Our Happily Ever After Party
Wedding Party
Jason Gillis
Hand of the Groom
A Chi Alpha friendship that is standing the test of time. In their past lives, Jason was in the Air Force and Peter was in the Navy. Naturally, their military rivalry not only carried through to this season of life but brings them closer together as bros. Today they bond over the HBO TV Series - Game of Thrones and all of it's memes. Fun Fact: Jason's title for November 6th, "Hand of the Groom" was adapted from Game of Thrones by Peter when he learned the Best Man could not make it. On the show, the title is "Hand of the King". With his title, Jason will perform the duties of a Best Man; be sure to look out for a man in a tux wearing a pin of a hand.
Hannah Lanser
Maid of Honor
Melissa's oldest and closest friend going way back to their childhood. Hannah spent part of her childhood in China but kept in very close contact with Melissa the whole time. Some could make the case that they are as inseparable as Sisters. Hannah now spends her days as a CPA, moving up the ladder of her accounting firm in Madison which supports nonprofit organizations. Fun Fact: Hannah has also been Peter's good friend since their college days!
Benjamin Mannon
Groomsman
We met in Chi Alpha. We made a movie together - which he lost, and somehow our friendship endured. All the Mountain Dew, pizza, and nights of playing XBox certainly helped.
Rachael Peterson
Bridesmaid
Forever a student in the art of dance, Rachael has spent a good chunk of her adulthood teaching and performing Hip Hop dance here in Wisonsin and in the Boston area for several years. Rachael is super friend to Melissa, and the two keep in constant contact with each other. Fun Fact: Rachael has also been a close frien to Melissa dating back to their childhood!
Josiah Thompson
Groomsman
Josiah is a talker, a deep philosophical talker. If I ever wanted to "pick-a-fight" of words, Josiah has been my go-to guy because in the 10ish years I have known him, he always kept it a safe space for debate. When we needed a break from debate we watched all things British humor.
Hannah Tofilska
Bridesmaid
Melissa first met Hannah in high school, where they were both involved in choir. Throughout high school, Hannah, Hannah Lanser, Anne Marie V and Melissa were thick as thieves. After high school, Melissa and Hannah both attended Bethel University in the Twin Cities. One of the most memorable moments they’ve shared as friends was a road trip across the US to drop off Melissa at Bethel in Redding, CA. Hannah now lives in NYC with her husband Peter.
Greg Salvo
Groomsman
Greg is my twin giant brother-from-another-mother whom I met back in college at Chi Alpha. We share an affinity for watching competitive sports and movies together. One might even go so far as use the word "bromance".
Anne Marie Vassalotti
Bridesmaid
Anne Marie rounds out the trio of very close friends Melissa has had since childhood. Anne Marie now lives in the Milwaukee area and helps lead the charge in preventing the spread of covid-19 virus and its variants by working as a rock star at Air Gas
Eric Barnard
Groomsman
Once I hit my 30's, I asked God for a friend that was classy and elegant. God brought me to Eric, where I was introduced to fine wine, awakened an appreciation for whiskey I never knew I had, and cigars - which are just fun. Eric taught me that all these wonderful things can be tied together through great conversation and so we partake of these life luxuries in conversation.
Jennifer Katongole
Bridesmaid
Jennifer and Melissa have been great friends since their time at Bethel University. Jennifer is married with 2 lovely children. She is a "power player" in the international nonprofit scene and has recently moved back stateside with her family. Fun Fact: Melissa stood as a bridesmaid in Jennifer's wedding back in college.
Trenton Barney
Groomsman
Even though I have only known Trent a few short years, what else could forge a brotherly bond so quickly as cheering on the same soccer club. We support Liverpool F.C. and man has it been a wild ride. Countless Saturday (and some Sunday) mornings spent at Nomad World Pub in Madison cheering on our favorite club all the while getting to know one another. We even went to Ann Arbor, Michigan one summer to see them play an exhibition match! You'll Never Walk Alone.
Elisa Schmidt
Bridesmaid
Elisa is the cousin that is like a sister to Melissa. Elisa lives in the Milwaukee area and works as a teacher for one of the city's top schools. Elisa honored her cousin by standing in the September 2020 wedding and will now honor Melissa again by standing for her in the Happily Ever After Party on November 6th, 2021.
Spencer Warren
Groomsman
The man married my sister and became the brother I never had. He is the father to my 3 nephews and always down for a proper guys night out!
Maria Warren
Bridesmaid
Maria is sister to the groom, and has only known Melissa a short time. Melissa loves her two brothers very much, but she is overjoyed to be getting a sister!!!!
Joshua Haunty
Groomsman
Youngest brother to the bride, golf extraordinaire, and tech guru; for those in the know about me know that I too am a tech guru. So Josh and I bonded over that...that and the countless number of rides to the mechanic for his car are the reasons we bond so well!
Nicola Porto
Bridesmaid
Melissa first connected with Nicola in 2015 as their professional lives brought them to Upper House (UH), Melissa on staff at UH and Nicola on staff at Blackhawk Church (UH Church in Residence). They bonded quickly over shared loves of good coffee and musical theater. Nicola met Peter at a New Year’s Eve party at the Haunty’s and thought that Peter just might be that man! She has been honored to walk alongside Mel as she’s fallen in love and has witnessed their union become solidified last September. Unfortunately Nicola will be unable to attend the Happily Ever After Party on November 6th, 2021. Fun Fact: Nicola (with Melissa) is part of the self-dubbed friendship trio "the 12s", because they each were born on the 12th day on their birth months.
Alexander Haunty
Groomsman
Eldest brother to Melissa, I came to know Alex through Chi Alpha of all places. We have always had a blast together over the years but it was not until I came to work for Alex and his family that I met his sister.
Kayla March
Bridesmaid
In Melissa's 6 years working for Upperhouse, she met Kayla over the course of numerous events which Melissa hosted and Kayla attended. Kayla is married to her husband Jeremy and they recently welcomed their daughter Roen into the world! Kayla and Jeremy attended Melissa's actual wedding back in September 2020 but unfortunately they are unable to support Melissa in person at The Carriage House but will be with her in spirit on November 6th, 2021. Fun Fact: Kayla joins Nicola and Melissa as part of their social trio which they have dubbed "The 12s" because they each were born on the 12th day of their birth month.
Todd Green
Best Man
All of those late nights playing video games, watching movies, talking life together, and getting dunked on basketball :) Unfortunately due to the nature of Todd's employment, he is only allowed travel/vacation in the case of an emergency - so he is unable to attend the Happily Ever After Party on November 6th, 2021.
Emma McKenzie
Bridesmaid
Emma and Melissa's paths first crossed while Melissa was a student at Bethel University in Minnesota. They then reconnected in Redding, California where they were both enrolled in the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). Melissa came after she graduated from Bethel University, while Emma journeyed all the way from the beautiful shores of Australia. They became best friends and the rest, as "they" say, is history.