Wedding Party
Marissa Young
Bride
Marissa was born in Manhattan, New York and grew up in Darien, Connecticut until she moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey with her parents. She now lives in Delaware with Kyle. Marissa is an opera singer and owns her own web design business, Marissa Young Works. She spends much of her time practicing yoga, writing music, and training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts. She frequently practices different types of mediation and enjoys going to the ballet or an art museum. Marissa is grateful for Kyle’s love and support of her. Her favorite thing about him is how kind he is to all living beings and the love they share of music. Marissa can’t wait to marry Kyle. He is her best friend and love of her life.
Kyle Linderman
Groom
Kyle is a scholarly-metalhead and brilliant electrical engineer. Kyle has been in bands such as Subterfuge, Depletion, and now, Asystole. He also plays the trombone and has a deep-love of classical music, which is one of the things that connected him with Marissa. Kyle earned his master's degree in electrical engineering from The University of Delaware under Dr. Dennis Prather. He now works for Sargent & Lundy and lives in Delaware with Marissa and their dog, Pepper. Kyle's favorite thing about Marissa is her resilience, strength, independent nature, and fierce loyalty to her loved ones. He looks forward to his future with Marissa and is grateful for her undying support and reciprocated love, effort, and time.
Dave Pilmenstein
Officiant
Dave has known Marissa and Kyle longer than they have known each other. Dave is the reason they met! Dave has been a loyal and true friend to Marissa and supported her through one of the most terrifying times of her life. Dave has also been there for almost every opera performance Marissa has ever been in, every insane memory Marissa has of her early 20's, every slav-squat, and in so many happy times. Dave has been a great friend to Kyle and supported Kyle in everything he's ever done. Dave and Kyle share so many passions. Dave graduated from Rutgers and has many successful work endeavors - including the successful Tom Malinowski campaign. Dave is just the person to officiate the ceremony between Marissa and Kyle because he has been the one cheering their love on the loudest.
Mariel DiDato
Zoom Moderator
Mariel is an incredible political activist and voice for people who need to be heard. Mariel is the girlfriend of the officiant and friend of Marissa and Kyle. Marissa and Kyle are so grateful to have Mariel in their ceremony. She is so supportive and lights up any room she enters.
Shannon Ward
Maid of Honor
Shannon and Marissa met when Marissa moved in with Kyle in Delaware at a party at Tori and Andy's through her boyfriend, Jimmy (Tori, Andy, and Jimmy are also in the wedding party). Shannon and Marissa instantly hit it off with their similar values, beliefs, and healthy habits. The two have watched each other grow and celebrated every small step towards amazing things. Support, honesty, and accountability are the three biggest pieces of Marissa and Shannon's friendship. Marissa's favorite memory of Shannon is their Baltimore-trip to see Amigo The Devil, Twin Temple, and King Dude. Shannon graduated University of Delaware with a degree in women & gender studies. Shannon has helped with the wedding so much and has far-exceeded any expectations Marissa could've ever fathomed.
Nathan Wolf
Best Man
Nate met Kyle in the Physics Club at Rowan University during Kyle's undergraduate degree. They hit it off immediately with their shared taste in metal and love for physics. Nate is an incredibly loving, loyal, and supportive friend to Kyle. He radiates good-intentions and good-nature. He is a hard-worker and accomplished power-lifter. He is the type of person you WANT to have car-troubles around. Not just because he is helpful and a good person, but also because he is a car-genius-prodigy. Kyle is so grateful for his fun memories with Nate and all the times Nate showed up for Kyle's life and was present for their friendship.
Kristen Linderman
Bridesmaid
Kristen is Kyle's sister, confidante, and best friend. She is a successful biologist and brilliant, hard-working, strong, loyal, and compassionate human being. Kyle is eternally grateful for Kristen's love, support, and guidance. He looks up to her as one of his greatest role models and examples for morality and work ethic. Kristen is also the sister-in-law Marissa never imagined to be humanly possible. Kristen has been a phenomenal influence and friend to Marissa. From a young age, Kristen always demonstrated her strength, resilience, loyalty to those she loves, and compassionate-nature. Kyle is so grateful to have Kristen as a sister and does not know what he would do without her. Marissa is grateful to be able to call Kristen family and to have Kristen as a light in her life.
Brett Jacobs
Groomsman
Brett is Kyle's brother-in-law and an amazing one at that! Brett is a hard-working smart, kind, successful, and humble human being. He has been so good to Kyle since they met and has been a great support to both Kyle and Marissa. Brett radiates kindness and a helpful-nature. Kyle and Marissa are so grateful to have Brett and his amazing family in their lives. They are grateful for all the memories they have had with Brett and Kristen and look forward to making more. Brett and Kristen are true role models for what a healthy marriage looks like in 2020. Marissa and Kyle cannot imagine life without Brett and Kristen.
Annie Helmer
Bridesmaid
Annie and Marissa met at.... summer camp. Yes, summer camp. They have shared tears and laughs together. Annie and Marissa have supported each other through it all - the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. Annie is a wonderful nurse and now lives in Chicago, Illinois. Annie exudes empathy and compassion and is a loyal friend. Annie and Marissa have done photo shoots together, met Congressman Tom Malinowski together, and healed from life together. Marissa is grateful for Annie's friendship, compassion, and loyalty. Annie helped Marissa through one of the lowest points in Marissa's life and Marissa will never forget that. These two will be cackling like witches together forever.
Anna Tweten
Bridesmaid
Anna Tweten is a beautiful, strong, powerful, brave, loving, witty, and smart woman. She has been a great friend to Marissa and they have cheered each other on through thick and thin. They have enjoyed wonderful times in their beautiful friendship and they have worked through hardships together. Anna and Marissa met during a performance they did together with Opera Forza of Madame Butterfly and the rest is history. Anna is a Vassar-graduate and is currently kicking butt at her job as a Consultant at ERM: Environmental Resources Management. Marissa is so grateful for Anna's friendship - and their shared love of Jane Austen.
Jimmy Durkin
Groomsman
Jimmy Durkin graduated The University of Delaware in Civil Engineering. He works now works for Zurich and his favorite band is Ween. Jimmy is a loyal and compassionate friend to Kyle and Marissa and they met through Tori and Andy, who are also in the wedding party. Jimmy and his girlfriend Shannon (Marissa's Maid of Honor) have been amazing friends and have shared so many great memories with Marissa and Kyle. Jimmy has also helped with caring for Pepper so much and Marissa and Kyle are so grateful for that. Jimmy is a truly unique and amazing man it doesn't take long for his genuinely good-nature to show.
Leslie Olivares
Bridesperson
Leslie has been such a big part of Marissa and Kyle's lives. Leslie is a wonderful friend and also Emma's partner! Leslie has a brave and kind spirit and is a Navy Veteran. Leslie, Emma, and their adorable Pitbulls, Boomer and Dobby, have been such happy parts of life for Marissa and Kyle. Emma and Leslie (and Boomer and Dobby) were the first friends Marissa made in Delaware and Marissa is so grateful for her friendship with them. Double-date nights forever!
Emma Stell
Bridesmaid
Emma graduated the University of Delaware with a degree in Environmental Science and is now earning her Masters Degree. Emma and her partner, Leslie, have been such amazing friends to Marissa and Kyle. Their pitbulls, Boomer and Dobby, have become a part of Kyle and Marissa's lives, too. Marissa and Kyle hope that Boomer and Dobby will meet Pepper soon. Emma has been a loyal friend and extremely helpful friend, too. Emma has gotten Marissa through some stressful situations and been so supportive of Marissa's wellness and happiness. Emma and Marissa laugh a lot and Marissa is grateful to have Emma in her life.
Ben Mazur
Groomsman
Ben is a brilliant engineer and loyal friend. He is so talented and creative and fun to be around. He has been a huge support to Kyle in Kyle's graduate program. Ben graduated the University of Delaware with a degree n Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He now works as a research assistant at The University of Delaware and enjoys weekends with Kyle, Marissa, Tori, Andy, Shannon, and Jimmy. Ben is great person and it isn't hard to see his big heart and kind spirit. Kyle is so grateful to have Ben as a friend and for all their good memories.
Victoria Carey
Groomswoman
Victoria Carey - aka Tori - met Kyle when he started his graduate program at The University of Delaware under Dr. Dennis Prather. Tori was so welcoming of Kyle and so supportive of his journey to his masters degree. Shortly after meeting, Marissa and Tori hit it off and Marissa is so grateful to have Tori in her life as a friend. Tori is currently inches away from her PhD in electrical engineering and everyone is cheering her on. Tori is a kind and loyal friend and does NOT stand for cruel behavior or mean people. Tori stands up for her friends and anyone who needs her support. She is one of the kindest and most genuine people alive. Tori, Marissa, and Kyle also share a love for metal. Marissa and Tori bonded over their love for Of Mice & Men. Tori is the best!
Dr. Andy Mercante
Groomsman
Dr. Andy Mercante earned his PhD from The University of Delaware under Dr. Dennis Prather and everyone is so proud of him. Andy is hysterically funny and extremely loyal. Andy is accepting of anyone who is kind and genuine. Andy lives with his girlfriend, Tori (also in the bridal party), in Newark, Delaware. They frequently hang out with Marissa, Kyle, Shannon, Jimmy, and Ben. From karaoke to arcades to pizza parties, they have had so many laughs and good times. Andy has also been supportive of Kyle's masters degree journey and has been a huge help to Kyle's graduation. Marissa and Kyle are grateful for Andy.
Dominique StLaurent
Bridesmaid
Dominique and Marissa go years back to their teens. They have been through thick and thin, up's and down's, good and bad. They have laughed and cried together and enjoyed their shared love of nostalgic metalcore together. Domi is a hair stylist makeup artist, and professional equestrian with a love for tattoos, music, and spending time with friends. Whiskey Tango Forever.
Alex Gulbin
Bridesman
Alex has been a loyal and compassionate friend to Marissa. He has stood by her through good times and bad times. Alex has helped Marissa through difficult times and been there for the most fun and exciting memories she has. Alex has also been a great friend to Kyle and is so proud of Kyle and Marissa for everything they have done. Alex is hysterical and kind and Marissa and Kyle are so happy to have him in their wedding party.
Marie Young
Mother of the Bride
Marie Young is Marissa's Mother and confidante. Marie holds a degree from NYU and is an incredibly successful and hard-working real estate agent. Marie grew up in Brooklyn, New York and has made Marissa proud of her Polish roots. Marie, Bill, and Marissa lived in Darien, Connecticut until they moved to Basking Ridge, New Jersey when Marissa was in fifth grade. Marie is an unconditionally loving and extremely supportive Mother and loyal and devoted wife to Bill Young, Marissa's Father. Marie always manages to find the silver-lining in every situation and has been incredibly supportive of Marissa's growth as a person. Marissa is so grateful to Have a wonderful relationship with her Mom and is grateful for all her Mom has done for her. Marie is thrilled to welcome Kyle to the family.
William Young
Father of the Bride
Bill Young met Marissa's Mom on the subway on the way to the original World Trade Center. Marissa is close with her Father and is so grateful for all he has done for her. Bill has a graduate degree from Fordham University and has a very successful career. Marissa's Father is entrepreneurial with a disciplined work-ethic, yet he is very loving and compassionate. Marissa looks back on sharing wonderful memories with her Dad at Getner Barn and Chester Riding Club. They share a love of horses, classical music, history, and literature. Marissa remembers how her Dad was always there for her during her toughest moments and is so grateful for his unconditional love and support. Bill is thrilled to have Kyle in the family.
Denise Linderman
Mother of the Groom
Denise Linderman is Kyle's Mom and one of his biggest role models. Kyle is so grateful for all his Mom has done for him and continues to do for him. Kyle loves the videos and photos his mom captured throughout his entire life and looks back on them fondly. Kyle has learned from his Mom's strength and compassion on how to be a good person. Denise is a middle-school teacher and that comes as no surprise because of her patience, open-mind, and nurturing-nature. Kyle looks up to his Mom for her wisdom and perspective. The two also share a musical connection and enjoy discussing music and sharing song recommendations. Kyle is grateful for his big family and his Mom's love and support. Denise and Chuck have welcomed Marissa into their big, happy family in the most beautiful way imaginable.
Chuck Linderman
Father of the Groom
Chuck Linderman, a Navy Veteran, is Kyle's Dad and a role model to Kyle. Chuck has done so much for Kyle and Kyle cannot even begin to express his gratitude for all his Dad has done and the pride he has to be his Father's son. Chuck is a devoted and loyal Father and a compassionate man. He is as strong and brave as he is kind. Kyle looks back on how supportive his Dad has always been and is so happy and grateful to have a close relationship with his Dad. Chuck works in the engineering department of Rowan University and touches the lives of countless students daily. Kyle enjoys talking with his Dad - from politics to science to life. Kyle is grateful to have open and honest communication with his Dad and is so happy that his family has welcomed Marissa with open arms.