Michelle & Austin
Meet the Party
Kaylen Bochnak
Matron of Honor
Hi, I’m Kaylen! I met Michelle when I moved to Southmoreland in 7th grade & joined track. She didn’t like me because we had the same outfit, but then one day she claimed me as her “child” & then “set me free in the valley” (what?? lol). Needless to say we’ve been friends ever since. Memories with her that stick out include giving each other makeovers as teenagers to look like Jersey Shore cast & her cutting my bangs in my bathroom while I cried when we were 14. My most favorite is when we went to Olive Garden & she tried to “season a breadstick” with her pepper spray because she “saw it in a video”. The spray bounced back into her eyes before I could tell her that it was a bad idea. We had to flush her eyes in Olive Garden’s bathroom and explain what happened to the waitress and busboy.
Sydney Clark
Bridesmaid
Hi! My name is Sydney and I’m currently in my second year of law school in Boston, MA! I met Michelle in 6th grade during a project in English class where we had to dress up as someone from history and give a presentation on their lives. Michelle was Jackie Chan and I was Jedediah Smith (we were weird kids). Since meeting Michelle all those years ago, I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow into such a beautiful, strong, and kind woman. From sharing a seat on the band bus to every football game, to her spilling soup in my lap, to all of the plays we acted in together, knowing her has made my life so much brighter. It has been such an adventure growing up with Michelle, and I am so excited to be a part of the next adventure she is starting with the man of her dreams!
Alanna Berrios (Manning)
Bridesmaid
My name is Alanna! I’m from Upstate NY and moved 3 years ago. Love it in the south! I live with my fiancé Gabe, our cat Milo and our 4 lizards! I work as a concierge at a 4 star hotel, The Bennett. In our spare time we love to go to the beach, go on nature walks, and find new activities to do in the city. We met Shellie and Austin a couple years ago during Covid shutdown. We clicked instantly! We were both from the north, had long term boyfriends and cats! Shellie is my best friend here and we have so much in common. So much in common that we are getting married only 2 weeks apart and are in each other’s weddings! Shellie is always down to have a good time, we are always adventuring, eating, and being each other’s right hand person. I am so happy to be part of her and Austin’s special day!
Mackenzie Eicher
Bridesmaid
Hey everyone, I’m Mackenzie! I’m currently student teaching and will be graduating this summer as an ESL/English Teacher. I’ve known Michelle since we were in the 1st grade, and she is the longest friendship I’ve ever had with someone! She’s like a sister to me and I feel so fortunate that I’ve gotten to be a part of Michelle’s life. We have countless memories growing up that I could share, from Toy Island back in 3rd grade all the way through our high school marching band memories. One of my favorites will always be going with her to get her first tattoo after school one random day! I remember Michelle and Austin before they started dating, and it’s been amazing to watch them fall in love. Watching them get married is going to be such a beautiful experience, I’m counting down the days!!!
Jenna Henry
Bridesmaid
Hi im Jenna ! I had the privilege of meeting Shellie in 2018 esthetics school, she became my partner & both of our hyper chaotic & sweet energies meshed too well. After chatting & realizing we were close in area & in age & we even shared mutuals, there was never a dull moment between us. She is truly one of the best personalities Ive ever met, not only is she a great friend (an understatement) but also one of the best humans we’ve been honored with. She is so shamelessly herself , full of love & chaos , laughter & brains , I’ve never met a person quite like her. The funnest & smartest & most generous & selfless person, wrapped in a gentle blanket of caring love & sweetness. We are lucky to have her & we are truely lucky to witness this beautiful pairing . Congratulations Austin & Michelle
Paige McLaughlin
Bridesmaid
Hey I’m Paige!! Michelle has been in my life for as long as I can remember. It is so hard to pinpoint one specific moment that is my favorite because she has been there for all of my favorite memories. She is the best hype woman, shoulder to cry on, or friend to listen. I’m counting down the days to the wedding, it’ll be so exciting to watch her marry the love of her life. I’m especially looking forward to dancing ALL night!!
Holly Reagan
Bridesmaid
I started dating Austin’s brother, Zach, in November of 2019. With any new relationship, it was pretty scary. There were parents to meet and a whole brother to meet plus his girlfriend, so let’s just say I was intimidated. That is until I received an Instagram dm from Kaylen telling me that Michelle wanted to add me to a group chat with her, Kaylen, and Sydney. Now Michelle may have been too anxious to ask me herself, but she still made it a point to invite me to join it. Why? Because she wanted to get to know me. Thanks to that one thing, I now have some of the most supportive girls in my friend group to vent to whenever I need it. Michelle made my integration into the Bixler family so much easier just by reaching out to me. I couldn’t be happier to call her my future sister-in-law.
Natalie Benson
Bridesmaid
Shellie is such a wonderful friend. I met her when I worked at Nemacolin at the spa in 2018. My memorable moments would be to see her stop by the front desk when I was working there. Her positive attitude was so admirable. We also trained together in the skin care department. My most memorable moment was when we went out with other coworkers at CAVO in Pittsburgh. Fun times. And our common interests in astrology and the elements. I’m so happy for her union with Austin. You two are perfect for each other and I pray for many years of love and happiness in your marriage.
Zach Bixler
Best Man
Hi Im Zach, brother of the groom. We have an innumerable amount of memories - some good and not so good. The most fond memory is of him driving through the night for hours to support me & cheer me on at my first wrestling competition after having surgery on my knee, even running on no sleep. For most this would be unspectacular or even mundane but to me it meant everything. He sacrificed an entire weekend driving to root for me & then hours to get back, and didn’t complain a single time. That’s how I’ve always known him: he’s the most caring man in the world & will sacrifice himself over & over if it means making others happy. Im so grateful he found Michelle & now he can be as happy as he seeks to make others. I love you Austin, thanks for being the big brother that I didn’t know I needed
Jack Bickerton
Groomsman
Hello My name is Jackson Bickerton and I have known Austin since elementary school. As we have gotten older, Austin and I have grown much closer and have shared countless memories and moments together. One that stands out is when Austin and I joined the tennis team in high school. Southmoreland has never, and will never have a more uncoordinated and less graceful duos as we were. I know that we had a blast and I can only imagine how much fun it was for spectators to watch the game we called "tennis". This is just one of the many memories that Austin and I have shared over the many years of friendship!
Kyle Halleman
Groomsman
Hey! I’m Kyle & I’m a counselor for youth mental health at Adelphoi. I’ve known Austin since the 7th grade when we sat at the same table in art class & bonded over the Pirates, Penn State & complaining about art. Our friendship really did blossom as seniors. We were attached at the hip at every event. Driving him around made the decision to attend Penn State Fayette easy. We took tons of classes together & were partners in raising money for THON. A favorite memory was when we were raising money in an old diner. Something that should have been extremely awkward was somehow fun & productive due to his endless joy & charisma. That’s what he is going to bring to his marriage, endless joy & charm. Being part of his wedding is a great honor & I can’t wait to see him & Michelle grow together.
Henry Riley
Groomsman
Hello, I’m Henry! I’ve known Austin for a long time, but we became close friends during our senior year of high school over contentious games of Risk and late-night Sheetz excursions. I’ve always known Austin to be quick-witted, quick to laugh, and someone who always provides an interesting conversation. Austin is outward-thinking and selfless, and I always admired his dedication to fundraising for THON while he was at Penn State, and I know that he’ll bring that selflessness and dedication to his marriage. I consider Austin to be a lifelong friend and I’m so excited to see him take this step forward in life’s journey, and to have been asked to play a small part in Michelle and Austin’s marriage is a genuine honor.
Gabe Manning
Groomsman
Hello! My name’s Gabe, & I've known Austin & Shellie since the quarantine where we all quickly became friends. Austin is a great guy who’s willing to help us any time we need, especially when the girls are going out and need to be picked up. We both have a love for video games as well & can easily talk, even if most of his time is spent on Warzone or another FPS, where as I enjoy RPG's primarily. We can find common ground in Strategy Games or D&D even if we've yet to play them together. And we always have a great time every tuesday at Trivia which Austin is easily the anchor for each week. I know he will make a wonderful husband to Shellie and I'm grateful to be a part of their big day despite the short amount of time we've known each other and I wish them all the best moving forward!
Hudson Nicholson
Groomsman
Hey y’all, Im Hudson! I’ve known Austin & Michelle for years, but became close with them in high school. Austin & I had great conversation in history class, & he invited me to hang with who I now consider some of my best friends. Austin’s friendliness & inclusivity made it easy to get to know everyone & remain close. Michelle encouraged me to join the school play my junior year. Like Austin, she’s outgoing & helped me become friends with her & others. I’m so lucky to have met them, who are inviting and kind people individually. I saw the start of their relationship & the happiness & growth that its brought them. I’m ecstatic these lifelong friends of mine complement each other so perfectly. Its an honor to be a part of their day, & I wish them the best in this new journey that lies ahead.
Mike Gismondi
Groomsman
Hey, I'm Michael! I’ve known Austin for about as long as I can remember! Thinking about how we all grew up together at Guardian Angels & went to school fills my mind with nostalgia & memories that I forgot I had. From playing baseball to sitting in computer class making projects, I’ve always considered Austin to be one of my closest friends. It wasn’t until the end of high school and into college that I got to know my cousin Michelle, but since the moment they’ve been together we all knew they were perfect for each other. You both complement each other’s personality and match each other on a level that people are lucky to find once in a lifetime. I can’t wait for the wedding and I am honored to be a part of such an amazing day! Congrats to you both, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead
Sage Guynn
Groomsman
I’m Sage! I met Austin at Guardian Angel’s Day Care. We spent time with Yu-Gi-Oh cards, mid day naps, & seeing how tall we could build wooden blocks before knocking them down. It’s not often that a friendship which starts so early in life carries all the way into adulthood, which is why I count myself lucky that ours has. From kindergarten, to stealing my mom’s wine & playing Risk into the night, sneaking on top of the school our senior year & watching the sunrise one last time—marking the culmination of our 12 years at Southmoreland, to watching you embark on this new shared journey with Michelle, its been quite an adventure. I couldn’t be happier for you both, you’ve been there for some of the best moments of my life, & I can’t wait to share with you what will be one of the best of yours