A Wedding Day Like No Other: Last-Minute Venue Change, Fraud Allegations, and Pandemic DramaOctober 29, 2020
In what can only be described as one of the most chaotic celebrity weddings in recent Mexican entertainment history, singer and actress Ninel Conde, known as “El Bombón Asesino” (The Killer Bombón), married Colombian businessman Larry Ramos on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. The ceremony took place amid unprecedented confusion, scandal, and last-minute complications that would have caused most couples to postpone their big day.
What was planned as an elegant affair at Mexico City’s prestigious Casa de la Bola Museum turned into an impromptu celebration at a private residence in the State of Mexico, all while the groom faced serious fraud allegations and pandemic restrictions threatened to shut down the entire event.
The Original Plan Falls Apart
The week leading up to the wedding was filled with speculation and mystery. Ninel Conde attempted to keep the details under wraps, going so far as to publicly deny the wedding would take place in 2020. In an Instagram live broadcast just days before the ceremony, the 44-year-old star told her followers: “Yes, of course next year I will unite my life to the person that God has arranged for me because that is how he has shown it to me, and we believe so. All the special people in our lives will be invited, but in the meantime, stay calm—everything is fine.”
This statement was part of a deliberate misdirection strategy, as the couple had already sold exclusive coverage rights to People en Español magazine and were proceeding with wedding preparations. The chosen venue was the Casa de la Bola Museum, an elegant historical mansion with gardens located in Parque Lira in the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City. By early morning on October 28, vendors had set up elaborate floral arrangements, tables, chairs, catering equipment, and sound systems for what promised to be a grand celebration.
However, as the day progressed, a large contingent of media outlets arrived at the museum, tipped off about the secret ceremony. The growing attention caught the eye of Miguel Hidalgo borough authorities, who quickly intervened. With Mexico City under orange alert status due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social gatherings in gardens and event halls were strictly prohibited.
The Dramatic Cancellation
At approximately mid-afternoon on October 28, the Miguel Hidalgo borough government issued an official statement that sent shockwaves through the assembled media and wedding guests: “Given the news of a possible social event on October 28 at the Casa de la Bola Museum, administrative measures will be taken by the Executive Legal Directorate of the Miguel Hidalgo delegation to protect the population. Social events are not allowed in gardens or classrooms.”
Borough Mayor Víctor Hugo Romo personally contacted Ninel Conde to explain the situation. In subsequent interviews, Romo stated: “We were in contact with actress Ninel Conde and she understood perfectly, with great sensitivity, that this activity had to be suspended today. I thank her for reconsidering, and it’s good that we acted together to avoid any type of gathering that could imply a health risk.”
Television cameras captured the surreal scene of workers dismantling the entire wedding setup. Flowers, tables, chairs, dishes, glassware, the DJ equipment, musical instruments, and even the decorative wedding arch were loaded onto trucks in broad daylight. Entertainment program “Suelta la Sopa” documented workers removing everything while dozens of reporters looked on, speculating whether the wedding would be postponed or moved to another location.
The Show Must Go On: Emergency Relocation
Despite the public cancellation and mounting scandal, Ninel Conde was determined to marry Larry Ramos that very day. What happened next demonstrated both her commitment and the logistical capabilities of her team. Within hours, the entire wedding operation was relocated to Hacienda Valle Escondido, an exclusive gated community in Atizapán de Zaragoza in the State of Mexico.
According to reports from entertainment journalist Alex Kaffie and others who followed the story, the ceremony took place at a private luxury residence owned by a Colombian businesswoman and life coach. The property, located in the affluent Zona Esmeralda area, provided the privacy and space needed for the impromptu celebration.
Media outlets followed the moving trucks from Mexico City to the State of Mexico location, where approximately 40 workers scrambled to reassemble the wedding setup before evening. The wedding arch was positioned in the home’s living room, tables were arranged in the expansive garden, and catering stations were established in the patio area. By 7:30 PM, just hours after the cancellation, the new venue was ready to receive guests.
The Guest List and Last-Minute Changes
The dramatic venue change inevitably affected the guest list. What was originally planned for a larger celebration was scaled down to approximately 50-60 attendees, many of whom were notified of the location change just two hours before the ceremony. Producer Alejandro Gou, one of the first guests to arrive at the new venue, spoke to waiting media: “She notified us two hours before that there was a change of location, and well, here we are accompanying her very happily. Unfortunately, she had contracted a place, but the place did not get the appropriate permits, and Ninel had to accept the situation.”
Among the celebrity guests who made it to the relocated ceremony were:
- Singer Yuri, a legendary figure in Latin pop music
- Actor and television host Raúl Araiza
- Producer Alejandro Gou, known for his theatrical productions
- Comedian Ariel Miramontes, famous for his “Albertano” character
- Ninel’s daughter, Sofía Telch, from her first marriage to actor Ari Telch
Notably absent was Ninel’s young son Emmanuel, whom she shares with ex-partner Giovanni Medina. The child was reportedly on vacation with his father during the wedding—a fact that Conde herself had mentioned in her pre-wedding Instagram broadcast, perhaps to deflect suspicion about the timing of the ceremony.
Several invited guests who had confirmed their attendance at the original Mexico City location chose not to make the journey to the State of Mexico venue, citing the distance and the uncertainty surrounding the event.
The Ceremony: “When Love Triumphs Over All Things”
At approximately 10:30 PM on October 28, Ninel Conde and Larry Ramos finally exchanged vows in a Christian ceremony officiated by their pastor. The bride wore a stunning white gown—described by her designer Benito Santos as a fitted, partially transparent design that perfectly showcased Conde’s famous figure. She completed the look with a traditional veil that covered her face as she walked toward the flower-adorned arch in the home’s living room.
The ceremony was deeply emotional, with both bride and groom delivering personal vows that revealed their vulnerability. Ninel spoke candidly about her emotional state before meeting Ramos: “You are a man of light in my life, you are a man who arrived precisely when I was withered inside, I was without strength and without hope, but God showed me through you and your love that reward exists.”
Larry Ramos, in turn, promised to be her protector and partner: “To give you affection, to give you protection, to give you words of wisdom, to give you peace, to give you fidelity, and to give you family, amen.”
These words would take on added poignancy in light of future events, as Ramos’s legal troubles would soon intensify, ultimately leading to his arrest by the FBI and subsequent disappearance while under house arrest.
Fashion designer Benito Santos, who created Conde’s wedding dress, later shared a photo of the bride on his Instagram stories with the caption: “When love triumphs over all things”—a phrase that seemed to encapsulate the defiant spirit of the entire day.
The Reception: Improvised Elegance
Following the ceremony, guests moved to the garden where tables decorated with white roses and candles awaited. The reception menu had to be hastily modified due to the venue change. According to entertainment journalists covering the event, the original gourmet menu was replaced with a more accessible four-course meal that reportedly included mole de caderas and tacos al pastor—traditional Mexican dishes that, while delicious, were a far cry from the elaborate banquet originally planned.
Despite the improvised nature of the celebration, guests reported that the atmosphere was festive and emotional. The couple’s first dance took place in the garden under the stars, with the bride’s transparent white gown glowing in the carefully arranged lighting.
The entire event was professionally filmed, with a television production crew capturing every moment for the exclusive coverage sold to People en Español. This commercial arrangement was one of the factors that motivated Conde to proceed with the wedding despite all obstacles—breaking the contract with the magazine would have had significant financial consequences.
Neighborhood Complaints and Continuing Controversy
The relocated wedding didn’t escape controversy even in its new location. Residents of the Hacienda Valle Escondido community complained about the disturbance caused by the celebration, citing concerns about pandemic safety and the circus of media vehicles and personnel that descended on their normally quiet neighborhood.
The subdivision’s administrator later stated that while the event was held at a private residence and they couldn’t prevent it, they had not been properly notified about the scope of the gathering. The presence of dozens of media representatives, along with the late-night noise from the celebration, upset many neighbors who felt the privacy and tranquility of their exclusive community had been violated.
These complaints reflected the broader public sentiment about the wedding. Many Mexicans criticized Conde for proceeding with a large gathering during a pandemic when the country’s healthcare system was strained and social distancing measures were being emphasized by health authorities. The fact that the original venue had been shut down by government order, only for the couple to immediately relocate and proceed anyway, struck many as tone-deaf and irresponsible.
The Cloud Over the Celebration: Larry Ramos’s Legal Troubles
While Ninel Conde’s wedding day was certainly dramatic, the biggest scandal wasn’t the venue change or pandemic violations—it was the groom himself. Larry Ramos, a 34-year-old Colombian businessman, was already facing serious legal allegations at the time of the wedding, though the full extent of his alleged crimes wouldn’t become public until months later.
Ramos stood accused of operating what prosecutors would later characterize as a pyramid scheme, promising investors extraordinary returns through a purported algorithmic investment system. Between 2013 and 2020, he allegedly defrauded over 200 people of approximately $22 million, with victims spanning the United States, Spain, Venezuela, and other countries.
Among the most prominent alleged victims was Alejandra Guzmán, the legendary Mexican rock singer and mother of Frida Sofía (who had previously dated Ramos). Guzmán reportedly lost $4 million in the scheme. Other high-profile victims included Guzmán’s former managers Cinthia Velarde and Guillermo Carvajal.
At the time of the wedding, Ramos faced civil lawsuits totaling over $359,000, with additional criminal investigations underway in Miami. Despite these mounting legal problems, Conde stood by her fiancé, insisting she knew nothing about his business dealings and that their relationship was purely romantic.
Critics pointed out the suspicious timing of the wedding, suggesting that marriage could provide legal protections for both parties. However, it later emerged that the ceremony was only religious in nature and not legally registered, meaning Conde and Ramos were never actually married in the eyes of the law—a fact that would become significant when Ramos’s legal situation deteriorated further.
The Relationship Timeline: A Whirlwind Romance
Ninel Conde and Larry Ramos’s relationship moved at lightning speed. They met at a party in Miami in February 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic would transform the world. Despite the timing, their romance blossomed quickly, with Ramos showering the Mexican star with attention and luxury gifts.
In September 2020, during a birthday trip to Turkey, Ramos proposed to Conde with an enormous diamond ring. The singer proudly showed off the engagement ring on social media, and fans speculated about when the wedding would take place. Just two months later, they were married—though the ceremony would be remembered more for its chaos than its romance.
This was Ninel Conde’s third marriage. Her first was to actor Ari Telch in 1996 when she was just 19 years old; that marriage lasted two years and produced her daughter Sofía. Her second marriage to Juan Zepeda lasted approximately seven years. She also had a long-term relationship with Giovanni Medina, with whom she has a son, though they never married.
For Ramos, the marriage to Conde represented a significant elevation of his public profile. Previously known mainly in Colombian and Miami business circles, his relationship with one of Mexico’s most famous entertainers thrust him into the spotlight—attention that would ultimately prove problematic as authorities intensified their investigation into his financial activities.
The Aftermath: Arrest, Escape, and Mystery
The fairy tale—or perhaps cautionary tale—of Ninel Conde and Larry Ramos’s relationship would take even darker turns in the months following their chaotic wedding.
In April 2021, just six months after the wedding, Ramos was arrested by the FBI at Fort Lauderdale International Airport following his attendance at the Latin American Music Awards with Conde. He was charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy, facing potential decades in prison if convicted. The arrest confirmed what many had suspected: Ramos’s investment business was allegedly a sophisticated fraud operation.
Initially granted house arrest with an electronic monitoring bracelet, Ramos lived with Conde in a Miami apartment while awaiting trial. However, in September 2021, he cut off his monitoring device and disappeared, becoming a fugitive from justice. The FBI launched an intensive manhunt across all 50 U.S. states and the Bahamas.
Ninel Conde’s presence was confirmed at the apartment around the time of Ramos’s escape, leading to speculation about her potential involvement. However, she maintained that she had no knowledge of his plans and was herself shocked by his disappearance. Because their marriage was only religious and not legal, Conde couldn’t claim spousal privilege and could be compelled to testify about any knowledge she had of Ramos’s activities or whereabouts.
As of 2024, Larry Ramos remains at large, and his current whereabouts are unknown. Ninel Conde has moved on with her life, though the scandal continues to affect her reputation and career. She has spoken publicly about feeling betrayed and manipulated, claiming that Ramos lied to her about everything—including whether he actually owned the apartment they shared, which turned out to be a rental with months of unpaid rent.
Lessons from a Scandal
The wedding of Ninel Conde and Larry Ramos serves as a cautionary tale on multiple levels. On the most obvious level, it illustrates the dangers of rushing into relationships without proper due diligence, especially when warning signs are present. Multiple people had warned Conde about Ramos’s background, including his ex-girlfriend Frida Sofía, who publicly stated he was only interested in famous women for their money and connections.
The event also highlighted the tension between celebrity privilege and public health responsibility during the pandemic. While ordinary Mexicans were making enormous sacrifices and following public health guidelines, Conde’s determination to proceed with her wedding despite official prohibition sent a troubling message about different rules for the famous and wealthy.
Perhaps most significantly, the story demonstrates how con artists like Ramos operate—by targeting vulnerable people (Conde had recently gone through a painful custody battle and breakup), moving quickly to establish trust before victims can conduct proper background checks, and using social status and connections to appear more legitimate than they actually are.
For Ninel Conde personally, the experience has been devastating. In interviews, she has described the relationship with Ramos as one of the most painful chapters of her life, reopening old wounds of abandonment dating back to losing her father at age three. The scandal also affected her custody battle with Giovanni Medina, with courts citing her poor judgment in choosing partners.
Where Are They Now?
As of 2024, Ninel Conde continues to perform and maintain her career, though the Ramos scandal significantly impacted her public image. She has been candid about being a victim of his deception and manipulation, emphasizing that she also lost money and emotional well-being to his schemes.
The singer announced in 2023 that she was considering retirement from the entertainment industry to focus on her personal life and well-being. She has also been linked to new romantic interests, including reports of a relationship with another Colombian man, though she has learned to be more private about her personal life.
Larry Ramos remains one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives in connection with white-collar crime. Victims of his alleged pyramid scheme continue to seek justice and restitution, though the chances of recovering their money appear slim. His disappearance has spawned numerous theories about his whereabouts, with speculation ranging from South America to Europe, though no confirmed sightings have been reported.
The Hacienda Valle Escondido residence where the wedding ultimately took place has returned to its quiet existence, though it will forever be remembered as the site of one of the most controversial celebrity weddings in Mexican entertainment history.
The Legacy of a Chaotic Day
The wedding of Ninel Conde and Larry Ramos on October 28, 2020, will be remembered as a perfect storm of scandal, poor timing, legal troubles, and determination bordering on stubbornness. It was a day when nothing went according to plan, yet somehow the couple managed to exchange vows and celebrate with their closest friends and family.
Looking back, the chaos of the wedding day seems almost prophetic—a harbinger of the disorder, deception, and drama that would define this relationship. The image of workers frantically dismantling and relocating an entire wedding setup in a matter of hours serves as a metaphor for the relationship itself: impressive in its ambition, questionable in its judgment, and ultimately unsustainable.
For fans of celebrity gossip and true crime alike, the story offers endless fascination. For Ninel Conde, it represents a painful lesson learned at tremendous personal cost. And for Larry Ramos’s victims, it stands as a reminder of how con artists can infiltrate even the most glamorous circles, leaving devastation in their wake.
The phrase inscribed by designer Benito Santos on his Instagram story—”When love triumphs over all things”—was intended as a romantic celebration of the couple’s determination to marry despite obstacles. In retrospect, it reads more like tragic irony, a reminder that sometimes love is not enough, and that warning signs ignored at the altar often return to haunt us later.
Wedding Details:
- Date: October 28, 2020
- Original Venue: Casa de la Bola Museum, Mexico City (canceled)
- Final Venue: Private residence, Hacienda Valle Escondido, Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico
- Ceremony Type: Christian religious ceremony (not legally registered)
- Guests: Approximately 50-60 attendees
- Ceremony Time: 10:30 PM
- Notable Guests: Yuri, Raúl Araiza, Alejandro Gou, Ariel Miramontes, Sofía Telch
This wedding took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic and was criticized for violating public health guidelines. Larry Ramos was later arrested by the FBI on fraud charges in April 2021 and became a fugitive after escaping house arrest in September 2021. His current whereabouts remain unknown.