Taylor & Jeffrey
Wedding Party
Ashley Leonard
Best Woman
10 years ago I sent Ashley on an elaborate scavenger hunt around our hometown to ask her to go to prom with me, now she’s my absolute best friend and now, Best Woman. We’ve been friends for years but our relationship really flourished when we both moved to Chicago after college. Our friendship has been centered around eating and laughter, usually doing both until we throw up. When we’re together it’s like the rest of the world fades away and we just exist on our own little planet. Ashley makes me laugh harder than anyone and she’s always been there for me whenever I needed her. It’s honestly hard to write about Ashley because it really is just a feeling. After meeting someone, have you ever thought “that person is so great, I want to be friends with them forever,” that’s Ashley.
Emily Cleary
Best Woman
13 Years ago Emily and I met doing a production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” I decided to talk to her even though she *just* had a role in the chorus - not knowing that we would be lifelong best friends afterwards. Emily is one of the most special people in my life who I admire and look up to. She immediately lights up any room she is in and I have learned some of my most important life lessons through Emily. After being best friends for 13 years, there’s not much Emily and I don’t share with each other and I couldn't be more grateful for finding Emily so early on in my life. She constantly amazes me with how unselfish, strong, and loyal she is. My only wish for everyone in life is to find their Emily.
Alfonso Cobo
Best Man
Alfie and I have been inseparable for the past 3 years and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We met at a Friendsgiving in 2017 when we both stayed in NYC over the holidays, and we hit it off immediately. We’re both impulsive adventure seekers which has led us on some amazing trips all over the world. We’ve zip lined and white water rafted in Costa Rica, danced all around Madrid, and watched the sun come up too many times in NYC. Alfie is my go to travel buddy and a constant source of inspiration. He doesn’t believe in air conditioning and he never shuts the cabinets after he opens them but he has taught me more about myself than I ever could have imagined and I don’t know where I would be without him.
Gabi DeMarco
Groomswoman
I’m very grateful and proud to say Gabi has been one of my longest friends! We met in Kindergarten and have remained best friends since. My hardest laughs have been with Gabi. She’s the type of friend where you laugh about one thing that happened for an entire day and we will still be laughing about it the next time we see each other. Gabi always amazes me with how generous and caring she is as a human and not only do I look up to her for these qualities, but I’m also honored to call her a best friend.
Alexa Stierwalt
Groomswoman
Alexa and I have been friends since we were in the the same 3rd grade class at Newburgh Elementary (ask her about her blue teeth!) We both moved around a lot but always managed to stay connected. When we both ended up at IU in the same orientation group our friendship picked up right where it had left off. Years later we ended up in NYC and got an apartment together. We spent the next few years barging into each other’s rooms unannounced, taking too many boxing classes, and laughing until we couldn’t breathe anymore. Alexa is the best sidekick and everyone knows when she’s around, everything she says is either guaranteed to make you laugh or clutch your pearls. My favorite thing I like to say about Alexa is that she would kill for me…but she would also kill me, and for that I love her.
Allison Anderson
Groomswoman
People always say Allison and I look identical (we don't see it) and for that I say, you’re welcome! All kidding aside, I couldn’t have imagined growing up as a kid without Allison by my side as my sister and best friend. Allison and I are most known for our childhood covers of Nsync, Backstreet boys, Celine Dion and reciting every Mary Kate and Ashley movie quote ever created. Now a Mom of three, Taylor and I can only hope to be half as good of parents as Allison is with her kids.
Tori Mohn
Groomswoman
Let’s take it back to the old Memorial High School days. Tori and I were in the same homeroom and spent a lot of time talking and making jokes in all of our other classes. Her smile and laugh are infectious and it’s hard to not get in to trouble when we’re together, she’s just a great human. When Tori and I lived in Chicago we would ride the bus to work together, we were fresh out of college and had no idea what we were doing, but she made it fun. We live on opposite sides of the country now but our FaceTime calls always boost my spirits. Tori is the life of the party and beautiful inside and out. If you need her for anything on the wedding day, check the dance floor first.
Christian Fentress
Groomsman
Christian (Sommelier extraordinaire) and I met doing theater at Ridge High school and have never looked back since. We’ve always bonded over theatre and have attempted too many stage re-enactments in his parents basement (some of the best memories I have!). I’ve never met someone who is more considerate and willing to lend a hand than Christian. I’m eternally grateful for our friendship and lucky to always have him as a friend and in my corner.
Megan Richardson
Groomswoman
Meg and I have been friends since 2006. We went though middle school, high school, and college together. Fun fact, we were voted Best Style for our 8th grade superlatives (you remember how stylish Abercrombie was back then, right?) Meg is one of those people you just gravitate towards. She’s beautiful, kind, and welcoming. When you talk to her she really listens and makes you feel heard which is a rare quality. It’s hard to think of my favorite memory with Meg because our friendship has spanned so many years and we’ve changed so much since we first met, but if I had to pick one it would honestly be just sitting on her back porch talking about life. Meg and her family feel like a second family to me and she’s a very special person.
Michael Anderson
Groomsman
I had always wanted a brother and luckily got one when Mike became my brother in law! It seems weird to think about a time when Mike wasn’t around and part of the family - I still remember when he showed up at the door to take my sister to Prom! (I approved from that day forward) Mike’s sense of humor is one of his best qualities and our favorite pastime together is minnow fishing (Mike is an expert - just ask him!)
Sam Leicht
Groomsman
Although Sam and I have only been friends for a short amount of time he’s one of those people you just immediately connect with. We both love working out, watching YouTube videos on productivity, and brainstorming for hours trying to figure out the next big thing. Sam is my personal motivational speaker, he tells it like it is and constantly pushes me to be the best version of myself. If we aren’t planning to take over the world or playing settlers of Catan, Sam is probably dozing off somewhere because he goes to bed at 8 PM. So if you see him sleeping at the wedding be sure to wake him up.
Patrick McCarren
Groomsman
“Pat” and I met in college and were roommates at Fordham University and known as the dynamic duo on campus. Known for our pranks (like leaning a bucket of water on neighbors front doors and then knocking on the door and running away) Pat and I have made memories we both will never forget from our college days. We had a quick run of DJ’ing Sweet 16s and Birthday Parties and then realized we rather be the ones *at* the parties. Pat is curating the playlist for the afterparty so if you hate the music, let him know. I’m so lucky to have met Pat the first couple weeks of college - I knew instantly he was a genuine guy and we’d be lifelong friends.
Jared Reinfeldt
Groomsman
Jared is Sam's other half (better half? I'll let you decide.) He is someone who immediately makes you feel comfortable and is always down to listen to you talk. Jared is someone I can call in an emergency and he'll be there as fast as he can. We're constantly sending memes back and forth and picking out our future pets. Jared is funny and kind and genuinely just an incredible person, you'll see!
Bruno Aloisio
Groomsman
I met Bruno sophomore year at Fordham when he was the new transfer that got assigned to our hallway. Pat and I saw a picture of Bruno before he moved in and thought he was going to be a 6 foot 5 Long Island meathead and we couldn't have been more wrong. He was a 5 foot 8 Long island meathead. Bruno quickly became one of my favorite people at Fordham with his hilarious sense of humor and his love of casinos. Since his first day at Fordham, we have grown to be best friends. Bruno is the most loyal friend and I’ve never met anyone who has had a dull time hanging out with Bruno.
Jamie McAleny
Officiant
Jamie and Jeff met in high school doing (what other than!) theater together. Jeff saw way past Jamie's star turn as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical the Musical to what he knew would be a lifelong friendship with Jamie. Jeff also knew they'd be lifelong friends when he walked into Jamie's house in high school and saw the McAleney living room showcasing glamour shots taken at the mall of Jamie. We both have never met anyone Jamie has not made laugh or smile and we've never met a dog that Jamie has not greeted on the street. Sometimes a quick coffee run takes about 2 hours because of the detours we have to make to "say hello" to her furry friends that pass. We couldn't be more honored to have Jamie stand up there with us on our special day and play such a huge role in our new start together.