Meet The Party
Get ready for some grade A dance moves with this bunch o’ nuts.
Her Side
Kathleen Mason
Matron of Honor — Sister of the Bride
Kathleen and Natalie have known each other since Natalie graced this world with her wondrous presence — and boy was Kathleen excited to have a little sister (sarcasm). Despite Kathleen’s attempts to launch Natalie out of her Johnny Jump-up and into orbit, Natalie survived her childhood and the two actually became close and sisterly or whatever. Since then, the two have served as the other’s hot date or voice of reason — depending on the situation. After acting as Maid of Honor in Kathleen’s 2011 wedding, Natalie is excited to have Kathleen return the favor and hold her dress while she pees.
Alicia Deitz
Bridesmaid — Friend of the Bride (The Elementary School Years)
Shortly after Alicia moved to Naperville in 2nd grade, she met Natalie. The two hit it off right away and went on to participate in many sports and shenanigans together. They’ve achieved legend status at prestigious Naperville institutions including the Naperville Park District Soccer league and Grandma Sally’s family restaurant (RIP). Together since grade school, these two have been together through a lot: outgrowing girl scouts, friends moving away, the discovery of hair care products, that ‘game’ where Kathleen locked us in her closet and we had to try and escape and so on. Natalie is super excited to have Alicia standing up with her on this important day and repping Maplebrook Elementary School…Go wildcats.
Sheila McGing
Bridesmaid — Friend of the Bride (The College Years)
Despite abandoning Sheila at Illinois Wesleyan after Freshman year, Natalie stayed in touch and visited as often as possible. To Natalie, Sheila became a much needed lady-friend for the college years when one often needs a friendly partner to vent to. To Sheila, Natalie became proof that she can attract non-crazy ladies and a constant excuse to come to the city. It’s been a good couple of years and while their schedules are often overcroweded with work and/or family responsibilities, Natalie is pleased as punch that they’ve managed to stay close and make time to catch up — after which Natalie always loses her voice.
Nicole Rodak
Bridesmaid — Friend of the Bride (The Jr. High Years)
Did you know sixth graders have homeroom? They do and that’s where Natalie met Nicole. Somewhere between 1st period science with Mrs. Smith and 2nd period math with Mrs. Doughtey, these two cotton-headed-ninny-muggins joined forces and the rest is history…overly enthusiastic and often overly loud history. Together, these two have driven teachers (and sometimes each other) positively mad, terrorized Disney World, eaten legs of turkey like they were candy, and captured enough embarrassing photos of each other to last a life time. Having been Natalie’s dress-shopping partner for almost every school dance, it was only appropriate that Nicole be present when Natalie found the dress.
Lesia Charysh
Bridesmaid — Cousin of the Bride
This Ukrainian Princess is here to ensure the wedding party is, in fact, a party. As a female cousins of similar ages, Natalie would usually hang with Lesia at family get-togethers…or Natalie would just follow Kathleen and Lesia around. When Natalie moved to the Chicago, she was delighted to be within close enough proximity to Lesia that the two would likely see each other outside of holidays. After all of these years, it seems that the cousins who bitch about weird Uki foods together, stick together.
Amy Mueller
Bridesmaid — Sister-in-law of the Bride
Natalie likes to think she met Amy shortly after Paul did, though it is more likely that he hid her from the family for as long as possible, terrified of what they’d do to her. When Natalie did finally meet Amy, they were both still wee college students. If Natalie was visiting Paul at school, chances are she was hanging out with Amy. In fact, Natalie probably has Amy to thank for the most college-y college experiences she had! Last year, Natalie had the pleasure of standing up on Amy’s side in her and Paul’s wedding. It was oodles of fun and Amy chose really comfortable shoes for her bridesmaids, Natalie looks forward to hopefully returning the favor.
Bailey Younger
Bridesmaid & Usher — Sister of the Groom
When she met Justin, Natalie was thrilled to find out he had two sisters. Then, when Caylin turned out to actually be a boy, Natalie was doubly grateful for Bailey. She assumed it meant Justin knew how to braid hair and put the seat down. But when that didn’t pan out, at least it meant she had a partner in crime when it came to terrorizing and belittling the boys. Natalie is stoked to gain a sister and to no longer be the youngest in the family food chain.
His Side
Caylin Younger
Best Man — Brother of the Groom
When Caylin arrived on the scene all of those years ago Justin was promoted to big brother status, but demoted from spoiled only child status. Regardless, Justin has chosen not to hold a grudge. After all, it wasn’t Caylin’s fault he was born. Since then, Justin and Caylin have remained close, choosing to stick together even after leaving the forced close quarters of their childhood home in Decatur. Having attended college together and roomed together as adults, these brothers have probably seen enough of each other to last a lifetime. And yet, Justin has made Caylin a fixture in his wedding day. Must be brotherly love or something.
Greg Bodfish
Groomsman — Friend of the Groom (The College Years)
Your freshman college roommate can be a real gamble. The college roommate gods smiled upon Justin when they gave him Greg: a port in the storm of all of the other weirdos you meet in college and a new friend in a new city. Even after Justin abandoned Greg for Florida, the two kept in touch with regular visits and shenanigans until they were reunited once again in Chicago. These days, Greg has no choice but to remain friends with Justin due to Justin’s proximity to the almighty Tony’s Burrito Mex. In the end, Greg is a great friend to have around, even if he’s only friends with you for the excuse to make regular late night taco runs.
Manuel Sosa
Groomsman — Friend of the Groom
Once upon a time, Manuel knocked on Justin’s apartment door and forced him to socialize with a bunch of Spaniards. The rest, they say, is history…or several years of friendship punctuated by rooftop parties, home brewed beer and the occasional fancy meal courtesy of Manuel’s mad chef skills. Side bar, it turns out if you befriend your building’s engineer it doesn’t mean they’ll fix things in your apartment sooner, or at all.
Kevin Tse
Groomsman — Friend of the Groom
In the wake of a breakup it can be hard to remember what belongs to which party. Somehow, Justin got to keep Kevin. Friends for eight or nine years, Kevin has been there for a lot…of 24 packs of PBR. If you asked Justin to pinpoint the moment he fell in friend-love with Kevin, it’d probably be when he caught Kevin trying to cook a hot dog on his electric stove in the middle of the night. Since then, the two have been basically inseparable. They go on long bike rides together, vacation together and giggle together. It’s pretty gross.
Raunak Patel
Groomsman — Friend of the Groom (The Highschool Years)
Raunak and Justin technically met in middle school, but didn’t become stupid close friends until high school when their class schedule conspired to keep them together. Raunak once made the treacherous trek down to Florida (the horror!) to visit Justin in college and didn’t get eaten by a gator. Justin needs Raunak in his life to fill the role of “successful friend” and needs him in the wedding to complete the rainbow of diverse groomsmen.
Cory Hosier
Groomsman — Friend of the Groom (The Elementary School Years)
Repping the younger Younger years, Cory has known Justin since kindergarten. The two Decatur-ites grew up together, or rather Cory grew up and Justin remained roughly the same size. These two have been together for a lot…like puberty and stuff. Justin and Natalie try to catch up with Cory when they visit Decatur and Cory always makes time for them when he’s in the city, which is almost always during the crappiest weather because Cory apparently loves Chicago in January or early February.
Paul Mueller
Groomsman & Usher — Brother of the Bride
Justin was a little nervous when he first met Paul, because you’re supposed to be a little nervous when you first meet your girlfriend’s brother…especially if it’s an older brother. But it’s been a little over 4 years and Paul hasn’t beat Justin up yet, so that seems like a good sign. Justin’s excited to have Paul as a part of this big day and hopes Paul is up for the task of ‘only married man in the bridal party’ and all of the responsibilities that come along with that: calming nerves, laughing at nerves, preventing too much pre-wedding drinking, etc.
Their Side
Lauren Genta
Officiant — Friend of the Bride (& Groom)
Who better to help Justin and Natalie tie the knot than the individual who is arguably responsible for their meeting? Natalie and Lauren have been friends since they met at The Theatre School at DePaul University, where they found love in a hopeless (and full of crazies) place. When Justin met Lauren he knew her approval was paramount. Somewhere between inviting the girls over for what would be their third Thanksgiving in one day and sporting a delightfully 80’s jacket & tie for DePaul’s Homecoming dance, he won Lauren over. As they plan their day, Justin and Natalie couldn’t be more excited to be wed at the hands and words of such a close and wonderful friend. However, if Lauren cries, we’re all going down.
Katie & Allison Frankovich
Flower Girls — Cousins of the Groom
As one of the oldest of the cousins, Justin has been teasing Katie for years and looks forward to teasing Allison once she’s older too. Choosing these two as her flower girls was a no-brainer for Natalie. Not only is Katie basically a professional flower girl at this point, she’s just an overall gem and a blast to hang out with. And, while new to the family, Allison has already earned Natalie’s trust as a fellow snuggler and avid napper.
Drew Frankovich
Ring Bearer — Cousin of the Groom
Much like his older sister, Drew is a wedding pro. Natalie and Justin know they can trust him with their rings and look forward to him killing all the ladies with his rockin’ tuxedo and smooth dance moves. This is all conjecture, but Natalie assumes and hopes Drew will dance his butt off at the wedding.
Marriage Mascots
These guys are real big fans.
