Wedding Party
We are having a traditional Filipino Wedding, which means that many of our closest friends and family get to share a special part of our day. We are very blessed to have so many not very near geographically, but still very dear to our hearts!
Fr. Brian Cool
Officiant
Fr. Cool is presides over the Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochester, the college where David and Rachel met. He is also the faculty advisor of Dave's fraternity, Sigma Chi. Most importantly, both the bride and the groom consider him a good friend and are very fortunate to have him in the lives and presiding over their ceremony.
Justine June Abejuela
Maid of Honor
Rachel and Justine have known each other for many years. On the day of the engagement, Justine cried as much as Rachel did. Together, they rarely stop laughing and eating (except to sleep and bother Dave), singing annoying songs from church hymns to Dreamstreet, and looking for the best place to eat ice cream (Cold Stone Creamery).
Justine is in her first year of college at Bradley University. She is a Bradley Bravette, and is taking classes in secondary education.
Genna Rose Sheedy-Feldman
Bridesmaid
Genna and Rachel have known each other since Rachel's Junior year of college. They were in all the same classes, were in many of the same clubs, studied together, and were basically inseparable in college. Genna and Rachel enjoy doing many things together, including learning about neural plasticity, dancing on elevated surfaces, and tasting various white wines. Although they now live thousands of miles apart they still talk to each other every day, and their friendship is a strong as ever.
Genna is in graduate school getting her Master's in Education
Joana Eliopolous
Bridesmaid
Joana and Rachel have been friends since high school. Joana was in Rachel's Entourage for her Debutante Ball. This is the first time in five years that they have been in the same state for longer than a few weeks, but they are both very busy!
Joana is a nurse at Rush University Hospital. She is getting married to a wonderful guy in October of 2008, and Rachel is in her wedding as well!
Rachel Morse
Bridesmaid
Rachel is Dave's little sister. She came with Rachel's family to the Philippines, but missed the part of the trip where they played with the world's tiniest monkeys, so Rachel will be accompanying them back to the Philippines in 2010!
Rachel is currently at SUNY Stonybrook, and will graduate this year as a Respiratory Therapist!
Kathleen Morse
Bridesmaid
Kathleen is currently traveling the world! As this website is being written, she is in Switzerland. Kathleen is working to open up her own non-profit organization to basically change the world! She is currently working at IDEM. Check out her what she is doing at http://www.idem-network.org/.
Andrew Morse
Best Man
Andrew is my older brother. Over the years as I have gotten older we have become much closer, and I am thrilled to have him as my best man.
Kyle Struble
Groomsman
I met Kyle freshman year in college. Since then he has been my best friend, roommate, pledge brother, therapist and general partner in crime.
Kyle was Rachel's next door neighbor in their freshman dorm. At first, Dave didn't understand why Kat would hang out with 'the weird guy next door who played video games all day. Then Dave realized Kyle was a pretty cool guy
Kyle is currently a big shot at Morgan Stanley in Rochester, NY.
Jay Kulesa
Groomsman
I met Jay through our fraternity Sigma Chi and he has been one of my closest friends since.
Tony Terradas
Groomsman
Tony was one of the first people I met at college, and he has been one of my closest friends since.
Paul Drummond
Groomsman
I have known Paul for almost as long as I can remember. We were inseparable growing up. While I am not home on Long Island all that often and don't see Paul very much, we will always be good friends.
Gabriel Eastus
Ring Bearer
Gabe is Dave's cousin Tom and his wife Kelli's son. He is an adorable little boy and we are proud to have him as our Ring Bearer.
This is a picture of him and his new little sister, Brooklyn!
James Crittenden
Coin Bearer
James is Rachel's cousin Cheryl's son. They currently live in Michigan.
The coins in a Filipino wedding ceremony symbolizes the goom's promise to take care of his wife materially. The bride in return, by giving back the coins to his hands, convey that what they both earn become part of each other's. The trickling sound also signifies abundance and success in the couple's joint efforts. The husband gives his material earnings to his wife who manages, saves and invests the money wisely, as basic Filipino tradition dictates. (In this marriage, Dave will definitely be the one saving and investing the money!)
Macie Troyer
Flower Girl
Macie is Dave's cousin James and his wife Jamie's daughter. Macie and her family have just welcomed Wyatt, a new addition to their family this past fall!
Ian Yambao and Jason Caja
Aisle Runners
Ian and Jason will welcome the bride and her parents to the altar.
Vicente and Martizu Casibang
Jean Louis and Elvie Werion
Herman and Ethel Abelido
Daryl and Susan Eastus
Manuel and Violeta Nabong
Marcial and Velma Sabarre
David and Debbie Troyer
Principal Sponsors
The Principal Sponsors act as godparents and counselors to the bride and groom. The couple’s "Ninong" and "Ninang" (godparent) serve as the official witnesses of the state to the couple’s union and as such, have to join in signing the marriage license. In the early days of the Church, their participation was seen as a testimony to the couple’s readiness for marriage.
Robert Levasseur and Jennifer Abrams
Coin Sponsors
The coins in a Filipino wedding ceremony symbolizes the goom's promise to take care of his wife materially. The bride in return, by giving back the coins to his hands, convey that what they both earn become part of each other's. The trickling sound also signifies abundance and success in the couple's joint efforts. The husband gives his material earnings to his wife who manages, saves and invests the money wisely, as basic Filipino tradition dictates. (In this marriage, Dave will definitely be the one saving and investing the money!)
Thomas Eastus and Kelli Eastus
Candle Sponsors
Candle sponsors light two candles, which the bride and groom use to light a single candle to symbolize the joining of the two families.
The Candle Ceremony is first and last. As soon as all the primary and secondary sponsors have been seated, the Candle Sponsors proceed to the altar where they light the two side candles beside the middle and larger (unity) candle. This represents the two lives and two spirits who will be joined together.
The Unity Candle is saved and kept by the couple, to be lit on each wedding anniversary, as a reminder of this first day when they gave their promise to each other.
Jeffrey Mlynski and Raquel Antonious
Veil Sponsors
These sponsors pin a veil from the groom's shoulders, extending it to cover the bride's head and shoulders. This is symbolic of the groom pledging his strength and protection to his bride - the wife who he promises to take care of, from this day forward. The veil symbolizes unity and that the couple shall be "clothed as one."
Brian Metro and Jessica K.C. William
Cord Sponsors
The cord sponsors place a white cord loosely around the necks of the couple in a "figure eight" configuration. The cord symbolizes the lifelong bond or tie between the bride and groom.
