Janessa & Christian
Our Wedding Party
Jillian Endaya
Maid of Honor
Jill is Janessa’s one and only *younger* sister. Their relationship is built off of a lifetime of inside jokes and memories together from not only growing up in the same home, but also the same BEDROOM! Jill is a chemistry teacher at Liberty High School and Janessa THOROUGHLY enjoys spending time up in Liberty, specifically running errands with Jill where they often get stopped by students saying HI MS. ENDAYA!!! There ain’t no party like a bridal party and a party ain’t a party without Jill 🤗 Christian and Janessa are ecstatic to have a celebrity like Ms. Endaya/Jill as their Maid of Honor.
Bankole Adenrele
Best Man
Bankole and Christian have been friends since they met all those years ago at North Central High School. Jackson Brunner (also a groomsman) went up to Bankole and said "Are those Michigan shoes?" and invited Bankole to hangout with the friend group. From then on, Bankole has been a friend that Christian calls weekly to discuss events of the day and talk about their love of sports, friends, and life in general. Bankole is a true friend and Christian and Janessa cannot wait to have him up there on their big day as Best Man!
Jessamine Daley
Matron of Honor
Jessamine is Janessa’s older sister and middle child companion. In addition to their special bond as middle children + both being born on the best month of the year (October), they share a connection as the two out of the 4Js who followed in their Mom’s footsteps and became nurses. Jessamine has the biggest heart and a very special way of taking care of others and putting them before herself. September 2020, Jessamine got married and Janessa had the pleasure of standing by her side as Maid of Honor. Christian and Janessa couldn’t be happier having Jessamine be part of their big day as Matron of Honor.
Jackson Brunner
Groomsman
Action Jackson... Christian’s oldest friend. Jackson and Christian have been best friends for over 15 years and it all started when discussing the Spongebob Squarepants camping episode in summer gym before Freshman year of High School. Jackson was Christian's first true friend and has been a part of his life from that first meeting. From Purdue football games and tailgates, to nights out, and new adventures…Jackson is a friend who this big day could not be without!
Jessica Endaya Keefer
Matron of Honor
Jessica is Janessa’s oldest sister. Though they often get mistaken as twins, Janessa is VERY quick to point out Jessica is 4 years older 😉 Their relationship is unique in a sense that their conversations can jump from serious life dilemmas to VERY thorough debriefing of their favorite TV shows. Jessica is the epitome of what the oldest child is/should be—responsible, organized, and offers guidance and love unconditionally. Unbeknownst to Janessa, Jessica was the first one to know that Christian bought a ring and wanted to propose! Needless to say, Christian and Janessa’s big day wouldn’t be complete without Jessica as Matron of Honor.
Tyler Briggs
Groomsman
Tyler Briggs...Who would have thought that "sharing" the same Prom date would lead to a life-long friendship. From fun times at Purdue Football, being roommates, and eventually both finding the women of their dreams around the same-ish time. Tyler has always been someone who will randomly text to make sure that you are doing alright and joke around to keep everyone happy and have a good time. This wedding could not happen without his fun and warm spirit.
Terri Jo Eggert
Bridesmaid
Janessa didn’t know when she signed up for her Human Anatomy class for the Spring 2009 semester she’d meet one of her best friends/important people in her life today. From adventures at PNL, to Royals games, birthdays, travels, impromptu hangouts/sleepovers/errands and even working together at Build-a-Bear Workshop, so many of Janessa’s favorite memories from the past decade + a couple of years have Terri Jo in them. She is kind, sweet, thoughtful, and has tolerated Janessa’s shenanigans more than anyone could ever imagine 🤪 Janessa is so happy to have her as a Bridesmaid for the big day!
Brandon Lis
Groomsman
Brandon is one of Christian's oldest friends and partners in crime. From waiting in line to get Basketball season tickets, to watching Purdue play Notre Dame or watching college athletics, Brandon is always ready to go. Brandon is always at the ready for a good-time and new adventures. Christian and Janessa are so happy have him be part of their big day as Groomsman.
Sarah Ross
Bridesmaid
Sarah and Janessa met while completing their prerequisites for nursing school, specifically in Microbiology class. They bonded over gram stains and their love for Taylor Swift (the first convo they ever had was the day after Kanye interrupted TSwift at the VMAs in 2009 🙃) Not only did they attend Nursing School with one another, but they even carpooled to class and clinical together! From heartbreaks to happiness, Sarah has always been there for Janessa—whether it be bringing over a pint of Culver’s ice cream to cheer her up, or decorating her car/apartment door to celebrate the engagement. Janessa is lucky to have Sarah as one of her best friends and is so thrilled to have her as a Bridesmaid!
Ian Withey
Groomsman
Ian is Christian’s cousin and is just like a little brother to him. Ian lived with Grandma Connie (Donahue) during his high school years, which was great because Christian lived with his parents just 4 blocks away! It was so nice being so close. Ian has been by Christian’s side for many milestones including getting his drivers license, applying/getting accepted/choosing Purdue University (BOILER UP!), high school and college graduations… just to name a few. It’s only fitting to have his “little brother” be by his side for another monumental milestone—his wedding. Christian and Janessa can’t wait to have Cousin Ian be part of their special day as Groomsman.
Heather Pennington
Bridesmaid
Heather and Janessa met in Nursing School and though their friendship really grew most in their last and busiest semester, it has only gotten better and stronger since then. They both moved into their own apartments shortly after graduating nursing school and bonded over navigating the world as new baby nurses/young gals in their early 20s. From countless happy hours at PNL, lunch/dinner + shopping dates on the plaza, swapping crazy work stories, and everything in between—all the moments and memories they have shared mean the world to Janessa. Heather brings the sparkle with not only with her bubbly personality, but with her wardrobe/accessories as well 😍✨ Janessa couldn’t be happier to have Heather be part of the big day as her Bridesmaid.
Michael Thogmartin
Groomsman
Michael and Christian first met in 2017 during their time on the Cerner Adoption team. They developed a relationship and interest over the business world, sports, and business development. Though their relationship started as co-workers, it has really grown into more and Christian considers Michael a close friend of his. He knows he can always count on Michael to be there to offer him advice and guidance in not only the work world, but also in life overall. Christian and Janessa couldn’t be happier to have Michael be part of their big day as Groomsman.
Sharon Palmer
Bridesmaid
Sharon and Janessa met in the Summer of 2010 while working at Build-a-Bear Workshop (BABW). Janessa was actually working there when Sharon came in to pick up/drop off her application! BABW’s slogan at the time was “Where Best Friends Are Made” and this couldn’t be more true. Sharon is not only Janessa’s favorite person to do BEAR puns with, but also her go-to for any beauty/make-up consult. From dancing nights away at PNL, to Royals games, birthdays, sleepovers, traveling, karaoke nights, BABW girl Christmases and everything in between—Janessa knows she can always count on Sharon to be there for her, and can’t imagine the big day without her as Bridesmaid.
William & Kelly Gurera
Primary Sponsors/Ninong & Ninang
Kelly and Janessa met while working in the OR at Saint Luke’s East Hospital. Long story short, they clicked IMMEDIATELY. Both Kelly and William have been there for Janessa time and time again and it didn’t take Christian very long at all to see and understand why Janessa classifies them as #RelationshipGoals 🥰 In Filipino weddings, the Bride and Groom get to select a couple as their Primary Sponsors (also known as Ninong and Ninang, which in English, translates to Godfather and Godmother). The Primary Sponsors are a couple that the Bride and Groom respect and admire and whose wisdom and support they’d love to have as part of not only their wedding, but their whole marriage. Christian and Janessa are elated to have William and Kelly be part of their special day as their Primary Sponsors.
Kenny Keefer
Usher
Kenny is Janessa’s very first Brother-in-Law! Kenny has given Janessa so much love, guidance, and support through the years and especially most recently with Christian. He is the big brother Janessa and Christian have both always wanted and they’re so happy to have him be part of their big day as Usher.
Ben Daley
Usher
Ben is Janessa’s newest Brother-in-Law! His fun-loving attitude and great sense of humor have made him such an amazing addition to the tight-knit family, and Janessa loves having him as brother ☺️ Janessa and Christian are PUMPED to have Ben be part of the special day as Usher.
Evan Endaya Keefer
Ring Bearer
Evan is Janessa’s very first and *currently* only nephew 🥰 He has brought so much joy to the whole family and Janessa and Christian melt EVERY time he calls them by their nicknames “tatas” and “uncle cheese” His toddler energy and lovable smile will make everyone swoon when he walks down the aisle as their Ring Bearer.
Emmett Endaya Keefer
Flower Girl
Emmett is not only Janessa’s very first niece, but is also her one and only Goddaughter! It has brought Janessa and Christian so much happiness getting to watch Emmett grow. She will turn 2 the day before the wedding (April 29), and Janessa and Christian are so delighted to share such special dates so close together. There is no other little girl they can imagine as Flower Girl for their big day 🤍
Archie & Yollie Endaya
Father & Mother of the Bride
On October 22, 1989, Yollie gave birth to Janessa on Archie’s 35th birthday (Yes, Archie and Janessa have the same birthday 🥳) From that day forward, Janessa has been the VERY proud daughter of Archie and Yollie. Janessa is so grateful for the sacrifices they have made for her (and her sisters) and the ongoing love and support they have given her and continue to give her—it is what has made her into the woman she is today! Soon-to-be-Bride, but *always* their daughter ❤️
Renate & James Donahue
Mother & Father of the Groom
James and Renate welcomed Christian into their lives on a cold January night and as they tell Christian, it "changed their lives forever." They have been a guiding light and presence in Christian's life and have helped shape him to what he is today. As an only child, Christian has a very close and special relationship with his parents and he cannot thank them enough for all the love, help, and support they have given him through the years. Soon-to-be-Groom, but always their ‘pride & joy’ 😇