CAITLIN & BENJAMIN
Wedding Party
Huong Nguyen
Maid of Honor
Picture this: Stavanger, Norway, fall of 2010, 8:00AM. Huong is bouncing around like she's the energizer bunny, while Caitlin is stumbling around like she's auditioning for "The Walking Dead." When Huong tried to chat her up in the school hallway, Caitlin muttered a zombie-like greeting and shuffled away, probably in search of brains to munch on. Huong was like, "Wow, rude much?" But little did she know that Caitlin's lack of social skills was just a side effect of her morning zombie transformation. As they kept running into each other, Huong realized that Caitlin wasn't a flesh-eating monster after all, but a kind-hearted girl who just needed her morning cup of joe. Over time, they became inseparable. Now, over a decade later, they aren't just best friends, they are family. Caitlin can't imagine her wedding day without Huong by her side. Huong is her confidant, her partner in crime, and her overly honest and highly opinionated voice of reason, therefore her appointed maid of honor. And if anyone tries to mess with Caitlin's special day, they'll have to answer to the undead army that is Huong's zombie squad. So there you have it - a story of how two girls who initially seemed like polar opposites became the best of friends, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse (or a Monday morning, same thing).
Josh Pratt
Best Man
Vassar College. Freshman year. A lost Josh Pratt lands in Ben's dorm on the first day of preseason. Pratt had just flown the nest, moving from the UK to the US, and quickly imprinted on Ben like a baby bird. Ben took it upon himself to take Pratt under his wing and impart the survival skills needed to brave the rugged American frontier. Due to Pratt’s inability to grasp these teachings, they became constant companions throughout college. Pratt’s dedication to their friendship became clear when he wrote the hit single, 500 miles – Ben Glasner Anthem Edition. Ben then realized he could not live without his baby bird. So, he dragged him to study abroad, the worst vacation of Pratt's life. To put it simply, Ben took an indoor man on a hike in Germany and got him lost in the Austrian Alps. Understandably, they have not travelled together since. However, Pratt is now bravely joining Ben on an even greater adventure, getting married! Meanwhile, Ben is taking a leap of faith, making his Best Man someone who doesn’t know how to plan a college party. Nonetheless, with an undeniable sense of focus and charm, Pratt has demonstrated himself to be a friend of the highest caliber. His humor and unwavering drive have seen both through any challenge and as Pratt would say, he will carry the "spirit of Churchill" throughout the day.
Myrthe Kemme
Bridesmaid
Myrthe and Caitlin met in English class, way back in 2009, where they discovered their mutual love for The Vampire Diaries, 3OH!3, and dancing. They became the dynamic duo, dancing their way through the 9th grade. One day, they decided to take their friendship to the next level and "get married", simply by dubbing each other "wifey". If only it were that easy... and that cheap! As they continued to call each other "wifey," their classmates began to wonder if they were actually secretly married. Unfortunately, at the end of 10th grade, Myrthe moved back to The Netherlands, but they were determined to make their long distance "marriage" work. They would spend hours chatting via facetime and text, as well as sending each other over the top dance videos and loving facebook posts. Years later, when Caitlin got engaged for real, Myrthe knew that she had to be there for her "wifey." She flew all the way to New York from The Netherlands to attend the engagement party! Finally, after 6 years, Caitlin's fiancé got to meet her wife of 13 years. They may not be legally married, but they'll always be wifey and wifey.
Michael Goldman
Groomsman
In the sultry halls of Vassar, Michael and Ben's electric connection sparked when they collided like two Greek gods. Introduced by the enigmatic Dillon, their fates intertwined faster than a vine climbing a trellis. Though their sleep schedules clashed like a scandalous rendezvous, they found unity in hurl-worthy workouts and daring escapades across the campus terrain. Together, they embraced the art of team building, involving intense drinking duels and epic battles of board games and video games, igniting fires that could only be quenched with Smirnoff. Ah, the infamous ice wars of 2015, a chilling time that sent shivers down everyone’s spines. Despite becoming Ben’s primary victim in the frosty battle, Michael's spirit never froze. Even when. Ben, the enforcer, confiscated Michael's door in a power play, his will to fight remained brighter than his neon pink shorts. Through all their mischievous misadventures, Michael exuded the magnetic charm of a golden retriever, always ready to fetch the next thrill and faithfully stand by his comrades. Together, Michael and Ben painted a portrait of friendship that could withstand any storm. Side by side they embark on this new adventure, man and man’s best friend, woof.
Anya Raj
Bridesmaid
Once upon a time, in a dorm far, far away, lived a shy, introverted freshman named Caitlin. She had just moved back to the US and didn't know anyone, that is until she met her soon-to-be-bridesmaid, Anya. Anya, being the social butterfly she is, strolled down the hallway, guitar in hand, and invited Caitlin for tea in her dorm room. Caitlin was taken aback by Anya's coolness and thought to herself, "Wow, I must look like a total loser compared to her." Little did she know, the feeling was mutual. But despite their initial intimidation of each other, they hit it off immediately. They spent their college days going to concerts and music festivals, galivanting around Seattle, participating in typical college shenanigans and drinking lots and lots of tea. If you couldn't find them, they were likely cuddling in one of their dorm rooms listening to Beyonce. After their freshman year, they decided to move in together with a few other friends, but most of those friendships quickly fizzled out. Caitlin and Anya's bond, however, only grew stronger. They supported each other through the ups and downs of college life and became each other's rocks. Sadly, when it was time for Anya to move back to the UK after college, their goodbye at the airport was more like a scene from a Nicholas Sparks movie than a romantic-comedy. Visa issues will do that to you. Despite this, their friendship has withstood the test of time zones!
Dillon Guynup
Groomsman
Twas the night before intro classes, when all through Vassar's halls, Dillon and Ben's friendship, it brightly enthralls. Their first week as freshmen, their bond did ignite, United by guitars, their hearts took flight. Jam sessions went awry, yet they laughed with glee, From the Devils Polka to the song that shall not be named, you see. Mischief and mayhem, they both did adore, Disregarding dress codes, their spirits did soar. Roommates by fate, with Michael and Pratt, Their friendship flourished, that's just a fact. Through ups and downs, their bond grew strong, Side by side, they sang life's song. Dillon's support, a constant guide, Through questionable choices, they did confide. With stoicism and confidence, they faced each test, On this night before classes, their friendship's truly blessed.
Demi Lidorikiotis
Bridesmaid
It's Sunday night in Seattle, which means another Sunday night dinner. The same weekly event, in fact, where Caitlin and Ben met. Little did Caitlin know, she wouldn't just meet her future husband at one of these dinners, but also her future second wife. Caitlin, a college senior, who was known for her ever-changing appearance, according to Demi. Demi, an outspoken individual, who had a knack for forgetting faces. As Demi arrived, she introduced herself to everyone, including Caitlin. However, amidst the bustling group conversations, they didn't get a chance to chat. The following week, Demi attended another Sunday night dinner, where she reintroduced herself to Caitlin, failing to recognize her. This pattern repeated for the next few dinners, leaving Caitlin both bemused and confused. At the fifth dinner, just as Demi was about to reintroduce herself, a spark of recognition flickered in her eyes. "Wait a minute," Demi exclaimed, "I know you!". However, the two still did not become close until a girls trip to Las Vegas. While the trip turned out to be a complete disaster, Demi and Caitlin found themselves spending a lot of time together, bonding over their love for coffee and sarcastic banter. Caitlin admired Demi's unwavering honesty and ability to speak her mind without hesitation. Their genuine and transparent friendship only blossomed further as they discovered their shared passion for espresso martinis, "Mr. Brightside", and road tripped together across the US.
Gret Hand
Groomsman
You see, to put it simply Ben and Gret’s friendship exists because Caitlin wasn't enough – yeah, you heard that right. After almost two years of parenting Caitlin, her folks were like, "Hmm, well that was interesting, but not enough chaos," so they decided to roll the dice again and out popped Gret, the myth, the legend, the sequel. Their paths first collided at Caitlin's graduation, well at the afterparty. Ben had mastered the art of avoiding formal events and his girlfriend’s graduation was not enough to stop him from showing up only when the champagne was flowing. Once again, Caitlin just wasn’t enough. It was during these post-grad shindigs that Ben and Gret started their comedic tango, a dance of witty one-liners and awkward yet hilarious moments. Each time Gret would come to visit, Caitlin, in all her responsible sibling glory, would jet off to work creating prime forced hangout conditions for Ben and Gret. Quickly though, time together became voluntary and they began making Caitlin jealous of their fun midday adventures. Soon enough, Ben was wanting Gret to move in... And guess what? Even with Caitlin about to hitch her wagon to Ben, she's still considered a mere warm-up act in the family circus. Gret's honesty and laidback attitude, easily makes other's feel at ease while being completely roasted with razor-sharp wit, which is bound to turn everyone’s wedding tears into tears of laughter! Hence, Ben was like, "Yo, Gret, you wanna be my groomsman?"
Mindy Rohrback
Bridesmaid
Caitlin and Mindy took the term "work buddies" to a whole new level. Their friendship began as colleagues exchanging sassy patient stories and indulging in some scandalous work gossip during their breaks. Working in geriatric rehabilitation was like a daytime soap opera, but with more front wheeled walkers ... Both being the first two people to arrive to work, Caitlin soon became Mindy's unofficial barista. Every morning, she would sprint to the breakroom, armed with a mission to satisfy Mindy's sugar addiction and her own caffeine craving. The amount of sugar Mindy requested would make Willy Wonka faint in disbelief. Their friendship began to move outside of work when they would join their colleagues for happy hour and trivia nights. However, once they learned of their joint love for hiking, baking, and sushi, it was game over, they could no longer only be work friends. Donned in animal onesies, armed with spatulas and surrounded by a cloud of flour, they embarked on their first of many boozy baking adventures in Caitlin's apartment. From then on, their bond grew stronger with every adventure, mishap, and belly laugh. From conquering treacherous hiking trails of the Pacific Northwest, to surviving their own culinary experiments, they became unstoppable. And now, Caitlin could not be more excited to have her sweetest friend by her side to celebrate her special day!
Treh Manhertz
Groomsman
Fate brought Treh and Ben together during an Advance Macroeconomic Growth Theory course at Vassar College. Who would have thought that an overwhelming flood of Math could bring two souls together? Everyone. Math is hard. Shortly after graduating, as fate would have it, once again, Ben and Treh both moved to Seattle. Quickly realizing they had found themselves in the same city, they decided to reconnect, with Caitlin in tow, and that is when their friendship began to grow. Many poker nights, wine tastings, trivia Tuesdays, jazz bars, and GOT watch parties, Treh became one of Ben’s closest friends. And if that wasn’t enough, Ben and Caitlin adopted Indi shortly after Treh and Hannah adopted their dog Barry, who became the best of friends and maybe lovers (?), it gets weird. Unfortunately, Indi and Barry were torn apart when Ben and Caitlin moved to NYC. However, as fate would have it, AGAIN, they all found themselves living in DC, one year later. Through it all, Treh's warm presence and enduring friendship remained a constant in Ben's life. They have been by each other’s side through life’s pivotal moments, such as when Treh recently tied the knot with his wonderful partner, Hannah. Ben stood proudly by Treh’s side and now he is ecstatic to have Treh stand next to him for another of life’s exciting adventures. Life may be unpredictable, but some friendships are unwavering, even in the face of complex economic theories.
Whitney Hoefling
Bridesmaid
It all began on a sunny Texas day, at a neighbourhood cul-de-sac party, when they were eight years old. Whitney and Caitlin, both new to the area, found themselves navigating a sea of unfamiliar faces. So when Caitlin's mother struck up a conversation with Whitney's mother, the two moms decided to bring the girls together. They suggested that Caitlin go upstairs and play with Whitney. Feeling a bit hesitant, Caitlin reluctantly followed her mother's encouragement and went upstairs to find Whitney. As she entered the room, she saw Whitney sitting alone, engrossed in playing with a dollhouse. They began playing together and immediately clicked, so much so, that as the day turned into night, they ended up having an impromptu sleepover. From that day forward, Whitney and Caitlin became inseparable. They spent their childhood days staying up all night playing Animal Crossing on the Nintendo DS, battling it out in epic Pokémon showdowns, imagining themselves as mermaids diving into countless fantastical dimensions in their swimming pools, and engaging in intense debates about how their Barbie dolls would navigate the ups and downs of life. As they grew older, life threw its curveballs, but their friendship only grew stronger. No matter the distance that life put between them, they remained each other's pillars of support through heartbreaks, broken bones, triumphs, failures, family dramas, personal crises, and the inevitable ups and downs of growing up.
Phil Brown
Groomsman
Fifth grade meant a new start for Ben, moving from Arizona to upstate New York. At his new school, during a recess soccer game, New York native, Phil, couldn’t help but notice the new kid on the block, and not for his dashing good looks. Ben was reluctant to pass the soccer ball, Phil figured he wasn’t very good at sharing, and knew just what Ben needed. A proper upstate welcome, a two-footed tackle. Ben appreciated the direct communication and the two parted ways with mutual respect. However, due to Ben’s cocky soccer attitude, the two did not form a close bond until they were seated next to each other in sixth grade. Realizing they had endless common interests, the two began spending time together leading to numerous adventures and a moderate amount of actual schooling. Countless hours were spent on the soccer field, playing video games, making movies, and exploring. Phil's positive influence and unwavering character made him a role model to all his peers, Ben included. Meanwhile, Ben’s troublemaking spirit, laziness, and deadly homework allergy served as an excuse for Phil to escape the pressures of his promising academic career. And yet, somehow the two both began pathways to becoming doctors, unsurprisingly Phil is the type of doctor you would trust with your life and Ben, he has a PhD. It is for these reasons that Ben can trust Phil will always have his best interest at heart and Ben is grateful to have his support and guidance for such a special occasion.
Wesley Parker
Ring Bearer
Nephew to Uncle Ben, middle name inspired by Peter Parker... Hidden message? In case you forgot, Uncle Ben dies. ♫ To the tune of the Spider-Man theme song. ♫ Wesley Parker, Wesley Parker, Just a little hero, but he's even smarter, The ring bearer for Uncle Ben doctor In his tux, he's the sparkler Look out Here comes Wesley Parker Is he cute? Listen bud, He's got Glasner in his blood. Can he swing from a thread? No, he can't his mom would have his head. Hey, there There goes Wesley Parker. On the wedding day With the wedding rings in hand He struts down the aisle To the wedding band Watch out, it's Wesley Parker Wesley Parker, oh, Wesley Parker No web-slinging, but he's still a charmer, A young ring bearer, a love marker, He'll steal the show from uncle Ben doctor the ring bearer It's Wesley Parker!
Indira
Flower Girl
Rescued 05.17.2021 Birthname: Ursula ♫ To the tune of Poor Unfortunate Souls. ♫ I admit that in the past I've been a little sassy They weren't kidding when they named me, well, Ursula. But you'll find that nowadays I've learned my doggie ways Grown up, no longer bite, and made a switch I kiss. Treats? Yes. And I fortunately am known as Indi now Through the parents that I newly have possessed And dear humans, please don't laugh I use them on behalf Of my necessities, my desires, and my requests (woof.) Poor unfortunate souls. In pain, in need. This one longing for a German shepherd That one wants to get the mutt. And do I help them? Yes, indeed Those poor unfortunate souls So sad, so true They come flocking to my shelter Crying, "Adopt us, Ursula, please!" And I help them! Yes I do.
Andy Glasner
Officiant
Hi, I’m Andrew, but you can call me Andy. I am a long-time fan, first time stand-up comedian (ahem, I mean … “officiant”). Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to blame the innocent. Me. Once upon a time, Andy, Ben's father and self-appointed relationship coach, had been hounding Ben about proposing to Caitlin from the moment they met. He’d corner Ben at family gatherings, provide public not-so-subtle hints, and even offered to financially support the endeavor. Little did Andy know that his interference was laying the foundation for a proposal to remember, his proposal. After Ben finally popped the question, it eventually came time to choose an officiant. Caitlin and Ben felt Andy's relentless encouragement spoke volumes about his dedication to their relationship. So, they penned an endearing card, expressing gratitude for his support and gifted him a fishing lure with “Ofishiant” written on it, inviting him to officiate their wedding. Grinning ear to ear, he read it with teary eyes and immediately agreed to the role, under the impression he was getting ... a free fishing trip. Then came the classic Andy moment: just as they were wrapping up, he asked, "Wait... I'm not marrying you, am I!?" The room echoed with laughter at Andy's genuine confusion. And yes, Andy, yes you are. While Andy didn't get the all-expense paid fishing trip he thought he was receiving, Ben and Caitlin hope their wedding will suffice.