Wedding Party
Julia Fuchs
Matron of Honor
Alex met Julia in 4th grade, but she couldn't convince Julia to start hanging out with her until freshman year of high school. She locked in Julia as her friend for life when she tricked her into spending their Friday nights at track meets instead of parties. These days, Julia can be found dancing in the corner of any room that has 2000s R&B playing. She isn't afraid to tell Alex like it is, but will also be there to support all of Alex's ideas, even some of the worst ones. She's the best friend for life, and will always try to teach Alex to dance on beat when Chris Brown comes on. When Alex has guests, she thinks W.W.J.D, "What would Julia do?". Her worst quality is her gift giving. If you say thank you, she writes a card. If you write a card, she brings a gift. If you bring a gift, she found you a rare orchid of exceptional beauty that blossoms every year so you always have flowers in your house. Don't even try to compete, Julia is the most thoughtful person.
Jorge Perez
Best Man
When he's on, he's on. I dare you to challenge Jorge to a game of H-O-R-S-E, and make sure your people are there to see the game. You might get embarrassed by the genius jester. We played 1-on-1 to 200, full court, twice. No one pushes me like him. When his star shines, it's the brightest I've seen. He doesn't have social media, but once a day, when you blink, you think of him and he thinks of you. Whether we're sword fighting, dueling, gaming, or hooping, we're feasting on laughter and singing our songs as we dance. For the times we have are grown. The fellowship runs. Whether we're painting, composing, crafting, or recording our potentials and passions, we'll be passing it on to our young. Sharing all that we have done. The fellowship runs. We met when I was 8, but he's been my best man since 9 years old. He takes his role as Best Man seriously and will be my champion if summoned for a duel like the old days. He's the "Young Eagle" gripping the "be yourself" mantra to new heights only to drop it like it's hot. At the wedding, if you need a strong and honest compliment, he's the one. He is the hype man's hype man, AKA Stretch Bugalú AKA Skinny J AKA my right hand man.
Lucia Rossazza
Bridesmaid
Alex met Lucia while living in San Francisco. With a 4 bedroom house that housed up to eight people, the Victorian style home was a rotating door of chaos. Despite all of this, Lucia and Alex became fast friends and bonded immediately. Their mutual appreciation for cinema secured their friendship, and they became a dual force for the other roommates to reckon with when it was time to decide who got the living room with the TV. Alex and Lucia naturally had the best opinions, so ultimately they chose what everyone watched. They were THE dynamic duo, with the best weekend plans, the best aperitivo recipes, and the best ideas. Noticing a trend? Yeah, because they are the best. While she lives in Switzerland now, Alex is confident Lucia still thinks about her from time to time. After all, about a year ago, Lucia decided to name her daughter "Alex".
Ian Johnson
Best Man
Walking on a path, looking across and seeing a creek. A drop of water falls from a leaf on to my forehead, and I suddenly smile. That's it, an idea. Or...a question? I call him. All lyrics, bits, ideas, and quips run through him. I'm not saying he's the lord, but when I went to church every Sunday and Youth Group on Thursday, it was to go see him. His influence carries further than his direct contact. He doesn't forget a thing that I tell him. This man lacks fear to walk up to anyone, and do anything breeding courage, curiosity, and optimism, and it's balls like these that I need around me. I was an athlete, and he wore all black with a fedora; yet, nobody ever listened to me and understood me like him. At the wedding, if you seek information, like even "Ian, what's her name over there?", he's the yes man, and it stays between you and him. I love what's funny, what's interesting, what's creative, and what's deep, and these qualities make up my best man, "The Lord" himself. He's the voice inside myyedd, the conference call king, and my left hand man, and I throw with my left, so yeah, my Guy is an awesome Guy. Let us play.
Susan Read
Bridesmaid
If you found Alex's phone on the ground, your instinct would be to call Susan first as that is who Alex probably texted last. She's the planner, the anticipator, and a literal doctor. The only thing that could be higher than her IQ, would be her emotional intelligence. She'll fix your problem before you even knew you had one. If you need an excel spreadsheet, Susan has it in five different colors. If you develop an enemy over time, Susan has already stopped speaking to them a month ago, Her loyalty knows no bounds and the phrase "ride or die" was created because of her. While technically yes, she is married to Alex's older brother, they rarely call each other in-laws. Susan and Alex both feel it's more accurate to call each other sisters.
Bill Read
Groomsman
This photo was taken at the Great Eruption of 2023, when Bill Read sang Queen. They tape his mouth shut on flights so he doesn't affect sonar. At the wedding, if you're standing in line with him, bring him an item and a capped beer bottle, and watch! He has a quick plan or gadget for everything, but if called upon to dress and act as a gangster boss clown, he commits. If you can’t find the solution, it's not you, it's just that Bill already had it in his back pocket. He doesn't point his finger in a direction and yell “Go". He's on the front lines with an axe over his shoulder, cupped hand in the air as he charges into battle shouting “COME”. He'll give you the skills to fish while throwing a 500lb tuna on the table to make sure you and the falcon on his shoulder are fully fed. He's creative. He's Lorenzo’s future brother-in-law, but he's Alex's good-time-away-from-home big brother sharing wisdom like "Is the juice worth the squeeze?" or "Bad day to be a High Noon" and topping it off with a "I can fix that."
Allison Wortley
Bridesmaid
Alex and Allison have been close since the early years of middle school. Back then, if Alex wasn't sleeping over the Wortley's, than Allison was sleeping over the Read's. They both grew up with brothers, so they naturally have a competitive edge towards each other. Allison pushes Alex to be the best version of herself, no matter how exhausted she is. Once on a visit after flying for 18 hours, the first thing Allison made Alex do was a morning workout class. Alex almost immediately regretted the whole trip, until she realized this was all part of Allison's plan to fight jet lag. She's always three steps ahead, planning out every detail to fight any hurdle. Just when you think you've caught up, she's already done a lap around you. She has high standards for her friends, because she sees how great they can be. Having a friend like Allison means having a friend that sees the best version of you.
Stefano Calvello
Groomsman
Didn't curse in front of anyone until he was 16, and now he's cursed with a breath of fresh Stef. He's so delightful, it's disgusting. If you require a laugh, he zings, if you require a plan, he picks up where you left off, and if you require a good friend, he's a brother. When he calls, I answer. When I call, he texts back "In the O.R. [operating room]...text if you need me." This man really think he's Captain America. But damn, he’s thoughtful. He’s so thoughtful that Mr. Rogers gave him one of his cardigans. I'd feel sorry for you if he was your brother, but for me, he's a voice of reason, always comes with a new fun drink to try, and cuts my hair just the way I want it. He has a warm hug, and he's precise with his handshakes. He makes you look cool just spending time with him. And then he says stuff like, "Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Stefano, the good-looking brother!" When you see him at the wedding, ask him to dance. He'll say, "Don't make me dance", but that's terrorism talking, and we don't. "Go Steeef! Go Steeef!" I can see it now.
Nicole Sutliff
Bridesmaid
Nicole and Alex met in second grade as witches. Their friendship cemented bouncing around Europe, quizzing each other on Spanish with Duolingo just before falling asleep after a night out in Barcelona. These days she's almost mastered the language and can even laugh in Spanish, whether it's with you or at you. She knows when something is objectively funny, and will commit to a bit even if it's just for herself. If she sees a good time she will dive head first into it. She's the type of friend who is up for any type of adventure, no matter how absurd. "Well if Nicole jumps off a bridge, would you then do it too Alex?!" Well, Nicole did and Alex did follow. There isn't a memory Alex has with Nicole where they aren't laughing. She'll attend any event that's interesting, even watching a man eat his 100th rotisserie chicken at the abandoned pier by the Walmart. If there's a situation that brings a laugh or joy, expect to find Nicole there.
Elliot Levy
Groomsman
At GUARD! Coming from Emory University! Standing 5'8, with cat-like reflexes, they call him the middler because this man keeps the conversation flowing. He's always moving, with the speed of a cheetah, you may see him one moment but he's gone the next. Ready for deep conversations and philosophical thought, he can see beyond the trees even though he's not tall enough. He has pushed creativity, music, and poetry, and they all pushed him back creating the symbiotic dance of the century. A 4-time Rasputin dance champion, but he's NOT A RAPPER. At the wedding, ask him to freestyle with 3 topics or things you see on the wedding day. If he says no, it's 10 push-ups. Use it or lose it, Young Sleeve. Rules are rules. He works his pen so hard that he might owe it benefits, and he's opened my mind with intriguing debates, boisterous belly laughs, and musical taste (except that triplets rap music phase, uuugh). He is the most "down" person I know to try something new. They call him the Coffee Shop Kid, the Passive Aggressor, the early adopter, the Bear Jew...it's Elliot Levy!
Juliette Dallas-Feeney
Bridesmaid
Juliette has been there for Alex literally since the day she was born. Their mothers made sure of this by being best friends themselves, and some of Alex's oldest memories as a child has Juliette present in them. Known by loved ones as JuJu, Juliette has become a beauty and fashion savant in her adult years. She's the trendsetter, the style icon, the pop culture guru. She can take a glimpse of someone's painted nails and say "OMG Hawaiian Orchard is my favorite OPI color!" She knows all the latest gossip before TMZ. She's a marketing wizard and can manage any PR scandal. They says Kerry Washington's character Olivia Pope was based on Juliette. As big as Juliette's world has become, she still holds her loved ones close. To this day she still calls Alex her childhood nickname "Big Al".
Reynaldo Calvello
Groomsman
Reynaldo is a trailblazer. A thought leader. He has set the tone for Stefano and myself. You can't say "Reign" without Rey. He is a true competitor with explosive passion, athletic performance, and strategic coaching. At track meets, the crowd would see him wrap around the 300m and go, "Oooooh, that boy can GO!" His heart, humility, and unrelenting drive have made him the family man we all love and respect today offering old school wisdom, foodie advice, and kindness to us when we seek it. I've observed how he's strengthened his relationships from childhood to today, and I took that skill just like all of his hand-me-downs. He never stops believing in me providing the valuable, enthusiastic endowment that I can rely on. He is the eldest brother, my golden guide, and the one who nutmegs me with a soccer ball when I least expect it. I sang at his wedding, but there's no video of it, so when you see him at ours, ask him to sing, and hit record! He'll say, "Don't make me sing", but big brothers don't cry! "Reynaaaldooo Calveeellooo Rodriiiigooo [...]" Love that song.
Alec Wakeley
Officiant
Alex, Lorenzo and Alec spent almost every Thursday night together in senior year of high school fighting over what movie to watch. What started out as a fun night together, turned into a weekly tradition warmly named "Movie Night Palooza" that went on until college. At the wedding, approach him with movie quote trivia. It's not weird that he knows all of these movie quotes, it's that he's more aware. The three of them still hold a strong bond over a decade later. Today, Alec's dog, Lyle, and Lorenzo and Alex's dog, Chiara, have play dates at the top of Lemon Hill. He moved all across the United States, and was nicknamed "Alecius, the Man of Adventure" by a wise Schwarzenegger. The name has stuck just as well as his mustache. Watch out for this legend! He'll have you thinking it's a wedding one minute, and then an iron man race the next. Wildcard Wakeley back at it again. Take them to the finish line!
