Bella Donna Chapel

Wedding Day

Ceremony

The Sanctuary

Reception

Our Wedding

<p style="text-align: left;">Six years ago at a summer dance intensive, a guy named Isaac watched as a few girls were running through the halls, with fitted sheets pulled over their hands and feet saying that they were ‘sheet monsters’. He thought to himself, “ballet girls are weird”. Really, he thought that it looked like a blast, and secretly wanted to join them. At the same time, a girl named Janie noticed a random dude that showed up halfway through the intensive who kinda looked like a monkey, but also thought he was kinda cool. For just a week, Janie and Isaac got to know each other after discovering their shared love of Newsies and other musical theatre. But it wasn’t until a year later that they would really become friends.    Now the year is 2020, and though Isaac is from Rome, GA and Janie is from Fort Worth, TX, they once again meet in Jackson, MS during another summer intensive with Ballet Magnificat! At the first intensive they hardly would’ve considered each other much more than an acquaintance, and it had been almost an entire year since they had talked or seen each other. But this year, after only an interaction or two, they became best friends for the rest of the intensive. Even after the intensive ended, and there were five states separating them, they would video call and have “story times” where they would tell each other all about their favorite stories and experiences. They also committed to help educate each other on their respective expertises of classical ballet (Janie’s forte) and musical theater (where Isaac’s knowledge lay). There were many FaceTimes where before they knew it, 4+ hours had passed and it was waning into the early hours of the morning. So it was hardly a surprise that when they met in Jackson for the third summer in a row, the stage was set for their relationship to grow into something new.   Now as high-school grads, Janie and Isaac head back to Jackson for what Isaac thinks is his final summer with Ballet Magnificat! Isaac was planning to actively avoid any relationships until at least his sophomore year in college because he didn’t want to do long distance or get distracted. And for Janie, a new relationship is the farthest thing from her mind. But their best friends, Will and Maya, had other plans for the soon-to-be couple. Around the 3rd night of the intensive, while Will and Isaac probably should’ve been sleeping, they started talking about their respective love lives, or rather their respective lack therofs. That’s when Will discovered that Isaac was more than a little interested in Janie, but he never planned to pursue a relationship. He thought that long distance would stop it from ever working out, since they had diverging plans for their lives. Only a few days later in a similar but separate conversation, Maya cornered Janie with the question of ‘do you like Isaac?’ Janie said that she wasn’t sure because she hadn’t really considered it. In actuality Janie thought Isaac “must already have a girlfriend, because he was too cool not to.”, so she wouldn’t let herself consider it. So, Maya decided to ask a more reliable source to get a straight answer. Maya asked Janie’s mom, Barbara, and Barbara said “oh, yeah.” Maya immediately texted Will, and from then on, it was go time. For the rest of the intensive, Will and Maya conspired together as the soon-to-be couple’s matchmakers. Finally, and after a lot of late night discussions between best friends, prayer, and a haircut (Isaac’s hair hadn’t been cut in years), Isaac and Janie finally decided maybe it was worth a try. They determined to keep talking when they returned to their respective states. They had even decided that the next time they were both in Jackson, they would go on a date to see how things worked out. Plans were made and their first date was a mere two months away.   Instead, they lasted a grand total of two days. After receiving a ton of confirmation from the Lord, and a conversation with Janie’s dad, they decided to start dating on August 3rd, 2021. Because they were then living 5 states apart, their first year of the relationship was long distance, and although they both agreed that it sucked, they thought it was much better to be in the suck of long distance than to not be dating each other at all.   After that initial year of long distance, Janie moved to Mississippi to join the Trainee program of Ballet Magnificat, which Isaac had already been enrolled in. After another year of pseudo long distance with Janie in Jackson and Isaac touring around the U.S. and internationally with Ballet Magnificats’ Events Company, they were both placed in the same company. They spent the next year growing their relationship side-by-side as they toured across several U.S. states, and even had the chance to minister to people throughout Japan!    On December 23rd of 2024, the day after their final Christmas performance of the season, Isaac had a very special day planned, filled with their favorite activities to do together. Although the day didn’t exactly go according to plan, after a relaxing morning of reading and talking at their favorite coffee shop, and a little less relaxing afternoon of time-killing as the parents of both parties helped put everything into place, Isaac proposed to Janie at Strawberry Patch Park in Madison, MS. Janie said “I will!” and Isaac’s heart skipped about 5 beats in panic, because he had only prepared himself for “yes”, or “no”, and not “I will”. His brain was in shock at this unexpected turn of events and was momentarily unable to process the joyous reply. It took a second (although it felt like an eternity), but his brain finally caught up to him, letting him know that “I will!” meant the same thing as “yes!” :))   They had a small engagement party later that night with their families, matchmakers Will & Maya, and the best pupper Peanut. At 11:00 PM that same night, they took a 7 hour road trip to spend Christmas Eve with family. Isaac and Janie have both been promoted to the professional Company of Ballet Magnificat, where they will continue sharing the gospel and dancing for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ across America and internationally. They have set a wedding date for August 3rd 2025, a little less than 8 months after they got engaged and exactly 4 years after they initially started dating! They don’t know where exactly their story will lead in the future, but they’re so excited to let God keep directing their paths, and are so thankful that He has chosen to intertwine their separate paths into one :))<br /></p>

Our Story

Gallery

Barbara Pendleton

This is Maya! We met at Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive in 2018, and the rest is history. We have been mistaken for sisters,  twins, or even the same person on multiple occasions, and has been one of my strongest supporters and sweetest encouragers. She knows me better than most, shares half the credit for this relationship, and she’ll never let me forget it :)

Maya Voborsky

Will and I have known each other since 2019, and he’s actually been friends with Janie even longer than that. Even though it’s only been six years we’ve definitely had enough memories and adventures to last a lifetime. We’ve been roommates, we’ve destroyed ourselves in the gym, we’ve pushed each other to grow as men, and as Christians, and we’ve been there for each other through both the good times and hard times. He makes the choice for best man an easy one. He’s even one of the only two people who can rightfully take credit for setting Janie and me up in the first place. Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better man of God to be there for me on the big day :))

William Trey Porterfield

Bridesmaids

We met when I was around 7, and was the daughter of the pastor of the church my family attended. We were best friends, and not even moving to another continent could change that. We still talk about the best Barbie movies, now mixed in with the ups and downs of adulthood, books, and Star Wars. She is the definition of a friendship that time or distance can’t touch.

Bella Frigoli

Cherie is one of my newest friends, and one of those people that God just sends you when you need them most, and you click immediately. She is a deep, intentional, and beautiful soul, and someone I can always rely on to have a listening ear. She keeps me sane and always laughs at my jokes :)

Cherie Pelser

My first memory of Marguerite is when she was like 5, and we were dolls together in our studio’s Christmas performance. She is one of the few people in my life who can bring out my wild side, and most of the memories where I have laughed the hardest is when I’m with her. Our paths separated when we graduated high school, but she is one of those friends where we just pick up where we left off, even if it’s been awhile. And I still laugh just as hard. :)

Marguerite Larson

The Janie of the past had no idea how much this person would mean to her when she and younger Ellie put sheets on our heads and ran around the dormitories of Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive. She inspires me with how she serves the Lord, and those around her. She is smart, and sweet, and also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She is also Isaac’s honorary twin, and she’ll spontaneously jump in a lake just because. What’s not to love?

Ellie Stayskal

Groomsmen 

Conrad is the quintessential Florida man! Where else would you be able to find a plumber, blackbelt, mechanic, ballet dancer, man of God, and tumbling teacher extraordinaire? Honestly when I put it that way, I don’t think you could find anyone else like him, even in Florida. He’s truly one of a kind. He and I have been friends since 2021, were roommates together in 2022-23, and have been housemates even up until now! He’s the kind of guy who you can laugh (or giggle) with until your stomach aches. But also the kind of guy who would answer a call at 3am to come and lend a hand if needed. A true friend that I’m lucky to have!

Conrad Means

Timothy and I have shared many stages together across the U.S. and even internationally. On the stage, he’s ruthlessly hunted me down to kill me, been responsible for my descent into hell, and even been my dad (one of these things is not like the other lol.) Off the stage he’s helped me grow in my relationship with the Lord, helped me move houses twice, been there with me through thick and thin, given me so many wonderful pieces of advice, and been a faithful friend. Whether onstage or not, I know that with Tim we’re always in for an adventure, and no matter where that adventure leads I know he’s got my back. He’s a great man, and I couldn’t be more pleased that he’s one of my groomsmen :)

Timothy Downing

Branden is one of those guys that it’s hard not to get along with. I’ve lived with him for two years and my respect for him just continues to grow and grow. He is also such a renaissance man. Whenever I think I’ve found the last of his talents, he does something else incredible. Beyond that he’s a man of character, and a man of God. We’ve had some pretty great times together, and whether we’re on a secret stealth mission to drop off doors, pizza boxes, or “astronauts”, or if we’re getting work done together, I can always count on him to do what’s right, and to also have a blast doing it!

Branden Alvarez

Jacob and I met in 2021 when I came to visit Janie in Fort Worth for the first time. As Janie’s self proclaimed older brother/protector, I had to pass the vibe check before I was cleared to date her. However, it didn’t take long for me to start considering him as a friend of my own. One thing you can always count on while hanging out with Jacob is that he’ll be real with you, and that you’ll have a blast and a half while you’re at it. More than that, he’s always there to talk if you need someone to listen, he’s there to make sure you’re not neglecting your future, and he’s always ready to give the best tips for trick ballet steps and/or pas de deux too. He’s a great guy and a great friend!!

Jacob Sebastian

Wedding Party

Registry

The Pendleton family has enjoyed several stays at the Renaissance Hotel Richardson for birthdays and special occasions, and it has been a very nice hotel. It is about a half an hour from the wedding venue.  We have booked a block of 40 rooms at the reasonable rate of $129 per night with two double beds for the dates of August 2-4. The rooms are available on a first come first serve basis, and we can’t guarantee that rate will be available if you wait to book. The absolute final day to book at the rate of $129/night is July 11th. If you’re interested please click the link below for access to this special rate. This link is the only way to access it.

 Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel

When you arrive at Bella Donna there is free parking in a multi-story parking garage, as well as a small open parking area across from the parking garage. These are both within sight of Bella Donna only a minute or two walk away. 

Janie & Isaac

Janie & Isaac

Registry