Maid of Honor
Lydia & I met our junior year of college through our sorority, Delta Zeta. Little did I know that this encounter would bring me endless laughter, amazing memories, & the best friend I could ever hope to have. Within our sorority, Lydia became my “little” sis & I was her “big” sis—basically meaning that we were inseparable. I cannot imagine college without her, or my life in general. We have bonded over our love of many things, such as Gilmore Girls, shopping, & 24/7 coffee runs. I have also been lucky enough to witness the magic that is Lydia & Nick together. They are funny, loving, & get each other on a level all their own. I cannot wait for their big day, & being able to be by Lydia’s side as they say I do!
Best Man
I am here to explain to you my views on bipartisanship. Actually I will explain how Democracy works. Wait, that’s not it. The Packers/Bears rivalry? Who framed Roger Rabbit? While I think about it, let me just fill you in on how I know Nick & Lydia & how I have seen them grow into real love birds. I have known Nick for many years & have always had the greatest respect for him. We’ve grown to be best friends. There were many ups and downs & lots of recreational activities-camping, disc golf, hiking, biking, & many to be told privately. I’ve seen Nick fall in love for the first time, to an amazing Lydia D’abbraccio. It has been such a terrific sight to see the difference in the shine in Nick’s eye since he has met her. To the good times, the bad times, and lots of rock and roll!
Bridesmaid
Lydia is marrying Nick, but personally I think they could both do better. Lyd is neurotic & Nick is 800 years old. For the first 6 months of their relationship my siblings & I called Nick Old Pop Wigglesbee but he shortened it to OP Dubs & we realized we had met our match. In all seriousness, I am tremendously happy for the two of them. Lydia is the best big sister I could have ever asked for. She is the kindest & most enthusiastic person I know. I feel incredibly blessed to have her as a travel buddy, life coach & best friend. Nick makes an excellent addition to our family & we are all so excited. As a general rule, I dislike love & dancing but I will happily tolerate both of them for the wedding. I’ll be the 22 year old blowing bubbles into a kiddy cocktail, see you on the big day.
Groomsman
What can I say about Nick and Lydia? Nick is a focused, hard-working, funny, and encouraging guy, and he's really good at snapping his fingers. Lydia is an extremely talented, caring, thoughtful, intelligent, and strong woman who can somehow put up with Nick. I appreciate that Nick always shows up for me when life gets really tough, so Lydia, things may not always be perfect, but you have the right guy on your side. Nick was my best man when I got married in 2016 to my lovely wife Megan, and Lydia was the designated driver for the bachelor party; they're pretty much the coolest couple I know. I can't wait to see what you guys registered for at TJ Maxx! I am so happy for the both of you and happy to celebrate your special day together.
Bridesmaid
Lydia is sort of everyone’s big sister but I‘m lucky enough to have her as my actual big sister. She inspires me constantly with her unapologetic extraness and her strong Audrey Hepburn factor. I’m generally inept at life but Lyd is always there to give help, advice, or a sleepover to escape my problems. And Nick is always there to run out for ice cream and crack a dad joke. He mellows out my very unmellow sister and although I will continue to roll my eyes when he makes stupid jokes, I’m glad he’s going to be joining the family. I am honored and very excited to be a part of what I’m sure will be the greatest wedding any of us have ever been to. I’ll be the bridesmaid who is both crying and pretending to throw up, see you there.
Groomsman
My name is Luke & I'm Lydia's best friend. I first met her in the summer of 2015 & was amazed that someone could be so personable, intelligent, & so tolerant of our sense of humor-what you might call the classic "triple threat." I met Nick in 1988, but really got to know him well when we co-starred in a series of partial-length feature films in the early 2000s. I am also his younger brother. Together, Nick & Lydia are the most compassionate couple I have ever met, but I can best describe how I feel about them in the following poem. Ah, love. L-O-V-E, love. L is for life. And what is life without love? O is for, "Oh wow!" The V is for this very surprising turn of events, which I'm still fine with by the way. E is how extremely normal I find it that you two are together. -Ross Gellar
Bridesmaid
For a while I have been documenting little but meaningful things in my life. The very first entry reads, “Pep talk from Lyd 11/13”. (I have no clue which one but for the sake of the story we’ll go with it.) I would say that's a decent summary of my relationship with my cousin Lydia but it just doesn’t do it justice. I don’t want to claim anything hyperbolic here but I am Lydia D’Abbraccio’s #1 fan as she is my #1 motivator & big sister figure. Lyd and Nick compliment each other perfectly. Lyd offers to buy pizza & Nick makes sure to punctuate the meal with cookie dough. He’s put up with, nay, contributed to countless hipster sing alongs, so he’s a good one. He is also very dedicated to the cat, highly important really. I’ll be the bridesmaid with the badly dyed black hair, see ya there
Groomsman
When I first met Nick Andersen he was lightning on the flag football field. Unfortunately his career was cut short by one poor fashion decision. But that didn't keep the good man down, no! Without knowing Nick, I wouldn't be the man I am today. There exists no other man who could teach you how to be hit by a van, the defensive system of Florida, or how to properly make used vehicle purchases. & don't even get me started on his hot-wing hook-up (the original Mr. Andersen). & through it all, we always knew this was all going to end with a Dabbraccio- one who's cool enough to hang with the fam at New Years. & by fam, I mean me & champagne. But seriously Nick & Lydia are great for each other & I couldn't be happier for them. I can't wait to celebrate with you guys in person on your big day.
Bridesmaid
Lydia has been many things to me throughout my life including older cousin, babysitter, life coach, & one of my biggest role models. I have always looked up to her generosity, leadership, values, & of course makeup & fashion sense. The first time I met Nick I knew he was perfect for my cousin. His laugh went very well with her sarcasm. The two of them have inspired me in many ways & I’m so excited for this next chapter. I cannot wait for more concerts, game nights, craft sessions, & late night pizza parties. I can’t exactly put into words how blessed I am to have Lyd & Nick in my life. I am known for being extremely emotional at any given moment, so I will be the bridesmaid sobbing about true love & trying my hardest to keep up with the cupid shuffle.
Groomsman
Nick and I have been great friends for more than 15 years. I consider Nick a brother. We first met at a basketball camp in 4th grade but decided to hold off on true friendship until High School due to the amount of school we skipped when we were together. Patience paid off, and we both graduated 8th grade and were ready to begin a friendship that has stood through all the good and bad that growing up could throw at us. The stories we have together are too numerous to list here. When I was first introduced to Lydia, the ease and comfort I saw in Nick while she was by his side struck me. This was the real deal, and I could not be happier for my long-time friend. I am incredibly honored to stand at Nick's side as he commits his life to his true love, Lydia.
Bridesmaid
I’ve known Lydia my whole life since we are cousins who share a big, loving, crazy family. Growing up, my friends found it odd that I was so close with my cousins. I couldn’t imagine my life any other way. Lydia has remained a close friend through all the ups and downs in my life, and I feel so lucky to have such a supportive, amazing person in my life. I am so excited to be included in Lydia and Nick’s special day!
Groomsman
Central Coast Restaurant. I would say it was a match made in heaven. That is where I met Nick over a decade ago. Our passion for Rock Band (at the time) drew us together, well, that along with our tastes for beer, and a few other things. From friends to roommates and even best man, Nick and I have had many relationships. But nothing like him and Lydia. Nick will always hold the position of best friend and brother from another mother, Fritz, a Son of Disaster, Mr. McDougall, and soon to be husband. I wish you both the best and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us!
Bridesmaid
I met Lydia in 1st grade & we’ve been friends since. She was always the levelheaded one—while I dumped glitter on her floor & knocked her off her bike. In middle school we competed for worst, least-aggressive player on our basketball team, where fouling made our parents proud. When it was time to head off to college, she was so ready to go & I was reluctant. In my meltdown about leaving, she literally packed my bags. Once you’ve navigated teenage angst together you can handle anything. With Lydia’s friendship I graduated from Loyola, became a RN, & volunteered for a year in Bolivia. I can be found at Cubs games, singing karaoke, & biking the Lakeshore path when I’m not working at Children’s Hospital. I’m so happy Lydia has found someone like Nick. I’m honored to be a part of their wedding.
Groomsman
Well I first met Nick when I was trying to scare his brother Luke. So happens it was Nick and we both agreed that that guy was an ass. Since then Nick and I have been great friends. We both love the Packers and would spend hours talking about the new prospects and how they were going to contribute to our love for the team and make us Super Bowl contenders once again. Then came along Lydia who interrupted our Bromance. Kidding aside, I can’t be happier for the both of them. Finally Nick found someone who can make him a better man than he already is. Lydia got the catch of the century. The two of you seem like the perfect two to tango.
Bridesmaid
I met Lydia in high school and we have been best friends ever since! Even though life has sent us down different paths, whenever we are together it is like nothing has changed. The love is real between these two high school outcasts 😂
Groomsman
I was lucky enough to meet Nick & Lyd while working with people with special needs. This period of my life was one of the most challenging & rewarding; sharing it with them made the hard times all the more bearable & they both became important fixtures in my life. I have watched their relationship blossom from flirting & sideways glances to what it is today. I can genuinely say that these two people are perfect together & compliment each other in the strangest (& most beautiful) ways. Nick is always someone I can turn to for a good laugh & good food. Lyd is always there when I need someone to listen to me complain & keeps me updated on what all the kids are into these days. I look forward to watching them celebrate on their special day & to years of friendship to come.
Usher
I've known Lydia since we were babies and she really hasn't changed much. She's kind, generous, and cares very intensely for the people she loves. (Lucky for me I'm one of them.) She’s always been there to pick me up when I'm down and she has no problem informing me when I'm wrong about something. She's definately the most loving and supportive sister you could ask for. I'm excited to have Nick as part of the family because he knows how to appreciate a weird sense of humor, he's a genuinely good dude, and the guy can make a MEAN old fashioned.
Usher
Lucas is a musical genius, an incalculable mathematician, a world famous magician, a father and coparent of 2 insufferable cats, and an egomaniac that talkes mostly in hyperbole and white-lies. He married Luke Andersen and trapped the entire family in his whirlwind, which now includes the rad-as-all-get-out Lydia! When he's not busy conquering things and the like, he takes great pleasure indulging in vinyl records with Nick and Lydia.
Flower Girl
Lilly is Lydia’s mini-me little cousin who will likely be tasked with watching her co-flower girl and baby sister, Emily, during the ceremony— no easy feat. Lilly has been lobbying for a flower girl position in this wedding for longer than Lyd and Nick have been engaged. She will undoubtedly be stunning in her twirl-worthy dress and promises to tear up the dance floor with all her older cousins.
Flower Girl
Emily is Lydia’s goddaughter and the cutest toddler on the face of the earth with spunk and sass not seen since Lydia herself was a kiddo. She may throw flower petals at her sister the whole way down the aisle but she’ll look damn cute doing it.