The Wedding Party
We’re thrilled to present our family and friends who will be standing beside us as we tie the knot and start our future together.
We’re incredibly blessed to be surrounded by this group of people on one of the most special days of our lives.
LIZZY RAMIREZ
MATRON OF HONOR
My first memory of Des is when she took the phone from Marcus (her handsome brown eyed brother) while I was talking to him and asking who I was, what I was doing and why I was talking to her little brother so late. Over the years she continued to take the phone from Marcus and we eventually met and became friends. Our relationship has grown from friends to sisters and I’m so excited to stand beside her and create more amazing memories. My two favorite memories are when people would ask us if I was her daughter and when she called me to go run errands with her while I was still in high school. She was so excited and when she realized I was whispering because I was in class she said “oh I forget you’re little, well can you get out?” So I did!
ABEL VIRAMONTES JR
BEST MAN
I really have no idea how I met Ralph, we have been friends ever since I can remember because our parents had already known each other for years. We spent almost every summer together as we practically lived at the Montebello Plunge. As we grew older we would drive around creating memories in his 67 Malibu, then later the Jeep. One of my fondest memories of Ralph is the big brother/role model he was to me...I can always depend on him no matter what the issue may be.
RACHEL CUEVAS
BRIDESMAID
Our friendship started out as lab partners in undergrad and grew to become friends for life. I can’t imagine that being forced to be lab partners is the best way to begin a friendship; especially when one partner would show up 15 minutes early and the other would show up late (I’ll let you guess who was who in that scenario). I would later learn that this clearly Type A, young woman beside me is one of the most intelligent, hardworking, and kind human beings I’d ever know. It’s been over 10 years and Des is still someone I can go to for friendship, laughter, and a shoulder to cry on. Our intimate chats now take place over dinner (we plan where to eat dinner days in advance, only to end up at the same places any way!) and I make it there on time – about 90% of the time.
BEN CARRILLO
GROOMSMAN
I met Ralph in kindergarten, as I remember commenting on how cool his Heathcliff pencil holder was...he always had the cool stuff. We grew up together through our school years; our memories range from the playground in elementary school, to learning how to drive and later my girlfriend wearing his letterman jacket in high school. You could always find me at Ralph’s house back then. Now as adults, we have a great bond that no matter how far we are, or how much time goes by, we remain the best of friends. I know I can always depend on him.
ANDREA SANCHEZ
BRIDESMAID
Des and I were destined to meet in grad school. We were pretty inseparable and I felt like we were almost the same person. I’m proud to say 12 years later, we are still friends. My favorite memories with Des are when we went to Colorado to learn to snowboard but didn’t really and stayed indoors most of the trip; and when we almost got killed when Des drove against traffic in order to get back to class only to find out later that Des had taken 2 Ibuprofen pills thinking they were only 200mg, but were actually 800mg each. We can all be thankful she survived driving while under that influence! I love how easy it is for us to find ourselves laughing when we’re together. I'm so happy to be sharing new memories from this joyous celebration with her!
ROBERT BAUTISTA
GROOMSMAN
I met Ralph in college. We both participated in a summer program our freshman year, and I remember connecting with him at the end of a beach bonfire. After that, school started and we would hang out at a specific table between classes. From that table formed a group of guys who would hang out all the time and somehow managed to party almost every weekend. Fast forward 24 years later and the same group has been through a lot of life’s challenges, but we still have a good time together, just less often unfortunately. I think of Ralph as a great guy who is thoughtful and kind. When a friend is in need of advice or is in a tough situation, he is alway there.
CAMRYN HAIGH
BRIDESMAID
I met Desiree in Grad School. I had no idea I would meet such amazing people, Desiree being one I connected with instantly. We quickly learned we were similar in many ways. We constantly laughed as we would earn almost the exact grade on our exams/papers. We joked, “tell me what you got, so I know what my score will be” to whomever received their grade first. After losing my mom, Desiree never failed when it came to supporting me to the fullest. Her love and compassion are huge as she did everything from bringing me meals to class, helping me study when my mind felt blank, and remembering every single date that was a reminder of my loss. We’ve taken trips together, laughed, and enjoyed every minute of our time together. I’m so grateful for this girl and can’t imagine life without her!
MARCUS RAMIREZ
GROOMSMAN
The first time I met Ralph was when he showed up at my door step with a gift for my wife...sounds strange, feel free to ask me about it. Our relationship has evolved since that day as every time I see my sister, he is with her. The best time I have ever had with Ralph is when we had a “boy’s barbeque” back in 2018. It was just him and I on a warm summer day, and like a Boy Scout, we had to make my new camping grill work with whatever he had in the garage. We made it work and shared some good food and laughs, then I realized I accidentally burnt his brand new 6 foot plastic table. I felt really bad, but he forgave me because he knew that my sister would kick my butt for him, and that Costco would exchange it. But I’m not sure why they still have it.
MEGAN YOUNGS
BRIDESMAID
I met Des in February 2013 when we both drank the Crossfit Kool-Aid and started the Foundations (beginners) class. Our friendship grew as we continued to work out (we used to do all the partner WODs together!) We grew closer when Des visited me and my family in Texas to meet my daughter Makila when she was only a few months old. The two best memories I have with Des, are when we went to play bingo and showed up more than halfway through the game and everyone was staring at us as we tried to figure out what to do…the other was when I went with her to the animal shelter to rescue Slugger and she wouldn’t even hold him! She used hand sanitizer like 6 times while we were there!
SAMUEL PADILLA
GROOMSMAN
The kid, my brother from another mother. Our paths crossed in 2003 at Long Beach State. We exchanged greetings and through our class introduction started a bond. I’ll never forget the moment I knew we would be life long friends. It was a student trip to Yosemite. I was late, as usual, and Ralph held the bus for over an hour. Not sure how he did it, but I’m glad he did. The challenging hike to Vernal Falls created a moment that would cement our bond and mark our friendship. Til this day, through the ups and downs and everything in between we’ve been there for each other. That’s what brothers do. We’ve had many laughs, but what I’ve truly learned from “the kid” is that, in the journey of life, choosing who you allow to walk beside you is the most important decision you’ll ever make.
SOPHIA LOPEZ
FLOWER GIRL
My name is Sophia Evelyn Lopez. I am 7 years old. I’m the prettiest beautifulest flower girl ever. I like to draw stuff and paint. Tia Des and Ralph are getting married and when they are married Ralph will be my newest Tio! Yay!
MICHAEL LOPEZ
RING BEARER
I’m Michael. I’m going to be 5 soon. I’m carrying Tia Des and Ralph’s rings on a little pillow. I’m the handsomest. I like to do jujitsu and fight bad guys. Ralph loves Legos like me. I’m going to be a power ranger when I grow up.
RIA LOPEZ
FLOWER GIRL
I have known Tia Des and Tio Ralph for many, many days (Born November 9, 2018). Favorite memories are hard to recall at this age, but pretty much every time Tia Des has made me smile has been one of my best times in life. Only being one day past my first birthday, I, like everyone else, am wondering how this is going to go. It's a lot of responsibility but I will try to execute my flower girl duties flawlessly. Expectations should be set at a very slow walk, if walking is a super power I possesses by then. Luckily, Sophia has worked out a Plan B distraction and quick aisle exit for her if things get awkward. Hopefully, Sophia doesn't just leave me behind holding the flowers the way Jonathan left Des at Tio Jorgie and Tia Lisa's wedding procession so many years ago.
JONATHAN LOPEZ
OFFICIANT
Though cousins, Jonathan and Des grew up more as siblings, with their mom's even claiming the other as their own. When they were little, Jonathan and Des were two peas in a pod. In elementary school, Jonathan made sure to sell the most chocolates to his mom's co-workers to win a Cabbage Patch doll for Des. Years after that, Jonathan tried taking Des snowboarding. The first trip ended in an E.R. visit and the second one made Des return her 4-day equipment rental after only 4 hours. Despite being a little embarrassing, these are some favorite memories because they laugh about them together now. That same connection and love makes it a true honor for Jonathan to officiate this wedding for Des and Ralph, and he hopes this day and the rest of their lives together bring them joy.