Maggie & Brian
Wedding Party
Valerie Walter
Maid of Honor
Val is a creative whiz, a dancing machine, and a powerhouse planner. She’s an incredible person and an even better friend. Maggie and Val were college roommates, living in one of the most decrepit houses either of them has ever lived in and yet it was always full of joy.... and sprickets. After living apart for 2 years post-college, they couldn’t stand it anymore and Maggie moved to Tennessee to be with Val again. They’ve been there for each other during hard times and made fun of each other during good times.
Stephen Kroll
Best Man
Stephen is Brian’s intimidatingly photogenic four-time roommate. Brian met Stephen in 4th grade, the same year he met Maggie. Over the years, Stephen has been many things - formidable Yu-Gi-Oh player, star of high school Latin club, music guru, pioneering bartender (I mean, he created a drink that tastes like a Chicago hot dog) - but he has always been a gem of a friend. He’s probably saved Brian from from death and/or kidnapping more than once.
Natalie Bloom
Bridesmaid
Natalie is an accomplished artist, a mom of humans and plants, and has the best taste in junk food. Natalie and Maggie came together over a soccer team “Disney Princess” group costume. They went as the slinky dog from Toy Story: Natalie was the head and Maggie was her butt. Since then, their friendship has always had a certain surreal sense of humor that Maggie can’t get enough of.
Alec Dennis
Groomsman
Alec Dennis is the Younger of Cowie (heir to the Barony of Cowie, no big deal), and soon to be professor. Brian attended Alec’s legendary murder mystery parties in elementary school, and the two of them bonded during illicit coffee runs during their middle school math period. Alec is known to recite Shakespeare, but nothing will top his knock-out Charlie Brown musical number about an evening meal.
Laurel Kati Cohen
Bridesmaid
Laurel is a concert enthusiast, a filmographer, and a hat+overalls wearer. Maggie and Laurel cemented their friendship in 4th grade while destroying watermelon with their faces. They spent their formative years together, catfishing Brian, eating icing by the spoonful, and dying red streaks in each other's hair. Despite going to different middle schools, high schools, and colleges, Laurel has continued to be one of Maggie's most cherished friends.
Alex Graham
Groomsman
Alex is technically Brian’s oldest friend, if you count some Star Wars pod racer video game sessions in Second Grade. Their true connection came later though, when they discovered their mutual devotion for Bruce Springsteen. Alex knows his way around a club sandwich and he’s a map guy through and through. He is literally the life of the party; one time he burst into a NYE party at midnight and played “Auld Lang Syne” on trumpet.
Maha Elsarrag
Bridesmaid
Maha is a travel fiend, a woman who commands the room, and a full-fledged New Yorker. Maha and Maggie bonded on a fateful snowday in middle school and have been friends ever since. They did their first mostly-independent overseas travel together and Maha has been globe-trotting ever since. She is the warmest, kindest Boss Lady you can imagine.
Quentin Johnson
Groomsman
Brian and Quentin met in law school when Brian responded to Quentin’s online “seeking roommate” ad. They quickly realized that their shared interests included musical legends such as Fall Out Boy and Bright Eyes, shows about the non-adventures of Alaskan law enforcement, and Hazy IPAs. Brian is thankful to have found someone to watch Corona ads with, and is thankful to have had access to Quentin’s car Monty (RIP).
Emily Metallic
Bridesmaid
Emily laughs easily, is good at everything she tries, and makes the fudgiest brownies. She’s an exceptional human who came into Maggie's life simply by wearing a leather jacket. They were roommates in college during that time in life when they were reluctantly transitioning into adults. They were there for each other, joking through most of it and crying only occasionally. Since then Emily has been an incredible friend and is always a source of joy, ease, and hilarity.
Matt McCarthy
Groomsman
Brian and Matt met in college when Matt responded to a “seeking drummer” flyer. Matt has been a coordinator for the presidential fitness challenge, a touring drummer, a theatre mogul, and a recording studio owner. He is now a (pending) psychologist, but he really comes alive when he has a doctor’s coat and a stethoscope on. Matt is also, truly, the definition of a “old pal.”
Lori Probasco
Bridesmaid
Lori is a socially-conscious lawyer, a lover of cats, and always looking for a little adventure. Lori keeps busy and keeps Maggie on her toes with her many incredible ideas ranging from picking up trash at Humboldt Park to jumping in the lake at 7am on Friday mornings. Despite having mutual friends and even a college class together, Lori and Maggie only discovered how well their anxieties compliment one another since Maggie moved to Chicago 3 years ago.
Davis Snedeker
Groomsman
Davis is a guitar-slinging eccentric with an unparalleled metabolism. He resides in Colorado, where he tends to his advanced aquarium ecosystems and generally does Colorado stuff. Brian met Davis in college after Davis responded to an online “seeking guitar player” ad. After a summer of daily band practice and recording at Davis’s place (that drove Davis’s roommate crazy), Brian knew he’d found a kindred spirit. Davis’s contributions to a cross-country road trip will not be described further.
Emma Winkler
Bridesmaid
Emma is a tenacious competitor, full of laughter, and a (pending) doctor. Emma and Maggie have been friends since 5th grade when Maggie accidentally bullied Emma because she was a total cutie and all the boys had crushes on her. Water under the bridge. Emma and Maggie became fast friends and have always supported the other in life's endeavors. Emma is an amazing woman with a delightful sense of humor and a work ethic that seems un-human.
Gray Stephenson
Groomsman
Gray is a legendary rock god who resides in Richmond Virginia. Brian met Gray in 7th grade home economics class and asked him to start a band with him after noting that he did musical theatre AND wore Nirvana t-shirts. The rest is history. This guy was *almost *a Beyblade model, he keeps snakes as domestic pets, and he keeps the bolo tie industry afloat. He's also a dedicated friend who one might describe as a "real one."
Maxwell Walter
Officiant & Groomsman
Max is a professional comic who got his start in the entertainment industry as the star of multiple “O’Connor Productions” films. From elaborate science class pranks, to antics on the job painting dorms one summer, Max has been present for most of the weirder episodes of Brian’s life. Max brings joy and fun to all of our lives, and as Maggie’s college roommate, he brought Brian and Maggie together again.