Rachele & Caleb
Wedding Party
Ashley W.
Matron of Honor
We met my sophomore year of highschool. After an entire year of saying we should hang out, we finally did & honestly became pretty inseparable ever since. From traveling all over the United States to being in her wedding, to having a deep treasure trove of inside jokes, Ashley is my “soul bonded bff.” Our friendship picks up right where it’s left off, despite living in different states for most of our adult hood. Ashely is my go to person for advice, someone I share some of my greatest memories with & is who I call when I need a pick me up. She’s also one of the main reasons I went to church in highschool & who I can credit for much of that blossoming relationship with Jesus. She’s probably going to be one of the funniest people in the room so if you need a laugh, definitely look for her.
Sara P.
Maid of Honor
Sara is my older sister. She knew me before I even knew me!!! Sara has always been my safe place, protector and who I run to when I need that older sister advice. The amount of times she’s rescued me from wild situations is more than I can count. She’s a dedicated nurse but even more dedicated friend. She’s also my roommate, which is something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. She has the ability to make every single person in the room feel deeply loved & seen. I’m lucky to have a best friend in my sister & ever luckier to have her as a MOH on such an important day. And, if you need her at any point during the night, you can find her on the dance floor tearing it up.
Tyra B.
Maid of Honor
Tyra is my oldest friend!!! We met back in 7th grade when we tried out for theater together. We developed a fast friendship and our friendship has become one that is so honest & valuable. Tyra taught me at a young age to not care what others thought about me by encouraging me to be who I am & accepting that version of me ever since. She has been a protector of my peace when we were in middle school & maintained it well into our adulthood. She will throw hands for the people she cares about but also knows how to create and execute a plan and do it well. She also always carries the vibe and aesthetic of any event. You can find her socializing with the whole crowd during the wedding.
Jenelle
Bridesmaid
We met in highschool during theater, I was originally terrified of her because of how confident she is in ANY situation but after one long conversation while waiting for rehearsals to take place, she took me under her wing & has been a safe place since. Our friendship has been a match made in heaven. Jenelle is basically my confidant & the safest place I’ve ever known. We joke about being soulmates, but let’s be honest, it’s true (sorry Caleb) Some of my fondest memories are when we lived together, we created a home & she really showed me what a home in a person looks like. She’s also the very first person who knew about Caleb, we’d recount our early dates in our living room & her joy for me was beyond evident. I often tell people she reminds me of Christmas because she’s simply magical. Jenelle is the life of the party, the best beauty guru & someone you need in your corner when you need a confidence boost. Over a decade of friendship & I can’t imagine my life without her, let alone Caleb & I’s big day.
Sierra O.
Bridesmaid
I met Sierra during an internship at a local church in 2018. We bonded over boy drama, hiking & coffee. We have a little trio with Grace (bridesmaid) and can usually be found all together. Sierra is always down for a hike, cares deeply about people & is an exceptional writer. She has a heart of pure gold and has taught me so much in the span of our friendship. She keeps everyone fed & makes everyone feel welcomed and loved. My favorite fact about her is that she was a Boy Scout, ask her about it. Her Fourth of July party is where I told Caleb I was only going to date him, so she’s to thank for this wedding taking place! She’s a true gem in both of our lives and has been so intentional in her pursuit of friendship with Caleb.
Grace V.
Bridesmaid
I met Grace at the same internship with Sierra (hence the trio). Grace is the queen of planning a killer trip or knowing where the best brews are (ask her about her app) Grace is the type of friend who will listen & validate while also offering the most sound advice. Shes wickedly talented at anything she attempts to do & a secret comedian. She’s also the most effortlessly stylish person I know and much of my wardrobe is inspired by her. I often ask, WWGW (what would Grace wear). Her husband (Max) and Caleb became fast friends and it’ll be SO special to have them both in our wedding. Her and Max helped Caleb execute the most beautiful proposal and now here we are. She’s the reason we have photo evidence of the proposal, because as mentioned, she’s talented at everything she does.
Marissa C.
Bridesmaid
I met Marissa (rissa) my freshman year of high school. My early 20’s were spent with her on cross country road trips, roughing it in the back of a mini van on trips, sleepovers every weekend, spontaneously getting tattoos, and hours long worship sessions. We once almost got kidnapped while stargazing in NC but her swift thinking saved our lives. Rissa is the type of person who you feel absolutely free to be yourself around. She really is the definition of joy & peace. She is deeply kind & incredibly loyal. Now, I get to be an auntie to her 3 adorable kiddos & nothing brings me more joy than turning our friendship into family over the years.
Amanda S.
Bridesmaid
I met Amanda in Highschool but we truly bonded during our early college years. From sleepovers on the regular to risking our literal lives for Starbucks during snowstorms, our friendship has been a treasure! Amanda is my person who will kick my butt during a workout and then not judge me for pigging out after. Amanda has always been a an encourager and has made it evident in the last decade of friendship that she wants the best for me, always. One of my favorite memories is our daily walks around Downtown Rochester post college, walking & chatting for hours. She’s hands down one of the most intelligent people I know while also knowing how to always have a good time…anddddd we get to be engaged besties together!!!
Eden L.
Bridesmaid
I met Eden when I briefly worked in foster care during Covid! We had a conversation one night & hit it off there! Eden and her daughter know how to show up for people in a way that is so rare. Anytime I need someone to come over and just do chores with me (iykyk) she never hesitates to drop what she’s doing to help. She’s also shares the title of one of the funniest people in the room & will probably make you crack up within 5 mins of talking. She is a deeply loyal human & has taught me SO much about resilience. She’s never turned down a day time adventure & encourages my deep love for ice cream without judgement.
Casey S.
Bridesmaid
Casey is my cousin so I guess you can say I’ve known her since birth!!! Our friendship definitely blossomed in our early 20’s but some of my fondest memories growing up are with her. She’s the rare type of friend who listens so intently and without any judgement. She has always been incredibly thoughtful & incredibly wise. She has always offered a shoulder and encourages in such an honest & kind way. AND she happily accepted a role in the wedding despite being in Med school, talk about real friendship!!
Jake B.
Best Man
Jake is my older brother, I grew up watching and learning from him in many ways, from playing with GI Joes and listening to Blink 182s Mark, Tom, and Travis Show, to working on cars and playing with fireworks. I always thought Jake to be the cool older brother but now as we have both grown to be wiser and more "tame", I appreciate his experience and knowledge; "I'm just ten miles ahead of you on the road Cal" as he says. We share a bond of being brothers but also the gleeful suffering that only Marines enjoy, he helped me understand things and be the leader that my Marines needed just as I gave him feedback that made him better for his junior Marines. Jake is not only this statue of knowledge in his hobbies and career, but humble to learn from you and share his experience. He is the epitome of being damn good at the job, a damn good man to his family, and my best man. -Disclaimer: if you engage in conversation about any topic relevant to his interests or hobbies, he will chat your ears off.
Paige R.
Groomswoman
Paige was my first real friend I made once I got to college. We started chatting about what we thought this whole pharmacology class was going to be like and figured out that she was just like me, between our choice of hobbies, taste in food and drink (as long as its not meat), and our depth in dark humor. Paige has stuck with me through stressful, dark, and stupid times, she is ol' reliable when you're in need of a laugh or a trip to O'Connors for spin dip and a pint while you gripe about work. If you told me Paige was going to be one of my best friends years ago, I would've been confused, but now knowing her, shes my dude bro and I wouldn't second guess it. -Disclaimer: Shes vegetarian, so don't offer your steak to her, she knows better.
Sebastian S.
Groomsman
I remember seeing this guy transport patients around the hospital and thought nothing of it. Little did I know that I would see him starting the same job that I did a year later. We both started working as aids in the surgical ICU together and became nurses close together about a year after. At work he was always a guy that I grew to know he would help whenever and worry about getting the right things done, he is still very much that way and now we share that importance of our work together. Gutting through the nightshift is much easier with him as we jam out at a pod and get our work done; when the work is done we enjoy the reprieve of a KayJays breakfast sandwich and plot out a bro date. I've learned a lot about Seb as we work together and get together outside of the hospital, he has quickly become a man that I appreciate and admire through his calmness, knowledge, and love of what he does in everything in life. I rag on him at work like he's one of my old buddies and play pool with him like a gentlemen, he is an interesting man of many talents, none of which he is a novice, and all of which he is a mastering learner. Disclaimer: he is a man of many talents, ask him about them and you will find yourself serenaded by his guitar or perhaps harmonica; just as his lady is.
Dan M.
Groomsman
Dan has been my brother in law for many years, and a hard-honest working man through the entirety that I have known him. He is counted as my brother and has always been someone I can count on for any type of advice and a quality story or laugh. His laugh is contagious and it's always accompanied with even funnier things he will add to it. Dan is another example to me of what a married man and father should be, being able to count him as friend and brother has made much of my life more entertaining and profound through experience with him, the man knows a lot, and if he doesn't, you can count on him to learn it. Disclaimer: If you can't find Dan, just listen-you will hear his laugh or a crazy story.
Max V.
Groomsman
I met Max at the typical dinner with Rachele and her friend Grace that was marketed as "you two will love each other and get along great". Skepticism was afoot as I walked into the steakhouse with this 80's gangster looking dude and couldn't hear what the hell he was saying. Soon after we ended up hanging out and pondering the world, hospital work, and our hobbies over a beer and quickly realized that our women were right, we gonna be homies. It didn't take long after that for Max to rope me into his group of guys and get into the tom foolery that had been abound, I felt like I found my group of guys again that I hadn't had for many years. Max and his wife Grace have been excellent friends to Rachele and I and were key in the plot and schemes of our proposal. Disclaimer: Yes he has a vast protein intake, yes he will dance, yes he is the hype man, and no you can't take him-I need my night nurse bro.
Jon B.
Groomsman
I met Jon through Max and didn't know what to think, he at the time, was a man of few words but always something interesting. throughout the time knowing him we have gone on several trips around Michigan that told me "this guy knows whats good". From ice fishing and having the quality outdoors man knowledge I enjoy to camping on an island and hiking all the way around it on lake Michigan, Jon knows how to plan out a good boys trip that won't get you put in jail, the hospital, or the newspaper...except for that time he rescued a snake. Jon is an incredibly knowledgeable man that speaks on what he knows and won't steer you the wrong way, unless its just new ice forming on the lake. Disclaimer: Yea, he's tall, you won't be able to miss him. Just look about a foot above the crowd and hes there.
Jack V.
Groomsman
Jack is Max's brother and where they are similar they are also different and I thoroughly enjoy what Jack is all about. He's the guy in the group that can kick off the debate about anything, controversial or tame, Jack knows how to get the people talking for the better. He quickly became one of the guys I love to talk about anything with, in particular WW2 history; as most men have an appreciation for the topic, I learned Jack and I were on the same level of loving the lore to be discovered there. Every boys trip he is on is more entertaining, every party hes at is more talkative, every dinner more enjoyable. Jack is the lore king and has the humor to balance it out. Disclaimer: You can't get him talking too much about war history as I might get distracted from the whole wedding event.
Uri F.
Groomsman
As much as you may be thinking of Russian spy Yuri, this man is not, though he does have the best intelligence on the beer or beverage served in the nearby restaurants. Uri is also part of the friend group Max introduced me too and has been a great part of it and adding to the experiences we've had, from the fishing knowledge on a frozen lake to the camping skills on Mannitou island, he's taught me a thing or two just by watching him and also always a good man willing to support you when you don't have some of the gear needed yourself. Disclaimer: He is not an engineer and definitely not single so again, ladies, stay away.
Matt W.
Groomsman
Matt was the interesting character I had heard of but not met for a while in the group of guys but when I did, I knew the odd CIA operative plant to the group had been found. The guy "takes summer off to go fishing in Alaska" and drives a different car each week, I know a spook when I see one. In all seriousness, Matt is in the best way an interesting and very personable guy, he has been around the country traveling and always on a side quest once the sun sets, never nefarious but always precarious. He is responsible for making the boys look good in all the group photos and providing some odd knowledge we didn't need to know but appreciate. Disclaimer: If you can't find Matt throughout the night, neither can we. We've tried, just go about your business and he'll reappear shortly.