Anthony & Ana
Wedding Party
Manuele Freitas
Bridesmaid
Meet Manu! Manu is one of the most genuine and fun people that Ana has ever known. She never fails to make people laugh. She will never let you down, is very kind, and gives with all of her heart. Ana met Manu over 15 years ago at Afghan, a Brazilian clothing store, in Rio De Janeiro. Free, young, and wild.... well Manu not so much (lol), they have so many crazy stories of parties and adventures throughout the years. They built a very strong bond, even though they are two completely different people. Many of Ana's bestfriends will not be able to make it to The USA for her wedding and Manu will stand in and represent all of their friends from back home in Brazil.
Laurence Samuels
Officiant
Meet Laurence! Anthony and Laurence have been friends since early 2018 after being introduced by a mutual friend. Laurence being the outgoing chap that he is, gave Anthony his number and began to text him motivational quotes daily and they quickly established a bromance that will withstand the test of time. They have had many adventures together but one of the most memorable was the Yellowstone trip in 2020 with their good friends Nicole and Stacy. Anthony and Laurence enjoy going to sporting events, music festivals, DJ events, self growth workshops, working out, and just having a good old heart to heart! They haven't known each other for very long as far as the years go, but when they talk they talk all things important and have established a deep friendship. Anthony looks up to Laurence as his older brother. His wisdom, patience, generosity, humor, and over all morals are things Ant admires about his friend. Laurence has introduced Anthony to some amazing self growth programs like P3 and Landmark which they have attended together and grew emotionally and spiritually together. Anthony and Laurence talk about taking a trip to the UK where Laurence grew up to see around his home town and meet his family. Anthony is honored to have him officiate his wedding as his best man.
Rafaela Cabede
Bridesmaid
Meet Rafa Rafa and Ana met in 2012 through a mutual friend when Ana first arrived to the United States. Rafa is a strong woman. She is the most generous person and has a very contagious energy. She was always there for Ana when she needed it the most. Rafa sent her husband promptly to help Ana with what ever she needed, even though Rafa lived in another state and didn't know Ana very well. From the moment they met, she welcomed Ana to her family with open arms and they bonded immediately. They have so many great memories from the past 10 years. From night clubs in Orlando, to exchange pampers and other motherhood experiences. Rafa was with Ana in NY at Kleinfeld Bridal when she said "Yes to the dress" of her dreams.
Zane Prater
Groomsman
Meet Zane! Zane and Anthony have been friends for nearly 30 years. Zane is the cousin to Anthony's sister Alisha and have always thought of each other as cousins as well. Anthony and Zane enjoy going to HHN (Halloween Horror Nights @ Universal) musicals, concerts, operas, ballets, vacations, playing Enter the Gungeon or Over Cooked, board games, and grabbing some food at some of their favorite Orlando joints. Some of their favorite memories is going to New York for a weekend getaway, skydiving, going to HHN, and playing at Grandma Delores's house picking strawberries in the garden as children. Zane has always been by Ant's side and without Zane's help he would have never moved to Florida. The support and love that Zane gives to those he loves is out of this world and has never fallen short in Anthony's eyes. Zane and Anthony are planning their next big adventure together to hike Machu Picchu, just after Ant's biggest adventure. Marrying the love of his life, with Zane by his side.
Alisha Kaufman
Bridesmaid
Meet Alisha! Alisha is Ant's younger and only sister. Alisha lives in their home town of Austin MN. She loves all things animals. She has two dogs and 2 horses who eat up all of her attention. Nothing stops her from riding her horses, even when she fell with her horse Jesse and shattered her foot years ago. Anthony is nothing but proud of his little sister and that first came to light when Alisha's said her first word "Ant-Knee". However that still doesn't stop him from poking and making fun of her. They are polar opposites when it comes to interests but always find something to talk about and enjoy every moment they have together. Some of their favorite memories that they share together is ballroom dance classes, time at Grandma "Snickers'" house (even though she had to play with 4 boys and never get to have her way), going to Disney World, just to name a few. The most memorable time together was when they went on a road trip with their Grandpa Kaufman to NY and getting to meet his family. Ana and Sophia have some great memories with Alisha as well. Going sledding for their first time, first Christmas with snow in MN, riding Alisha's horse, and getting to spend time at our house when she came to FL to visit.
Michael Wenzel
Groomsman
Meet Michael! Michael and Anthony have knows each other since babies. They are cousins on the Davis side of the family. It wasn't until around 99' when they really started to establish a close relationship. They spent weeks together and found out they both liked the same games and interests. They were both awkward and quiet but at every Davis gathering they found themselves finding each other and talking endlessly. The family always said that we were more like brothers than cousins and that we were the same person. Michael and Anthony have stayed in close contact with one another even with the long distance between them. They enjoy hiking, anything outdoors, watching anime, playing games, board games and video, playing Magic the Gathering, and just sitting down and talking. During the summer breaks as teenagers, the two of them would watch cooking shows, Dora the Explorer, play magic. After their morning ritual they would go out hiking, go grocery shopping and cook the most epic meals. Especially the epic smoothies, which Mike's Mom didn't like because it would burn out her blender. One of Anthony's favorite memories of Michael was spending time with their Grandmother after their Grandfather passed away. It was great to bond and support their Grandma Davis during a tough time and it was a special moment that Anthony holds close to his heart. They have been at each others sides since supporting each other and we are honored to have him with us on our special day.
Fernanda Figueiredo
Bridesmaid
Meet Fernanda! Fernanda is one of Ana's oldest friends. They met in Rio de Janeiro when they were 15-16 years old. Figue is very smart, honest, and determined. She is never afraid to say what is on her mind. She also goes after her dreams no matter what obstacle comes in the way, which is a quality that Ana looks up to and admires. Ana and Fernanda both enjoyed countless trips together. They have many good memories going to Cabo Frio and Buzios during summer breaks. Their biggest adventure together was coming to the USA for a vacation. They both fell in love with the United States so much that they ended up deciding to make it their new forever home!
Zhera Paaverud
Groomswoman
Meet Zhera! Zhera is Ant's Oldest friend. Ant moved to Austin when he was 2 and moved next door to the Paaverud's Grandparents who's house separated Zhera's and Ant's. Anthony's Mom tells the story of them meeting for the first time. Anthony's Mom was sitting down with the realtor a week after they moved in just to talk about how things were going in the new home when they suddenly heard a knock on the door. She was greeted by Zhera and her sister Mariah. "Anthony's Mom... Anthony is walking up and down the road banging on a pan!" Ant's Mom said "Oh okay thanks!" they then said "Oh, and Anthony's mom.... He's naked!". Ant and Z hung out nearly every day during their childhood. Playing toys, games, making forts, and playing with her other siblings. When kids picked on Ant, Zhera always had his back and stood up to the kids who tried to do him wrong. Zhera was the older sister he never had and they always supported each other throughout the years. Some of their favorite memories together were Paaverud family reunions, playing hide and seek tag, hacky sack, playing on the trampoline, spending summer vacations playing video games, and coming up with an elaborate story which they used to play out with toys with a massive plot. Zhera has always motivated Ant to be the best he can and supported him in all that he does. She is always looking out for his best interest and he couldn't ask for a better big sister so here she is, getting his back yet once again on his special day!
Sophia
Flower Girl
Meet Sophia! Soso is a firecracker of love and energy who is way to smart for her own good. Sophia loves the color pink... no blue.... no light blue.... no pink, chicken nuggets, cheese pizza, Mc Donalds... but only chicken nuggets, singing, piano, dance, TicTok, RoBlox, and lots and lots of attention. Soso is very loving and affectionate and loves to learn. Sophia is so excited for the wedding. Right away she wanted to pick out her dress and expressed to us that she will be our flower girl. We couldn't be more happy and touched that Sophia supports our relationship and our new family that we are creating. Ant... aka Panda and Soso have a great and loving bond. They dance and sing like crazies, play dolls, do their makeup, do art, play board games and card games. Anthony enjoys teaching Sophia life lessons, piano, and silly little jokes. Most nights instead of reading a book to Soso, Anthony will instead dance to the Arthur theme song where Sophia smiles and melts as he jumps around her room. This is the most important quality that Ana sees in Anthony and cannot express how much this means to her. Some of our favorite memories as a family is our first trip to MN for Christmas with Anthony's family. Going sledding for the first time. Going to a Vanilla Ice concert at Sea World. Mini golf with alligators. Beach and natural spring days, cuddles and movies in bed.