Wedding Party
Amanda
Bridesmaid
Amanda is Kris’s older sister, and if there’s one word to describe her, it’s matriarchal! She has a nurturing, caring, and motherly nature that extends far beyond her own family—she looks out for everyone she knows with a level of dedication that is truly unmatched. If you need advice, Amanda is the first person you call. If you need help, she’s already there before you can even ask! As an Assistant Director of Nursing, she spends her days in charge of caring for others, and at home, she’s a full-time mom to two of the most amazing kids—Ben, our ring bearer, and Chloe, our flower girl. It’s no surprise they’re such wonderful little humans, considering they have Amanda as their mother! She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, especially when it comes to family. Amanda has been an absolute lifesaver throughout the wedding planning process and we are beyond lucky to have her by our side, always.
Benjamin
Ring Bearer
Meet Ben, our wonderful ring bearer! At just 5 years old, he’s already Spider-Man’s #1 fan and a little superhero in his own right. Ben is incredibly smart, with a sharp wit that keeps everyone laughing. His collection of toy cars is just one of the many things that spark his boundless imagination. When he’s not racing them around, he’s out on the field playing soccer. He’s also an amazing big brother to his little sister, Chloe, and a loving best friend to his dog, Balto. As Amanda’s first child, Ben has been stealing hearts since day one, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him playing such an important role on our special day!
Chloe
Flower Girl
Meet Chloe, our adorable 2-year-old flower girl! Full of sass and charm, Chloe is a ball of energy who lights up every room with her infectious laughter—especially when she’s sharing giggles with her big brother, Ben. Her passions include Minnie Mouse and strawberries! As Amanda’s second child, she brings sweetness and joy to everyone around her, and we are thrilled to have her playing such a special role on our big day!
Claudia
Mother of the Bride
Claudia is the definition of warmth and charisma—an outgoing and friendly person who effortlessly makes friends wherever she goes. Claudia is a proud, retired Junior High School Math and Spanish teacher who helped shape the lives of many underserved Brooklyn public school kids throughout her career. Born in Colombia and then emigrated to Queens, NY where she met her husband Ed, she carries a vibrant energy that lights up any room. One of her greatest passions is dancing, and you can often find her at salsa clubs, moving to the rhythm with pure joy. Claudia isn’t just Jessica’s mom—she’s her best friend, her twin, and her biggest cheerleader. The bond between them is something truly special, built on love, laughter, and an unshakable connection. Claudia’s zest for life, love for music, and ability to connect with others make her such a special part of our lives. We’re so grateful to have her love and support as we celebrate this incredible journey! Whether it’s sharing deep conversations, spontaneous adventures, or just everyday moments, Claudia and Jessica are inseparable, and Jessica couldn’t imagine this day without her by her side.
Ed
Father of the Bride
Ed, Jessica’s father, is a carpenter by trade who later became a beloved high school woodshop teacher. No matter what, he’s always there at the drop of a hat, ready to help in any way he can. He would give the shirt off his back if it meant making Jessica’s life even a little bit easier. Now happily retired, he still keeps super busy—whether he’s building something new or diving into his latest hobby! Ed stays physically active, taking long hikes, joining weekly historical walking tours through NYC, and even recently picking up chair yoga! Beyond his love for the outdoors, Ed is an avid audiobook listener with a passion for fantasy novels. He’s also got a knack for engraving, using his engraving machine to create unique jewelry pieces just for fun. But above all, one of Ed’s greatest passions is his black lab, Winter, who he absolutely spoils. With his creativity, curiosity, and constant drive to learn and explore, Ed is an inspiration to us both, and we’re so happy to have him by our side on this special day!
Erica
Bridesmaid
Erica isn’t just Jessica’s older sister—she’s been her guardian angel from the very start, always looking out for her! She has a great sense of humor, a warm and approachable personality, with a natural ability to make everyone feel welcomed. Her creative spirit shines through in everything she does. Whether she’s cooking up delicious meals, crafting, or tending to her plants, Erica brings passion and artistry to everything she touches. A dedicated cat mom and animal lover, Erica also has a deep love for baseball—especially the Mets! She’s attended countless games, always cheering them on with unwavering loyalty. When she’s not at the ballpark, she’s also passionate about anime and has even traveled to Japan multiple times to immerse herself in the culture and food she loves. Her kindness, intelligence, and thoughtfulness make her an irreplaceable part of our lives, and we are so grateful to have her by our side on this special day!
Jessica S.
Bridesmaid
Jessica S. and Jessica F. (the bride) went to high school together. Their friendship started in the most simple way—by sitting next to each other and realizing they shared the same name, which led to instant laughter and an inseparable bond. Jessica S. is one of the funniest people you could ever meet and Jessica’s best friend. Jessica S. made Jessica F. the unofficial godmother to her beautiful baby girl, Amelia (because despite being Jewish and not technically having godmothers—this is a very serious role!). She has a natural ability of making everyone feel comfortable with her down-to-earth nature, authenticity, and total lack of pretense. What you see is what you get, and that’s something to always admire about her. Beyond being an incredible mother and a devoted wife, Jessica S. is also passionate about the world of aesthetics and is pursuing a career in the field. Her ambition, combined with her natural warmth and ability to make others feel beautiful inside and out, makes me certain she’ll be amazing at whatever she sets her mind to. Jessica (the bride) had the honor of planning her baby shower and was beyond excited for the birth of her beautiful daughter, as well as her recent wedding. It’s been incredible sharing so many milestones together, and we couldn’t imagine our wedding day without her.
Kat
Bridesmaid
Kat and Jessica met when they were just 13 years old, and have been best friends ever since. Their bond grew even stronger when they started their first job together at Moretti Bakery through high school—laughing, working, and making memories that laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship. Kat is Jessica’s longest-running friendship, and that kind of loyalty and history deserves to be honored! She’s the friend who always calls to check in, the one you never go too long without hearing from, because she truly cares. Beyond being an incredible friend, Kat has a huge heart, especially when it comes to kids. She works for ACS and is currently earning her master’s degree in social work, dedicating her life to helping children in need. At only five feet tall, she may be small, but she’s all attitude—strong-willed, headstrong, and fiercely protective of the people she loves. Jessica is so lucky to have had Kat by her side for all these years, and couldn’t imagine our wedding day without her there.
Lisa
Mother of the Bride
Lisa is an extraordinary woman—brilliant, compassionate, and endlessly supportive. A dedicated nurse and college professor, her intelligence and wisdom shines through in everything she does. From the very beginning of their relationship, Jessica always said that the biggest ‘green flag’ about Kris was the way she spoke so lovingly about her mother. To Kris, Lisa has always been her rock—the unwavering foundation of their family. Lisa is an incredibly hands-on grandmother who adores her grandkids and always puts family first. She has a special gift for being the voice of reason, offering guidance that helps put things into perspective. She also has a fantastic sense of humor, bringing laughter and light wherever she goes. Beyond her role as the heart of her family, Lisa is adventurous and loves traveling and discovering new restaurants. She also has the biggest heart—so much so that when Jessica and Kris found a stray dog on the street, Lisa didn’t hesitate to give him a loving home. She truly is the glue that holds everyone together, and we are so lucky to have her in our lives.
Michelle
Bridesmaid
Michelle is Kris’s younger sister and an incredible person inside and out. As an RN working in the transplant unit, she dedicates her career to helping others, and her compassion shines through in everything she does! What makes Michelle so special is her unwavering positivity and her infectious laugh—she has a way of lighting up every room she walks into. Her energy is contagious, and no matter the situation, she always brings warmth, humor, and a bright perspective. She is adventurous at heart and has a deep love for travel, always looking forward to her next trip and exploring new places. Beyond being an amazing sister to Kris, she has become such an important part of Jessica’s life, and we’re so grateful to have her by our side on this special day.
Mike
Father of the Bride
Meet Mike, Kris’s father! A retired police officer, Mike is always on the go, staying busy with everything life throws at him! His love for his family knows no bounds—he’s a devoted father and hands-on grandfather, and his grandchildren are the light of his life. Mike’s joy and excitement for our engagement truly inspired us to have a big wedding, and we know that without his unwavering support, this day wouldn’t be nearly as extraordinary. A die-hard Giants fan, Mike enjoys his fair share of hobbies, but his most passionate love is for his black lab, Pio, who is also retired from the Police force! Mike’s heart is as big as his energy, and we are so grateful to have him play such a special role in our lives and on our wedding day!
Olga
Bridesmaid
Olga is our wild card in the best way possible—upbeat, hilarious, and always the life of the party. A true globe-trotter, she grew up in Greece, then moved to Sweden, and eventually followed her heart to the U.S. after falling in love with a Greek-American Staten Islander! Her colorful journey is matched only by her vibrant personality that we both love so much. Not only is Olga Jessica’s best friend, but she’s also embraced Kris as a close friend, too. And of course, she adores our dog, Canela, who’s had the pleasure of play dates with her two adorable French bulldogs, Zeus and Herra. Jessica first met Olga in nursing school, where she always admired Olga’s beyond brilliant mind, dedication and passion. Despite her international roots, Olga’s American accent is flawless (something she playfully nods to her MTV-watching in her youth…It’s no wonder she and Jessica get along so well)! Olga’s energy, humor, and unwavering love for those around her make her an irreplaceable part of our journey. We’re so excited to have her by our side on our wedding day.
Taylor
Bridesmaid
Taylor is Kris’s lifelong friend—practically family at this point. Growing up as childhood neighbors on the same block, their friendship started when Kris was just three years old, and it has only grown stronger over the years. Taylor is strong-willed, independent, and has a heart of gold. She’s fiercely loyal and always there for Kris, no questions asked. Some of Kris’s fondest childhood memories involve the two of them driving all over Staten Island, blasting music, singing at the top of their lungs, and laughing until they cried. From childhood adventures to lifelong support, Taylor has been a constant source of fun, friendship, and love. She’s been by Kris’s side through it all, and now, we’re so happy to have her standing with us on our wedding day!
Canela (Honorable Mention)
The Honored Pup
While Canela won’t be making an in-person appearance at the ceremony or reception (she prefers peace and quiet in her golden years), she absolutely deserves a special mention as Jessica and Kris’s beloved fur baby! A chihuahua and Brussels Griffon mix, Canela was rescued from the streets of Mexico and now enjoys the pampered life she truly deserves. Her journey from stray to cherished companion is a testament to the love and care she’s received. Jessica and Kris’s relationship is already something special, but the daily joy and unconditional love Canela brings into their lives is the perfect cherry on top!