Wedding Party
Andrea Giuliano
Maid of Honor
Andrea is my big sister. We shared a bedroom until she went to college, and of course, we did NOT get along. It was not until years later when I was in my 20's that we really bonded. When I hit a plateau in Tampa and wanted a change for myself and Riley, Andrea invited me to live with her in Virginia. Thus our Virginia adventure began! I had no clue what would happen here, but it was the best decision I've ever made. Andrea and I were able to spend so much time together, because she was home from work due to an injury (She is a Navy Helicopter Pilot) that our bond really strengthened from just sisters to best friends. Although the 7 year age gap is still there, it didn't seem to matter anymore. Jack says that we speak our own language, often leaving him amused and confused as we finish each other's sentences with movie quotes that only we know and leave each other in a fit of giggles over decades old inside jokes. I will be forever grateful for her endless support, but mostly I am just so thankful that I found a best friend in my big sister. Her love led me to Virginia, and ultimately, to Jack.
Ryan Burgess
Groomsman
Starting at first base for Jack's All-Star Wedding Team is none other than Ryan "Burg" Burgess of the Baltimore Orioles. Ryan's got a slick eye for the ball in the batter's box and is one of the best left handed hitters I've ever seen (against right-handed pitching). I've known Ryan since we were 8 years old playing on the same soccer team which was coached by his dad. We played together on different sports teams for the next twelve years between little league, travel, high school, and adult league baseball. Ryan is the most loyal guy you could come across. This dude has always had my back no matter what and has let me be me even in my worst moments. There's no one else like him and in fact he's so loyal he named his son after me, Easton "Jack" Burgess.
Shelby Castillo
Bridesmaid
I met Shelby during our freshman year of college. We had a class together and were both joking about a mutual friend/classmate. Little did we know that that crap-talking would lead to us becoming friends. We got closer throughout freshman year, and sophomore year, we moved into our first apartment together! We spent so many nights learning about ourselves and each other, navigating the "adult" world and its woes. She reminds me of my college days and brings out the fun/immature side of me. But she is also the first person I run to when I need to talk about politics or serious issues. She keeps me grounded and well-rounded, and even though we do not get to talk as much as we used to, every time we do we still know just what to say. Her now husband, Tony, also lived with us in college, and their relationship has always inspired me. It taught me a lot about what love is, and how much WORK a relationship is. I would not have been ready when I met "the one" without their guidance and example.
Scott Tolson
Groomsman
The starting pitcher for Jack's All-Star Wedding Team is the righty Scott "Skeeter" Tolson of the Boston Red Sox. Scott was one of the hardest throwers around growing up and then over one summer decided to drop down and throw submarine. Scott's stuff from down under became so nasty he threw to an ERA below 1.00 our senior year of high school. I met Scott playing for our little league's 12-year-old All-Star team and we became quick friends. From then Scott and I went to middle school, high school and even college together. To this day the guy lives down the street from me. Scott is also the quickest learner you'll ever meet. You give him a couple of weeks and he is better at your thing than you. He also has promised to name his first child after me.
Amy Bowen
Bridesmaid
I met Amy when I was working at CanZell Realty in 2020. I invited her to grab dinner at Cogans because I had picked up a shift there. She came in and we hit it off. We started hanging out more and more, relieved to have found a friend who also had kids the same age, and then our kids became friends! AND she likes to drink smoked whiskey, Jackpot! Amy is the person that really inspired me to start Best Things Bakery. Before I had any real skill, she trusted me to make her son's birthday cake. From there she referred me to customers and supported me as my personal taste tester. I don't think I could have gotten my business out of my head and off the ground without her. She is my everyday, anytime, anything friend. I know she's got my back no matter what, and she knows I have hers. She is my batsy!
Drew Coker
Groomsman
Starting in the outfield for Jack's All-Star Wedding Team is "Drewby" Drew Coker of the Colorado Rockies. Drew's speed and good left handed eye made him a constant threat as a lead-off hitter and turned the outfield into a no-fly zone. I met Drew in high school after frequently playing against him in travel baseball tournaments. We eventually attended Old Dominion and played baseball there together. Drew and I were always able to commiserate as being Richmond guys on a team that was filled with players from the Tidewater region. Drew is the ultimate quiet storm. Don't let his calm demeanor fool you, a laid back weekend with Drew can turn into a wild time in the blink of an eye. For this he's earned the nickname "Hurricane Drew". He's like 99% sure he's going to name his first child after me.
Lexi Buonasera
Bridesmaid
Lexi and I bonded in the hospital after Riley was born. I don't remember the transition where she went from being a coworker who brought me food in the hospital to being one of the people I love most in this world. She always welcomed Riley and I with open arms and an open heart, no matter what we needed. Riley LOVES her Titi Lexi. Lexi was there for nearly every memory I have of Riley as a baby. She helped me teach Riley how to crawl (we used chocolate chip cookies as an incentive). She was the first (and only) person to drop Riley on her head. (Okay she didn't really drop her, but Riley was sitting up on the floor and Lexi made her laugh SO HARD that she fell backwards). She was an always willing babysitter when I had to work, and an even more willing shoulder when I needed to cry. Lexi was the home I visited for the holidays when I moved away from Florida, and the first to come to visit me in Virginia. We have countless hilarious and heartfelt moments, but the theme of them all is that we are just happy to be together. Although it is difficult to keep in touch from so far away, I know that we are just as close and there is just as much love between us.
Brian Bashara
Groomsman
Starting at second base for Jack's All-Star Wedding Team is Brian "Bash" Bashara of the Atlanta Braves. Brian's athleticism made him a true gamer who could play any position on the diamond and hit anywhere up and down the line up. He's a guy you want on your team no matter what. I met Brian at Old Dominion during his freshman, my sophomore year. Brian and I would go on to live together for a year and share countless inside jokes most famously as managers of the "Sandman Flutes". Brian is the motivator. His work ethic rubs off on you and makes you want to be a better person. Another inside joke of ours is that he has secretly named his son Sonny "Jack" Bashara.
Jess Roberts
Bridesmaid
Jess and I met in Florida RIGHT when I was moving to Virginia. We instantly clicked, but our time was cut short. It is not easy to keep close friends when you move away, but it is dang near impossible to keep brand-new friends with no strong bonds. Somehow we beat those odds! Jess is an amazingly sweet and generous person. I am so happy I met her, despite the fact that we have lived far away from each other for our entire friendship. It makes the moments we do spend together that much sweeter! Like when she came to visit me and we spontaneously got baker tattoos together. I am so thankful that we share a love for baking and can help each other learn new skills! It is a wonderful thing to have a friend who enjoys your passion.
David Alagna
Groomsman
Starting at shortstop for Jack's All-Star Wedding Team is David "Dudeman Dave" Alagna of the Tampa Bay Rays. Dave's range and flashy glove made him an exciting infielder known for his ill advised bare-hand snags. Dave and I met at Old Dominion on the baseball team our freshman year. Dave and myself were two of the last commits to the 2009-10 ODU baseball team and thus got put in bizarre random dorm rooms. We went on to become great friends and lived together for a short time before Dave moved back to his beloved Baltimore. In that brief stint at the Larchmont Apartments we bonded over Curb Your Enthusiasm, Tosh.0 and playing with our pet degu Tito and Filip. Dave is the cool cucumber of the group. Dave's ability to roll with the punches and take life as it comes to him makes him a great guy to lean on in difficult situations. Dave's son, Jace, is an homage to me as it is one letter off of Jack.
Riley Giuliano
Bridesmaid
Riley Ru!!! My sweet little girl, best girlfriend, and occasional headache. I had Riley when I was 21, almost 22. She is the single greatest thing that ever happened to me. To watch her grow from just a tiny bean in my belly to the powerful, funny, wrecking ball of light that she is has truly been my greatest honor. She has always been the funniest kid, making everyone smile and laugh. Riley and Jack met when she was 4 years old. When Jack proposed to me, Riley was over the moon excited!! Over the years I have watched their relationship grow and it has been amazing to watch. Jack has opened up parts of her that I couldn't reach, and she has opened up parts of him that no one knew existed! Together our family is stronger, braver, and more caring than we were apart.
Jake Bishop
Groomsman
Every good team needs a manager and my cousin Jake "Spoopins" Bishop is the skipper for Jack's All-Star Wedding Team. While Jake was never a ball player himself, he could manage the hell out of a Backyard Baseball team (Only 90's kids will get this). Nobody on this page has been together as long as Jake and I. Only separated by 6 months in either direction from me and Lucy, Jake and I grew up side by side. From playing on the bay at Granny and Gramps' as kids, to exotic vacations with a strange twist, Jake and I have been through it all. Jake is the muscle of the group. I've never seen him put hands on another man, but he is the first person to stand up and speak when he sees someone being mistreated..... He would never name his child after me.
Chris Stott
Bridesman
Chris will be walking me down the aisle. He is the second most important man in my life (I'm sure you can all guess who is first) I met Chris in 6th grade. I quickly counted him as one of my best friends, calling his house several times a week just to chat with him (and his mom!). We were in most of the same classes throughout the rest of middle school and high school, both going through periods of time where we didn't quite fit into each other's pictures. But we somehow always came back to each other. After high school, he's the only person I really kept in touch with from my hometown. We've seen each other grow through different phases of life, and I am so proud of the person he's become. I've always admired his humor and passion, he loves people and ideas so profoundly that he feels them entirely. He is not afraid to take a risk or a chance on his dreams or his friends, and I am lucky to have him in my life.
Kelsey Hart
Groomswoman
Kelsey "Kelsington" Hart is one of my best friends and (Until Sam) the best roommate ever. She and I met through friends and both majored in Biology at Old Dominion. We lived together for two years upstairs from the Dragon Slayer with her dog Bibble. Kelsey is the embodiment of determination. Ever since I've known her she has had one ultimate goal of being a veterinarian, a goal she accomplished in 2021. She has named several dogs after me.