Wedding Party

Jacob de Castro

Groom

Zulfiya Tashpulatova

Bride

Mohamad (Mo) Ballan

Best Man

Still can't believe someone will have to call him "doctor" one day. He has known Jacob since freshman year of college and has been his closest friend for 10 long, long years. They always make fun of each other and are in constant competition, which makes him the obvious choice for Best Man. For some reason, they keep ending up in the same school or training program, and they hope the universe keeps blessing them with this trend. Introducing Mohamad, the Best Man.

Saodat Tashpulatova

Maid of Honor

The sister and best friend of the bride. Legends have been written about her. Songs have been sung. And more stories are yet to be told. She has been by Zulfiya's side through all these years and was there at the very beginning of Jacob and Zulfiya's journey together. She was also the first person Jacob had to win over. Meet Saodat, the obvious choice for Maid of Honor.

Joshua de Castro

Groomsman

Having had the ultimate blessing of growing up with Jacob, one could say no one knows him better. Now in medical school, he is following in Jacob's footsteps and hopes to become a pediatrician. This man is known for cracking the most absurd jokes, being a professional procrastinator, and always knowing the best places to eat. Introducing Joshua, a groomsman.

Lesly Polanco

Bridesmaid

When Zulfiya first met her, neither of them liked each other. But Zulfiya managed to charm and con her into becoming one of her closest friends as they embarked on this medical journey together. She is one of the most honest and caring people we know, always ready to help. She offers great advice and has joined the happy couple on several double dates. Introducing Lesly, a bridesmaid.

Michael Zatoulovski

Groomsman

Whenever we say that Zulfiya and Jacob always studied together, it's generally implied that this man was there too. When he's not studying, he's somehow always traveling with his million credit card points. He recalls every question from an exam so he can ask about it later and is the best cat parent in the world. Introducing Michael, a groomsman.

Jamil Abdo

Groomsman

We are convinced this is one of the smartest people we know, yet he can't explain a simple concept in under 10 minutes. He’s always the last to leave an exam, determined to get that ONE question right. Either that, or he's rushing to finish the last quarter of the exam because he spent too long overthinking the rest. He has been a constant friend to the happy couple and had the immense pleasure of helping them move to NYC. Introducing Jamil, a groomsman.

Christina Quez

Bridesmaid

She is one of the most introverted people Zulfiya knows, yet somehow managed to open up to Zulfiya's loud mouth. She is Zulfiya’s #1 fan, always supporting her throughout her medical journey. Together, they often dream of flying to a private island on Zulfiya’s non-existent private jet. They’ve seen the best and worst of each other over the past several years and hope to continue doing so for many more, even if the private jet never happens. Introducing Christina, a bridesmaid.

Gabriel Villa

Groomsman

Pretty much a copy and paste of Jacob's personality and experience in med school. The two even smile the same way. Jacob only wishes he could lift as much and cook as well as he does one day. A dog in the future wouldn't hurt either. Introducing Gabriel, a groomsman.

Luthfa Begum

Bridesmaid

She is one of the oldest friends Zulfiya knows, having met on the very first day of college. Since then, they have always been close—Zulfiya's 'soul sister.' The two made the most of their four years together, from skipping classes to offering advice about boys. Zulfiya is excited to see what the future holds for their enduring friendship. Introducing Luthfa, a bridesmaid.

Anvar Nosirov

Groomsman

This is the guy who always has something to say about everything. He can talk your ear off but always shows that he’s there for you. We've helped each other move on several occasions, and we always find a way to chat for hours—especially when it comes to making fun of Zulfiya. Introducing Anvar, a groomsman.

Ace Campoy (Ate)

Bridesmaid

When she came to live in the US, she always found a way to bond with the happy couple. From being in medicine to making fun of Jacob, she has always been there for them. Her son, Theo, is also Jacob's godson, a blessing they cherish deeply. She always manages to find a way to laugh while holding Theo in one hand and accompanies us on our food adventures. Introducing Ate (Tagalog for older sister) Ace, a bridesmaid.

Emilie Stewart

Wedding Planner

Emilie has been by our side as our wedding planner for two years by the time we say "I do." Throughout this journey, she has been a constant support system, from warning us when we were getting ripped off to celebrating when we found a crazy good deal. The fact that she’s put up with us for this long is a mystery, but we couldn’t be more grateful. We highly recommend her to anyone in need of a planner, as she has not only been a fantastic organizer but also a great friend. You can find her on Instagram at @ecsengagements.