Megan & Alex
Wedding Party
Marie Whelan
Maid of Honor
Marie and Megan met in 8th grade on the first day of school. Megan had just moved to Missouri from Texas and was nervous about starting at a new school. She walked into her first theatre class and ended up talking to Marie. They've been best friends ever since. Many years later they attended their first year of college together at UMKC, often carpooling to class and studying together. Though Megan eventually switched universities to pursue theatre at Avila, their friendship never wavered.
Lexie Phillips
Maid of Honor
Lexie and Megan met in 8th grade on the first day of school. Megan had just moved to Missouri from Texas and was nervous about making new friends. Megan had met Marie earlier that day and they discovered that they also had gym together along with Marie’s long-time friend, Lexie. Lexie is the kind of person who becomes your friend for life when you meet her. The 3 have been best friends ever since. A little further down the line, Lexie began hosting a weekly game night at her house where the friend group grew, eventually adding college roommates and future fiancés.
Kelsey Gallagher
Maid of Honor
Kelsey and Megan met the first week of undergrad at Avila University. They both studied Theatre Design and Technology so they had many classes together. Their friendship truly began when Kelsey was visiting one of Megan’s roommates in the dorms and noticed she was playing World of Warcraft in the living room. They ended up talking until 3 in the morning and have been friends since! They eventually became roommates and Kelsey started going to the weekly group game nights hosted at Lexie's house. She fit right in like she'd been part of the group since the very beginning.
Caitlin Canupp
Bridesmaid
Megan and Caitlin met through Lexie in college. Lexie and Caitlin were roommates at Missouri Western where they were both studying art and animation. Lexie introduced her to the long-time friend group where she fit right in as if she’d always been there. One of Megan’s favorite memories of Caitlin is when the group went on a road trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Walking between exhibits, a wild prairie dog ran right over to Caitlin probably looking for food. It came so close to her that it nearly touched her phone while she took a picture of it!
Justin Dudzik
Bridesman
Megan and Justin are coworkers at The White Theatre. They originally met in passing while working on a summer show at Theatre in the Park. They later met again while both working on a production of Newsies at The J long before they were hired onto their current staff positions. After many late nights in the theatre and trips to Fox and Hound to blow off steam, the pair became friends. They currently share an office and work hand in hand with the rest of the Arts and Culture Team to run the theatre.
Drew Forbes
Best Man
Just a year and a half younger, Drew is as close to a lifelong friend to Alex as he can get. They grew up together and participated in many of the same activities, including baseball, soccer, and attending Boy Scouts. The two have always been there for one another, and have stuck together for many years.
Thomas Forbes
Groomsman
Thomas is Alex’s younger brother. They're both optimistic and progressive, and always challenge each other to think outside the box— with a few laughs along the way. Thomas gives Alex a reason and the drive to be a better person and has supported Alex for many years.
Tyler Shipley
Groomsman
Alex and Tyler met in 2015 as National Guardsmen for the state of Missouri, becoming fast friends and realizing how many interests they shared. Eventually, Tyler introduced Alex to his group of friends that had been together since high school, and in that group was Alex's future fiancée. Giving him both lifelong friends and unwavering loyalty, Tyler has been like a brother to Alex through thick and thin.
Cole Tribolet
Groomsman
Tyler brought Alex to a Friday game night, and it was there he met Cole. Alex discovered he and Cole shared many interests and became fast friends. Since then, their love of storytelling and games of all kinds has kept them together and cemented a lasting friendship.
Eric Carlson
Groomsman
Another friend gained through Tyler's Friday night game group, Eric has been a source of intelligent conversation and inspiration for Alex. They've stayed up late many nights discussing Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, and share other common interests (except for math!). Through discussion and gaming alike, the two have remained steadfast friends since.
Marguerite Morvant
Flower Girl
Marguerite is Megan’s cousin
Evie Siler
Flower Girl
Megan’s cousin
Hayden Siler
Ring Bearer
Hayden is Megan’s cousin and Evie’s older brother! He is excited to be a ring bearer!
Nathaniel Morvant
Ring Bearer
Nathaniel is Megan’s cousin and Marguerite’s older brother! He is excited to be a ring bearer!
Andrew Russel
Officiant
Andrew and Alex met at the beginning of Alex’s service in the National Guard. Andrew was first and foremost a leader but became a role model, a teacher, and a very good friend. They enjoy many of the same things and spent lots of time together as cast members for the Kansas City Renaissance Faire as the Hunstman and the Apprentice (Alex was the Apprentice!). The time shared brought the two together as friends and brothers.
Taylor Paige Fluharty
Wedding Planner
Megan found Taylor via Instagram on accident before she and Alex were engaged. Megan loved her positive attitude and encouraging posts. She started following her to see daily positivity and tips for future planning. Turned out the future wedding wasn’t so far away! The day after Alex proposed, Megan reached out to Taylor to ask her about wedding planning! Taylor has been such an incredible help in the planning journey and such a wonderful person to get to know.