Wedding Party

Erin McCook

Bride

Scott Draka

Groom

Heather McCook

Maid of Honor

Heather is Erin’s older sister and one of her Maid’s of Honor. Although there are 7 years in between the sisters, they are two peas in a pod! From family vacations when they were younger, to visiting each other in San Diego and Chicago, they always have way too much fun together, with their weird sense of humor and love for food, drinks and taking funny pictures! Heather is one of the most positive people on the planet and is passionate about cooking, yoga and music! We love how caring and helpful she is and know she is going to be a wonderful addition to our Bridal Party! Heather received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of California, Irvine and currently works as a Project Manger for Learning Genie, LLC.

Brendan Hopp

Best Man

Brendan and Scott lived only a few blocks away growing up in Carpentersville. Brendan lived across the street from Alex, the other Best Man in the wedding party. Scott and Brendan knew each other in elementary school but their friendship grew through a mutual friend. Brendan had a short stint in another town but their friendship picked up once Brendan returned to town during his middle school years. Alex, Brendan and Scott shared their car rides home from high school and would gather at Alex’s house to get into all types of stunts. Brendan works in Sales Engineering and Project Management at Illinois Blower and just closed on his house in Cary, Illinois. Brendan is helpful and dependable and has become the closest thing to a brother Scott has.

Jessy Draka

Maid of Honor

Jess is Scott’s older sister and one of Erin’s Maid’s of Honor. Ever since Erin and Scott started dating, Erin and Jess have become extremely close. There is nothing Erin couldn’t turn to Jess for and she is so thankful for her kindness and compassion. With her infectiously wonderful attitude, it is so true that Jess has never met a stranger. Some of Erin’s best memories from the last 6-7 years are with Jess, including (but not limited to) the Fall Out Boy Concert, Hamilton, yearly thanksgiving prep, and of course, the epic night at Drink ( 😉 ). Jess is going to be an amazing addition to our Bridal party and we know she will make it the best wedding ever! Jess graduated from Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY with a degree in Communications.

Alex Abbott

Best Man

Alex and Scott lived only a few blocks away growing up in Carpentersville. Their friendship really developed once they shared the same bus going to middle school. They shared the same interests in sports and music since they spent most of their time together at Alex’s house. Alex also joined Carthage College as a freshman while Scott was a sophomore and they were roommates for three years. Alex and his wife Samantha have been moving around while Alex continues his Air Force pilot training before they eventually return to Madison, Wisconsin. Alex is personable and charismatic and has become the closest thing to a brother that Scott has.

Allison Rendon

Bridesmaid

Allison is Erin’s best friend from college. They immediately clicked early in their college careers and have been inseparable ever since. From working together at two different jobs during college, to being roommates the first couple years after college, to going to concerts, and now to wedding planning, Erin is so grateful to have such a wonderful friend like Allison. Often times, people confuse them for twins and even though they don’t see it, they just go along with it because they are just as close as real sisters are. Allison graduated from Carthage College with a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology and is a Staff Financial Analyst at Allstate (in the same department as Erin! 😊)

Matt Traynor

Groomsman

Matt was born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. Matt and Scott lived on the same floor in the residence hall freshman year at Carthage. Matt and Andy (another groomsman) ran into Scott on the floor one evening and struck up a conversation. Then they helped themselves into his room. And then they never left him alone. Matt and Scott continued to live on the same floor and Matt continued to make himself a 3rd roommate until he became an official roommate senior year off-campus. Matt is a Janesville Police Officer and recently purchased a home in Janesville with his fiancée Erika. Even though there is a joke of Matt making himself at home, it’s only because he is a loyal friend and he will bring his distinctive personality to the wedding party.

Candice Cleland

Bridesmaid

Candice is Erin’s childhood best friend since 4th grade. Every summer growing up, Erin and Candice would be attached at the hip, going to water polo games and Lake Havasu and hanging out at each other’s houses. They were together so often that their parents would often get confused if they weren’t at one of their houses. They clicked with their weird sense of humor and love for movies like Spaceballs, The Simpsons Movie and of course, Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Even though Erin moved away 10 years ago, they have seen each other every 6 months and have continued to have the strongest friendship like no time has passed at all. Candice graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Communications and currently works as a Marketing Coordinator at the Escondido Center for the Arts.

Andy Jaskolski

Groomsman

Andy grew up in Aurora, Illinois most of his life. Andy and Scott lived on the same floor in the residence hall freshman year at Carthage. Andy and Matt (another groomsman) ran into Scott on the floor one evening and struck up a conversation. Then they helped themselves into his room. And then they never left him alone. Andy and Scott stayed friends and then became roommates senior year off-campus. Shortly after graduation, Andy and his girlfriend Jackie relocated to Colorado, outside Denver. Andy is a Sales Area Manager for Encompass Home Health. Andy’s charming personality makes him a good friend and a great addition as a groomsman.

Joan Betsanes

Bridesmaid

Joan is one of Erin’s best friends from college. They originally met due to Scott and Steve (Joan’s husband) being close friends and freshman year roommates. Soon after, Joan joined Alpha Chi Omega which brought them even closer together! Ever since then, they have remained such close friends, with double dates, tons of game nights and trips to the city. Joan is such a wonderful person to be around. She is caring, reliable, downright hilarious and truly cares about those around her. It has been so much fun being able to plan our weddings at the same time and Erin is so incredibly excited for Joan to stand by her on this big day! Joan graduated from Carthage College with a degree in Business Administration and is currently a Territory Account Manager at Abbott Point of Care.

Steve Danko

Groomsman

Steve grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before relocating to Illinois for high school and became paired up with Scott for freshman year roommates at Carthage. Their interests in hockey and music brought them together, even though they rivaled over the Penguins when they played the Blackhawks. Steve is a Category Management Analyst for Grainger. Scott appreciated finding a fun-loving friend so early in his college career and he is so happy to have Steve and his wife Joan be a part of the wedding party.

Alexis Hummel

Bridesmaid

Alexis is one of Erin’s best friends from high school. Erin and Alexis met when they transferred to Stevenson during their junior year of high school. Erin and Alexis participated in swimming, water polo and bowling together creating some of the best memories and continue to do so well after high school has ended. Alexis is always down to have a great time and pushes Erin to get out of her comfort zone to have as much fun as possible. Erin is so grateful for meeting Alexis and knows she is going to be a lifelong friend. We are so happy to have her stand during our big day! Alexis graduated from Loyola University, Chicago with a degree in Biochemistry and currently is a HR and Talent Acquisition Specialist at USA Vein Clinics, Vascular and Fibroid Centers.

Brandon Swan

Groomsman

Brandon was another Carpentersville kid that Scott spent a lot of time with during his childhood. Scott and Brandon’s friendship continued to develop when they started going to middle school together. Brandon recently finished his time in the Army and has returned to Carpentersville with his wife Taylor and will be looking to start his career in construction all while raising his son. Brandon is a unique character and was always willing to lend a helping hand(ask how many walnuts he’s picked up in the Draka’s yard). It’s only fitting that Scott asked him to assist by joining the wedding party.

Rachel Domash

Bridesmaid

Rachel is one of Erin’s best friends from high school. Erin met Rachel during swimming and water polo their junior year of high school and have made lifelong memories ever since. After high school, Rachel and Erin still stayed close with traveling to see each other at U of I and Carthage. Rachel is an amazing friend who is so kind and easy to get along with. Erin especially values their dinner dates and catching up over drinks! Erin was lucky enough to stand in Rachel’s wedding in May of 2019 to watch her marry her wonderful husband, Ben and is so excited for Rachel to join her on her big day! Rachel received her undergraduate and JD degree from the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana and is currently an associate at the Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn.

Cameron Martin

Groomsman

Cameron grew up in East Dundee, Illinois. Cameron and Scott have known each other since their elementary school days playing football together and their brief stint in Cub Scouts. Their friendship continued to grow and they share many memories from childhood to now. Cameron graduated from Northern Illinois University and is a part of Laboratory Quality Control for HuberGroup UPS. Cameron and his fiancée Lauren bought a house in Elgin last year and will be married in November 2020. Cameron is a kind-natured and trusting friend and is a great fit for a groomsman.