Wedding Party
Jesus Alberto Vargas
Bridesman
Jesus is my PARCERO del alma! Almost 10 years of stories but the best of all was when we lived in Mexico City for 2 years in a house with 6 more roommates. -Erika
Maria Clara Avendaño
Bridesmaid
I met Clara when I was studying my master degree in Mexico City. She was my savior angel in the Lab and taught me all I know in molecular biology. -Erika
Madeline Cox
Bridesman
Madeline and I met no more than a year ago after she moved from Colorado on her first day at work and quickly became the friend I was looking for. She is also one of the reasons I go to work. -Erika
Carolina Tizón
Bridesmaid
Carolina is a good friend Steven brought into my life. Her magical hands with needles and fire cupping have healed my back pain so many times that at this point I enjoy being wrapped up like a baked potato -Erika
Amanda Smith
Bridesmaid
Amanda was one of my host kid when I was an Au pair back in 2016. We always joked that they were going to be my flower girls if I got marry. Some times I think that if Amanda and her family hadn't chosen me as their au pair I would never have met Steven. -Erika
Spencer Gallagher
Best Man
Steven and Spencer have been friends for 20 years after meeting at a restaurant they both worked at together in Steven’s hometown of Jackson, MI. They both moved down to sunny south Florida in the early 2000’s where Spence enrolled in seamen’s school and Steven in culinary school. I guess you could say, the rest is history.
Alex Makielski
Groomsman
Alex, like Steven and Spence, is also a Michigan native. Steven and Alex have been friends for nearly 20 years after meeting through mutual fiends. Their shared love for music, craft beer and all things beachy meant they were destined to be the best of buddies.
Cliff Tweden
Groomsman
Cliff Tweden or Cliffy T, as Steven likes to refer to him, was Stevens first “roommate” in yachting. The two clicked immediately and became best boat buddies right off the bat. Cliff, a Montana native with a natural knack for engineering, helped Steven become acclimated to yachting and it was obvious pretty early that their friendship would last a lifetime. Cliff has traveled the world on yachts and traversed the Northwest Passage not once (with Steven), but twice! He stepped off the big boats in 2017 and settled down in his current home of Auckland, NZ.
Marc Martucci
Groomsman
Though born in New Jersey, Marc moved to south Florida at a young age and grew up in Broward county. Steven and Marc became friends nearly 20 years ago, drawn together by their shared love of live music, good friends and laughter, their bond has grown to what many would describe as a “siblings”. Marc’s honesty and genuine love and compassion for all are some of the traits that have strengthened Steven and Marc’s friendship bond over the years.
Daniel Marulanda
Groomsman
Daniel, or Dani as he is often affectionately referred too, is not only the wife of Steven’s niece Ambir, but also one of his best friends. Originally from Barranquillera, Colombia, Dani migrated to South Florida with his family in his teens. A natural athlete and Fútbol (soccer) fanatic, Dani played in high school and earned a scholarship to play at St Thomas Aquinas University. Steven met Dani soon after he and Ambir started dating and they bonded over their love for Real Madrid CF. While Steven, Dani and Ambir were roommates in Hollywood Florida, Dani encouraged Steven to not just watch soccer but actually get out and start playing. Both still play weekly and Steven credits Dani with the discovery of one of his “greatest passions” in life today, playing the beautiful game.
Ryan McCalum
Groomsman
Steven’s “Big Little Nephew” Ryan, the oldest of the “grandchildren” grew up more as a brother or close cousin than a nephew to Steven. Ryan jumped at the opportunity to move to Querétaro, Mexico in his early 20s and Steven and Erika would come visit while Erika was studying in Mexico City. Ryan and Steven share a love for Latin culture, the Spanish language and golfing (poorly). Ryan even met his lovely wife Rocio while on a visit to Florida, so you could say he is forever indebted to his “awesome uncle” ;-)