Charissa & Matthew
Wedding Party
Cayla Pratt
Maid of Honor
Sister Sister! If you know us, then you know Cayla. We have done almost EVERYTHING together since birth. Being homeschooled and only a year apart in school really brought us closer. We went to the same college, joined the same sorority and even lived together my senior year of college. My friends are her friends and her friends are my friends. I can't imagine life without a sister. If something goes wrong I always know I have Cayla. Yes we fight, but who doesn't, it just makes our relationship stronger. I couldn't imagine a better person to be my Maid Of Honor, I have been training her our whole life! (LOL)
Christine Delvecchio
Bridesmaid
Christinie introduced herself to me our Freshman year of college, sat next to me in ALL of our classes and persuaded me to pledge a sorority. We pledged together, lived together, took all the same classes, grocery shopped, ate all meals together and procrastinated assignments for 4 years of College life. One could say she was my first live-in relationship LOL! We traveled to Rome, Punta Cana and New Orleans creating so many memories and laughs. I will never forget the late nights in the 24 hour room, giving her the nickname Minaj, the tree house apartment, the time she made me take a theater class and introducing her to Matthew. Through thick and thin we have stayed close and she never misses an opportunity to send me a 'bonus' gift or a thoughtful text. Love you xtinie!!!
Alexis Carman
Bridesmaid
Where to begin, she has been such a great friend for so long that the 800 characters they are allowing me won't do this description justice. From high school to college to adulting we have been through it all, together. I'll never forget college visits, wishing her good luck in a COLD college as I set my eyes on a warmer education and somehow we both ended up at Oswego enduring the crazy elements. Our freshman year we didn't ask to room together, but luckily ended up down the hall from each other! Matthew, Alexis and I have all been friends for so long and we wouldn't be able to get married without her! She is ALWAYS taking care of me, I am not sure how I would have survived all these years without her.
Allie Rappazzo
Bridesmaid
I met Allie when I was a wee little one starting competitive swimming at Siena college. My Mom introduced us to Allie and told us to become friends because we were homeschooled and needed to start making friends (LOL!) So we quickly became friends and for the first year of friendship, she told us her family calls her Alex but we can call her Allie and she called me CLarissa. One day Cayla corrected her and she has said it right every since (haha). We would carpool and listen to Veggie Tales, she would come over and we would play Mario Party for hours. We would dress up and make comedic movies, we played soccer together and she introduced me to ALEXIS! We went to different colleges, but we always kept in touch. She was one of my first friends and we couldn't have our wedding without her!
Cassie Muller
Bridesmaid
If you want to meet an angel, you will on the day of our wedding, because my cousin Cassie is an angel sent from above. Cayla and I may have picked on her sometimes and I may have 'tried' to lead the Cousin's group, but we always have a great time when we are all together. We would spend summers at her house, making movies, eating junk food and singing. Cassie use to love to sing, about anything and everything. She has a huge heart and was always the peace keeper. We grew up loving Disney movies and now we won't settle for anything less than a Fairy Tale Ending. This is why I know she will make sure our wedding is just as magical as the one place where 'dreams do come true'.
Andrea Lubbers- Tonkin
Bridesmaid
Andrea and I met in since High School, but became closer when Matthew and I started dating. The first family trip together to Idaho was a glance into what our relationship would be like... dropping/breaking some things (lol), outdoor activities, taking pictures while exploring and both laughing at everything. She is able to be my sister without the years of fighting (lol)! I'm excited for the future as we have children and they grow up together knowing us as Aunt Andrea and Aunt Charissa (melts my heart!) Can't wait for the next chapter of our lives as I gain another sister and many more memories.
Lexi Ritz
Bridesmaid
Yes, I was homeschooled and yes my second day of public school I fell off the gym bleachers, smacking my head on the floor and had to be wheeled out in a wheel chair by Mrs. Cohoon in front of EVERYONE! Yet, the after story is that Lexi was the only one who checked to make sure I was okay & was therefore my first friend in public school. I already knew Allie and others from soccer, but Lexi was the first person I met that I hadn't known before. We quickly became best friends, eating lunch together, both playing the clarinet and participating in band next to Matt (who also played the clarinet). She was quickly assimilated into my family and looks like she is one of our sisters. Life without Lexi would truly be boring, and we can't have a boring wedding!!
Bride Tribe
Bride Support
Chelsie Muller, Kayla Patnaude, Gabby Mucilli., Lauren Trible, Rebecca Hoefer, Demi Trinci, & Rikki Lynn Trinci are all important people in our lives and we wanted them to play a part in our special day while also providing much needed bridal support during the pivotal planning stages.
Vincent [Vinney] Cimijotti
Best Man
It all started back on Hillview Ave in 1996. Bike riding, skateboarding, rollerblading, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and any other kind of sport that required a competitive attitude was the basis of our friendship for at least a decade. A lot has happened in the last 20 years, however there has always been at least one constant which has been our undying friendship. One thing that will be for certain is that you [guests of wedding] will definitely discover that Vin is the life of every party. There will be dancing, there will be singing, and there will be many rounds of beverages to keep things interesting. He is always one to show a good time, and very, very rarely disappoints!
Michael Chamberlin
Groomsman
Michael was stuck with me for 4 years at SUNY Oswego while we "studied" hard for our futures. We lived together for 3 of those years and became best of friends during that time. He was always the chef of the house making delicious philly cheesesteaks for lunch and the famous pepperoni red sauce for dinner. Since school, Mike has helped us with designing the logo and building the website for Charissa's Steuben Street Market. He is a Professional web-designer buiding websites for big companies accross the country. He enjoys fine dining, cooking, and mixology!
Timothy "TJ" Kennedy
Groomsman
TJ is an all around good friend to both of us. If you want to talk about being well rounded, you will want to talk about this guy. Having worked toward a graduate degree in Urban Planning, TJ was recently elected to Troy City Council where he is bringing a younger face and new ideas to the City of Troy. He is experienced in urban farming after building a big greenhouse in his backyard from reclaimed materials. TJ is also a frequent patron of Steuben Street Market where he has been very supportive of our local endeavor. He is not only a great, reliable friend, he is a great neighbor!!!
Michael Lubbers
Groomsman
Brother-in-Law, Husband of my Sister, Art Teacher, and Landscaping Champion of the Universe! Mike has been in the picture with our family now for about 10 years! I worked with Mike a considerible amount during summers past doing landscaping of all kinds; sweating our butts off, but creating beautiful works of art for his customers. His motto is always to "do work". Mike is a Nintendo Fanatic and GM enthusiast; Chevrolet Camaros specifically.
August [Augie] Gosh
Groomsman
The good Catholic boy, Augie. The guys refer to him as "Augie the Doggie". He is an Accountant at a company in Albany keeping things in line. Back in middle school, apparently all of the teachers would get us confused for one another; short haircut "gelled-up" in the front, same height, shorts and t-shirt, good looking... I can see how they would get confused. Compared to some of our other friends, Augie is actually pretty normal, which is a total relief!
Robert T. Law IV
Groomsman
Rob has struggled to see Matt play a full round of decent golf in his entire life! He is one to give highly constructive critisism in the nicest way a human could. As a CPA, Rob's attention to detail is imperative by nature and when it comes to friendship, he does not spare a feeling. Rob, like his brother, Justin, enjoys spending time in Cape Cod during the summer. He, himself is the best golfer out of our group of friends, and we all know it.
Justin A. Law
Groomsman
Grandpa Justin, as we call him. A man who knows how to have a good time and a man who does not "settle for less". Attorney Law has been a great friend to both of us. He is generous by nature and the first to give you a compliment on something... usually how handsome you're looking that day... At the reception you will likely find him in the 55 and older section where the music isn't as loud and there is a nice soft place for him to sit. He and his brother, Rob, will likely bust some moves on the dance floor; something to keep an eye out for.