Elaine + Dave
Wedding Party
Elaine Estes
Bride
Elaine grew up in Oxford, PA with her mom, dad, and two younger sisters. She was a do-it-all kind of girl, trying and failing at every sport, committed to dance and voice lessons, and collected as many high school club membership cards as she could. Several decision-making spreadsheets later, she ended up at Saint Joseph’s University on the Track and Field team after some Army days. She rose through the ranks of the team, entering as a walk-on and exiting as a captain and scholarship athlete. She worked at Merion Mercy Academy for a few years out of college before switching gears to work in the School District of Philadelphia. Elaine now works as a Spanish teacher at Furness High School in Pennsport and balances running rather competitively with binging lots of reality TV.
Dave Garton
Groom
Dave grew up in Trappe, PA with his mom, dad, and two older brothers. He identifies strongly as a millennial thanks to his 1996 birth year and the influences of his older, millennial siblings. Dave excelled at baseball as a kid but excelled even more at running in high school. He was an 800m phenom, which landed him multiple full ride to opportunities to compete for DI track teams, but eventually he chose SJU. He worked at Lincoln Financial (the institution, not the stadium) for a few years out of college before attending Temple Law. Dave now works in the Investment Management department at the Philly law firm Stradley Ronon. In his free time, Dave is an all-weather golfing enthusiast, sneaky good guitar player, and works hard to ensure that Lola, Elaine's and Dave's cat, lives to be 100.
Bill Estes
Father of the Bride
Bill beat Elaine to the altar and married his loving partner, Gail, almost exactly a year before Elaine + Dave's big day! He and Gail like to spend time at their lake house in Hammondsport, NY whenever they can get away. Bill is a proud to be a left-handed engineer and a reformed Mainer.
Bob Garton
Father of the Groom
Bob, a.k.a. "Pops", is a trivia master - you should start studying now if you think you'll be caught in conversation with him on wedding weekend. He enjoys college wrestling in the winter and visiting he and Paula's happy place -- Ocean City, NJ -- in the summers.
Tara Mather
Mother of the Bride
Tara and Elaine's stepdad, Pat, currently reside in State College, PA with their fur babies Jinx, Paisley, Monty and Schmoopy. When the cats aren't keeping her busy, Tara enjoys exercising (most of the time), gardening, and preparing and enjoying special meals with friends and family.
Paula Garton
Mother of the Groom
Dave's mom Paula, a.k.a. Granny, enjoys woodturning, her grandchildren, plants and her Boston Terrier, Piper (in no particular order). Her defining feature is her craftiness -- the good kind! Dave remembers her making a pretty epic knight costume for him one Halloween.
Kaleigh Coney
Matron of Honor
Elaine's best friend Kaleigh actually met Elaine through Lauryn! She went to college at Drexel in Philly -- she and Elaine cemented their friendship there. They have many shared interests: tanning, Philadelphia memes (and evading the PPA), good margaritas, family, and shopping. Kaleigh got married in September 2023 and Elaine was her maid of honor. Kaleigh currently resides (when she is not traveling the globe) in Media, PA with her husband, Justin.
Bill Garton
Best Man
Bill is Dave’s tallest and oldest brother. Dave has followed in Bill's footsteps in many ways (a fellow graduate of Temple Law) but will probably never get there with him on the tallness. Something that everyone should know about Bill is that he almost became an Eagle scout but didn’t turn in his completed project out of protest. Bill was the first to make Dave an uncle and Bob and Paula into "Granny and Pops"; he is the proud dad of James and Patrick.
Lizzie Estes
Maid of Honor
Liz is Elaine’s youngest sister and Dave and Elaine’s roommate, which makes her the co-coparent to Lola (thanks for watching her on our honeymoon and anytime we disappear for a night!). Elaine fondly remembers having mac and cheese and hot dogs with ketchup the night Lizzie was born, and the rest is history. Liz has been training her whole life for this moment -- she is better than Elaine at dancing so watch out on the dancefloor.
Dan Garton
Best Man
Dan is Dave's second tallest and second oldest brother. He is very good at sports -- he won lots of intramural championships in college at Millersville -- but he is not faster than Dave. This has been tested, though not in a while. Dan and his wife Katie are fellow Hawkmates to Elaine and Dave, kind of. They both hold degrees from there but went at separate times! Dan is great with kids, probably because he is a kid at heart. He is the coach and father of Annie and Tommy.
AJ Bruno
Groomsman
Though they attended PV together for all four years, Dave got to know AJ toward the end of high school through Coyle, Steve and Tom. They went on to work together for a stint at Lincoln Financial but still talk every day. AJ is a fellow resident of Philadelphia and guitar player (Dave's secret talent) -- his own secret talents are skateboarding and photography.
Julia Koehler
Bridesmaid
Julia was Elaine's little-sister-that-she-already-had in high school and is now Elaine's longest distance friend. She lives in Ventura, CA where she is constantly adventuring. When they are together, she and Elaine like to do crazy things like pick mussels out of the bay for dinner and sleep under the stars with no tent.
Evan Guerin
Groomsman
Evan, known to enjoy Daddy Yankee, met Elaine and Dave at SJU where he once worked at Besito (their first date spot!) and ran with them on the track and cross country teams. Originally from West Chester, PA, he now calls Philly home. Evan is known for his knack for disc golf.
Katherine Devlin
Bridesmaid
Katherine was Elaine's SJU roommate for all four years making her second only to Dave in years sharing a bedroom with Elaine. Katherine also has two sisters like Elaine but is the youngest like Dave. That said, she understands them both very well and has been there for lots of their big moments (engagement night photographer!).
Graham Bly
Groomsman
Graham bonded with the couple at SJU. Hailing from Boston, MA, he's now soaking up the sun in San Antonio, TX with his long-haired dachshund, Odie. Graham's competitive spirit extends from sports to devouring the spiciest Tex-Mex cuisine -- both he and Odie like to eat good food and engage in athletic contests.
Lauryn Prangley
Bridesmaid
Lauryn, Elaine's fellow Taurus and new kid during their kindergarten year, grew up down the street from the Estes with her siblings. Lauryn and Elaine have the best memories of the neighborhood over the years -- bus stop racing, fundraising for school and pool days to name a few. They dreamed about and enacted each others' weddings many times in their girlhood games.
Sean Coyle
Groomsman
Dave and “Coyle” have been friends since middle school. Sean has some of the best teams and worst luck in their fantasy football league. He won’t tell you but he is good at everything is does, especially Mario Party. Sean is always a good time, especially at an Irish bar and especially if you see him in his Scally cap. Ask him about his favorite offensive lineman, Jason Kelce.
Jenna Wysmuller
Bridesmaid
Jenna and Elaine are 'adult friends' -- few and far between but so special when you can make and keep them. Their mom and grandmother set them up as running buddies, and the pair have done them proud by traveling to and completing in marathons together on an annual basis. They are similarly minded when it comes to a healthy balance between fitness and food. Jenna married her husband Adam in the summer of 2024 and Elaine was a bridesmaid. Jenna is also Lola's godmother.
Lola
Honorary Bridescat + Groomscat
West Philadelphia, born and raised. Well, at least she spent a night or two on the streets there. Lola was rescued when Dave was really in need of a study buddy while he was in the throes of law school. Lola was very shy at first but has fully settled into her role as Elaine's and Dave's first (fur) baby. She is even newborn size and weight. Her nicknames include Princess Kitty Kat, Lolly Wolly (LW), Buggy, Lolo Jones, Lowe's Hardware Store, Lollapalooza, Fuzzy, Hunny Bunny, Lovey, the Lollster and Batgirl. She is cousin-sister-friend-roommate of Liz's cat, Corn(elia). Lola enjoys sitting on cracks, attacking things that are mouse shaped, and naps on Dave's lap.
Mindy Mae
New Doggo
Mindy came to Elaine and Dave in the spring of 2025 from the rescue "Out of the Woods" in South Jersey, they are a no-kill organization lead by dedicated volunteers who were all so kind to both Mindy and her new parents! Mindy is an 8(ish) year old beagle mix who was turned in as a stray to a Jersey SPCA before she was placed on the euthanasia list. Luckily, Out of the Woods got ahold of her and got her to Elaine and Dave! She is 100% sweet -- no other personality traits. She came with the name Mindy, but the 'Mae' was added in honor of Elaine's childhood dog, Daisy Mae. Dave and Elaine are working on her nicknames -- the front runner for now is "the Mindster".
Annie Garton
Flower Girl
Dave's niece and daughter of Dan and Katie Garton loves all things Disney. Annie is shy at first but a leader once you get to know her. As a girl in a boy dominated cousin pool, this seems like an apt approach. This will be her debut flower girl performance.
James Garton
Ring Bearer
The boy that made Dave an uncle and son of Bill and Briana Garton is a true eldest child and 'Garton boy' - in face, demeanor and interests. James is thoughtful and energetic and has always treated Elaine like an aunt.
Tommy Garton
Flower Child
Dave's youngest nephew and son of Dan and Katie Garton thinks he is the Incredible Hulk. Tommy is already gregarious and mischievous to the max (a little like his dad). Tommy will assist Annie in her flower girl duties to the best of his ability.
Patrick Garton
Usher
Dave's nephew and second son of Bill and Briana Garton is as fire-y as he is sweet. Patrick has a knack for most athletic endeavors and is afraid of very little. Dave and Elaine picture him serving as security and a physical assistant for his cousins on wedding day.