Dianne and Tori
Wedding Party
Tori Leahy
Bride
Written by Dianne - Tori is my favorite person in my life. She is my best friend, my adventure bestie, my personal cheerleader, and most importantly my beautiful wife. I love and cherish every moment we have together, no matter how small or how big those moments are. I love when we have our moments where my heart feels all the love we have and I start to cry and say "pinch me" to know that its real. I know our love is real and raw. I love how our love story started, and I knew you are the one that God made for me. I can't wait to marry you again, in front of our Family and Friends. I Love You Most!
Dianne Opulento
Bride
Written by Tori - Dianne is the most important person in my life. I am so happy that I won't ever have to have a big moment without her. I am so happy that I have her to make my little moments bigger. We have actual moments where we will look at each other and be so happy we both say oh no I'm gonna cry, ok I'm crying. I have never been this happy in my life ever. I love her so much. Thank you babe for asking to marry me, I will marry you over and over and over again. Love you more!
Tiffany Schmidt
Matron of Honor
Tiffany and Tori met in 2006 when they both moved into Belk Dorm at UNCP. Tiff lived with Tori for 2 solid years in the same room in college which is longer than Dianne has at the time of engagement haha Through the years the friendship had its moments where they didn't talk as much but when Tori moved back out east they went right back to the sister love that they had before. Tiffany and her family took Tori in during the pandemic and made her apart of their family. "Without Tiffany's love and support the pandemic would have been completely unbearable. I am so grateful for all that her and her family did for me, and I know I will never be able to repay them. Having Tiff at my engagement meant the world to me, I love that her and Dianne get along because both are never leaving my life!"
Ali Foote
Maid of Honor
This incredible woman did come to the legal wedding and really helped to make what was a small elopement feel like a real wedding which we didn't know how badly we wanted. We first met in a motorcycle girls group meet up and we quickly became best friends. She was there when I first matched with Tori and has been my "other wife" through my whole relationship. My first Christmas in San Diego after what was one of the worst years of my life she invited me into her mom's home and shared the holiday with me. We both started working with Harley at the same time and I now have the best travel friend of all time. Riding with your best friend through backroads all over the country, is so special, magical, I can't imagine doing it with anyone else. Ali is not the oldest friend but has truly added so much love and value to my life since it was turned upside down. I am so happy to call her my Maid of Honor!
George (Buddy) Linville
Bridesman
Buddy, where do we start. Tori and Buddy met in the 4th grade when Buddy moved into the neighborhood. The friendship started to grow sometime in middle school and by high school wherever Buddy was Tori wasn't far behind. It did get to a point where all Tori would have to tell her parents is that Buddy was going and boom it was ok. "I don't even know what to say about my friendship with Buddy haha he never got me into trouble haha but man did he try. A lot of my best memories from my childhood include him and he has stayed a friend in my life for over 25 years. I am so grateful for him and cannot imagine my big day without him next to me."
Ronald Nichols
Bridesman
Where do I begin...He is my younger brother. When we were younger I would help take care of him, people would think he was my kid since I was 16 when he was born. It hurt so much when he left for Montana at age 2. When he returned, I made sure to attend every event he had which mostly included bowling, he was a great bowler for his age. He now is 21 and is always there for me when I need him. He has helped me move twice, complained a bit but he showed up and got it done. He calls me for relationship advice and shares with me his life struggles. I help him through work issues and I try to help him with the ladies but boy doesn't listen to me haha I do love that he asks though. Thank you bro for always showing up when I need you, our family is strong and I will always show up for you as well. Love you
Katie Paladino
Bridesmaid
I have known Katie for a ridiculously long time. Well over 2 decades, closer to 3 decades at this point. We are not always in the same place at the same time, that has been a constant in our friendship. We also make time for each other, and always have, another constant. She is the only friend I have traveled to another country with, I value that time we had so much. I cannot have my big party without her so when I did ask her to be my bridesmaid, of course, she yelled at me and let me know that if she wasn't in my wedding she would have been offended. It was the perfect answer from my OLDEST friend :)
Regina Perez
Bridesmaid
Regina has been my best friend since I was 12 years old. She helped me to step out of my shell and made my childhood memorable. Countless hours of balling it up and listening to hip-hop and R & B music. She encouraged me to be myself and helped me to have the courage to dance in a crowd of people. No matter the distance or years apart we still have a really strong friendship. I know that if I call on Regina she would be there for me no matter what. When you talk to her you can tell she truly cares about you, its a skill that I cherish in her. She got my wife drunk at our first wedding, cannot wait to party with her at this one! I can't picture not having you by my side for my wedding.
Cherie Salisbury
Bridesmaid
Oh how do I define my friendship with Cherie well I know I won her over in a month haha See her birthday is February and mine is March and in the 6th grade I didn't go to her birthday party but she came to mine! To clarify I was not invited to her party but its ok, I am over it now, kind of... bottom line I would do anything for her, including spending 3 months in Alabama with her pets while she picks up her new family from Hungary. I didn't miss her wedding and I wouldn't be able to have mine without her. Although she will remind me for the rest of our lives how I did do the legal one without her. I guess we are even now haha
Joza Burnam
Bridesmaid
Joza was one of the first friends I made in Long Beach. Enjoyed having many dinners and family outings during my time in Long Beach. She was with me through what was one of the worst points of my life and has always had my back through those tough times. She made me feel like I was apart of her family and I cannot wait for her to move to my new city Las Vegas and continue our foodie adventures. I truly value our friendship and cannot imagine having my big day without her.
Becky Schmidt
Bridesmaid
Tori met Becky through Tiffany, if you cannot tell they are sisters. When Tori first met Becky she was in middle school so this friendship took off after Tori moved back to the east coast. While its not as long of a friendship they have still known each other since 2007 when Tori came home with Tiff for spring break. As it turns out they both have the same taste in humans as both Tori's partner and Becky's have a love for motorcycles and Legos. To be clear Tori and Becky also have a shared love of all things Disney and board games, generally around Disney villain's haha. "Becky and me became so close when I moved back, it got to the point where I was going to Tiffs but then staying at Becky's. We just have so many common interests and I really cannot wait to have her up there with me when I say I do"
Vickie Martin
Bridesmaid
Vickie took me in when I needed someone most. Not only was she my pandemic family, but she was the one to lend an ear and a shoulder to cry on during my hardest days. Couldn't imagine getting through the pandemic without you. I would not be where I am today without the support and friendship that she gave me. She drove down to be there when I proposed to Tori. Thank you so much for all you have done for me, for all the support you have provided me over the years. I need you with me at this big event and I cannot wait to celebrate with you.