Erin & Jake
Wedding Party
Tyler Mecklenburg
Best Man
My best man. My best friend since childhood. My neighbor 2 doors down. It’s hard to keep our friendship to a small paragraph. What I can say is that you’ve been there for me from the very beginning when you waddled away from your home in your diaper to come play with me. We’ve shared the highs and lows of life together. The laughs, the happy moments, the heartbreaks, the road trips and concerts, the deep conversations at 3 am in your backyard laying under the stars. Looking back, I’ve loved every second of it and I’m lucky to have a best friend like you. Thanks for everything.
Justine Gabreski
Maid of Honor
I met Erin on the very day that she was born at Children's Hospital in Buffalo. Despite the new toy that was given to me by my parents as a distraction, I couldn't help but pay attention to Erin's cute little face. Erin and I even share 50% of our DNA. She's my LITTLE sister (even though she surpassed me in height years ago). I have watched Erin grow from a quirky polka-dot wearing little kid to a thoughtful, tenacious, big-hearted, polka-dot wearing adult. Erin never really asked me to be her maid of honor, and I just assumed it would be me. Hopefully that doesn't make things awkward on her wedding day.
Christopher Koteras
Groomsman
My guy. You have become such a close friend to me over the last several years. There is no one else I would rather have play shortstop next to me while I’m at third base. I’m glad you and Jess started dating because I gained someone that I would consider a brother out of it. We’ve shared a ton of memories and fun over such a short period of time together. Never forget the jet ski and the Reese’s. All I can say is thank you for becoming one of my best friends. You mean so much to me and I’m so glad to have you here with me.
Leah Conroy
Bridesmaid
So we’ve known each other since we were 6 years old (kindergarten)! We grew up together and I basically was at your house every opportunity I could. We have been a part of each other’s families for so long now! I have countless memories with you and I consider you my oldest friend. I am so happy to be your bridesmaid!
Bryan Camp
Groomsman
My dude. My next door neighbor. The Yung Gravy enthusiast. You’re one of the best guys I’ve ever met. You’ve taken a lot of crap over the years and never let it define you. All of those days and nights we spent gaming in your house with the guys will be moments I will never forget. I miss having you around in Buffalo, even if you only live in Rochester, because I have a ton of fun when you’re around. Thank you for always being there for me and being my gaming buddy.
Lee Bemiller
Bridesmaid
Erin and I met in 6th grade in ballet class at our dance studio. We both loved spending our nights at Performing Arts dancing, laughing, learning, and growing together. Every year since that, we were in dance classes together. It got even better when she transferred to Hamburg High School in 9th grade and we went through high school together. Erin has been such a supportive friend who I have shared many laughs with and some tears! I can’t wait to stand by her and Jake on their wedding day (I had known Jake previously from middle school and introduced the two of them together with Jessie!).
Brandon Mecklenburg
Groomsman
My homie. My League partner. My neighbor from 2 doors down . We grew so much closer from high school on and shared a lot of “intoxicating” moments together. I hope you can somewhat remember lying down in the middle of Boston State Road in the middle of the night. It has been so much fun watching you evolve into the guy you are and I’m grateful that we still remain close after all this time. Thank you for being there for me and watching me int your League games.
Jessie DeMarco
Bridesmaid
My mom and Erin’s mom were great friends growing up, so I’ve known Erin since I was a baby. I remember taking a trip to Rochester with our moms to go shopping when we were little and talking our moms into buying us snowball pillows. Her and I grew up to dance together and she shadowed me at Hamburg high school when she wanted to transfer over. Lee and I introduced her to our best friend Jake, and it was love at first site! So happy for these two and can’t wait to celebrate their love!
Justin Lucarelli
Groomsman
It was probably destined that we would be friends after our fathers grew up as best buddies. We’ve been buddies for a long time, playing hockey and baseball together. Even now I love getting to play beer league hockey with you and the Goat Sharks. I will always hold close to me those early mornings going to varsity hockey practice in the freezing cold and the fun times we had winning the varsity baseball championship. You’ve always been a close friend to me and you deserve all the happiness in the world. Thanks for everything “Lukey”.
Nicky Rosenberg
Bridesmaid
I was lucky enough to have Erin by my side while navigating the ups and downs of college life. We met our freshman year in the photography program at the Rochester Institute of Technology and quickly became friends and then roommates. It was our passion for learning, love of photography, and quoting of movies that brought us together. Through all four years of college, Erin was my closest friend, my toughest critic, and my biggest fan. We spent many nights dancing in our kitchen, crying from laughing too hard, and pushing each other to our creative limits. There is certainly a unique bond that brought us together and that has withstood the test of living 2,600 miles apart from each other. I can’t wait to see this girl marry the man of her dreams—not via FaceTime!
Kyle Eberle
Groomsman
Friends since high school and my sports guy. I’m so glad we became friends in gym class my sophomore year. Your love for Buffalo sports is almost unparalleled and I enjoy getting to talk about them with you so much. (God I hope the Sabres make the playoffs before we die). I was honored to be your best man when you got married to Marissa and I’m glad to have you up here with me. Our road trip to Jacksonville for the Bills playoff game will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for being a true friend through all these years.
Jess Dehlinger
Bridesmaid
Erin and I first met each other at a Hamburg High School football game when she and my brother, Jake, began dating. Although we've been in each other's lives for the past 9 years, we really didn't start to get to know each other well until about 5 years ago. Over these last few years, Erin and I have become incredibly close and she's become not only a friend, but a sister. To be one of her bridesmaids is an honor and I feel so blessed that we will "officially" be sisters after the wedding!
Kyle Gooding
Groomsman
Met through our parents at Take Your Child to Work Day when I was 8 years old and we've been friends ever since. We bonded on video games at an early age and I’ll credit you for truly introducing me to some of the coolest worlds I’ve ever explored (shout out to FFXI). You’ve been one of the best friends a guy could ask for over the years. Even though we went to different school districts, I always considered you to be one of the people closest to me. I’ll always treasure our times as roommates living in the apartment. It was one of the best years of my life. Thanks for everything.
Rachael Herrmann
Bridesmaid
Erin and I don't have a friendship dating back to dance years and grade school, but we did meet during the St. Bernadette middle school years because Leah and Erin were friends. Through pool parties, past crushes, and high school classes Erin and I grew closer—nothing bonds you like first period Participation in Government class. Now we catch up over wine and appetizers as we watch our guys in beer league hockey! It is an honor to be with Erin as she and Jake take the next step in their journey.
Travis Rodgers
Groomsman
The video game guy I heard so much about from Kyle who instantly became a great friend ever since I first met him. I’ve had a ton of fun with you. Whether it was grinding out games or playing indoor soccer together, you sure do know how to work hard when you put your mind to it. I loved having you as a roommate and I enjoy just getting to chill with you. Whether you know it or not you have such a calm demeanor about you and you never get frazzled. I really appreciate having you in my life and I’m grateful you’ve been such a good friend to me.
Saralynn Ruhland
Bridesmaid
Erin and I met and became instant friends in a church small group and have easily shared our hearts, tears, and deep belly laughs since 2014. We became even closer in 2016 when she prepared to head to Zambia, Africa for a short-term mission trips, and then 2017 brought us both to Zambia to serve together. The moment Erin asked me to be her bridesmaid I wept, like literally filled fourteen tissues and my sleeve. It is such a true honor and sweet joy to stand alongside her with each of these amazing girls and watch as Erin marries Jake, her very best friend. With loads of Kleenex in hand, I cannot wait to celebrate this day altogether!