Maid of Honor
Em and Claudia met (and became best friends) the first night in the dorms as freshmen at UC Irvine. They realized they both hated top sheets, both their dads' favorite band was Queen, and they were wearing the same bra (Em jumped out of bed to show Claudia). After 5 years as roommates and 3 weeks backpacking through Western Europe, there isn't a single stone left unturned between them. Emily has a huge heart and, to put it colloquially, she's always down af - fearless and loyal. P.S. Don't ask them about the infamous sangria night in Madrid. Or do.
Best Man
Joe and Connor met living on the same floor their freshman year at the University of Akron. There are a lot of things that brought them together, but none of it would have happened if Connor hadn't been the first person bold enough to make a blind joke. Thereafter, they bonded over their ability to eat fast and a love for sports and stats. After all, which other duo could play FIFA career mode for 8 hours straight? Joe is dedicated and passionate, and if we all lived life the way Joe does, the world would be a more interesting place. Their trigger word? FIFAgate.
Bridesmaid
Desarae and Claudia knew each other for years before - BAM - they got engaged within a month of each other! Sure, they met through Connor and her fiancé, Taylor, but it's been all about the girls for a while now. Being 2023 brides together put them on the fast track to sisterhood and they've since then been able to bond over everything from tacky bridal accessories to families, cultures, and values. Though they can both be fiery in their opinions, Claudia and Des have found plenty of common ground to stand on. Des's fatal flaw is her disdain for Bohemian Rhapsody, but we'll let it slide, because she is unapologetically herself: creative, resilient, and passionate.
Groomsman
Alex was one of the first people that Connor met his freshman year of college - and they had the same major - how convenient! In an epitomizing example of their dynamic, Connor and Alex completed a school project where they played video games for tens of hours to show the effects of communication on successful teamwork. After a year as roommates, five years as classmates, and three years of both living in So Cal, the drinking stories abound and the friendship is strongly rooted. Alex is dependable, passionate, and knowledgeable, so nothing beats a trivia game with him (especially if it's about history).
Bridesmaid
Marissa and Claudia were neighbors in their freshman year hall at UCI. They had breakfast together almost every single morning at the dining commons that year (the Freshman 15 was no joke for Claudia, who always made sure to get coffee, juice, oatmeal, eggs, bacon, and a pastry). Fast forward a couple years, and Marissa was Claudia's shoulder to lean on after they'd both returned from living abroad - an experience hard to explain that creates a unique bond. She is a lively, sweet, and strong woman. Marissa has moved to Arizona in the time since then, but the love is still there. Why else would she agree to this?!
Groomsman
They go back to third grade, when Buchta moved to Olmsted Falls. Buchta and Connor's dads co-coached their intermediate school flag football team, and they shared some classes and lunch tables for years, but didn't get close until other Olmsted classmates who attended Akron with Connor had Buchta visit them (he was at Penn). Buchta is brilliant and dedicated, and his attention for Connor and his family during their periods of grief show how kind and thoughtful he is as well. This friendship culminated in a week-long West Coast baseball trip last year, and it's all gin and wine from here!
Bridesmaid
First things first - Claudia met Lindsay less than a year before her engagement. But boy, was it a year! In January 2022, they had a wild night out their first time meeting by pseudo-happenstance for Claudia's birthday in San Francisco. Their next encounter, May, was in Anaheim, where they also had a big, boisterous Friday night (and later found out they'd both gotten COVID - whoops!). Lindsay brings a whole other level of energy anywhere she goes. She is an adventurous, unique, piano-playing ray of pure sunshine, ready to love and ready to party. Codeword: GPS!
Groomsman
Connor and JC met at Akron (second floor, honors), and they owe their friendship almost entirely to sports. They first went to golf class together, dropped the class while in the class together, and then played a whole lot of sports video games together. They "discovered" Aaron Judge when he was still in the farm system and always send each other a picture of Jim Thome's 511-foot homer plaque when one of them is at Progressive Field. Connor and JC can talk on the "next level" about sports prospects - embodied by a seven-round NFL mock draft that they created and shared on Reddit.
Bridesmaid
Kaytlyn is a brilliant, hilarious, Type-A sweetheart. When Kayt moved to Riverside, CA from Allegan, MI in high school, she and Claudia immediately identified themselves in the other and created a unique bond that can only be called one of soulmates. Despite time and distance apart, the way some friendships ebb and flow, Kaytlyn has always occupied a special place in Claudia's heart. Kayt is hard-working, wise, and loves fiercely. She pursues her dreams and protects her happiness bravely, raising up those around her and boldly being herself. Claudia wouldn't be the same person without her, and without Claudia, well, she might have never discovered Bayside ;)
Groomsman
One word: GoGurt. Anyway - the stories date back to Akron, again. The now-doctor, Chuck, introduced the friend group to the Penta-Shot: a five-shot glass in one (so much for do no harm). Nonetheless, Chuck has been a reliable friend, driving with Connor to and from Colorado for Connor's summer internship, during which they had to drive off onto a side road to avoid a literal tornado in Kansas. Despite his busy schedule through undergrad, medical school, and beyond, he's always found time to visit Connor at every apartment he's ever lived in, from Pennsylvania to California.