Wedding Party
Hannah Maine
Maid of Honor
Meaghan and Hannah met in college while working at the Michigan Daily copy desk, and instantly bonded over a shared love of grammar, margaritas, and Chipotle quesadillas. Hannah is the Ann Perkins to Meaghan's Leslie Knope, always cool and collected and ready to talk Meaghan down from any wild ideas (or encourage the really good ones). She can currently be found in Saginaw, crushing it in her MBA program and working as an alumni communications relations manager and mental health blogger.
Trip Brennan
Best Man
James Brennan III (otherwise known as Trip) is Craig's Best Man. Craig and Trip were paired to live together for a semester while living in DC during college for the Michigan in Washington program. This crucible of dorm living forged the friendship we have today. Today, both Trip and Craig found their way back and live in DC. Trip is an avid culinary enthusiast, traveling both domestically and internationally looking for new recipes - primarily focused on cocktails.
Lauren Kaplan
Bridesmaid
Lauren is Craig's big sister. She will be marrying Daveed, one of Craig's groomsmen, early next year. They have two beautiful dogs, Reese and Reggie, who unfortunately will not be attending the wedding but send their best regards. Lauren is a pediatric nurse in Chicago, incredibly talented crocheter, avid Colorado fan (SkoBuffs!), and converted Cubs fan (thanks, Daveed).
Connor Thompson
Groomsman
Connor is Meaghan's brother and Craig's co-conspirator in all things craft beer- and Michigan sports-related. He is our reliable source of the driest humor known to mankind and is secretly a dynamite dancer. Seriously.
Emma Hackley-Baker
Bridesmaid
Meaghan and Emma met on the Michigan rowing team as coxswains, and quickly bonded after one too many freezing 5am workouts. We lived together for most of college, eating way too many Pizza House breadsticks and ordering cookie delivery to the library after late-night study sessions. Emma is currently in law school in Boston, having just spent a semester abroad in Dublin.
Thibaut Dupuy
Groomsman
Thibaut and Craig met while at the University of Michigan, originally through Meaghan. Meaghan and this French bombshell became friends freshman year. When Craig and Meaghan started dating senior year, they graciously allowed Craig to join their friendship. A year after graduating, they all found ourselves living only a couple blocks from each other in Dupont Circle in DC. Thibaut and Craig have grown into very close friends, adventuring through DC, New York - where Thibaut now lives, and on (sometimes spontaneous) trips to exotic locations like JaxVegas. He is a massive Washington Capitals fan (Go Caps), traveler, and quintessential bon vivant.
Maggie Grundler
Bridesmaid
Maggie and Meaghan have known each other since they were three years old-- we've lived next door to each other since we could remember! We've stayed friends ever since, and even lived together for junior and senior year in college at U of M. We've since moved on to (slightly) better digs. Maggie can currently be found completing her PhD at Berkeley and traveling the world on research trips.
Matthew Pell
Groomsman
Craig and Matt (almost exclusively referred to as Pell) met while interning in Washington DC during college. While going to different schools (UofM and UCLA), we participated in the same academic program, interned at the same organization (Center for American Progress), and lived only a few doors down. Pell somehow did not get sick of me over the course of the semester and we have remained close friends since then. After graduating, I took this Southern California dreamboat to experience nature/the outdoors. While he is still learning how to chop wood he has excelled in the art of 'gramming the nature itself. He has gone on to start his own company focused on hyper-local community engagement.
Emily Fox
Bridesmaid
Meaghan and Emily met working in the same research lab in Seattle and have been close friends ever since. They have a shared passion for cooking and can routinely be found texting each other about recipes to try and the latest food projects they are taking on. Emily's love for cooking and science is only surpassed by her love for Boston sports, specifically the Bruins, and her cat, Jackie.
Daveed Erickson
Groomsman
Daveed is Craig's soon-to-be brother-in-law. If you have met Daveed, I am sure, like me, you can not wait to see him tear it up at the wedding. If you have not, you are in for a treat because Daveed is someone who will brighten any room, liven up any party, and put a smile on the face of everyone around him as well as break out some killer dance moves. He is one of two Chicago based groomsmen. He is a native Chicagoan, Cubs superfan, avid traveler, and runner.
Virginia Hite
Bridesmaid
Meaghan and Virginia became friends after working together at The Advisory Board in Washington DC and share a mutual affinity for Sweetgreen (a local DC salad chain), having consumed more Harvest Bowls on lunch trips together than they'd like to admit. A Nashville native and health care research powerhouse, Virginia is wise beyond her years and can often be found providing expert life advice at her Bachelor and Bachelorette watch parties. Virginia is a voracious reader, outdoorswoman with the fly fishing photos to prove it, and pro status guacamole maker to all who know her.
Abdelrahman (AB) Allam
Groomsman
Abdelrahman (AB) is one of Craig's oldest friends. Craig and AB went to high school together in Michigan, started a non-profit in Detroit together while in high school, went to the University of Michigan together, and remain close even though living in different cities. AB is one of two Chicago based groomsmen. He is an avid traveler, basketball player/coach/superfan, and overall intellectual stud.
Kelly McLaughlin
Bridesmaid
Kelly and Meaghan met in college, working together at the Michigan Daily and living down the street from each other on Greenwood (and right across the street from Craig). During their college days, Meaghan and Kelly went on many an adventure, with one such outing resulting in the 'borrowing' of a pretty sizable bust of Batman that remains in the Thompson home to this day. Since graduating, Kelly's work as a journalist has taken her to London and New York, where she currently resides in Brooklyn.
Ben Williams
Groomsman
Ben and Craig became friends in DC through bonding over Michigan sports, hiking, and game night. Ben is a fellow Wolverine and loves traveling both domestically and abroad. You can find Ben and his girlfriend, Marina, hiking any trail from Texas to Alaska - often bringing Maizey along as a hiking buddy.
Maureen Thompson
Mother of the Bride
At any given time, you may find Maureen Thompson working at University of Michigan Hospital, captaining Kestrel through Lake Charlevoix, or cheering on the Wolverines at any number of Michigan sporting events. Constantly on the go, Maureen and Greg love to travel – just ask her about the fish she caught in Key West. Back home in Ann Arbor, there’s nothing she likes more than having her New York Times by the fireplace or cooking up a storm with Meaghan in the kitchen. Come August 3, let’s all hope to hear some Earth, Wind, and Fire because that’s when dancing Maureen is in peak form.
Maureen Kaplan
Mother of the Groom
Maureen is far more than her mythical reputation for cookie baking suggests. As an American in London, she has become an international superstar and travel aficionado. You may find her at a show in the West End or enjoying the beach in Santorini, but she has never lost the red-blooded American Momma Kaplan we all know and love. The consummate conversationalist, she will be making her rounds throughout the evening and may be your new best friend by the end of the night.
Greg Thompson
Father of the Bride
The raddest, baddest dad this side of the Huron River, Greg Thompson's got it all. Woodworking skills? You bet. House-smoked meats? Absolutely. Unbridled breakfast-making capacity? Of course. When he's not teaching and coaching, Greg can be found sailing, hashing out proper breakfast potato technique with Meaghan, or losing at darts to the Thompson children and cousins.
Paul Kaplan
Father of the Groom
The Reverse Pilgrim himself, Paul "Poppa Grande" Kaplan is sure to be a hit at the wedding. With an encyclopedic knowledge of Seinfeld, razor sharp wit, and somewhat shocking ability to get down to James Brown, he will be the life of the party. Grab a snack, sip a bourbon, and strike up a conversation and it just may be the highlight of the night.
Maizey
Dog of Honor
Maizey is our border collie-lab mix. While she won't be at the wedding, she'll definitely be making an appearance in some of our decor and favors. She enjoys long walks on the beach, peanut butter, and spying on the neighbors from her couch perch.