Melaina Marie & John Paul
Wedding Party
Athena Kirschner
Mother of the Bride
Melaina gets her smile, curls, Greek heritage, and much more from her loving mother. They are told that they look alike... one of them will be wearing white on the big day, so you should be able to easily tell them apart then at least! Melaina loves that her mom is the first person she calls in good and bad times.. always sharing in her joy or frustration and giving the best advice.
Michael Kirschner
Father of the Bride
Melaina's father has taught her how to drive (this one took some effort) and how to "adult" by educating her on finances and house upkeep. He also is the one to thank for her love for Kenny Chesney (you just might hear a song by him at the reception). Melaina remembers her dad driving her to school with either sports radio or the country music station always playing.
Stacy Allsopp
Mother of the Groom
JP attributes his sense of humor and thoughtfulness to his mother. When JP was little, his mother was a manager at a nearby movie theater. Her theater had a “flashback movie week” where they would bring back old movies to theaters. Since she knew how much he loved Spider-Man, she had her theater show Toby McGuire’s Spider-Man. His mom has always been a great supporter and role model.
John Paul Allsopp, Sr.
Father of the Groom - In Loving Memory
JP & his father bonded greatly over all things Cleveland sports and Marvel (especially Spiderman). His father is also who he thanks for his talkative and charismatic side. John also has always been a great example for JP by being hard working in his career and active in his community, and he always made sure to instill these values and more in JP.
Renee Hyrkas
Koumbara
Melaina’s Godmother (in Greek, we call this a “Nouna”) will be her Koumbara. This is a wedding sponsor in Greek wedding tradition. This is very special to Melaina as her Nouna has been her cheerleader and a great role model throughout her life.
Alexa Pettinato
Flower Girl
Little Alexa is JP’s younger cousin, daughter of JP’s uncle Paul Pettinato and his wife Jenna Pettinato. Alexa loves kittens and playing softball. She has always wanted to be a flower girl, and is excited to get dressed up and be on the dance floor on the big day!
Helena Niznik
Flower Girl
Little Helena is the oldest daughter of Melaina’s cousin Brandon Niznik & his wife Brooke Niznik. Melaina had the honor of being a bridesmaid in their wedding and is so excited to have Helena be in her wedding. Helena loves Frozen & loves to Greek dance!
Nolan Pettinato
Ring Bearer
Little Nolan is JP’s younger cousin and brother of the flower girl, Alexa. Like Alexa, Nolan will definitely take his job very seriously and have a fun time doing it! Nolan loves Spider-Man, monster trucks, and WWE.
Taylor Kirschner
Maid of Honor
Taylor is Melaina’s cousin, but they have always felt more like sisters. Taylor got the sporty Kirschner genes, Melaina got… well, no sporty genes. Melaina’s favorite childhood memories with Taylor include capture-the-flag at Grandma’s, cheering her on at basketball games near & far, and shopping together with their moms.
Brock Newsome
Best Man
Brock and JP met through soccer their freshman year of college. They have enjoyed going to sports games and golfing with each other. They each got to witness each other hit a hole-in-one. They were also RAs in the same dorm hall their last year of college. Brock has always been a close friend that JP could go to in good and bad times.
Kayla Hatzis
Bridesmaid
Kayla is Melaina's cousin, and they have cherished growing up together. Their favorite memories include playing together in matching outfits at their yiayia's house as little girls, going to GOYA basketball tournaments together in high school, and enjoying country music concerts together in college.
Jacob Allsopp
Groomsman + Brother of the Groom
Jacob is JP’s youngest brother. They always bonded over sports and video games. They have loved watching each other play soccer, going to various Cleveland sports games together, and most recently sharing the hobby of collecting sports cards. They have also always enjoyed their very competitive mini golf games with their family.
Erin Kelly
Bridesmaid
Erin & Melaina became close their junior year of high school, and remain dear friends. They have cherished bonding over shared interests in high school and going on summer adventures with their close group of friends, FaceTiming and visiting each other in college, and now often reuniting at Erin’s family’s bar in their hometown.
Christian Kirschner
Groomsman + Brother of the Bride
Christian & Melaina’s memories include them playing games and making silly videos with their cousins, as well as Melaina driving Christian around town and him making them listen to his rap music. JP and Christian quickly became close - bonding over sports, video games, and competitive games of mini golf.
Ashley Smith
Bridesmaid
Ashley & Melaina have been friends since middle school, where they bonded over book club and a mutual obsession with Pinterest. Ashley has always been a great friend of Melaina’s that she could go months without seeing if they got busy and they could still pick up right where they left off.
Justin Allsopp
Groomsman + Brother of the Groom
Justin is JP’s younger brother. Some of their memories include playing flag football together, going to local high school sports games with their dad, and JP driving Justin to high school for a couple years. There was one time that they went to the orthodontist and were supposed to go right back to school, but their mother passed by and saw them in the Chick-fil-A drive thru line..
Mikelle Miles
Bridesmaid
Mikelle & Melaina met in all-star cheerleading when they were each about 9 years old! They immediately bonded over making bracelets while watching “Princess and the Frog.” Their friendship grew through cheerleading and Dance Moms, and their families have also grown close. Melaina was honored to be a bridesmaid in Mikelle’s wedding.
Donald Drodge
Groomsman
Donnie & Melaina became close their junior year of high school and have remained close friends since. They enjoyed carpooling to school, working together at their hometown pharmacy after school, training for cross country together, and going on many little adventures with their close group of friends.
Autumn Pettinato
Bridesmaid
Autumn is JP’s cousin, who JP & his brothers have cherished seeing every holiday. Some of their favorite memories together include playing kickball in their grandparents’ backyard. Melaina & Autumn got along very easily as they both ran cross country in college and went to school for careers in the medical field.
Jacob Sirofchuck
Groomsman
JP met Jacob (nicknamed “Dippy”) through soccer their freshman year of college. They quickly became apart of a close group of friends, and they are happy to remain close. Dippy was JP’s beer pong partner the night him & Melaina started talking. They both are Manchester United fans, so they enjoy debriefing on the phone after big games.
Morgan Costello
Bridesmaid
Morgan was Melaina’s college roommate and sorority sister. They enjoyed decorating their dorm on whims, ordering takeout way too often, and singing & laughing way too loudly (which led to some warnings from their RA), and much more. Melaina is thankful to remain close to Morgan and is also a bridesmaid in her upcoming wedding.
Jonah Lentz
Groomsman
JP met Jonah through soccer in college. They have bonded over watching Premier League soccer, college football, and college basketball together. Jonah has always participated in an annual golf tournament in JP’s hometown that JP’s father helped organize with JP, Brock, and Dippy. It is likely that Jonah will have a beer in his hand every time you see him on the big day.
Erin Link
Bridesmaid
Erin & Melaina became close friends after being seated near each other in pharmacy school. They love wine nights and finding fun things to do in Erie. Erin always makes Melaina feel seen, and Melaina is so happy that she got to graduate school with Erin and remain close (in proximity & in friendship) post-grad.
Justin Sheets
Groomsman
JP met Justin through his friend, Evan. They have enjoyed playing video games together, going out with their friends, and recently going to Ocean City with their friends. With Justin living farther away now, they especially enjoy their times playing FIFA and 2k when they can.
Rachel Gurgiolo
Bridesmaid
Melaina met Rachel at her first job after pharmacy school, where they both bonded over navigating life after school together. They quickly grew closer over their similar personalities and shared love for fitness. They have loved going on walks in the park after work when Erie weather would allow.
Evan Kosenina
Groomsman
JP met Evan through soccer in college. One of their great recent memories is when they went to a Steelers-Browns game, and Evan enjoyed flaunting the Steelers’ victory to JP. They remain close, often visiting each other and spending time with their friends. JP is happy to have grown close with Evan’s family as well.
