Andrew & Jenny
Wedding Party
Brian Banks
Minister
Brian (aka B-Smooth) has been part of Andrew’s life for almost 20 years since he joined the Godparent group. Brian has been an accomplice to tp-ing hijinks, overnight bowling adventures, and is recognized as the best Sardines player on either side of the Mississippi. Brian is a loving father & dedicated husband. I have admired Brian & Lisa for their example of love, especially when I see Lisa’s tender gaze as Brian reenacts the entire filmography of Will Ferrell in their kitchen for the umpteenth year at the Godparent’s holiday party because there's someone new who hasn’t seen his impersonation of Elf. I introduced Jenny to Brian at one of these holiday parties where he welcomed Jenny to the group and didn’t even call her by a French name like Guinevere. Welcome to the party Brian!
John Henningsen
(Josuha Tree) Officiant & Honorary Groomsman
John and Andrew have lived together in about 17 different houses & apartments over the last 10 years. While this may be an exaggeration, it is no tall-tale to say that John has one of the biggest hearts that you'll ever find... as long as you don't piss him off. From John's humble beginnings as a 4-H King and prize steer salesmen in Kansas, John has now become the premiere proprietor of an arts incubator in Hollywood. When he isn't chasing away party ravers & vagrant urinators at his building, John collects antiques, nick-knacks, and whatjamacallits. Andrew firmly believes that John has the largest collection of stolen street signs from Kansas this side of Topeka. John lives in Hollywood with his collection of hand-knitted blankets, a stray cat, and a stray actor that he calls "James".
Erin Walley
Bridesmaid
Erin and Jenny have been thick as thieves ever since a 2015 production of Six Characters in Search of an Author at A Noise Within Theatre Co. They began their friendship when Jenny witnessed Erin hand re-upholster a nasty faded sofa and transform it into a beautiful damask yellow sofa for a brothel scene. Ever since they have worked together on other productions, staying up late in the ANW scene shop, eating countless amounts of Del Tacos, and sipping beers after their day jobs at the local Robin Hood Pub in the Valley "Shout out to Carl!". Jenny knew that this friendship was worth its weight in gold when Erin bribed Jenny's grumpy dog, Rilo, into liking her by way of chicken grease and when Erin brought her Turnips. She's truly one of the best human beings Jenny knows.
Nick Padiak
Best Man
Nick and Andrew have been buddies since their time at Augustana College. Nick is a freelance writer, White Sox fan, has the unique ability to turn into a lobster in the Florida sun, and can do the best impression of Joe Pesci from My Cousin Vinny without even trying (just get him worked up a bit and it comes out). Nick lives in Chicago with his beautiful wife Katie & his adorable daughter Milo.
Stephen James
Bridesman
Stephen is Jenny's Closest Cal Arts friend. While Stephen was completing his Bachelors degree, Jenny was completing her MFA. They spent a lot of smoke breaks and late nights together at the Cal Arts costume shop. They became fast friends because they shared the love of being late night workaholic vampires while making sure all costume details on their work were just right. Since Cal Arts, Stephen and Jenny have collaborated on costume projects and sometimes they like to hang out in cemeteries while watching movies and sipping wine. Stephen has been a constant source of humor and support for Jenny throughout her time at Cal Arts and beyond.
Matthew Bamberg-Johnson
Groomsman
Matthew and Andrew met during grad school and became even closer friends after when Andrew asked if he could stage manage, design, and act in some "immersive" thing at Matthew's house. Andrew was paid two beers per show and can call himself a professional LA actor now. While Matthew is known for his prowess on stage & in film, his closest friends know that he is a Level 27 dungeon master and has not only mastered the dungeons but also the dragons. Matthew is a true friend because while he is a connoisseur of hoppy beers, he also stocks his fridge with Budweiser so that Andrew's pallet isn't confused from all hops and flavor. Matthew lives in Los Angeles with beautiful wife Genevieve and spunky son Griffin.
Kristin Kathol
Bridesmaid
Kristin and Jenny were friends long before they knew they were friends. They met one evening at a bar with their mutual friend Liz, and after this chance meeting Jenny made it her mission to bring Kristin into the Western Costume Co. family. Ever since they have had numerous random adventures involving: turnips, a San Diego zoo trip, a plague, eating cheese & wine in Malibu while playing oversized chess, having after work car chats, a bridal expo sipping champagne, and many more shenanigans. She has the biggest heart for her friends and has been a rock for Jenny in some of her toughest moments.
Val Grudzien McLaughlin
Groomswoman
Val & Andrew have been friends since high school. They've successfully tp'd more houses than anyone else from their hometown, highlighted by a sneak TP attack on other members of a youth church group. Val has an infections laugh and adventurous spirit for doing some truly amazing feats while drinking libations. Notably breaking the Butler University record for "Butler Bowl Runs" and she is the only person I know to chug an entire bottle of Jameson, look Nick's best man in the eye, call him a "little bitch", and live to tell the story. Val lives in Indianapolis with her wonderful husband Tom & smiley baby Brooks.
Abbey Everson
Bridesmaid
Abbey is Jenny's longest LA friend. They have known each other for 12 years. Jenny met Abbey at a South Central 2nd hand clothing rag house called Samiyatex, where they converted a fledgling eBay store into an e-commerce brand called LA Vintage for their cranky boss, Murtaza. Throughout their friendship, despite the ups and downs in their lives, whenever they meet up they never skip a beat and they can always make each other laugh. For Jenny, Abbey has been a source of brightness in a sometimes dark city.
Megan Rippey
Groomswoman
Megan & Andrew became friends during their first year at CalArts when Andrew unknowingly became a lighting designer for a burlesque show. he honestly had no idea what "pasties" were until a week before the show opened. Megan, who is a mermaid and plays one in the movies. Andrew firmly believes that she summons her mermaid heritage to speak to all types of animals including rabbits, dogs, goats, & deer. Another widely believed myth about Megan is that her uncle is Cal Ripken Jr. While this has never been formally verified, no one has come forward to disprove this myth, so it must be true because Andrew made it up. Megan lives with her husband Jan David on a small farm inside an apartment in Los Angeles. Pertect!
Maria Uribe
Bridesmaid
Maria and Jenny became fast friends back in 2014, when Jenny designed her first show at A Noise Within Theatre. Maria is the head of the costume shop and because of her incredible natural talent at making costumes and her funny witty tongue, Jenny knew that this was the beginning of a meaningful friendship. Through thick and thin, even when they weren't working on a show together, Maria and Jenny have had each other's back, which sometimes included a magical costume stock called Narnia, and dog sitting a feisty pup. They have had fun adventures hiking with Maria's dog Sparky, biking in Venice, having after hike breakfasts, and lots of car rides to a storage unit that is only five minutes walking distance from the theater. She's her Sista from another Mista!
David Powers
Groomsman
Dave & Andrew became roommates & friends right after he moved to California. He introduced Andrew to the Dodgers, Vin Scully, and Doc Ellis. This could very well be the reason why Andrew loves LA and all of their "greenery". Dave is also a badass. He's the only person ever to survive "the most perfect triangle hold ever performed". To date he is the only person on Earth who can fully comprehend Megan's psychedelic ramblings at 3am. Dave currently resides in Newhall, California. It's a quaint hold town that is best town for being "Awesometown" adjacent (it's true. look it up.) and the last place James Dean ate a pie before he died (also probably true. Andrew doesn't know what he ate. Could've been pancakes. It was a diner.)
Victoria Lia
Keeper of Coins
Niece to the Groom
Anna Mierzejewski
Lady of the Lasso
Niece to the Groom
Alivia Mierzejewski
Flower Girl
Niece to the Groom
Jackson Lia
Ring Bearer
Nephew to the Groom