Wedding Party
Corynn Berka
Matron of Honor
Corynn is the woman that started it all. She set us up on our first date back in 2015 and has been manifesting the two of us falling in love ever since. If you need someone to make you laugh or talk about the most recent Real Housewives scandal, she's your go-to. She is bold, ambitious, funny, a little bit crazy, and all things that make her the perfect sister and greatest best friend.
Ashton Hoffman
Best Man
Ben's Best Man. Ben and Ashton have known each other since Ashton moved 3 houses down from Ben in the 1st grade. Immediately bonding over a Super Smash Brothers session on the Nintendo 64, they've been friends ever since. Ashton proves that you don't have to be intelligent to be a labor and employment lawyer; truly a great inspiration to us all. He's an outgoing guy, a decent but ultimately unskilled chess player, and always fills the room with interesting conversation and inappropriate jokes.
Jessica Soto
Maid of Honor
Jessica aka "Soto" is the life of every party. She is the dependable one that will fight every battle for you or with you. She is a full time recruiter and part time matchmaker, and was the first one to point out in 2022 that Ben was "hot and single" and that the two of us would make a great couple.
Jaime Larrea
Groomsman
Jaime and Ben first met during their freshman year at Clear Lake High School. It was in a freshman engineering course that they grew to be close friends, coining timeless phrases like "can a brotha get a caliper?", always inappropriately shouted, that somehow turned making a simple measurement with a caliper into something cool. They stayed friends through high school and college, and remain close to this day. He saves peoples lives on ambulances, has been on tour as an army medic in Egypt, and is one the best people to have in your corner.
Chelsi Vial
Bridesmaid
Chelsi came into Abbey's life in 2013 and has been an MVP for over 10 years now. She is smart, dependable, and strong. She quickly became Abbey's friend in Delta Gamma as they had years of cheerleading in common. Chelsi also happened to throw Abbey the bouquet at her wedding in 2021, and the tradition appears to have come to fruition.
Jay Solo
Groomsman
Ben and Jay met as potluck roommates during their freshman year at the University of Oklahoma. Quickly, they discovered similar interest in lifting weights, simple pranks, and hanging out in the dorms. They remained close friends through college, eventually again as roommates a couple years after college graduation. Now working in the air force flying C-5's, he is always great company and an easy laugh. Jay is one of the coolest guys you're going to meet.
Anna Adney
Bridesmaid
Anna is another Delta Gamma sister that Abbey met when living in the sorority house. She is genuine, silly, and wise beyond her years. She is a boy mom (soon to be x2) and pun master. She and Abbey took time developing their friendship into what it has become today, and the world is a brighter place because Anna is in it. Fun fact: Anna is a former NBA dancer for the OKC Thunder!
Charles Berka
Groomsman
Charles is Ben's cousin, originally from Kansas City, Missouri. Close through childhood catching up annually at Christmas, Charles & Ben stayed close through college, each with a shared interest in video games and a music taste that could only be described as "not intelligent". Charles is now a loving father and husband to his wife, Natalie, and his son, Jack. He works as a commodities trader at Magellan Midstream Partners. Charles is one of the most kind and humble people you will meet. You will likely find him breaking it down on the dance floor when the time comes.
Gloria Noble
Bridesmaid
Gloria aka "Glo" is so special it's hard to describe her. Intelligent, strong-willed, loyal, and trustworthy are just a few adjectives that barely scratch the surface of what a wonderful person and friend she is. She and Abbey met accidentally in a class that Abbey took in order to get a "humanities" course credit. Abbey has said before that although Gloria already has her PhD in political science, she deserves one in friendship too.
Blake Bachtel
Groomsman
Blake and Ben go all the way back to pre-K, where they met at day care as small kids. They shared experiences together including building a clubhouse, competing in the state science fair in middle school, late call of duty zombie game sessions, co-real estate agents during college, and many more fun experiences. Blake went on to attend law school and is now a practicing attorney. Sometimes quiet, he always has something intelligent and thought-provoking to say and is one of the best listeners you will meet.
Amanda Myers
Bridesmaid
Amanda and Abbey have not been able to determine at what point they transitioned from acquaintances to best friends, but it's assumed to have happened quickly in the Delta Gamma house. They bonded over being pre-medical students and owning Yorkshire Terrier dogs. Amanda will be hard to miss breaking it down on the dance floor and pulling up medical boards flashcards during the cocktail hour.
Rachel Hobbs
Bridesmaid
Rachel and Abbey met while studying abroad in Arezzo, Italy in 2016. As fate would have it, they ended up being roommates at OU that fall (due to a last minute issue with Abbey's apartment and Rachel's roommate deciding to drop out of college) and instantly clicked. Bonding over single life, going out, and spending most of their time gossiping in each other's bedrooms, they couldn't believe how quickly they considered each other best friends. Rachel has never been afraid to say it like it is and will be by your side whether you need someone to cheer you up, stand up for you, or take you to the ER because you're severely dehydrated (throwback to Abbey's 21st birthday). Everyone needs a Rachel in their life!
Beau Holder
Groomsman
Beau and Ben met back when Ben started work at Axiom Space, a company Beau was an early member of serving as a communications manager. While Ben's initial attempt to bond over being the two "mustache-men" in the office backfired (it closer resembled a hairy caterpillar), it was by references to the tv show "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", that Beau eventually replied "did we just become best friends?". As time passed, Beau and Ben remained close, enduring within a small group of "cool work friends" and their mutual love over the Houston Astros. Beau is one of the most articulate and genuine people you will meet, and professionally inspires a shared vision of humanity's future in space.
SaraAnn Johnson
Bridesmaid
SaraAnn is the crowd favorite. She is all things kind and pure. She and Corynn are Abbey's "little sisters" in their sorority, Delta Gamma, at the University of Oklahoma. Her laugh is contagious and her baby pictures will have you squealing like a little girl. You will find her either on the dance floor or at the bar with the biggest smile on her face.
Colton Barnes
Groomsman
Colton and Ben met in 2021 when Colton joined Ben at Axiom Space where they worked together building a space station. About 6 weeks into Colton's new role, they traveled to Italy together for work. Somewhere in the midst of technical conversations, late night meetings, wine, food, and terrible impersonations of an Italian accent, a great friendship was formed. They continue to work closely together to this day on the commercial space station at Axiom. Colton is an ex college football player and always seems to be working a home project of some kind. From Bryan, TX where the expectations may not be exactly high to a Houstonian, he will somehow exceed and underachieve your expectations at the same time.
Aya Hasan
Bridesmaid
Aya was Abbey's first friend in medical school as they learned they were neighbors in their apartment complex. She was quick to provide food and coffee in the first few months of school and designer clothes as their friendship grew. She is funny, smart, driven, and beautiful inside and out. If you have any problems with your service she will be the first one to call the manager.
Andrew Williams
Groomsman
Andrew (Drew) is Ben's brother in law through his older sister, Alli. Ben and Drew met back in 2015 when he started dating Alli. They immediately bonded over game nights and overly competitive Mario Party jamborees, where friendships were tested and tense interactions shook the very frame of the relationship. In the end, they emerged closer than ever, and remain close to this day. Drew works as a mechanical engineer for the Boeing company and is a caring father for his sons Weston (the ring bearer) & Callum. He still enjoys finding time to nerd out on some computer games like Call of Duty, grill out on his big green egg, and is great company to have around.
Trishangi Malla
Bridesmaid
Trishangi is the aesthetics queen of the bridal squad. She was the medical school classmate that everyone wanted to befriend. Trish is loyal, approachable, and will always be there when you need her. If you need gossip, she's got you. If you need a fresh new cocktail or baked goods, however, maybe call someone else.
Austen Whitaker
Groomsman
Austen is Ben's brother in law through his younger sister, Corynn. They met back in 2016 when Corynn and Austen began dating, back before the grip of age took hold and turned what once was a strapping young lad into the monstrosity that you see before you. An engineer of true form, he does everything as cool as designing the first commercial space suit to nerding out over playing League of Legends. He's an easy fit to any room, surprisingly funny, and tall enough to be an easy target for ridicule.
Vandana Dubakula
Bridesmaid
Vandana (pronounced Von-Duh-Nuh) is one of Abbey's first friends in medical school (although Aya still beat her to the first spot). If you are in need of a friend to go grab a marg, study at a coffee shop, make you pancakes, or watch your cat, she is the one to go to. You may have a tough time motivating her to get off her couch, but you can always count on her to answer your call the second time (since her phone is on Do Not Disturb).
Alex Bradley
Groomsman
Alex is Ben's friend, originally from childhood. Most of their lives friends of friends through Blake (another groomsman), Ben and Alex grew closer in recent years when they developed a mutual friend through Ashton (Best Man). Originally from the Clear Lake area, Alex and company help form the core of childhood friends local to the area. Alex works as a chartering assistant at UNIPEC, is a die hard fan of the Houston Astros & (disappointingly) the Dallas Cowboys, and is a frustratingly fast runner.
Allie Pastorelle
Bridesmaid
Allie is the OG Sister-in-law. She is the best hype woman/dog mom you will ever meet. No need to look at the menu at the restaurant when she's around because she has it memorized with pictures saved on her phone. If she goes missing at the wedding she's either caring for her infant son or has found a stray dog that needs assistance.
Evan Pastorelle
Groomsman
Evan is Abbey's brother and Ben's (soon to be) brother in law. Abbey and Evan grew up in Colts Neck, New Jersey until high school where they and their family moved to Dallas, TX. Evan and Ben had a chance to meet for the first time after Abbey (boldly) asked Ben to be her date to Evan's wedding with his wife, Allie. Evan works as an account manager at Allstate and enjoys spending his time playing basketball, shouting expletives at the Jets football players through the television, and perhaps more than all, traveling and spending the experience of life with family and friends.
Weston Williams-Berka
Ring Bearer
Weston is the son of Ben's older sister Alli and her husband aka Ben's Brother in Law aka Groomsman Andrew. He will be nearly 3 years old when he gets the opportunity to walk down the aisle with the wedding bands. He is so excited to play a role in Abbey and Ben's special day!
Allicyn Berka
Officiant
Alli is Ben's older sister. She is the Queen of our kingdom, the main Chef, the pack Leader, and so much more. She has juggled being a manager at Boeing, earning her executive Master of Business Administration, and raising two beautiful little boys simultaneously. And she does it all with only a few complaints in the family group chat. With her vibrant red hair, show-stopping smile, and confidence, she is the perfect choice for the Officiant. Ben officiated her marriage to Andrew Williams in 2020, so it's only right to have her do the same.