Alissa has elected her closest friends to sit on her Board!
Shreyas has drafted the ultimate team for his big day!
"Made" of Honor (founding member)
While Maid of Honor might be expected, “Made” of Honor felt more fitting 😊 Made as in - I made her do everything for me growing up. I was the shy and awkward big sister and she was the cute and confident little sister that I could get to do anything for me. I mean, isn’t that just every big sister/little sister dynamic? But really, Made of Honor means that Kelsey helped make me who I am. She shaped my confidence, my strength, my patience and my empathy for others. She's been there for every high, every low, every meltdown, every celebration, and every ridiculous moment in between. She's the one who knows my history, my quirks, my heart, and all the versions of me I’ve grown through. She's supported me in ways she probably doesn’t even realize, and she's shown up for me in ways that have mattered more than I ever said out loud. Being sisters has always been one of my greatest gifts, and going through this wedding season with her as my #1 has been so, so special. I am so lucky to have her as my lil' sister <3
Best Man- El Capitán
AKA…Saguna Laguna, My brother and best friend. While some of the men standing with me today became friends over the years, he's the one who's been there from the very beginning. We've built a bond that goes far beyond being brothers - he's my ride-or-die, my best friend, and one of the people I admire most. Anyone who knows him knows his bubbly personality and those dimples are impossible not to love. He's the kind of person who can light up a room, make friends with anyone, and somehow make even the most ordinary moments memorable. We share more weird quirks, inside jokes, and random habits than I can count, and I don't think anyone understands me quite the way he does. Through every high and every low, he's been my biggest cheerleader, my most loyal supporter, and the first person I can count on when life gets tough. One of the greatest privileges of my life has been watching him grow into the incredible man he is today. Somewhere along the way, my little brother became one my biggest role model. Having him stand beside me today isn't just special…it's exactly where he's always belonged.
Executive OG (founding member)
Elle: my OG, not to be confused with The O.C. (our favorite show growing up), but my original girl, my day one, my best friend for life. We have been best friends since 5th grade, which means she has truly seen it all, heard it all, and somehow loved me through it all. Through every season of life, and every mile between us, Elle’s friendship has been unwavering. Even when distance has taken her as far as Sydney, Australia, she has always put in the effort to make me feel loved, supported, and close to her no matter where she is in the world. Elle gives 110% to everything she does, including her friendships, and I will never fully understand how I got so lucky to be one of her people. She has been one of my biggest cheerleaders for as long as I can remember, and I am so grateful that she gets to be part of another major milestone in my life. It will be the greatest honor to have my day one by my side as I marry the love of my life.
Mr. lil' Bigshot
AKA “Shureb” Justin and I met through work, but in just two years he's become one of my closest friends. He's been my sounding board through the highs and lows and the person I can always count on for honest advice, a different perspective, or a well-timed reality check. When he's not helping me navigate life, he's usually convincing me to go out and have a good time. Whether it's grabbing a bourbon, finding a new spot in town, or turning a casual activity into a competition, Justin is always up for an adventure. And make no mistake - he's competitive. To Justin, there are no friendly games, only games he plans on winning. More importantly, he's the kind of friend who always shows up, whether you need advice, a laugh, or just someone to sit down and talk through life with. I'm incredibly grateful our paths crossed and even more grateful to call him my best friend.
Partner in Crime
Nicole is not just my partner at work, but truly my partner in all of life’s adventures. She is my fellow night owl, my sounding board, and the person who understands me better than anyone. From late nights at the office to even later nights at the bar, from countless battles on the pickleball court to all of life’s celebrations in between, Nicole has been there through it all. She has a way of showing up exactly when I need her most, whether life is full of joy or throwing something hard our way. I am so lucky to have Nicole in my life. Her loyalty, friendship and ability to make even the longest days better are just a few of the reasons she means so much to me. I cannot imagine this season, or life in general, without her by my side.
The Showtimer
AKA “Ditty”— one of the first friends I made after moving to this country and somehow still my best friend 32 years later. Witty, creative, and never far from a microphone, he's been the unofficial voice of our crew for as long as I can remember. Whether it was singing, forensic acting, or delivering a perfectly timed one-liner, Dithu has always had a talent for commanding a room. What I appreciate most, though, is his ability to challenge my thinking and push me to be a better version of myself. He's one of the few people who can make you laugh, question your assumptions, and give you life advice all in the same conversation. It's no surprise that he's found a way to turn those gifts into a career in adolescent behavioral therapy, helping others while continuing to pursue the passions and creativity that have always defined him. I'm proud to call him one of my best friends and on my squad.
Meg of Honor
Meg may not technically be my matron of honor, but I am absolutely honored to have her by my side. Meg and I first met through our frat (AKPsi), where she became my “little,” but over the years she has become so much more than that. She has been a constant friend, role model, and source of joy in my life. As the first in our friend group to meet her perfect match, get married, and start a family, Meg has set the gold standard for what it means to build a life rooted in unconditional love, respect, adventure, and fun. I have always admired the way she loves her people so fully and the way she has created such a beautiful family without ever losing the fun, loyal, thoughtful person we all adore. I look up to Meg more than she probably realizes, and I feel so lucky to have her standing beside me during this season.
The X Factor
AKA "TT/Cuzzo" One of my first friends after moving to the US. He may not know this but growing up I was always a little scared of him. Not because he was a bully - far from it. He just had this commanding presence that made it seem like he was always in charge, whether anyone elected him or not. And then there was that one time he made me run laps around a cul-de-sac, so maybe that fear wasn’t entirely irrational. Prithvi has always been equal parts witty and intelligent and always down for a good time. What stands out even more, though, is how intentional he is with the people he cares about. He always makes time to listen, check in, and show up with a level of genuine love and support that you don’t forget. He’s the kind of friend who makes you feel heard even when life is chaotic, and somehow always knows exactly what to say (or when not to say anything at all). Every great team needs someone like him and I'm grateful he's on mine as one my best friends.
Chief of Creative
Lauren and I became roommates before we ever really became friends, which feels wild now because I cannot imagine my life without her in it. She is my do-it-yourself, artsy, hands-on bestie and truly the absolute coolest. Whenever I need to brainstorm, plan a theme, come up with games, pull together outfits, dream up cocktails, or make our next big event feel special, she is the person I call. She is, without question, the brains behind so many of our best operations. But just as importantly, Lauren is also my thoughtful, emotional cohort. Whether it is happy tears, sad tears, laughing tears, or frustrated tears, I can always count on her to understand, relate, and sit right there with me in all the everyday emotions of life. She brings creativity, heart, humor, and so much fun into every room she walks into, and I am so lucky to have her standing by my side.
The Comeback King
AKA “Why do they call me Akshay Srikanth?!... because my name is Akshay Srikanth!!!” From his self-proclaimed talent in every sport imaginable to his unwavering love for Detroit and U of M athletics, Akshay is basically Mr. Incredible... or at least that's how he'd describe himself. To this day, he still believes he's a better quarterback than Joey Harrington, which is either remarkable confidence or a complete lack of self-awareness - we haven't decided. While Akshay may be a man of few words, his presence is always felt. He's the kind of friend who doesn't need to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact. Whether it's showing up when you need him, having your back without being asked, or somehow finding a way to bring every conversation back to Detroit sports, he's someone you can always count on. Behind all the sports takes and quiet confidence is an incredibly loyal friend, and I'm lucky to call him my best friend and have him in my corner all these years
Director of Vibes
Caitlin is the glue of our crew and our steadfast anchor. She is one of the most inclusive, passionate, and genuine people I know. Caitlin has always had a way of bringing people together and making everyone around her feel loved, seen, and included. She celebrates her friends’ wins with the utmost excitement, shows up with her whole heart, and has a rare gift for making people feel like they truly belong. That same passion is woven into every part of who she is. Caitlin left a successful marketing career to follow a calling that was so uniquely her: becoming a farmer and helping provide food for her community. Her love for people, food, connection, and creating something meaningful is inspiring to everyone lucky enough to know her. She is thoughtful, intentional, hardworking, and truly one of a kind. I am so grateful to have Caitlin by my side, not only on this day, but in life.
The Playmaker
AKA “Nithoon” Nithin and I became friends in middle school, back when he was already somehow cooler than the rest of us combined. He always had the best sleepovers, somehow knew everyone, and naturally had all the ladies paying attention while the rest of us were just trying to survive adolescence. Despite the “cool kid” reputation, Nithin is really just a gentle giant with an even bigger heart. One of the things I admire most about him is how effortlessly he brings people together. No matter who's in the room, he has a way of making everyone feel included and welcome. He's also the friend who's always checking in, catching up on life, and making sure the people he cares about stay connected. Whether years or weeks have gone by, a conversation with Nithin always picks up right where it left off. Although he may love his lean cuisines more than anything…he's equal parts hype man, and entertainment coordinator. He’s been making life more fun ever since middle school - and somehow still hasn’t lost his title as one of the smoothest guys in the room. Proud to call him my best friend and the teammate I'd choose every single time.
Head of Glam
Ruba is a boss lady, beauty icon, and the perfect balance of chaos, confidence, and heart. She came into our friend group a little later, and while I may not have realized right away just how important she would become, it did not take long for Ruba to become one of my best friends. She has a way of bringing fun, energy, and her Jordanian spunk into everything she does, and life is never boring when she is around. Ruba works hard, loves harder, and has helped bring out a more fun, confident side of me. She is my go-to for all things fashion and glam, but she is also the person who understands my career ambitions, cultural differences, and all the complicated things in between. She is my sounding board for both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts of life, and I am so grateful for the laughter, honesty, confidence, and love she brings into my world.
The Human Highlight Reel
AKA Mr. Wall Street. Always quick with market takes and business strategies, he’s the guy who somehow turns every conversation into a potential investment opportunity or startup idea. If there’s a trend, Vishy has already analyzed it, optimized it, and probably told you where you went wrong financially. But beyond the “finance guru” persona is someone with a genuinely pure heart. Vishy invests just as much time in his friendships as he does in his opinions on the market - always checking in, following up, and making sure his people are good. His wit might be sharp, but it never outshines how much he truly cares. And then there’s the other side of Vishy...the goofy, clumsy one. The one who somehow turns the simplest moments into unforgettable laughter, whether he means to or not. Some of the best memories come from his most unintentional chaos, and that’s what makes him so special. Proud to have him on my squad and grateful for our lifelong friendship and brotherhood.
Ride or Die Commander
Amy is my world traveler and one of the most go-with-the-flow, down-for-anything people I know. She is always up for an adventure and usually one of the first to say yes to my wild trip ideas, which is just one of the many reasons I love having her in my life. Amy brings such a rare mix of curiosity, intelligence, laughter (o the laughter!), and joy to everything she does. She is one of the most knowledgeable people I know, but never in a showy way. She simply sees the world with so much wonder and intention. Amy is a lover of trees, birds, beings, things, and honestly everythinggggg. She has taught me so much about slowing down, prioritizing wellbeing, protecting your peace, and appreciating the little beautiful things that are easy to miss. We also fully ride the nap-and-sleep-in train, the Goldfish train, and the reality TV train, which makes our friendship equal parts meaningful and ridiculous in the best possible way. I love riding through all of life’s adventures with Amy, and it feels even more special that we get to be brides together too.
The Blitz
AKA “Poonai (means cat)” Naveen has been a man of mystery ever since I met him back in 6th grade at DCD. He operates very much like a cat…shows up when he wants, disappears without explanation, judges everyone silently, and somehow still ends up being everyone’s favorite person in the room; add in a completely contagious laugh that can derail an entire conversation, and you’ve got classic Naveen. When it came to backyard sports... a discovery was made that his hands are apparently made of bricks... that made catching even a beach ball look like an extreme sport; but what he lacked in catching was made up with his speed (just like a cat). He’s always brought an unmatched energy to our group. Equal parts mysterious, hilarious, and impossible to forget, Naveen has kept me entertained for years without ever really trying. But beneath all those feline tendencies, he’s got a big heart and cares deeply for others and a true well-wisher and lucky to call him my best friend and part of the squad.