Alex & Jen
Wedding Party
Jody Gillman
Maid of Honor
Jody and Jen first met when they both lived in Cincinnati. They quickly knew they would be best friends after a long car ride for a weekend trip; where they spent the whole ride belting out Taylor Swift songs and trying to not get car sick. It was Jody's matchmaking efforts that brought Jen and Alex together, and her reassurances that Alex was more mature than he may seem that kept Jen interested. If they're not too busy working on HGTV worthy DIY home renovations, you'll undoubtedly find them trolling for craft fairs with T. Swift blastin' on the radio. Best friends doesn't even begin to describe them.
James Derrico
Best Man
James is Alex's older, only, and favorite brother. Growing up Alex always would look up to and try to emulate James. While they both have very different personalities, it is clear to see in Alex what good qualities he has learned from James. Thankfully after college they both went on to work at CellMark in Chicago, where once again James taught Alex much about the business. Such as many mentor stories go - it is expected by year end 2022 that Alex will outperform his older brother as a CellMark broker.
Michelle Derrico
Bridesmaid
Michelle and Jen first met out on the town in Chicago a mere three weeks after Jen and Alex's love affair began. Approximately twenty minutes after first meeting and with the subtly of a mouse Michelle screamed "DERRICO SISTERS" (apparently she knew before we did). Their relationship grew over the course of many nights binge eating, day drinking, weekend adventures, and making jokes at Alex's expense. These days it's hard to tell who the siblings are; James and Alex or Jen and Michelle.
Mike Muratore
Groomsman
Alex and Mike have been close friends since college. Ten years after graduating and despite being hundreds of miles away from each other they still talk every day. Mike has been not just an amazing friend, but a confidante who has always offered great advice in hard times (like Gandalf). Their relationship is said to have rivaled that of Shrek and Donkey, however, the debate continues on who portrays which.
Joelle DiGiovanni
Bridesmaid
Jen and Joelle first met on one of Jen's many weekend visits to see Alex in Chicago. Jen couldn't think of missing a Chicago "fam" Sunday dinner at the DiGiovanni house - even if that meant leaving at 4am Monday morning to make it to Cincinnati in time for work. Their bond grows stronger every time they commiserate about how idiotic their significant others are together. Joelle and Jen are the voice of reason when Alex and Michael don't seem to have any. Now Jen and Joelle are each others "fam" - and they wouldn't have it any other way.
Andrew Burns
Groomsman
Alex met Andrew right after moving to Chicago and knew right away they were 2 peas in a pod. In fact, it was their friendship that led to Andrew meeting his wife Jody (Maid of Honor) and subsequently Alex meeting Jen (Bride). Together they've traversed not just the city of Chicago; but the beautiful blue lakes of Italy, the white sand beaches of Greece, and the ancient cobblestone streets of Istanbul.
Nabil Madhun
Groomsman
Nabil and Alex met shortly after they both moved to Chicago where Nabil was attending medical school. Eventually Nabil moved to Cleveland to become a resident at the Cleveland Clinic. While he didn't go on to cure cancer, Nabil did launch a successful career specializing in both endocrinology and answering all of Alex's hypochondriac-esque medical questions. Thanks to Nabil Alex successfully now knows the difference between a heart attack and heartburn.
Michael DiGiovanni
Officiant
Michael and Alex first met when Alex was interning at CellMark in Connecticut. It was clear that a beautiful friendship was blossoming from their first month in the office together where they would spend their days bantering, joking, finishing each others sentences, and at times working. Michael and his wife Joelle (Bridesmaid) would go on to relocate to Chicago where he would be at a new role in CellMark and in the office every day with Alex. While there's a lot more work getting done these days, they still find time to continue all the bantering, joking, and finishing of each others sentences.