Wedding Party
Alexis Stribbling
Meet the Bride đź’Ť
Alexis grew up partially in Berlin, Germany, before trading pretzels for PB&J in the late ’90s when her family moved to the U.S. Over the years, she has collected an impressive list of nicknames (Lex, Lexy, Stribbs, A. Stribbs) basically anything but her full government name. But the one that holds her heart? “Aunt Lexy.” By day, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) but when not helping others, you will find her sipping on a chai tea or coffee, book in hand, R&B playing in the background, and her black cat, Renly, curled up by her side (like a little shadow). She is a lover of travel, reading, and spending time with the people (and pets) who make life feel full.
Jerilyn & Thomas Stribbling
Mother and Father of the Bride
Jerilyn and Thomas have been married for 33 years. They first met and married in Berlin, Germany, where they raised their family before moving to the United States in the summer of 1998. Jerilyn is a retired Accounting Manager for the United States Marine Corps, and Thomas is a Vietnam U.S. Army veteran and retired government contractor. Alexis deeply admires her mother’s unwavering work ethic and her father’s servant leadership, qualities that have shaped the person she is today.
Meet My Leading Ladies
Note from Alexis:
Below are my ride-or-dies who’ve stuck with me through many eras: my crisis hotlines, my travel buddies, my partners in too-much-coffee and not-enough-sleep kinda adventures and everything in between. From figuring out life in the U.S. to surviving college, from running amok in the streets of Richmond to taking countless trips (some more organized than others), these girls have truly seen it all. They’ve cheered me on through the highs, handed me snacks during the lows. Each one has shaped my life in her own way, and I honestly can’t imagine saying “I do” without them standing beside me...probably crying, laughing, cracking jokes and fixing my veil all at once.
Cassandra Chopek
Matron of Honor
Cassandra and I grew up together as sisters, sharing countless memories: from running around the streets of Berlin to seeing our favorite artists in concert and traveling the world together. With an eight-year age gap, we definitely didn’t start out as best friends. I was the persistent younger sibling who wanted to be part of everything she was doing, while she just wanted to hang out with her friends without her little shadow tagging along. Over the years, I (thankfully) got “less annoying,” and we started bonding over our shared upbringing and all the things we have in common. I’ve always looked up to Cassandra, she’s a total badass in every sense of the word. I admire her work ethic, independence, confidence, intelligence, and the way she fiercely loves and protects the people she cares about. She is the definition of a true "ride-or-die." I had the honor of standing by her side as her Maid of Honor, and now I’m overjoyed that it’s her turn to stand by mine.
Lindsay Schiller
Maid of Honor
Lindsay and I first met in 2011 at Christopher Newport University when I joined our sorority, Phi Mu. While we knew each other in college, our friendship really took off after graduation when we both ended up living in Richmond. From there, it’s been non stop laughter, adventures, and way too many inside jokes to count. We’ve shared so many memories over the years: nights out in Shockoe Slip, spontaneous trips, Dave Matthews Band concerts, amusement parks, and bonding over our shared love of horror movies (the scarier, the better). Through more than a decade of friendship, we’ve been there for each other through all of life’s highs and lows, always making our friendship a priority no matter what. I’ve always admired Lindsay’s loyalty and how much energy she pours into the people she loves. She’s outgoing, independent, intelligent, confident, and the kind of friend who’s always up for an adventure. I always knew she would be my Maid of Honor and I am honored she is going to be standing beside me.
Addison "Addie" Chopek
Bridesmaid
I first met Addie on the day she was born, October 2011, the day she officially became my niece and made me an aunt for the very first time. Over the past fourteen years, we’ve shared birthdays, holidays, and so many adventures together. It’s been such a joy watching her grow from a spirited, fearless little kid into a kind, intelligent, and confident young woman. As she’s grown, our relationship has evolved from Auntie/Niece to a true friendship, the kind built on laughter, shared snacks, and long conversations about everything and nothing at all. Addie is a talented volleyball player, a fiercely loyal friend, and a devoted “Rat Queen” to her two adorable dumbo rats, Pickles and Toto. She brings joy and laughter wherever she goes (and usually a good story, too). I admire Addie’s big heart, sharp wit, and curiosity about the world. I always imagined her as the flower girl in my future wedding, but it feels even more special having her stand by my side as a junior bridesmaid.
Alex Campanelli
Bridesmaid
Alex and I first met during our sophomore year at Christopher Newport University in 2012, after she joined Phi Mu. We quickly bonded over our shared experiences as BIPOC women and our similar upbringings, it was one of those instant connections that just made sense. Since college, our friendship has only deepened, fueled by a shared love of good meals, sweet treats, pop music, books, and travel. Together we’ve explored new places, seen our favorite artists in concert, and even met some of our favorite authors (peak fangirl moments). To me, Alex is the kind of friend everyone wishes they had, someone who remembers the little things, reaches out just because she was thinking of you, and makes you feel seen and loved in every season of life. I admire her loyalty, the intention she brings to every relationship, and her ability to be both spontaneous (always ready for an adventure) and perfectly content with a cozy night in. Some of my favorite moments are the quiet ones just the two of us, side by side with our Kindles (Kindle girlies for life). Reliable, passionate, determined, and a true champion for the people she loves, Alex has been there for me through some of life’s toughest chapters. I’m endlessly grateful to have her by my side on such a special day.
Kate Cooper
Bridesmaid
Kate and I first met in 2010 during our freshman year at Christopher Newport University, living just one floor apart (on the very same floor where Jared lived too! Fate really had a sense of humor). I spent so much time on her floor that it basically became my second home, and through plenty of late nights and college parties, our friendship naturally took root. From sophomore through senior year, we were roommates and sorority sisters in Phi Mu, and honestly, nearly all my favorite college memories include Kate...fraternity parties, spring break trips, cozy girls’ nights, and graduating together in 2014. She’s been there for so many of my milestones, just as I’ve loved watching her achieve her own. To me, Kate is the definition of honest, reliable, and the “hostess with the mostest.” She’s the friend you go to when you need complete honesty ( she also has the best snacks) and her organization and attention to detail make every event she touches both seamless and unforgettable. I had the honor of standing beside her as a bridesmaid, and I’m so grateful it’s her turn to stand beside me.
Michelle Walseman
Bridesmaid
Michelle and I first met in 2010 during our freshman year at Christopher Newport University, living just one floor apart (on the very same floor where Jared lived too! Clearly, that hallway was meant to change my life). Michelle was roommates with my bridesmaid Kate, so the three of us naturally spent a lot of time together. Over the years at CNU, Michelle and I shared so many experiences: we were roommates, worked side by side at our campus coffee shop, became sorority sisters in Phi Mu, and even classmates as Social Work majors. We bonded quickly over our shared passions: helping others, coffee, animals, Harry Potter, and proudly embracing our introvert sides. To me, Michelle is one of the funniest people I know - the kind of friend who can have everyone doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down their faces, without even trying. But beyond her humor, I deeply admire her empathy, kindness, and gentle spirit. She has such a natural way of nurturing and caring for everyone around her. I had the honor of standing beside Michelle on her wedding day and have loved watching her step into motherhood. I’m so grateful to now have her by my side as I celebrate my own.
Tomi Olabanji
Bridesmaid
Tomi and I first met our freshman year at Christopher Newport University when we both rushed Phi Mu, and we quickly became close friends. Over the years, our bond has only grown stronger, filled with adventures, travels, and plenty (and I mean plenty) of sweet treats. One of my favorite memories with Tomi is 30 minutes before a sorority event we thought it was a great idea to grab a sweet treat from Panera. Instead of waiting at an infamously long light that would have made us late, she took her little Jetta on an off-roading adventure through CNU's infamous luscious green grass. Don’t worry- we secured our sweet treat and made it to our event on time. To this day, our trips almost always involve hunting down cookies or donuts, or singing our hearts out at a concert like no one’s listening. To me, Tomi is as beautiful inside as she is out. I admire her loyalty, confidence, intelligence, and the way she always shows up for the people she loves. She’s reliable, grounded, and has this amazing ability to make everyone feel taken care of, often before they even realize they need it. I’m so grateful to have her by my side on such a special day and also get to share being 2026 Brides-to-be together!
Laura Bodnar
Bridesmaid
Laura and I met in 2016 when I moved into the same apartment building in downtown Richmond. At the time, I had somehow become the building’s unofficial dog walker and pet sitter, which is how I first connected with Laura and her sweet pup, Rocky. One casual hangout over $1 tacos later, we realized we had a lot in common. We both went to CNU, both studied Social Work, and both ended up becoming full-time social workers. From there, our friendship grew naturally, the kind that just feels easy. Over the years, we’ve shared so many Richmond dinners, trivia night victories, and CNU alumni events. I’ve loved celebrating so many milestones with her, from watching her fall in love with her husband, Alex, to her becoming a mom. We even powered through the stress (and tears) of studying for our LCSW exams together ...true bonding right there. Laura is, without question, one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I admire her optimism, her empathy, and her wonderfully quirky sense of humor. She has this incredible way of making everyone around her feel seen, included, and cared for. Laura is the kind of friend who always checks in, always shows up, and somehow always makes you laugh exactly when you need it most. It wouldn't feel right tying the knot without her by my side.
Jared Ross
Meet the Groom 🤵🏻‍♂️
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Jared comes from a big, blended family and proudly holds the title of youngest of all boys which means he learned early how to keep up, hold his own, and perfect the art of a well-timed comeback. He works as a Software Engineer at Anduril Industries, where he gets to do what he loves: solve complex problems, build cool things, and make it all look effortless (though the diet coke consumption says otherwise). When he’s off the clock, you’ll find him hanging out with our black cat, Renly, traveling, cheering on the Washington Commanders and Washington Capitals, or fully immersed in fantasy football and video games (sometimes all in the same weekend).
Lori & John Ross
Mother and Father of Groom
Lori and John Ross have been married for 35 years. They met and were married in Richmond, VA, where they raised their large and loving family. Together, they built their own business, Ross Publishing, home to Seniors Guide and Boomer Magazine. Today, as Ross Media Solutions, their company continues to be a leading digital marketing agency in the Richmond community. Jared deeply admires his father’s drive and determination to go after what he wants, and his mother’s kind spirit and openness to others, qualities that have greatly influenced the man he is today.
Meet the Leading Men
Note from Jared:
These are the guys who have been there for me through just about everything: the tacky hats, the late nights, the questionable decisions, and a few genuinely good ones (mostly Alexis). They’ve seen me at my best and my worst, and somehow still agreed to stand up there with me. Each of them has played a big role in my life in one way or another, and I couldn’t imagine this day without them.
Ben Leahy
Best Man
As an adult, I haven’t lived with anyone longer than I’ve lived with Ben, not even Alexis (yet). Freshman year, he basically became our third roommate after constantly getting kicked out of his own room whenever his roommate’s girlfriend was around. Ben and I instantly bonded over a shared love of all things stupid: weird fast food items, Gary Busey, Madden, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. That turned into years of being roommates and the constant duo of “Ben and Jared” (or, as I prefer, “Jared and Ben”) wherever we went. These days, most of our friendship revolves around Ben finding new and creative ways to troll me. If you want to see him light up, ask him about a “Ben’s Dozen.” What I respect most about Ben is that beneath the chaos, he’s one of the most loyal people I know. He’ll always stand up for his friends and call out anything he thinks is wrong. He’s been part of almost every chapter of my adult life, and it wouldn’t feel right doing this one without him.
Spencer Stanfield
Best Man
Spencer was my RA sophomore year, and our friendship started on unique terms, to say the least. The first time we met, he called me into his room because I was an (innocent) bystander to some light property destruction in the dorms. Word got back that I’d “seen something,” so he called me in to talk. I refused to tattle, said I’d take whatever came my way, and Spencer just nodded and said, “You know what, I respect that,” before letting me go and telling the school he couldn’t find anything. From there, I think we each gained a mutual respect. He eventually convinced me to join Kappa Delta Rho, and the rest is history. Our friendship has since spanned multiple continents, thousands of beers, and more geopolitical arguments than either of us should honestly care about. What I respect most about Spencer is that he’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. There’s basically no topic he doesn’t know something about (even if he’s usually wrong about it). He’s been one of my closest friends for over a decade now, and I’m proud to have him standing beside me on the big day.
Braxton McCraw
Groomsman
To this day, I’m still not totally convinced that Braxton doesn’t secretly hate me. Honestly, most of my personality traits are probably the exact kind he can’t stand. But somehow, that’s what makes our friendship work. Maybe it’s true that opposites attract, or maybe he just enjoys keeping an idiot around to mess with. Braxton lives to push me out of my comfort zone. Whether it’s sending weird memes, trapping me in some convoluted wordplay, or dragging me away from city life and into the great outdoors, he’s always finding new ways to get a reaction. But for all the trolling, he’s also one of the most genuine and thoughtful people I know. For every trip he plans that’s designed to make me miserable, there’s always a hidden case of Diet Coke waiting and an itinerary that is secretly designed to keep me (relatively) within my comfort zone. He’ll never admit it, but things like that show what kind of friend he really is. Having him up there means a lot, even if he’ll probably be judging me the entire time.
Carl Fisher
Groomsman
Carl joined KDR when I was a senior, so we only overlapped for about a year, but he immediately struck me as one of the most genuine and easygoing guys I’d met. Our friendship really took off when we both moved to Richmond. For about a year, he was basically Ben and I’s weekend roommate, bouncing around the city with us and turning casual hangouts into weekly traditions. Carl was also one of the earliest supporters of Alexis and me, even stepping in to defend me at a bar once when a friend of hers was yelling at me (who may or may not now be one of her bridesmaids and also one of my close friends). What I respect most about Carl is that he’s a social butterfly. He somehow manages to maintain deep friendships across every circle he’s ever been part of, and everyone loves him for it. Between his loyalty, his energy, and the infamous “Carl Boogie,” I know the day will be better with him out there on the dance floor.
Chris "Siggy" Signorelli
Groomsman
I first met Siggy in high school. We didn’t hang out much, but everyone at our school knew who he was. What he doesn’t know is that I was probably way more aware of him than he ever was of me. For years, people told me, “You’re like the Siggy of your grade,” which I never really understood at the time. When I arrived at CNU and joined KDR, it all finally clicked. He and I hit it off instantly, and it was obvious I wanted him to be my Big Brother in the fraternity. Since then, he’s been one of my closest and most loyal friends. He’s the guy who will drop everything, no matter the time, place, or inconvenience, to help someone out. More times than I can count, he’s had my back before I even realized I needed it. He’s one of the most dependable people I know, and I’m really grateful he’ll be there with me on the big day.
Drew McMahon
Groomsman
Drew has been one of my best friends since second grade, when we were both chosen as “friendly helpers.” Friendly helpers were basically the “nice kids” teachers picked to help new students adjust and lend a hand around the school. To this day, I’m still not sure how I made that list. I think my friendship with Drew probably had a lot to do with it. Our friendship became permanent the day we became blood brothers in sixth grade, when I (allegedly) stabbed him in science class and forced him to leave school to get stitches. Depending on who you ask, it was either an accident or felony assault. There are no reliable witnesses, but Drew still has the scar to prove it. Growing up, Drew was good at everything: sports, school, making friends, video games, you name it. You’d think it would be easy to be jealous of someone like that, but with Drew it never was. His mix of humility and kindness always made everyone around him better, and it’s been that way since we were kids. He’s one of those rare friends who’s as steady now as he was back then, and it means a lot to have him by my side for this.
Dylan "Taco" Henry
Groomsman
Taco joined KDR when I was president, as part of the largest pledge class in our chapter’s history with twenty-five guys. Even in a group that size, he immediately stood out as someone who was completely comfortable being himself and someone I naturally gravitated toward. We were close in college, but our friendship really solidified during the pandemic. While we were all trapped indoors, we spent countless hours on Discord playing games, sending each other ridiculous memes, and expanding the ever-growing lore of Renly the Cat. What I respect most about Taco is how genuine and kind he is. He’s never tried to be anyone but himself, and he appreciates the same in others. He’s the kind of friend who keeps life fun and grounded at the same time, and I’m really thankful he’s part of this day.
Ian Sonia
Groomsman
Before joining KDR my sophomore year, I’d seen Ian around and thought, “That guy’s a KDR? Yeah, not joining them.” (In hindsight, I’m pretty sure a few people said the same about me later.) Once I joined, Ian quickly became one of my closest friends and mentors, while also being a constant reminder that good decisions aren’t always his thing. He’s the ultimate duality: half life coach and totally put together, half “whatever you do, don’t do what this guy just did.” Honestly, that second half is probably my favorite part about him. Ian and I really became close after he convinced Spencer and me to join him on a trip to Ireland after graduation. He assured us it was “totally planned,” only for us to land after a red-eye flight and realize it was “totally not planned.” We had nowhere to stay and no itinerary whatsoever. From there, Spencer and I embarked on a stressful but incredible adventure where Ian somehow managed to balance pushing us into new experiences while constantly testing how close he could get us to strangle him. In true Ian fashion, it all worked out, and that trip remains one of my favorite memories. That’s Ian in a nutshell: spontaneous, adaptable, and somehow always landing on his feet. He’s made life a lot more interesting over the years, and I’m lucky to have him part of this one too.