Eric & Emily
Wedding Party
Lindsey Bowers
Maid of Honor
Lindsey is Em's big sister! The two of them have a very special bond outside of just being family. She is Em's role model and biggest supporter. They are inseparable and continue to live their lives side by side through all of life's stages. Em followed Lindz to FGCU were they worked a serving job together, up to Tampa while Lindz completed grad school and Em started her nursing career, and now Lindz is the reason that Em moved back to Charlotte, with plans to grow their families together over the years.
Matthew Ahrens
Best Man
Matt is more than just Eric’s older brother—he has been a lifelong partner in every adventure. Through every major milestone, Matt has stood by Eric’s side, offering unwavering support and serving as a steady crutch when life didn’t go as planned. A true rock of virtue, Matt has consistently been a guiding light, cutting through the fog of uncertainty and paving a safer path for Eric to follow. No words could ever fully capture the depth of gratitude Eric feels for Matt’s role in shaping the person he is today.
Kiersten Lingo
Bridesmaid
Kiersten is Em's best friend. They met in nursing school and lived together for 6 years as roommates. Half of that time was spent on travel nursing contracts spread out across the US. Together the two of them have lived in 9 different cities. From nursing school in Ft. Myers, to a new grad nursing job in Tampa, to our first travel contract in DC. Kiersten and Em's travel contracts also included Charlotte, Savannah, New Orleans, Tucson, San Francisco, and finally Denver where she introduced Em to Eric. Kiersten is the best travel buddy, and she is such an important person to Em's life story.
Joe Della Penna
Groomsman
Friendship forged and bonded from those hard Roselle streets. The true BroFest has no known end date. Time and distance never not strong enough to sever the ties that bind. It is hard to think of a weekend we did not spend together while in school together. After his move to Denver, no years were missed where we did not go out of each others way for a visit. Conjoined minigolf course backyards may yet remain just a dream, but life could never change Joe being a brother.
Allison Youngberg
Bridesmaid
Al is Em's longest friend. They met in high school in Mr. Tirb's history class. Em was the new kid at her high school after moving from Chicago to Florida, and Al was nothing but welcoming. Their friendship continued throughout high school, and then they went on to be college roommates at FGCU! Up to today, they remain just as close as ever throughout the years and continue their friendship bonding over healthcare careers in home health.
Marty Lupou
Groomsman
From growing up on the soccer fields together, to long nights gaming in the famous Lupou household, to our year of debauchery living together and beyond, Marty and Eric have grown to know that family is not always blood. Sometimes the people that matter most are the ones we meet along the way.
Alexa Buday
Bridesmaid
Alexa is Em's closest Charlotte friend. They met back in 2020 when Em and Kiersten were on a travel contract in Charlotte. Upon moving back to Charlotte, Alexa and Em became very close friends. Alexa made Em's transition to Charlotte so much easier, from day one she was always inviting Em out and about. Alexa has been present throughout the majority of Eric and Em's relationship. She's been a wonderful support system and friend over the years.
Mike Fitzpatrick
Groomsman
Few things bring people closer together than working to overcome the same trials and tribulations. Mike and Eric, brought together through years of grueling nursing education, found joy and reprieve in one another's similar humor and memes, kept alive through online gaming, travel nursing to the same locations, and sailing/ traveling to Europe together. Mike has always been a safe harbor of shared experience for Eric to lean on when times were tough.
Belle & Aria
Flower Girls
Eric’s two beautiful nieces! We couldn’t imagine anyone more vibrant and full of life to represent us on our big day than these two amazing girls. Belle has been wise beyond her years since she first began to speak. Her brilliance continues to shine through in her academic achievements. Current obsession: Harry Potter and everything in the wizarding world. Aria is our little fashionista. With a keen eye for color and style, she’s always putting together outfits that turn heads and spark joy. Current obsession: Anything tiny—literally! Mini books, cups, trinkets, you name it.