Wedding Party

Laura Kweller

Bride

DJ Bowers

Groom

Mara Steine

Maid of Honor

Mara and Laura have been best friends since they met in preschool. Mara has been a constant in Laura's life, even though they haven't lived in the same city since high school. They grew up spending most of their Sunday afternoons together after Sunday School. Mara is now working and living in Chicago.

Dave Palmer

Best Man

Dave and DJ met in fourth grade when Dave declared he could beat DJ at Pokemon. They remained best friends throughout high school and into college where they lived together for 4 years. Dave is currently living with his girlfriend Anneliese in Houston and works as a project engineer in the oil and gas industry.

Gabriele Bowers

Bridesmaid

Gabriele is DJ's sister. Over the last 6 years, Gabriele and Laura have grown close and can't wait to officially be sisters. They had a great bonding experience in 2020 when Gabriele came to stay with DJ and Laura over the Thanksgiving holiday. She's always making Laura laugh! Gabriele is currently living in Pittsburgh, but plans to move out to LA in the near future.

Blake Meador

Groomsman

Blake is Laura's brother and close friend of DJ's. They bond over coffee and an episode of South Park. Blake recently got married and is getting ready for a second ceremony in Nepal with his wife's family. Blake lives with his wife Richa in Nashville and works as an archaeologist.

Courtney Berck

Bridesmaid

Courtney and Laura met with they were about 4 or 5 and went to school together through 8th grade. Laura and Courtney had the best summer living together in a one bedroom apartment in West Hollywood, CA in between Sophomore and Junior year of college. After college, Courtney and Laura lived together again in Los Angeles, and even worked at the same restaurant. Courtney is currently living in Los Angeles with her fiancé Kyle and will be graduating with her masters degree just before the wedding.

Rico Garcia

Groomsman

Rico has been DJ's closest friend and roommate since he moved to Los Angeles. They met at a St. Paddy’s Day block party in downtown LA, and shared a love for music, food, and video games. Rico is still living with DJ, Laura, and their dog Sophie in LA and works as a sous chef. The three of them celebrated their first Thanksgiving and Christmas together this year!

Amanda Bement

Bridesmaid

After Laura and Amanda met in their sorority, they both had one thing in common - they both loved to watch Criminal Minds. They would spend most Saturday and Sunday mornings watching Criminal Minds before getting ready to the Library to study. Amanda is now working for a non-profit and lives with her husband in New Jersey.

Justin Barber

Groomsman

When DJ first moved into his freshman year dorm room, Justin was the first friend that he made. The sound of Steeler’s football playing from DJ’s room drew him in. Several years later, they were living together in Shadyside and lifting together at Celli's. Now Justin is living with his girlfriend Hilary in Raleigh, NC and works in banking.

Marnie Lang Diamondstein

Bridesmaid

Marnie and Laura met on their first day of classes at Pitt their freshman year, but it wasn’t until Laura joined Delta Phi Epsilon that the two became close friends. Marnie moved to LA about a year and half after Laura, which further strengthened their friendship. Marnie is now living with her husband Noah (also our Rabbi) and their son Dylan in Maryland.

Jason Meyer

Groomsman

DJ and Jason met during a summer internship in Pittsburgh, about a year before DJ graduated and moved to the west coast. Jason was DJ's roommate in San Diego, and the first time DJ ever flew internationally was with Jason when they went on a trip to Germany in 2017. Jason is currently still living in San Diego with his girlfriend Megan and works as a power systems engineer.

Natalie Goldberg

Bridesmaid

When Natalie and Laura met, they hit it off instantly and became fast friends. They met through Natalie’s fiancé Tyler. Natalie and Laura have spent many nights watching the Bachelor franchise, drinking wine, and mostly just talking. Natalie is still living in Los Angels and working on her YouTube channel. Check out Natalie Gold on YouTube!

Tyler Wiseman

Groomsman

Tyler was a childhood friend of Laura's from theater camp before he became friends with DJ. After meeting one night in LA, DJ invited Tyler and LJ down to San Diego to attend a Mumford and Sons concert with him. The three have been best friends ever since. Tyler lives in Los Angeles with his fiancée (and Laura's bridesmaid) Natalie, and is working to produce his first feature-length film.

Lindsay Lehrman

Bridesmaid

Lindsay was assigned as Laura’s big in a Hillel Big/Little program, however neither of them could go to the event thrown by Hillel to meet for the first time. Little did they know they were already in a class together. They actually met in class after recognizing each others pictures. Lindsay is currently an agent at a Los Angeles literary agency.

LJ Duey

Groomsman

LJ and DJ met through Tyler and share a love for video games and hiking. Along with their other friends, LJ and DJ like to take weekend trips to remote destinations across southern California and have game nights at home. LJ lives in Los Angeles, works as a creative for a marketing company, and is a published comic book artist.

Noah Diamondstein

Officiant

Noah attended Pitt with DJ and Laura, but didn't meet DJ until they both lived in Los Angeles. DJ and Noah became close friends over Rocket League and Smash Bros, as well as frequent game nights with Laura and Marnie. Noah lives with his wife Marnie and their son Dylan in Virginia, and works as a rabbi.