Dana & Brian
Wedding Party
Alexis Plair (Michigan)
Bridesmaid
My second oldest sister who is stunning, fashionable, witty and hilarious! I followed in her footsteps growing up. Being her little sister made me cool by association, because I was super shy. She did my hair for every school dance and is still my favorite stylist. She is brilliant, loving and fabulously talented at working with youth to improve their lives, family situations and reach educational success to pursue their dreams. She is also a gifted hair and lash salon owner, restaurateur, singer and mother who resides in Kalamazoo, MI with 3 amazing teenagers; Xavier, Sanai and Eddie.
Brian Meskell (California)
Groomsman
We met all the way back in kindergarten at Arroyo Elementary School and quickly became best friends enjoying the simple things like video games, LEGOs and Z-Bots. Our friendship has stood the test of time and distance. While we often times didn't live in the same city, we constantly stayed connected. Brian now lives in nearby Orange, CA with his wife Amanda, two little girls Piper and Charlie, and their hairy beast Mozzie. You'll find Brian and I at Ducks hockey games and at the best brewery Pizza Port.
Amber Williams (Kentucky)
Bridesmaid
My fourth youngest sister is so giving, kind hearted, welcoming and easygoing. We were two peas in a pod as kids. I admire her so much. She exhibits such grace and peace that she freely gives to others. Her home is a meeting place for many, an open door full of love. She knows all of her neighbors and their kids, invites them over for dinner and is so hospitable. Not only is she a master chef, specialty baker and community leader, she is also fluent in Spanish and a mother of five creative and fun kids; Nia, Josiah, Kayla, Micah and Judah. We love speaking in Spanish together. Their family just returned from a summer living in Spain learning the Spanish language and culture. She and her husband Jamaal lead Sojourn Church, Midtown Campus in Louisville, KY.
Jimmy Dowdall (Illinois)
Groomsman
We met in our first week at Notre Dame in 2004 at his brother's off-campus party. While coming from opposite coasts (Jimmy comes from Boston), we immediately found a lot in common, including our last names. Jimmy and I lived together as roommates for about a decade between college and Chicago, at the famous 1330 W Belmont residence with Dupe. Jimmy and I have logged countless hours tailgating in parking lots before football games. Jimmy now lives in Chicago with his wife Mary, daughters Madeline and CeCe, and furry friend Enzo.
Molly Dowdell (California)
Bridesmaid
We met in February 2021 when I first met the Dowdell family at a picnic. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Molly ever since. She is kind, creative, encouraging and so easy to talk to. She is also a wealth of knowledge about healthy recipes, lifestyle tips, the power of essential oils, health coaching and so much more. She even used to live in NYC before moving to Cali! We often talk about the difference between the two cities. She is married to Kevin and is the mother of two wonderful kids, Ethan and Anna that are full of creativity and musical talents. They reside in Irvine, CA.
Mike "Dupe" Dupuis (Illinois)
Groomsman
We also met in our first week at Notre Dame in 2004. Dupe grew up in the tundra of Michigan but we somehow still got along. We lived together as roommates during college and then after college in Chicago with Jimmy and Enzo at 1330 W Belmont residences. These days we connect frequently to commiserate over Notre Dame football, nerd out over sports statistics, and plan what meats we will bring to football tailgates (Paulina Meat Market beef jerky for the win). Dupe resides in Chicago with his wife Kim and their daughter Chuck.
Sharon Dowdell (California)
Bridesmaid
Brian’s older sister whom I also met in February 2021 at their family picnic. She reminds me of Joanna Gaines in how she is able to bake her own bread, grow fruits and vegetables in her home garden to cook delicious meals, support local regenerative agriculture, design beautiful spaces and select great restaurants based on the menus they offer. She is also a multi talented leader supporting women led startups to cause disruptive change for good. She has an adorable and fun daughter, Noa, that has an infectious love for all things exciting!
Chris Ragni (Illinois)
Groomsman
Same story as Dupe and Jimmy. We met our first week at Notre Dame in 2004, lived together in college, and then lived in Chicago at the same time (though not in the 1330 W Belmont residences). In his spare time, Ragni enjoys running distances that make me concerned for his well-being. Ragni is also willing to go on deep, strange Youtube rabbit holes with me. Ragni lives in Chicago with his wife Christina, doggo Tilda, and trusty Weber grill that is yet to be named.
Afa Kurian (Iowa)
Bridesmaid
We met in 2008 while we were both living in Durham, NC working at Duke University. The rest is history. We have been close friends ever since. When I moved back to D.C. in 2010 and she later moved there for a career opportunity, I teased her by saying she followed me there! I had the pleasure of introducing her to her now husband and they both are lifelong friends. Afa is a public health professional by training, but pursued her passion for creative writing by getting a second Master’s degree at the University of Iowa and being a part of the prestigious Iowa Writer’s Workshop. She is a published author, exquisite storyteller and inspiring role model. Over the years, we have grown such a beautiful friendship, full of laughter, encouragement and growth. I am overjoyed that she spent the last 6 months in Cali and we got to hangout more often. She is working on her first novel, so keep your eyes open for a bestseller coming soon! She and her husband Philip reside in Iowa City, IA.
Joe "Spo" Sposato (Colorado)
Groomsman
Spo and I met at Notre Dame in 2005 as civil engineers, though I'm not sure we really liked each other until about 2006. While we have never lived remotely close to the same city, we've stayed in touch by common interests in sports and uncomfortable, weird movies. Spo lives in Denver with his wife Danielle and dog Rosie. And like Ragni, Spo enjoys running distances that make me genuinely concerned for him.
Danielle Quick (Ohio)
Bridesmaid
My dear friend I met in 1997 at Hillside Middle School in Kalamazoo, MI. We found out that our Father’s went to college together and then they reconnected when we became friends. Danielle is a fun-loving, traveling, trailblazing engineer who was the first Black woman to graduate from Hope College with an engineering degree. She is used to being one of few women working in the automotive industry as an engineer and thus has become a powerful symbol for women and girls to let nothing stop them. She is a marathon runner and graciously allowed me to do my first marathon with her in Ohio a few years back. She and her husband Daudi reside near Columbus, OH and they have two wonderful kids named Dior and Dia.
Chris Wilson (New York)
Groomsman
While Wilson was in my class at Notre Dame, we really didn't know each other until around 2010. Wilson and I have connected over the years over a borderline unhealthy obsession with all sports, as well high standards when it comes to tailgate consumption and duration. Wilson currently lives in New York City, and he might reside inside of Blondies Sports Bar.
Jane Son (California)
Bridesmaid
I am so grateful I met Jane in April 2020, at the start of the pandemic. We were roommates by chance, but fast friends by choice. Our friendship formed during a challenging time for our world. During lockdown we both worked from home by day and often hung out watching movies by night, snacking, making cookies, going to get boba at Class 302 (our favorite place for bubble tea) and sushi at our local sushi restaurant in the plaza near our house. That same sushi restaurant turned out to be the place of my first date with Brian. In true wingwoman fashion, Jane happened to be there working from the plaza that day. I still remember seeing her and being so excited she was there (in case I needed a reason to leave my date early). I quietly whispered to her that I was meeting a date and once I spotted Brian I pointed him out to her. Little did I know, my life was about to change that day. I am so grateful Jane was there and has been there through my time living in California. She is a fun, generous, event planning support system for international students at UCI and such a great friend. I miss our roomie boba and sushi dates, but I am so excited California is my home now and she is a short drive away in Irvine.
John Dowdell (California)
Groomsman
John is my oldest brother. He is the peace keeper of the family and the best at solving any kind of puzzle. You'll find John and I at a bunch of Ducks hockey games every year. John has become a semi-professional pool player and now lives in Irvine, CA with his part-time dogs Olly and Rogue.
Janie Perecky (New York)
Bridesmaid
We met in 2010 while attending the same church and singing on the worship team together (Rebecca sang with us too). Serving together and connecting around our love for worship music was the start of our friendship. Exploring NYC, weekend getaways, skydiving together for the first time, apple picking and NYE parties with her huge and loving family are a part of my fondest memories. Janie’s family home became a second home for me during my 10 years in NYC. It was at a NYE party that I ran around her driveway with a suitcase in hopes I’d one day travel the world. Well, that definitely came true! Her parents and sisters are like family to me and I am honored to be the Godmother of her daughter, Noelle. So grateful for video calling that allowed me to witness Noelle’s christening ceremony from Israel and keep in touch over the years. I even got to see her parents when they visited Sydney, Australia while I lived there. Janie is a skilled nurse and one of the many frontline workers risking her life every day to save lives. She and her husband Jeremiah reside in Scarsdale, NY with their sweet daughters Noelle and Olivia.
Kevin Dowdell (California)
Groomsman
Kevin is my second oldest sibling. He is the most musically gifted in the family (as you'll see at the ceremony). He even recorded a Covid solo album, in which he wrote and played every instrument and edited it all himself. Kevin helped brainwash me (along with my dad) into becoming a Notre Dame fan as a kid. After living in NYC for many years, Kevin now lives in Irvine, CA with his wife Molly and kids Ethan and Anna.
Kendra Blacksher (Texas)
Bridesmaid
We met in Hillside Middle School, 8th grade science class in 1998. We were both so shy back then, but our meeting was definitely divinely orchestrated. We have been close friends since that day, sharing so many seasons of life together. I could not have asked for a better group of friends than Kendra (and Danielle) to go through my awkward teenage years with. Always genuine, kind, authentic, fun, smart and driven to achieve. We played on the basketball and volleyball team together, spent countless days at the mall and many hours just enjoying quality time together. It has been such a joy seeing Kendra progress through every life stage with that same joy, kindness, authenticity, perseverance and generosity. She is a businesswoman gifted at numbers, a skilled CPA, auditor, community leader, wife and mother of four (including triplets). To know her is to know the immeasurable love of a friend that is by your side for life, fully committed through the thick and thin. Excited to rejoice with you in your triumphs and weep with you in your down moments. A strong leader, humble heart and thoughtful friend. She and her husband Lawrence reside in Dallas, TX with her mother Mary and her kids Lucas, Jacob, Riley and Mila.
Alex Plair II (California)
Groomsman
Alex is my (Dana) only brother who I can always count on for support, encouragement and lots of laughs! He is one of the main reasons why I eventually made the move out to California, after living in NYC and around the world for over 10 years. I finally took him up on the idea and I am forever grateful! Moving to California in 2020 is what led me to meet Brian and build a beautiful life on the sunny West Coast. Alex is a skilled civil engineer, problem solver and innovative leader who resides in Los Angeles, CA with his wife Deshawn.
Rebecca Okunade (Mississippi)
Bridesmaid
Thinking back on my years living in NYC, Rebecca is always a part of my fondest memories. We met at a small group gathering hosted by members of our church. I remember her saying she was in graduate school at Parsons for interior design and thinking what a cool field that would be to work in! She was so kind, gracious and elegant. I hoped that we could become friends. When I joined the worship team, I was so excited to sing soprano next to Rebecca…it was short lived as she switched to alto lol! With her lovely voice she shined in whichever role she took on. It was a cherished time singing alongside her, Janie and some of our other close friends to this day. Our friendship blossomed over tea dates at Alice’s Tea cup, dinner dates, design expos, window shopping and sleepovers at her beautifully designed Upper East Side apartment. I cannot imagine my time in NYC without Rebecca. She has such a heart for people and the little things that make life worthwhile. She is a creative designer at heart and puts her exquisite touch to everything she puts her hand to do. She married her sweetheart husband Kevin in May and after years working as an exceptional designer for many top firms in NYC and Dallas, she is launching out to start her own business in her new city of Meridian, MS where they reside.
Jamaal Williams (Kentucky)
Groomsman
Jamaal is my (Dana) brother-in-law, married to Amber, and they are the parents of my precious nieces and nephews Nia, Josiah, Kayla, Micah, and Judah. They met while attending Michigan State and I still remember the first time Amber told me about him. He is an incredible communicator, visionary and writer who truly cares for people. He is a native of Chicago, IL and the gifted lead pastor of Sojourn Church Midtown in Louisville, KY.