Wedding Party
Julia Kendzierski
Maid of Honor
Julia is Carlye's oldest and best friend. They met at All That Jazz Dance Studio when they were in middle school and became close when they discovered their shared love of Marvel movies. To this day, they never see a Marvel movie without the other. They're never out of touch as they have an ongoing text thread that has no beginning, middle, or end. Carlye has never met a funnier person and cannot imagine going through her wedding without Julia by her side!
Ralph Veenema
Best Man
As Derek's older brother, Ralph and Derek spent much of their time together while growing up in Rocky Hill, CT. They enjoyed swimming in the pool, playing backyard baseball, going to the movies, playing video games, and much, much more. As adults, you will most likely find them together at a concert, a Red Sox game, or hanging out at the park with Ralph's three sons.
Sarah Neski
Bridesmaid
There's a mom in every friend group, and Sarah is quintessential Mom! Carlye met her during their freshman year at Fairfield University. Sarah was one of the main reasons Carlye survived college. Her generosity, kindness, and wisdom are unparalleled. One of their best memories was during their semester abroad (Carlye in Florence and Sarah in Madrid). Pictured above is their trip to Barcelona for Sarah's 21st birthday!
Anthony Gioco
Groomsman
When Derek was not hanging out with his older brother Ralph, you'd probably find him with his younger cousin and best friend Anthony Gioco. Anthony and Derek spent many days growing up together bonding over their love for model trains and building LEGO sets. Anthony's impressive model train layout and Derek's LEGO creations made for time well spent. It's no wonder that Anthony's profession includes designing railroads and Derek is a construction manager.
Jennifer Schwartz
Bridesmaid
Jenny is another one of Carlye's best friends from college! They met second semester of freshman year after Jenny transferred to Fairfield from Quinnipiac. Carlye is extremely lucky that Jenny transferred; if she'd never met Jenny, she would have missed out on one of the sweetest and funniest human beings in the world! Jenny is now a pediatric APRN and is known as Nurse Jenny in the group chat. She's Carlye's go-to for medical questions and for a good time!
Thomas Saunders
Groomsman
Tommy is Derek's oldest best friend. Derek and Tommy met in preschool and lived on the same street growing up. Tommy was a track star in middle school and high school and currently coaches high school track. When not coaching track, you'll most likely find Tommy with friends and family enjoying a hot meal at the famous Mitchell's Coffee House. In March 2020, Derek flew out to Colorado to help move Tommy and all of his belongings back to Connecticut. The two drove back home in Tommy's Ford Ranger with a trailer in tow. It was a cross-country trip for the ages.
Lauren Cicchetti
Bridesmaid
Another Fairfield alum, Lauren was Sarah, Jenny, and Carlye's unofficial fourth roommate their senior year of college. Lauren is one of the funniest and quick-witted minds you'll ever meet. She can quote any line from John Mulaney's comedy specials PERFECTLY and deliver it with the same humor and energy as JM himself. No wedding party would be complete without Lauren!
Thompson Hunt
Groomsman
Thompson and Derek met in Kindergarten and have been best friends ever since. Thom is an avid frisbee player and competed with the George Washington University ultimate frisbee club. During the summer breaks, Thom and Derek organized weeknight pick-up games with their hometown friends. Their friendship grew despite the distance between them as Derek would make the drive from CT down to DC and Thom vice versa. Thom, being the great friend that he is, would gladly make room in his schedule for a weekend in the Capital City where they would enjoy the finest dive bars and breweries DC has to offer.
Bethany Gray
Bridesmaid
Rounding out the Fairfield crew is Bette, Carlye's roomie for life. The best thing Fairfield ever did was randomly assign Bette and Carlye as roommates their freshman year. Not every roommate situation works out, but this one did. Carlye and Bette were inseparable during their life together at Fairfield. Anytime they reunite now, it's like being back in that freshman dorm room, both of them laughing together until they can't breathe. They're "roomies for lyfe!"
Nicholas Caruso
Groomsman
Nick and Derek met in Elementary school but did not truly start "hanging out" until junior/senior year of high school. Nick currently lives in Concord, NH, and enjoys hiking and rock climbing in the Great White Mountains. In their post-college years, Derek and Nick bonded over weekends hiking the New Hampshire 4000-footers and critiquing hysterically bad movies (sharing many laughs in the process). In the winter of 2018, Nick, Derek and Tommy suited up in full mountaineering gear and made the 6,288-foot ascent up Mount Washington braving the mountain's notorious brutal winter weather 🥶.
Nicole Becker
Bridesmaid
As of May 2024, Nicole is Carlye's sister-in-law. Carlye didn't realize how badly she wanted a sister until she met Nicole. Nicole has been an integral part of Mazzucco family vacations since she introduced eggs a la Becker (scrambled eggs with salsa) to us during the Bar Harbor vacation of 2020. Carlye and Nicole love drinking wine and making jokes about Carlye's brother/Nicole's husband together. Carlye enjoyed being beside Nicole for her wedding, and she can't wait for Nicole to stand beside her in October!
Tanner Kahre
Groomsman
Long time friend and former roommate, Tanner and Derek met the first week of college at Central Connecticut State University in Hard Hittin' New Britain, CT, and have been friends ever since. Tanner and Derek lived in Catherine Beecher residence hall where they would make many friends within the appropriately named Beecher Crew friend group. However, Tanner and Derek did not room together until they landed an apartment on High Street in Middletown long after their CCSU undergrad years were over. There they would continue the college-level shenanigans enjoying the bachelor pad life in the north end of Middletown. Of course, all good things must come to an end as Tanner and Derek moved on from the upscale apartment life and transitioned over to homeownership. Worry not as both only live just minutes across town from each other in their 'fixer-upper' homes and are still enjoying the Middletown life.
Nina Paradis
Ring Bearer
Benjamin Veenema
Flower Boy