Robert & Stephanie
Wedding Party
Edith DaSilva
Matron of Honor
Some people say they look like twins, other say totally different! These two talk almost every day and if Stephanie doesn’t answer, Edith will keep calling until she does! They are not only sisters but best friends:) Edith always looked out for Stephanie, letting no one mess with her sister! When they were young they would fight, Stephanie actually was forced to spray Lysol in Edith’s face one time! (Edith’s version of the story may be different). And as adults, they will still pop off on each other LOL. But don’t worry, it is how they express their love:) Don’t mess with the Whitley sisters!
Mike Raleigh
Best Man
Mike and Bobby have been best friends since elementary school. Mike is fond of regaling us with a tale of how Bobby asked if they could be friends in 2nd grade because their younger brothers were already friends and so, duh they should be too. Thank God that Mike acquiesced to the plea. Bobby and Mike grew up together, through 100s of sleepovers on Underhill and Falls Road, 100s more days snowboarding at Tamarack, and 1000s of hours playing basketball throughout East Aurora. They (and Josh) were inseparable in high school, and have remained brothers since. The two continue to share all of the same interests, from basketball, rap and the revolution to rooting for the demise of the NFL. Mike has been Bobby's role model with his wonderful marriage to Marj and his impeccable raising of Otis.
Jamie Fitchett
Matron of Honor
Stephanie strives to be as thoughtful as her sister Jamie. She still remembers how special Jamie made her feel when letting her have pieces of her Jolly Rancher candies that she used to eat to stay awake to do her homework in High School when Stephanie was only in Elementary School. Jamie has always been a role model to Stephanie and these two have always had a special connection. Jamie is another sister that is also a best friend:) Even though Jamie used to try to get Stephanie to throw up as she would pretend to eat the dog scraps after dinner LOL:)
Dan Secatore
Best Man
Bobby and Dan were floormates Freshman year at George Washington, and roommates each of the next three years during their time at Foggy Bottom. Bobby was brought to tears after their efforts to get Dan elected to the head of GW Program Board came up just short. That heartbreak was made up for, many times over, by their shared joy in the miraculous success of the Colonials basketball program during their undergraduate years. Bobby and Dan were together pretty much every day of college, bringing headaches to everyone who crossed their path. Dan met Erin in DC after Bobby moved to NYC, but a couple years later they would join him in NY. Lifelong friends who spend hours debating baseball analytics and party politics, Bobby is very lucky to be a part of Dan, Erin and Henry's family.
Taylor Fitchett
Maid of Honor
Taylor is Stephanie's niece who was born Stephanie’s senior year of High School and the distance from college and NYC has not stopped the special bond of these two. Often when Stephanie returned back to Smithfield she would always have sleepovers with Taylor and stay up talking late into the night. When Taylor was young, not even in school yet, she would cry when Stephanie would leave to head by to NYC and though Taylor still tells Stephanie to “Move homeeeeeeee”, she is happy she has someone she can visit in NYC:)
Mike Baranello
Best Man
Bobby and Mike ("Bear") grew up together in East Aurora, and bonded quickly over basketball, rap and the Bills. Their friendship blossomed during their college years and they (and Josh) took a 17 day trip across Europe after Bobby took the Bar Exam. Since that trip in 2010, they have talked every day, sharing all of the very best LeBron and Kobe highlights, freestyles, RiRi pictures and hilarious jokes that anyone could ever want to see. Bear has become Bobby and Stephanie's adopted son, spending many nights on their UES couch until he moved to Brooklyn from New Haven. No one could be more earnest, supportive or fun than the Bear, and he has been an irreplaceable part of Bobby and Steph's life.
Courtney Adanti
Bridesmaid
Stephanie and Courtney were freshman year hall mates and later college roommates! They bonded over Stephanie “attempting” to take a run with Courtney through Southview Apts and their friendship blossomed more after they both moved to NYC after college. Stephanie can always count on Court to help her look her best even if it involves using beer to help fix Stephanie’s frizzing hair:) Courtney has moved 45 minutes outside of the city, but they continue to get together often for dinner/drinks or just to catch up!
Josh Poodry
Groomsman
Bobby and Josh first became close friends during a Boys' and Girls' Club summer camp in middle school. From that summer onwards, they (along with Mike Raleigh) did everything together. They snowboarded every day of the winter, played basketball every day of the summer and learned every 2pac and Jay-Z lyric in between. The two have been the life of every party in WNY since that summer. Bobby is forever thankful for Josh teaching him how to fit in with the cool kids. From Slurpie and Mighty runs to dozens of Bills games, the two have seen it all together.
Kelly DiConzo
Bridesmaid
Stephanie and Kelly were hall neighbors freshman year and later college roommates! One semester they scheduled every class together and would pack a turkey sandwich and gold fish/cheese itzs every day for lunch (which they counted out a serving btw LOL). This became known as their 1 on 1 time:) Kelly still lives in NYC like Stephanie and keeping tradition, they are lucky to see each other often for their 1 on 1 time! They currently eat their gold fish/cheese itzs by the handfuls:)
Brendan Raleigh
Groomsman
Bren was childhood pals with Bobby's brother, Jordan, and is the younger brother of Mike Raleigh. Bobby and Bren spent much of their youth together, usually playing and talking about basketball or playing Madden in one of their basements. Their friendship has somehow survived their staunch disagreement in the LeBron vs Kobe and Jay Z vs Nas arguments, which is a true testament. Bren's commitment to his friends can seen vividly in his frequent visits to DC and NYC to visit Bobby over the years. Sadly, Bren may not be able to join us as him and Colleen are expecting their firstborn. Bobby and Bren are true friends who bond over their similar philosophical outlooks and their love of deep cut, random hip hop. CHEA!!!
Melissa DiDio
Bridesmaid
First day on the job in NYC, Stephanie and Melissa met and quickly became friends after Melissa was the only one to bet on Stephanie in a chugging contest (which Stephanie won btw but Melissa did not share the winnings!.) You will often hear them refer to each other as DiDio and Whits. Later these two lived four years together where they claimed they were adopting a baby, Sue Lorraine DiWhits, and getting two dogs, Roger and Dorota. Once they were no longer roommates, Stephanie would keep the baby and DiDio the dogs. Sounds normal right? LOL They both are currently UES neighbors and gym buddies but with no baby or dogs:)
Dustin Schiavi
Groomsman
Bobby and Dustin were fraternity brothers at GW and were good friends in DC. Their friendship really grew when they both moved to Manhattan (Dustin's hometown) immediately after college. Dustin graciously brought Bobby into his group of friends from NY and Bobby has spent more time with him than anyone else over the last decade. Former roommates on the Upper East Side, the two have spent many vacations, golf outings, Yankees games and lazy days watching sports together. After Bobby bounced around neighborhoods in NYC, he settled back in the UES, three blocks from Dustin, Jennie and their dog Tia. Very importantly, Dustin introduced Bobby and Stephanie (Dustin's co-worker) one fateful night on the UES. For that, Bobby has to forever be thankful.
Melissa Pavone
Bridesmaid
These two met in an Opera Lit class their Sophomore year at JMU. Stephanie offered Melissa some gummy bears and when Melissa accepted, she ended up pulling out a quarter from the bag LOL (Gross I know!). Passing no judgement, Melissa still decided to be friends with Stephanie and there is an ongoing joke about how Stephanie pays Melissa to be her friend:) These two have been able to remain close even though Melissa lives out east on Long Island. They get together as much as they can, especially for summer Hampton visits!
Sam Rosner
Groomsman
Bobby and Sam met and instantly clicked shortly after Bobby moved to NYC. They became roommates (along with Dustin) in the UES when Bobby began working. Hailing from Columbus, OH, Sam has been a constant dose of the Midwestern humility, dependability and friendship throughout Bobby's time in NYC. Bobby and Sam share many interests, from Fetty Wap to low-conference D1 college basketball teams, and have been inseparable buddies watching sports of all shapes and sizes for the last decade. Sam and Christy have been great friends to Bobby over the years, and the thought of them leaving NYC soon is devastating for us all.
Michelle Poh
Bridesmaid
Michelle and Stephanie’s friendship started with their love of the Yankees. For a few years they had Yankee Friday season tickets along with DiDio and they always found some crazy fun shenanigans to get into. They love screaming/singing/dancing and acting a fool together:) Stephanie supports Michelle when she decides a Yankee Popcorn Bowl makes for a good hat and Michelle supports Stephanie when she demands everyone go around in a circle and scream they are a Party Animal! Michelle lives on the beach outside NYC and Stephanie loves going over for some good ole home cooking from Shellz!
Rico Tribuzzi
Groomsman
Bobby and Rico grew up together and graduated from East Aurora High School the same year. Bobby and Rico remained friends after HS, and when Rico moved to NY in 2011, the two became roommates. They moved in together in the Lower East Side, where they lived in a hilariously small, yet awesome apartment for two years. The smooth jazz of Rico's legendary trumpet skills soothed Bobby and Rico's journey into their late 20's. Rico is a reliable, caring friend who lights up every room he is in. Rico has always been there for Bobby, and it is deeply appreciated. They share many of the same interests, and Rico is exception at talking Bobby off of metaphorical ledges, when need be. Rico and Alyssa are great friends and we are very lucky to have them with us in NYC.
Ritu Deygoo
Bridesmaid
They like to say Papa Deloitte brought them together! Ritu (aka Marwah) and Stephanie met at Deloitte and started to become close after they played a pretend game show during their lunch break LOL. Some may call it weird but when Ritu moved on the other side of the floor at work they would IM each other “gotta go” and meet multiple times a day for their bathroom breaks LOL. They are both super corny which they think is awesome! It’s totally normal to make matching T-shirts for a Kaskade concert in your late 20s:) They have been known as the “Three Musketeers” along with their pal DiDio. Ritu still lives in NYC, which Stephanie loves:)
Andrew O'Donnell
Groomsman
Andrew is Bobby's longest friend. Bobby and Andrew were tied at the hip from 1st Grade on forward. In their early years, their version of skiing would be going straight down every hill, never turning, with no poles. They moved on to snowboarding around 5th grade, and made pacts to never miss a single day at their ski resort over numerous years. Over their 100s of sleepovers, they played countless games of chess and Brain Quest trivia, and lamented their countless failings during middle school dances at the Boys' and Girls' Club. Bobby and Andrew are always ecstatic to see one another, and have a special bond. Even when too long goes by without getting in touch, they pick up like they were still 8 years old. We aspire to be a family with the love and joy of Andrew, Emma and Ada.
James Fitchett& Ashton DaSilva
Usher
Our favorite nephews! Always there to put a smile on your face. Full of love and laughter! We love our buddies:)
Otis Raleigh
Ring Bearer
Otis, Mike Raleigh and Marj McAllister's 3 year old son, will be the ring bearer at our ceremony. Otis brings so much joy to us and we miss him so much. He is a John Deere loving ball of joy, and we are thankful that he will help us on our big day.
Whitley DaSilva
Flower Girl
The newest addition to the family! Isn't she the cutest!!! We love her!