Wedding Party

Jophiel Astorga

Groom

Alex Risteska

Bride

Adam Deen

Groomsman

Jophiel and Adam have been friends since our days at acting school. I became drawn to his ability to rant about the most random topics that life had to offer. A night out with Deen is always an adventure. Things to know about Adam: 1. Eccentric in the most memorable way 2. Wonderful photographer 3. "Most likely to be best friends with my grandmother" - Alex

Dragana Risteska

Bridesmaid

I used to change her diapers and pat her little butt gently to sleep, and now she's saving my ass when it comes to how to decorate and organise my wedding as if she has lived through 3 lifetimes. My sister puts a lot of heart into everything she does and will forever be my best uncontrollable laugh attack partner. Fun fact: when my parents were calling family to tell them that their daughter got engaged (they first didn't specify, because, you know, I was 31 at the time and my sister 19), in more than one instance did the family members think that it was my sister that got engaged. I can hardly blame them. Things to know about Dragana: 1. Will be most disappointed that I didn't agree to serve Russian salad at my wedding (look it up, it's savage). 2. Has way too many compromising pictures of me (and of others, better watch your back). 3. May have already taken the softest spot in my heart before Jophiel got there.

Beau Moore

Groomsman

Jophiel and Beau met as fellow students in acting school. Made an immediate connection for our love of Texas Longhorn football. Always there for a drink and a vent at any hour of the night often ending up with us dancing to Fiddler on the Roof's "Tradition" & "To Life". Things to know about Beau: 1. Texan 2. Fine musician 3. Too eager to unbutton his shirt

Anna Barbara Frey

Bridesmaid

Anna Fuchte Frey... Where to begin. We were first a bit suspicious of each other as two strong female characters, but then bonded over digestion issues on a trip to the global Model United Nations (yes we were nerds). She came all the way to Cairo on an emergency passport just to experience one of the best party nights in our lives and to then forget which song the DJ played that we decided was 'our song'. Things you should know about Anna: 1. She claims she's Swiss but her attitude and dance moves tell a different story. 2. She gives the most unapologetically loud and heartwarming welcome cries/hugs. 3. Is an excellent host and knows how to perfectly balance delicious snacks/charcuterie boards with a mashup of modern and old-school Hip Hop playlist.

Jeff Davis

Groomsman

Jophiel and Jeff both met the first week of arriving in New York city back in 2009. Made an instant connection for their love of Arsenal F.C. and is one of the kindest souls i've ever met. Things to know about Jeff: 1. Will likely win any dance-off challenge 2. Will go toe-to-toe with my father on political debates 3. You can hear his laugh for miles

Marianne Martinez-Bennedsen

Bridesmaid

Marianne and I kept each other in check at the SOAS university in London as the two short and short-tempered women of the group. From heated discussions about transitional justice and politics in the Middle East, to Spanish tapas, dance nights on a student budget, and happy ugly crying at a gay bar in London at our graduation - I will keep those stories dear and gladly pass them on to her daughter (and my goddaughter) Marcela, and her little sister Raffi. Things to know about Marianne: 1. Has a huge appetite that does not match her eating capacity. 2. Hides candy from her kids and I admire that. 3. Her daughter Marcela is a huge batman fan and I'd like to think she got that from her godmother.

Jessica Henderson

Groomswoman

Jophiel and Jess are fellow plant whisperers. She has my back and I have hers. Even though life sometimes takes over and we end up not seeing each other for period of time (even though we've been neighbors for years) we can immediately pick it up right where we left off. Things to know about Jess: 1. Hogwarts house: Hufflepuff 2. Is doing the work, and will be a comedian you know about 3. Highly likely to propagate at least 50 plants from Ohrid and illegally smuggle them into the U.S.

Max Perry

Bridesman

Max and I met during the first week at SOAS University in London. We shared a competitive nature when it came to who got the better essay grades or who could find the best bacon sandwich in London. Since London, we've shared many travel memories together - from Istanbul, to Beirut, to a wine-drowning weekend in Lyon, and two weeks through Iran with Marianne. He can be a bitch sometimes but he's a very loyal friend and entertaining travel companion, except if you're too slow, then he'll leave your ass behind. Things to know about Max: 1. Hide your daughters. Kidding, but do hide your bacon and arak/ouzo/mastika cause he will come for it. 2. Is an excellent host, unless you find yourself alone in his apartment in electricity-drained Beirut with only a 3-month expired chorizo in the fridge. 3. We may have collectively caused significant structural damage to some toilets in Iran.

Peter Westervelt

Groomsman

Jophiel and Peter met through their mutual friendship with Jeff! I enjoy dearly our regular chats over dinner and drinks, that range widely in breadth and scope. An inspiring artist (he's a cinematographer!) that serves as a daily reminder to continue doing the work and the work will find you. Things to know about Peter: 1. Can wake up with perfect hair 2. Hated the movie "Licorice Pizza" with a passion. Ask him about it. 3. Wears Vans everywhere. Will probably wear vans to the wedding.

Kerem Bodur

Bridesman

Kerem Duchesse Bodur is my brother from an Ottoman mother. We instantly clicked the first time we met in the Model United Nations club (yes, more nerds) and shared many Jägermeister and Vodka shots the same night. He once temporarily gave up his vegetarianism because we went hiking together and he didn't want to disrespect me by not having a grilled sausage as a traditional hiking snack. Things you should know about Kerem: 1. Still hasn't emotionally digested that one Sudanese meal he had in Cairo. 2. Always up for a dance party and some exquisite Turkish dance moves. 3. Has a tendency to manoeuvre or manifest 'pressure fields', like that one time he didn't invite me and Anna to his cousin's wedding in Turkey.

Ronnie Rocha

Groomsman

Jophiel and Ronnie have been friends since our days at Georgetown High School (woof). Our Football(soccer) skills were unrivaled and we had our own goal celebration to prove it. If loyalty is a thing, he is a perfect example of a loyal friend. Things to know about Ronnie: 1. Makes the sickest Hip-hop/R&B playlist 2. Will save us all in a house fire (no literally, he's a Firefighter) 3. Devilishly good looking

Irene de Vos

Bridesmaid

We met in Nairobi, Kenya, where Irene took my strategic seat at a brunch table (the one closest to the food), so naturally, I did not like her at first. I am glad we ended up bonding over a heated discussion on US intervention in Syria, because she has been very dear to me ever since. Irene is a badass human rights lawyer in South Africa (I know!!!) and recently was temporarily acting as a judge, I'd suggest you address her as 'your honour'. Things you should know about Irene: 1. May outdrink the Mexicans on Tequila at the wedding and I'm here for it, vamonos. 2. Only remembers two dates for 2023: her mother's birthday and our wedding day. 3. She introduced me in equal parts to the best vineyards of South Africa as well as the most reality check Apartheid memorials, and it remains one of my favourite trips ever.

Nadya Padilla

Mother of the Groom

Has always been a Firebird to me. No literally, I thought she died when she was performing the ballet ‘The Firebird.’ I can explain that later, but a beautiful dancer and a wonderful artist. She has a tendency to laugh at anything silly and will always go into her dog voice when she sees a cute one around. Extremely protective of her family but always in the sensitive and loving way that makes you feel comforted.

Naumka (Naca) Risteska

Mother of the Bride

Ahh, the mothership. My mum is a powerhouse that could single-handedly run the government of some medium-sized country, cut their spending costs by a third, and educate the whole society about how to avoid food waste. AT ALL COST. She is a kitchen master with a heart of gold, always up for a laugh and to mock the rest of us for our lack of photogenic faces. You'll find her at the front of the kolo (our traditional row dance) or fixing some emergency situation with executive power.

Rafael Padilla

Stepfather of the Groom

Ralph Panda, as the postal service would say, is a Cuban of many skills. Can fix anything that breaks and loves his cars - ask him how many has he had since moving to the U.S.. An expert at playing pool and dominos. Every choice, every action he takes is always taken with full consideration of his family, even at a cost to him.

Stojan (Toshe) Risteski

Father of the Bride

Ah Papa bear! He is a strong Balkan dad, comedian and prankster by nature, but deep down he has a soft heart and gets emotional at watching Mulan 2. His love language is bringing me perfectly sliced cuts of cured meat when I am working from home (sometimes with a small glass of Rakija for good measure), and he would do anything for his family. Watch out for his signature mustache and get excited to see some of his smooth dance moves at the wedding!

Luis Astorga

Father of the Groom

He loves how he loves. Likely with a plate of Mexican food after a stressful day. A man of simple pleasures. A beer, a cigarette, while sitting outside tending his garden and chickens. Loves to get in political fights just for the sake of it. Him and Jeff Davis have a fondness for each other because of this. Will likely be exhibiting the most Mexican patriotism out of the entire party.