Jessica & Samuel
Wedding Party
Madison Santello
Maid of Honor
Madison and I met when she was born (obviously) and nobody told me having a sister would come with having a built in friend for the rest of your life. She is someone who is not afraid of being herself and that is something I appreciate and admire the most about her. Madison is also the creative one of the family and comes with so many artistic talents. So happy to be related to my partner in crime and so proud of everything she’s accomplished. Thanks for being my wrestling watching, tattoo covered, artsy-fartsy sissy for life!
Melissa Donahue
Matron of Honor
Melissa and I met at Apple Rehab Middletown when I was a brand new social worker and she was the MDS nurse. Gingy has been my ride or die ever since! Melissa is someone that is always down for an adventure and isn’t afraid of an adrenaline rush. She’s my voice of reason when I need it and she always knows how to make me laugh (except that one New Year’s Eve in the Aqua Turf bathroom lol). Thank you for being my cucumber martini drinking, last minute trip planning, Whitney Houston singing bestie for life!
Taylor Graff
Bridesmaid
Taylor and I met at CCSU while we were both in the social work program. I truly don’t think I would’ve survived any of my final semesters without her! Taylor is someone you can rely on to be there for you and she’s always down for anything. I admire how hard she works, how much of a great mom she is, and how enjoyable her restaurant recommendations are. Also, being a social worker too it is helpful to know that someone else shares the struggle. Thank you for being my purse bingo attending, Ice luge drinking, social worker bestie for life!
Monika Malec
Bridesmaid
Monika and I met at Kimberly hall where she was the rehab director and I was the social worker. Fun fact: we became fast friends after everyone assumed my mom’s green Jeep was hers. Monika is someone who always has a smile on her face and truly would do anything for the people she cares about. She has seen me at my best and worst and I appreciate her calming presence and advice through it all. Thank you for being my Yankee game attending, mid day coffee drinking, McDonalds nugg eating bestie for life!
Isabel Gonzalez
Bridesmaid
Isabel and I met shortly after I started dating her brother. Nobody warned me that I was going to be hitting the sister in law lottery when I did! She is the big sis I’ve always wanted. Isabel always is a good time the minute she walks into a room and she will definitely bring anyone out of their shell. She gives the best and most honest advice you’ll ever receive and nobody can talk smack to Sam better than her! She also is the karaoke queen and a solid MC. Thank you for being my fireball shot drinking, ballroom dancing sister in law for life!
James Dilling
Best Man
James and I met in a summer college prep program when I was in middle school. I was the nerdy guy who brought a video game instruction manual to "read" and he was the nerdy guy who recognized the game and wanted to talk about it. Ever since then we've always remained close friends throughout the years, whether it was going to concerts, getting help with my college courses (it helps to know a guy who went to Brown University), playing Xbox Live, or just drinking over trivia. I cherish the moments we have together and always look forward to hanging out next, even if it means I have to remind his forgetful self a couple times. Thank you for being a part of our wedding!
Matthew Rusczyk
Groomsman
Although we had mutual friends in high school, it wasn't until college that Matt and I become close friends. I can't recall how we started to hang out, but it was probably because we liked that one Mumford and Sons song (the one with the banjo). Almost all the cool things I've done, I can pretty much say Matt was there...Cruise - yeah he was there, going up 12,000 ft in the mountains of Colorado - he drove us, Vegas - he drove 10 hours to be there to with a cracked windshield. Matt is someone whose funny, smart, adventurous, and maybe a bit sarcastic. He's someone you can call when you want to do something random and you can always know he's down for a good time. Thanks for being a part of our wedding!
Nick Irizarry
Groomsman
Everyone needs a Nick in their life. A calm, gentle, lovable friend who knows when to make you laugh, when to bust your chops, and when to 3D print a random knick-knack that you might need. He's the most reliable person I've ever known and is someone that is always fun to be around even when he isn't the most animated. I appreciate all of the memories and moments we've gone through in our lives, the good, the bad, and the ugly (and by ugly, I mean anytime we play a co-op game together because I'm usually causing him so much stress). Thank you, man, for always being there, for being such a great friend, and for being a part of our special day.
Raul Felipe
Groomsman
What can I say about Raul? The guy is the ultimate life of the party. I wouldn't want another cousin in my life and every time we have a chance to hang out in person, I know it will be memorable. I'll never stop laughing at the time he shouted at Jess's mom over and over again to acknowledge him (it's a wrestling thing...) while he cannonballs into the water in New Hampshire. Although he doesn't look it, Raul is one of the biggest nerds I've ever met and I love him for that too. We can talk about anything from Anime to Wrestling to Video Games and it's never boring. He's the big brother I never had and I couldn't imagine having our wedding without him there. Thank you so much for being yourself and for being a part of our special day!
Martin Moncada
Groomsman
Although we are complete opposites personality-wise, I know I can count on Martin to be most dependable, loving, and honest person a brother should be. He's unapologetically himself which can make you pull your hair out while at the same time still love him as he is and never stop laughing. I love that although we drifted apart on most interests, our love of Naruto, Wrestling (Randy Orton is still top dog), and Saw has always ensured he we can always have to bond about. His ability to command the room and always ending up being the ringleader is the trait I admire most about him too even if it got him in more trouble than he should have. Thank you bro for being a part of our wedding!