Wedding Party
Robert Smith
Best Man
Back in High School, Alec helped Rob win his first Fantasy Football League and from then on they became fast friends through backyard football, ping pong, and sports. After 4 long years apart, a need for a substitute in FXA football brought them back together and have been watching each other's backs ever since.
Caitlin Kim
Maid of Honor
It was a life-changing day in 4th grade when Melissa and Caitlin met on the playground during recess. Soon after, Melissa gave Caitlin a Lizzie McGuire friendship bracelet and their fate was sealed: they were officially best friends forever. Thanks to two decades of friendship and four years of living together in college, they now share an abundance of precious, embarrassing memories from every stage of their lives. Caitlin can confidently say that there is nobody as loving, generous, curious, and steadfast as Melissa. After experiencing every milestone together since they were eight, Caitlin is honored and thrilled to stand by Melissa's side as she begins her next big adventure with Alec!
Alex Le
Groomsman
Alex has trained all his life (as shown in the photo) to meet Melissa's future husband. While looking very intimidating and only meeting two weeks prior, Alex graciously invited Alec (very confusing for Mrs. Le) to his and Blake's wedding. Fast forward 3 years and 2 dog cousins and Alex is ready to be the 2nd favorite son in the Le Family!
Amen Nigussie
Bridesmaid
Meli and Amen met during a mission trip to Atlanta. Meli a bright eyed first year at UVA and Amen a third-year transfer student, was eager to make friends. What started off as a “hi, I’m Melissa”, blossomed into a beautiful friendship that is now 8 years strong. These two went through undergrad, heartbreaks and gap years together. Now they are a few months away from graduating MEDICAL SCHOOL. Amen loves Meli. Amen cannot name a more brilliant, compassionate, supportive, funny, and insanely lovely future family physician. Amen also loves Alec and is amazed by how deeply he cares for Meli. Amen loves their love and is excited to cheer them on as they embark on this beautiful life journey together. Yay to soulmates and cheers to that fateful trip to Atlanta that gifted Amen a friendship that she will cherish forever.
Andrew Han
Groomsman
While Andrew and Alec met during their 1st year at UVA, their friendship didn't really take off until 2nd year when they found a common passion for sports, board games, and food (Andrew has a gus burger trophy to prove he eats more than Alec). Their friendship grew post college as they were often seen on the frisbee/football field, volleyball court, or late nights at a random apartment complex coding for their Master's. A year after Alec was standing by Andrew's side at his wedding, now he gets to return the favor.
Blake Le
Bridesmaid
Blake and Melissa first met in 2013 when her brother, Alex, brought his then girlfriend home to meet the family. Melissa was so warm and welcoming and treated Blake like family. Blake and Melissa quickly became like sisters and in June of 2019, if was official! Blake is so inspired by Melissa's passion, perseverance, and thoughtfulness. Blake is honored to be a part of Alec and Melissa's wedding and is so excited to see what their future together brings.
Chris Duong
Groomsman
From backing out of being roommates 2nd year to being roommates 4th year, Chris and Alec have come a long way from being 18 year old Pokemon trainers to 30 year old Pokemon masters. Whether it's Fall Guys, Pokemon, watching the Eagles or the Pack Line, they'll always be there for each other whenever a trade or duo game is needed (pending Linda and Melissa's approval).
Claire Granum
Bridesmaid
Claire and Melissa met in their first year of college at Bodo's bagel shop in Charlottesville, where they got to know each other for the first time before living together for the rest of college. She quickly came to love Melissa's big heart and outgoing personality, and knew they were destined to be life long friends. They bonded over trips to the farmers market, organic chemistry exams, Friday night shifts at the rescue station, and late night chats over ice cream. She can't wait to celebrate with Melissa on her big day!
Kevin Houston
Groomsman
"BP Partners, Cornhole medalists, Fall Guys Duo" Even though they have differing opinions in boy bands (N*SYNC & BSB), Kevin and Alec put them aside to realize the budding friendship that would develop over their bond of everything 90s and early 2000s. While they went their separate paths post college (NOVA for Alec and EVMS for Kevin), they stayed close through sports and Fantasy Soccer where Alec is soon to become a 3 time defending champion.
Joy Chen
Bridesmaid
Growing up with only a younger brother, Alec, there was something missing in Joy's life. Joy didn't know what it was until Thanksgiving dinner in 2019 when she first met her soon to be (ish) sister in law!!! Melissa walked in with a big smile and a warm hug. Fast forward 2 years and 2 babies later, the proposal was finally here. Joy was personalizing baby shirts for her daughters Lily & Hazel that said "Will I be your flower girl?" Joy is honored to be standing by their side as Melissa and Alec start the next chapter of their love story together! And for Lily & Hazel to have some cousins to play with soon (ish)!
Kyung Choi
Groomsman
Kyung and Alec's journey started back in 2010 during Turkey Bowl Practice. He put a lot of faith in Alec as a starting safety as a first year and Alec proceeded to return that favor by giving up a TD in the first game that year. Suffice to say, that did not deter their friendship as they went through a first turkey bowl win, board game nights, and career advice throughout the years.
Lindsey Vu
Bridesmaid
Although Lindsey and Melissa knew each other in undergrad at UVA, it wasn't until they attended medical school together at VCU that they became best friends! Living on the same floor of their apartment building in Richmond, they spent all their time together - studying, cooking, playing, and of course, gossiping about Melissa's new budding relationship, at the time, with Alec. Many tears were shed on their shared journey to becoming doctors, but also so much joy and laughter thanks to their friendship. They could not have done it without each other, and Lindsey is forever grateful to have Melissa in her life. Lindsey also had the privileged position to watch Melissa and Alec's love steadily grow every day from the beginning until now. Even if Medical school was beating Melissa down, she would still give 110% of herself to loving Alec. And similarly, Alec did everything and anything to support her dream of being a family medicine doctor. Lindsey cannot wait to see this perfect pair tie the knot!!
Stan Liam
Groomsman
What a surprise when Stan and Alec met at a Chinese restaurant when Joy said she was bringing a "friend" to dinner. Little did Alec know that Stan had just laid the foundation and in 2 short years had taken over as the "favorite son in the Chen family". From standing by each other's side from one wedding to the next, Stan is excited for what is in store for Alec and Melissa's future.
Rachel Oh
Bridesmaid
18 and full of life was how Rachel first met Melissa. Melissa served as a pleasant outlier, the brilliant exception to someone like Rachel, who only knew half-hearted friendships. From first-year dorm neighbors to apartment mates, the remainder of college served as a foundation of the beginning of a lifelong friendship. This included most praised of all welcomes home, pizza clocks, extended seasons of toast and cereal, sprawling out on the apartment floor laughing, sleepless nights filled with serious and silly conversations, bountiful stacks of banana pancakes, overusing the word “poop” in every parent-given name, intimate birthday and achievement celebrations, and one final, teary-eyed night of being apartment mates. Now, forever friends, Rachel couldn’t feel anymore prouder of Melissa for who she has become and is ecstatic and honored to stand beside Melissa and Alec on their big day!
Tony Hoang
Groomsman
Tony and Alec were in the same VSA family 1st year and become quick friends with their preference of comfortability in what they wore vs style. When they decided to "up their game", Tony decided to buy the entire men's section at Express, while Alec bought what was on sale at Kohl's. 12 years later, both men decided to upgrade to "Insert fancy brand" and Macy's respectively. Opposites do attract as proven through their friendship of contrasting styles and height.
Rena Liu
Bridesmaid
Growing up, it was almost impossible for Melissa and Rena to not become friends. Melissa and Rena arrived at middle school to find they were assigned lockers next to each other and had 6 out of their 8 classes together, and thus Renalissa was born. They also lived close enough that after school, they would often meet up at the duck pond in Franklin Farm, halfway between their homes (before inevitably one of the parents came and drove them home because they were too tired from the run to the pond). At the end of high school, they parted ways and though they have never lived within 500 miles of each other since then, their friendship has endured. Rena is so proud of the person that she's watched Melissa become from both near and far. She can't wait to help celebrate the beginning of Alec and Melissa's life together!
Mr. and Mrs. Chen
Parents of the Groom
Mr. and Mrs. Le
Parents of the Bride
Lily and Hazel Liam
Flower Girls
Jordan Wu
Ring Bearer
Caesar Chen
Best Dog
Milou is my best friend
Milou Le
Dog of Honor
I hate Caesar