Gracie & Jon
Wedding Party
Allison McKinley
Maid of Honor
Allison and I have been friends since the fourth grade. We did Tae Kwon Do together through middle school and high school, and while we didn’t go to college together, we’ve always stayed in touch and she’s remained one of my absolute favorite people! We even got to plan our weddings together and be each other’s Maid of Honor – she got married in September 2022. Allison and I were at each other’s side for so many special moments in our lives, and I can’t wait to have her next to me on mine and Jon’s big day! Love you, Ally!
Maggie Sherlock-Jones
Bridesmaid
I met Maggie my junior year of high school (her sophomore year) at Speech Team and we’ve been friends ever since. We both went to the University of Illinois for both our Bachelor’s in Communication and then the same grad program to get our Master’s in Human Resources. We even had the same job at our resident hall front desk! We’ve stayed in touch through it all, and it’s been so special to grow together as people on such similar paths. I’m so excited to have Maggie as my bridesmaid!
Katelynn Shennett
Bridesmaid
Katelynn and I met during our first semester of undergrad when we were a part of a play with The Penny Dreadful Players, called Mary’s Wedding. And from Mary’s Wedding to Gracie’s Wedding, we’ve been through a lot! She’s known me and Jon since before we were dating and has been a good friend to us both over the years. We all spent many a night at Katelynn’s place in college, playing cards and hanging out, then she and Jon lived together in Chicago while I finished grad school. Katelynn has been a constant in my life since college – from watching RuPaul’s Drag Race to our travels together – and I couldn’t be happier to have her as my bridesmaid!
Kelsey Mills
Bridesmaid
I met Kelsey during Spanish class first semester sophomore year, where we discovered that we’d been accepted into the same study abroad program in Granada, Spain the following semester. We were fast friends and went on many adventures together while in Granada. Kelsey was the one who told me about the Master’s program for Human Resources that we both ended up graduating from. She’s been a loyal, hilarious friend to me and is always ready to be there for me with a glass of wine and open ears when I need her. Can’t wait for Kelsey to be my bridesmaid!
Kelsey Wahlgren
Bridesmaid
When Kelsey Wahlgren overheard me and Kelsey Mills in Spanish class talking about our study abroad program, she leaned over her desk and said, “Are you guys talking about Granada?” and we’ve been friends ever since! She also studied abroad with us in Granada, where she’s at the center of some of my funniest and fondest memories. Senior year of college, we took the mot important class of our college careers together: Beer, Wine, and Spirits. Turned out, neither of us were destined to become sommeliers, but that hasn’t stopped us from going to bars all around Chicago and drinking like we are! I’m so happy Kelsey is one of my bridesmaids!
Bella Jackson
Bridesmaid
Bella and I met on our study abroad trip to Granada. She and I traveled together almost every weekend we were in Spain – so if that doesn’t bond two people, I don’t know what will! Bella and I also attended the same graduate program, and both of our jobs led us to California for a bit after graduation. We had a few more adventures out west together before we both made our way back to Chicago. Bella is someone I have come to rely on for advice and who can always make me laugh. I’m thrilled that Bella is my bridesmaid!
Dan Knight
Best Man
A long, long time ago, in an elementary school far, far away, two chunky children formed a blood feud over Yu-Gi-Oh cards. Within a year, however, they formed a bond, forged by fire and other unimaginably nerdy shit, that would last at least until May 19, 2023. After that, who knows? We’re keeping our options open! One time in high school, Dan ate 31 wings at BDubs, failing to meet the 32 wing mark where we would have paid for his meal. I’ve never seen such misery in person; it was exquisite. These days, Dan Knight has a mysterious job that only he understands in which he deals in buzzwords and dreams. He is my best man, and if we all work hard enough, we can probably convince him that he owes me $2000.
Matt Murphy
Groomsman
Matt is my brother, there from day 1. It’s something of a miracle that we’ll be standing together on my wedding day given how often I bit him as a child. But that’s proof that he’s a more gracious, generous and accepting man than most that you will ever meet. Fun fact, Matt gave me my first ever drink of alcohol, predating even the Christmas Eve disaster in high school that my whole family knows about but pretended didn’t happen at the time. He’s always been there for me, and I love him dearly. Perhaps, with a little bit of collective effort, we can get Matt to hand over $2000.
Greg Nussbaum
Groomsman
Look if there was ever a guy who would give me $2000 from peer pressure alone, it’s Greg. In a world with an overabundance of writers, Greg has always stood head and shoulders above most I’ve encountered. Both literally and figuratively. I think he’s something of a creative genius, and you should all follow him on Instagram. I’d give you his @, but no free clout, Greg. One time in high school, Greg picked me up at 11PM to eat at a Sonic Drive-In where he blasted Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange and loudly lamented about his love life over chicken tenders and Texas Toast.
Ryan Kirby
Groomsman
Ryan Kirby is the greatest actor to ever join a business fraternity in Big Ten history. Ryan is also exceptionally tall; you’ll see what I mean. I believe wholeheartedly that one day, he will receive an Oscar, and it will be seven inches taller than a regular Oscar. But never forget that I was cast over him in our high school production of Almost, Maine because that’s pretty hilarious. Ryan is a dear friend, and we’ve eaten a genuinely alarming amount of calzones together. Make sure to bring a pen, he’s got $2000 worth of autographs to sign.
Nic Morse
Groomsman
I cannot take anymore of Nic’s money after we sunk it all into our locally beloved venture, Protagonist Pizza Productions. Though Nic would never admit it, he carried that organization because he works hard as hell and is a creative force. The man is a wizard with a camera, and also my heart. One time, he danced in an experimental theater show at U of I, and it was the greatest theatrical production I’ve ever seen in my entire life. If he does not unleash a filthy array of moves on our dance floor, I will unfortunately have to request he pay a discounted fee of $1000.
Noah Schmid
Groomsman
Noah is a beloved friend of both Gracie and I, and also a dangerous mad scientist. One time, he made that liquid that becomes a solid when you press on it, and it realigned my brain chemistry. I lived with Noah during my senior year of college where he showed a level of compassion to my insane dog that few can match. This was doubly impressive as he was very allergic to Louie. He’s a great cook, a great man, and let’s all give it up for Noah’s gracious gift of $2000.
Andy Vanthournout
Officiant
Andy has years of incriminating data documenting how bad Gracie is at various card games. In an effort to keep that data out of the public eye, we granted Andy the opportunity to be our officiant. Andy has been our friend since freshman year of college, and he has witnessed the full history of our relationship unfold. From the early will-they-won't-they-for-the-love-of-god-can-they-just-get-it-over-with-already days to the day of our engagement and the ensuing hurricane of tequila shots that followed, and all the way to today. We love Andy, and I'm sure that thought makes him DEEPLY uncomfortable.