Kristen & Martin
Wedding Party
Mark Gruca
Best Man
Mark is the brother of the groom. In addition to their time together growing up, Mark and Martin lived together during their college years and grew closer during that period. Mark is a physical therapist and runs his own clinic for Team Rehab in Bingham Farms, MI. He and his wife, Jessie, have a 2.5-year-old son named Luke and a 5-month-old daughter named Alex.
Hannah Lampron
Matron of Honor
Hannah and Kristen met in high school trigonometry class, where they entertained each other as they bonded over their disinterest for math. Hannah quickly became Kristen's other half as she joined Kristen's environmental club and they spent time volunteering to protect Lake Saint Clair and choreographing dances together. Many great years of friendship and memories have followed. Hannah is a registered nurse currently working at Beaumont Hospital.
Fernando Rivero Hryzodub
Groomsman
Martin met Fernando and Stephanie (his dance partner, now his wife) early on during his time on the ballroom dance team. They spent countless hours together between dance competitions, late dance practices, study sessions, and have remained very close ever since. Fernando selflessly served in the U.S. Navy for many years, and is now finishing his Master's of Accounting at Eastern Michigan University. He and his wife, Stephanie, now have a young daughter named Alex.
Beth Nowinski
Bridesmaid
Beth is Kristen's first cousin and first friend, with whom she shared her whole childhood and pretty much every major holiday growing up! Beth and Kristen are only one year apart and have shared countless sleepovers and good memories. Beth is currently a restaurant manager in Rochester Hills.
Jesse Lee
Groomsman
Jesse and Martin also met very early on in his time on the ballroom dance team, bonding over the course of many dance competitions and dance practices. Jesse is currently in Florida, obtaining his history PhD at Florida State University.
Marta Gruca
Bridesmaid
Marta is the sister of the groom. Martin and Marta became very close as he was finishing high school. Marta is the most artistically talented in the family, knowing much about literature, art, and fashion. Martin credits her with sharing these hobbies with him as he was finishing high school, which made a huge impact on him--setting the stage for his own interest in fashion, art history, and ballroom dancing. She works with fundraising and development for the University of Michigan and has enjoyed living in Ann Arbor ever since first moving there for her undergraduate studies.
Jimmy Carpenter
Groomsman
Jimmy and Martin met during college through the ballroom team. Together, he, Martin, Amit, Jesse, Fernando, and Derek have been on countless trips and have thankfully remained close throughout the years. He finished law school at Wayne State University and is currently working in Chicago for a real estate investment firm.
Sara Groth
Bridesmaid
Sara and Kristen met in the fifth grade, after which countless sleepovers, dances, and trips to the city pool followed. Sara and Kristen still love spending time together and their long friendship is very special. Sara is also an amazingly talented singer and performer who Kristen loves to see shine on stage! She is currently a fifth grade teacher at St. Brigid Catholic School in Midland.
Amit Nagar
Groomsman
Amit and Martin first met at the ballroom team. He has been a close friend to Martin and most of the other groomsmen ever since that time. Amit is lighthearted and easily fits into any crowd, and together he, Fernando, and Jimmy are often the life of any party. He currently lives in Seattle and works for Amazon.
Stephanie Cherry Hryzodub
Bridesmaid
One of Martin's closest friends, Stephanie was actually the person who introduced him to the ballroom team at UM. Martin and Stephanie met during a project for a psychology class and hit it off from there. They have been through countless trips, competitions, and events together. Coincidentally, Stephanie grew up in the same community as Kristen, in St. Clair Shores, MI. They re-connected after Kristen joined the ballroom team in 2011!
Derek Fedeson
Groomsman
Derek and Martin also met through the ballroom dance team during college. He and his wife, Julia, were very active members in the dancing community. Derek then finished his PhD in genetics and molecular biology from MSU and is currently living and working in Kalamazoo with his wife, his daughter Claire, and their son Jason.
Julia Fedeson
Bridesmaid
Julia met Kristen and Martin through the ballroom dance team at the University of Michigan. She currently lives in Kalamazoo, MI with her two children Claire and Jason and husband Derek. Julia is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet and knows how to throw an impressive themed party! Martin and Kristen are grateful for her friendship and memories shared over the years.