Wedding Party
Kate Downes
Maid of Honor
Kate is Emma's middle sister (younger by 2 years!) and has been Emma's best friend and mini-me since the day she was born. Words cannot describe how much both of her sisters mean to Emma. They've always been attached at the hip, and Emma was devastated (but supportive) when Kate decided to move from Massachusetts to Texas in 2022. Distance has had no effect on their relationship, though! As their mom always says, "Friends come and go but sisters are forever."
Caroline Downes
Maid of Honor
The only thing better than 1 little sister is 2 little sisters! Caroline is the baby of the family and came into this world to complete the Downes girls' trio. Emma has taken great pride in watching Caroline grow up, and as they've gotten older, they've gotten closer and closer. Caroline will be finishing college soon, and Emma is crossing all of her fingers and toes that she will eventually move to Boston so they can hang out all the time!
Chris DiGiacomo
Best Man
Eric and Chris met at UMass where they were teammates on the swim team and, more importantly, bus buddies on rides to away meets. Post-college, they were roommates in Cambridge MA. They currently still live in the area and hang out regularly. Chris the truest definition of a friend and always has Eric's back when he needs him. Over the years their friendship has only grown and Eric is proud to have Chris as his best man on his big day.
Stefani Antoshak
Bridesmaid
Stef was introduced to Emma by her sister, Kate, in 2019. They both wanted to move to Boston after college, and after meeting via an awkward FaceTime, agreed to be roommates! This proved to be one of the best decisions Emma ever made! Stef quickly became more than just a roommate - she became a best friend. Emma, Stef and Courtney lived together in Cambridge for 3 years and now live just 5 minutes from each other. They hang out constantly and have weekly appointments to watch The Bachelor and Love Island together.
Kyle Stefanides
Groomsman
Eric and Kyle met on a recruiting trip for UMass swimming where they hit it off right from the start. Kyle has an insanely unique sense of humor and never fails to get a laugh out of Eric no matter the situation. After college Kyle moved to Oregon and although they lived on opposite sides of the country, they still manage to find time and take trips to see each other.
Britt Walenta
Bridesmaid
You may not know that Emma was a sorority girl for a few years at Quinnipiac, and that's where she met Britt, who became her "Big". Even though they both quit the sorority together, they remained best friends throughout college. In 2020, Britt moved to Cambridge, just 10 minutes from Emma's apartment. They share an amazing group of girlfriends, and Emma is so grateful to have Britt in her life. They've come a long way since being "Big and Little" :)
Anthony Rizzo
Groomsman
Eric met Anthony at UMass (are you seeing a pattern here?) where they were teammates on the swim team. Right from the start, Eric knew Anthony would be a life-long friend. Anthony never fails to bring positivity into any situation and can always be relied on for a good laugh and a reminder to not take things too seriously. Since college, Eric and Anthony have maintained their friendship and manage to see each other regularly.
Colleen DaCosta
Bridesmaid
Colleen went to high school with Emma and Eric! She and Emma became friends when Colleen joined the field hockey team during their sophomore year. They hit it off instantly and, together with their friends Charlotte, Amanda, and Dana were referred to as "The Fab 5" by their coach. For 12 years, Colleen has been like a sister to Emma and is loved by the whole Downes family. Emma and Colleen share a bond like no other and will be best friends for life.
Luke Nelson
Groomsman
Eric and Luke met on the pool deck of Seekonk High School where they swam for Seacoast Swimming Association. Their friendship developed through endless hours of training and hundreds of visits to local fast-food establishments. Eric, Luke, and their teammate Caroline were an inseparable trio throughout high school and have been close friends ever since. Today, Luke is living halfway across the globe in Australia where he works as a US Naval Officer. Eric is beyond excited for Luke to make the voyage home and be there for his big day!
Anna Pauls
Bridesmaid
Long before Emma and Eric ever started dating, she saw Anna as a freshman at Bishop Stang High School and instantly knew she was Eric Pauls' little sister - they looked so much alike! Four years later, they were officially introduced when Eric brought Emma home for the first time. Anna instantly welcomed Emma into the family, and they quickly became friends. Anna now lives in Colorado, where she is getting a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, and Emma and Eric love going out there to visit her and ski together. Emma is so excited to officially become Anna's sister-in-law!
Courtney Kramer
Officiant
Courtney has played a huge role in Emma and Eric's lives and is a dear friend to both of them. For the three years that Emma and Courtney (and Stef!) lived together, Eric was an honorary 4th roommate. Courtney was always so excited every time Eric came to visit and would ply him with Trader Joe's snacks and desserts. Her generosity, warm heart, and understanding of who Emma and Eric are as individuals and as a couple make Courtney a perfect choice to officiate their wedding. It's an honor to have her marry us!
