Wedding Party
Grace Risse
Bride
I am the BRIDE! I get the honor and privilege of getting to marry Mr. Josiah Welch! I love to spend time with friends and family, writing short stories, and adventuring in my spare time. The thing that I am looking forward to most is seeing Josiah's reaction as I walk down the aisle, and getting to marry the man that God specifically designed for me! I am also really looking forward to starting the life that I have always dreamed of with my best friend. I also wanted to personally thank everyone who has made this day possible! Now let's get married and celebrate!
Josiah Welch
Groom
I am the Groom! I am so excited to get to share this day with you as Grace and I become united forever. We have been looking forward to this day for a long time and are excited to see it all come together in God's perfect timing. I have been waiting to call Grace Mrs. Welch for the first time and getting to see her in her dress for longer than I want to admit! I'm so thankful I get to expereince our wedding among all of these wonderful people on our Bridal Party, with our Family gathered, and among good Friends!
Miranda Rausch
Maid of Honor
Miranda has been my best friend for years. Together we've endured early morning swim practices, late school nights, long car rides, and every other curveball that life threw at us. But throughout all of life's craziness we've always had each other for the ups and downs, no matter the distances. The best story that can sum up our relationship happened just over 2 years ago, after the very world that I knew was turned upside down. Miranda showed up at my front door at 3:00am with Cheesecake and all the time in the world. Miranda and I have shared a lot of big moments together so it's only fitting that Miranda stands as my Maid of Honor!!
Nate Griepentrog
Best Man
Nate and I have been friends since 8th grade track and field. From that point on we weren't just teammates or classmates. We became best friends who have gotten to share in some of the coolest moments together. For instance, my favorite memory with Nate is winning our 3rd State Cross Country Title our senior year. It wasn't the state champ title that makes this memory stick out but it is the way that Nate pushed me to be a better runner and person throughout the countless practices and races that he cheered and supported me throughout the years we've known each other. Nate is currently double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. He loves running freaky fast, math, sciences, and finding solutions to problems. With both of us being engineering majors we have always been able to relate to one another in some aspect because we think so similarly and I'm so excited to have him as my Co-Best Man for my wedding!
Maggie Risse
Bridesmaid
Maggie is one of my younger sisters. Maggie is driven in everything that she does. She is the most organized person you will ever meet, taking any mess and making it a Marie Kondo masterpiece. Maggie is also so very compassionate towards anyone that she meets. She loves to gift the ones she loves with hand painted signs of her own design. Maggie and I used to work together and almost every day we would stop and grab bakery, either a donut with sprinkles or a cinnamon muffin. It became our very own tradition. One of my favorite things to do with Maggie started during COVID, and that was to work out in the street. We would blast the music and do short workouts at each stop sign that we stopped at!! And anyone that drove by thought that we were crazy, but we didn't care :)
Josh Eben
Best Man
Josh and I go way back. We met when we were 12 years old in our Sunday school classroom. Since then we have been in cross country, track and field, percussion in band, and forensics. Throughout our years together Josh has always been there to enjoy life with me and just make me laugh. One of my best memories with Josh would be all of the concerts we had together where we definitely always behaved and did nothing when Mrs. Hussey wasn't looking. Josh goes to school at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester Massachusetts where he is majoring in Computer Engineering. He loves hanging out with his friends, music, computers, and creating stuff from scratch that hasn't been done before. Josh and I have always been able to connect since we share so many interests and I'm so excited to have him as my Co-Best Man for my wedding day!
Marcie Risse
Bridesmaid
Marcie is my youngest sister, however when we stand side by side you may see double. "Wow you two look a lot alike!" is a line that we hear a lot. Marcie has a heart of gold that is so easily seen by the way that she loves everyone that she comes in contact with. Her humor is quick and spot on all the time but never at the expense of someone. Marcie also has a faith like a child, it's so mature and strong for a woman her age! She is an inspiration. My favorite thing about Marcie is how she always says, "Goodnight Love You!" No matter where she is and no matter what had happened during the day.
Andrew Welch
Groomsman
Andrew is my older brother and has been my best friend/worst enemy since the day I was born. From sharing a bedroom when we were younger to taking ski trips out to Utah together, we have shared a lot of life together in the last 21 years. One of my favorite memories with Andrew was going to Tanzania together when we were 10 and 12. Getting to go and help people and go on our first safari together is an expereince I will never forget. Andrew loves the mountains, skiing, and all forms of power sports. He is a free-thinker who will take life by the horns and make it what he will. I'm so excited to be able to share my wedding day with my big brother and have him as my groomsman!
Gretchen Henry
Bridesmaid
Gretchen and I have known each other for a long time and have been friends ever since middle school. Gretchen got to see Josiah and I as friends, crushes, boyfriend and girlfriend, and now as an engaged couple. Which is something that I am so grateful for because it doesn't happen very often that you get to have a best friend be with you through so many stages in life. Some of my favorite things to do with Gretchen is to make unique dinners with whatever ingredients we have, taking photoshoots wherever we end up that day, and sitting for hours just talking in their silo. Anytime that we get together it is nonstop fun. Throughout the years our relationship has grown and matured just like we have.
Samuel Welch
Groomsman
Sam is my next brother in line which means we have shared a lot of life together. From having him swing off the bunk in the morning when we were little to wake me up to spending time together now that we are older, Sam has always been there. One of my favorite memories with Sam is chasing him through parts of the woods on our property playing airsoft together. It didn't really matter if we were on the same team or not it was just fun and exciting to do it together. Also there is something about shooting your brother with plastic bb's that brings you together. Sam has started a new job and is living his life to the fullest now that he is graduated. When he isn't working or hanging out with friends; he loves to fish, to play airsoft, and snowboard.
Julia Olsen
Bridesmaid
Julia and I haven't been friends for very long, but our friendship is one of faith, love, and sisterhood. From brushing our teeth in side-by-side sinks just exchanging small talk to sitting across from each other in Julia's room and talking into all hours of the night about everything and anything. When someone asks about our friendship I don't know how to respond because our friendship happened so quickly but was clearly designed by God and I wouldn't want it any other way! Julia is quiet but she's a silent leader who stands up for what she believes in and stands up for the people she cares about. However, once she is out of her shell, she is funny, and quick witted. My favorite thing to do with Julia is to do spontaneous walks to different places around campus or just in Milwaukee in general.
Matthew Welch
Groomsman
Matthew is my younger brother and is going to be graduated by the time we are married. He really loves hanging out with his friends and working out. He isn't quite my "little" brother anymore. Some of my favorite memories with Matthew were growing up together and just being able to teach him new things. One of my favorite memories or things that I have seen Matthew do is seeing him play football this past year. Even though I wasn't able to make it to every game I saw him play with strength, spirit, and love for the game. I even got to witness him score his first touch down, which as an older brother made me so proud. I love seeing how much he has grown up over the past few years and can't wait to see where he goes in the future.
Jordan Skyberg
Bridesmaid
Jordan and I met back in middle school while I was touring a small Catholic school, but we became good friends in high school just a couple of years later! Jordan and I were the only two girls in our friend group which made us get to know each other fast, especially when the boys would start to talk about math or engineering or just things that we didn't understand. We would just turn towards each other and laugh but then carry on with a conversation that we understood. One of my favorite memories with Jordan is when we went for ice cream and then took a night walk out to our local lighthouse and we spent time reminiscing about high school and just talking about the future. It was something that didn't cost much but it meant the world to both of us and created a memory that will last a lifetime.
Luke Risse
Groomsman
Luke is my younger and "better-looking" brother as he would say. Luke will get back in May from a nine-month mission trip that took him to a bunch of different places, where he shared his love for Jesus with the world. One of my favorite memories with Luke is when we were traveling the Mississippi River on a house boat. During this trip we had to learn so many different things like, how to anchor the boat once we got to shore, how to drive without hitting a large barge, and watch out for sandbars. Every time that we got to a new beach we would jump off the boat and go and explore the huge dunes or other parts of the beach. He loves to chase his adrenaline and wherever it might take him. Luke is also extremely gifted in creating beautiful hand-crafted wooden pieces whether it's a charcuterie board, coffee or dinner table, or even our beautiful unity cross.
Leona Moriarti
Bridesmaid
Leona and I are newer friends we only met last year, but it feels like the we've known each other our whole lives. Leona is the person that God knew that I needed, she is an answer to so many prayers. Leona is a dependable in so many ways and a force to be reckoned with if you mess with someone she loves. And She is so beyond thoughtful and makes sure everyone is taken care of no matter what. One of my favorite memories with Leona is the day that we spent doing simple things riding bikes, sitting in a sauna to warm up from the bike ride that was too cold to be on :), and drinking Truly's while watching chick flicks. It was a day that was needed for both of us, and it made our bond so strong.
Michael Keegan
Groomsman
Michael and I have known each other since Freshman year at MSOE. We ran on the Cross Country and Track teams down at school and later became roommates. Some of my favorite memories with Michael are hanging out in our dorm room with each other and the other guys playing board games and watching football (even though he cheers for the wrong team... the Bears). Michael is majoring in Civil Engineering at MSOE where he is a leader on the Cross Country and Track team. Michael enjoys sports, adventuring outside, running, and concrete. We have connected though our love of sports and running and I'm proud to call Michael one of my best friends and groomsmen for my wedding.
Hannah Welch
Bridesmaid
Hannah is my NEW sister. Hannah is Josiah's one and only sister. She has been considered my sister for a while but on 06/30/2023 it will be official!! Hannah is so athletically talented, that she will be tearing up the dance floor all night long :) Hannah is strong in a lot of different ways. One way is because she has grown up with 7 brothers which forced her to hold her own. And another way is because she is so motivated and driven in anything that she does, and it is clearly noticeable. My favorite memory with Hannah was going down to Josiah's track meet and having a mini photoshoot while waiting for the meet to start. Between the laughs, long and deep conversations, and family vacations there's never a dull moment!
Jake Risse
Groomsman
Jake is my oldest sibling. He can't be missed in a crowd he has crazy long blonde hair, so he is definitely a Risse. He then has this amazing red beard that somehow matches perfectly with the blonde hair. We have shared many memories together throughout the years. One of my favorite memories with Jake is when he coached my swim team my senior year. That year was filled with so many different memories that still make me smile and laugh today. However, Jake and Josiah have also been able to form a relationship over the years. They have shared in their love for running and competition, but also their love for Christ through leading mission trips and small group together.
Levi and Joshua Welch
Ushers
Levi and Josh are two of my younger brothers. Levi is going to be a new freshman and loves to play football, play in the woods, and ride fast machines. One of my favorite memories with Levi is riding snowmobiles this past winter. Josh is going into 6th grade and his favorite subject is math. He is following after me with loving to run cross country and will probably be faster than I ever was in no time. Josh also loves time at the lake, swimming, and boating. It is fun to watch them grow up and see what hobbies and sports spike their interests. And its amazing to watch them grow up and become young men following after the Lord.
Gabriel Welch
Ring Bearer
Gabe is my youngest brother, and he is truly one of a kind. From changing his diapers to racing around trails on bike and snowmobiles Gabe has always been a little bundle of mischief and joy. He is quick to tell you a joke that usually has a very contagious laugh that follows. Gabe is in 3rd grade and loves to do math. Along with doing math inside of school Gabe loves to create any type of art project out of whatever he finds around the house.