Jeffrey & Emily
Wedding Party
Alex Parker
Best Man
Alex is Jeff’s best friend. They’ve known each other since they both attended Jones Lane Elementary School as kindergarteners back in 1998. It was high school where these two really hit their stride. Whether it was building homecoming floats or rehearsing for their band’s newest gig (no, they will not be performing at the reception) these two are inseparable. Also, ladies, if you’re wondering, he is available.
Tina Leady
Matron of Honor
Tina and Emily met during their freshmen year at Grand Canyon University. Their college years were filled with many coffee dates, study sessions, and nanny playdates. Emily helped Tina's husband, Kyle, plan their engagement. It was pretty much a requirement that Tina be in town for Jeff and Emily's.engagement despite being seven months pregnant at the time; no doubt she was missing it. Fun Fact: Tina and Kyle welcomed Arya into the world in January of 2021, she is the beautiful flower girl in Jeff and Emily's wedding.
Pankaj Agarwal
Groomsman
Jeff has known Pankaj since they were just five years old. These two, during the worst years of their lives (AKA middle school), stuck together by hopping on XBox Live RIGHT after school to play NBA 2K5 or Halo to keep each other sane. Jeff wants to make it clear that Pankaj is in the wedding party because of their long friendship and nothing about becoming an honorary member of “Team India” for beer pong.
Amy Reyes
Bridesmaid
Amy is Emily's oldest sibling and she doesn't let anyone forget it! Amy and her husband, Manny, just moved to Las Vegas in 2020. They live only 8 minutes from away from Jeff and Emily so chances are the four of them can be found playing board games or chilling in the hot tub on a Friday or Saturday night. Fun Fact: Amy and Emily are 21 years apart.
Tyler Eckstein
Groomsman
Jeff and Tyler grew up together and played on the same basketball team for ten years. Jeff has fond memories of watching games from the bench as his friend pick-pocketed the point guards on the other team. During college breaks, these two found each other purposefully picking awful movies and then critiquing them as if others actually enjoyed them.
Alexis Manley
Bridesmaid
Alexis is Emily's second oldest sister. Getting the chance to take care of Alexis' first daughter, Juliana, is one of Emily's fondest memories. Those are later to be rivaled by the too much fun had at sibling Christmas after some wine. Fun Fact: Alexis is the crafty sibling. She owns her own Etsy shop selling macrame!
Cormac Dennehy
Groomsman
Jeff and Cormac were in the same a cappella group together, Otto Tunes, at Syracuse University. In their first year as friends, they were both essential in starting the group and they will both tell you that to your face, seriously, Jeff wrote this biography. In becoming friends, each of their mother’s would take the other in as their own, occasionally liking their new son more than their actual one.
Helena Dashek
Bridesmaid
Helena rounds out the Rios sisters with 7 years between her and Emily. Growing up, Emily idolized her sister. She copied everything from her love of Barbies and cheerleading to eventually sharing the same college major. Fun Fact: Helena lives in Guam with her husband Steve and daughter Sophia!
Mark Keenehan
Groomsman
Mark is Jeff’s brother-in-law as of September 2019 but Jeff has called him “Brother Mark” for quite some time. Jeff and Mark both attended Syracuse University and played on the prestigious Syracuse Doom Ultimate Frisbee team together. Mark and Jeff’s sister, Kelly, welcomed an amazing baby boy, Carson, into the world in January of 2021. Mark and Kelly asked Jeff to be Carson’s Godfather, his second greatest honor next to being Emily’s husband.
Kelly Keenehan
Bridesmaid
Kelly is Emily's future sister-in-law! It's a red wine kind of night when these two get together. Expect the Hamilton soundtrack to be playing in the background with Ticket To Ride or Settlers of Catan being playing on the dining room table. Don't miss Kelly's son, Carson, as the Ring Bearer in Jeff and Emily's wedding. Fun Fact: All of the invitations were designed and put together by Kelly!
Kyle Fenton
Groomsman
Being friends in college together was a full time job. Jeff and Kyle were both in a cappella together, would hang out a little too much with a giant orange and hosted a weekly morning radio show together. In fact, Kyle is the reason why Jeff found his passion for radio. He is the type of guy everyone needs in their life; the ultimate hype man!
Emily Heim
Bridesmaid
These two Emilys met on the first day of 7th grade. Roll was being called in P.E. class and the teacher reads off, "Emily", and they both said "Here" at the same time. Emily (the bride) got instant daggers from Emily (the bridesmaid)! Despite their initial meeting, they quickly became the best of friends. Thirteen years later and nothing has changed. Fun Fact: Emily got married in January 2022, so our dreams came true to plan our weddings together!
Kyle Peterson
Groomsman
Everyone has their first friend that they will never forget. Jeff and Kyle are lucky enough to be able to stay in touch all of these years later. They met on the legendary Talley Lane and even when they were forced to part ways, they eventually found eachother again and realized the importance of a first friend in your life. They both encourage everyone to reach out to that person even if it has been a while, it’s worth it and they are proof.
Madonna Hakim
Bridesmaid
Madonna and Emily met while both teaching at Bruner Elementary School. They both taught first grade in classrooms next to each other for two years. Madonna and Emily have a special bond because they are both dating app success stories! From the very second Emily met Jeff on Tinder, Madonna was there helping and editing responses to his messages. Fun Fact: Madonna is now engaged to her fiancé, Mike. (Thank you Tinder)
Alesio Rios
Groomsman
Alesio is Jeff’s (soon-to-be) brother-in-law and Emily’s twin brother. The two have enjoyed many rounds of golf, many more drinks on the course and too many mulligans off the tee for Jeff. They just may be each other’s good luck charm on the Blackjack table winning a lot more money than they remember every time they play.
Aimee Thomas
Bridesmaid
Aimee is Jeff's "work wife", so Emily feels the need to thank her every day for keeping her sane! When Emily first met Jeff, she was more worried about meeting Aimee than anyone else! Since the day these two ladies met, they have been instant friends. Emily still believes that "Aimee and Emily In the Morning" just has a better ring to it. Fun Fact: Aimee and her husband, Patrick, got married at the same wedding venue!
Carson Keenehan
Ring Bearer
Carson is the son of Jeff's sister, Kelly. And let's be honest, Jeff's mini-me!
Arya Leady
Flower Girl
Arya is the daughter of Emily's Matron of Honor, Tina. Fun Fact: Arya and Carson (our ring bearer) are exactly 1 week apart!