Wedding Party
Janiene Ferrante
Bridesmaid
Known since: Grade school. The lowdown: I lived with her all 4 years of college and we probably seem like an unlikely pairing because many of our interests don't overlap, but we make it work. Zach thinks I like her better than him. Who's to say... Expect her on the dance floor when: Kelly Clarkson comes on. If she were a cheesesteak she'd be: An American witout.
Bartley Booz
Groomsman
Get a load of this guy. I mean just look at him. An accomplished Broadway actor? Master of accents? Writer? Musician? Impeccable style? Oh wait, all of this is sounding like good stuff. I guess he is pretty cool. I met Bartley in 4th grade and began our journey as mortal enemies because of a stolen birthday, but after some time (and him lowering his standards of friendship) I was able to convince him to be one of my best friends in the entire world.
Kaitlyn Gummel
Bridesmaid
Known since: Grade school. The lowdown: We became closer in high school and hung out almost every weekend. We'd often laugh a lot at nothing that is actually funny and people most definitely were weary of us because of it. Don't ask us to sing you Happy Birthday. Expect her on the dance floor when: Any 2000s emo/punk rock comes on. Or any song about butts. If she were a cheesesteak she'd be: A pizza steak.
Brian Abbinanti
Groomsman
Alright get a load of this guy. He has made his way through life with one of the most curious and talented personalities I've ever seen. He has dabbled as a painter, musician, sculptor, blacksmith, model maker, sound technician, artisanal baker, physicist, and ...wait this is all sounded really cool too. Shoot I guess he's just as awesome. Brian and I met when we were both at pique levels of attractiveness, 7th grade, and have been best friends and jam buds ever since.
Yvanna Marlin-Guanga
Bridesmaid
Known since: High school. The lowdown: Our relationship grew taking SEPTA home together after school each day until she got the PT cruiser and we could be free of Philly's horrible public transportation. We bonded even further suffering through science courses together in college. Expect her on the dance floor when: Any 2000s rap comes on. If she were a cheesesteak she'd be: A buffalo chicken cheesesteak.
Erik Roan
Groomsman
Alright seriously though, check this guy out. I mean he's a fashionable, dedicated, confident badass who has accomplished everything he's set out to do. The problem? I guess there isn't one. Shoot, why are all these guys so amazing? After meeting our freshman year of college and bonding over his terrible roommate, Erik and I moved in together and stayed best friends and best roommates until I left for Chicago. At which point he decided to become infinitely cooler and start throwing house parties with live bands every other night. Probably no coincidence there..
Cara O'Malley
Bridesmaid
Known since: Grade school. The lowdown: We had the same Winnie the Pooh lunchbox in 3rd grade when I started at a new school, but we didn't become good friends until later on because we were both more reserved as kids. In our friend group we are Team Classy and the only 12s (out of 10). Expect her on the dance floor when: Taylor Swift or the Wop comes on. If she were a cheesesteak she'd be: An American with ketchup.
Ashton Miller
Groomsman
Okay okay here we go. Get a load of this guy. He's incredibly friendly and unique, and only ever has others' best interests in mind. He also takes it upon himself to tackle those random shower thoughts that pop into our head like "How many licks does it actually take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?" and "Is it possible to make alcoholic gum?". After meeting in 4th grade, Ashton, Bartley and I were pretty inseparable making home movies together, inventing new games, and learning how to interact with girls - something we still haven't quite mastered.
Kyle Strickland
Groomsman
Alright last try. Get a load of this guy. The only thing I've ever seen him do is excel at academia at every turn, ace his way through KU, and become a mechanical engineer and collegiate level ultimate frisbee player all while being one of the most thoughtful people I've ever met. He plays every sport you can think of (or at least all the cool ones) and looks to help out his friends whenever possible. After overlapping in church, boy scouts, and school, Kyle and I decided it would just be easier for everyone if we became best friends. Hm... So as it turns out I can't find a single thing wrong with these guys. They are the 5 best men I know and they will all hold that title at the wedding.