Wedding Party
Linda & Jeffrey Harrison
Mother and Father of the Groom
Growing up, I always knew the relationship my parents shared was something special. They went above and beyond to give my brother and me the best life possible, and I don’t know where I’d be without them. My mom has always been the backbone of our family—putting everyone’s needs ahead of her own. Her selflessness is something I deeply admire, and I hope to show that same kind of love to my own children someday. She never sugarcoated things—even when I didn’t want to hear it, she told me what I needed to hear. Sometimes that advice came with a bit of colorful language, but she taught me that strong feelings deserve strong words. Whether it was picking me up from practice or stepping in at the last minute for a parents vs. kids little league game, she was always there. My dad, the hardest working man you’ll ever meet, he’s the kind of person who leads by example. Despite long hours and demanding days, he never missed a swim meet or little league game. That level of dedication and presence is something I hope to mirror in my own family one day. Known for his attention to detail and always having a plan, he’s the person everyone turns to when a problem needs solving. To this day, there hasn't been a single obstacle he couldn’t tackle. He is—and always will be—the man with the plan. He’s the blueprint for what a father should be: steady, dependable, and always willing to go the extra mile. I’m endlessly grateful for the foundation he’s given me.
Richard Fillmore
Father of the Bride
I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. Some of my favorite childhood memories are with him—riding bikes, going to the movies, visiting the cider mill, and spending full days at amusement parks. He always made sure we went at the perfect time when there were no lines, so we could ride again and again—until he got sick from all the spinning (sorry, Dad!). He’s the king of dad jokes and the master of turning ordinary days into unforgettable ones. I’ll never forget when he surprised us with front row seats to a Red Wings game—one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments I’ll carry forever. Our daddy-daughter trips meant the world to me, even through my teenage years. Now, as an adult, our time is just as special. Even though he lives in Virginia, our visits are always filled with laughter, love, and wine tastings. As a Master Sommelier, he has taught me so much about wine, but even more about unconditional love. One of the greatest gifts he has given me is the camcorder footage from my childhood. We always knew he’d be there filming—and probably caught us rolling our eyes more than once. But now? I’m so thankful. Watching those videos as an adult brings me joy, and one day, I’ll share them with my own children. He’s my biggest supporter. Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. He shows up, leads with love, and gives without expecting anything in return. If I end up half as strong, kind, and selfless as him—I’ll know I’ve done something right.
Sandra Paradis
Mother of the Bride
In my adult years, my mom has become one of my best friends. She’s fiercely loyal, honest to the core, and never afraid to tell it like it is—all while always wanting the very best for me. I definitely put her through hell during my teenage years (sorry, Mom!), and I hope one day I can make it all up to her. I look up to her more than she probably knows. Her strength and love have been constant anchors in my life. But beyond her strength, we’ve always shared so much fun together. I cherish our belly laughs, our dance parties to “Escape” while sipping piña coladas, and the way we can be completely ourselves around each other. Some of my favorite childhood memories are the small but meaningful moments—like sitting on the bed watching Nickelodeon while she took a cat nap, then waking up to make me a peanut butter and banana sandwich just because Face on Nick Jr. had one. I look back now and realize how hard she worked to give us a good life. She went through hygiene school, bartended at night, and did whatever it took to make sure our childhood was full of love and joy. I remember crying to her when I was little because I “didn’t want to get big”… and now here I am, about to marry the love of my life. I am so fortunate to have not just a mom, but a best friend—and I’ll never stop being grateful for everything she has done, and everything she is.
Christopher Paradis
Stepfather of the Bride
Chris came into my world when I was 13. Of course, at that age, I definitely didn’t want to like him—but he made it impossible not to. He showed me what a true gentleman looks like, like taking me shopping and carrying my bags from store to store without a single complaint. Over the years, he has made a lasting impact on my life in more ways than I can count, and I feel so lucky to not just have one dad, but two. Some of my favorite sayings? I got those from Chris. His quick wit and one-liners have stuck with me, and I still catch myself quoting him. And while I may not have picked up his dance moves (which are absolute fire, by the way), I’ve picked up a lot more than I ever anticipated from someone I never expected to mean so much to me. He didn’t give me life, but life gave me him. It takes a truly special man to love another child as his own, and Chris has done exactly that. The relationship he and my mom share has shown me what real love looks like—the kind of love I was lucky enough to find with Dan.
Alex (Gippy) Harrison
Best Man
Alex was my first real friend—because, as it turns out, you can’t hang out with the dog forever. Even though he’s three years younger, he always had this calm, no-nonsense presence and a wisdom beyond his years. With the mentality (and hobbies) of a retiree, he’s someone I admire more than he probably knows. Alex is the kind of person who sticks to his values. He’s not easily swayed by others, and that quiet strength is something I’ve always looked up to. When I’m in a pinch, he’s my first call—whether it’s hauling home some questionable estate sale finds or him and his fiancé helping us find our missing cat somewhere in the house. Growing up, Mom and Dad always made it clear that Alex and I needed to be friends—and to this day, I can honestly say he’s still my first pick in a game of dodgeball. You can’t choose your brother but I couldn’t be more happy that life chose him for me.
Joycelynn Hernandez
Maid of Honor
We met in high school, and from the very beginning, I knew she’d be standing by my side on my wedding day. Over the years, we’ve been through so much together—ups, downs, and everything in between. She’s not a second family—she is family. No one in this world knows me better than she does. Most of our teenage years were spent being teenage terrors (with good hearts)—going to parties, having parties (sorry, Mom), and making our own rules. We had a yearly fight, like clockwork, and even though we’d both get mad, deep down I always knew we’d come back to each other. It kind of became our tradition. Some of my favorite memories are the simple ones: sitting on her bedroom floor, getting ready in front of her mirror, eating pizza, dancing to ridiculous cat parody songs, and her having me text back boys from her Sidekick because she always wanted my advice on what to say. I’ll always cherish the nights driving around in my old Honda (Champy), music blasting, her feet on the dashboard leaving footprints on the windshield, and both of us crying to “Colder Weather”. We used to dream about what our lives would look like as adults—and now, 15 years later, she’s still my safe space. Her loyalty, strength, and love have shaped so many of the best parts of my life, and I’m beyond grateful to have her by my side for this next chapter. She will always be my baby girl.