Michael ChristyMichael Christy

Honor Attendant

We <3 Pap

Erica RoeselErica Roesel

Maid of Honor

Gretchen's rock, built-in best friend, and the other half of the Roesel sandwich. Erica is the big sister of every little sister's dreams. She will certainly be needed by her side on this day! From the moment Gretchen was brought home from the hospital and she said "what's that?"- pointing at the baby bundle in her mom's arms. Little did she know there were many years of weird sister things and unmatched friendship to come. Erica is always down for any adventure either of the sisters cooks up, and has a refined sisterly intuition. She is a packaging engineer in Covington, KY and enjoys dancing in her German cultural dance troupe, kayaking, biking and really whatever fun stuff she can get her hands as soon as she gets off work.

Zack ChristyZack Christy

Best Man

John's younger brother is his Best Man. Zack is currently a nuclear design engineer at GE in Wilmington, NC. He graduated from NC State in 2023 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, where he also met his fiancée, Virginia Kohake. In his leisure time, Zack indulges in hunting and fishing, particularly enjoying duck hunting with his dog, Dale. Zack introduced John to duck hunting, making it the theme for John's bachelor party in Aydlett, NC.

Margaret IrelandMargaret Ireland

Bridesmaid

A most wonderful and genuine friend, Gretchen is often saying that everyone needs a Margaret in their life. The type of friend who will show up on your worst day ready to pick you up a million times over and you’ll never doubt that she will be there for you no matter how far away in miles. Margaret and Gretchen met while swimming for Army Women’s Swimming and Diving in 2014 and have been best friends ever since (B-unit forever!). Their friendship has crossed many oceans and time zones while Margaret was deployed to Qatar and Korea during her time in the Army as a 1LT. She is now attending law school at Campbell University in Raleigh, NC- she is NC born and raised! Margaret and her other half, Dr. Jefferey Ord will soon be moving from Raleigh to Brooklyn, NY and are proud cat parents to June, Cheddar, and Lark as well as pup parents to sir Finn the mini German Shepherd.

Julia EnglundJulia Englund

Bridesmaid

Gretchen must have known Julia would be her best friend for life when they met on the first day of Kindergarten! What started as Monday afternoon playdates as 6 year-olds, turned to long walks through their childhood neighborhood in middle and high school. Soon they were off to college and Julia and Gretchen always somehow managed to make time to connect in their friendship birthplace of Northern, VA on school breaks or at least squeeze a FaceTime call between classes, work, and busy schedules. Gretchen and Julia share strong Lutheran faith backgrounds and were confirmed together at Redeemer Lutheran church in McLean, VA when they were 13. Their friendship has stood the test of time, remaining true and timeless through another move and school change as Julia most recently relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where she completed her Doctorate in Audiology and met Paxton Hensley who accompanies her. She is now is practicing at an audiology internship in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Calli BrownCalli Brown

Bridesmaid

The woman, the myth, the legend, dear Calli. Calli is the coolest, most caring friend whom Gretchen was lucky enough to cross paths with during critical care nursing residency at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC. Calli gradated from UNC-Chapel Hill and entered the nursing profession as a Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit nurse and now travels the country as a Neuro ICU travel nurse-currently based in Portland, Maine! Calli and Gretchen bond over shared struggles in the world of nursing and Calli remains a bright light in Gretchen’s world, always challenging her to be a more well-rounded nurse and person! When Calli isn't serving on health missions overseas her and Gretchen are always planning their next get-together! This time Calli's globetrotting tendencies had Gretchen attending the Summer 2024 Paris Olympics with her along with a side-trip to Austria.

Alexandra PefettiAlexandra Pefetti

Bridesmaid

Alexandra has been Gretchen’s wing-woman ever since she started nursing school in Charlotte. Alexandra moved in the apartment a few doors down and soon enough, dog-mom acquaintances transcended into to mutual hype girlypops. Alexandra and Gretchen’s friendship blossomed over venting on the apartment gym ellipticals about how stressful nursing school and the working world are. It is not easy moving out of your home state and starting over in a new city, but in meeting Alexandra, Gretchen found an amazing friend and adventure buddy that would stick around through thick and thin. Alexandra and Gretchen have moved each other in and out of several residences throughout Charlotte, care for each other’s pups, and share a love of SUP, rollerblading & biking. Alexandra graduated from the University of Florida with a Master’s of International Business and is an analyst for Paramount Pictures She is escorted by her fiancé Marshall Joiner; they have since moved with their pups- Lucie (Tucker’s girlfriend) and Joplin to Columbia, SC. Alexandra played a huge part in John and Gretchen’s engagement- making sure to take Gretchen for a mani-pedi before he popped the question.

Ted CookeTed Cooke

Groomsman

Ted has been John's close friend since their college days. He resides and works in Bridgeport, CT, specializing in sales. Despite the distance between friends, John and Ted often connect through phone calls and video games, and Ted made time to come out to duck hunt for John bachelor party in Aydlett, NC in January. Outside of work, Ted is passionate about sailing and hiking. He is an officer of The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Ireland, a New York-based Irish-American philanthropic organization.

Aaron BrownAaron Brown

Groomsman

John met Aaron while both were junior developers at AGDATA. They bonded further through their shared involvement in a Dungeons & Dragons group with their friend, Quincy Colvin. Aaron relocated to Sunnyvale, CA in Spring 2024, where he now works as a software engineer at Google. Despite the distance, they maintain their friendship through virtual gaming sessions. Aaron's hobbies include hiking, biking, and game development. No it is not a coincidence!- Calli and Aaron Brown are brother and sister! John and Gretchen didn't find this out until about a month into dating. John introduced Gretchen to his friends Aaron among them, and found that Aaron looked suspiciously familiar to her pal Calli- turns out she wasn't wrong, Aaron and Calli share an uncanny sibling resemblance!

Darren PackerDarren Packer

Groomsman

Darren and John became friends while working together at Wells Fargo. Darren currently holds the position of Senior Developer at the company. He and his fiancée, Beccah Canup, share a passion for metal music and horror themes, often hosting game nights attended by John and Gretchen. Beccah is renowned for her culinary and baking skills, everything she makes is amazing! Outside of work, Darren focuses on weightlifting and spending time with his dog, Donna.

Claire DiemerClaire Diemer

Flower Girl

The youngest member of the Diemer family :)

Reese NarvaezReese Narvaez

Flower Girl

The youngest member of the Narvaez family :)

Patrick MillerPatrick Miller

Usher

Robert KnollRobert Knoll

Usher

Zane McCarthyZane McCarthy

Usher

Charles MillerCharles Miller

Usher

Elizabeth RoeselElizabeth Roesel

Mother of the Bride

Thomas RoeselThomas Roesel

Father of the Bride

Elizabeth ChristyElizabeth Christy

Mother of the Groom

Michael ChristyMichael Christy

Father of the Groom

Rev. Kenny ChampagneRev. Kenny Champagne

Officiant

Rev. Jonathon MoyersRev. Jonathon Moyers

Assistant Pastor

Julie HawleyJulie Hawley

Pianist

John Michael ChristyJohn Michael Christy

Groom

Gretchen Elizabeth RoeselGretchen Elizabeth Roesel

Bride