Desirae & Jim
Wedding Party
Tara Findley
Maid of Honor
Tara and I met in 2nd grade, I was the new kid. We became friends and have been there for each other since we were 7. We have been through so much together; heartbreak, boy band phases, braces, all of it. She was my date to prom. Tara is a sister to me and has been since we were 7.
Jeremiah Wirthlin
Best Man
Jeremiah is the only brother I have, so I guess I'm stuck with him. He is my hockey buddy, my league of legends teammate, my fantasy football opponent, and a source of countless hours of laughs. He is my little brother (twin to Isabella) and I couldn't think of a better person to be my Best Man.
Mikki Sammons
Matron of Honor
Mikki and I were Tri Sigma sorority sisters in college at University of Missouri. We met in the Fall of 2015 and have been friends ever since. We lived together for a brief time before Mikki moved to Chicago to start her job after college! Mikki has been through so much of my adult life with me it was only natural she be with me on my wedding day just as I was for her. Mikki is a new mom to a beautiful baby girl!!
Dave Basa
Groomsman
Dave and I met freshman year of college. Even though he supports the Blackhawks, I guess I still consider him a good friend. He was my roommate for 3 years and is my fraternity brother for life.
Alissa Savard
Bridesmaid
Alissa and I met when we roomed together for our Disney College Program in 2017. Sharing a room with a stranger quickly made us close but we also just immediately clicked! Alissa and I haven't seen each other since 2018 when she came to my last Mizzou homecoming before I graduated and she moved to Italy with her husband who is in the US Air Force and they are stationed overseas. When I asked her to be a bridesmaid she said yes immediately even though she knew should would have to travel for the wedding! Alissa and I are "snowflake" sisters. She is my Disney sister.
Ryan Arroyo
Groomsman
Ryan is my brother from Saint Louis University High School. He is "respectfully" forever the foosball runner-up and the nicest guy I know. He has always had my back. Once I introduced him and Des, they hit it off immediately and constantly team up to take me down in Magic: The Gathering.
Payton Smith
Bridesmaid
Payton and I were not only Sigma sorority sisters at Mizzou, she is also my Little! I had never met Payton before she became my little as it was a random pairing (which happens occasionally) but fate had it figured out as it was probably the most accurate big/little pairing ever. We immediately bonded over Disney, Harry Potter, Andy's and just being a little bit of a kid in a grown up world. Payton lives in Illinois working in health care so we don't see each other often but I immediately knew I needed my "little sister" with me on my wedding day.
Tim O'Sullivan
Groomsman
We met freshman year in Mark Twain dorm at Mizzou. He lived on the second floor and I lived on the third. We quickly bonded over our love of the STL Blues and became like brothers. Tim is a passionate musician and has pursued his love of music the whole time I have know him. He played the Tuba in Marching Mizzou and is a proud member of the 135th Army Band in the National Guard. Tim is currently in training to become a Missouri State Trooper and we are so excited for him to follow his dreams! Tim and his wife Bri along with Des and I enjoyed many Gumby's nights to watch the Blues.
Madison Candela
Bridesmaid
Madison and I are sorority sisters. We initially knew of each other but weren't super close until we were introduced by a mutual friend. She knew me as the girl that sat in the front row of our freshman year history class and asked too many questions at 8am. Once we were introduced, we immediately bonded over Harry Potter and our adventures to Roxy's and Piano bar. Madison was one of the first people I introduced Jim to and she immediately told me that he was the one for me and that we were going to get married one day.
Gabe Garcia
Groomsman
Gabe is my brother from Saint Louis University High School. We met freshman year when we were both injured on the bench for the football team. We lived down the street from one another and he would host legendary game nights for Jackson, Ryan, and I. Zombie marathons was probably the most common one. He has had my back more times than I can count.
Jackson Russo
Groomsman
Jackson is my brother from Saint Louis University High School. We actually met in middle school when we played on the same soccer team and then we reconnected in high school. He is my go-to person when I have a weird question as he is a walking encyclopedia. He is someone that I trust immensely especially since he is engaged to my sister Jessy.
Alexi Keeton
Guestbook/Memorial Attendant
Alexi is my step-sister. When we began talking about our wedding, Jim and I knew one thing for sure. We wanted to include our family, especially those not physically with us. Jim's mom, Brenda Wirthlin, and my Paw-Paw, Alpha Cox, are both no longer with us but are a huge part of our lives. We wanted to honor them and we thought that having our sisters help us with that was only right. Alexi and Jim's sister Jessy will be helping us honor them on our special day.
Jessy Wirthlin
Guestbook/Memorial Attendant
Jessy is Jim's sister. When we began talking about our wedding, Jim and I knew one thing for sure. We wanted to include our family, especially those not physically with us. Jim's mom, Brenda Wirthlin, and my Paw-Paw, Alpha Cox, are both no longer with us but are a huge part of our lives. We wanted to honor them and we thought that having our sisters help us with that was only right. Jessy and my sister Alexi will be helping us honor them on our special day.
Isabella Wirthlin
Officiant
Izzy is Jim's little sister and twin to Best Man, Jeremiah. When I met Izzy I was very open with her about my feelings for her big brother. She and Jessy (their sister) helped Jim pick out my engagement ring. When Jim and I decided we wanted someone we know to marry us, Izzy let us know that she was ordained and would love to marry us if we wanted. She was an obvious choice since she knows us so well and has been there for so much in our relationship.