Katherine & James
Wedding Party
Sara Finley
Matron of Honor
As the story goes, Sara (Kleines) Finley moved to Foxwood Drive in 2000 and from Day 1, I insisted that she become my very best friend. In twenty years of friendship, we have shared a lot of roles in each other lives - from hairdresser, to running partner, to road trip companion, to shoulder to cry on, to Abba duet partner...and in 2019, I was blessed with my favorite role to date: Sara's Maid of Honor. I claim a pretty big part in bringing her together with Kohl and I am not too proud to admit that they got me back by bringing James into my life. Sara is my soul sister, my person, and the Charlotte York to my Carrie Bradshaw. We have quite literally been through it all together and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kohl Finley
Best Man
Kohl and I have known each other since elementary school, and while we've gone in and out of each other's lives through high school and college, he's always been there for me when I need a place to sleep or someone to talk to.
Katie Pamer
Maid of Honor
I have considered Katie my "little sister" for as long as I can remember. From our cheerleading squad days at St. Hilary and St. Vincent-St. Mary to cheering each other on from different colleges and now different states, Katie has been a light in my life since grade school. She is a beautiful friend both inside and out, who has inspired me and held my hand throughout the years as we've each navigated life, love, faith, and French class. I can always count on her for a coffee date during trips to Akron or a sister vent session over the phone when we're states apart. As the Elphie to my Glinda, because I have known her, I have been changed for good.
Michael Ellison
Groomsman
Mike and I have known each other since middle school. I'm glad to be able to have both hilarious and truly meaningful conversations with the greatest pound-for-pound fudgesicle eater on Earth.
Angela Eck
Bridesmaid
As a girl who has always wanted a sister, I can’t help but feel that Angela is one of the biggest blessings to come from this marriage. She has more talent in one little finger - and wit in the other - than any other person I know. And to top it all off, the biggest heart of all. I’ve gotten very lucky in love to find the man of my dreams - and even luckier in life to be blessed with the best sister-in-law a girl could ask for.
Ryan Donahue
Groomsman
Ryan and I have known each other for the same number of days that Kate and I have known each other, and I'll be eternally grateful that he told Kate that I was nice after meeting me. Happy to gain a brother!
Travis Cruse
Bridesmaid
Once upon a time in a first grade class at St. Hilary School, Travis Christine Cruse asked Katherine Donahue to sit with her at lunch...and the rest is history! Travis and I were inseparable as kids, to the point that we probably spent as much time at each other’s houses growing up as we did our own. Throughout almost 20 years of friendship, we’ve experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows together - the kind that take you from feeling like friends to feeling like family. Even though we haven’t lived in the same city - or even the same state - for the better part of our adult lives, I know Travis Christine will always be by my side.
Andrew Gaug
Groomsman
Gaug and I have been friends since middle school and were college roommates. Nobody better to have real or ridiculous conversations with after midnight, and I'm honored to have been a groomsman in his recent wedding as well.
Mary Faith Gregory
Bridesmaid
For as long as I can remember, I’ve believed a little piece of me lived in the South...and when I met Mary Faith I knew I was right all along. Sisterhood in AOII has brought me a lot to be thankful for and one of the best things of all is friendship with Mary Faith. We met during ELC interviews and I prayed equally hard for her to land the job as I did for myself because I knew immediately that I needed her as a lifelong friend. She’s a classic southern belle with all of the charm and grace a woman can aspire to. Mary Faith warms every room she enters with her delicious homemade treats, her impeccable eye for design, and, most importantly, her warm and loving soul.
Michael Dugan
Groomsman
Dugan and I have known each other since middle school and played high school baseball together. We went separate ways in college but I'm glad we've become much closer friends since.
Caroline Steed
Bridesmaid
If you thought I’d stop at one Southern bestie, think again! Cue Caroline from North Carolina, another major blessing from AOII and an ELC Cycle 6 Alum. Among other things, Carol and I have two entertaining things in common - 1. We’re both in love with redheads 2. We both have the tendency to develop thicker Southern accents in certain situations - if you ask James, this happens whenever I get together with Carol! When we're not practicing our accents, you can find us performing Legally Blonde The Musical. Caroline is likely to feel right at home in the black bridesmaid dress on Wedding Day. And while her wardrobe is typically dark, her heart is pure gold!
Jordan Bailey
Bridesmaid
Jordan, aka KJB, has been the biggest blessing in the past few years. I am forever thankful that Sara introduced us and gave us the opportunity to connect over event planning, nail polish, and Taylor Swift. Jordan is the embodiment of what it means to be a excellent friend. Even from across the country, she makes all of "her people" feel so loved, whether it is in the form of a relatable tagged post on Instagram or a card in the mail to celebrate all of life's wins, both big and small. I would not have survived COVID wedding planning without her support and I can't imagine celebrating our second wedding without her in the bridal party.
Ginny Grey Eck
Dog of Honor
Beloved fur daughter of the Bride and Groom.