Gloria & Alston
Wedding Party
Douglas Baulf
Best Man
I met Doug at Clark University in the fall of 2011. Neither of us knew anyone else, but knew each other through mutual friends so I asked him to get lunch with me and we have been laughing together ever since. One of my fondest memories from that year was when sat together outside our dorm smoking a cigarette and eating donuts while I recanted a particularly bad date. Doug's vibrant cackle will make anyone feel like they are the funniest person in the world. But in my case, he is right. We have been through college, Thanksgivings, cross country trips, break ups, moves, losses, and many laughing fits that have left our sides hurting. Through it all Doug has remained a true and loyal friend who I can always count on to arrive at the door ready with a bottle of wine.
Mitch Quine
Best Man
Mitch and I met in class at college, but didn't become friends until the spring of our third "Middler" year. After having a few classes together that spring we started hanging out. That summer, we had the exact same classes and schedule, to the point where we spent every waking moment together (an estimated 16 hours per day), including all three meals--that I cooked for him. Mitch and I have been through a lot since then: graduation, new jobs, heartbreaks, bad decisions, conspiracy theories, video game marathons, trips to San Diego, Mitch and his knife, a few too many drinks a few too many times, and now my wedding. Honestly Mitch could not have been luckier to meet a friend like me, and I think he's alright too. Yikes.
Ariel Cohen-Perry
Matron of Honor
Ariel is not only my big sister but my first friend. As children we cultivated our imaginations and creativity playing everything from pretend to Barbies to dinosaurs in the sand box. I was always following my sister around, and she once even said she wanted me to be the first to get married because she was tired of always being the first (her and her husband, Ty, got married in September of 2017). As adults we have remained close, even when she was living on the other side of the country. I was so happy to be her maid of honor when she got married and I am so excited she will be doing the same for me.
Warren Potts
Groomsman
I first met Warren Niles at my house because he is my brother. He is youngest Potts, and is the only one who can really pull off a man-bun. Growing up he always wanted to hang out with me and would do anything I wanted because I have always been so cool. I admittedly took advantage of this, making him throw wiffleballs to me for hours and subsequently yelling at him for not throwing strikes. You know, big brother stuff. He even in my footsteps in high school and built a thriving career at D'Angelos. He has grown into a thoughtful and kind person who is constantly pushing his own creativity and amazing musical ability. I'm so proud of him.
Matthew Lenda
Bridesman
I was lucky to meet Matt when he and Doug started dating and was even luckier when we became close friends. Matt has always opened his doors to me whenever I have needed it, including letting me crash when I first moved to the Boston area and hadn't found a place yet. He has gone above and beyond to help me find a job, including giving my LinkedIn an amazing facelift--yes, he is indeed a saint. Matt is a wonderful friend, even when (or perhaps especially when) Felicia comes out. I cried when I watched Matt and Doug get married, and I suspect Matt will be doing the same.
Andrew King
Groomsman
Andrew and I met at church when we were in elementary school. The first time we hung out I went over his house and we played Rampage for 5 hours, cementing a life long friendship. Andrew is the kind of guy who can have a conversation with anyone, at any time, and make then feel welcome. He always acts with a kind and open heart, and has a real green thumb to boot. Our friendship is the kind where we could go a year without seeing each other, and when we finally hang out, it's like no time has passed at all. We have shared many introspective conversations around the roaring campfire that only he, the Eagle Scout, could hold.
Ilana Grunberg Weiss
Bridesmaid
Ilana and I were both psychology majors while we were at Clark. She is smart, funny, and a truly supportive friend who has taken a Megabus on more than one occasion just to see me. We have lived with each other, crashed on each other's couches, and participated in a Birthright trip to Israel together. She introduced me to midnight fine dining while she was in grad school, which included Cheez-Itz with Sriracha. To this day I think of her when I pass a rouge box of Bagel Bites. I am psyched she has agreed to be one of my bridesmaids.
Rich Ramsey
Groomsman
Rich and I met during the whirlwind, speed dating version of social interaction known as Freshman year. He lived a couple of doors down from me and was an integral part of "the group". Rich and I lived together for most of college and we spent our time sharing music with each other, trying every beer we could find, and learning new board games. Rich is a quiet and thoughtful soul who - through sheer force of will - blossomed into a bearded and tattooed adventurer of a man. He is an extremely emotionally intelligent person who will stop everything in his day to help you if he senses that you need it. What more could a guy want?
Annie Sheret
Bridesmaid
Annie moved to the farm across the street from my family when I was just a year old. My sister invited her over to play, and she proceeded to come over nearly every day for the next 10 years. She tagged long for swimming lessons, Hebrew school, and eventually joined our 4H dog club. Age-wise, Annie fell right between my sister and I and was often the bridge between us when we weren't getting along. I learned a lot from Annie, including my flare for performance. She has always been a loving friend, and it has been a delight watching her become a loving mother.
John Daly
Groomsman
John transferred to Northeastern during our sophomore year and quickly became an integral (and arguably the most cartoonish) part of our group. Pope Urban II and I lived together for at least two years, though he lived on the couch in our apartment during our third year...so it was technically longer than that. We spent most of our time going back in forth on MLB 2K10 on my Xbox 360, gorging ourselves on Penguin Pizza, and watching Planet Earth. John has always been good for a hearty laugh and thoughtful discussion - and I'm excited to give him a reason to visit the east coast!
Jessa Potts
Bridesmaid
Jessa is Alston's youngest sister, and our roommate, but she is obviously more than that. Jessa is a talented musician and a truly giving person, and I am delighted to call her my friend. She has sat through my comedy set many times, it is a wonder she still finds it funny. She also introduced to the wonder and terror that is a facial sheet mask. Jessa is always around ready with a smile, and if you're really lucky--an oyster. Our little Cambridge apartment wouldn't be home without her and her cat, Oswald.
Noah Carville
Groomsman
Noah and I met at Northeastern, as a direct result of my oafish and brazen attempts at social interaction my first week of college. We spent our entire freshman year together and shared a double our sophomore year. All of our time not devoted to schoolwork was spent playing video games, watching movies, and/or doing pushups in a weighted vest. Grandpa Noah has always been an extremely giving and supporting friend when I've needed it the most, and I am grateful that he will be standing up there with me.
Alex Potts
Bridesmaid
Alex is Alston's oldest younger sister. She is well-traveled, worked in the AmeriCorps, and possesses a magnetic energy. She is a lovely and introspective person who I've had many interesting conversations with about life, work, and the occasional ridiculousness of her brother. She is a regular visitor to our home and always arrives ready to have fun while she tries on all of Jessa's clothing. She has always been a welcoming force into her family, and I look forward to calling her my sister.
Morgan Lyew
Groomswoman
Morgan and I were classmates at Northeastern. We toiled away together in Structural Analysis, Steel Design, Fluid Mechanics, and likely some other horror shows that I've forced out of my mind. I have been ever so fortunate to visit her and her family in San Diego on two occasions (Mitch was there too). We've explored the numerous breweries, grilled some juicy meats, and spent a day in Mexico drinking wine. Despite what she will lead you to believe, Momo is a big ol' softy who is a delightful and chill person to be around.
Meghan Lefebvre
Bridesmaid
And finally Alston's middle sister, Meghan. It has been such a delight getting to know Meghan. She has a huge heart that's big enough for all creatures, whether they walk on two legs or four. She is a strong woman with the everlasting soul of a horse girl. Once at the Potts Christmas party, she stood in a single spot and spoke with my mother, another everlasting horse girl, discussing horses for an hour. Meghan is charming and lovely, and I am so happy she is going to be standing with me on this special day.
Evan Bradley
Groomsman
Evan and I were Orientation Leaders together at Northeastern during the summer after our Freshman year. We bonded over our mutual love and respect for good city planning. We have shared the delirium of Husky Hunt, the delight of Boston fireworks, and the ditties of the Squealing Pig. He is a regular visitor at our house and has become close with my family, making him even more like family. He is a talented photographer and it has been a delight to watch him grow as an artist since graduation. Evan's huge grin is only dwarfed by his even more huge heart, and I am a lucky to have a friend like him.
Naomi Peterson
Flower Girl
Naomi is Annie's daughter, and the perfect human. She is smart, sweet, and an avid reader (her favorite book is Coraline by Neil Gaiman--she is literally so cool). Watching her play and grow reminds me so much of when Annie, Ariel, and I would play together as children. She has the same spark of imagination and love for fun we all had, but better because it's her. We are so excited she said yes to being out flower girl and we have already accepted she will be stealing the show.