Christina & Joe
Wedding Party
Heather Ray
Maid of Honor
Heather and Christina met in August 2007 just as she had moved to the area from Upstate NY. We lived around the corner from each other and bonded over watching the Red Sox win the World Series and Ugly Betty. When Christina moved a few blocks away, Heather followed suit later the following year. We have been friends and neighbors ever since, enjoying many a late night cocktail on the back deck, traveling, and being there for one another through the good and the bad. Heather is an accomplished bicyclist, chef, a gentle soul, a great listener and a consummate "hostess with the mostess". If you ever get invited to one of her dinner parties, do NOT say no!
Jillian Riessle
Matron of Honor
Jill and Christina met when they were 8 & 10, respectively. Growing up in the same Church Community, they were the rebellious ones in Youth Group, daring to show their midriffs at Bible camp (gasp)! In 2001, Jill asked Christina to be in HER bridal party when she married the love of her life and has been waiting for THIS day for a longggggg time. Jill is a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 2. She is a Nurse at Emerson Hospital and if all that wasn't enough, has a cookie business on the side. All wedding guests are in for a TREAT as we promise you have never seen cookies like what Jill can make!
Ed Valenzuela
Best Man
Ed is Joe's older brother. Back in the day, Ed and Joe were Pro Kennex-sponsored racquetball players and tore up the New England amateur circuit as a doubles team. While Joe has hung up his racquet and competitive racquet sports, Ed continues to showcase his racquet skills, though in a more gentlemanly manner, in the game of squash. Keep an ear out for his best man's speech, which hopefully will spare Joe of any embarrassing childhood stories!
Sam Valenzuela
Groomsman
Sam is Joe's son and willing partner in crime for any crazy outdoor adventure that Joe can foolishly think up. They decided it was a good idea to hike up Mount Washington as their second hike EVER and chose Canon Mountain as their first "real" mountain to carve when they both were brand new to snowboarding. Yup, brilliant ideas. While Sam is a man of few words, don't mistake his quiet demeanor for being timid. He's a go-getter and we're going to miss him when he's away at college next year!
Emanuel Nicholas
Ring Bearer
When little Emanuel's parents asked the Bride in 2014 to be this little guy's Godmother (an honor she shares with the MOH), she couldn't wait for this little bundle to be born. This is my Godson y'all! Of course he is in our Bridal party....