Stephanie & Kirk
Wedding Party
Chris Algarin
Best Man
Chris is one of the best friends that anyone would be lucky to have. He keeps up with people we haven't seen in years which is a talent I wish I possessed. Everyone that meets him is instantly attracted to his loving and care-free personality which is why often times I've walked in to meet him at a restaurant lets say, and he will have already have made friends with everyone sitting at the bar along with the staff and have waitresses buying him shots after meeting these people just minutes ago. Our friendship started in High School and has evolved as we've gotten older. We went to college together. We moved to Chicago together. We lived in Chicago together. And Chris has loved Stephanie since the day they met. I couldn't ask for a better friend standing next to me on my wedding day.
Matt Row
Groomsman
My best and oldest friend. We grew up on the same block with a field separating our houses and used to walk back and forth with our parents watching to hang out with each other. We grew up together. And although we settled in to live in different cities he remains one of my closest friends. He too is soon to be married and I couldn't be happier that he found someone that makes him happy. This is one of those friendships you know will last a lifetime that has stood the test of time and distance. I couldn't be happier to have Matt standing beside me on my wedding day.
Michael Greco
Groomsman
I've known Mike since we met in college and he's been one of my closest friends ever since. I have him to thank for pushing me to move to Chicago to live with him and a group of the guys standing next to me on my wedding day so I suppose through that he also played a part in helping me find Stephanie. Mike is the only person I can think of that is more competitive than myself and I think that's why we've always gotten along so well. He's truly generous and caring and I'm proud to have him standing next to me on my wedding day.
Mathew Hudon
Groomsman
Matty Hudon. What a guy - I met Matt through Mikey when he transferred to Bowling Green. The amount of nights we spent during those couple of years before we graduated where we would wind up home at 4am thinking "this is a night I'll never forget" are endless. Still to this day, a favorite hobby of ours is sitting at Hook and Ladder in Lincoln Park reminiscing about how much fun we had. Matt has been there every step of the way since I met Stephanie and has been a person I could turn to during my conversion to Catholicism. Truly blessed to be able to have him as one of my groomsmen.
Jeff Grotz
Groomsman
I met Jeff during a couple of visits he made to Bowling Green and then got to have him as one of my roommates once I moved to Chicago. We spent hours upon hours thinking up the next greatest business idea we could throw together which has brought you all million dollar ideas such as Mantend, the elaborate sports book we put together, among plenty of others that never got out of the gate. After getting to know Jeff, Stephanie knew he needed a strong Latina presence in his life so she introduced him to Janice (maid of honor). She's kept him in line ever since ;) Happy to have Jeff standing next to me on this important day.
Mark Sojka
Groomsman
Mark has been a close friend of mine since he used to frequently visit us in college. He came often enough that people just assumed he was in our fraternity and I would get asked about him pretty regularly even though he went to school in Illinois. Even today if you asked anyone we went to school with, most would probably assume he went to BG. Sojka lived with us all in Chicago and we made some memories that we will talk about for years to come. Whenever you need a favor Soj was always selflessly willing to lend a hand and his laugh is infectious. Wouldn't be able to get married without him by my side.
Frank Greco
Groomsman
I met Frank in the early days at BG and we became closer as the years went on. He lived with me and the gang in college at the infamous "Green House" that we will be telling stories about for the rest of our lives. Frank has been a great friend and has a way of making every situation better. He makes everyone around him a better person and I couldn't say "I Do" without him standing next to me.
Janice Lara
Maid of Honor
Janice has been my friend since Ms. McKee's fourth-grade class. We bonded over dissecting a squid on Hawaii Day and the rest is history! Janice and I both share the same feisty personality and always have a great time together. Many of my favorite memories with Kirk also include Janice. We have traveled to Mexico together, danced our faces off at festivals, and while we have so much fun together, we constantly motivate and push one another in our education and professions. Janice inspires me and pushes me to be my best. I am beyond lucky to have her as my Maid of Honor for our wedding.
Nancy Martinez
Bridesmaid
Nancy has been my friend since we were roughly 13-14 years old. We share a love for literature and often read books together. But don't let that softer side fool you, Nancy is a kick ass Navy Lieutenant and has traveled the world defending our country. She is such an inspirational woman who I constantly look up to and admire. She is one of my dearest friends and I am so happy to have her join us on our wedding day!
Xiomara Duran
Bridesmaid
Xiomara is the reason I am alive and well today.. joking, but seriously. Xiomara is someone I can always depend on and is honestly the mother of our friend group. She's always prepared and willing to throttle her evening to make sure everyone is having their best time. If you need a band-aid at 3am, there is a good chance Xio has you covered. Xio has been my friend for forever and I couldn't see myself enjoying this day without her!
Caroline Aguirre
Bridesmaid
Caroline and I have been friends since my first real job at Forever 21 where we would spend our entire earnings on clothing from the same store we worked at. Caroline has remained close to me ever since and has the cutest little dog you've ever seen. Caroline is the friend that you can always rely on to take a last minute adventure with. She's been one of my closest friends for years and I'm so happy she will be standing next to me on my wedding day!
Maribel Covarrubias
Bridesmaid
Maribel is my aunt, although I consider her one of my closest friends as well. She lives in the apartment below us and always is cooking some amazing Mexican food. Beyond that, she is close to not just me but Kirk as well, and we spent the last several months quarantining together cooking, drinking, and hanging out all the time! Kirk and I are the godparents to her beautiful daughter Daisy who is one of our flower girls and we couldn't picture this day without them both!
Kirsten Mclaughlin
Bridesmaid
Kirsten is Kirk's sister and honestly one of the purest people I've ever met. She has the ability to see the good in all people and all situations and her mere presence seems to make everything brighter. She has an incredible memory, even recalling what you wore on a certain date so of course she uses that information to make those around her smile. She honestly gives the most heart-felt gifts. I'm so happy Kirk has such a sincere family and Kirsten was an easy decision to include in our wedding party. I look forward to getting to know her even more!
Jocelyn Covarrubias
Bridesmaid
Jocelyn, is my little sister and one of the kindest people. She has a heart of gold and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Jocelyn often dog sits our 2 dogs Mako and Regis and treats them like spoiled babies. Jocelyn is the best person to talk to and always has kind advice. I am lucky to have her as my little sister and blessed to have her standing next to me on our wedding day.