Wedding Party
Destiny Fuentes
Maid of Honor
Destiny and I first met at karaoke 10 years ago (shoutout to Jose!), both fiercely determined to steal the spotlight as the ultimate diva. But we quickly realized there was no need to compete—together, our shine is basically blinding. Since then, we’ve built a highlight reel of chaos and fun: booking spontaneous 3 a.m. vacations, getting lost on mysterious country roads, creating balloon arches that almost killed me (but Destiny heroically saved the day), and talking about life until the sun begged us to stop. Every adventure has only made us tighter. She’s Mia’s Godmother, my confidant, my anchor, my best friend—and the sister I never had, but probably always needed to keep me in line. Fun Fact: Destiny was almost a nun… which honestly would have saved the rest of us a lot of trouble. Drink of Choice: Tito’s and soda—strictly no lime, because apparently, rules do matter sometimes.
Jose Vargas
Man of Honor
The night I met Jose, I walked up to submit a karaoke request, we somehow ended up dancing to a disco song, and just like that—I found my best friend. Since then, we’ve earned our title as Karaoke Royalty, survived countless movie marathons (mostly napping through half of them), and made some truly unforgettable memories… including that infamous night pool! Beyond all the chaos, Jose is Mia's Godfather, my voice of reason, the one who keeps me grounded, and truly the brother I never had. I couldn’t imagine this day without him by my side. Fun Fact: Jose was a semi-finalist on Objetivo Fama, the Latin version of American Idol—so yes, he can sing like a pro… but somehow still lets me steal the spotlight at karaoke. Drink of Choice: Margarita (the stronger, the better - because life is too short for weak drinks or weak dance moves).
Elias Huembes
Best Man
I only met Elias last year, but it didn’t take long to realize we were destined to be friends—mostly because we bonded instantly over our shared love of video games, especially Call of Duty. (If friendship had a kill/death ratio, ours would be pretty epic.) When he’s not busy carrying me in online matches, he’s busy being a devoted father, serving in the Air Force, and reminding us all that multitasking at that level should really come with a cape. He somehow manages to balance family, service, and still squeeze in time to talk trash on the headset. So, whether he’s fixing planes, raising a beautiful daughter, playing with the dogs or respawning for the tenth time, you can count on him to bring energy, loyalty, and probably a few jokes that cross the line—but in the best way possible. Fun Fact: Elias is a chess champion… which makes it even more impressive that he once managed to set the kitchen on fire while making a single egg. Strategic in life, questionable in the kitchen. Drink of Choice: Flor de Caña - smooth, strong, and guaranteed to make wedding speeches more interesting.
Stephanie Huembes
Bridesmaid
We met Stephanie just last year, but you know those people who instantly feel like you’ve known them forever? That’s her! She’s originally from Miami, and she brings the same warmth and sunshine into every room she’s in. Despite only knowing each other a short time, she’s already become someone I can count on for laughs, last-minute advice, and probably a dance-off at the reception. Stephanie is fiercely competitive (trust me, you don’t want to play her in pool), an incredible mom, and the kind of friend who will always show up with food in hand—even when you tell her not to. She has the biggest heart, and I feel so lucky to have her by my side. Fun Fact: Stephanie is clearly obsessed with the number three—she speaks 3 languages, owns 3 dogs, and has gone skydiving 3 times. We’re all just waiting to see what the next “three” will be… Drink of Choice: Mojito - minty, boozy and basically a Miami survival tool!
Kristin Pokallus
Bridesmaid
We may have only met recently, but Krisitn quickly proved that good friends don’t have to wait years to become family. Originally from New Jersey, she brings that signature NJ energy wherever she goes— bold and always ready for a little chaos. She’s a great mother to her daughter, a regular dinner guest (she shows up weekly whether you’re ready or not), and has a heart bigger than her “loud mouth” can handle. Life with her is never quiet, never dull, and always full of love, laughter, and just the right amount of craziness. If you ever need someone to keep things lively, keep you grounded, or just bring extra white claws to your party, Kristin is your girl—and I’m so lucky to have her by my side on this special day. Fun Fact: Kristin used to be first chair clarinet—so yes, she’s used to being in charge and making sure everyone hits the right note… including at the open bar. Drink of Choice: Vodka & Club, extra lime—the official fuel for toasts, hugs, and questionable dance moves.
Duane Turner
Groomsman
I’ve known Duane since the 2nd grade, which means he’s had the misfortune of putting up with me for a very long time. Over the years he’s become one of the most dependable friends I could ask for—always showing up when I need him, even if he’s not going to say much when he gets there. He is a man of few words (seriously, you could sit through an entire dinner and not get more than a nod out of him), but that’s part of his charm. For most of our lives, I’d drive past his house and there he’d be—outside fixing his car like it was a full-time job. I’ve also spent most of our friendship trying to force him to drink more than he wants to—which, if you know him, is basically anything more than one shot. Quiet, reliable, endlessly loyal, and secretly a tech wizard, he’s one of those rare friends you know you can count on for life… even if I have to drag him away from the garage or the TV to celebrate it. Fun Fact: He once built his own media server to create a personal Netflix… because apparently the real Netflix just wasn’t customized enough for his five favorite movies. Drink of Choice: Jameson & Ginger Ale—the perfect mix for nodding quietly, surviving my peer pressure, and maybe saying five whole words all night.