A + D
Wedding Party
Morgan Christiansen
Maid of Honor
Morgan and Ashley first met in middle school during spirit week. Since then, Morgan has been Ashley’s go to for 15 years. Some favorite memories include sharing the love for Jesse McCartney, pep band Saturdays, Caz Pizza rolls, learning to drive, 21st birthdays, Rochester visits, and Beachbody workouts. Despite the distance and time apart their twin like bond has never wavered. Ashley has pictured Morgan holding her flowers while she says “I Do” for years; and that time is finally here! Morgan is known to be outgoing so expect her to be chatting it up out on the dance floor!
Chris Fillion
Best Man
Chris grew up about 10 houses down from Dan on Peck Road. Legend has it that their friendship started when Dan went to Chris on the school bus one day and said "Let's be best friends". Chris and Dan became inseparable from sleepovers, football, musicals, video games, and chorus in high school. They visited each other in college and even got an apartment together in Buffalo when they both started their first full time jobs (at the same company might I add). Their friendship has not changed since that fateful day on the bus. No party is a party without Chris. If you see him near, just know he's going to make sure you're having a good time on Dan and Ashley's special day!
Devin Murphy
Bridesmaid
Devin and Ashley first met in college during a sorority info night. Devin was a little edgy and THE coolest in Ashley’s opinion- had a truck, volunteered at the fire department, and was a farm animal lover…except in the horse department. Devin quickly became the Christina Yang to Ashley’s Meredith Grey. They spent their college years surviving never ending chapter meetings, retail therapy at TJMaxx, and repeat lumberjack Halloweens. Devin and Ashley have shared some serious life moments together- college graduation and being a part of each other’s engagements. At the end of the night you can expect Devin and Ashley to be dancing it out, because that’s how they finish.
Ted Alexander
Groomsman
Ted is Dan's older brother. Ted is a renaissance man and his life successes influenced Dan to pursue football, musicals, chorus, Boy Scouts, Cornell, fraternity, etc. Ted argues that Dan is a spitting (less-handsome) image of him. Some of Dan's favorite memories include Ted swearing Dan in as an Eagle Scout, watching Ted play football at Cornell, and playing games such as backyard football, pool basketball, and Gamecube (NFL Street). Ted is the most competitive of the bunch (although Dan is a very close second). Make sure you bring your 'A'-lexander game if you challenge him to yard games. You'll likely see the two throwing the pigskin to warmup prior to "kickoff".
Katie Smith
Bridesmaid
Katie and Ashley first met in college during "Big/Little" intro night - Devin took dibs on wanting her as her "Big". Ashley and Katie bonded over riding horses, surviving non-Animal Science classes and nights in Collegetown. It wasn’t long after meeting Dan that she gave him the nickname “Nug” (short for "Nugget"). Needless to say it stuck, however Katie may be the only one that gets away with it these days! She is an expert dog walker and soon to be Veterinarian that is known for her big heart. Katie whipped up some mean pregame cocktails in college, so expect her to be giving the bar staff some pointers!
Richie Alexander
Groomsman
Richie is Dan's oldest brother. Richie has a heart of gold and is one of the most honest and genuine guys that Dan knows. He is a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan and once turned down free tickets because he refused to wear the opposing team's gear (his Uncle Paul even coached for the opposing team). As a result, it was necessary for Richie and Dan to negotiate playing the Buffalo Bill's theme song "Shout" at least once on the big day. Some of Dan's favorite memories of Richie include when he played Frankie Valli in the musical "Grease", playing family card games, and backyard Bocce. Richie will be Shout-ing as one of the most supportive fans when Dan and Ashley take the "field” August 7th.
Ana Verahrami
Bridesmaid
Ana and Ashley first met in college during "Big/Little" intro night. Ana was Ashley's "Little". Ana and Ashley hit it off and matched, which meant Ashley got to secretly spoil her with gifts and goodies before reveal day. They shared a year of college together and had fun at sorority events, slope day plans, and photoshoots (including many selfies). Fun fact: one of Ana’s hobbies is nature photography. She even spent time in Africa doing research with elephant vocalization and took so many amazing photos. Expect to catch Ana cheesin’ on the other side of the lens on our big day!
Steven Diehl
Groomsman
Steven is Ashley's younger brother. He is a member of the United States Air Force. Steven living in Alaska for the past couple years has been a great excuse for Ashley, Dan, and her family to visit the "Last Frontier" and enjoy family vacations. Steven's quirkiness is the heart of every comical Diehl-family story. Dan and Ashley can barely go a day without quoting a famous Steven Diehl line which somehow seems to apply in any situation. For instance, if you ask him if he'd like a drink, and he replies "I'm good", just get him a drink... Although he may be thousands of miles away right now, Ashley and Dan can't wait for him to be a few feet away as they say "I Do".
Shaina Joffe
Bridesmaid
Shaina and Ashley first met in college thanks to Dan and Yosouf becoming "besties". Shaina became the ultimate wing woman when it came to Sprint football games or Fiji events. Ashley wouldn’t have survived the social calendar without her. Shaina was also the one to educate Ashley during a formal date night that wasabi was NOT avocado…ouch, it still burns. So many memories together from beer covered dance floors, Purple Garter formal, and sailing in the Bahamas. Shaina will be the one getting the party started!
Wes Rivais
Groomsman
Dan and Wes first met in kindergarten. They grew up playing sports, and singing in both chorus and musicals. Dan was the supporting role and Wes was the lead in many musicals. For instance, they starred in Beauty & the Beast where Wes was Gaston and Dan was Le Fou. This perfectly captured their relationship with one-another - talk about typecasting... In Wes's spare time he is a semi-professional Kan Jam player (Yes, Dan and he almost won money playing a yard game). He is also an avid beer connoisseur. If you don't believe me, please ask for his Snapchat where he almost exclusively grades beers. Expect Wes, "The Man, The Myth, The Legend", to bring the fun, and the IPAs as Dan and Ashley celebrate the big day.
Yosouf Tawfiq
Groomsman
Yosouf and Dan met in college at a Cornell football practice. From there, they left their mark on both Sprint Football and the Cornell social scene. They eventually became fraternity brothers, roommates and go-to beer pong partners. Full disclosure so there isn't any stigma here - Dan and Yosouf both graduated college and Yosouf works as a Software Engineer for a fortune 500 company. Yosouf's energy and fun-loving personality is contagious. So much so, it may make you want to bust down a door at 2am... (definitely not a true story...) Unfortunately Ashley and Dan are liable for any damages to the Belhurst (so please be respectful). Yosouf will be busting through with tons of energy, laughs, and smiles on the big day.
Rylee Diehl
Ring Bearer
Rylee is Ashley’s only (and much younger) cousin. At 3 weeks old, Rylee joined Ashley on his first Meyers Ice Cream trip which is a BIG DIEHL. Rylee is known for having the best themed birthday parties; including Paw Patrol and Ninjago where he has trained the Diehl family (and Dan) in the sacred art of Spinjitzu. Despite a failed attempt at making him a Georgia Bulldogs fan, Rylee loves the Clemson Tigers, anything Star Wars and playing soccer. Over the years, Dan has become a favorite for lightsaber battles, nerf wars, and Mario Party (although he still ranks below Uncle Joe and Steven, who works on "bighter jets"). Rylee will have the most important job of the day - guarding the rings, or as Rylee might say, "Ring Security"!
Lillian Alexander
Flower Girl
The newest member of the Alexander family and Dan and Ashley’s first niece!