Carolyn & Hugh
Wedding Party
Carolyn Gilbert
Bride
Carolyn is thrilled to marry Hugh in Dorset, where her parents (1990), great-grandparents (1917), and great-great-grand parents (1886) were also wed, and where she and Hugh have spent many of the best days of their relationship. She remembers meeting Hugh for the first time while playing pick-up soccer at Macalester College in 2012. One of their first conversations was about skiing in Colorado, where they spent spring break as a couple five months later. Ever since, Carolyn has felt lucky to make other dreams reality with Hugh, including living in Shanghai, Addis Ababa, London, Washington DC, and returning to Vermont. Carolyn is grateful for the Bach-Kelley family's many years of love and is excited to spend her life as part of a family where chocolate chip cookies are never far away.
Hugh Kelley
Groom
Hugh is excited to bring an air of mystery to the wedding and eagerly looks forward to finding out whether guests will correctly distinguish him from his brothers. A former rugby player, he brings a certain "full-contact" spirit to the southern Vermont road biking scene and volunteers as as ski patroller in order to skip lift lines. Hugh is overjoyed to spend life with someone who consumes maple syrup by the gallon, shares his love of making skiing and driving harder than they need to be and has so far tolerated his involuntary inclination toward veganism. Hugh quickly felt at home amongst the Gilberts and Chars as he grew familiar with their arcane leguminous summer traditions, affinity for regionally unique donuts and milk-free iced treats, gusto for Kozo sushi before long flights, and pattern of organizing of group hikes that turn out to be more taxing than originally described by Vermont and Hawai'i patriarchs.
Julia Char Gilbert
Maid of Honor
Julia has been Carolyn’s favorite sister since 1995. She met Hugh shortly after he and Carolyn started dating, and she approved of him immediately because he always showed up with baked goods. Julia has lived and worked as a policy advocate in Denver for the past few years, but she’s spending most of 2024 puttering around New Zealand. Carolyn and Hugh are very grateful for Julia's film photography skills; the engagement photos on the website's homepage were taken by Julia on Peter/Dad's 1972 Nikkormat!
Brendan Kelley
Groomsman
Brendan is Hugh's middle brother. He loves to ski and bike with Hugh and Carolyn and to take advantage of their hospitality when he can be in Vermont. He lives in Oregon with his partner, Nina, where they simultaneously pursue careers in healthcare across a variety of species. Any bad behavior from Milka during the wedding can be attributed to the unfortunate influences of one or both of these individuals.
William Kelley
Groomsman
William is Hugh’s youngest brother Each oft rode a bike with the other Will moved out to Cali Not to work in Si Valley He wanted to be with his lover Will always has looked up to Hugh Hugh’s beau is a role model too Will may go, “Boo-hoo” When they say, “I do” For their bond brings him joy through and through
Milka
Best Dog
Meet Milka, the jubilant canine member of the bridal party. She is likely the second most decorated member of the bridal party after Will, who wins almost any cycling race he enters. From puppyhood to this moment, Milka has been an unwavering witness to Carolyn and Hugh's story. You can catch Milka at the cocktail hour where she'll be glad to be petted while sitting on your feet and donning her ever-present smile.