Alyssa & Joseph
Wedding Party
Abby Watterson
Maid of Honor
Few things in life are as certain as Alyssa and Abby's friendship. No matter how far apart the two live from each other, Alyssa always knows Abby couldn't possibly be too far away because she can almost always hear voice from across the country. Known to Alyssa as "My Angel", the friendship began freshman year when Abby turned to Alyssa and said, "You're pretty. You should rush Fuzzie." Alyssa had no idea what a "Fuzzie" was, but she quickly learned that it was the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. From that point, a true sisterhood was immediately formed. Abby is Alyssa's go to person and best friend. There's no doubt that no matter where these two sisters end up in life, they'll always have each others back, along with countless inside jokes for reference.
Riley Boylan
Best Man
What began as an argument about the declining state of Raider football on the playground at St. Francis School at the ripe age of 5 soon turned into a friendship full of mischief, laughs, and more rising action than the acclaimed film Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. After 4th grade, it became rare to see Riley & Joey paired in the same classes together. The teachers were onto them! But that wouldn't stop their relentless drive to push the envelope in class. Coincedentally, Riley went off to Iowa after high school and Joey to Ohio, both joining the same fraternity without even realizing it. As they try their best to grow up by embarking on several different business ventures together, they still can't help but to argue about sports and laugh at those who don't understand them.
Kelly Peterson
Bridesmaid
I can thank my MoH for this beautiful friendship. Kelly and I met when she came to visit Abby in college and I hadn't seen her again until I moved to Florida. Moving to a new state, I didn't have many friends, but Kelly gave me such a warm welcome and we immediately became best friends. Kelly is the most caring, loyal, and loving friend. She will always go out of her way to be there for you or simply just check in. Kelly is also an avid cat lover and Alyssa can thank her for changing her opinion on those four legged psychopaths.
Brian Traut
Groomsman
As a child, we called him "Chicken Nugget Head", for his large sized dome and his love for all things chicken nuggets. The only sibling of Joey, the two are so much alike that as children they ended up fighting about how different they thought they were. I mean the kid had beach blonde hair at one point. Brian ended up evolving into quite the man, graduating from The Ohio State University in 2020 after a brief sweaty stint at Arizona State. Some say he's matured so much, he is now the older brother of Joey. Don't believe it? Ask him about mutual funds and bond yields.
Sydney Cook
Bridesmaid
Sydney and Alyssa met in Orlando one humid summer night when Sydney bravely showed up to a house party hosted by Joey, all by herself as the new girl in town. At first, Alyssa thought this was a very bold move. As soon as these the two started talking, Alyssa and Sydney immediately knew that God brought them together for a reason. Sydney is a serious boss lady who works for the Orlando Magic while also running her own online boutique (check out Palmer & Co.)! Sydney is always up for an adventure which is one of the many reasons her and Alyssa get along so well. Sydney is also dating one of Joey's best friends and groomsmen in the wedding, Matan. The four of them together are a true family.
Matan Cohen
Groomsman
The oldest and wisest member of the groomsmen, Matan is best described as a big kid in a grown man's body. He is the boyfriend of bridesmaid Sydney Cooke, a real estate mogul in his hometown of Rochester, NY, and one hell of a salesman. When Joey first arrived at his first job at the Orlando Magic in June 2016, he frankly didn't know what he was doing. Enter, Matan Cohen. Matan became a role model for Joey, teaching him how to close deals, confidently ask for promotions, and sign up for Costco memberships. Matan & Joey both share in Aristotle's philosophy of "Work Hard, Play Harder", and that can be seen through the years by their trips to Miami, Sunday Fundays at the pool, and the time Matan faceplanted on a Bird Scooter in San Diego.
Taylor Murphy
Bridesmaid
My little Tayla! Taylor and Alyssa went from being random roommates in Orlando to being each others bridesmaids. The two bonded over a crazy roommate situation where their third roommate put her room up for rent on Craigslist unknowingly to Alyssa and Taylor. As imagined, this situation brought the two very close and sparked a friendship that would survive any distance. Unlike most, Taylor loves being in school. She is currently taking classes right now even while planning her own wedding! Taylor is a front line worker who worked endlessly as a Nurse during the entire COVID-19 pandemic, Alyssa's hero :) One great part about having a Nurse as a friend is the unlimited supply of IVs after a night that you may have had one too many glasses of wine.
Philip Moncla
Groomsman
The two first met rushing the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at Ohio University, but upon a late night run in during Homecoming week while trying to escape pledge duties for the nearest house party, Joey had asked Phil to join him at his cousin JB's house for some free Keystone Lights - and the rest is history! Phil was a great academic influence on Joey as well, though Joey could never figure out how Phil could do a keg stand at 10pm and crush LSAT prep the next day at 7am. When Joey visited Phil while he was at Arizona State Law School, he only had a vertical ID, a format Arizona bars did not accept at the time. However, Phil found a loophole, printed out the law, highlighted it, brought it to the bars, and the two enjoyed a successful night out!
Brooke Cicerchi
Bridesmaid
Brooke has been one of Alyssa's best friends since 4th grade, that's almost 2 decades! They have been through all phases of life together. From middle school D.A.R.E. dances, to that one time Brooke bleached her hair freshman year, to senior prom and graduation, and then to living in haunted Washington Hall at Ohio University. The two of them have made an endless amount of memories together throughout their lives so far. Brooke has been there for Alyssa in all of the ups and downs in life. Brooke is like a sister to Alyssa, I mean she even hangs out with Alyssa's family when she's not there. No matter the distance or the amount of time spent apart from each other, Brooke always makes an effort to see Alyssa when she comes home to Cleveland for a visit. Now that is a true friend.
Bahjat Kseibi
Groomsman
His name is Bahjat, but you can call him "Bill". When Joey first met Bill at Ohio University, his English was improving, but his American profanity was already mastered! Bill would also join the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and taught Joey a valuable life lesson that no matter where you're from in the world, you can create friendships with someone that will last a lifetime. Bill would go into the tech space and move to Chicago shortly after college, but has recently moved to Orange County to reunite with Joey. Together again, the two enjoy spending time on the weekends talking about stocks, sampling every new hot chicken joint that pops up, and asking Phil when he will rejoin the trio. Joey will give anyone at the wedding $100 if they get Bill to eat cheese.
Blair Israel
Bridesmaid
Blair is one of Alyssa's triplet cousins. She was the only girl out of the three with her brothers being Brett and Blake. Although Alyssa and Blair grew up living about 1,500 miles apart, they were always as close as could be. Blair would make multiple trips to Ohio each year flying from Florida to Ohio by herself as early as age 10, she has no fears. Some of Alyssa's favorite memories growing up were with Blair. There was one time that Blair "pretended" to dial 911, resulting in a police officer showing up to their Grandparents house late at night. Grandma was not very happy with us. After all the mischief, Blair grew up to be one of the smartest, most hardworking people Alyssa knows. Blair is on her way to becoming a successful lawyer and will be getting married in November 2022!
Joey Stuart
Groomsman
When separated, they're just a couple of "Sleepy Joe's".... but when together, the dynamic duo becomes "Joey Squared". The two first met on the suffocating summer tundra at a practice for Fighting Irish Youth Football. It was middle school, and both Joeys were speedy and thin, which means both got a solid amount of playing time. That would soon change as Joey Stuart developed into a strong, elusive defensive back in high school, and Traut still looked like he was in 8th grade. The two would remain friends through high school, college, and beyond, bonding over sophisticated topics such as Joe Rogan podcasts, hockey, and electronic dance music. If one Joey is a good time, two Joeys is a GREAT time!
Alex Toth
Bridesmaid
Alex and Alyssa met on November 27th, 1993. On this day, Alex got the best present ever, a little sister! Alex and Alyssa grew up 10 years apart and may not have had much in common being that far apart in age (Alex definitely referred to Alyssa as her annoying little sister) but they always found closeness in their ability to drive their mom crazy. If you don't already know Alex, you may not pick her out of a crowd as Alyssa's older sister. Alex is about half the size of Alyssa. It's not easy for Alyssa to admit it, but Alex is easily the funnier sister. She has a great sense of humor and a very sarcastic personality, so don't take her too seriously. If you see a wild 10 year old boy break dancing on the dance floor, just know that Alex is his Mother and she taught him those moves.
Patrick Hellman
Groomsman
They say "distance makes the heart grow fonder", and that has been the case with Patrick who has been another great friend of Joey's since Kindergarten at St. Francis. Patrick & Joey would play on the same baseball team almost every year over a 12 year span, and would go on many adventures over the course of their childhood to numerous Dodgers games and camping trips to San Clemente. As most friends moved to other states, Patrick moved to Australia (casual), but the distance & time difference did not matter as the two remained close up until his return to the homeland. Legend has it that when Pat lived down under, he had a pet Kangaroo that he named Joey.