Wedding PartyWedding Party
P.K. AjuP.K. Aju
Father of the Groom
Jilu AjuJilu Aju
Mother of the Groom
Siby JacobSiby Jacob
Father of the Bride
Tessy SibyTessy Siby
Mother of the Bride
Melby AbrahamMelby Abraham
Matron of Honor
Melby Chechi has been my role model for as long as I can remember, someone I have always looked up to. Though I hate to admit it, when she decided to become a doctor, I followed in her footsteps and decided to do the same. Chechi has always been my older sister in every sense of the word, constantly supporting me through every stage of life. From helping with my middle school social studies presentation (when one of my friends thought she was my mom) to making sure I was fed during rotations by sneakily dropping off food at my apartment, she has always been there for me. Without Chechi, I can’t imagine accomplishing all that I have. As my parents like to say, Chechi is their first daughter, and to me, she is the sister who has kept me grounded, encouraged me endlessly, and helped me keep going.
Ruben SebastianRuben Sebastian
Best Man
Ruben is my brother-in-law, my best man, and one of the bravest men I know. I technically met him once before he married my younger sister Angel, and yet here we are. Proof that destiny works fast when it wants to. From day one, Ruben has been nothing but patient, kind, intelligent, and endlessly calm qualities that are impressive on their own, but truly heroic when paired with my sister. I genuinely salute him for that. Ruben is incredibly talented, whether it’s on the football field or when he opens his mouth to sing (seriously! the man can sing). Beyond all that, he has a quiet strength and warmth that makes everyone around him feel at ease. Over time, he’s become much more than a brother-in-law to me; he’s the brother I gained, and someone I trust completely by my side on this big day.
Jisha PhilipJisha Philip
Bridesmaid
When Jestin Chetta first brought Jisha Chechi home to meet the family, I was genuinely shocked that Chettan had found someone so wonderful, and even more shocked that she liked him back. As Jisha Chechi can confirm, I would regularly sneak up to her to remind her that it wasn’t too late to back out. Thankfully for everyone, she didn’t take my advice. Over time, Jisha Chechi has become another big sister to me, one filled with patience, kindness, and endless support. No matter what, I can always count on her to stand by me, encourage me, and believe in me, even when I doubt myself. She is a steadfast presence who shares in both the struggles and the joys of life, always pushing those around her to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Pengyao GongPengyao Gong
Groomsman
Pengyao is not just a friend, but also a colleague I shared my graduate school journey with in our lab. The very first time we spoke on Skype, he immediately told me, “I don’t understand your English, can you type it?” which still makes me laugh. When he arrived in the U.S., he brought with him an infectious, fun energy that instantly made grad school life more enjoyable. From long conversations about the never-ending world of Fluid Dynamics to conference trips and late nights unwinding, Pengyao was always a thoughtful and easygoing presence. Outside the lab, he introduced all of us to real Chinese food, from Sichuan dishes to dim sum, and made us collectively realize that Panda Express does not, in fact, count. Pengyao is intelligent, quietly funny, and someone whose friendship grew naturally through shared experiences. I truly can’t imagine my grad school life without him, and I’m grateful to have him standing by my side on this day.
Noemi ArroyosNoemi Arroyos
Bridesmaid
When I (lovingly) forced Noemi to study with me during the first unit of medical school, neither of us knew just how co-dependent we were about to become. From late-night Google Meet study sessions to “studying” that somehow turned into café-hopping adventures, we became so inseparable that seeing one of us without the other was genuinely alarming to our friends. Noemi is the calm to my chaos and the voice of reason that usually stops me from doing something completely reckless. Whether she’s patiently enduring my balloon-filled decorating ideas, enabling my Gudetama obsession, or fueling my coffee addiction, she has always been my constant. Noemi is my rock, my study buddy for life, and someone I know I can always count on.
John Michael TubijeJohn Michael Tubije
Groomsman
Michael and I met in a way that still makes me laugh. He was a student in my PhD advisor’s early morning class, a class I rarely attended. When my advisor introduced him to me as someone interested in joining our lab, Michael was completely shocked when I told him I was also from that class, because he had never seen me there. From working together to inviting him over to hang out, play games, and share meals, Michael quickly became part of our close-knit group. Over time, he also introduced me to two things I didn’t know I needed in my life: good coffee and great perfumes, both of which he takes very seriously. Eventually, when Amey moved to Houston after graduating and starting his job, Michael became one of our roommates. What started as a professional introduction turned into a genuine friendship built on shared interests, laughter, and everyday life, and I’m grateful to have him standing with me on this big day.
Madelyn HarveyMadelyn Harvey
Bridesmaid
Maddy was the friend I was always so intrigued by, so smart, so calm, and so effortlessly capable that I couldn’t believe someone like her existed. As we grew closer, I think my craziness finally rubbed off on her, and now she’s my ultimate partner in crime, enabling my half-baked, last-minute schemes and diving headfirst into all the conspiracy theories I find. From our countless phone calls where I keep her updated on the latest animal taking over Instagram, to convincing her to make mango-themed desserts, to asking random medical questions I don’t even understand, Maddy has been there through it all. Maddy isn’t just a friend, she’s my confidante, my co-conspirator, and someone who makes every adventure (and every ridiculous idea) more fun.
Yatharth SinghalYatharth Singhal
Groomsman
Yatharth is proof that some of the best friendships start with a Facebook message and a lot of trust. Before coming to the U.S. for grad school, I reached out to him about being roommates, even though we had never met in person. From the very first conversation, we hit it off instantly over our shared love for movies, TV shows, football debates, and video games. When we finally met in the U.S., it felt like we’d already known each other for years. Yatharth is thoughtful, calm, and incredibly reliable, the kind of person who brings balance to any group. A die-hard Real Madrid fan, he somehow managed to teach me more about football than I ever planned to learn. Through COVID, countless gaming nights, and everyday life as roommates, he became much more than a friend. He became family, and I couldn’t imagine this day without him standing beside me.
Ann JohnyAnn Johny
Bridesmaid
When I first met Chachu in El Paso, I was so relieved to find someone who shared my obsession with K-dramas. Over time, she became like a younger sister to me, my go-to for laughs, support, and all things drama (the good kind!). Chachu is dedicated, persistent, and genuinely kind in a way that makes everyone around her better, and I’m lucky to be one of those people. She’s been there for me in so many ways: giving me endless K-drama recs (so many that I can barely keep up), showing up with snacks while I was buried in exam prep, and just being her amazing, caring self. Watching her grow over the past few years has been such a joy, and I can honestly say I couldn’t have asked for a better sister, and a more fun partner-in-crime for life’s adventures.
Ayush BharadwajAyush Bharadwaj
Groomsman
Ayush first came into my life as Yatharth’s friend, and during COVID, he became a familiar face in our home through countless LAN parties. What started as gaming quickly turned into a genuine friendship, especially after he got all of us hooked on Dota. Those long hours of playing together brought a lot of laughter and connection during an otherwise difficult time. When COVID hit soon after we all arrived in the U.S., Ayush was one of the people who helped make that period feel less isolating. From gaming late into the night to simply hanging out and sharing everyday moments, he became part of our routine. A passionate Manchester United fan, Ayush also pulled us into football watch sessions, and because of him, I learned far more about the sport than I ever expected. His loyalty, energy, and friendship mean a great deal to me, and I’m proud to have him standing by my side on this day.
Angela JohnyAngela Johny
Bridesmaid
Achu has been my partner in chaos and the adorable youngest sister I’ve always hoped for. Whether it’s making Tini’s mac and cheese or driving Chachu a little crazy, we’ve been a dedicated duo who keep each other accountable during late-night study sessions. From her loving Mort renditions expressing her affection for me to her Rasputin Just Dance Routine she learned after I dared her, Achu has kept me endlessly entertained. But the true highlight has been watching her grow. From graduating in the top ten at Loretto to thriving at UTEP and absolutely crushing her freshman year, Achu has been a joy to watch blossom into a beautiful, accomplished young woman. I’m so proud to be able to call her my youngest sister.
Dhanush Bhamitipadi SureshDhanush Bhamitipadi Suresh
Groomsman
Dhanush, or as I call him, my Macha, made one of the funniest first impressions of my grad school life. The first thing he said to me was, “Hey, I messaged you on Facebook while applying to grad school and you didn’t reply,” which still makes me laugh. This was on the very first day of class registration in the U.S., and from that moment on, we hit it off, taking many of the same courses and navigating grad school together. After my first semester in the master’s program, I moved into the PhD track, and Dhanush followed the same path soon after. He later joined my lab, and graduating with our doctorates together became one of the most meaningful milestones of our lives. Between conferences, short road trips with Tamil songs playing on repeat, and all the everyday moments in between, Dhanush has been a constant source of support and laughter. I genuinely can’t imagine that chapter of my life without him, and having him stand by my side as a groomsman means more to me than words can say.
Angel SanthoshAngel Santhosh
Bridesmaid
Angel has been my dance buddy forever, and one of my closest church friends since elementary school. From spending spring breaks perfecting our group routines, to lying in bed after headaches caused by too many bobby pins, to watching me suffer through genetics study sessions in college, Angel has seen me at my best and my worst. She has truly lived up to her name, always kind, endlessly encouraging, and a constant source of support. It has been such a blessing to watch her grow over the years, achieve her goals, and become the amazing person she is today. She has been with me through so much of my own growth as a person, and having her as a bridesmaid is another reminder of how lucky I am to have her in my life.
Amey BansodeAmey Bansode
Groomsman
Amey and I first bonded over PUBG, which quickly evolved into a mix of friendship, rivalry, and questionable late night decision making. From playing tournaments at UTD to actually winning together (yes, that really happened), gaming was where our brotherhood began. The funniest part is that back in Mumbai, we were barely five kilometers apart, went to neighboring colleges, and still somehow never met until we came all the way to the US for grad school. Known to me as Bansode Bhau, Amey was also one of my very first roommates, along with Yatharth, which means we survived shared spaces, COVID, and each other. He is a hardcore fitness enthusiast with energy levels that defy both logic and sugar intake. If you are around Amey long enough, you will end up being active whether you agreed to it or not. During COVID, Amey was one of the brothers who truly showed up, through endless gaming sessions, long conversations, and just being there when it mattered. His positivity, drive, and infectious energy made a tough time feel a lot lighter. I am lucky to call him a brother and even luckier to have him standing by my side on this big day.
Hima VadakekaraHima Vadakekara
Bridesmaid
Hima, or as I have her saved on my phone, “Himaglobin”, has been one of my closest friends since we were young. From being in the same grade at CCE and cramming for exams together, to surviving college (and putting up with me in calculus), and watching her ditch me in pre-med for the funnier path in computer science, Hima and I have truly been through it all. She has been my partner in dark humor, my co-conspirator in random shenanigans, and the only person who gets my bizarre tangents that make no sense to anyone else. I’ve loved watching her grow into the brilliant, funny, and kind person she is today, and sharing in all her victories and hilarious moments along the way has been a gift. Having Hima as a bridesmaid is a reminder of how lucky I am to have a friend who has been there through so much of life’s chaos and joy, and who will undoubtedly make this wedding just a little bit more fun!
Derick FernandezDerick Fernandez
Groomsman
I met Derick during a trip to Atlanta to visit one of my dad’s friends and celebrate Onam. As the eldest son in the house, he immediately welcomed me like family and somehow roped me into decorating for the Onam celebration, which turned out to be one of the most fun and memorable days I’ve had in the U.S. From the very start, being around Derick just felt easy and familiar. Derick has a way of making people feel at home. He showed my family and me around Atlanta, always looking out for us and making sure we felt comfortable wherever we went. He also single-handedly upgraded my Instagram from truly terrible to surprisingly decent by taking some genuinely great photos. More than anything, Derick has been an incredible big brother figure, always supportive, warm, and thoughtful. I’m grateful to have him by my side on this special day and even more grateful to have him in my life.
Angel Mary AjuAngel Mary Aju
Bridesmaid
Meeting Angel has truly been a blessing. She is funny, loving, and endlessly kindhearted, and the joy of being able to call her my sister from now on is something I will always treasure. Angel is not only talented and thoughtful, but also endlessly selfless, always giving of herself, whether it’s helping with wedding planning, cheering me on, or just being there with a listening ear and a laugh when I need it most. She has a way of making every moment brighter, and her humor, warmth, and generosity make her someone I am so lucky to have in my life. Angel has been a true gift, and I can’t wait to have her by my side on the big day and in all the memories leading up to it.
Aaron SibyAaron Siby
Groomsman
Aaron is someone who wins you over without even trying. He is genuinely kindhearted, quietly intelligent, and has an innocence and sincerity that make him impossible not to like. His smile and laugh are contagious in the best way, effortlessly pulling everyone around him into the moment and making even ordinary situations feel special. Somewhere along the way, Aaron also became my unexpected guide to Gen Alpha lingo. From introducing me to phrases like “67” to his classic move of saying “what,” pausing, and then following it up with “ever,” he somehow turns the simplest moments into shared laughter. It’s one of those little things that perfectly captures who he is, playful, lighthearted, and naturally joyful to be around. Beyond the humor, Aaron has a sharp mind and a thoughtful way of seeing the world. He’s respectful, warm, and deeply considerate, always approaching people with kindness and sincerity. Having him stand by my side on this day means a great deal to me, and I’m incredibly grateful to have him in my life and as one of my groomsmen.