The Richardsons
Wedding Party
Rev. Michael Yarbrough
Officiant
How lucky are we to have been wed by family? Derin's cousin Michael was one of our guests of honor, having flown all the way from Birmingham, Alabama to conduct our ceremony!
Froilan
Bride Escort
Donn's "favorite uncle" and god father escorted her down the aisle. More than just a proxy to her late father Chory J. Gruta, Froilan is a big influence in her life. As the younger brother of her mother and first close relative to migrate to California, Froilan helped her and her mother find their footing in the U.S. and quickly became the strongest male figure in Donn’s life. In fact, he was Donn’s legal guardian during middle school! It was a memorable period in her life where Froilan packed her lunch every morning, helped with homework and imparted valuable life skills that made her strong and independent early on. It was an absolute privilege that he obliged to give Donn away on her special day.
Violet
Mother of the Bride
Donn's mother accompanied her to all the wedding-related appointments and had been very present for her eldest daughter's wedding preparation. If you heard her referring to Donn as "Donut," she'll explain -- it's a pet name she's called Donn since she was a little girl.
Bridget
Mother of the Groom
Derin's mom prepared all the fun wedding details for her first born son. Here's a cool tidbit: she likes to give collective nicknames to couples and calls the Derin and Donn duo her "turtledoves."
Alice
Sponsor / Godparent
A wedding godparent offers guidance and support as the couple enters married life. Alice is Donn's mother's close friend when they were in their late 20s! She is also Donn's baptism godparent. Although she left the Philippines for the U.S. when Donn was a baby, Donn's mother always talked about her. She's a figure Donn remembers vividly from her mother's stories growing up. After getting reacquainted, Donn realized "Tita Alice" is not only a smart and bold character, but she can show Derin up at karaoke too!
Nancy
Sponsor / Godparent
A wedding godparent offers guidance and support as the couple enters married life. Nancy married Donn's uncle in 2017 -- a celebration in which she asked Donn to be her Maid of Honor. She's a hip but classy lady whom Donn and Derin have spent many holidays with. She's someone whose company the couple truly enjoys and whose judgment they respect.
Grace
Sponsor / Godparent
A wedding godparent offers guidance and support as the couple enters married life. "Tita Grace," as Donn calls her, is both Donn's boss and trusted auntie. One of Donn and Derin's fondest memories with her was playing boardgames with her family at her house! Not only does she offer great practical life advice, but there's never a dull moment when she's around!
David
Best Man
David is Derin’s one and only brother. Long before Derin met Donn, he knew there was no other person fit to be his Best Man. The two share the same interests in technology, video game culture, funny cringe memes and a good quality steak. David has expressed that being in this role for his older sibling is nothing short of an honor for him, but Derin feels he’s the one who lucked out with getting a sibling and best friend in one.
Jerred
Groomsman
Jerred is Derin’s younger cousin, but he might as well be his other younger brother as well. Derin fondly remembers the naughty kid Jerred was, but couldn’t be more proud of the stand-up man he has become. It was an honor to have this future University of California alum to be Derin’s groomsman on his wedding day!
Emmanuel
Groomsman
Emmanuel is Derin’s older cousin, oldest friend and perfect partner-in-crime! When Derin was in high school, Emmanuel got his driver’s license first and would pick Derin up for a cruise. Those were exciting times, using their newfound independence to go to the movies, amusement parks or anywhere they wanted. Nowadays, Derin and this entrepreneur/family man remain close. Derin was happy to add to the repertoire of good memories with Emmanuel as his groomsman!
Arking
Groomsman
Arking is Derin’s brother-in-law, and he deeply appreciates his taste in food, men’s fashion and cars. There’s no better person to bring to the couple’s wedding food tasting than “The King.” You can thank him for the yummy hors d'oeuvres, starters, and main course selections served on our wedding day!
Chory
Groomsman
Chory is Derin’s new brother-in-law, and he truly values his knowledge in everything from technology to coffee. He’s the youngest of the Gruta boys, but he’s strong-willed and passionate. Derin’s favorite memories with him were exploring the city of Chicago and Joshua Tree National Park.
Emily Rose
Maid of Honor
Emily and Donn met through their mothers, who were coworkers and good friends since their mid-20s. From the moment they were "forced" to talk to each other in their preteens, they bonded and gained a friend they can lean on at every phase of their lives. They've labeled each other "Human Diary" and have a friendship more akin to being "sisters from different mothers." Fun Fact: They're weddings are three months apart and are each other's Maids of Honor!
Cynthia
Matron of Honor
Cynthia wrote on Donn's senior yearbook that they'll probably be grandmas still causing ruckus, racing each other's wheelchairs down a hill. While they're still far from that reality, we can count 17+ years of friendship as good progress! The two bonded in 10th grade PE class and had since become a constant in each other's lives. These ladies have shared and grown through life's phases, whether it was their teenage years, time in college, early career and building their own families. From the highlights to the mundane, through thick and thin, this one's a gem and a true MOH-level type of friend.
Manilyn
Bridesmaid
Manilyn (or "Manny from the Block" as the Y2K version of herself would say) is a friend Donn has known since their early teens -- but only over the phone at first! Their 43-mile long distance friendship finally became an in-person one when Manilyn got her driver's license and car. Since then, their lives have intersected at many points, most notably with going to Las Vegas at least 4x a year in their early 20s! Manny and Donn have been supportive and present in each other's lives, getting through tough times and celebrating many of life's milestones. On September 3rd, the two added another big one on the list!
Vilma
Bridesmaid
Vilma and Donn have a friendship rooted in trust, fun memories and getting through many daring situations alongside each other! While she was a year Donn's senior in high school, the two crossed paths and clicked! They supported and egged each other on for a good part of their early adulthood. At one point, they were coworkers, roommates, party friends and daytime friends all at once! To this day, they continue to be present when it matters most. The friendship they have is one with many vibrant layers held together by a special bond only they understand. She's a day-one friend through and through. Donn was ecstatic to have had Vilma stand by her on her big day!
Savanna
Bridesmaid
Savanna is Donn's step-cousin, but she proudly claims her as "first cousin" because who wouldn't want to be related to this classy and sassy fashionista! With Donn being surrounded by two boys growing up, she appreciates Savanna's fresh take on things. Plus, she's always a pleasure to be around. Granted that she's an only child (and basically the heiress to her mom's thriving business), she's not afraid to get her hands dirty to become a trailblazer in her own right. Donn's favorite memories with Savanna include their family trips to Hawaii and Joshua Tree. Now we can add their bachelorette party trip in Mexico to the list!
Marinel
Bridesmaid
Marinel is Manilyn’s sibling whom each person in the group has now adopted as their own little sis. Donn and Marinel have bonded through long car rides from LA to Vegas, being present for each other’s life events and randomly sharing skincare routines. She’s also got the playlist, speakers and bottle of Don Julio 1942 for any occasion! Marinel is a couple years younger than us but she’s fierce, blunt and honest. One of her best traits is she won’t let you walk around with uneven makeup without letting you know and helping you fix it — a mark of a good quality friend!
Thamara
Bridesmaid
Tammy and Donn met through mutual friends during their college years. It started with group activities and food runs that evolved into heart-to-heart wine nights and vacations. She's a thoughtful friend who checks in whenever it's been a while, would do random Tim Tam challenges with you or bring you a plate of Halal Guys or Levain cookies -- sealed and hand-carried from New York to Los Angeles -- all because you told her you craved it. Donn would describe Tammy (or Tamskie, as Donn refers to her) as one of the friends who’ll show up for you and lend a shoulder when you need it most. She makes the perfect boba buddy and bridesmaid in one!
Zaw
Flower Man / Bridesman
Zaw and Donn met at a birthday celebration for his pet Poochy, whom he dresses up and throws a party for every year. He has a soft and warm personality, but just add a bit of tequila and he quickly becomes the life of the party! He is forever young at heart. Donn thought asking him to become “flower man” is absolutely fitting as he’s got a way with expressing himself with fresh blooms and a good soundtrack. Donn is so happy he accepted her proposal asking him to take on this very important role!
Cruz & Dom
Ring Bearers
Cruz is the super cute baby boy of Donn’s Matron of Honor, Cynthia. He was accompanied down the aisle by his father, Dominic.
Crystal
Official Witness 1
Crystal is Derin's youngest aunt. They're only a decade apart in age, which is why the two of them got to form a strong bond. She's a flying in from North Carolina for her eldest nephew's wedding and to sign their marriage certificate as Official Witness.
Rabiya
Official Witness 2
Rabiya is Donn's closest friend and confidante from college. The two share so many memories from being neighbors, carpool partners, classmate, eating partner and fellow college newspaper editors. She flew in from Washington for their wedding and to sign their marriage certificate as an Official Witness!