Wedding Party
Melisa Donovan
Maid of Honor
Erika and Melisa met in kindergarten and have been a huge part of each others’ lives ever since!! Melisa is truly one of a kind- she’s sweet and charming with surprising confidence and wit! Melisa has an incredible eye for detail- turning simple things into truly beautiful experiences! She has been looking forward to planning Erika’s wedding for YEARS! Melisa splits her time between Medford, MA and Amherst, NH where her boyfriend Stephen lives with two goofy rescue pups- Marley and Bozzy. She and Erika love to go for nature walks, particularly ones with big open fields where they imagine they’re wearing vintage dresses and singing “The Sound of Music” on the top of their lungs. 👗🏔️
Paige Whaley
Bridesmaid
Paige and Erika met in middle school when Erika’s mom and Paige’s Auntie Dina thought “I think these two would really hit it off!” They were right! Paige’s energy is contagious. She is one of the most generous people you will ever meet! Paige is a hairstylist and owns Northern Roots Salon & Skincare in Georgetown, MA. Paige, Erika, and Melisa love getting together for beach days and lake days whenever the weather and their schedules align! ☀️ *Please note, her hair color may be very well be different from the photo by the time the wedding comes!😂*
Tamara Necheporuk
Bridesmaid
Tamara, or “Toma” will be making the trip all the way from Moscow to be with us on our wedding day!! (THANK YOU!). She and Erika met while living across from one another in a dorm while at UNH. The first day they met, they were exchanging stories, laughs, and tears. Erika knew immediately that they would become great friends! Toma spent lots of time with the Morettis and Swansons while at UNH. Since graduation, Tamara moved back to Moscow where she lives with her partner, Ignat, and their two rescue cats. She would love to move to the US one day. Erika and Brian have spent time with Toma in Montenegro at her family’s country house (2018) and in Italy (2023). Erika and Toma love cooking delicious meals for people when they get together! 🥘
Kate Cart
Bridesmaid
Kate and Erika met on the first day of classes at UNH. They became immediate friends: flipping over logs looking for bugs and salamanders. Kate is an incredible person- she is kind and smart, and always up for an adventure. She and Erika lived together senior year at UNH in an apartment in an old house in Durham that backed up to hundreds of acres of woods and wetlands. She and Erika spent countless hours exploring those woods- laughing and telling stories as they walked. After graduation, Kate has moved all over the country- doing everything from working in corporate sales to working on commercial fishing boats in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. She just finished her MFA in creative writing at UVA, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research in Labrador, Canada! When she and Erika get together, they like to reminisce on their time at UNH, and explore new, beautiful, natural places together. And there’s usually some bonding over food. Always food. 🌄🥐
Chloe Maczuba
Bridesmaid
Chloe is Erika's cousin- Erika used to watch Chloe and her little sister Juliet every summer while they were growing up in Windham, NH. They spent the summertime baking, picking wild blueberries, doing crafts, and swimming. Chloe studied abroad in Dijon, France, and just got accepted to PA school at UNE in Portland where she will be starting in May!!
Steph Teuber
Bridesmaid
Erika and Brian met Steph in 2014 when Eric brought her on a double date in the early days of their relationship. Erika and Brian loved her IMMEDIATELY, and have been so happy to see their love grow over the years! Steph is so easy going and brings out the best in the people around her. She is truly a lovely person to be around! Erika and Steph bond over their adorable pups (they are on a mission to make them best friends!) and the “boys” “being boys”😅🤪.
Dustin Swanson
Best Man
Dustin is Brian’s best friend, and Erika’s cousin. He is the reason we are here today! Dustin and Erika grew up together on Millville Lake in Salem, NH. About 6 years ago, Dustin moved out to Truckee CA, where he lives with his girlfriend, Hanna, their kitty Luci(fer) who Dustin found living in a hotel parking lot. Dustin is a certified alpine, rock climbing, and ski mountaineering guide. He’s a wacky silly goofball wildcard. 🃏 He’s cherished by both the bride and the groom!🧗♂️🏔️⛷️
Eric Teuber
Groomsman
Eric would argue that HE is responsible for Erika and Brian meeting, since he was the one who first introduced Brian to Dustin! Eric and Brian share many memories of teenage debauchery together!🤐 Eric, or "Teuber" as he's known to us, lives in North Andover with his amazing wife, Steph, and their super sweet dog Archer. Brian and Erika love spending time with these two!
Mike Gioia
Groomsman
Mike is Brian’s older brother. Mike is one of the most generous people you’ll ever meet. He owns his own aquarium, reef, and reptile store in Manchester, NH, called Fish Mike Aquatics. Mike loves Star Wars, hiking, and photography.
Matt Gioia
Groomsman
Matt is Brian’s twin brother. Matt loves Star Wars, Manchester United Soccer, and playing baseball in an adult league. Matt and his wife Annan live in Bolton, MA with their two daughters, Hayden (our flower girl!🌸👧🏻) and little Quinn who was born in June!!
Mike Qin
Groomsman
Mike Qin was originally Mike Gioia's friend, and spent lots of time with the Gioia brothers over the years. He and Brian have worked on a number of entrepreneurial projects together. He's currently finishing up an app called Yellow Octopus, which is like a trail map app for scuba diving! 🤿He's funny and super smart, and Brian loves their conversations!
Cam Moretti
Groomsman
Cam is Erika's older brother. He has always loved writing and playing music and making art. He lives in South Hadley, MA, with his lovely girlfriend Tricia, and their super silly pup named Lemon, AKA "Moo". He and Erika have grown so much closer as they've gotten older, and Brian has always enjoyed spending time chatting with him!
