Rachel Thompson Weds Michael Kubanda
Miss Rachel Irene Victoria Thompson and Mr. Michael David Kubanda were united in Holy Matrimony at three o’clock on Saturday, November 2nd at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Memorial Park. The Reverend Philip Lloyd, pastor, presided over the Nuptial Mass uniting the couple in their double-ring ceremony. Music during the liturgy and cocktail hour featured accompaniment by the Divisi Classical String Quartet gifted to the couple by the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. George Kubanda of Sugar Land. Immediately after the ceremony, guests gathered at The Junior League of Houston for an evening celebration of cocktails, dinner, music and non-stop dancing to the sounds of DJ Connection. Acclaimed artist Renata Sharman of Richardson, Texas interacted with guests throughout the evening as she captured the couple’s first dance in an original oil painting created just for them.
The day before the wedding, Rachel’s four sisters-in-law, Jennifer, Alicia, Ashley and Kate Thompson, hostessed a lovely brunch and bridal shower at Ouisie’s Table. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents entertained the wedding party, family, and out of town guests at a wonderful multi-course supper at Fogo de Chao.
The bride has five older brothers and is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Edward Thompson of Spring, Texas. She is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. George C. Thompson of Red Wing, Minnesota and the late Mr. and Mrs. Leonard P. Kuderna of West Nyack, New York. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. M. George Kubanda of Sugar Land, Texas. He is the grandson of Mrs. Mary Ann Gray and the late Mr. Walter Gray of Greenville, North Carolina and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Kubanda of Hopewell, Pennsylvania.
Escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a Whittington Salon couture gown from the Justin Alexander Signature Collection. The candlelight blush ball gown was delicately embellished with hand-sewn seed pearls, bugle beads and Swarovski crystals and featured a deeply hemmed tulle skirt that swept into an elegant cathedral train. The exquisite gown featured a hand-beaded illusion jewel neckline, an illusion back with satin-covered buttons and detachable sleeves that also glittered with handbeading and embroidery details. The cathedral veil was trimmed in fine lace appliques, pearls and Swarovski crystals. To complete her ensemble, Rachel wore pearl drop earrings and a matching pearl bracelet given to her by Michael on their wedding day. She carried a bouquet of burgundy, cream and blush blossoms accented with dusty blue thistle. The bridal bouquet was hand-tied using the vintage tulle and pearl Juliet cap preserved from her late maternal grandmother’s wedding headpiece.
Bridal attendants wore elegant, off-the-shoulder larkspur gowns with shimmer overlay and carried variegated bouquets in shades of burgundy and blush to complement their ensembles. Serving as Matron of Honor was Eleanor Todd Prado. Bridesmaids were Alison Estrada, Melanie Garner (Colorado), Kelsey Sees (Ohio), Shiva Tavokoli, and Julia Thompson. Miss Anna Thompson was the Junior Bridesmaid. Flower Girls were Misses Mary Rose, Josie Lee, and Sara Lynn Thompson, all nieces of the bride. Rachel’s nephews - Nathan, Caleb, Dalton, George and Henry Thompson served as Banner Bearers. Michael’s Best Man was his brother, Matthew Kubanda; Groomsmen were Andre Estrada, Corey Fries, Doug Garner, Ryan Quintero and Thomas Randlett. The bride’s brothers Ben, Matt, Adam, David and Sam Thompson served as ushers.
Rachel is a former member of the Houston Repertoire Ballet studying for eleven years under Gilbert Rome and Victoria Vittum. She had the distinct privilege of studying and performing with such notables as Jared Matthews, Lauren Anderson, Janie Parker, Barbara Bears, Sara Webb, and Alicia Alonso of Cuba.
A 2007 graduate of St. Agnes Academy, Rachel received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 2011 as a graduate of the Boler School of Business (Honors Program) at John Carroll University in Ohio. At John Carroll, Rachel was an inaugural scholarship recipient in the Arrupe Scholars Program focusing on social justice and community service. While attending JCU, Rachel participated in a wide range of service activities throughout the U.S. but also worked among the people of Nicaragua. She spent a semester abroad studying accounting and economics at Regents University in London.
Rachel graduated Magna cum laude from South Texas College of Law in 2014 where she was an editor of the South Texas College Law Review. She practices bankruptcy law with the global firm of Reed Smith in Houston.
Michael is a 2005 graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School in Sugar Land and a 2009 graduate of the University of Texas in San Antonio where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing. Michael has volunteered within his church community for many years and, during college, generously participated as an athletic volunteer with Kinetic Kids Foundation for children with special needs. The groom is an Implementation Engineer with National Oilwell Varco in Houston.
Following a two-week honeymoon in Maui, the Kubandas will make their home in Richmond with their rescued pets, Emma & Chloe and Ragdoll cat, Chuy.