Wedding Party
Mary Owens
Bride
After a long and storied journey on a dating app called Hinge, being courted by countless potential suitors, eating at nearly every restaurant in Nashville, Mary one day made the best decision of her life by swiping right on a guy named DJ. Upon meeting, sparks flew, and the rest, as they say, is history. She meditates daily on her good fortune. As DJ's soon-to-be better half, it is safe to say that she has both the brains and the beauty of the pair.
DJ Hensel
Groom
Since finding Mary, DJ's wardrobe and haircut, have certainly improved. She also loosens him up when he gets too regimented and makes him giggle when he gets too serious. DJ is the brains and the steady security Mary has always longed for, and he's pretty dangerous when he wants to be.
Christine Hilburn
Matron of Honor
Christine is Mary's older (but shorter) sister! The day Christine graduated from high school, Mary wept because she would not be able to see her role model every day as she had before. Mary has always looked up to Christine's authenticity, work ethic, creativity, and many talents. She is an art teacher in Missouri who just so happens to be a marathon runner and small business owner (check out Hilburn Handmade Pottery). She and her husband Garrett are the mom of the cutest baby girl Holly June. Mary's favorite title is Aunt Mary. She is sooo excited to have DJ as a brother-in-law :)
Vanessa Chawla
Bridesmaid
Vanessa and Mary met while working towards their degrees as Marriage and Family Therapists alongside each other at Lantern Lane Farm. After one night of drinks and fashion advice, they were fast friends. Vanessa and Mary were inseparable in their single years, going on trips, having sleepovers, and dancing the night away. Now, she lives in Washington, D.C., with her new husband, Naitik. She misses Mary everyday :)
Lauren Park
Bridesmaid
Lauren and Mary shared the same major at the University of Memphis and spent four years learning, giggling, and making music. Lauren and Mary played many gigs all around Memphis along with Sarah White as a trio named "Daughters." Lauren and Mary could talk for hours and still have more to say. Even though they don't live in the same city, whenever they see each other, they pick up right where they left off and don't skip a beat. Lauren resides in Mississippi with her husband Andrew, and their beautiful baby boy, Judah.
Brittney Tomlin
Bridesmaid
Mary and Britt met while working at Pure Barre in Nashville. Even though Brittney was technically Mary's boss they quickly gained respect for each other and became much more than co-workers. Their first hangout was recording an episode of Mary's podcast about dating and relationships. From there the two embarked on many adventures sharing the highs and lows of navigating your 20s and trying to find your person. Brittney remains the manager of Pure Barre in the Gulch and is the mom to two kitties Ophelia and Romeo. Having successfully navigated her 20s, she has found her person in her boyfriend Devin.
Sarah White
Bridesmaid
Sarah and Mary met in College at the University of Memphis. Sarah is a gifted multi-instrumentalist who masters any challenge that comes her way. Sarah, Lauren, and Mary sang and played guitar and piano for hours at Sarah's parent's house. They spent four years singing, giggling, and finding soulmates in each other. Despite living in different cities their friendship has only grown stronger with age and life changes. Sarah lives in Memphis with her husband Austin, who also happens to be one of Mary's best friends.
Sophie Ross
Bridesmaid
Sophie is Mary's younger cousin who Mary had the pleasure of watching grow up. Over the years they have shown up for each other's biggest moments -- Taylor Swift concerts, getting ready for prom, school performances, and many Christmas dinners. Despite their age gap they have always held a special bond and can have the most fun just by being together. Sophie currently resides in Chicago working as a Graphic Designer.
Sophia Cirone
Bridesmaid
Mary and Sophia met in Nashville while attending Trevecca Nazarene University working towards their master's in Marriage and Family Therapy. On the first day of school, Sophia announced that she was new to town and needed new friends, and Mary gladly volunteered. From that moment on they became fast friends spending countless hours talking about their career goals, fears, joys, and relationship woes. Sophia has been a constant source of wisdom, humor, and home decor tips. She is now settled in Missouri with her husband Adam and pup Zeus. She also misses Mary every day :)
Erin O' Hara
Blue Crew
Erin and Mary met in Nashville at the apartment complex Marq Music Row as neighbors. One day they were introducing themselves to each other in the elevator and became fast friends. From hip-hop dance classes to wine nights at the apartment, to getting tattoos, they can make even the most chill of nights an adventure. Erin is a music industry mogul, hip-hop dancer, and the kindest soul you will ever meet. She still resides at Marq Music Row in Nashville.
Ellen Linam
Blue Crew
Ellen and Mary met in Nashville as neighbors at Marq Music Row. Ellen, Erin, and Mary lived right next to each other for one year (the best year ever). Some may have even described this living situation as an adult sorority. After Ellen and Mary's apartments flooded on Christmas Eve in 2022 the trifecta was forced to break up. Despite this setback, the three girls have remained a safe place for each other. Ellen is loyal, hilarious, stylish, and fierce in love for her people. She is a choreographer and has the coolest job working for Free People. She lives with her fiance Daniel and her pup Hudson in Nashville.
Michael Babasick
Best Man
Mike Babasick is DJ's cousin and best friend. One month apart in age, Mike and DJ have enjoyed being close-knit family despite living in separate states for most of their lives. Ever since DJ moved to Tennessee with his Mom and Dad to be with the Babasick family (and to escape the tentacled grasp of ever-increasing taxes in New York), they continued right where they left off being thick as thieves and perpetual wingmen for each other. Mike is a talented guitarist, dedicated weightlifter (he's low-key yoked), nascent cyclist, and also has a great mind for business operations. If you look up the definition of the word loyal, you will find Mike. DJ couldn't think of a better man than Mike to be by his side on the big day.
Greg Mario
Groomsman
Greg and DJ have been friends for over 30 years, knowing each other since birth. Closer to family than friends, they enjoyed growing up together on "Da Block" (more on this below) during their formative years. When one thinks of a New Yorker, someone like Greg is sure to come to mind: loud, scrappy, very hard-working, enamored by their Italian heritage, a hardcore Yankee fan, and one who will not shy away from sharing their opinion, however lurid the details. This description might seem harsh, but rest assured, it is quite complimentary in nature. Greg is one of the best people DJ knows, and feels extremely lucky to have grown up so closely with him. He remains on Da Block, working at the High School DJ, Greg, Shea, and Numael attended, and has found a very loving partner in Brittany. "Da Block" -- the primordial soup that formed the greatest of friend groups that came to be known as DCB (Da Commerce Boys). An idyllic intersection of two short streets (Commerce Place and John Street) both ending in a cul-de-sac, made for a perfect controlled playground for a group of rabble-rousing boys, allowing for limited geographical exploration, inventing new sports, earning scars, and talking all kinds of trash. DJ, Greg, Kyle, Shea and Numael form the members of DCB, with many associates.
Kyle Grell
Groomsman
Kyle and DJ met back in the day when the Grells moved to Da Block, as next-door neighbors to the Hensels. Kyle and DJ became fast friends, enjoying all sorts of shenanigans while prowling the mean streets of Commerce and John. Prior to cell phones, or at least being a allowed to own one, DJ and Kyle used to chat via walkie-talkie, sharing breaking Block news with one another. Having a shared appreciation for how things work, deep conversations, and poking fun at Greg, they have had a lot of fun over the years. DJ has always admired Kyle's work ethic, academic prowess, and his affinity for sea-faring vessels. Today, Kyle works as a Naval Engineer residing outside of Washington, DC with his wife Sara, and their two kiddos, Callie and James.
Steve Shea
Groomsman
Steve Shea aka "Shea" and DJ have been friends for many years. They first met in Little League baseball, where they were first opponents on teams long forgotten, then on the same team in the Brewers. He went on to play college baseball as a catcher, and has remained athletic ever since. Shea joined the ranks of Da Block through Numael, his best friend, and years later upon meeting again, DJ and Shea picked up their friendship, this time off the baseball field. Shea and DJ have enjoyed many great times together including getting sunburned at the beach, crashing backyard parties, waxing philosophic about the universe, going on far too long about history and alternate history, and hitting the slopes of upstate NY (and now the Mid-Atlantic). Shea works as an insurance underwriting manager and lives in Atlanta with his wife, Dani (Dah-ni) and his children Boaz and Lilah.
Numael Amador
Groomsman
Numael and DJ met one day when Greg wanted to invite this guy to Da Block who was good at basketball. Lemme tell ya, Greg was not lying. Numael's towering presence was exactly what was needed to keep us in check on the neighborhood basketball court. As it turned out, Numael lived across the way from us on a nearby street, so it made for an easy walk for him to join us in our block antics. His Colombian heritage brought some much needed sabor to Da Block and helped us expand our perspectives. Always on top of the music scene, Numael put us on to the hot hip-hop at the time and also introduced Reggaeton to the boys. DJ has always respected Numael's thick skin, strong work ethic, commitment to family, and street smarts. Numael works in the NYPD and resides on Long Island with his wife Stephanie and his son Elias.
Shane Fitzmaurice
Groomsman
Shane and DJ met one morning four or five years ago shortly before a 6am Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class at Nashville MMA. Having similar physical builds, they were a natural fit to be training partners. Soon after a few sparring sessions, they figured it would be good to hang out off the mat in addition to simply beating each other up on the mat. Sharing an interest in combat sports, science, history, politics, philosophy, crossword puzzles and skiing, DJ knew Shane would end up being a great friend. Shane practices as a lawyer in Nashville and resides in Franklin with his wife Jasmin and their cat, Persephone.
