Wedding Party
Raya Sall
Maid of Honor
Marissa and her cousin Raya’s friendship kicked off the moment Marissa was born- talk about lifelong besties! From planning matching outfits in grade school to summer sleepovers, they’ve always been inseparable. When college rolled around, they took on Michigan State together, sharing a dorm, eating every dinner together in the dining hall, and laughing so hard at night that falling asleep felt like a challenge. While they may live many states apart now, FaceTime keeps the daily catch-ups going strong!
Ben Rudin
Best Man
Ben, my brother and best man, has been my closest friend since I can remember. We connected especially over baseball, video games, and nowadays still the same main topics plus Bitcoin too. I have always looked up to him as a role model. Being part of his wedding last year was great, and I am excited to have him as my best man for mine.
Sage Roperti
Bridesmaid
Marissa and her cousin Sage being BFFs was destined from the start- they were even supposed to be born on the same day! (Sage couldn’t wait and showed up five days earlier.) From acting out entire movies in the basement while they were supposed to be cleaning up, to marathon Lemonhead snacking and laughing until they cried over My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, these two have built a lifetime of hilarious memories. Their endless inside jokes mean there’s never a dull moment when they’re together!
Cody Wilson
Groomsman
Cody has been a great brother-in-law to me, always being there for me or really anyone when help is needed. Since he started dating my sister, I have seen Cody mature into a great man, husband, and father, which has been a great role model to watch. Cody can make any situation he is in better by his ability to talk to anyone and keep things light and humorous. His presence will definitely be a positive to the wedding day.
Jenna Shurtleff
Bridesmaid
Jenna and Marissa’s friendship goes all the way back to preschool, when their moms met and set the stage for them to be life-long best friends! Their childhood was filled with creativity, from crafting gourmet leaf tacos on the playground to hunting for bugs in Jenna’s backyard. Countless hours were spent solving mysteries in Nancy Drew computer games and orchestrating drama in The Sims. And let’s not forget their daily high school bus rides, which were basically mini comedy shows. There’s no limit to the adventures these two have shared, and there will be many more to come!
Aaron Turner
Groomsman
Aaron has been my very close friend since we met at church as kids. His unwavering support through the years has made him the best friend I could ever ask for. We share a love for baseball and at times the same odd sense of humor, which always keeps things lively. I am deeply grateful for our enduring friendship and thrilled to have Aaron standing with me on my wedding day.
Julia Woods
Bridesmaid
Julia and Marissa have been BFFs since forever- literally! Growing up as "4 doors down" neighbors, they spent nearly every day together, especially during those endless childhood summers. Whether it was racing down the street to see if the other could come out and play, their Sunday morning breakfasts at Lil’ Chef after church, or weekends at Julia’s family home on Lake Michigan, these two experienced the best parts of childhood together. They’ve even survived quite a few trips to Hell together (Hell, Michigan, that is)! Distance and time zones might separate them now, but Marissa and “JuJu” are proof that some friendships are built to last a lifetime.
Nick Shea
Groomsman
Nick entered my life in an interesting way- when an old man pushed me at the gym where he worked when I was 15. Since then, he has become like a brother to me and someone that I can always count on to be there for me. Our similar urge to seek adventure and fun has created lots of great stories and memories. I am so glad that Nick is going to be a part of my wedding.
Kathryn Peterson
Bridesmaid
Kathryn- better known to Marissa as Kt- first became friends with Marissa when they sat at the same lunch table in sophomore year of high school, thanks to some mutual friends. But from the start, it felt like they’d known each other forever. Their friendship quickly turned into countless sleepovers at Kt’s mom’s condo, binge-watching H2O and staying up way too late. Summers were spent soaking up the sun at the lake, snapping pictures, and taking drives just for the fun of it. No matter where life has taken them since, the adventures (and the laughs) are never-ending!
Isaac Lazos
Groomsman
Isaac quickly became my close friend when we met at trade school. We bonded over being able to keep things light at school and having fun. Our similar careers now makes for great bonding and conversations. Isaac’s ability to bring fun to any moment, with a quick joke or playful antics, makes him a perfect addition to our wedding day.