Jillian & Grant
Wedding Party
Chelsea Bellantuono
Matron of Honor
Jillian's big sister, wedding therapist, and everything in between. If there's one person Jillian can go to with anything, it's Chelsea. Jillian was definitely the annoying kid sister growing up, and Chelsea put up with a lot of Jillian's antics over the years like only a sister could. Thanks for dealing with me all these years, Chels!
Sam Pizzo
Best Man
Sam is Grant's Best Man, best friend, and older brother. They're only a year and a half apart in age, but lots of people think they're twins. (Grant says he's so much more handsome he just doesn't see it). On top of his Best Man duties, Sam doubles as Grant's tailor, third wheel, mentor, pastor, and closest confidant. Although they've had their share of fist fights over games of Mini Sticks and NCAA Football 2006, Grant couldn't ask for a better man to have by his side on one of the most important days of his life.
Erin Van Buskirk
Maid of Honor
Maid of Honor, roommate, bestie, fellow dog parent. Erin has a lot of roles in Jill's life and both Grant & Jill are lucky to have her! Who knew that you can find your Maid of Honor at Lollapalooza of all places?! They've come a long way from prioritizing festivals over anything else but you will definitely still catch them on the dance floor the entire night.
Jackson Pizzo
Groomsman
AKA Squav, Pavé, Bonzee, the Man of a Million Nicknames, Jackson is Grant's younger brother. Despite his age, Jack always managed to keep up with Grant & Sam, and was frequently involved in the mini stick fistfights. He even beat Sam up a couple times! Jackson recently followed in Grant's footsteps to dental school and will probably have better grades. Now, Jack is the tallest of them all with a personality just as big. They share a love for Dragon Ball Z, teeth, and family, which now includes Jill!
Genny Valek
Bridesmaid
Genny and Jillian go wayyyy back. However, their version of "way back" would be hating on each other from across the room during Dance Studies in high school. They've since traded in their dance shoes for heels (or sweats depending on the mood), upgraded their stage make-up to "forever indebted to Sephora" make-up, and enjoy anything that involves embarrassing the you-know-what-out of each other.
Joe Pizzo
Groomsman
Joe is Grant's closest cousin, in age and in friendship. As if they needed another participant, Joe was also frequently involved in the "mini stick fistfights" of the 2000s. Joe spent so much time with Grant's family they might as well be brothers. Unfortunately, he is the biggest Detroit Lions fan you'll ever meet, and also a huge Michigan fan like Grant; apparently they like being let down. Despite their poor taste in sports teams, Joe has been one of Grant's closest friends since birth.
Allison McSorley
Bridesmaid
Allison and Jill met during the grueling process that is sorority recruitment. Thank God for alphabetical organization! From ranking each sorority and pondering over each one as a unit, never separate, they were lucky enough to end up in the same sorority. Allison probably has one too many stories up her sleeve...
Matt Nielsen
Groomsman
AKA Big Niel, Matt has been a friend of Grant's since high school. Their friendship truly blossomed in college, after being roommates for 3 years. Through their years of following Michigan athletics all around the country together, through victory and (a lot of) defeat(s), Grant learned a lot about Matt. 1) He likes to party, 2) He likes exotic women, and 3) most importantly, he is fiercely loyal to those close to him and is a undoubtedly a great friend.
Kristen Cichocki
Bridesmaid
Distance doesn't mean a thing when it comes to family! Kristen and Jill may have spent pretty much their entire lives growing up nowhere near each other, but they're some pretty close cousins! Jill can always count on Kristen (especially to stay sane during the wedding planning madness). It's been a while since our last family wedding so Jill is SO excited to have Kristen by her side for this special day.
Bryan Tamburro
Groomsman
Bryan, AKA Smokin' Bry, is one of Grant's closest dental school friends. On any given night, you can find him sipping on a nice, tall glass of Fireball and Monster while powning noobs on DOTA. Bryan and Grant were roommates for 3 years during dental school, and there was rarely a dull moment. Although he didn't always do his dishes, and crushed Grant in Super Smash Bros. more than Grant would like to admit, Bryan is always there for Grant when he needs some advice, or just to talk. He is one of the most genuine guys you'll ever meet.
Paige Pizzo
Bridesmaid
Paige is the older of Grant's two younger sisters. Between Paige and Jill's weddings this year it's going to be a busy one! Paige and her fiancé, Charlie, inspire Grant & Jill for what it means to have a meaningful relationship with God. We are excited for what the future has in store as our families continue to grow!
Giancarlo Cecchini
Groomsman
AKA GC, is Grant's first friend he made in dental school. He has the longest neck of anyone we've ever met. You may even hear Grant refer to him as "Dad." (Grant swears his growth spurt is coming any day now). They were roommates for three years, until GC became a city boy, but to this day you can still find the two of them shakin' it at Spybar, the MID, or anywhere else house music is played. They've been through a lot together and it doesn't look like that's changing anytime soon.
Elle Pizzo
Bridesmaid
Elle is the youngest of Grant's two baby sisters. Jill is so excited to add some sisters to her family and Elle is nothing but the best! Jillian is also convinced Elle will help keep her young, and teach her the ways of eating whatever you want while still looking like you cheer for a Big Ten university.
Eric Kanicki
Groomsman
Grant's first night in Rumsey Hall of West Quad at the University of Michigan, he and Eric became friends immediately. It was rare to ever find them apart after that. Eric, Matt, and Grant were roommates for three years in college, including making their way into Eric's fraternity house, which Matt and Grant weren't even a part of. Eric and Grant even had their first experiences with the law together. They've grown up quite a bit since then, although not entirely, and now Eric is marrying one of Grant's high school friends just a couple weeks before the two of us get hitched! We are so excited to see Eric and Ashley tie the knot!
Jacob Kratt
Groomsman
Or as most people call him, Krattman - by the way, have you picked up on all the nicknames yet? - is one of Grant's oldest friends. They were inseparable in high school, frequently going on adventures with their friend Burnie, who thankfully hasn't been around much since. Although Kratt went to school a few hours from Ann Arbor, most people thought he was a UM student because he was always visiting Matt, Eric, and Grant. Grant can even recount the first couple times Kratt brought his, now wife, Kate to hang out in Ann Arbor. As Kate can attest, one of Kratt's best qualities is his loyalty and love for those close to him.
Johnny Bellantuono
Groomsman
Jillian's brother-in-law and Grant's soon to be! Johnny is pretty much a big brother to Jillian since he and her sister are high school sweethearts. Grant and Johnny have become fast friends, bonding over golf while Johnny lets Grant know everything there is to know about whiskey, guns, and 'Merica.
Tyler Morgen
Groomsman
Tyler is Jill's older brother and their relationship is nothing short of entertaining. They may "act" about as friendly as cats and dogs, but their sibling bond is truly one of a kind. No wonder their mom calls them "The Bookends" with Chelsea stuck in the middle. If you listen closely, Jill may even get a compliment out of him on her wedding day.