Marissa & Qadiyr
Meet Our Wedding Party
Connie Rueda
Maid of Honor
Connie has been my best friend since 2011. We met each other at Pappasito’s Cantina as hosts. Over our years of friendship, Connie has become not just a friend, but a sister. We’ve had some lows and many many highs! Together we always come out of it stronger. Connie has taught me how to be a stronger and more independent woman and I’m so grateful for our friendship. We have grown so much together and gotten through many obstacles that life has thrown at us. Im so honored to have you by my side on my wedding day, and more importantly, for the many obstacles that life may throw at us. ❤️
Mike Taylor
Best Man
Mike and Qadiyr met in 2003 at the basketball courts at Maverick Creek Villas in San Antonio TX. Qadiyr had just moved in and Mike was one of the only people at the courts. Q then somehow managed to roll his ankle, and Mike was gracious enough to assist Qadiy back to his apartment. The next day, Mike went back to Q's apartment to check on him and even brought him groceries. It was at that moment, that Q knew, Mike would be his best man someday. (Just kidding Q doesn't plan that far in advance lol) #Ouchie
Alexa Bonilla
Bridesmaid
Alexa and I met in 2009 at Marshall HS during basketball season. That’s right, we balled it up in high school. She was an amazing teammate and an even better friend. We grew up together and went to college together at UTSA! That was fun! This is also when Alexa met her hubby and her bestie Alonzo! She moved away for quite some time but found herself back in Texas! Alexa is one of those friends that is not always in the same city but is only a face time call away. Alexa taught me resilience. She’s so strong, she was always and still is always there for me and I’m so blessed to have a friend so loyal. I’m so glad to have you by my side on my wedding day Alexa! Thank you for being such an amazing friend. ❤️
Connell Davis
Groomsman
Connell and Qadiyr met when Connell was born. Out of Q's mouth "He's my little brother you know? I love him. What more do you need for that?" Qadiyr loves spending time with his brother and says they always had opposite personalities; almost like a yin and yang relationship, but as they've grown, Qadiyr has some of the same likes as Connell, like chess, and "now the student has become the teacher".
Kenny Garcia De Soto
Bridesmaid
Kenny and I met when I lived in Texarkana. We went to Liberty Eylau HS together in 2007. We were little freshman fish in a big pond. We went through a lot together growing up and connected through our struggles. Fast forward 10 years later and Kenny is married to the man of her dreams, with the job of her dreams, traveling and living her best life. Kenny has always inspired me to make the most of each situation and enjoy life the best I can with what I’ve got! It’s so awesome to have a friend like that! I got to stand by her side at her wedding and I’m so thankful for her to stand by my side on the day I marry the man of my dreams. ❤️
Jeff Obersteller
Groomsman
"Obe Obe Obe Obe...A great friend if I ever knew one. Loyal to the fault". Obe and Qadiyr grew up together in high school where they played basketball together. They have a lot of the same likes, video games, chess, etc. They both even got their first jobs at a fast food restaurant. "On the basketball team, everyone was so close, and as we grew up, we all started our own lives a grew apart...except for Obe, he's always been there".
Sara Fowler
Bridesmaid
This gal and I met at Pappasito’s back in 2015! Sara is so good at stopping time. And by that I mean, helping pause a tough situation and break it down to not feel so stressful. She’s helped me get through trying times just by being there. She’s honest, caring, and a light in every room she walks in with her bright smile and loving heart. What makes her so awesome? Ever had a Harry Potter Marathon with your bestie? Ever made Harry Potter themed snacks for said marathon? If your answer is yes, then you have a great bestie on your hands. Sara has taught me patience. I had the privilege of standing by her side on her wedding day and now I’m honored to have her stand by my side. ❤️
Jacob Fowler
Groomsman
Jacob and Qadiyr met at Pappasito's back in 2012 "or something like that" - He was sitting on the brown rail and he stopped Q as he walked by and asked "Hey, y'all make money here?" and 8 years later they are managing together at the same place that brought them together. Q says, "Jacob is like the ultimate competitor. We are always betting against each other, whether it be monopoly, chess, or who's going to walk down the street next. It's like a tug-of-war: I win, then he wins, then I win, then he wins. He's a great friend and always brings the calm to a situation. He's the most laid back person I know."
Daeja Lewis
Bridesmaid
Daeja and I met at....I’m sure you guessed it, Pappasito’s Cantina! Another one. You know what I love about Daeja? How much she cares. She is such a caring person that would do anything for the people she loves. She’s an amazing listener and a great supporter. Daeja was there for me, at a point in my life when I felt like I was alone. She’s seen me at my darkest and picked me up out of it. She helped me get back on my feet. Daeja has taught me loyalty and strength. She’s such a beautiful person and an amazing mommy and I’m thankful to get to call her my friend. I love you! ❤️
Rene Arellano
Groomsman
This pudwacker. Rene is Q's partner in crime, in his words: "this dude is wild". Rene and Q were also really competitive, there wasn't a game they couldn't play or bet they wouldn't make. #thagawwd Q says: "That's my bro. Underneath the NY fit, he's a good dude".
Teena Barrera
Bridesmaid
I met Teena at Pappasito’s also! She was literally such a ball of energy and if you know me, you know how I’m also a ball of energy. I felt close with her instantly! She made stressful shifts more bearable with her supportive vibes. I knew I had a friend for life, and 3 years later, she’s basically family, like a sister. Teena has made my world a little more adventurous and spontaneous. She’s taught me a lot about perseverance and remembering to focus on the end goal. Thank you Teena for your positive and loving vibes. I’m so excited to celebrate with you by my side. ❤️
Richard Soto
Groomsman
Richard is a great friend. Q and Richard met at pappasito's as servers, and they had the same interest in music. They went to a J. Cole concert and ended up getting rear ended after by a drunk driver, and our car even flipped...talk about crazy. They even used to play games like monopoly, scrabble & spades together - he's a great spades partner. They had a win/loss board with Jacob and Rene for various games. Jacob ended up winning and Rene ended up last, which means Richard and Q ended up in the middle. Not too shabby.
Alyssa Hall
Bridesmaid
Shalyssa and I met at Pappasito’s and ventured together to Magnolia! She’s the mellow to my crazy and I love her for it. Literally, I would call her and tell her my thoughts, and she’d talk me through it and help me realize when I was being crazy. (I’m an emotional person y’all!) Alyssa helped me grow in working through my emotions, how awesome is that? That I had a friend that had that kind of patience. Alyssa has taught me grace, I’m so grateful to have a friend like Alyssa. I’m even more grateful to have her by my side when I say “I do”! ❤️
Tyrone Thomas
Groomsman
Qadiyr met Tyrone at UTSA, they used to hoop a lot. It started when they met at the Rec Center. They'd always be there at the same time and then ended up creating an intramural team together. Flash forward and they were running in the city leagues, about 7 - 8 leagues. What was the team name you ask? - H! H8T3RS - Q says Tyrone played a 3 position, but should have been a 5, but he didn't like that too much. Lol - They always had a good connection and had a lot in common. Qadiyr said Tyrone is a good friend.
Amber Gonzales
Bridesmaid
Well you guys, it seems like I’ve made the majority of my best friends at Pappasito’s. And I’m so thankful to have met Amber there too! She was also there for me during some personal struggles. She helped me remember who I was, helped me snap out of it and love myself again. She helped me find my strength again and taught me about self love. Amber is like a shot of fireball! Sweet with a little spice. What started as a bar shift together turned into years of memories, moments of growth, and lifetime friendship. I can’t wait to have Amber by my side when I marry my best friend! ❤️
Scott Simdorn
Groomsman
Qadiyr and Scott have known each other for a little over 5 years. They met at Pappasito's too. Q and Scott ended up being roomies for a little bit. Scott is a good guy and he's funny. He was a great roommate, always down to talk, and down to earth. Scott and Q clicked because they used to go out with many mutual friends from work - Scott has a good energy and is a nice person to have around.