Amanda & Raul
Wedding Party
Joanne Loiben
Maid of Honor
Joanne and I met in middle school at the neighborhood bus stop. Joanne was new to the neighborhood, and although she was a few grades older it wasn't long before we were inseparable. Although we've both moved away from our old suburban stomping grounds and have lived on opposite ends of the world at times, whenever we get together it's like no time has passed at all. As my best friend, I know she's going to be an amazing Maid of Honor!
Alex Delacruz
Best Man
Alex has been my brother and my best friend since the day he was born. It is a testament to how close we are that I never even asked him to be my best man. It was just always known that this is the way it would be. Oh man. I hope he shows up. You know what, lemme make a quick phone call.
Stephanie Griffin
Bridesmaid
Of my five older sisters, Stephanie and I are certainly the most alike. We shared a room until our teenage years, where she taught me about music and I annoyed her with my beanie baby collection. We've worked together, lived together, and on some days even accidentally worn the exact same outfits. She's the best big sister a girl could ask for and I can't wait to celebrate our big day with her!
Carlos Celorio
Groomsman
It's a saying as old as time. The greatest foundation there is for a friendship is a mutual love of craft beer and discussion of the best way to maximize credit card reward points. I'll always be grateful that when I had to spend an extended period of time in Miami, Carlos was kind enough to lend me his group of friends. One day I may even let him have them back.
Abigail Grover
Bridesmaid
Abby and I met in high school where our love for live music instantly brought us together. Since she's moved from Chicago we've mastered the art of video chat happy hours and no matter how busy we get, we manage to find time to catch up. She's always been a loyal, loving friend who never once has failed to be there for me when I needed it, and I'm so happy she'll be there next to me at the wedding!
Oscar Celorio
Groomsman
I am so happy to have Oscar standing with me at my wedding. There's no substitute for the knowledge and wisdom he brings to the table as, by far, the oldest member of the wedding party. Oscar and I saw Star Wars together in Puerto Rico when we were children, and we've been talking about it nonstop ever since, with just a few breaks to talk about, you know, life and stuff.
Jessica Delacruz
Bridesmaid
I can't imagine a better future sister-in-law than Jessica. She's become one of my favorite people to travel with over the past few years and I look forward to all of our adventures to come. I admire the way she is always speaking her mind and starting her own dance parties. I am not only excited she's going to be part of our big day, but also am so grateful for all of the love and support she continues to give us along the way!
Ricky Celorio
Groomsman
It is very important to me that that my groomsmen and I look super fat on the day of my wedding. Standing next to, and taking pictures with Ricky should accomplish this nicely. When he's not running triathlons, Ricky spends his leisure time making ring boys and flower girls for Delacruz weddings. Ricky is thankful there are only two of us.
Joe Dowgiewicz
Bridesman
It wasn't long after Joe moved to Chicago that we started doing everything together. From traveling to concert going or even making our own little bar crawls, Joe soon became one of my closest friends and confidants. You'll be able to find him at the wedding cracking jokes or doing some super sweet moves on the dance floor.
Eric Wiseman
Groomsman
After his wife, the most important and impactful relationship that a man has in his life is the one he has with his karaoke partner. For a decade Eric and I have been islands in the stream, having the time of our lives, up where we belong. I can also say with complete honesty, and not an ounce of hyperbole, that I have never known anyone better at photoshopping beards onto pictures of babies.
Alex Wuchte
Bridesman
When Alex and I met we pretty much became instant best friends. We have had many adventures together from traveling to learning how to brew beer. I always knew if I ever got married, he'd be one of the first people I'd ask to be in my wedding party, I am excited to have him up there with me on the big day.
Oscar Mendoza
Groomsman
Though I consider all of my cousins more like brothers to me, In Oscar's case it feels even more true. We lived together through much of our high school years. I taught him it was possible to make it from Miller and 97th to Coral Gables High in 7 minutes, and he, in turn, taught my brother that one could get high on gasoline. Now he works in an OR and plays a lot of golf, for those of you who don't believe that anything is possible in this world.
Sean Keen
Bridesman
Thanks to Twitter, Sean and I became friends. Over the years we've bonded over the important things, such as our love for tacos and dim sum. It was pretty easy choosing him as one of my bridesmen since he is the self-proclaimed boyfriend of our dog, Penny, so he's basically already part of our family.
Roger Rialmo
Groomsman
If you took a time machine to go visit 1998 Roger and me, and told us that this past July Roger had to stay home to care for his infant children while I was smoking [REDACTED] at a Gorillaz concert, we would have laughed at you for getting our names mixed up. Also Rog would have probably beaten you up and taken your time machine, but that was a different time.
Phil Kosch
Bridal Escort
I spent most of my adolescence following Phil's band around the country. He always put up with my awkward teenager ways and became the big brother I never had. He is one of the kindest people I know, and I am so honored to have him walk me down the aisle!
Silvia Celorio + Cecilia Saez
Groom's Escorts
My mom was such an amazing human being that it takes two women to replace her. In each of my aunts I see different parts of the woman who shaped me, and hopefully in me they see aspects of their sister living on. I couldn't be prouder to have both of them in my life, and as a bonus I get to live out my James Bond fantasy of walking into a room in a tux, with a babe on each arm.
Luis Rodriguez
Officiant
Lou and Amanda's friendship was born of a road trip that their mutual friends dropped out of, leaving them to drive to Austin together. It could have gone one of two ways, and we're thankful it led to a deep friendship. Years later, Lou and Raul fell in lo...um, I mean became really good friends, when Amanda and Raul visited him in California, where he moved JUST when Amanda and Raul had just started to become a thing, robbing Raul of so much sweet Lou time. Now at least Raul got to ask Lou to marry him in a way that Amanda would approve of. They can think of no better speaker and writer to be the one to stand with them and join them together in matrimony. That said, if at 6:30, Lou is still talking. please feel free to make your way to the bar. We'll catch you up on how it turned out.
Jorge Saez
Ring Bearer
Proving that it is never too late to follow your dreams, after a lifetime of attending weddings, Jorge is getting to fulfill the role that was always denied to him. There is no one else we would trust with this most sacred of responsibilities.
Matthew Mentele
Usher
Better known as DJ Screeble Dee, Matt is the life of the party. He's a great friend, fantasy football league commissioner, and he's always able to find the best dance parties.
Connor Byerman
Usher
When you approach Connor, he will tell you where to sit. No need to exchange pleasantries, or to make eye contact. He is very busy.
Zoe Celorio
Flower Girl
Is there anyone who looks better when dressed as a princess than Zoe does? [SPOILER] No. We are proud to have an actual, honest to god princess spreading flowers and joy down the aisle on our most special of days.
Francisco Celorio
Flower Girl's Escort
Francisco is smarter than you. I don't mean that he is smarter than you we're when you we're his age. I mean that right now, as you are reading this, Francisco is smarter than you are.
Penny Griffin
Flower Puppy
Penny has been part of the family since landing with Amanda in 2014 as a one pound nugget. Besides taking her duties as Flower Puppy very seriously, she would like to know if you, by chance, might have a treat. Please and thank you.
Patrick Delacruz
Junior Ring Bearer
While Patrick is normally the model of laser focus and unbreakable concentration, we ask that you please refrain from playing with a jack-in-the-box while he is walking down he aisle.