Wedding Party
Elise Simons
Bridesmaid
Elise and Brittany bonded at 8 years old, imitating the Titanic, Jack and Rose spin dance at a sleepover and haven't stopped talking since! They've been through it all together, adolescence, breakups, BSB vs NSYNC blowouts, roommates, kids, and now marriage. If you catch them at the wedding, you'll likely overhear them talking about their friendship of 50 years.
Emily Bradley
Bridesmaid
Emily, Brittany's older sister, graduated from bossypants to teacher of how to be an amazing mom, and now wife. Spot her at the wedding and you will likely see the two cutest children by her side (Quinn and Lincoln), with curls and lashes that fill up the room!
Kristen Klemm
Bridesmaid
Kristen and Brittany met while working together at a bank in Wicker Park in 2008. Quickly becoming roommates and often entertaining themselves with plans for after work food, drinks, and shopping sprees on payday. Luckily, both their friendshop and financial responsibility has only gotten better over time.
Natalie Tolar
Bridesmaid
Natalie, Brittany's baby sister and mutual lover of cats (she will be mad at me for writing this). Natalie and Brittany have a lot in common, like their dry humor, love of psychology, and cats--did I mention cats? If you see Natalie at the wedding, ask if she'd like to dance to Hillary Duff.
Tomi Dew
Bridesmaid
Tomi and Brittany met in Jacksonville at 17 and have been making fun of each other ever since. They both have a passion for cheesy Lifetime movies, while Brittany watches and Tomi occasionally naps. In addition to the fact that Tomi is always up for a marathon of bad reality TV, she is the best damn friend a gal could ask for.
Andrew Smith
Groomsman
Michael and Andrew's BFF status emerged through a shared loved of Beatnik writers, off-kilter indie rock, and poorly-produced movies. They've traveled the US together, attended numerous festivals, and even graduated from Rutgers together. Without Andrew (and his second-hand couch), Michael would have never had the opportunity to relocate to Chicago and meet Brittany!
Eric Geig
Officiant
Michael and Eric started playing music together roughly ten years ago. They would meet weekly, sometimes bi-weekly, for many years and record many albums. Here's a shameless plug - asleepatawake.bandcamp.com. It was through this "studio time" that they fostered their friendship. In 2015, they had a brief stint living together for about a year and loved every minute of it. Always a jack-of-all-trades, Eric is both the wedding's officiant and groomsman.
Matthew Lewandowski
Groomsman
Matthew played in a lot of really, really cool bands growing up and Michael supported him as a friend and a roadie. They shared an affinity for electronic music and would often immerse themselves in the culture. He's an absolute stand-up-guy. Also, he does a really great impression of his dog.
Robert Liebetreu
Groomsman
Robert and Michael are cousins and inseparable friends. They share some of their earliest memories together. Michael would often drive to visit him in Pennsylvania to spend the weekend together. They lived together in Jersey City for a few years and basically just watched "Ren and Stimpy" and ate pork roll sandwiches.
Thomas Johnson
Groomsman
Tom John and Michael's friendship blossomed as a result of long nights in his basement where they would paint, write, and listen to Bright Eyes (naturally). For some time, they delivered pizza for Venice Pizzeria and lived their starving artist lifestyle sustained only by stale garlic bread, good music, and each other. Look for the guy with the best hair.