Ryan & Maxine
Wedding Party
Alex Mella
Maid of Honor
Alex is my younger sister (by a year), we were mistaken as twins when we were younger because we always had matching clothes. Most of my childhood memories has Alex in them, we grew through the awkward stages together and I know she will always be there for me. Alex is fun loving and has been amazing during this journey, she has been so excited to plan the shower, the bachelorette party and just helping out with anything! I can’t imagine having anyone else as my Maid of Honor.
Conor Moon
Best Man
Conor is one of my best friends/teammates from college, he took me under his wing as a freshman and he was also my first doubles partner on the tennis team. He is always up for a good time whether that means golfing, an excursion to the casino or just hanging out at dinner. He has been around for Max and I throughout the years and I’m so thankful for his friendship. I had the honor to stand as his best man for his wedding to Julia in 2019 and I’m excited to have him by my side on my wedding day.
Kim Bacalla
Matron of Honor
Kim is my older sister. I was Kim's Maid of Honor for her wedding to R.K in 2017. Kim has been so helpful by providing me with all the budget information and vendors she has used in the past for her wedding, what to do and what not to do and provide some much needed knowledge and experience in this year of planning. She is also an amazing makeup guru and is the only person I trust to do my makeup on my big day.
Brandon Stassen
Groomsman
I met Brandon in college, he was also part of the tennis team. He is not only a close friend of mine but one of Max's best friends. Brandon and I bond over our mutual love of sports especially the Chicago Cubs, we can sit and talk for hours about sports. Maxine and Brandon bond over their love of food and wine. He has remained close to us throughout the years and has offered nothing but care and support as a friend. We cannot imagine having our wedding day without him by our side.
Sabrina Mella
Bridesmaid
Sabrina is the baby of our family, but don't let that fool you. She is a ball of energy and she exudes confidence. She has provided nothing but love and support during this time, she helped me choose my wedding dress! Ina provides comic relief in this process and always holds you up when you are feeling less than confident. She is currently a freshman in college and shuffling her feet in to the influencer world, I feel so lucky to have such a cool baby sister.
Ryan Hollander
Groomsman
Ryan and I grew up together in the same neighborhood. We went to school together up until college! and even then he was only a few miles down the road. He is one of my oldest friends. We mostly bond over sports and video games, he kicks my butt every time we play The Show. Hollander was actually there on Max and I's first date, so you can say he was there from the beginning of our relationship, he tortured me the entire time haha. I'm so pumped to have him stand by my side on Max and I's big day!
Sara Barnes
Bridesmaid
Sara is Ryan's sister. Sara and I have gotten closer these past few years and I know I can come to her for anything and she will listen and provide me with an honest answer. She is witty and smart and has been helpful with anything that I need with the wedding whether it’s an opinion on a dress or help with the seating chart, she has provided nothing but support since Ryan and I have gotten engaged. I am so incredibly excited to have Sara stand by us on our wedding day.
Nick Barnes
Groomsman
Nick is my sisters husband, over the past few years we have gotten closer whenever he and Sara could visit us for holidays or summer vacations. Nick and I would play video games against each other and just hang out. During the past year, Me, Sara, Nick and Max would FaceTime or Zoom all the time to catch up and play games, we all got to know each other better. I'm excited to have Nick as one of my groomsmen on Max and I's big day!
Allison Tomal
Bridesmaid
My first college roomie! Allison and I met in college, I got lucky and had her as my roommate my freshman year and my junior year. She was my cheerleader for every tennis match, one of my best memories of Al is when I would be playing a match and she would be practicing a court over and I hear her cheering me on as loud as she can. I can count on her when I need to vent about anything and everything or just need an honest opinion. She is always up to get a good margarita and to talk about the good o'l college days. I can't wait to have her stand by my side.
Tyler Suchsland
Groomsman
Tyler was my first apartment roommate! He was really good at being clean and organized (I wasn't), he was even better at being the life of all the parties. Tyler led many late night walks back to campus, impromptu 9 hole outings, and guaranteed laughs at every journey. His sister and Max were high school tennis teammates, and his and my relationship will be icing on the cake for Maxine's and my wedding!
Tori Martell
Bridesmaid
Tori is the closest thing I have to a childhood friend. We met each other when I lived in Florida for a year, we've known each other for more than ten years now! She was my first doubles partner and we were terrible haha but she wanted to keep playing with me anyways! She is kind and full of grace. I have always considered our friendship to be special because no matter where we are I know that she is always there for me, we have the kind of friendship where we can not talk for months but pick it up anytime and nothing will have changed. I was also blessed to stand by her side on her wedding day and I attribute my engagement to her because I caught her bouquet. I am so excited to have her by me on my wedding day.
Cecil Mella
Groomsman
Cecil is Max's one and only brother. But he has also become my little brother throughout the years that Max and I have been together. He's always up to play a video game or play tennis. He helped me set the scene when I asked Max to marry me! He also took the photos so we can remember that night forever. I am very excited to have Cecil be part of my party and to officially call him my brother.
Megan Grewe
Bridesmaid
Megan and I met at the gym. S/O Eat the Frog. You don't meet a lot of people around the same age after college but luckily I met Megan, we have the same sense of sarcastic humor, love for doggos and looking at houses on Zillow. She is always up to get food with me, push me in the gym or encourage me to get some rest and be lazy for the day. She has kept me sane during this pandemic and I am so excited to have her stand by me on my wedding day.
Timmy Yap
Groomsman
Timmy is Max's sisters Fiancé, but him and I created a strong bromance when the pandemic hit. We've had many weekends hanging out together and he has been such a good friend during this planning process, from showing up to tux appointments and food tastings. Tim is always up for a good party and also we are so excited to have him celebrate with us on our big day and all the other celebrations with our family after that!
Haley Plaszkiewicz
Bridesmaid
Haley was my sophomore year roomie. Again, I got super lucky! Haley is kind and thoughtful, she is always there when I need to talk about anything especially wedding related things. I remember in college when Hales and I would sit in our room and blast some t-pain or SOMO, eat some sale halloween candy, dance and just talk for hours but my favorite memory was when we bought some donuts and drove around Kenosha to see all the Christmas lights. I am blessed to have her as a friend after all these years.
Isriz Balase
Groomsman
Izzy is one of my closest and oldest friends. We met each other through tennis, we played ITA's together in college and at most of them he was my doubles partner. Izzy was also my first Grad Assistant at North Central, it was awesome to work with one of my closest friends during the start of my career. He has seen me grow as a coach and as a person. Max's whole family is also very close to Izzy, they have him over for family and holiday parties! Which has been awesome cause I get to hangout with him. Max and I are so excited to have him stand by our side on our wedding day!
Taylor Bolyard
Bridesmaid
Taylor and I met in college, we were both on the tennis team which means we spent A LOT of time together, she has been there for me since Day 1. I remember sitting in the back of the van as freshmen and just talking, laughing, sometimes crying and mostly napping. If you saw me around campus you know most of the time Taylor was near. She has also spent a lot of time with Ryan and I can say that Taylor truly knows me as her friend but also Ryan and I as a couple. I cannot wait to have her stand by us on our big day.
Ceejay Schaffner
Groomsman
Ceejay was my grad assistant during my first year at North Central and the rest is history. We grew closer as we worked throughout the year and he also got to know Max outside of work, we would go out to dinners, hangout at the apartment or play tennis together. Ceejay now works in Wisconsin but he is always there for whenever I need to talk about something coaching or sports related. We are so excited to have Ceejay back for our wedding!
Angelica Emmanouil
Bridesmaid
Angelica and I always joked that we started out by hating each other. Which was true. But not anymore! Jelly was my college doubles partner for three years. To say we have been through a lot is an understatement. We have yelled at each other, cried with each other and laughed a lot. My favorite memory with Jelly was when I had to pull my mattress in to her room during pre-season because we both got scared one night and couldn't sleep, so we had a sleepover and watched High School Musical. After I graduated we kept in touch and I can count on her to always show up and provide support no matter what.
Brian Howes
Groomsman
Brian "Captain" Howes was the team leader and host of all fun activities my first year at Carthage. While the memories grew, so did our friendship. We spend time together golfing, going to Cubs games, and sharing pastimes of the glory days of college. Brian was a senior when I was a freshmen, and a lot of what I know today is because of him! We are super pumped to have him be a part of the big day!
RK Bacalla
Honor Attendant
Rk is my brother-in-law he and my sister have been married for three years and have been together for.. a very long time, I can't remember a time when RK wasn't a part of my family. He is truly like my big brother and I cannot imagine my wedding day without him. RK is hilarious and supportive, he will be walking with my mom down the aisle.