Kelli & Ivan
Meet Our People
Ivan Rodriguez
Groom
Ivan grew up in many different places in his early life. His parents, Jose and Brenda Rodriguez, moved around depending on their Navy orders. With his family settling down in Tampa around 15 years ago, both Ivan and Kelli are elated to be close to his family's house now. Back in his first few years of college, Ivan enjoyed his alone time but once Kelli came along he knew he found the partner he wanted to adventure with. Their dates varied from the local bagel spot, grilling by the pool, and all the trips their fraternity and sorority went on. They became each others best friend. Ivan admires Kelli's thoughtfulness in showing her appreciation, love for her family, and her intoxicating smile. Topics to get the groom talking: DC and Atlanta sports, Sci-Fy movies, and breakfast for dinner.
Kelli Srodes
Bride
Kelli grew up in Clermont, Florida and never knew a different life than the small town for her first 18 years. Her parents, Tim and Nancy Srodes, still have the same house her and her brother Tyler grew up in. Not a fan of change, going to FGCU down in Fort Myers was a big step and ultimately the decision that brought her to Ivan! After graduating she joined Ivan on the adventure of residing in Atlanta until recently moving to North Tampa into their new apartment home. Some of Kelli's favorite traits of Ivan's is his genuine heart, passion for helping others, and his appreciation for the even the smallest moments in life. Topics to get the bride talking: wedding & weddings in general, DIY projects/ideas/crafts from Tik Toks she's seen, and Zinger mountain melts from Miller's Ale House.
Ariel Dalene
Matron of Honor
Back in 2015, 4 days before the first semester of freshmen year, Ariel and Kelli met and ended up being in the same sorority. Long story short they became inseparable and continued to do everything together throughout college! Fast forward to now, nothing has changed and you can often find them watching Nicholas Sparks movies and finding new places to explore with the baby. Topics that will get her talking: her son Harrison, Mario Party on Switch, and chicken nuggets in most forms.
Shannon Levine
Maid of Honor
Shannon and Kelli hit it off from the start. During sorority recruitment in 2016, they bonded the second they started talking and after a few short weeks Shannon made Kelli a big sister! Ever since, they've been there for each other and have kept up with their long distance relationship through regular FaceTime dates. Topics that get her talking: her many animals including 2 dogs, a cat, and a bearded dragon, her major in health science, and her favorite meal of wine with mac & cheese.
Alissa (Liss) Loftus
Bridesmaid
Liss was one of Kelli's first impressions of the Kappa Delta sorority and one of the reasons Kelli made it in! During recruitment they talked and just meshed right away. Being friends for years, they finally joined together as big sister and little sister. Liss has been a mentor to Kelli and has always had her back through it all! Topics to get her talking: New York Giants, her studies that led her to be a physical therapist, and her adorable dog named Lilly.
Allison Pigora
Bridesmaid
Cousins that grew up a few states away, Kelli and Allison always looked forward to their family trips together when they were younger. Fast forward to the present, they have regular wine and Facetime dates and enjoy the holidays even more with each other as their relationship grew stronger over the years. When they get together it's like they were never apart. Topics to get her talking: sports including Steelers football, baseball, hockey,and softball, Sonny's BBQ (or any BBQ restaurant at that), and her many concert experiences.
Vanessa Sierra
Bridesmaid
Vanessa is Ivan's cousin on his mom's side, Sofia's sister. When Kelli and Vanessa met, it was just a couple years ago but they naturally hit it off with their mutual love for Dairy Queen and board games. After moving to the Tampa area, they make time to hang out, go shopping, and of course stay up to date on their ice cream trips! Topics to get her talking: volleyball (seeing as she is incredibly talented herself!), riddles/mystery games, and all the interesting courses she's taking her first year in high school.
Sofia Sierra
Bridesmaid
Sofia is Ivan's cousin on his mom's side, Vanessa's sister. The connection between Kelli and Sofia was immediate as she claimed Kelli as her 'bestie' just a few months into knowing her. You can also find them taking trips to Dairy Queen for a snack break or talking the latest in pop culture trends. Topics to get her talking: volleyball (radiating with talent herself!), Tik Tok's latest craze or dance trend, and Spiderman movies with Tom Holland or Andrew Garfield.
Selena Gonzalez
Bridesmaid
Selena is the soon-to-be wife of Ivan's brother, Jose. Kelli met Selena quite a while ago when the brothers wanted to hang out. They quickly became acquainted and then great friends after the countless occasions they spent time together at family gatherings (not to mention countless bottles of wine to bond them!). Always wanting a sister, Kelli's so excited to gain one so soon! Topics to get her talking: her incredible influence as a teacher, her favorite place at the beach, and Italian food.
Joanah Smith
Bridesmaid
Joanah and Kelli met when they were in middle school. Fast forward over 10 years and they've grown so much together. As Kelli's longest friend, Joanah and her stuck together and have done everything from 4 day sleepovers together to all the Disney Parks in one day. They hope to keep the relationship going until they're old and senile! Topics to get her talking: beach outdoor activities, literally any dishes that involve cheese, and her #1 man Harry freakin' Styles.
Hunter Hoy
Bridesmaid
Hunter and Kelli met in the sorority and always gravitated towards each other at events. Although their relationship wasn't as developed until a couple years ago, they related to and inspired one another. After graduating college, they built on their connection through many FaceTimes and hours on the phone at a time and realized just how unique and simpatico they were as a duo and never looked back! Topics to get her talking: health and wellness, her own wedding happening in Cancun in 2023 (WOWZA!), and her many fluffs, like her dog Cannoli.
Joselito Rodriguez
Best Man
COMING SOON!
Jose Rodriguez
Groomsman
COMING SOON!
Tyler Srodes
Groomsman
Always one for making friends, Tyler and Ivan hit it off immediately when his little sister brought home "this guy she's been dating". Fast forward nearly 7 years since the start, you'll find them always enjoying their time together whether it's on a family trip or just a weekend visit, they'll find the perfect beers for any occasion. Some of the best times are sitting around the table with Kelli's side of the family playing card games and teaming up with Tyler to try and win. Topics that will get him talking: his abundance of knowledge about weddings, how many times he's been a groomsman, how many times he's been to a wedding in general, oh, and UCF football.
Kenny Sierra
Groomsman
COMING SOON!
Paul Olivera
Groomsman
COMING SOON!
Danny Dalene
Groomsman
At first, forced to hang out because their fiancées are best friends, Ivan and Danny have become great friends! Endless double dates with Ariel and Kelli have landed these two a lifetime gig of being bros. You can often find them sharing beers at new places, watching sports, and playing video games together throughout the week. Although there's trash talk over the microphone during games sometimes, we promise they actually like each other! Topics that will get him talking: the Browns football, his son Harrison, and his odd addiction to perusing Twitter.
Chelsea Eckert
Officiant
Chelsea first met Kelli when she was in middle school! Kelli and her family were members at the First United Methodist Church of Clermont, FL- and at the time Chelsea was the youth pastor on staff. Middle school, high school, and college all came and went. Now they sit at Starbucks together and laugh about how much they have changed, grown, and learned between then and now. Kelli had always admired Chelsea for her positive outlook and inspiring ways since they were first introduced. She was first in the Bride's mind to guide the vows and Kelli and Ivan are so excited to create their own intimate ceremony that's perfectly tailored and centered around who they are as a couple. "What an honor to witness such an important day between two people!"
Ally Stein
Wedding Planner
Owner of Sage Event Co., Ally was suggested to us by our videographer and it was meant to be. From the very beginning of our time together, she’s been on a roll and helping make our big day incredible! We can’t wait to share our big day with our closest friends and family with her!