Wedding Party
Rachel
Maid of Honor
Rachel and Heather met as boy-band loving 6th-graders in 1999, initially bonding over wholesome activities like orchestra, basketball, and stage crew. Though they've lived in different places since graduating high school, Rachel and Heather have managed to grow closer by leaning hard into their millennial roots; they talk on the phone nonstop, for hours, almost daily. "Beating a dead horse" doesn't begin to describe the way that Rachel and Heather work through their conundrums of love, life, careers, friendship, and everything in between! "Hey, can we talk for a quick 10 minutes?" "Sure, I have an hour. What's up?" Heather teases that loving Rachel has helped her love Brendan. They both prefer routine, need time at home to recharge, and aren't bothered by eating the same foods on repeat. Heather will never understand, but she still loves them both deeply. Heather is honored to have Rachel - perhaps the person who knows her better than she knows herself - as her maid of honor.
Denis Desjardins
Best Man
Center/Shoots R | Grand Falls, NB, CA | Years Known Lave: 20 The ‘Canadian Son’ as Mrs. Lavery refers to him, Denis is a solid top line center that you can build a wedding party around. His bi-linguistics make him a natural born leader, and has even helped Brendan enhance his worldliness by teaching him the necessary Franglais phrases needed to get by in day to day life. Denis was drafted onto team Lavery in 2003, when they had the distinct pleasure of being assigned the most diverse room at Kent. His skill set and demeanor were a great compliment for Brendan, thus making it a very easy transition for the both of them. As both of their linguistic abilities grew, so did their friendship, which included trips to our home and native land, concerts, and frequent visits to the Cadillac Ranch. Brendan had the distinct pleasure of being Denis’ Best man in his wedding, and is excited to reciprocate. Denis is a great pick for the Best Man, as his willingness to win and prank Brendan at every turn will only enhance the atmosphere at the Lavery/Zeman Nuptials.
Caitlin
Bridesmaid
Friends since kindergarten, Caitlin and Heather have 30 years of friendship between them. They grew up a bike-ride away, and with Heather having brothers and Caitlin being an only child, the two formed a bond as sisters. The earliest days of their friendship were filled with endless pool days and calling home to ask, "Can I stay here for dinner?!" On sleepovers, they'd curl their hair, sing along to Grease, and pretend that Danny Zuko was their boyfriend. It's their favorite movie to this day! Caitlin and Heather navigated the awkward middle school years and their first crushes together, and they didn't lose sight of one another through college or into adulthood. They've supported each other through ups and downs, though Heather's favorite conversations always start with, "Remember that time in 1st grade...?" There is an irreplaceable bond with the person who has seen you through the majority of your life. Heather is proud to have Caitlin and this lifetime of friendship by her side.
John Coutts
Groomsman
Right Wing/Shoots R | Milford, CT | Years Known Lave: 19 John has great speed and puck retrieval skills on the wing to compliment Brendan’s ‘Dump & Chase’ mentality. Couttsy Beaut came to Kent in 2004 as a bright eyed, fair skinned lad, and immediately fit right in with the fellas. Similar tastes in TV, movies, and music made him a natural fit on the wing. John’s game with Brendan has progressed throughout the years, going from setting each other’s alarm clocks for 3:30AM, to turning showers to ice cold without the others knowledge, to evolving into him asking Brendan to be the Godfather of his beautiful daughter Sadie. John is a no brainer on the wedding draft board, and his pending miserable hangover will be sure to boost everyone else’s spirits.
Meaghan
Bridesmaid
It's been 17 years since Heather, Meaghan, and Casey were paired together as freshmen in Dore 314 at Providence College. Rumor has it that Meaghan and Heather talked to one another in their sleep, but only Casey knows for sure. The friendship between Meaghan and Heather continued to blossom after college. As two young professionals living their best lives in South Boston, they often met up for shenanigans after work, went to Sox games and on ski days, and frequented classy establishments like Biddy Early's to dance on Saturday nights. When Heather thinks of 20-something life, she sees Meaghan by her side. When Heather walks down the aisle, it'll be to the song that she and Meaghan used to sing... in their freshman dorm... in the hall bathroom. It had great acoustics, and they had no shame. Cue the waterworks! (Meaghan now has an LP on Spotify, and Heather still sings in the shower.)
Cam Dyment
Groomsman
Left Defense/Shoots L | South Portland, ME | Years Known Lave: 17 Cam is the cornerstone defenseman every wedding party needs. Solid on the backend with lots of offensive upside, which is what attracted Brendan to Cam in the Salve gym, over mutual thigh admiration. A short time later, Cam braved the Narragansett Fire Escape holding some adult beverages, it was pretty much set in stone that he was stuck with Brendan from there on out. Cam was the first person to alert Brendan that Salve had started a rugby team, which only solidified their already strong bond, as now they got to see each other in short shorts minimum of 4 days a week, and ultimately led to their culmination in embracement when he and the aforementioned hooligans came out on top in 2008. Cam has been a great friend and confidant over the years, which makes him an easy draft pick into the groomsman party. His hype man ability will be a welcomed addition to the party. His chest lettuce will surely be a huge hit as well.
Casey
Bridesmaid
Casey, along with Meaghan, was Heather's roommate of 4 years at PC. At the start, Casey and Heather would stay in, paint their nails, and be innocent angels. They took Aqua Fitness - the world's most challenging fitness class - weekly, and Casey helped Heather get a work study job in the alumni call center. Casey thrived on the organization of the center and became a manager; Heather crumbled under the demands of the 3-ask call structure and quit. Heather appreciates that Casey has visited Boston for several birthdays and celebrations, despite having to drive on 95 through CT to get here from Long Island. Heather always laughs when they're together, feeling time slow the way it does when you're with people you love. Heather's heart bursts knowing that Casey knows her well enough to say, "I really think you'll hit it off with this guy,"... and be right! She envisioned this love before it even started, and Brendan and Heather couldn't do this without her. To the matchmaker!
John Dupre
Groomsman
Right Defense/Shoots R | Oyster Bay, NY| Years Known Lave: 17 John is an offensive minded defenseman with a mean streak that exceeds his stature. John and Brendan first crossed paths at Salve at a friends house, and immediately commiserated over mutual disdain for their own MLB/NFL franchises, and utter loathing for the Dallas Cowboys. John has remained a mainstay for years, with Brendan almost emerging as the best man for his wedding by almost upsetting the incumbent best man in a John Dupre Trivia Game. John was a key member of Operation Heather and Brendan Meet, when he and his lovely bride Casey, introduced them at their wedding in 2017. This was despite Brendan not realizing that it was a setup, just thinking that he had lucked into walking into the ceremony with a really nice gal. John has remained as a lock by incorporating parking lot wedding tailgating, tarps off shotguns in snow, and a similar love for 90’s Grunge. John is a vital part to round out the wedding party and Team Lavery isn’t complete without him.
Katie
Bridesmaid
Friends first on Facebook - because that's how college-bound kids connected in 2006 - Katie was the first friend that Heather made at PC. Living just down the hall from one another when they arrived to campus early, Katie and Heather were lucky enough to be assigned to the same community service group. They were also two opinionated peas in a pod. Katie and Heather are now able to laugh - along with their forgiving friends - about how bossy and non go-with-the-flow they were. But their bond went beyond that! With Katie being from Florida, she often accompanied Heather home to CT over holidays. Happy to sit on the couch and just hang, Katie is still a beloved member of Deb's household. When most of the crew stayed local after college, Katie went off to the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, returned for grad school in NYC, and ultimately followed her heart to Spain. Luckily this supports Heather's penchant for travel and gives her an excuse to jet-set each year. This band of bridesmaids would not be complete without this part of Heather's heart.
Douglas Frasier
Groomsman
Left Wing/Shoots R | West Hartford, CT | Years Known Lave: 28 Douglas is the kind of hard nose neighbor that you need in your life growing up and in the wedding party. A great enforcer on the wing, his ability to protect the groom at all costs will be a necessity in the coming months. Doug is the oldest friend of Brendan, and thus has been involved in the most hi-jinx with Brendan across the years. Allegedly. Convicted? Never convicted. Growing up a stones throw away from Brendan and being two years older, Doug was the first to take ‘Young Lavery” under his wing and establish a kinship. Their mutual like of sports, but dislike of basketball made it a seamless friendship. Their friendship grew to enormous heights, even being roommates in the nicest living quarters Wallingford, CT could offer. Doug was instrumental in getting Brendan involved with Rugby in his younger more spry years, which ultimately came back to haunt him as Brendan and his hooligan Salve teammates beat his alma mater in Southern CT for the New England D3 Title. Ever heard of it? Doug will always be a vital player on the wing, giving Brendan the space and ability to flourish.
Minori
Bridesmaid
Minori and Heather met in September 2010 as Craigslist roommates! When their month-to-month lease was terminated by December, the two found their beloved 700-square-foot Southie apartment: Baxter Street. The move was the beginning of one of the most meaningful friendships of Heather's adult life. Minori and Heather often hosted parties and, luckily, blended seamlessly with one another's friends. Beyond that, Minori always had an idea of somewhere to go, something to try, and something to do. Heather found a match for her go-go-go personality! That spirit brought Minori out to California for graduate school in 2014, giving Heather her fix of west coast adventures. Since their #BostonToBerkeley2014 road trip, Heather and Minori have maintained an almost quarterly visit schedule. Heather's former work trips to CA helped, but their Moab adventure-cation is a favorite memory. Despite not having lived together for 9 years now, when Heather is with Minori, she still feels at home. Wedding day would not be complete without her.
Liam
Ring Bearer
Unknown | Wakefield, MA | Years Known Lave: 18 months Though the shortest-tenured of the wedding party, Liam is unarguably the most handsome. Always ready to throw a smile your way, Liam's personality is bound to shine through and ease Brendan's nerves on wedding day. At this time, Liam is working on developing the Koala-fications of his duties. However, Heather and Brendan have full confidence that their dynamic and daring nephew will be ready to charge down the aisle - possibly making a pit stop for exploration or mischief - in November.
Siobhan
Bridesmaid
Heather met Siobhan just a few short weeks into dating Brendan in 2017. Heather knew how much Brendan loved his sister, so she hoped that they'd hit it off. Heather handed Sio a bottle of wine for her birthday, Sio said she loved Heather, and the rest is history! Over the years, these two have carved a space to form their own friendship, which is not one of obligation. They've chosen to spend time together on walks, at meditation class, on beach days, and even couples' cooking classes. Cut from the same cloth in many ways, Siobhan and Heather often understand the others' needs and how to help without question or judgment. When Brendan and Heather called to share their engagement news, Siobhan screamed so loud, for so long, that her Apple Watch gave a decibel warning. She has been their cheerleader from day 1! Heather is very much looking forward to her big day - when she finally gets a sister!
Keira
Flower Girl
Brendan and Heather's exuberant, fun-loving niece has had their hearts since birth. Her 4 years in their lives have brought indescribable joy and laughter. Keira has the sense of humor to laugh at Uncle's jokes, but she has the strong will and sense of self to tell him when she's had enough - just like Heather. She is Auntie's #1 baking partner and a quick study when it comes to taste-testing for quality control. Auntie considers herself lucky to be one of the people Keira trusts to braid her hair, snuggle, and guard Elephant and Giraffe. Heather and Brendan cannot wait to see Keira in her Cinder-bella dress, throwing flowers or blowing bubbles or doing whichever activity Keira wishes to do down the aisle. The playful, smart, laughter-filled nature of this flower girl cannot be matched! It wouldn't be a wedding day without her.
Dave
Officiant
Brendan first met Dave in 2011 when he moved from Chicago as Brendan's new boss. They bonded immediately over similar work styles but - more importantly - senses of humor. Dave then made the best decision for his family and moved them only two blocks from the Lavery homestead in West Hartford, further solidifying not only the friendship between Dave and Brendan but also their families. Heather first met Dave and his family on Christmas Eve 2017. They told Brendan that Heather was a keeper, and she saw clearly why Brendan respected and admired this funny and thoughtful man. The kinship between Heather, Brendan, and the Persa family has developed since then through ski trips and other life events. Dave is a mentor and friend. He was the one and only person in mind for the wedding officiant, and Brendan and Heather are touched that he's agreed to play such a meaningful role in their day.