Wedding Party
Angie Winter
Matron of Honor
Angie and Leah first met in 2014 when they both taught preschool. The chaos of teaching 3 year olds allowed them to quickly bond, and it wasn't long before they became each other's go-to person for camping, hiking, dancing, and deep conversations. Despite now living in different states, Angie and Leah communicate constantly - be it to share words of encouragement as they each navigated graduate degrees, vent, or send a cute cat snapchat
Erik Veliz
Best Man
The friendship between Alan and Erik dates back many moons, meeting in dorms of the esteemed University of Northern Iowa. While they only lived together for a semester, Alan and Erik have a codex of adventures ranging from coffee runs, nature walks, and recovering from vertigo. While some methods were questionable, they helped put each other in the best position to be prepared for life, love, and happiness. Alan knew Erik had to be his best man and Erik thinks that Alan is a great man (perhaps not best) and each is very proud and happy for the other's successes. Though neither is very sentimental, both Alan and Erik acknowledge that they have managed to build a great friendship.
Emily DeGrazia
Bridesmaid
Emily encompasses everything perfect about a big sister and role model- she is thoughtful and kind, fun and adventurous, supportive, and full of timely sisterly wisdom. Leah wouldn't be half the person she is today without Emily's influence and love. Though sisters by chance, Emily and Leah are friends and confidantes by choice.
Song Duong
Groomswoman
Song and Alan matched on Tinder and the rest is history. ... as in, he fell in love with her dog and they became best friends.
Emily Stock
Bridesmaid
Inseparable since kindergarten, Emily and Leah have been friends for 26 years and counting. Their early friendship solidified with hours in the car having heart to hearts driving to and from French Horn and figure skating lessons. As adults, their heart to hearts are now held over a bottle of wine and a card game - a routine that they undoubtedly will maintain for another 26 years.
Mike Chain
Groomsman
Mike and Alan met in high school playing World of Warcraft. Mike's dad played an important role in Alan's life by introducing him to his favorite sandwich, the banh mi. Though they don't play WoW or talk on the phone as much anymore, Alan is glad Mike is his friend.
Tia Thompson
Bridesmaid
Tia and Leah have been each other's Right Hand (wo)Man since high school and Tia has always been Non-Stop. A brilliant senior network engineer, Tia doesn't Wait for It. She somehow manages to Blow Us All Away with insane work schedules and still manages to Take a Break to play the piano for fun, host game nights, and is always Satisfied with an evening of Hamilton karaoke. WORK.
William Trigg
Groomsman
Online friends for over a decade, Alan and Will only met in person for the first time in September of 2019 when William visited Minnesota. Even though Alan totaled his car the day before Will arrived and they needed Leah to pick them up after getting kicked out of a bar-cade, the trip was a success and solidified their foundation for a lifelong friendship.
Dante DeGrazia
Bridesman
Like many siblings, Leah and Dante grew up fighting tooth and nail. Fortunately (for both them and their mother), they eventually decided that they actually liked each other and had lots in common. Now they share a love of music and shows, dancing to boppy music, and sending each other photos of their cats. Dante is the best baby brother and Leah loves that she gets to be a big sister and friend to this goof.
Leah Mariblanca
Groomswoman
Leah is the shorter Mariblanca sibling, but makes up for it in voice volume and personality. Alan would like to make it very clear that he is not marrying this Leah, but actually the other Leah. All jokes aside, Alan is very grateful that he gets to celebrate his wedding with his big sister by his side.
Lindsey House
Honor Attendant
Lindsey and Leah bonded in college over a mutual love of books and cats... and a shared panic about learning Ancient GRΣΣK. Though strewn with textbooks, ancient language flash cards, and gigantic dictionaries, Leah and Lindsey's college apartment was nevertheless also filled with goofy laughter, inside jokes, and singing. 10 years later, that love and laughter is still going strong.
Madeline Behfar
Junior Bridesmaid
Madeline is as funny as she is feisty, as smart as she is silly, and as determined as she is delightful. Madeline crushes anything she puts her mind to - from school to rowing to kitchen table debates - and Leah knows that being a junior bridesmaid will be no different.
Serena Behfar
Junior Bridesmaid
As fellow middle children, Leah and Serena have always shared a bond. Never one to mince words, Serena made very clear to Leah early in her relationship with Alan that Serena expected Leah to work through any long-distance difficulties and ensure that Alan would stick around. Leah is glad she listened to Serena's sage advice.
Rickey Young
Junior Groomsman
The best nephew around... even though he doesn't let Alan win at basketball. Alan, or "Unc," is glad that Rickey will be part of his wedding and hopes that Rickey will come visit Minnesota more often.
Leila Behfar
Flower Girl
It's a little known fact that Leila officiated a wedding for Alan and Leah a few years ago in a pool. Though not technically legally binding, it was a sweet way of letting Alan know that Leila expected him to be part of the family. Leila is the only other person who can keep up with Alan's affinity for cartwheels.