Wedding Party

Kathryn Congeni

Maid of Honor

Rechelle and I met in kindergarten, and immediately became inseparable. We are twins by everything but blood, from our birthday to our Filipino heritage, to the schools we went to and the parties we threw. One of my favorite memories together is traveling to Denver- our last day there we stayed in a beautiful Airbnb in the mountains and watched the sunset on the porch together. Even though we didn’t win “best friends” in the yearbook our senior year, anyone who knows us knows we’ve been attached at the hip for the last 25 years. I love seeing Rechelle and Matt build their life together (even though it’s a 9 hour drive from Cleveland), watching them grow up over the years fills my heart knowing they both found partners who uplift and support each other. Last June I got married with Rechelle as my maid of honor, and it’s an absolute privilege to be hers this coming October!

Alex Ramos

Best Man

Hey, I’m Alex. Matt and I have been crowd surfing at concerts for over 17 years, and along the way, we’ve shared some unforgettable shows, festivals, and late-night adventures. Matt and Rechelle really know how to live life. They’re two of the most genuine, amazing people I’ve ever met, and I'm grateful for all the amazing memories we've gotten to share together. Watching them build their life together has been incredible. Being there with them in Asheville this October means more to me than I can express. It’s an honor to be part of this day, and I’m so excited to celebrate with all of you!

Emma Greer

Bridesmaid

Hi! I’m Emma, Rechelle’s tatted nurse bestie of ten (!!!) years. We met at CSU when we were shaking our booties on the dance team together. Since then, we have traveled, seen many shows, and have eaten lots of amazing food together. I’ve also had the honor of meeting and becoming close with Matt along the way. I’ve even third-wheeled with them to a festival in NYC, and saw Phish at Madison Square Garden! It was such a fantastic time, because they’re just the coolest people to be around. I’m beyond lucky to have met Chelly and Matt, and it has been incredible to see their relationship bloom over the years. I’m thankful for the love they’ve both shown my husband and I throughout the years, and I cannot wait to be a part of their big day. Let’s partaaaaay!

Andrew Smith

Groomsman

Hi, I’m Andrew! In history class, on the first day of school in Freshman year at St. Eds, me and the kid next to me looked at each other with a “this is gonna suck” expression across our faces. After school that day, we learned we would be taking the same bus home from school every day and we lived a few streets over from each other. We quickly became good friends and would meet up to play basketball, hike the metro parks, and everything else 18-year-old kids with limited supervision do. I left Cleveland to attend college at Miami University, but Matt and I maintained our close friendship while living at opposite ends of the state. As soon as I was done with college, Matt and I decided to take our bromance to the next level and move into an apartment together. We spent a year playing Star Wars Battlefront (finally beat Sullust on the hard mode), playing chess at the bar next door, and most importantly, watching nearly every game of the 2016 Cavs season. Warriors blew a 3-1 lead. Living with my best friend. Best year ever. Rechelle’s the best. I’ve been to a handful of festivals with Matt & Rechelle together, and they know what they’re doing. They’re two of the nicest, most caring, and honest people you’ll ever meet. They’re perfect for each other and Maggie has great parents. I can’t wait to come back to Asheville and celebrate their big day!

Andrea Tsiros

Bridesmaid

Hi, I’m Andrea! I have known Rechelle since fourth grade when we began sharing classes. We’ve collected many fond memories including some of my first slumber parties and Friday Night Skates at Winterhurst. Rechelle has always had a warm heart and inviting family and I’ve loved seeing her grow from a little freckled ice dancer to a beautiful conscientious adult. Coincidentally, I met Matt in high school through mutual friends. When I later put the pieces together, I knew they would be wonderful for each other. Both being down to earth, eco-conscious, and big nature and animal lovers. How perfect that they have both found concert and festival buddies for life. Although I miss them being closer, I have seen for myself how beautiful their town of Asheville is. Always welcoming hosts (including Miss Maggie), showing me around their favorite parts of their newfound home. I have loved getting to see their love grow and their journeys together multiply. May the future bring this lovely couple peace, harmony, and light!

Michael Hach

Groomsman

Tracy O'Neil

Bridesmaid

Hi my name is Tracy! Rechelle is my cousin. Well not by blood, but by choice. You see, when your mothers come to America from the Philippines they leave everything behind and they then choose their family. Like our mothers, we continued to choose each other as family. I’m so happy to have such a kind, selfless, strong female in my life. Thank you for eating cinnamon bread at Dollywood with me, taking me on my first mountain coaster & always being down to boogie at a show. She inspires me everyday to live a more sustainable life. Watching Rechelle and Matt’s love blossom and seeing them continue to choose each other everyday has been a beautiful journey for not only them, but myself included. They’re two of the most genuine people I have the pleasure to experience life with. I’m honored to be part of their big day! I wish you both a life full of abundance, prosperity, health and love!

Christopher Vilevac

Groomsman

To My Brother, Matt (or "G" as I call you) From traveling to Alabama, South Carolina, Chicago, or just wandering around Cleveland, whether it was to the beach or a nature reserve, we have had our share of random adventures. One of the best was when we shared a Subway sandwich in Paris under what seemed to be a star. It was simple, but it felt pretty awesome. We spent hours together at the pool, shooting hoops, playing rollerball in the streets at night, or just playing Mortal Kombat for hours (Toasty!). We share thick glasses, sarcastic humor, and those strange mouth smirks that don’t really make sense to anyone but us. Matt, I have always admired how patient you were in finding love. You knew from the start that you do not play with the queen of hearts, because nothing ever starts with that, and the joker is the fool. You went all the way to the City of Love, only to come back to Cleveland and find Rechelle. She is sweet, kind, and the perfect match for you. I know the two of you will have a long life together, eating sushi, going concerts, amusement parks, and swinging strange lights on the beach. You were always my best man, and I am honored to stand by your side. I am proud of the man you have become and even prouder that you are marrying someone like Rechelle. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and love. Congratulations, G.