Wedding VIPs

Cara Yakush

Bride

American Francophile turned Franco-American, living in Paris since 2013, with a heart still rooted in the 203.

Alexandre Sueur

Groom

French basketballer and sneaker enthusiast, banlieusard turned Parisien, most commonly known as Gros.

Cristen Yakush

Maid of Honor

Cristen and Cara became roommates in March of 1995 and Cristen has doubled as her clothing lender/body double, fellow wine enthusiast and UCONN huksy, travel buddy, and voice of reason, ever since.

Benjamin Sueur

Best Man

Grand frère, exemple de réussite sauf dans les sports collectifs, comme quoi la science ne peut pas tout résoudre. Mon best man qui nous fera profiter de son discours en anglais qui s'annonce déjà légendaire. Le Doc.

Manon Sueur

Bridesmaid

La petite soeur qui a bien cachée son jeu pendant 20 ans avant de se découvrir une passion pour la fête. C’est donc un grand frère fier aujourd’hui. Comme tout n’est pas parfait, elle a choisi un supporter de l’OM pour partager sa vie. Co.

Romain Lecreff

Groomsman

Romain, le philosophe, éternellement âgé de 27 ans aux idées révolutionnaires. Il s’inspire en effet du cuba libre, toute une histoire. Morgan de toi.

Geena Chiacu

Bridesmaid

Geena and Cara have been besties since 8th period art class at THS with Mr. Fatibene. The two share a passion for wine, are artistically inclined, and consider each other sisters. They have shared so many memories, but still learn something new about each other every time they're together, even after their 14+ year friendship.

Nicolas Vaucher

Groomsman

Nicolas and Cara met at a party while Geena was making her very first visit to Paris in 2014. Nicolas is Cara's oldest friend in Paris. Having shared many beautiful memories since then, they have had innumerable dinners and nights out, spending time with Cara's sisters (Cristen & Geena) road-tripping around Champagne, and studying with Cara to prepare her for her French citizenship.

Amanda Mehtala

Bridesmaid

Amanda and Cara met studying abroad in Paris in 2011, despite both having been at The University of Connecticut, prior. Cara and Amanda moved to Paris after graduating UCONN, just one year apart, and shacked up in a flatshare in the 15th. Together, they regularly frequent Annecy and Valencia (and any beaches they can find on the European continent), have sleepovers, and reunite with the Francy 5 whenever possible.

Thomas Ancelin

Groomsman

Thomas est un homme de confiance. Il n’a jamais raté une occasion de rigoler, d’aller encourager notre équipe de coeur aux quatre coins de l’Europe et sera même devant ma porte le vendredi à 17h sans aucun doute. Tié un monstre.

Zoe Grotophorst

Bridesmaid

Zoe and Cara's cousinship dates back to the early 90's when Zoe was convinced that her tan Connecticut cousin wasn't actually related to her. They summered in Connecticut, went on to become members of the TTC and both are avid francophiles.

Hugo Veloppé

Groomsman

Il se présente, il s’appelle Henry pourtant c’est bien Hugo que j’ai rencontré il y a 20 ans de ça sur un terrain de basket. Nos carrières ont connu des hauts et des bars, la bière tu connais. Hugo le patron.

Elodie Mézière

Bridesmaid

Elodie, la Mézière plus exactement, représente fièrement sa Mayenne natale. Que ce soit à Paris ou de l'autre coté des Pyrénées elle a toujours été à nos cotés. Elle est surtout la raison de notre rencontre donc on ne pourra jamais assez la remercier. Toujours de mèche.

Jérôme Bascompte-Soler

Groomsman

Jérome a déjà dérapé, trébuché, s’est pris les pieds dans le tapis au moindre changement de direction, il reste pourtant le dernier debout. Son secret ? Toujours à 102%.

Kristen Paolino

Bridesmaid

Kristen and Cara have been besties since the THS softball team. Nearly birthday twins (born one year and one week apart), they are often confused for actually being sisters. They have spent many a nights at Huskies and getting snowed in at Teds (proud Husky alum!), share a love country music, globetrotting and spending countless hours on the beach.

Paul Robert

Groomsman

Paul, plus connu son le nom de Roberto, n’est jamais le dernier à s’en jeter derrière la cravate (et pas que). On a longtemps envisager de se marier afin de pouvoir toujours "se marrer". Colocataire pendant 3 ans, fraire depuis 10 ans. Sacré loulou.

Annie Grotophorst

Bridesmaid

Cara and Annie's cousinship is linked to camping in Connecticut with the TTC. Together one summer, they coached Trumbull Rec softball and enjoyed many exciting times (some crazy, wild times involving bad hot dogs) at the cottage on Lake Zoar.

Ivan Jovanovic

Groomsman

Ivan, comment pouvais je savoir en le croisant en école primaire qu’il deviendrait bodybuilder, serial lover, instragrameur et même groomsman de mon mariage ? Parce qu’il a été toujours été là.

Mira Marke

Bridesmaid

This friendship began when Cara decided to sit next to Mira during the History of Modern India class and introduce herself, having noticed Mira in 3 of her earlier classes that day. The two were history majors’ sharing an identical schedule during Mira's senior year/Cara's junior year at UCONN. After class, they would often go to the Student Union to get Panda Express. Cara was Mira's MOH at her wedding in 2011.

Nidal Abdi

Groomsman

Nidal, qui se renomme lui même Nibard (avec un d), a été un fidèle compagnon de foire pendant notre prime. Il aura laissé une marque indélébile dans mon coeur ainsi que sur son front. Toujours un menton d’avance.

Rae Marinaccio

Bridesmaid

Rae and Cara met in Italian club on a trip to NYC to the Met and Carmine's. The two Italo-Americans, who are likely cousins, have been tight ever since, spending holidays together enjoying spiked eggnog, and Carol's delish Italian dishes.

Benjamin Neaud

Groomsman

Récemment renommé Benito, il dédie sa vie à notre passion commune : la bière. L'espagnol est devenu sa première langue, la Colombie sa terre d'accueil, mon canap son refuge le weekend. Il coco, je coco, nous coco, Que Rico!

Holly Smith

Officiant (US)

Holly and Cara also met studying abroad in Paris in 2011. In the summer of 2018, Holly temporarily (unofficially) joined Cara & Amanda's flatshare. During the most epic weekend of the summer, where France won the World Cup and celebrated its independence day, the entire Francy 5 (Amanda, Meghan, Cara, Holly and Marissa (mom to flowergirl Olivia)), pulled off Meghan's surprise proposal in front of the Eiffel Tower (Travis, her now-husband, may have played a small role, too). Cara and Holly alternate weekends visiting each other in London and Paris and the south of France, and reunite with the Francy 5 whenever possible.

Killian Daly

Officiant (France)

Killian came into Alexandre's life by way of a roommate Facebook group in Paris. That same search also brought Paul Robert (groomsman), aka. Roberto, into the apartment so aptly nicknamed « 11 rue vin blanc. » The three bonded like brothers, even taking a roadtrip through Ireland--Killian's motherland. They shared their living space with a fourth roommate-Mamen, their stuffed pet badger, who they honored posthumously by hiding him all over the apartment and scaring people half to death.

Matthew Yakush

Father of the Bride

Gilles Sueur

Father of the Groom

Gayle Yakush

Mother of the Bride

Muriel Sueur

Mother of the Groom