Ora Star & Shane
Wedding Party
Ora Star Boncore
Bride
Ora Star (Ora) could feel Shane was special from the moment she first met him. Shane grounds and emboldens all those around him, deeply channeling a sense of safety and joyful tranquility through his words and actions. He is balanced, loyal, intelligent and strong yet at the same time adventurous, playful, loving and nurturing, always open to learning and growing with compassion and care for the greatest good of all. Shane inspires Ora to continually be a better person and love everyone as unconditionally and wholly as Shane does. Ora believes in the power of partnership/marriage, celebrating true love, the tax and health benefits of being married in America and she loves hosting a good party. However, she also believes many wedding traditions are wildly misogynistic and the wedding industrial complex preys on familial egos so that weddings often become meaningless displays of wealth and not really about love or the people getting married. Much to the surprise of her biological family (who always thought she would one day go on vacation and come back married), she has agreed to have a wedding as a symbol of her love for Shane and love for their new combined family (plus again, let's party!). Ora is beyond excited for this wedding adventure in Mexico with her loved ones and is thrilled to be getting married in a way that honors and respects her complicated thoughts on weddings and also celebrates her love with Shane.
Shane Wellnitz
Groom
When Shane first saw Ora Star at the Interfusion festival he knew she had a different energy than the rest of the world. She was not burdened by the weight of the moment. She saw through the mist of consumerism and misinformation to find the truth at any moment. The passion she has for life is infectious and she continually works to bring positivity to all of her friends and relations. Shane and Ora both share a passion for exploring and learning about the world, but what keeps it interesting is their unique perspectives allow us to learn from one another consistently learning from each other's perspectives. We hope you all join us on our explorations into nature and finding beauty all over the world. Shane loves Ora immensely and is excited to share his love with you! Hope you have a fun time. Shane has never been to MX as an adult and looking forward to exploring it with you.
Sandie Henderson-Boncore
Mother of the Bride
Sandie grew up in a military family and spent most of her life either in the DC metropolitan area or Hawaii where she lived as a child. She graduated from Howard University in DC and spent decades working as a continuing education director in the tissue banking industry until she retired. Sandie raised Ora as a single mother since 1994 after Ora's father left them both to go live on a Native American reservation in Canada just before Ora's 4th birthday and start another family. Since then, Sandie has tried to be both a mother and a father to Ora and taught her the important of intelligence and schooling, independence, perseverance and instilled a love of adventure and travel in her from an early age. Sandie made sure Ora had a passport as young as she was legally able to have one and took her on adventures to Japan, Mexico and all over the US, even if many of the trips were Ora tagging along to business trips Sandie was apart of. Sandie went above and beyond to help Ora fulfill her dream of attending to an Ivy League college (which Ora proclaimed she wanted one day after coming home from kindergarten) on academic scholarships and Sandie has continually learned and grown with Ora throughout their journey together. Since retiring, you can find Sandie galavanting around the country in her Prius (and world by plane) catching 'em all on PokemonGo (and checking 'em all to see if they're shiny).
Judy Rayner
Mother of the Groom
Judy Rayner is a hard working woman who always puts her family first. She is driven in work and in play to get the most out of every moment. She studied at Rice for her undergraduate. Then moved to Maryland to be closer to her brother. She met Shane's dad, Dennis, through her Brother, John Rayner. She gave up her passion for social work to get higher paying jobs in tech. She encouraged Shane to dance from a young age. She has continued to encourage him to try new things and adventures. She enjoys planning a family trip every year and has invited Ora the last 3 years. Judy is beyond excited for Ora and Shane's partnership. She loves to spend time with Ora and Shane, meeting and spending time with Ora's family and even getting the dogs together from time to time.
Dennis Wellnitz
Father of the Groom
Dennis Wellniz always had a passion for exploring the universe and knew his destiny lay far beyond Bellingham, MN where he grew up. He taught himself calculus from a textbook in high school because it was not offered in a class. Then tested out of the first 3 semesters of college calculus. He would also find the patterns for the latest styles and buy fabric to sew them because they were not sold in the small town even if they were they wouldn't have been in his budget. He attended Gustavus Adolphus for undergraduate then moved to University of Maryland to study astrophysics. When they got rid of the astrophysics PhD program so he had to get a PhD in physics with a minor in Astronomy. While at UMD Dennis and John Rayner became friends and colleagues living near each other nine Presidential Park and working together on atomic physics and quantum electronics. Judy and Dennis met through John at a party but Dennis was seeing someone else. Eventually their passion for each other and ballroom dance brought them together. They went dancing as much as twice a week. If you ask nicely they may even dance a song or 2. Dennis absolutely adores Ora! He often raves about how she gets him alert and engaged which is not always easy. He has been nothing but supportive of Ora and Shane's relationship.
Lyndsey Barnes
Bridesmaid
Lyndsey and Ora met back in 2010 at Brown University when Ora joined their co-ed fraternity Zeta Delta Xi (Zete). Lyndsey took a liking to Ora when she mentioned loving buffalo wings (the namesake of Lyndsey's and Ora's father's shared hometown) and Ora was excited and intrigued to learn that Lyndsey's father worked as a guard at Attica Prison where Ora's father was famously imprisoned during the Attica Prison Rebellion. Informed by this unexpected shared family history in Buffalo, Ora and Lyndsey bonded to the point where Ora was convinced Lyndsey was going to be her big brother in Zete when she pledged (but she wasn't). Either way, they still became close friends and fraternity brothers and continued this friendship even after Lyndsey graduated and moved back to Buffalo. Once Lyndsey moved to DC for work in 2018, they lived together for years in Cathedral Haus until Ora bought a house with Shane in 2021. Lyndsey was one of the first people to know of Shane's presence in Ora's life as she was social-distancing in the basement of the house where Shane and Ora had their first date and she has always loved and supported each of them individually as well as their relationship together. Lyndsey has been on many adventures with Ora and Shane and she wasn't phased or surprised when Ora moved out to buy a house with Shane, only realizing years later at their surprise engagement BBQ that it had only been 9 months of dating before they bought a house together.
Christina Beasley
Bridesmaid
Christina and Ora met at the Old Firehouse Center in McLean, VA in 2001 and have been close friends for over 20 years. While they only attended middle school for a year together before Ora transferred to private school, they routinely hung out outside of school having sleepovers, playing video games, watching horror movies, going to concerts and being the 12 - 18 year old girls that you worry about their safety at Warped Tour Music Festivals every summer. After going to different high schools and different colleges and still staying in touch, they both eventually ended up back home in Northern VA so Christina could pursue her government dreams and Ora could take whatever tech jobs she could find in the midst of the recession. They both supported each other through their various scumbag exes until they both found love in the DMV area. Christina at one point had to proclaim that Ora "wasn't allowed to date people who can't commit anymore" and when Christina met Shane, she approved of him immediately as he was clearly in it for the long-haul. Eventually, Ora served in Christina's bridal party in both her 2020 COVID micro-wedding and 1 year anniversary wedding, so when Ora finally asked her to return the favor, the answer was "duh!". Ora is also a self-proclaimed auntie to Christina's baby Felix and has already taught him how to dance and groove to 50 Cent while at vegan restaurants.
Meredith Brotherton
Bridesmaid
Meredith and Ora met in 2018 at Corepower Yoga when Ora was taking a class Meredith was subbing in Glover Park. They immediately bonded after class over a shared love of the band Sofi Tukker and thus began a beautiful friendship full of concerts, wineries, yoga, sleepovers, outdoor adventure days, midnight dinners and travel. Meredith became an unofficial member of Cathedral Haus when she would routinely stay at Ora's house in DC for most weekends as to avoid going back home to Maryland (understandable) and continues to have sleepovers with Ora whenever she's back in DC or Meredith convinces Ora to come out to Utah. While Despite moving away to digital nomad travel around the world, Meredith is still often-present and is nothing but happy about the union of Ora and Shane. Shane immediately took to Meredith once he met her and Meredith has gone on many adventures with both Ora and Shane (especially dog-friendly adventures and going to Sofi Tukker concerts) since Shane came into the picture.
Joey Burnett
Bridesman
Joey and Ora met in 2010 when Ora was rushing Zeta Delta Xi (Zete) at Brown University. They bonded over an affinity for acquiring and eating the spiciest chicken wings they could find (usually at 2 am) and often feeling disappointed at how lacking in spice the chicken wings in Providence, RI were as a whole (save for the Atomic wings, but that's a story for another time). Unbeknownst to Ora, these chicken wing adventures helped Joey decide that he wanted her as his little brother in Zete and that fall, he supported Ora through many a panic attack, emotional breakdown, rage blackout, fainting spell and general mayhem of Zete pledging. After pledging was over, as brothers on equal footing without the rush/brother power-dynamic between them, Joey and Ora took the world by storm (after a brief semester of Ora galavanting around Europe). Ora returned to Providence that next summer and hung out with Joey excessively, a trend which continued through the rest of their senior year of college and then years after they graduated. When Joey relocated to DC, he moved into Cathedral Haus and invited Ora over enough that when a room she liked opened up, she was able to start living there herself in 2015. After living together for years, Joey departed DC for the NYC life, but he never abandoned his friendship with Ora and still considers her like a sister (and the feeling is mutual).
Adam Howard
Self-proclaimed "Bro-maid"
Adam and Ora met at Brown University in 2010 when Ora was in her pledging semester at Zeta Delta Xi (Zete) and Adam was living as a brother in the fraternity formerly known as Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), which shares the same building as Zete (Marcy House). While they didn't spend much time hanging out one-on-one in college, they spent a lot of time in orbiting each other in their Marcy House fraternities' basements and going to many of the same parties. All they really knew about each other was that the other one was awesome and that they coincidentally grew up a mile away from each other in Chantilly, VA where both of their parents lived. After graduating and coming back to the DC area, they began hanging out together frequently as they both craved the community they missed back at Brown plus Ora always had ideas of cool stuff to do and Adam was always down for a good time. Adam gave Ora a carte blanche open invite to impose herself on his life whenever she wanted, which she definitely still takes Adam up on. This even extended to Ora inviting herself to Adam and his now wife Yuli's DC court wedding ceremony, where Ora was the only person not blood related in attendance. To this day, Ora still drags Adam out for adventures such as going to the World's Largest Moon Bounce, but now Shane is also along for the ride. Adam took to Shane instantly and was grateful and shocked Ora was able to find someone as awesome as Shane to share her life with.
Han Jones
Bridesmaid
Han and Ora met back in 2010 shortly after Ora became a brother in Zeta Delta Xi (Zete) and the both knew they would be in each others lives for a long time after they met. Ora realized very quickly after Oli introduced them that Han would be perfect as Ora's first and only little brother in Zete. That said, in college Han had a tendency for getting themselves into shenanigans and Ora spent much of her senior year at Brown and the summer leading up to it ensuring Han's safety. Even though Ora and Han are definitely not blood related, people often mistake Ora and Han for sisters (which still regularly happens to this day). That said, they've always had a loving relationship filled with adventures, travel, a shared love for the finer things, social justice, and more recently, the joys of dog motherhood. Han could tell Shane was different than other people Ora had dated when Han, their partner Henry and their deaf dog Ella met Shane at Easter Brunch during COVID when Ora had to drive to Richmond to find a COVID vaccine shot. Ella so thoroughly approved of Shane that it made it immediately clear to Han that Shane was a good guy and they could tell how loving and kind Shane was with Ora.
Oliver Torres
Bridesman
Oliver (Oli) and Ora met in 2010 when they were both rushing Zeta Delta Xi (Zete) at Brown University. While initially hesitant to get close to Ora due to lies and slander from a third party, Oli eventually realized the error of his ways and they became good friends and pledge-brothers. Since then, they have remained close through a sizable amount of hazing-induced trauma bonding, a shared love of adventure, music, dancing and generally just vibing and/or fuming over the injustices of modern society. Throughout the years, in spite of not living in the same area, they've met up and traveled all over the world together and have become chosen family of one-another. Ora has also become an honorary member of the Torres family having attended Oli's sister's wedding and having been pseudo-adopted by Oli's Cuban mom as a result of repeatedly crashing at her house in Miami since college. Oliver's mom is also convinced Ora is pregnant (as of April 2023) and thought Shane proposed ages ago; took you long enough Shane. When Ora asked Oli to be apart of her bridal party, he was completely unsurprised and admitted he already assumed he was apart of it. What a biddie. Oli and Ora continue to find their ways back to one another despite distance, time and copious world-crises and always have a home wherever the other one is.
Antron Riley
Groomsman
Antron and Shane met at Maryland Leadership Workshops at Western Maryland College now known as McDaniel College. This leadership retreat taught them skills as leaders and created many lifetime friendships. They went their separate ways for many years until one day Shane was driving by the Starbucks in Rockville and saw Antron walking by. Shane was so amazed that he stopped his car immediately and yelled, "Antron!?" From that moment on Antron and Shane became almost inseparable. Quickly they became chosen family and Antron even moved into Shane's family home. They started throwing parties that became known throughout Rockville. Antron and Shane's Birthday party became known as the party of the year in their friend groups. As they aged they grew in different directions and Antron realized he wanted to get away from the DMV and moved to Boston. A few years later Shane decided he wanted a change of scenery as he was applying to finish his undergrad education. Antron convinced Shane that Boston was the place to go and even had an extra room to rent. Shane lived in Boston in that room for a year before returning to Maryland to finish his undergrad education at UMBC. Since then Antron moved to New Hampshire but distance did not interfere with their friendship. They continue to visit each other regularly and talk on the phone often. Shane even went to New Hampshire to help Antron's mom move in with Antron when she needed to stop living on her own. Antron continues to be great
Russell Ricks
Groomsman
Russell and Shane met before they had even started elementary school on a ski trip their parents brought them to organized by Jim and Cath. They went cross-country skiing and downhill skiing together and Shane had more experience skiing so Russell often followed in Shane's ski tracks. You could say Russell was one of the first people Shane taught skiing. (Shane went on to be a ski instructor in high school.) They continued to see each other on annual ski trips and at Jim and Cath's holiday party. As Shane and Russell grew into young adults they began to spend time together that was not organized by their parents. They would go out to parties and bike around the city. Even starting to organize their own ski trips to Canaan Valley and other ski resorts around the area. Shane and Russell are still great friends and love to ski, bike, kayak, hike, and generally find an appreciation for the natural world together. Russell finally got to meet Ora and tried to organize watching the fireworks from kayaks on the Potomac for the Fourth of July all together.
Kelly Kirby
Groomswoman
Kelly met Shane through Antron. Kelly and Shane would hangout all summer at Kelly's apartment pool. When Kelly had her first son, Andrew, she needed a place to stay. Shane was quick to offer to share his home. Her son had blonde hair and blue eyes so when they were out in public people often assumed Shane was the parent to which they both laughed. When Kelly knew she was having a third child, Maddie, she asked Shane to be the God father to which Shane gave an enthusiastic yes. Since Ora and Shane got together during the pandemic and Kelly has 3 kids and many pets getting together was challenging. Recently Kelly invited us to celebrate Andrew's graduation and Kelly's family was quick to welcome Ora to the family upon meeting her.
Michelle Wellnitz
Groomswoman
Michelle is one of my favorite cousins. Her dad (my dad's brother) hosted most of the family reunions over the years and I would ask to stay with them while my parents stayed at a hotel. We would hang out and watch movies and play games like children do and as we got older we started doing more adult things. We went boating together and out to bars. She is an amazing person and supports Ora and I in our relationship.
David Wellnitz
Groomsman
David is one of my favorite cousins. Like Michelle, David's sister we would all hang out at family reunions. We were closer in age so often we would hang out more especially when we were younger. I remember traveling with him around South Dakota meeting his friends once we got old enough to drive. Once we were older the three of us often went out on the small town of Milbank when I was in town.
Yianni Mikalis
Groomsman
Shane met Yani at Garden Club at UMBC. They instantly became friends because of a combined love for jamming and spending time in nature. Yani taught Shane to appreciate the moment more by turning things upside down in handstands. Shane taught Yani how to ski. They both reunited at dance and art events that we found independently. Our passion to share love through art has drawn us to similar communities throughout our lives. Yani has met Ora a few times and loves spending time with Ora and Shane and is supportive of their union.
Abihk Saha
Groomsman
Abihk and Shane met at a permaculture event in Friendship, Maryland while Shane was attending UMBC. From the moment they met their dedication to living a life in bliss made them a perfect match to celebrate life together. They both love to dance and make music which gave them more to bond over than just a passion for life and the earth. Both Abihk and Shane continually work on systems to create successful life outcomes and enjoy sharing ideas and inspiration. Abihk always seems to make an appearance almost every time Shane has an event even if he can only stop through momentarily. Their shared love for life makes the energy of any event go to the next level.
Jai'Dae Foster
Ring Bearer
Jai'Dae is one of Ora's second cousins and is the daughter of her cousin Alicia Ford. Jai'Dae has an impeccable sense of style and cool stoic demeanor that will make her an excellent ring bearer at the wedding.
Jaliyah Dunbar
Flower Girl
Jaliyah is one of Ora's second cousins and is the daughter of her cousin Alicia Ford. Her dance moves will surely delight as she goes up the aisle as a flower girl.
Maddie Kirby
Flower Girl
Maddie, Shane's God Daughter, loves art, roller-coasters, biking, and just having fun. She is passionate and entrepreneurial. She loves hanging out with Shane and Ora. She will be an adorable flower girl!