Charlene & Ryan
Wedding Party
Charlene Garcia
Bride
To sum it up for those who don't know: Born and reside: NYC High School: Benjamin N. Cardozo H.S. College/Nursing School: University of Delaware Was a NICU nurse for 5 years, 3 of them as a travel nurse (NYC, Houston, Seattle). Now an adult oncology ICU nurse at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. Actively traveled the world since 13 years old with school trips, then evolved to solo backpacking trips to Europe and Asia. Visited 27 countries, 100+ cities (and counting!). Favorite achievement was climbing Mount Fuji and watching the sun rise. Big Mets and Roger Federer fan. Unreasonably obsessed with movie theater popcorn. Carried a giant in my belly for 9 months, now I feed him and love him. Been a visible extra/audience member in 5 different TV shows. Left-handed, but pitch with my right.
Ryan Hochreiter
Groom
To those who don't know me: I grew up in a small town called LeRoy, NY. It's part of what's called 'Upstate' to folks from Southern New York. I've always been the tallest no matter where I go. My official height is 6'5" or 195.5cm. I used to play basketball. I studied Mechanical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. Lived in Ithaca, NY and Erie, PA before Long Island where I accepted a job after college. I've moved 8 times. Seattle has been my favorite destination so far. Exploring new places and restaurants is among my favorite things to do. I'm a huge Yankees and Liverpool fan. Video games are a big part of my life as it's helped me stay connected with my friends. I'm excited for the next chapter in our lives and that we get to share it with our little man Lucas.
Stephanie Dagdagan
Maid of Honor
Charlene and I were destined to become best friends since the day we born. We were inseparable as kids and became even more inseparable as adults. Even though she moved to Seattle for a bit (Thanks, Ryan) she has always been my go-to person for anything and everything. We’ve been in each other’s lives throughout every milestone and she’s seen me through every bad haircut, fashion phase, and choice in men. Charlene has continuously been the friend that I could count on the most and supportive through whatever crazy endeavor I suddenly have. I love this girl so much and so excited and beyond grateful to be part of their special day! Side note: If you want to strike up a conversation, find me on the dancefloor and ask me about which is the superior boy band: NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys.
Steve Gately
Best Man
I’ve known Hoch ever since he switched over to our school in 7th grade. I’d consider both of us to be on the more reserved side compared to some of are other classmates (Joe Included), but we definitely don’t have any problems when it comes to cracking a few good jokes. Hoch has been one of my great friends for years now and I know that Charlene is a great addition to his life. He has grown from playing games with the guys after school to raising a boy of his own, who he swears will be better than all of us someday. I can’t wait to see how much happens for Hoch and Charlene and am honored to be a part of this day and a part of their future.
Solomon Yakubov
Man of Honor
Solomon is one of Charlene’s best friends/foes from high school. They met freshman year in English class; traveled to England, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Thailand together; and led volunteer efforts together liaising with the Red Cross of Greater NYC chapter. Regardless of where life brought Charlene, whether Delaware or Washington, the duo have remained close friends/foes. Solomon currently lives in Brooklyn, NY where he works in the Clinical Research sector and spoils baby Lucas whenever possible
Joe Novak
Groomsman
Hi, Im Joe. I'm the loud friend, and the fun one (I think). I like yelling at the t.v. when the Bills disappoint me. Also I can spell Hoch's last name right, I'm not going to, but still. Me and Hoch have been friends since middle school, right around the time the Yankees won the World Series. We've played 3 years of baseball together and spent too much time playing video games since then. But now, it's time to turn the page into the next chapter of his life. Charlene and Lucas have changed him for the better, and I know he will be a great husband and an even better Dad. I can't wait to be a part of Hoch and Charlene's big day!
Afreen Shaikh
Bridesmaid
Charlene and I first met at Bellevue Hospital when she started as a new nurse. She had such a fun and charismatic personality that I knew then we would become friends. It’s been years since then and she has grown to be one of my favorite people! We have been together on some amazing trips, some crazy ups and downs in our lives but even through the lows she has always been so positive, so wonderful and so real. Char is my 4am friend! She possesses some qualities that are rare to find together in an individual. I feel blessed to have Charlene in my life and honored to call her a friend. I am extremely happy that she has found someone equally amazing as her. Can’t wait to celebrate this special day with them.
Kyle Hochreiter
Groomsman
I'm Kyle, I am Ryan’s older brother. Ryan and I grew up enjoying a lot of the same things. We both loved sports especially Baseball and we both played as much as we could. Once Ryan was in college I started to notice him become more outgoing and adventurous. He started becoming more interested in travel and he took solo trips to Europe something I never thought he would do. When I met Charlene for the first time just before my wedding I could tell that she was the one for him. I believe she helped him grow even more and become more confident and outgoing. Now I get to see Ryan grow more as a Father and I get to be an Uncle which I think is so cool. Seeing Ryan continue to grow has been awesome and I am so proud of him and can’t wait to see what the future brings for Ryan and Charlene.
Kiki Nakos
Bridesmaid
Charlene was the very first friend I made in high school- in a school of over 4,000 people, what are the chances the first person I connected with would be a lifelong friend? While we bonded in Mr. Zarinsky’s freshman English class, sophomore year we were roommates on the England, Ireland, and Wales trip and there was no turning back from there. From traveling the world together, to doing community service together, to playing sports together, to running clubs together; Char and I were unstoppable. She is a little fireball who is not to be underestimated, and is one of the greatest inspirations in my life! I am so happy for her and Ryan and can’t wait to be a part of their special day!
Ben Bliss
Groomsman
Benjamin Bliss is an illustrator from Rochester New York living in Stamford CT with fellow groomsman Tyler Murtha. Ben spends most of his time enjoying and being inspired by movies, video games, books, and the everyday life of the city. In the future, Ben hopes to co-own a company with his friends, creating content for advertisements, entertainment and television, or social media. Ben pretends to be a funny guy, sometimes he is but if he's not you can feel free to tell him. Ben loves Ryan and Charlene and is excited to make a fool of himself on the dancefloor...for their benefit of course.
Leah Bartlett
Bridesmaid
I think it speaks volumes that Charlene & I met in a bathroom. We ran into each other on "Decision Day" as soon-to-be HS graduates who both wound up attending UD the following school year. When we randomly got assigned as roommates - out of all the freshmen - I knew it was fate. Char & I have been through some of the most hilarious, most awkward, most difficult, most transformative experiences of our lives together as we grew into people our freshman year SNUD selves would be proud of. Char is one of my biggest inspirations to be a better everything; I am so grateful to this force of nature for inspiring me to always fight. Char has been eagerly & enthusiastically standing by my side for 10 years & it is an honor to be able to stand next to her as she says, "I do" to the rest of her life.
Tyler Murtha
Groomsman
I met Ryan Michael in the halls of LeRoy Jr/Sr High School. The best class we took together was definitely Computer Integrated Manufacturing. We learned many important things in this class like how to cheat at euchre, make a treasure chest without a lid, and that Joe was apparently a better engineer than us who went on to get engineering degrees. I can't wait for Baby Lucas to grow up so that I can teach him how to deal from the bottom of the deck. That way he'll always have an edge over his father. Until then, I wish Ryan Michael and Charlene best of luck in this new chapter of their lives!
Janelle Garcia
Flower Girl
Standing at a whopping 4’11”, Janelle was born to be the role of Charlene’s flower girl. Charlene wisely designated this prime position to her favorite sister in the whole wide world. Janelle has always dreamed of going down the aisle and sprinkling red, silk roses amongst the beautiful guests as the wedding march crescendos in the background. As one of the most, if not THE most, important person in the bridal party, Janelle looks forward to throwing the flowers up to the heavens and raising the roof to let God bear witness to such a momentous occasion. Feel free to cheer and shed tears of joy as Janelle paves the way for her dear sister to embark on a new chapter with her mans.
Lucas Hochreiter
Ring Bearer
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