Bemis's? Bemises? Bemis'? Bemii...Bride!
Wedding Party
Candice Blair
Maid of Honor
It started in 2007 at College of the Canyons. There I was, walking into psych class with no idea I was about to sit across from someone who would become a lifelong friend—Dingo (aka Melissa). From day one, we clicked & formed a study group...that never actually studied. Instead of hitting the books, we hit up tacos & screwdrivers. Yes, we were underage. No, we’re not telling you how we got booze (wink, wink). But hey, we were young & carefree, right? Our academic prowess might have been questionable (we did almost fail), but our bond was unbreakable. Even when the teacher separated us to avoid academic disaster, we stayed close. Don’t worry we both got Bs in the class😅I’m proud to say I’m the friend who absolutely corrupted her. I taught her the art of party planning, boozing it up, & having a great time. Fast forward to LMU, where she joined TriDelta & became the full-fledged party girl I knew she could be. Beyond all the fun, we’ve been there for each other through tough times, proving our friendship is built on more than tacos & screwdrivers (though they definitely helped). Through thick & thin, we’ve stuck together & I’m beyond honored to stand by her side as Maid of Honor. From Vegas trips to unforgettable vacations in Jamaica, we've made so many memories together & I can’t wait to create more as we celebrate the coolest wedding of 2025. Here's to my best friend, my BFFL, & bride who’ll always be Dingo to me. Troy is one lucky guy! Let’s make this wedding unforgettable!
Jeremy Holmes
Best Man
Troy and I became close when I transferred from Hayward to Birchwood High School and we had Spanish class together. One day he invited me to go see his band play which was cool. They had a big show in Milwaukee and his family were nice enough to drag me along. Ken introduced me to Troy's sister as Jerome and it has stuck to this day. That was also the night the guys asked me to join Mother May I. We had band practices in his garage, played shows, small venues all around, and even played in our high school talent show one year with Birchwood High's first ever mosh pit. From there Troy and the Bemis family have become my own family. We cut greens at Big Fish Golf Course together and in 2012 we had what we all consider our "best summer ever". We all love Troy because there is literally nobody else like him. He's strange, sweet, and down to earth. He mixes a drink stronger than anybody I know. Anybody who knows Troy knows he has the biggest heart for his family and friends. My wife, Kaylee, and I spent many summer nights at his house cruising the pontoon and dancing. .
Tiara Volpe
Bridesmaid
The first time I met Melissa, or as we affectionately call her, Dingo, feels like a vivid snapshot in my mind. It was one of those spontaneous days, started simple but ended up marking the beginning of a lasting friendship. I visited Candice in SoCal and we went to pick up her friend "Melissa" to go to Howl at the Moon. Candice spoke highly of her, so I was curious to meet this person who seemed to bring such fun energy into her life. When we pulled up, she bounded out of the door with a warm, enthusiastic smile that instantly made me feel like I’d known her for years. From the second she got in the car, I knew the night was going to be a blast. Howl at the Moon that night was a whole vibe. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves on stage, singing and dancing to “Baby Got Back” like it was our anthem. I didn’t know at the time, but that was the start of something more than just a fun memory—it was the start of a friendship which grew stronger during our infamous Vegas trip. Dingo, Candice, Carmen, and I transformed into the Ninja Turtles and fought crime up and down the Vegas Strip. We laughed harder than we ever had, made memories that cemented us as a pack, and left knowing we were stuck with each other for life. Now, we are honored to stand beside Dingo as her bridesmaids. Looking back, it’s hard to believe it began with a simple plan to pick up a friend for a fun night. That night sparked the kind of friendship that can’t be planned, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Brad Schiefelbein
Groomsman
The seas brought us together, well, the trade winds to be more specific. It was 1943, a hellishly cold season off the coast of Cape Cod. His father was a naval captain, and mine, a skipper. That suspiciously foggy Thursday had both of us nine year olds topside scrubbing the deck, and I’ll never forget the first words a frail, pale Troy Bemis whispered to me…”I’ll be right back, I have to go make pee pee” That was 82 years ago, and we’ve been best friends ever since. .
Carmen Broderick
Bridesmaid
I first met Dingo while planning an unforgettable girls' trip to Las Vegas for Halloween in 2014. We were tasked with coming up with our ninja turtle costumes, and through our text messages and FaceTime chats, I could tell I had found a friend for life. When we finally met in person a few weeks later, our bond just clicked! That first trip together opened the door to so many more adventures and celebrations over the years. Even though we’ve only spent about a week together at a time, Dingo has become one of my best friends, and I love her so much! I’m beyond excited to celebrate her and Troy’s wedding, and I can’t wait for all the fun to begin! .
Scott Lee
Groomsman
I met Troy during our freshman year at UW-Madison, when my attempt to impress the floor with my guitar playing actually worked for once. He walked right into my room, excited to share that he played too, and we quickly discovered we were both small-town kids from northern Wisconsin. Troy quickly became my best friend at UW, and we were inseparable on Langdon Street and at most house parties in Madison. Through several years as roommates and countless adventures (including an impromptu marching band performance in Birchwood during summer break)—we became what I consider a legendary duo. Coming from northern Wisconsin, I was taught that bragging wasn't our way, but Troy showed me it was okay to be charismatic, confident, and even a little flashy at times (by teaching me the art of wearing a raccoon skin hat in downtown Madison). In return, I taught him how to occasionally study on a weekend instead of spending time inventing new dance moves at the KK. I simply could not imagine my college life and beyond without us having met!
Megan Van Pelt
Bridesmaid
Megan and Melissa met when the bride's mother was Megan's babysitter. A couple of years later, the bride's aunt married Megan's dad and made them cousins! They have been stuck together ever since celebrating life's biggest moments. Note from the bride: No matter what Megan says, I did not bite her ;) .
Billy Pistel
Groomsman
Opposites attract is not only true in romance, but also in bromance. I first met Troy at our UCSD grad school visitation. His gregarious nature quickly made itself apparent and, as someone who is more introverted, I couldn’t help but want to be around him. By the end of the weekend we agreed that if we both ended up in San Diego that we would live together. That was the start of an unforgettable four years. Grad school Darties, pool at The Dog, and nights out in Pacific Beach; Troy always tried to get me to join him. He really brought me out of my shell, and I will always appreciate that about him (along with his sweet dance moves). I remember hearing about him chatting up his uber driver on the way to Balboa Park for the Darty in what has to be the most Troy first meeting story of all time. I got to be there as Troy and Melissa’s relationship started and had the pleasure of watching it grow into something truly beautiful. After our four years living together, I was grateful to have him stand in my wedding and am glad to keep him as one of my closest friends to this day. Though we don’t see each other nearly as often as we would like, every time we do its like being instantly transported back to those days in San Diego and it is a blast every time! I am so excited to support Troy and Mel in this next step in their life together, love you both!
Briella Alexander-Clifton
Flower Girl
The bride's niece and sassiest girl in town!
Teddy Kindinger
Ring Bearer
The groom's smart and inquisitive nephew! .
Matthew Castillo
Officiant
The bride's baby brother/best friend and now, groom's friend. Matt moved to Wisconsin and stayed with Troy and Mel over the summer. They had a blast playing video games and building lego cat! Matt is now a self-proclaimed cheese head and diehard Packers fan!