Michelle & Zachary
Wedding Crew
Meital Haas
Matron of Honor
Meital is Michelle's best friend from the University of Michigan, meeting in the halls of their dorm over a decade ago. Their friendship was solidified through 4 years of living together and many late night study sessions, where Michelle would distract them both with questions like "What is the meaning of friendship?" Since then, they have traveled the world together - most recently to Budapest and Vienna with Jen. Meital is the most loyal and thoughtful friend - always up for marathon phone calls, cross country flights, deep conversations about life and a good dance party. She's a badass boss, amazing travel buddy, and will get the whole room going with her contagious laugh!
Alex Mutual
Best Man
No Bond is Stronger Than Blood Through hell and high water, Alex has been at Zack’s side since the day he was born. Whether it was Robin to Zack’s Batman or Woody to Zack’s Buzz, Alex has always been the greatest little brother anyone could ever ask for. Alex is not only a pillar of strength in Zack’s life, but also to the many friends and family that both him and Zack share. Alex’s humorous and genuine personality has been a true source of happiness for Zack, often making the dark days seem a little brighter. The two have remained close over the years and currently live 30 minutes from each other in Tennessee with the expectation of ensuring their future families stay just as close.
Alisha Moniz
Matron of Honor
Always confused as twins growing up, Alisha is Michelle's cousin and stand-in sister. They grew up taking frequent family trips between Detroit and Toronto for holidays, birthdays, summer vacations and impromptu weekends. Their bond has been solidified over the years through late night movie binges, over-the-top makeovers and designing their dream homes. Alisha is the best sister Michelle could have asked for and she has loved seeing Alisha become a wonderful mother to Mia and Ana!
Dan Drogosh
Groomsman
Mick & Keith - Page & Plant – Waylon & Willie - Zack & Dan It would be to hard to imagine one without the other. After watching an eighth grade Elvis Impersonation contest in which Zack played “Johnny B Goode” on guitar, Dan soon picked up an electric for himself and the rest was history. A musical journey and friendship that began in Kalamazoo, has since moved south to the Mississippi Delta, Memphis and now Nashville TN. Dan is Zack’s closest confidant and both still share the same love for Rock N Roll and the desire to sell out stadiums as they did when they were 14. Through the many ups and downs the two have faced over the years, Dan has always been there for Zack grounding his wild ideas, mood swings and guitar solos. Dan’s loyalty as a friend is unrivaled and for this, Zack is forever in debt.
Sita Syal
Bridesmaid
Michelle's friend from the University of Michigan, Sita and Michelle were inseparable thanks to Chemical Engineering, BLUElab, and visits to Charley's. They have been fortunate enough to travel the world together, including Alaska, Guatemala and hiking the Inca Trail. Her love of culture, respecting differences, zest for life and authenticity is what Michelle loves most about Sita! Sita has recently completed her PhD at Stanford and is moving back to Michigan as a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department! Sita's excitement for life and passion for what she does is unmatched!
Tyler Tankersley
Groomsman
A Friendship of Legends For roughly 25 Years, Tyler and Zack have built a friendship of the rarest of forms. Outlasting grade school, high school, college, canoe trips, hockey teams, and countless nights they may not remember, their relationship has stood the test of time and shows no indication of slowing down. The bond they shared was and still is the foundation of “The Crew” and the backbone for which all other bonds between crew members were built. Tyler’s levelheaded personality and ability to identify the truth in any situation has always grounded the relationship between him and Zack. There are few settings where Tyler does not command true respect from his family or friends. This quality being one that Zack respects in the utmost regard.
Jen Amlani
Bridesmaid
Jen and Michelle met at the University of Michigan, where their circles quickly overlapped freshman year in multiple ways - they were destined to be friends! Through church, engineering classes, Tri-house parties and dancing at Rick's, Jen and Michelle were attached at the hip throughout school. Since then, they've shared endless long-distance phone calls as they chase each other living across the country. Jen's kind heart, ability to see good in people and relentless pursue for what she believes in is inspirational and are qualities Michelle admires the most.
Matt Ticknor
Groomsman
The Comedic Relief in a Duo of Outcasts In middle school, Matt Ticknor became the third bond in the unbreakable friendship of Tyler & Zack. Matt’s humorous and outgoing personality brought true dynamic to the alliance and the three soon became inseparable. To this day, Matt has continued to perfect the ability to make any group of people comfortable in any social situation and his loyalty to his friends and family knows no bounds. After being introduced to “The Crew” for the first time, it was Matt that truly made Michelle feel welcomed and accepted, and for that, he will always be one of her favorites.
Melanie Faibish
Bridesmaid
Mel and Michelle met at the University of Michigan freshman year, initially brought closer through Theta Tau they ended up living together for all 4 years of school. "Melon" can always be counted on for a witty joke, 'Friends' reference or review on the newest TV show. Michelle most appreciates Mel's sense of humor, easy-going nature and her ability to make friends with virtually anyone she meets! Michelle is so excited that Melanie will be living in Atlanta (driving distance!) and is already planning many weekend trips between the two cities!
Tyler Ankney
Groomsman
The Older Brother Zack Never Had It can be difficult being an older brother at times. Many of the paths you take growing up in life are unfamiliar if there was not role model to follow. Fortunately enough, Zack has always had someone to look up to in life, that person being Tyler. After meeting during their junior and sophomore years respectively, on the Kalamazoo Eagles hockey team, Tyler and Zack quickly became friends. As their friendship continued throughout their remaining years in high school, Tyler eventually was accepted into the University of Michigan. Following his lead just like he did on the Kalamazoo Eagles, the following year Zack would also attend University of Michigan and reunite with Tyler. House parties, football games, and intermural broomball hockey games would consume their days at Michigan as they rarely spent a weekend apart. Over time, their individual competitiveness has also kept them extremely close. As teenagers, they used to race each other home from hockey practice at 2 AM and now as middle-aged men, they maintain the competitive edge through a rousing game of Catan.
Jillian VandePutte
Bridesmaid
Jill and Michelle initially met at the University of Michigan when Michelle joined Theta Tau and Jill was designated as Michelle's "big". Years later, they were joined at the hip after Jill moved to Nashville. Jill-isms are easily adopted by Michelle (and now Zack) and when the party pants are on, the two can be found together at various concerts, volleyball games and running around Broadway on a Wednesday night! Jill has the uncanny ability to turn strangers into friends and Michelle always appreciates her contagious ability to have a great time! Given her role in bringing Michelle and Zack together, Jill might be better known as "The Matchmaker"!
Evan Mayo
Groomsman
Little Brother #2 After being blessed with the greatest younger brother in life, the last thing Zack expected was another little brother. But then it happened… Evan Mayo entered the Mutual Live universe as a package deal with his friend Joe Maliszewski. Initially joining the band as 17 year senior in high school, both Dan and Zack were skeptical that he would even be old enough to play music in the bars that they were scheduling shows. However, his talent said otherwise as he could hit the drums harder than John Bonham in his early years. For the next 4 years, Evan would fly beneath the radar under Zack’s wing sneaking into shows and making occasional trips down to the Mississippi Delta where they would drink and listen to the blues together in the old juke joints that time forgot. When Evan finally turned 21, the little brother phase began to fade away and soon Zack found himself feeling like a proud father watching his son grow up. To this day, Zack looks forward to Evan’s future growth as a musician, producer and friend.
Ruksi Gregory
Bridesmaid
Ruksi and Michelle met when they were working together for General Mills in Boston. Ruksi was such a wonderful co-worker and even better friend - always challenging Michelle to think outside the box. They could often be found together cheering on Michigan, eating oysters on weekend trips to Maine and trying out the countless new breweries in Boston. Ruksi's ability to relate to those around her, stand up for what she believes in and turn groups of strangers into friends is what Michelle admires most about Ruksi. Ruksi is a recent HBS grad and bad ass manager working for athenahealth! Michelle has loved seeing Ruksi become a Mom to Meera and Rohan!!
Joseph Maliszewski
Groomsman
Big Country and The Double Neck When Zack & Dan first moved south to Jackson, TN, they soon realized that their two-piece acoustic band would not sustain itself on the larger stages they had dreamed of playing. During this time period, roughly 5-6 different bass players and drummers would fill the roles of the early Mutual Live lineup, but none would last. That was until they met Joe “Big Country” Maliszewski. At first, Joe’s intention was to join the band part time in an attempt to get additional experience playing live shows. However, after months of bonding time with Zack, it soon became evident he had a lot more in common than originally expected. Conversations on life, psychology, exercise and their core values soon replaced the conversations around music. Fast forward 7 years, and the two are still writing and recording music together with no plans of slowing down. It is Zack’s goal to have Joseph become the quintessential double neck guitar hero, replacing Jimmy Page as the current champion.
Kevin Fernandes
Brides Guy & Lector
Kevin is the middle kid of the Fernandes crew, first meeting Michelle when she was 2 years and 363 days old. They shared birthday parties and their love of Michigan sports growing up, and often fought over who got to be Luigi during Mario Kart Wii racing. Kevin is thoughtful, loyal, honest, and always setting Michelle straight with truthful advice. Michelle especially appreciates his unrivaled brotherly love - he would drop anything for his favorite sibs! He's currently working on his Engineering Master's Degree while also working full time at Ford - we cannot wait to see the great things he achieves!
Mia & Ana Moniz
Flower Girls
Mia and Ana are Alisha and Wayne's wonderful girls filled with personality and smiles on Facetime. Michelle is the proud Godmother to Mia!
Ryan Fernandes
Brides Guy & Lector
Ryan is the "baby" in the Fernandes family, currently living in the heart of the Windy City. Growing up, Ryan and Michelle were like two peas in a pod, sharing many common interests like soccer and drumline. Michelle admires Ryan’s drive and dedication to give his best in everything he does. He can be counted on for sports knowledge of any kind, a double shot of whiskey, and sound financial advice - Michelle and Zack are convinced he will be the next Warren Buffett!
Jackson da Costa
Ring Bearer
Jackson is Samir and Sarah's son, as well as the newest cute addition to the da Costa cousins! He is currently working on taking his first steps so he can carry the rings down the aisle!