Steven & Alicia
Wedding Party
Michelle Martinez
Matron of Honor
Since kindergarten she’s been my ride or die! I can’t imagine what my life would be like without her. Charismatic and magnifying, there is no one that can resist gravitating towards her energy and great humor. My best memories include laughing hysterically in drunken bathroom trips we took together. Yes, there are more than one. To have shared in so many of life’s milestones together has been one of my life’s greatest treasures. I only look forward to a life that she continues to be my side. She is my one true, Matron of Honor!
Viviana Garrido
Maid of Honor
My twin flame and my air sister! There are just too many ways I can describe our lifelong connection. Since 3rd grade we’ve been exchanging advice, philosophies, gossip, and good times! The sweetest soul you will ever encounter with a shared passion for fashion and all things beauty. I wouldn’t dare cut my hair or dye it a different color without first consulting her. She is my one true beach buddy, always willing to get drunk at the beach and exchange new music with. Vivi is a once in a lifetime sort of friend and I can’t imagine life without her by my side now and forever. There is no other title more worth than her being my Maid of Honor!
Kevin Martinez
Best Man
My little brother. About the polar opposite of me in so many ways, and yet so similar in others. We could speak in only pop culture references and we’d be okay somehow. Get past the sharp tongue and you’ll discover one of the funniest, most intelligent, giving people you could ever meet. It’s not my place to say whether or not I have been a good big brother to him, but I can assure you that he has been a good little brother to me. I couldn’t imagine anyone else being my best man.
Carlos De Jesus
Officiant
The mage of our group! ‘Los’ literally creates magic in the kitchen and out of the kitchen! Aside from being an amazing cook, he knows how to cast away bad energy and projects only the purest of advice and amazing conversation. His wisdom does not dampen his propensity to have a damn good time! He knows how to party in any and all ways. From our many nights playing board games til 3am or going out to enjoy a new spot in the city, his sense of adventure never sleeps. Besides his beautiful use of words, and encouraging intellect, it was all the love that he embodies and gives freely to everyone the main reason we believe he is the perfect friend to marry us.
Natalie Oliva
Bridesmaid
I don’t think I can put into words just how important this girl is to me. Being able to officiate her wedding to her amazing husband, Winston will for sure be one of the most special moments in my life. She is the purest of souls, she makes me want to be a better person. I know I can go to her with any feeling and never be judged. Her goodwill and liveliness is spared on no one. And I am most excited about officially being able to call her family as well as forever friend.
Winston Soto
Groomsman
Winston, a.k.a. the hypest of beasts, a.k.a. Dr. Winston, a.k.a. Winnie the Pooh. I am very happy that my cousin Natalie finally wised up and got herself an amazing partner like him. The man is sincere to a fault, which takes a minute to realize because of his normally sarcastic tone. He has a passion for music and movies that rivals my passion for games. I am honored to have him in my marriage journey, but I’m also honored that he allowed me to be part of his.
Kathleen Oliva
Bridesmaid
Kat is a gem in all respects! While she is the most likely out of everyone I know to run her own Fortune 500 company, that is not the reason I love her. I love her whimsical personality, her cunning wit, and her ability to make everyone in the room fall in love with her. In her, not only do I have another sister, but I get to enjoy the parallels between her and her husband, Mike, with mine and Steven’s relationship. She puts the room at ease. Despite being apt to losing all of her things after a wild night, her composure remains. In the end, you shared with her the best of times and miraculously never permanently lose any of your belongings!
Mike “Rizz” Rizzolo
Groomsman
Although Rizz didn’t have a lot of time in Miami during his holiday visits, he was able to leave an impression on me. He was always ready to have fun and connect with all of us, something made more difficult for him by the fact that he couldn’t speak Spanish. Yet he never really let that stop him. With each passing holiday he grew on me more and more. A lot of jokes get made at his expense, but he always takes them in stride without ever giving the slightest sense of anger (a quality I look to embody). His opinions are strong, but so is his desire to ensure everyone is having a good time. During harder times, I got to see how caring and supportive he is, not just to my cousin Kathleen (his wife), but to the rest of my family, too. I couldn’t imagine getting married without him there.
Vanessa Peña
Bridesmaid
The little sister I never had! Girlfriend to Steven’s younger brother, Kevin, our friendship and closeness has blossomed in the last two years, especially in a bachelorette trip to Tulum. Although at first I wasn’t sure if she even liked me to begin with! Getting her to open up to me is something I dearly cherish. The world would be lost if they missed out on the opportunity to get to know her true firecracker personality, beneath her soft spoken shyness. I’m excited to keep building on our friendship and hopefully one day becoming family.
Mike Sanchez
Groomsman
Equal parts friend and pseudo-mentor. I have learned more from him than he probably realizes and I am forever grateful for his lessons (of which he continues to give). To me, he always had this strange gravitational pull, pulling in all of those around him. He is one of the brightest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and one of the few “big brother” figures in my life.
Yessenia Maidbrey
Bridesmaid
I keep hitting the JACKpot with my friends, having another lifelong friend in Yessenia, whom I’ve known since elementary. Don’t let her quiet and discerning demeanor fool you, the girl knows how to have fun! She will be the first friend to excitedly share a life secret she has discovered, whether in a product you need to try, or just in a really great show you need to watch. I would’ve never guessed that the girl that introduced me to hair bleach would be the first of us to have kids! But she gracefully shares the beauty of being a mom with us, while still remaining the ever loyal of friends.
Julian Phillips
Groomsman
People sometimes appear to you at the exact time that you need them and Julian is a perfect example of that. He appeared in my life at a time of inner turmoil and showed me that I was not alone in it. He was almost like a guide through it. We became fast friends and after sharing many a laugh inside and outside of our shared D&D campaign, there is no way I could not ask this kind, clever man to be one of my groomsmen.
Kimberly Perez
Bridesmaid
Kim’s friendship came to me like a meteor! We instantly got along thanks to sharing the same silly humor and love of cats. Really I think Frrranky won her over before I did. But I’m glad he did because she is one of the the funniest people in my life! With her, you can either have a heartfelt conversation where you pour your soul out, or go on a once in a lifetime journey that nearly kills you. One thing is for sure, you are guaranteed a good time.
Ignacio Arriete
Groomsman
Iggy is a hidden gem if there ever was one. He comes off very reserved, but once you crack through that shell, you see him for the hyper-passionate, intelligent, somewhat impish, and selfless man that he is. He would give you the shirt off of his back if he knew it would help you. Aside from Alicia and my own parents, I don’t think anyone shows more excitement to see me than this man. I refer to many people as “my brother,” but he is one of the few people that I consider “my Brother.”
Emmanuel Corrales
Groomsman
Even now Emmanuel remains a mystery to me. He is one of the more unique and funny people I have had the pleasure of befriending. Emmanuel is the kind of friend that always remembers your special events and rallies people around them to celebrate you, all the while coming off very nonchalant like he didn’t just do something incredibly kind. It’s just the type of person he is, grounded, but exceedingly sweet. He is one of the only people that sends me reminders that he cares in the form of silly videos of him and FaceTime calls when he knows I’m having a bad day at work. I normally have a hard time keeping in touch with people, but I know that Emmanuel will never let me forget that we are friends.
Javier Lara
Groomsman
Javi is a big man with a lot of heart. He was one of the first people to take me under his wing when we worked together. We quickly bonded over our shared interests in nerd culture and even started a (now defunct) nerd culture news site with Iggy. What has always drawn me to him is his sort of innate ability to bring out the excitement of those around him. Javi has always been able to speak to anyone about seemingly anything, a quality that has always made me feel very at ease around him. To me he is a unifier, someone that can find common ground where there may not seem to be any, and I am lucky to have him as a groomsmen.