Wedding Party
Jennifer Bishop
Maid of Honor
Heyoo here we gooo! Mama calls me Jennifer but I go by Jen. 15 years ago a serendipitous encounter involving alphabetized seating and poor planning on Alicia’s part led to me lending a glittery purple mechanical pencil to this girl with disturbingly long hair on the first day of school. I may have lost a pencil that day, but I found a best friend. Alicia is my person, my “ride or die,” and I can't imagine life without her. She’s the only one I’d be willing to be locked in a spaceship with for a year (for science), and that speaks volumes. We’ve been there for each other through our happiest and hardest moments, like that changing room in the water park at six flags. It was a defining moment in our friendship. Find me at the reception after I’ve had a few glasses of wine and I’ll tell you the story. The greatest blessing, though, was getting to watch Alicia meet, get to know, fall in love with, and build a life with her other person— Joe. Joe is special, and not just because of his dope Sméagol impression, his ability to rollerblade 14 miles with me, or the fact that our names only differ by one letter, but because he is truly one of the kindest, generous, and all around good men I know. Ya gotta pass the best friend test, and Joe did the first time I met him. And I’m a tougher critic than Chef Gordon Ramsey in Hell’s Kitchen. I couldn’t ask for a better person for my bff. Here’s to Alicia and Joe! And here’s to Bic pencils for starting the greatest story ever!
Philip Amarante
Best Man
Joe and I have known each other our entire lives, and since the day he and Alicia started their relationship he has been at his happiest. I am honored to be a member of the wedding party, and can't wait to celebrate Joe and Alicia on their wedding day.
Christina Avino
Bridesmaid
I don’t remember the day I found out I was going to be a big sister but I can imagine it was probably one of the best days of my life. Alicia has always been one of my favorite adventure sidekicks and I can’t wait to be hers. I am beyond excited to stand by my little sister's side when she says I do.
Kyron Keen
Best Man
Best friend, best man, brother. I go by many titles but you can call me Kyron. I met both Joe and Alicia my first year at Southern Connecticut State University and always liked to brag that I was there from the start of their relationship. We always joked that one day if they got married I was going to be standing up there with them and I'm so happy and honored to have it come true. I'm lucky to be able to call them family.
Larissa Avino
Bridesmaid
Hi everyone, my name is Larissa. I am Alicia's baby sister (her pride and joy). Alicia is the best person I know. If she isn't helping me (which is A LOT), she is helping someone else. I can't express how happy I am to see her happy with the man she loves. Welcome to the family my brother Joe.
Patrick Amarante
Groomsman
I've known Joe for the entire 21st century, plus a few years, and I couldn't imagine the 21st century without Joe. I'm incredibly honored to be his groomsman and to be so much closer to him and Alicia (and my nephew Fender). What a joy it will be to watch the changing tides together from the fine state of Connecticut.
Rachel Amarante
Bridesmaid
I'm Rachel! The groom's sister. I have considered Alicia a sister for many years through hiking mountains together to many moves and puppy adventures. The love they share is beautiful and I can't wait to spend time celebrating them both.
Timothy Amarante
Groomsman
Name's Tim! I'm Joe's brother and one of the groomsmen in this wedding and I wanna tell you a story. One time, Alicia, Joe and I ended up stranded together in a tornado. It was crazy, and intense emotionally, but in the process I saw how perfect Alicia and Joe function as a couple. It is a very fond memory for me, and as a result I am so excited to see that they are getting married!
Lily Amarante
Bridesmaid
Hello there, I’m Lily and I feel very lucky to be part of the Amarante family. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Joe grow over the years. With his sense of humor and kind nature, there is so much to love about him. I’m so glad he’s found such a wonderful life partner in Alicia. Seeing them together and how happy they are is all you can wish for your brother. Alicia is a sweet, fun, and probably the most organized person I know. I wish them the very best in this next adventure of marriage and I can’t wait to celebrate!
Jon Dupnik
Groomsman
I met Joe and Alicia 6 years ago and I could tell from the start that they had something special. I am very excited to be able to share this experience with them and I can’t wait for the next steps in their relationship. These two humans are truly the best!
Sara Amarante
Bridesmaid
Hi! My name is Sara and I am Joe’s sister-in-law. I have never known Joe without Alicia - from day 1 of knowing them, they have been a package deal, so much so that whenever referring to them, we would always refer to them as Joelicia. They are just so great together that it wasn’t a question of if they were going to get married, but a matter of when. I love Joelicia so much and can’t wait for what life has in store for them in their future marriage. Cheers to the happy couple!!!
Fatmir Imerukaj
Groomsman
Feels like only yesterday when I noticed Joe and Alicia talking coyly to each other at a party in 2015. Who could've predicted that spark could bring us here today; best friends, a great team, and the strongest couple I know. I can't wait to watch them make some grand memories, grow old with each other, and potentially name their first child after me.
Samantha Sholtes
Bridesmaid
Alicia is my best friend. I used to call her as I was leaving work and she would warm us up slices of pie so they would be ready when I walked in. If late night pie and girl talk isn’t true friendship, than I don’t know what is. I’m so happy that Alicia and Joe have found each other. They both compliment each other so perfectly and I am honored to stand beside them on their wedding day.
Allan Carbajal
Groomsman
Hey everyone, my name is Allan. I am Joe and Alicia's soon-to-be brother-in-law. I am so excited to celebrate them on their wedding day! I am lucky to call such amazing people family. Cheers to Alicia and Joe!
Sharon McCullough
Mother of the Bride
Alicia, my second born, has been a caregiver and teacher from the age of two! "Mah! Mah baby!" she said as her big sister tried to have a turn holding their new sister. "Mama Nana!" She shouted, as her big sister hung upside down from the loft bed. Now an environmental and special educator and loving Mom to their fur baby, Fender, Alicia is blessing the world with her heart and knowledge. Alicia admired Joe's kindness and hard work since they met in Habitat for Humanity. How happy I am to welcome Joe into our family! May God continue to bless your lives, as you learn and grow as a couple.
Robert Avino
Father of the Bride
I am the proud father of my daughter Alicia, an independent, self sufficient, caring, empathetic young woman whom has made a great decision to marry a really great guy that I am thrilled to welcome into my family.
Julianne Satterwhite
Mother of the Groom
I will never forget the day Joe was born. What should have been the happiest day of my life, was the scariest. A mere two pounds forced the doctors to whisk him away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Not breathing on his own or expected to survive but clearly filled with a fighting spirit everyone could see! Against big odds, he never gave up. Weeks turned into months, and he finally came home. Not always easy in the beginning. He struggled to be first at things, was ok with last, as long as, he finished! (Some will remember the lap around the bases at Myrtle Beach!) I wish I could remember the exact day the constant worrying faded or when I noticed he evolved into the funny, loving, compassionate, loyal, smart, talented man we all know and love today. Having witnessed his initial struggles, I believed no one could be worthy of him. But along came Alicia and she proved me wrong. She even over came her fear of dogs and is now one of the best dog mothers around! I am thrilled Joe and Alicia found one another and am excited to see what the future holds for them!
Paul Amarante
Father of the Groom
I love Joe and Alicia like biscuits and gravy.