Wedding Party
Kimberly
Maid of Honor
Kimberly is Gissell's middle sister and one of her best friends. Some of Gissell's favorite memories with Kim were made during the summers, where Gissell would force Kim to play school (we know, sick) and when they built forts with the AC on blast with their baby sister, Tannya. As adults Kim and Gissell like exploring new places to eat, drinking coffee and vacationing. They also share a love for music and makeup. Gissell loves Kim's passion, style and her free-spirited personality. You can expect to see Kim on the dance floor most of the night, with the flyest makeup on and some sort of cow print accessory.
Steven
Best Man
James and Steven met twenty two and a half years ago. Steven was yellow and in a UV tank. James and Steven spent a lot of time together growing up. playing sports and rough housing. They always supported each other in their activities. Steven always had James' back and vice versa. We can expect Steven to be the Best Best man, and will be probably dance so much, his feet will burn.
Tannya
Maid of Honor
Tannya is Gissell's baby sister (she will always be the baby, even when she's 100 years old haha). One of Gissell's favorite memories with Tannya is visiting the Grand Canyon and braving the mountains, canyons, heat and hail in Arizona on a girls trip with friends Jelissa and Arianna. Gissell and Tannya enjoy watching movies together, trying new food and booking airbnbs to travel to with family and friends. Gissell loves Tannya's "get it done" attitude, her kindness and creative spirit. You can expect to see Tannya on the dance floor busting a move and snapping a picture or taking a video.
Matt K.
Groomsman
James and Matt met back in 2014, when James joined the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company. Matt has taught James most of what he knows about firefighting. Matt and James were once great champions of the 5th battalion bowling league. Matt has always been there for James, always one phone call away, and one the best friends a guy could have. We could expect Matt to be livin it up at the wedding, and being quite lively on the dance floor.
Jennifer
Bridesmaid
Jennifer is one of Gissell's best friends. They met at a church dinner party hosted by their parent's friends over a decade ago. One of Gissell's favorite memories with Jennifer is starting a dinner party for the young adults at their local church after graduating College. Gissell and Jenn enjoy a chill girls night in, exploring new restaurants (Jenn is a foodie and avid yelper) and discussing their goals, dreams and supporting each other in making those goals and dreams happen. Gissell loves how dedicated Jenn is to her loved ones and to the things she is passionate about. Jenn is a loyal friend and Gissell's life is better because Jenn is in it. You can expect to see Jennifer snapping pictures of her favorite foods at the wedding...we are anxiously awaiting her wedding venue yelp review.
Matt L.
Groomsman
Matthew is James' little brother. They met on a summer day in June of 1996, when Matthew was brought home from the hospital. A favorite memory, James has of Matt, is a trip James and Alex took to pick Matt up from the University at Buffalo. James worked midnights at UPS, and he misunderstood the day he was supposed to pick Matthew up. Matthew also didn't realize the size of James' vehicle, and they were just able to fit all of Matthew's belongings in the truck. We love that Matthew can be the life of the party at any party he attends. The conversations memorable and never dull. We expect Matthew to bring a lot of fun and joy to our special day.
Krystal M.
Bridesmaid
Krystal M. is one of Gissell's best friends. Gissell and Krystal have been friends about 10 years. They met at one of the dinner parties Gissell and Jenn (another one of the bridesmaids) hosted for their local church. One of Gissell's favorite memories with Krystal M. is when Krystal visited her law school's Barister Ball, before COVID shut the world down. Gissell and Krystal enjoy trying new places to eat, having a girls night in and going to church together. Gissell admires Krystal's outgoing personality and how she lights up a room when she shares her values, hopes and dreams. You can expect to see Krystal M. setting the tone on the dance floor. She's been taking dance lessons, don't be afraid to ask her for some tips.
Alex
Groomsman
James met Alex in February of 1995. James was a new born, and Alex was about two and a half years old at the time. Ever since James and Alex were young, they competed together in various sports. James won most of them when he was younger, but Alex had the determination to work at his skills and became an outstanding athlete. One of James favorite memories of Alex's athletic achievements was cheering on his big brother during the final four for New York State high school baseball. We love that Alex is sociable, and caring to people's needs. We expect Alex to bring so much joy to our wedding day and make various new friends as the bridal party's social butterfly.
Jain
Bridesmaid
Jain is one of Gissell's best friends. They met during Jain's freshman year of college and Gissell's sophomore year at the Christian Club (IVCF). They have known each other for over 10 years. One of Gissell's favorite memories with Jain is traveling to Philadelphia to watch Bad Bunny. Fun fact...Jain knew 99% of the lyrics to Bad Bunny's songs and Jain is not a native Spanish speaker. Gissell and Jain enjoy going to church together, eating Mexican food and grabbing coffee in Williamsburg at the cutest Colombian coffee shop. Gissell loves Jain's kind, thoughtful and down for anything attitude. You will find Jain on the dance floor breaking it down to Bad Bunny and taking fabulous pictures while she boxes (jk..).
Krystal S.M.
Matron of Honor
Krystal S.M. and Gissell have been friends since Gissell was 15. They met at their church youth group. One of Gissell's favorite memories with Krystal is when Krystal forced Gissell to learn how to fry pastelitos. Krystal put pastelitos in oil to be fried and left to take a shower. She told Gissell "Either you fry them like I taught you, or my house will burn down." That was the day Gissell got over hear fear of frying... Gissell and Krystal enjoy a chill family night in, doing all things fall and grabbing coffee from Dunkin together. Gissell admires the woman that Krystal is. Krystal is a dedicated mother, wife, daughter and friend. Gissell is blessed to have Krystal in her life as a friend and as a mentor. You can expect to see Krystal dancing with her husband, Jeyson (one of the groomsmen) and with her boys, Jeysiel and Kaleb (Ring Security).
Jeyson
Groomsman
Jeyson is the older brother Gissell chose, he is also Krystal S.M.'s husband, and the father of Jeysiel and Kaleb (Ring Security). Gissell met Jeyson in 2010 during Krystal's wedding. Their friendship really began when Gissell moved to Massachusetts for law school because Krystal, Jeyson and their boys lived in town. One of Gissell's favorite memories with Jeyson, is when Jeyson helped Gissell get her license. Gissell could barely back up in a straight line and by the time she got her license, she was able to zig zag backwards. Gissell admires how hard Jeyson works and how he loves his wife and children. At the wedding you can expect to find Jeyson joking, sharing his latest project and on the dance floor with his wife and kids.
Jeysiel and Kaleb
Ring Security
Gissell met Jeysiel and Kaleb as a babies. They are Krystal S.M.'s and Jeyson's sons. One of Gissell's favorite memories with Jeysiel and Kaleb are sleepovers they had. These sleepovers brought so much joy to Gissell during one of the hardest seasons of her life, law school. Gissell, Jeysiel and Kaleb can be found watching movies, eating snackies, playing games and talking about everything and anything. You can expect to find Jeysiel and Kaleb securing the rings during the ceremony and dancing at the reception.
Arianna
Flower Girl
Gissell met Arianna when she was just 8 days old. Gissell immediately knew that Arianna would be her sugar pie honey bun for the rest of her life (yes, even when she's a grandma). One of Gissell's favorite memories with Arianna is going to Arizona, to visit the Grand Canyon and nearby cities (Sedona, Flagstaff and Lake Havasu). When Gissell and Arianna are together they like chatting about life, watching movies and singing together (mostly Hamilton). Arianna is one of the smartest kids you will ever meet and she is also one of the kindest preteens Gissell knows. You can expect to find Arianna chatting it up with friends, making new ones, as well as singing and shaking it on the dance floor.