Nathan & Alexa's WeddingNathan & Alexa's Wedding
Meet The Wedding Party!Meet The Wedding Party!
Scott & Jill WisterScott & Jill Wister
Parents of the Bride
Scott & Jill are the proud parents of the Bride. They have been there through every step of Alexa's life, providing an unforgettable and loving childhood while never missing a softball, lacrosse, or field hockey game. Alexa was fortunate enough to be able to spend her year of clinical rotations in physician assistant school living at home again, waking up to coffee brewing every morning and pizza every Friday! Alexa is grateful for their endless support through all of her life endeavors — from going to college 1,000 miles away from home, to traveling around the world on a ship for a semester of studying, to joining the U.S. Air Force and being stationed in Oklahoma — there was never a dull moment, and none of it would have been possible without their love and sacrifices. Alexa will never forget the first time Scott & Jill met Nate at one of their favorite restaurants in Tampa, Green Lemon. After dinner, Jill said to Scott, "That is the kind of guy Alexa needs!" They could not be happier to welcome Nate into the family — someone who is kind, loving, and as adventure-seeking as Alexa! Nate & Alexa are so blessed to always have them by their side — from their engagement in Colorado Springs, to visiting them in new states across the country, to their special wedding day — and they look forward to sharing more cherished moments and future adventures together!
DJ & Lori BleckleyDJ & Lori Bleckley
Parents of the Groom
DJ & Lori are the proud parents of the Groom. Growing up, Nate was raised in a home full of love, laughter, delicious food, competitive game nights, belief in God, and living by the principle of giving your best effort in everything that you do. DJ & Lori embodied this by giving their all to support Nate as his biggest fans through countless sporting events, ensuring the pool was warm and the tastiest snacks were ready for hangouts with neighborhood friends, and even staying up for his first all-nighter in 4th grade to finish an infamous Roman History school project. They taught Nate what it meant to be truly resilient, but also made every sacrifice to ensure he never had to worry about a thing as he grew from a young child into the man he is today. In college, Nate was lucky to live close enough to his parents to swing by for a wonderful home-cooked meal, but he never brought a girl with him until his friend Alexa showed up one day... wearing a Philadelphia Eagles T-shirt! DJ & Lori instantly knew Alexa was very special when Nate asked to borrow Teddy, their English Retriever, to join him on a sunny afternoon walk with this beautiful girl that would one day become his wife. DJ & Lori now love Alexa like a daughter, and the soon-to-be newlyweds feel so blessed to have them just a phone call (and soon, a short drive) away!
Joseph D'AlfonsoJoseph D'Alfonso
Officiant
A grandfather of the Groom — Grandpa Joe is a lover of all things Italian and definitely the best golfer of the group! Grandpa Joe has been there for every step of Nate & Alexa’s journey — always supporting them through their endeavors, driving across the state to visit every time they are in town, and taking time to share delicious recipes in the kitchen. Nate & Alexa knew that Grandpa Joe was the man for the job and that they couldn’t say “I do” without him!
Laura SchiermeyerLaura Schiermeyer
Matron of Honor
A cousin and best friend of the Bride — Laura is a dog mom of two and a beauty sleep queen. She is more of a best friend and the sister Alexa always wanted but didn’t have. Alexa & Laura spent a lot of time together as kids, from selling golf balls and lemonade at the beach, to skiing adventures at Bear Creek, to hanging out watching movies. Fun fact: they made a pact when they were younger that they would be each other’s maid of honor some day, and now are living out that reality!
Tracey KitchenTracey Kitchen
Matron of Honor
A best friend of the Bride — Tracey is a world traveler and elementary school teacher who works for NASA on the side. Tracey & Alexa went to high school together, but their friendship really blossomed when they worked as Summer Camp counselors together during college. Their adventures have taken them from relaxing on the Jersey Shore to the world-renowned ski resorts of Colorado, and everywhere in between!
Erica MatichErica Matich
Bridesmaid
A best friend of the Bride & Groom — Erica (a.k.a 'E-Mat') is a medical doctor and washed-up NCAA Athlete who has been informally adopted into the Wister family. She has been there through every step of this journey, from Hunter's Green Elementary School with Nate to a day-one best friend and college roommate with Alexa. She always knew the couple was meant to be, and played a key role in their matchmaking process!
Erin MallinsonErin Mallinson
Bridesmaid
A best friend of the Bride — Erin is a running queen and wedding dress expert! She played a key roll in helping Alexa get the wedding dress of her dreams! Alexa & Erin met at The University of Tampa and quickly learned that they were the same person. From running along the beautiful Bayshore Boulevard, wine & sushi nights, watching football, and everything in between, Erin always brings sunshine into Alexa’s day!
Leslie SperanzaLeslie Speranza
Bridesmaid
A best friend of the Bride — Leslie is a passionate fitness enthusiast and lover of all things Pittsburgh. Leslie & Alexa met on the first night of college and were best friends ever since, eventually becoming roommates for three years! From being the best study buddies, beach partners, and most importantly, the best dates to formals, they have many stories from over the years living with each other in Tampa. Fun fact: Leslie was with Alexa at the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game where she saw Nate for the first time!
Marie DiSandroMarie DiSandro
Bridesmaid
A best friend of the Bride — Marie is a mini poodle lover and Alexa’s longest friend of 24 years! Alexa & Marie first met when they were four years old at Gloria Dei preschool and they have grown with each other through every step of the way! From standing next to each other at prom to now standing by each other's side on Alexa's big day, they are so fortunate to have so many memories together. They will never forget falling off the wave runner in Brigantine, New Jersey, and Marie having to pull Mr. Wister back up on board!
Cara ScatenaCara Scatena
Bridesmaid
A best friend of the Bride — Cara is a rockstar physician assistant and a lover of all things Dachshund (especially her furry daughter, Maisey). Alexa & Cara met while in physician assistant school where they were roommates and bonded over eating a whole Panera baguette per study session. Despite all of their studying, they still managed to have fun by adventuring to Colorado, sitting on the beaches of the Jersey Shore, and singing along at a Kenny Chesney concert — just to name a few of their adventures!
Chrissy CelonaChrissy Celona
Bridesmaid
A best friend of the Bride — Chrissy is a world traveler, triplet, and a country music fan living in Nashville. Alexa & Chrissy met on the first night of their world adventure on Semester at Sea and have been best friends ever since, especially after bonding over being from Philly. They spent every day together while circumnavigating the globe and made it their goal to try a local beer in every country. After their study abroad, they have continued to travel together and have been to 14 countries (and counting)!
Ryan BleckleyRyan Bleckley
Best Man
The older brother of the Groom — Ryan is an intellectual history buff who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, spent years teaching English in Shanghai, and has now settled down with his beautiful family in Atlanta, Georgia. Nate appreciates how Ryan is always there for anything he needs, whether it be life advice or just a recommendation for another great book. Ryan is married to the wonderful Soohyun Lee and they recently welcomed their first-born daughter, River Lee Bleckley, into the world... making Nate a proud first-time uncle!
Matthew BleckleyMatthew Bleckley
Best Man
The younger brother of the Groom — Matthew is an experienced aviator and U.S. Army First Lieutenant who loves all things fast. Matthew & Nate share many memories as standout lacrosse teammates in high school, and fellow ROTC cadets in The University of Tampa's Spartan Battalion. No distance can separate these two, as the brothers have traveled the globe to ski down volcanoes in Japan, under the stars in South Korea, and across the Sierras in Lake Tahoe! Fun fact: Matthew is licensed on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, which he has piloted to 14 countries throughout the Indo-Pacific — Nate couldn't be more proud of everything his brother continues to accomplish!
Matthew WisterMatthew Wister
Groomsman
The younger brother of the Bride — Matthew is a Big 4 accountant and wiz of all things sports. Alexa & Matthew shared countless memories growing up and still are each others best friends. Nate is like the brother Matthew never had — the two have grown close over the years, whether it be wearing matching outfits at a rodeo or laughing hard to late-night Family Guy, the bromance between these two runs deep. Fun fact: Alexa & Nate set up Matthew & Matthew (their two younger brothers) to be roommates at The University of Tampa!
Peter HernandezPeter Hernandez
Groomsman
A best friend of the Groom — Pete is a Florida Man and U.S. Army Reserves Captain who enjoys his side gig as Nate's personal Spanish professor (muchas gracias, compa). Pete & Nate met while filling sandbags in the summer heat at Fort Knox, which kickstarted a six-year friendship as housemates in the Medical Service Corps. Their adventures took them from the Bourbon Trail of Kentucky, through the Riverwalk of San Antonio, to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado... and now back to the Sunshine State where they belong!
James DavisonJames Davison
Groomsman
A best friend of the Groom — James is a Tampa native and proud Lightning fan who now works as a broker for one of the biggest banks in the United States. James & Nate grew up as lacrosse teammates starting in 7th grade, from singing late-night karaoke in the car on the way home from summer practice, to signing lacrosse scholarships at The University of Tampa as two All-American standouts. They both graduated with degrees in Biology, and certainly have some wild stories as roommates from those four years as they successfully balanced it all.
Joseph PhillipsJoseph Phillips
Groomsman
A best friend of the Groom — Joe is a 6 foot 5 inch-tall U.S. Army Captain who is definitely the second-best golfer of the group (sorry man, Grandpa has you beat!). Joe and Nate met as ROTC cadets in the Spartan Battalion, and ended up growing close as they were stationed together at Fort Carson. They share many memories hiking, fly fishing, off-roading, camping, and skiing throughout the Colorado Rockies. Fun fact: they both aced the same final exam in Calculus, and skied down the highest lift-serviced peak on this side of the planet... feats they both consider to be of relatively similar difficulty!
Mark MunzoMark Munzo
Groomsman
A best friend of the Groom — Mark is another proud Tampa native and passionate data analyst who now resides in the Mile High City. Mark and Nate share many stories, from neighborhood fishing adventures in Hunter's Green to off-roading at 11,000 feet armed with an atlas and a cooler full of craft beer on their way to an undiscovered camp site. They both know how to live — great food, great drinks, great people — and always pick it up right where they left off when they get a chance to enjoy these things together.
Brian HongBrian Hong
Groomsman
A best friend of the Groom — Brian is a Chicago native and U.S. Army Captain who will soon retire after 20 years of meritorious service. Brian and Nate initially bonded over a 24-hour trip to Las Vegas, where they decided to celebrate their military promotions with no lodging on the itinerary. Months later, Brian graciously took Nate in while he navigated his transition from active duty into the civilian world, often cooking Korean family recipes and sharing life stories over smooth scotch... the two have been close ever since!
Mr. Buddy BleckleyMr. Buddy Bleckley
Ring Bearer
A furry first son to the Bride & Groom — Mr. Buddy is a real-life adventure bud who brings happiness to everyone with his infectious loving spirit. Nate & Alexa got Buddy as a puppy during their time in Oklahoma, he is now two years old and is the best boy. Although he is still young, he is certainly well-traveled and has already been to 15 states! Buddy is so excited for his 'pawrents' to get married!