Wedding Party
Shanika Anderson
Matron of Honor
Shanika is that main woman! She has been around since the grad school days and took Ambar in as a bus traveling buddy whenever they went home after those late night classes at City College. "We can travel together!" was one of Shanika's first quotes when she learned that Ambar and her took the same bus home. Traveling together through their friendship journey has made them call each other "friend" instead of each other's actual names. Ambar definitely knew there was not only a friend, but a best friend and a sister in Shanika; whose heart is as warm and cozy as your favorite blanket. Because of Shanika, Ambar has stepped out of her comfort zone to strive for what's right for herself and others in the world. Shanika is also someone who fights for whats right, listens, cares and believes all humans matter. Shanika is a leader in love and she is the perfect matron of honor! Her abilities as a lifelong educator, friend, wife, sister, and amazing mommy has really enhanced their friendship.
CJ Deausen
Best Man
There was no other choice to be the best man than CJ. Super close friends from childhood, they have remained best friends while living in two different cities. They started traveling the world together with an epic European adventure that started in Amsterdam, through Belgium, Paris, and London, ending in Iceland. Yes, that is him in all the pre-Ambar travel pics. When they are not taking shots in other countries, you can catch them texting each other every day about DC sports, especially the roller coaster ride of a Washington Commanders season. A proud (maybe obsessive) Rutgers University alum, he is currently a real estate agent in the DMV and a part owner of Matthew’s Grill, a homestyle Filipino restaurant in Maryland.
Nicole Dorsey
Bridesmaid
This woman in the green has been an amazing part of Ambar's life since she's become an educator. There is no way that her abilities of staying connected, uplifting her community (through her many acts of community service) and bringing the world joy through her hard work has slid by Ambar. It is because of her that Ambar has been able to show how much she cares for communities around her. They have been wellness buddies for a nice while now; leading spaces around staying and being well in their work and home communities. Nicole and Ambar have been talking about wellness for a long while and Nicole has taken Ambar in just a bit deeper by inviting her to lead mindfulness alongside her wellness and motivational talks. Like Nicole would always say, "you can't pour from an empty cup" and so it was only right to keep this cup full at the wedding party with Nicole's beautiful presence. Nicole is always there for Ambar, listening, caring and loving her. Her abilities as an all around educator, wellness guru, mom, glam-ma and more really show how much Nicole openly loves and cares for those around her; what an inspiration she is and what a great addition to this wedding party.
Miguel Almario
Groomsman
They refer to each other as "Day 1 Homies" because they have been truly down since day one. They first met in college in Baltimore, MD as two Filipino dudes judging each other’s sneakers while passing each other on their way to class. This initial curiosity led to them bonding by being the two that always grabbed the guitars and started singing at the end of parties. Over time, this relationship turned into a friendship through dance. They danced together throughout college for the Filipino American Student Association and eventually the official school dance team, Major Definition. Miguel became one of his earliest mentors in dance. Their nearly daily rehearsal schedule and weekend travel for shows bonded them even closer, a bond that endures to this day. Despite currently living on different continents, they have remained the closest of friends. Miguel earned his PhD from MGH in Boston and is now a Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in training dancers as professional athletes. He is also the founder of The Arete Project in Amsterdam.
Anagery Campbell
Bridesmaid
Anagery has been around since the high school days letting Ambar use her special fancy hand soap in the high school bathroom because the school soap wasn't good enough. Their extra closeness started in college when they were both in the beginnings of their nursing major, struggling to make it through working full time and schooling it full time as well! Switching over to psychology major was something that happened, eventually, as they would spend their in between class times hanging out at the student cafeteria among many other places; all while Ambar knew where all of the bathrooms on campus were. Anagery has been the optimal young Dominican woman in Ambar's life, reminding her of Dominican phrases while being one of the most important ears of a lifetime. Anagery has inspired Ambar to strive for the best and to never give up on things she wants. Their classic "Yurrr" greeting must be a part of this wedding party so that they can continue to pick up the phone and add another conversation to their already infinite amount of topics. Anagery's abilities as a friend, daughter, mommy, wife, healthcare worker, and more has really strengthened their connection.
Tri Le
Groomsman
They met each other through Culture Shock DC from 2011. Originally intimidated by Tri’s dancing style he wanted to get closer to him to learn, and exchange the vibes. Both clicked immediately, sharing their dance styles. This led to the two being inseparable during long rehearsals. One thing to another, they became hanging out more outside of dance, especially with some homies from VA - team VA was established then. Through time, they built a strong bond through uncountable sessions of choreographing and freestyling, which led to them creating smaller dance crews to battle and perform together. Despite living in different cities Tri is always there for any advice with video and graphic design and vice versa. Tri is currently in Falls Church, VA as a freelancer of videography and photography, formerly working as an editing contractor for a government newsroom for 5 years.
Chrisnatalie Diaz
Bridesmaid
Chrisnatalie has been around since the grad school days enlightening the lives of many including Ambar's with her knowledge around early childhood as this was in fact what they were studying together. Always filled with knowledge to share, Chris inspired Ambar to join her forces to speak up, as shy as Ambar was, inviting Ambar to spaces to share her knowledge about early childhood stuff and more. Chris and Ambar worked on their thesis late at night for many nights at the City College Library and that is when they developed an even deeper connection in their friendship. They embarked on the teaching journey at the same time and talked every almost every night about what happened at school and who did what! Chris was an active and listening ear for Ambar providing many moments of laughter even when days were filled with that first year teacher stress! Ambar knew they were in it together and that was really a key point to Ambar's survival in education.Chris is a beautiful woman who is also an auntie, sister, daughter, passionate educator and more. What a privilege it will be to have her in our wedding party!
Arsenio Stembridge
Groomsman
They met each other at good old Broadway Dance Center, while Arsenio was still a workstudy in the retail department. They found themselves in the same dance classes which led to after class drinks. One day during a work shift their friendship was further solidified with the question, “What we getting for lunch?” Lunch breaks led to happy hours, trivia nights, cyphers on the dance floor and most importantly Wing Wednesdays. More recently you can find them both passionately talking about shows and movies to stream while scoping out the best all you can eat spots in NYC. Arsenio currently works as the Director of Retail Operations at Broadway Dance Center, living in Brooklyn NYC with his wife Torian and baby girl Selah.