Wedding Party
Justina "Shorty" Rinzel
Maid of Honor
Shorty has been my best friend since the summer of 2010 when I was finally okay with titling our friendship (eyeroll, I know. 16 year old Charissa was so high maintenance). But thank the Lord she stuck with me! God has been so gracious to gift such a woman of heart, character, light, and love. A warrior through and through. Whether deep trenches or the highest of mountains, there has been someone right next to me. Shorty, I am so so grateful for you and the place you have in my life! Love, Ris (< the name she bestowed when she was super high on pain meds post-wisdom teeth removal)
Zack Hamby
Best Man
Zack Hamby, my Best Man! The one I've been friends with for 15 YEARS! I mean, we've known each other for the length of time until someone gets their driving permit. GEEEZ! Hahaha! Anyways, I just want to say how grateful I am for you! We've been through a lot together and it's been an incredible journey to take part in with you as my right hand man. Thank you for the encouragement and the much needed wisdom and truth in every season. I can't wait to have you stand by my side as I get to marry the love of my life. I also just want to thank you for being, not only a brother to me, but a brother to Charissa as well. I love seeing your relationship with her continue to grow and flourish, and I look forward to the many adventures we'll all go on in the years to come! Love you brother!
Meg Joyner
Bridesmaid
EEP! Meg, you are my FIRST sister! I am so excited to learn you and your heart more in the coming years. Your smile, loving heart, and excitement for life overflow in any conversation-- even if it's just over facetime or MarcoPolo! I am also pumped for the sure-to-come Christmas movie watching, New York excursions, and probable dance parties (?? feels right). I'm thrilled to have you stand by my side, ushering me into the Joyner family! (Joyning the fun, y'all)! Love, Charissa
Jackson Joyner
Groomsman
Jackson, my actual big brother, the blood brother kind of brother! I can't even begin to put into words the impact you've had in and on my life over the past 29, almost 30 years. I know the first 15 years we had our moments of brother-disagreements (haha), but to look back and see how our relationship took a turn towards best-friendship once you left for college, really brings me so much joy! I am so grateful the Lord decided to make us brothers and I am so appreciative of the kindness and discernment you've brought into my life. You've helped guide me with your words, but even more so, with your actions. The way you live your life, and especially the way you pursued Meg, has taught me so much about how I want to live. I love you big brother!
Flynn "Bun" Nauta
Bridesmaid
Flynn was the last of the Porterfield-side cousins to be born and the only other girl. From chubby bunny, Barbies in Djbouti, hammock games at camping, the b-o-t-o-mino, BUNHORSE vacation, and me just squish-snuggling you whenever I felt like it... wow am I grateful another little girl came along. It has been so lovely watching you bloom into the young woman you are today! I'm so proud of you! I luh you, Flynny. Love, Cissa
Spencer Wright
Groomsman
SPENCE (I know how much you love that nickname), my new little brother! I am so looking forward to calling you brother. I also can't wait for family gatherings; one, so we can get to know each other better, but also so I can continue witnessing the infamous "Spencer sitting on Charissa to get his way." Thank you for welcoming me into your family before it was even official! I've really enjoyed the time we've had together and look forward to so much more!
Danielle Gaal
Bridesmaid
Wowzers. Look at us now, Danielle. As I look back on the years, so many memories begin to flood my mind. The fetching, gas pedal, you literally going with me almost at any point to eat nachos, burgers, or Chinese food. The fact we have seen the majority of action films post-2010 because it was the only genre we could both agree to watch. The absurd amount of ice cream you can eat... And how you and your family adopted a lil Wisconsinite to come to all holidays at any time for any reason. You have loved me for so long and so well. Plus you're so stylish and together we can find out anything about any person on the internet ever. Love you! #Exes Love, Char
Blake Sheltra
Groomsman
Blake, Blape, Black, Blaze, Blip, etc. I am so grateful for you and our friendship. It's been a sweet journey from that time we met each other on Lee's boat. We bonded over the fact that we were the only two who could stand up one time during wakeboarding. Ahh the memories! But, we've had so many better ones since. I can't believe it's been 8 years now that we've known each other! We lead small group together, we lived together for a short period, but more importantly, we did life together. Your family has been like a second one for me, and I'm so grateful for that. I mean, heck, your parents are coming to the wedding in Wisconsin! I can't wait! All that to say, thank you for your consistent encouragement. You always find a way to make me feel like I'm on the right track! Love you brother!
Ashley Raye
Bridesmaid
Ash!! Lots of people know you as a wife or a mother, but I am so privileged to call you a friend. I feel like every conversation with you is one that I learn something new or makes me think in new ways. Even when we're in a group, I love slipping into a conversation with just you. I have so many fond memories of weeknights sharing my heart with you in your kitchen or living room. You are a friend for the ages. I'm so grateful for your wisdom and true heart that shines forth. You're the bomb, Ash! Love, Chow
Dudley Raye
Groomsman
DUD!!!!! We've gone from you being my boss, to being co-workers, to now incredible friends! I'm so thankful for the journey the Lord has taken us on. We've learned a lot about each other and have had each other's backs all the way. It's been an awesome ride, and I so look forward to continue learning from you as Charissa and I enter marriage and start our own family. With your third kid on the way, you've got plenty of experience in that department! Thank you for being a constant joy and encouragement and for always believing in me. It's been a blessing to do life with you over the past few years and I look forward to many more!
Lauren McClarnon
Bridesmaid
Wow. I moved down South, knew I would be here for a while, and the Lord placed a little bit of the Midwest straight in my lap. I'm so thankful that God brought you to Wilmy, Lauren! Whether sports, Jesus, life, or just couch-lounging, you are such a pal!! I love your heart, your vulnerability, and how you challenge me to be better. Doing life with you is such a treat! Even though you're a Buckeye, this Badger will always stick by your side. Love, Char
Alex Henderson
Groomsman
Alex, my dudeeeee! I'm so grateful for you brother. We met in the most obscure place of all of my groomsmen (other than maybe Jackson who met me in a hospital). We met in an airport in Nairobi, Kenya, which if you know either of us, isn't really that strange. And since then our friendship has been anything but normal, and I love it! Getting to know you while you were still in high school, and then getting to lead you in small group while you were in college, and then living together, and then being in each other's weddings, we really have been a part of all of each other's lives over the past 10 year? (I can't remember what year exactly we met). Thanks for the deep talks as well as just the chances to play sports together. I've loved them all!
Christina Truhe
Bridesmaid
DEENS! Not only have you been such an encouragement to me, you have loved me and Carson so so well as a couple! I'm grateful for your deep heart, your passion, your infectious laugh, your mischievous smile, and your eyes and hands that serve those around you at any possible chance. You are always there for a good time or Jesus-heart talk. I am overwhelmingly thankful to do life with you! I love you and am SO HYPE to celebrate with you :) Love, Charissa
Austen Truhe
Groomsman
A-Cakes! My man Austen! We've shared a lot of things together (I won't go into details on all of them because some, one in particular, doesn't need to be shared). But, in saying that, I do want to say thanks for your heart. You sometimes come across as over-the-top, but what some people don't know about you is that it's because you care so much. Your heart is so big and so for others that it encourages and inspires me daily to love like Jesus did. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to lead you in small group and to stand next to you on your big day, and I can't imagine my day without you up there. Thank you for your love and support through this journey of life and I'm pumped to be family forever! I love you brother!
Emily "Shmem" Barnett
Bridesmaid
My Shmem, forever and always! I'm so grateful for your space in my life-- and that you and Danielle basically adopted me. Two crazy smart introverts allowing a sporty, Wisconsinite, extrovert into your fold. HOW THANKFUL AM I?! Em, your humor, generosity, and H2 love are off the charts. Living with you, learning with you, and adventuring with you are some of my fondest memories. Trolli eggs, T-Swift, and taco-hands will ALWAYS make me think of you. Thanks for forever loving me, even when I would leave plastic skulls on the table. Exes for life <3 Love, Char
Devin Payne
Groomsman
Devy-Dev! Devin, I'm having trouble put into words how much you mean to me. I've said this before, but I feel like the Lord sometimes puts people on your heart in different seasons that he just wants you to love the heck out of. Well my brother, this is your season. I am so encouraged by your joy and the way you find peace in the midst of crappy situations. You take what anyone else would take as frustrating and overwhelming, and you somehow find the good. And not only that, but you radiate it out to those around you. You, like your brother-in-law, have a huge heart, and I'm honored to be a beneficiary in receiving that love. We met while you were still in college and did life together as brothers. And then I got to be in your wedding! And now you're in mine! I'm humbled and grateful!
Avery Porterfield
Ring Bearer
Avery is the son of Joel and Katie (Charissa's cousins) and is super pumped to be our "reindeer!" He is the oldest of the Portfield-side cousins' KIDS. A SECOND GENERATION.
Caleb Ward
Groomsman
Caleb, my little brother (not by blood, but by so much heart). We've been on an awesome God-filled journey, and I think it's so cool because I feel like this wedding and you being a groomsman is His way of totally boasting in Himself for how He has orchestrated our friendship. We met when you were a student at Fuse Camp. The Lord pushed me to talk to you during service and invite you to do a quiet time together. And you responded with joy and excitement. Since then we've spent many days together walking through the ups and downs of life. Now, you're in another state, and soon to be another country spreading the gospel, which is such a testament to your wisdom, obedience, and honor. I'm humbled to have you stand next to me on my big day. I love you a whole lot little brother!
Ezra Porterfield
Ring Bearer
Ezra is the son of Mat and Karrissa (Charissa's cousins). He is the second oldest, second-generation Porterfield cousin. Wowzers. We're doing it guys... Weddings and kids.
Ruthie Joyner
Flower Girl
Ruthie is my niece!! My sweet little niece. She lives in Saranac Lake, NY with her dad, my brother Jackson (groomsman), and mom, my sister-in-law Meg (bridesmaid). She loves her mom and dad and her little stuffed animals so much!