Charlotte & Ben
Wedding Party
Forrest Edens
Maid of Honor
Forrest and Charlotte have been best friends since before they can even remember. (Seriously, they've tried, but their origin story gets foggier with the passing of time.) Over the years, they've performed a version of the musical Chicago in Forrest's living room (to a rather unwilling audience), gone hunting for demons, and traveled Scotland together. No matter where they are or what they do, Forrest is always able to make it more fun and encourage Charlotte to do new things. There's no one else Charlotte would rather get hypothermia in a creek with.
Austin Stephens
Best Man
(No relation.) Even though there's no relation, he may as well be family. Ben's roommate for three years at Transy, he's just about the best budE he could've asked for. They share a deep love for the 3 big M's in the world: Music, Memes, and Meals and even though half the time we've been friends other they've lived clear across the country from each other, there isn't a week that goes by that they don't connect one way or another.
Maggie Koella
Maid of Honor
This rare photographic proof shows how Charlotte and Maggie have been terrorizing each other (and Forrest) for their entire friendship, since Charlotte was 8 years old. Beyond being feral night owls together, Charlotte loves that Maggie is a fellow introvert who always has good music recommendations, the best stories, and wise advice. Or, alternatively, Maggie will advocate for chaos and burning it all down. Both is good. She has always inspired Charlotte to think more critically, seek adventures, and be more creative with life.
Bradley "Gingy" Easterling
Best Man
The only person other than his lovely fiancée that Ben's talked to literally every single day since they graduated, they've been bonded tight since our time at Transy. They say that some of the best friendships are built on the back of dice and make believe, and there's no one fits that bill better than Ben and Gingy. And beyond that, Gingy's surprisingly philosophical at times, reminding everyone around him to think about the subtext of any given situation, what it just might mean for you and me, and that on occasion there really are just two options. (This last sentence seems weird and out of place because it's one really long joke for about 8 people)
Chloe Bingham
Bridesmaid
Charlotte met Chloe in the basement costume shop at Transy—and instantly knew Chloe was probably the coolest person ever. That sentiment only continued when Chloe became Charlotte's sorority Big. From being "evil sexy cheerleaders" (the exact character description) onstage together to celebrating penguin love to watching Vampire Academy aka the best worst movie of all time, the fun times literally didn't stop. Chloe also showed Charlotte how to work hard and uphold your values. But the evil cheerleaders probably make for a better story.
J.T. Henderson
Groomsman
You won't meet a more tenacious friend and if you do, run. Ben and J.T. connected at Transy over caf breakfast, kids shows, and antics (that fit around his google calendar) and every time that Ben would start to drift away in theater schedules or work, J.T. was the first to check in and reel me back in. Even across state lines, while doing things far outside of Ben's realm of understanding, once his hooks are in, J.T. won't let go. This led to an easy pick up when Ben moved back to Lexington. Ben's so happy J.T. can be a part of this because honestly it's shocking that he was able to fit it in his Google calendar with only 10 months of notice.
Brittany Schmoetzer
Bridesmaid
Brittany and Charlotte met while doing a production of Little Women: the Musical. Their friendship has only grown as they continue to nerd out over Jane Austen, Marvel, and certain favorite celebrities. Brittany's friendship keeps Charlotte grounded and going through the good times and the bad. One day they are going to escape to a castle together and possibly never come back. (Sure, Ben can come too.)
Aaron Botts
Groomsman
Somehow the only other person on this side of the aisle involved in theater, Ben and Aaron have shared a stage, a space, a hall, and a belt among so many other things. The Joey to Ben's Chandler and the chick to his duck, he's about half of the reason Ben didn't simply melt into a puddle of goo during the long rehearsal nights that filled most every week at Transy. (For those of you playing along at home, the other half is in the header of this website).
Grace Harrington
Bridesmaid
Sweet, sweet Grace is the kindest soul you've ever met. Don't be fooled though into thinking you can cross her without suffering her wrath. She put up with Charlotte as a roommate for two years in college—which meant she also put up with Ben being around. At the same time, she taught Charlotte about reality tv, KPop, and how to be a fiercely loyal friend.
Dane Ritter
Groomsman
Ben's first real friend at Transy and roommate freshman year, they've been together for comic book trips, movies, late night/early morning antics, and everything in between. Another one that's practically family (his parents basically adopted Ben) and really, how could Ben have anyone other than his Double Dash partner up here with him?
Ashleigh King
Bridesmaid
Ashleigh is what you get if you put literal sunshine into a person if that sunshine was also highly caffeinated. Charlotte is always in awe of Ashleigh's positivity and determination. She and Charlotte met doing theatre at Transy before becoming Big and Little in their sorority. Charlotte's fondest memories of Ashleigh include sharing a stage together as well as every bit of gossip they can scrounge up. There was also that one time they went to the hospital...
Timothy Baker
Groomsman
Entranced from the first time Ben got to hear him sing, it was incredible that someone so talented was so easy to get along with. By pure happenstance, Ben and Tim ended up as neighbors for 3 years at Transy (and aggressive visits the one year they didn't) which led to a lot of random pop ins, impromptu concerts, and solidification of a tight friendship. Sure he's got flaws. What are they? He sings in the shower. He spends too much time volunteering. Ben's pretty sure he hasn't hit anyone with his car but thinks we can look past the other two.
Marshall Stephens
Flower Man
Charlotte's best oldest brother, she and Marshall share a love of musical theatre and Lord of the Rings. They're always ready to finish a Hamilton lyric or Gollum line for the other. This is a big improvement from Charlotte being the annoying little sister, always wanted to be included in what Marshall was doing, or from Marshall tricking Charlotte into looking at pictures of snakes. She does hope he appreciates, though, that she could've picked a much more embarrassing picture...
Sam Wagner
Flower Man
Ben's favorite middle brother, they're constantly recommending new TV to each other, seeing every new movie release, and going on a deep dive into 80's music. If Ben's criteria for a flower man was the ability to accurately mime 1967 classic Cool Hand Luke, there might be an issue. Luckily it's based more around love of 1997 groundbreaking film Gattaca and the ability to go word for word on 1989 timeless classic Just a Friend by Biz Markie.
Tommy Stephens
Flower Man
Tommy is Charlotte's favorite middle brother and probably the reason she became interested in all things nerdy from a young age. Really, Charlotte is just a big fan of stealing Tommy's things: a love of fantasy novels and video games, an interest in baking, his childhood room once he moved out. She even went to the same small, Kentucky college he did for the ultimate copycat move. Like Marshall, Tommy also shares a love of Lord of the Rings, and there's a chance that he will show up to the wedding dressed as a hobbit, which is really just commitment to the bit.
Tim Wagner
Flower Man
What? (Sorry, Ben was buying himself time to think of something to say) Ben's favorite youngest brother, Tim is the only other person he would trust to keep Sam in his place as the runt in the family. Does Ben wish he wasn't weak enough to be taken down by an apple? Of course he does, but that shortcoming is overshadowed by the fact that he's got such great world experience like sleeping in the back of cars and being an expert with a genuine Japanese Bidet (in Japan even!). Besides, it's always good to have a Spanish scholar around.
Joseph Gearon
Officiant
A man of kindness, conviction, and formal wear, Joey is simply one of the most well-spoken people that Ben and Charlotte have ever met. When they were thinking about who they wanted to marry us, his name was the first out of either of their mouths because sometimes, you just know. He's been a stalwart friend, role model, and voice of reason since the day that they met him (with enough goofiness and meme-ery to keep it interesting, of course).