Wedding Party

Joshua Vela

Best Man

How Joshua met Justin: Well you see it all started when I was a wee lad, about 10 months old. This little guy was impatient & crying & took all the attention away from me, I said, “did we just become best friends?” you stopped crying for a sec & said “Yupe!” & the rest is history! You are my best friend, my P.I.C., my ride or die. There are so many memories together over the past almost 30 years, so it’s hard to pick one. We’ve had road trips all over Texas, to California, to Vegas, to Wisconsin & even cruising around Corpus with the windows down bobbing our heads down Ocean to all the jams. Every trip is full of memories. Playing soccer with you is one of the best. There is no feeling like celebrating a goal with you on the field (even though you hit the post most of the time). I know I would yell at you all the time to get your butt back and defend but that’s just cause I knew you had more in you & I would try to push you. Plus mom & dad would get pretty cool pictures of us playing together. I look forward to this next chapter in your life & I’m so proud of you! Love you, Justin

Kati Eakin-Ayala

Matron of Honor

How Kati met Allyson: We were first introduced in 2015 at a Halloween party where she was being her assertive self and I thought, "wow, she speaks her mind". However, we didn't get to actually talk until Fidel's (my husband, groomsman) birthday a little over a year later in March of 2017. A week later, she invited me to a girls night at Chili's and I remember telling Fidel how nervous I was because I wanted to impress her and make more girl friends, I even went through the hassle of showering and doing my hair and make up for her (I swear, you'd think I was going on a date) 😅. We became instant friends right after that and have been inseparable since. (I even invited her to my wedding in Mexico 4 months later!)

Severiano Trujillo

Groomsman

How Seve met Justin: I am proud to say I am the youngest (and coolest) member of the Three Amigos composed of the Vela brothers and myself. Even though I’m not his brother by blood, we quickly became inseparable from a young age and he’s the closest thing I have to a big brother. My fondest childhood memories involved begging my parents to sleep over at the Vela house, staying up all night to play DJ Hero, and then us whooping Josh’s ass at basketball in the morning with my HOT SPOT! From taking me to my first high school soirée to our 1 punch KO boxing match over Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005, there are way too many memories to count, but 27 years later and we still have that same energy cuz! Justin, your greatest quality of all is your love and loyalty to family and I am truly honored to be here at the beginning of you forming your own. I love you and am ecstatic for this next chapter in your life!

Amanda Alvarado

Bridesmaid

How Amanda met Allyson: Allyson and I met through mutual friends many, many years ago, but our friendship really blossomed on a trip celebrating our best friend’s bachelorette weekend in the summer of 2017. We floated on a river together (getting separated and almost losing our drinks along the way), ate great food, and drank and danced the night away on 6th St. in Austin. In the end, we created so many memories together from all the fun, so much so that afterwards we continued to have girls nights even when distance kept us apart!

Andrew Carrasco

Groomsman

How Andrew met Justin: My man Justin,   Justin and I knew of each other back in high school thanks to the beautiful game of football! Ray V King (obviously King always won)! We finally got to meet about 13 yrs ago when Justin came over for a little get together with a few people. We met at my house in Corpus, where we enjoyed horsd’oeuvres, sparkling water (cuz we were under age), and a harp musical. We played a historical game kind of like basketball but every basket you made was removed from the field. For some weird reason, my air conditioning began malfunctioning during our little soiree which caused everyone to begin making fans out of all of our computer paper to keep cool. Little did we know this would be the start of some crazy memories, from late night drives on Ocean, to playing commando, to concert road trips to Dallas, to the CP games wrecking shop together on the field. Nov 2021, LEGGGOOO!

Anna Garza

Bridesmaid

How Anna met Allyson: Allyson is one of my longest childhood friendships. We met way back in 2005 playing kickball together and have been friends ever since! We started our new life journey together by moving away from our hometown in Corpus Christi all the way to Laredo as college roommates. I even handed her her very first “adult beverage”...yes I’m THAT friend :P I’m blessed to have her and her family in my life all these years and know we will be lifelong friends! I was even fortunate enough to play soccer alongside Justin in high school and am so glad these two met and fell in love. I’m glad to be a part of this special moment in both of their lives. #VivaLaVela

Jose Castañeda

Groomsman

How Jose met Justin: Justin and I met in high school but we didn't really hangout much then (only when King whooped Ray's butt in soccer) until we were both in college is when our friendship really kicked off. He became more than a friend, he became my big brother. From family gatherings to guys night at the pool halls to beach days, to beach soccer tournaments, to eyes being poked at bars to being left behind in the dust by my 5.0. The stories are endless and I look forward to making many more as he takes this next big step in life. Super excited for you my man, love y'all. Welcome to the hitched club!

Samantha Shears

Bridesmaid

How Samantha met Allyson: Allyson and I go way back to our kickball years. Our parents first met on the kickball fields, and since then we have grown to be some amazing kickball sisters. We would watch each other's game, supported one another, and always had each other's back. I will never forget the year Allyson made some "Sammy shorts!" Meaning she made shorts with my pictures to support me during the All stars ⭐️ she was so proud to wear that Gold and Royal Blue. I love the friendship we share, I watched her graduated high school, she was my biggest supporter when I had my baby Savannah. She made sure I always walked with my head up high. I knew when we first met that she would be my kickball sister forever and ever. I love you so much Allyson ❤️ I wish you nothing but the best.

Brandon Edwards

Groomsman

How Brandon met Justin: Justin and I met one cloudy day on a soccer field in Corpus Christi. Some would call it fate, destiny, maybe even a real love story…  We were both going for the ball and somehow got tangled up in each others cleat laces..  After sitting there for five minutes trying to figure out the mess that was our shoe laces, we started a friendship that would last a lifetime! I soon got baptized into what was the VELA CLAN! Meeting the entire family, spending holidays and weekends with them. They truly made me feel like family.. Justin and I were pretty inseparable through out all of high school, sticking to our roots from when we first met.. Always getting into messes and figuring out how to get out of them hahah. Its been almost 15 years and a lot of time has pasted, however Justin has still remained one of my best friends and of course family!   Love ya bro! 

Bianca Trujillo

Bridesmaid

How Bianca met Allyson: Allyson and I met when she joined my cousin Justin for Christmas last year. Christmas is a huge deal in my family so I knew when Justin brought her to meet our family that she held a special place in his heart. She made a lasting impression and throughout the year we were able to create a deeper bond. Her love for her students, family, and Justin are truly evident. I’m so excited to gain a cousin like her!

Jordan Cadena

Groomsman

How Jordan Met Justin: I've known Justin practically my entire life. We met at the Christ The King when I was 2 years old and we immediately became close friends. At this stage in life Justin is no longer someone I look at as a friend but rather a blood brother. I've shared countless memories and stories with him throughout the years and I can't wait to add his wedding to that list. It's and honor and a gesture that I will cherish forever 🤘🏽

Christie Hinojosa

Bridesmaid

How Christie Met Allyson: I had the pleasure of meeting Allyson after Christmas in 2019. This was my first time joining the Vela family for the holiday season so being a classic “newbie” meeting the family for the first time, I was nervous! Allyson was there with Justin so I met her first before being introduced to everyone else. We immediately hit it off and just connected well! She could tell I was nervous but she welcomed me and made me feel confident and relaxed by giving me a mini pep talk and ensuring me “to just be myself”. From there on out, whenever we saw each, we just talked and laughed and had so much fun together! To this day our bond continues to grow and now we are set to be future sister-in-laws for life!! 😊 I’m so thankful that Justin and Josh brought us into each other’s lives and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have a future sister like you, Allyson! Love you girl!♥️

Fidel Ayala Jr.

Groomsman

How Fidel met Justin: I met Justin in January 2020.  Before we were introduced to each other, my wife Kati (Matron of Honor) had mentioned that Allyson was bringing over her new beau for us to meet.  Right before Kati was about to show me the picture of Justin and Allyson together, my first though was, “Who da’ Fook is dat’ guy?!” (Conor McGregor).  Upon further inspection, I couldn’t help but notice his coat and thought “Damn, I like this guys fashion statement! I have to meet him!”.  That afternoon, we met them at the Buffalo Wings and Rings for lunch and Justin and I right away bonded over fútbol. After quoting the movie Green Street Hooligans, he and I have been Bruvs ever since.

Katherine Sandoval

Bridesmaid

Allyson and I met when I began dating her brother, Jonathan. I was intimidated by her early on, because of her radiant confidence and independence. Soon after, the fear turned into admiration. I found myself striving to reach her level of independence. I believe that she has taken notice of that and has chosen to help me reach that goal. Our relationship started to grow even more when our love for teaching brought us closer together. I am now going into that profession with confidence, all thanks to her! Even though it’s not official yet, our sisterly bond has already started to blossom! She has helped me enhance my make-up skills and wardrobe, which may seem like silly things to boast about, but these little things have boosted my confidence so much! I am so grateful that I not only gain a husband from Jonathan but a sister as well!

Fidel Ayala III

Ring Bearer

Austin N. Vela

Ring Bearer

Ava Castañeda

Flower Girl