Gabrianna & Aaron
Wedding Party
Lainey Mae Russo
Flower Girl
Lainey is Gabrianna's little cousin, and she is the newest and cutest addition to the family! She's provided everyone with so much laughter and love, and we can't wait to see her be the cutest little Princess on the big day ๐ธ๐
Eli Samsel
Ring Bearer
Eli is Aaron's adorable little nephew. Aaron and Gab's days are always made brighter and happier with visits from Eli! They love playing with toys, playing games, doing sticker books, going on walks, and visiting the zoo together. We know he'll be awesome as he carries those rings down the aisle ๐โค๏ธ
Joey Deegan
Ring Bearer
Joey is Gabrianna's lovable Godson and little cousin. Gab and Aaron love spending time with Joey. It's always a blast whenever they all play pool, soccer, ping pong, mini golf, or go out to Applebee's together. We know he'll guard those rings so carefully on the day of the wedding ๐โค๏ธ
Dana Kemp
Matron of Honor
Gab's Co-Captain on the Hot Mess Express. ๐ The train left the station in college and is now full steam ahead on this crazy track of life. They knew they were destined to be the best of friends the moment they realized that they were born exactly 1 month apart to the minute! (Danaโs 6/18/95, Gab's 7/18/95, and they were both born at 7:54 p.m.!) Thereโs truly a soul sister connection!
Apryl Chanco
Maid of Honor
Gab's Go-To for unconditional love, endless laughs, gentle honesty, and awesome music-making. (But Aaron wants people to know she was his friend first when he stole her Perry the Platypus on the DC Choir trip) She's the ultimate #TeamGabriAaron fan, being one of both Aaron's and Gab's closest friends.
Angelica Deegan
Mini Maid of Honor
Gab's cousin who has always been more like her little sister. From the daily FaceTimes to all of their random adventures, she's always there to make Gab smile and laugh. Their bond is unbreakable, and Gab can't imagine her life without her! (She's also Aaron's BFF and favorite muse for writing new songs)
Trevor Hawkins
Best Man
Aaron's friend since high school. Trevor has been there for Aaron through thick and thin since their marching band days. They still try to get at least one trip down the shore together every summer. Trevor honored Aaron as his Master of Ceremonies at his Eagle Court of Honor, so Aaron's pretty sure he can handle the best man speech!
Andrew Kurtz
Best Man
Aaron's brother.... that about explains it. But actually....nope that's about it. But seriously, over 20 years ago, he showed up, and he's still here.... But now to be serious....nope can't be. (Gab appreciates her relationship with Andrew and loves their inside jokes, especially how they greet each other ๐)
Kelcey Russo
Bridesmaid
Gab's first cousin and her ultimate role model. Kelcey's genuine love, selflessness, kindness, and desire to make everyone happy can make anyone smile and love her right back! These are only a few of the reasons that Gab has always and still looks up to her older cousin.
Julie Brennan
Bridesmaid
As children, Gab fondly remembers her young cousin running down the stairs of her house saying, "Gabrianna's here!!" with pure excitement, and Gab would be equally as excited to meet up and play with her. Their relationship is nothing but love and ultimate support of each other!
Christy Brennan
Bridesmaid
Gab's wickedly talented and insanely caring younger cousin. Christy has a heart as big as they come, and she puts that beautiful heart into absolutely everything she does. Gab cherishes her memories of going to breakfast after Church with her little cousin over the years as they grew up.
Sharon Chung
Bridesmaid
Gab's friend since Kindergarten and her very first best friend. 1/3 of the St. Mike's 3 Musketeers. Artistic, musically talented, intelligent, funny, caring, and the host of the best sleepovers EVER!
Alexis Salisbury
Bridesmaid
Gab's best friend starting in middle school and all throughout high school. 1/3 of the St. Mike's 3 Musketeers. Tap-dancing extraordinaire who is passionate, caring, hysterical, and always there through thick and thin! (Aaron says he can still flip a water bottle better than she can)
Jaiden Mahone
Bridesmaid
Gab's college roommate and ultimate partner in crime. They may not be sisters by blood, but they are by choice! They share a love of Disney, late-night McDonald's runs, Music, Irish Dancing, and spamming each other with countless Instagram reels. (Aaron's always down to hold her hoops any time Jaiden feels she needs to protect Gab, and Gab's got her "Tangled" frying pan ready to whack anyone in defense of Jaiden)
Haley Teicher
Bridesmaid
Haley randomly ran up to Gab in the Music Building at Montclair and, in the most roundabout way, inquired about Gab's potential interest in Aaron shortly after Aaron and Gab returned home from their choir trip to Italy in 2015. They became fast friends, and Gab loves that they can either talk for hours on end and also sit in comfortable silence watching endless shows on lazy hangout days. Aaron loves talking about all things Music Therapy with Haley.
Sherry Mayce
Bridesmaid
Sherry and Gab share a love for singing, musical theater, and bunny rabbits. Aaron and Gab love watching Sherry perform in musicals, and sometimes affectionately hold the "Mom and Dad" role in their friendship with her. Sherry's a true gem and a true friend that we can go to for anything!
Kristen Samsel
Bridesmaid
Kristen is Aaron's older sister. Gabrianna continues to express her appreciation towards Kristen for not throwing Aaron in the trash 30 years ago. Kristen has always been there to guide and support Aaron throughout his entire life. Now, Kristen and Gabrianna will both finally have sisters. โค๏ธ
Mona Poblete
Bridesmaid
Aaron met Mona while she was spinning plates in January of 2009. Though she does not spin plates anymore, Mona is still a great time at a party! She holds their high school friend group together by always being one of the first to update about any news related to Immaculata.
Adam Zielonka
Groomsman
Adam is Aaron's oldest friend going all the way back to Kindergarten at ICS. The two of them have been through a lot together such as bands, choruses, musicals, All-State and all the way to AP Calculus. Funnily enough, Aaron and Adam have known each other longer than Aaron's known his own brother.
Louis Jannuzzi
Groomsman
Louis and Aaron's relationship goes back to somewhere near the end of their grade school careers. When? We don't really know...but one day they just decided to recite "Who's on First" in Forensics club and won first place in a very tiny competition. After that, the two of them spent many hours on the "Little Theater" stage together and formed the "more fun" half of a vocal quartet.
Francis Tiongson
Groomsman
Francis and Aaron met when somebody finally convinced Francis to join the Immaculata marching band. Aaron played bari sax and Francis played sousaphone, so they naturally spent countless hours playing the same low notes that nobody actually heard over the damn trumpets. They both are very fond of Broadway and enjoy engaging in conversations of which stars are currently leading the stage.
Brent Hannema
Groomsman
Brent and Aaron didn't actually know each other too well during their Immaculata days. They had the same friends and gravitated towards each other after high school. Brent always keeps their friend group communicating by posting something random or current in their group chat. He's always down for a good time and almost always is the first to agree to hangout whenever anyone reaches out.
Mike Rivera
Groomsman
Mike and Aaron have grown so much together since their freshman year at MSU. Aaron's first cantor position was alongside Mike. They have been on Executive Boards together, been roommates, and even went on a very long subway ride to JFK airport together....which then brought them to Italy where they were also roommates. This is the 2015 choir trip where Gabrianna really got to know both Mike and Aaron. After getting home from the trip, they told their boss about Gab, and she joined them in their liturgical musician journey! Nowadays, Mike and Gab enjoy conversations about being Music Teachers in today's society. Mike, Aaron, and Gab have made a lot of amazing music together and continue to do so at MSU to this very day.
Joe Samsel
Groomsman
Joe is Aaron's brother-in-law. Even before marrying Kristen, Joe has always been supportive of Aaron. Joe became a welcome part of the family since day one and is just as much a brother to Aaron as Andrew is; however, Joe gets bonus points for being the father of Aaron's favorite mini human (Eli).
Brian Deegan
Groomsman
Brian is Gab's cousin who's always been more like a younger brother to her. They grew up going on vacation with each other and their families, and Gab loves how comfortable it is for them to be completely goofy with one another. They're always there for each other no matter what.
Sean Reilly
Groomsman
Sean is Gab's cousin. Commonly confused for siblings growing up, Sean and Gab have always shared a love of music and singing. It means so much that Aaron can share in that passion with them now too!
Aidan Reilly
Groomsman
Aidan is Gab's cousin who never fails to make her and anyone around him smile and laugh. He's a person who's so easy to converse with and be around. He's always down for a good time!
Owen Reilly
Groomsman
Owen is Gab's cousin. He's the most genuine and respectful person who is always willing to lend a hand. A good Owen hug can make anything better!