Katie & Matt
Wedding Party
Jerry & Dina Oleksiak
Parents of the Bride
April 25, 1970. Northeast Philadelphia. Jerry and Dina finally go on their first date after meeting at Bishop John Neumann Nursing Home in May 1969. They became friends while working over the summer and would visit each other on opposite wings during free time. When it came time for their first date, Dina's three besties sat on the stoop next door posing as neighbors to check Jerry out. Good thing they approved (and are still besties to this day)! We are so lucky to have the guidance, support, and unconditional love from each of our parents. Thank you for everything, Mom & Dad! Married March 2, 1974 48 years!!!!
Dave & Lisa Burns
Parents of the Groom
May 27th, 1972. Southwest Philadelphia. Lisa's parents go down the shore. Naturally, Lisa throws a party and, naturally, Dave's best friend invites him to come too. Lisa is not pleased. Dave gives Lisa his shirt. Fast forward seven years and these two love birds are getting married. (Hey Mom and Dad, am I allowed to share this story?) They've been wonderful parents and role models since then who continue to support their favorite middle son and his bride-to-be every day. Thank you for everything, Mom & Dad! Married July 14, 1979 43 years!!!!
Laura Brown
Maid of Honor
Laura is Katie's older sister and MOH for our special day. Affectionately known as LO, LOB, Lobby, Lobstah, and Auntie LO, our MOH has been cheering us on since before we were "us." Along with many other things in her life, Katie followed Laura's footsteps to Spark the Wave where Laura had been volunteering for years alongside Matt's sister, Sarah. Sarah and Laura not-so-secretly plotted that their younger siblings would get together, but eventually gave up leaving us to find our own way. Soon after we started dating, Laura was never shy to share how much she was rooting for us and how much she thought Matt would fit in with the Oleksiak fam, and especially with Katie's brother-in-laws, Tim & Mark. Turns out she was right. #barnesbrownburns Oh, and those cutie blonde Flower Girls? They go with her.
Tim Luecke
Best Tims
Which Tim is this Tim? Nearly 13 years ago, a bright-eyed kid who was pretty good at drawing stuff made his way from St. Louis, MO to the big city. That's right, friends, this is animator Tim. This midwest native came to NYC to attend Fordham University where he lived with Matt and five other guys senior year (they'll all be at the wedding--find out who they were and win a prize!). Tim is probably proud to say (I haven't actually asked him) that he went on to become Matt's longest tenured roommate, living with him another 5 years through many adventures in their cozy Harlem apartment along with Aileen and Erdman (and a few others at different times) where Matt still occasionally stops by for a glass of bourbon and a free place to crash (for which he is eternally grateful). Tim may not know this, but he was also a source of inspiration for Katie in her own artistic endeavors after a formative conversation over a few old fashioneds at Uptown Bourbon. Speaking of, ask Tim about his ongoing search for NYC bars that carry Pappy Van Winkle.
Sarah Barnes
Bridesmaid
Sarah is Katie's oldest sister and the reason Katie texted Matt to ask him on their first date (true story). During the summer of 2015, stars aligned and Sarah and Katie both ended up spending some time living at their parents' house together. When Katie's friend Matt left the house one afternoon after meeting Sarah for the first time, she asked what all good big sisters should - "Why aren't you dating him?!" After the initial LOL, Katie started wondering the same thing. Sarah and Katie spent the next million hours (probably) crafting the perfect text message to send to Matt to ask him on a date. Despite their best efforts, Matt said no to the date. But all's well that ends well, right? #barnesbrownburns Oh, and that Flower Dude and those two smiley Flower Girls? They go with her.
Tim Rozmus
Best Tims
Wait, another Tim? If you've ever been annoyed by how often Matt mentions that "buddy who works at Brooklyn Brewery" then you've heard of this Tim. As it turns out, he actually exists as more than a conversation piece! Connecting over a shared love of theater in college, Tim and Matt worked on over a dozen shows together--including the infamous "Cowboys Don't Sing" that made a splash at the 2013 NYC Fringe Festival (Matt's family still only refers to this Tim as "The Horse"). A native of Northport, Long Island (where he taught Matt how to water ski), Tim had a stint in Harlem as Jason's roommate, and now lives in Brooklyn where he's developed strong feelings on Steve's Key Lime Pie, among other things I'm sure. Be sure to ask him about the time he convinced Jason they should adopt a cat after a few drinks. (Update: Tim no longer works at Brooklyn Brewery. He's now Matt's "buddy who works at this fitness mirror company." (Second Update: Tim no longer works for the fitness mirror company and will now be referred to as "copywriter buddy at this consumer packaged goods brand management company." (Is anyone still looking at this website?)))
Abby Loop
Bridesmaid
Abby and Katie have been besties since they met freshman year at St. Joe's. Sophomore year, they lived together in a one-bedroom apartment where they'd watch Friends reruns over and over before falling asleep. Katie and Abby loved sharing their little college apartment together so much that when they had the chance to live together in the real world, they didn't pass it up. The two gathered up their cat and dog (hi Simba and Nucky) and spent two years living together in East Passyunk in South Philly in their mid-20s, just as Katie and Matt were starting to date. Katie credits Abby with being the first person to tell her that she was in love with Matt (an "oh shit, you're right" moment to say the least) and is so thankful Abby was there to be supportive of their long distance adventures early on.
Stephen Erdman
Groomsman
He's beauty, he's grace, he's urban planning and design enthusiast Stephen Erdman. A fellow PA-native (calm down Philly people, he's from Allentown), Matt and Stephen bonded over hanging on to their PA driver's licenses wayyyy too long into their tenure as New Yorkers. Stephen brought a lot of life to the old Harlem apartment--literally, there were more plants than we had window space for. Naturally, Stephen served as a huge inspiration and source of advice for Katie and Matt when they stuffed their own home with plant life during the pandemic. After a brief stint in Boston, Stephen came back to NYC and lives happily on the Upper West Side (where he only occasionally caves to the late night Domino's cravings that used to plague our apartment). Be sure to ask him about his pet turtles.
Lauren Lancaster
Bridesmaid
Lauren and Katie have been BFFAAF since 6th grade when they were introduced via AIM by a mutual friend. They finally met at Abington Junior High in 7th grade, spending those really formative teenage years together helping each other through school presentations, a thousand heartbreaks, and life's general ups and downs. Lauren and Katie bonded over the shared *difficulties* of being the youngest of three sisters, and have always understood each other in a really special way. While they used to spend nights playing soccer, making up dances, and coordinating epic duets to iconic songs, these days you are more likely to find them drinking red wine and sharing fun recipes and new music. Friends for 20 years and counting... What could be better?
Jason Ramirez
Groomsman
Always up for an adventure, Jason was with Katie and Matt for one of their first big (non-Spark the Wave) weekends as a couple--getting caught in a thunderstorm at Governor's Ball 2016. Jason started at Fordham University the same year as Matt, but their bond wasn't truly solidified until they lived together in the Bronx from September through June of their first year as college grads. An avid cook, Jason was one of the first people to teach Matt that home cooking (now a big part of Katie and Matt's life together) could be more than pasta and rice & beans (the fava bean risotto they ate at Zero Otto Nove their last night as roommates is still a regular topic of discussion). Jason came to NYC from the Philippines and sadly broke up with all of us when he left to go back on Valentine's Day 2017. We threw him a wake (seriously). Ask him about his current adventures in finance and 3D printing.
Melanie Weiler
Bridesmaid
Mel is Katie's birthday buddy, high school friend, college roommate, and as of 11/4/22, wedding anniversary twin. Mel and Katie met in 7th grade at Abington Junior High, "helped" each other through a few Spanish papers and spelling tests in high school, then joined forces to spend freshman year together in the dorms at St. Joe's. They immediately bonded over their hatred of all things makeup and their love for laying in their beds watching Oprah and Dr. Phil with Taco Bell takeout. Katie will be forever grateful to Mel for convincing her to study abroad in Rome in 2009, making some of their most notorious memories in the streets of Monte Verde. On 11/4/17, Katie (and Abby) stood by Mel as her Maid of Honor. Fast forward 5 years and they'll be standing side by side yet again.
Aileen Reynolds
Groomswoman
There were many heroes who supported Katie and Matt in their long-distance endeavors, but few can match Aileen's contributions on the NYC side of things. A fellow vegetarian, she and Katie connected immediately and, most notably, Aileen was the only one of Matt's old roommates who could provide Katie with access to a full-length mirror. Like brewery (now copywriter) Tim, Aileen hails from Northport, Long Island, and attended Fordham University where she met Stephen, animator Tim, and Matt through student government (fun fact: she and Stephen both now work in housing for NYC). As roommates, Matt and Aileen shared many a bag of Takis and many an Uber home on Fordham's dime following alumni events (and she's still kind enough to let him crash in her home office when he has to work late--UPDATE: Aileen moved out in May, but Matt still crashes there, thanks Tim!). Make sure to get her take on the latest Netflix/Hulu/etc. streaming hit.
Mia Barnes
Flower Girl
Mimi is Katie's oldest niece and big sister to Gavin and Hannah. She'll be 8 years old at the wedding.
Gavin Barnes
Flower Dude
G is Katie's only nephew and brother to Mia and Hannah. He'll be 6 years old at the wedding.
Winnie Brown
Flower Girl
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner is Katie's niece and big sister to Ceci. She'll be 5 years old at the wedding.
Hannah Barnes
Flower Girl
Hannah Bear is Katie's niece and littlest sister of Mia and Gavin. She'll be 4 years old at the wedding.
Cecilia Brown
Flower Girl
Ceeeece is Katie's youngest niece and little sister to Winnie. She'll be 2 years old at the wedding.