I am truly honored to have my daughter by my side on our special day.
Lauren always amazes and inspires me. As a young female business owner in a predominantly male profession, she has called upon her impeccable work ethic, her natural intellect and talent, her drive for excellence and her indomitable spirit to propel her to number one on Penske's list of top young technicians.
Lauren's dream is to empower women to take charge of their own auto care and to create an inviting environment in which to learn about and service their cars.
When she's not under the hood or behind the desk at her shop LimitlessAutoSolutions.com you might find Lauren riding one of her two horses or creating her latest painting.
Lauren lives with her fiance, Sebastian Sanchez, and my two grand dogs, Chispa and Daysi.
Gabby Leporati - Bridesmaid
I'm excited to be joined by Gabby as she and her siblings Alex and Jack entrust their dad to me in marriage. Gabby is a girl after my own heart ~ we LOVE books and words!
Gabby has achieved her dream of living and working in New York City. As a Book Publicist at Little, Brown and Company, Gabby helps some of today's top authors share their work in national publications and on television. She's even been known to rub elbows with a few celebrities, her cool urban style and contagious smile leading Bruce Springsteen to ask her for fashion advice!
Gabby lives in Brooklyn where she recently adopted a kitten named Frankie, who she affectionately describes as a "feral goblin." When she's not reading, Gabby enjoys biking, walking around the city and baking.
Alex Leporati - Best Man
A 2023 graduate of Fairfield Prep, Fairfield CT, Alex is entering his sophomore year at the College of Charleston. He plans to major in Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship, planning to start his own business serving a meaningful purpose in the world. Alex is enjoying his time in South Carolina as a member of SAE fraternity and loves surfing at Folly Beach and shooting hoops. He's a bit of a foodie and is teaching himself how to cook. Alex spends his summer in Connecticut working and visiting family and best friends.
Josh Davidson - Groomsman
Josh is pursuing a Bachelors Degree at University of Maryland Global Campus, studying Political Science and Homeland Security. He's especially curious about what goes on in the cyber world and is working toward an internship at Ft. Meade. Strike up a conversation with Josh on just about any topic and he'll know some intriguing facts, which makes him not only fun and interesting but a formidable foe in a trivia match! In his free time he enjoys gaming, movies and tinkering on his car. Josh and his girlfriend Kendal Neel live in Annapolis.
Andy Werking - Usher
As the favorite (and only) brother of the bride, Andy has always been there to support and cheer on his big sister, even if meant sitting through five ballet performances in four days or planning a family beach vacation during an especially tough time.
We are so blessed to have Andy and Heather as family and wonderful friends. Our times together are filled with fun, great music and laughter, and you never know if it will be Andy or Joe who tells the worst dad joke.
Calling Apex, NC home, Andy has built a successful career in cyber security as well as helping his wife Heather expand her interior design business into the retail market. Together they have two children in college, Adam and Olivia.
In his free time Andy loves taking his 4runner to the beach or mountains, testing out a good local brew and cooking an amazing dinner for his friends.
Sebastian Sanchez - Usher
As our future son-in-law, Sebastian (or "Sass" as we affectionately call him :) is already an integral part of our family. We love his cheerful personality, his care for his family, and his love for trying new things.
Sass and Lauren are the perfect partners. Together they have reinvented Nelcars, the family auto repair business founded by Sebastian's father, and opened Limitless Auto Solutions as well.
Sass lives in Frederick and enjoys video gaming, spending time with family and friends and riding his new motorcycle.
Our Officiant ~ US Naval Academy Command Chaplain CAPT Maurice A. Buford
Chaplain Maurice A. Buford is a 1993 student-athlete and graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. In 1997 he received his Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center. In 2006 he went back to the Interdenominational Theological Center and earned a Doctorate of Ministry with a focus in pastoral care and counseling. In 2008 he received a Certificate of Advance Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Human Resource Development from Regent University. In 2012, he received his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership again from Regent University.
His past military assignments include serving as the Command Chaplain Naval Hospital Station Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico from Dec 1999 –May 2002; Command Chaplain 1st Battalion 1st Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA June 2002 –May 2005; Staff Chaplain Naval Station Rota, Spain from July 2005 – March 2007; Carrier Air Wing Three Command Chaplain, Virginia Beach, VA April 2007 – May 2009; Marine Corps University, Quantico VA, May 2009 – OCT 2010; The Basic School, Quantico, VA, OCT 2010 – NOV 2011; NOV 2011 – JUNE 2014 The Chaplain Corps Officer Community Manager in Millington; JUNE 2014 – March 2016 Command Chaplain USS Abraham Lincoln; March 2016 – SEPT 2018, Marine Corps University, Quantico VA; OCT 2018 – MAR 2021 Chaplain Buford served as the Director of Operations for the Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon with additional responsibilities as an advisor for Task Force One Navy. Served as the NAVCENT / C5F Force Chaplain. Chaplain Buford currently serves as the United States Naval Academy Command Chaplain.
Chaplain Buford is certified as an EEO counselor as well as a Hogan Assessment coach. Chaplain Buford has 1 Legion of Merit, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 5 Commendation Medals, and a Navy and Marine Corp Medal.
Some of Chaplain Buford’s publications include The Servant Way: Leadership Principles from John A. Lejeune, Bold Followership: A Biblical Cure for Organizational Toxicity and The Nathan Factor: The Art of Speaking Truth to Power.
He and his family endeavor “… to provoke God’s people into their divine purpose.”
