera.
Groom: I think the funniest moment for me was watching one of our flower girls, Krianna’s 2-year-old niece, walk back up the aisle to pick up the flower petals she had dropped. It was so unexpected and absolutely adorable. It really helped me laugh and gather myself as the ceremony began.

If you could do one thing over:

Bride: Just relive the whole night over again. It was so much fun and it went by way to fast! We had all of our favorite people with us.
Groom: I would make sure to shave and comb my hair in the morning. The whole morning was a blur that I didn’t realize I didn’t shave until the ceremony.

Advice for future brides and grooms:

Bride: Do the planning together and decide on things together. It’s a lot less stressful when you both put in work to make your wedding day special. And also remember, your wedding day is just one day, marriage is every day. Make time for your Holy Sundays together and pray for great days ahead. Stick together, laugh together, have FUN always.
Groom: Embrace the journey, and remember that perfection shouldn’t be the goal. One thing that was mentioned in our retreat is that a lot of couples prepare for the wedding, but not the marriage. Focus on your love and your connection to your partner. No matter how much you plan, there will always be things that don’t go exactly as expected. But that’s what makes your day uniquely yours. Focus on the moments that matter most—your vows, the people who are there to support you, and the joy of marrying the person you love.

Why you got married and what marriage means to you:

Bride: Marriage to me means choosing my person every day, every hour, and every minute. We’re built on love, trust, and respect towards one another. Having my person to have fun with, travel the world with, go through hard times with, laugh with and cry with. It’s about supporting eachother and lifting eachother up. It’s about growing up with eachother and eventually have little mini me’s running around.
Groom: I got married because Krianna is the person for me, I truly believe that. She brings out the best in me, supports me through every challenge, and shared my joy of life. Marriage is about the celebration of our deep connection and trust that we’ve built. What it means to me is that I’ve found a love that feels like home, and I’m ready to spend the rest of my life cherishing and nurturing that bond.

How to make your spouse happy:

Bride: Show appreciation and learn their love language. Laugh at their jokes even when they are really not that funny! Going golfing always makes my spouse happy also.
Groom: Be there for them. Take up new hobbies together. Show kindness and respect. Most importantly, always communicate open and honestly, and never take each other for granted.

What you look forward to the most:

Bride: Just living life together and seeing the world together. I look forward to seeing us grow within ourselfs and our marriage. I look forward to starting our family as well.
Groom: I look forward to continuting to build our life together. I’m excited for the comfort of knowing we’ll always have each other. Most of all, I’m looking forward to growing together, making memories, and creating a future where we support each other’s dreams and ambitions.

More advice for couples:

Bride: When doing your wedding planning, it’s okay if not everything goes as planned. You will have changes during the process and maybe even the day of, but just remember the imperfect moments often make the best memories. Stay true to your vision. Don’t let social media, social norms, or others make the choices for you. Lastly, take a moment with just you two during the day to get away from everyone and the excitment to soak it all in. We had our driver quickly take us to our house to spend a few minutes with our furbabies and it was such a special moment between all of us. Do a private last dance to soak in your beautiful wedding and share the last moment of your wedding night with your partner.
Groom: One piece of advice I’d love for other couples to know is that marriage is a journey, not a destination. It’s about constantly learning, growing, and adapting together. There will be ups and downs, but the key is always to communicate openly, be patient with each other, and never stop showing appreciation for one another. Don’t get too caught up in expectations—things won’t always go as planned, but those imperfections often turn into the best memories. And remember, it’s not about finding someone perfect; it’s about finding someone you’re willing to grow with, no matter what.

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Thank you to our vendors:

Ceremony: St. Peter Prince of the Apostles
Officiant: Fr. Raju
Reception: The Ranch at San Patricio, 200 guests
Rehearsal dinner: The Ranch at San Patricio, 80 guests
Wedding planner: Illustrious Moments
Photographer & videographer: Padre Ryan Photo + Video
Dress: La Sposa Bridal Salon, Laredo
Tuxes: Los Dos Laredo’s Tailor Shop
Wedding rings: Zales
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Birdy Grey & Azazie
Hair & makeup: Ever After Glam
Stationery: Royal Invitations
Flowers: Lydias Floral
Decorations: JB Designs
Cake: Sugar Sugar
Entertainment: Los Arias Band & Illustrious Moments DJ
Special features: marquee letters and cold sparks by Illustrious Moments
Getaway vehicle: Sunset Limo & Black Car Service
Wedding night lodging: The Ranch at San Patricio
Favors: key bottle openers and fans
Bridal party gifts: silk pjs, koozies, and chug buds
Registry: Honeymoon Fund
Honeymoon: Cancun, Mexico