Wedding Party
Julie Katz
Maid of Honor
To those who know us, it’s only fitting that Nicola and I met while sorting out the same conflicting band concert and ill-timed calculus final as freshman at the University of Florida. As band friends, and later as roommates, we bonded over what to wear to the next trumpet party, what might have been in the Krishna mush we had for lunch that day, and what it would take to get Nicola to the gym with me (look how far she’s come!). Ten years later we’ve since taken trips, drank beers, earned a few degrees and now I am so excited to celebrate my part time friend, full time soul-sister as she takes this next step with Jack!
Dan Culhane
Best Man
Dan and Jack met during their first year of medical school at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, after being aggressively recruited by Mitch Luangrath and Andy Radtke to join the prestigious intramural soccer team, Club Foot (Glory, glory Club Foot!). Not long after taking the field together, they decided to become roommates for the remaining three years of medical school. Since that time, they have shared in many adventures including a service trip to Haiti, canoe trips down the Green River, and a cross-country road trip from Madison, WI to Moab, UT to Marco Island, FL.
Caitie Dawson
Maid of Honor
First, it’s almost impossible to fit 20+ years of friendship into a blurb, but… here we go. I met Nicola (Pickala) when we were 7. She quickly became the sister I never had, even when we made my older brother dress up as one. We have spent countless family vacations together, and even a year living together. My parents always joked that she was bad luck because every time she went with us to “look” at an animal, we came home with one. We have developed many traditions, mainly holiday ones over the years, and I am thankful that we have been able to keep up with them regardless of the miles between us. I will always be grateful for 2nd grade for bringing us together. We’ve been on a lot of adventures together and I’m excited to see where this next one takes us (oh, and Jack too)!
Erik Mahon
Groomsman
Jack has always been John to me as that’s what he went by when we met at Gustavus. Though he only stayed at GAC for two years, we forged a friendship that has lasted over a decade. Despite busy schedules, we have still managed to see each other just about every year. I have travelled to Bull City a couple times, we hiked the Appalachian Trail together, and also met in Florida. When we roomed together in Rundstrum Hall, we played Mario Kart incessantly, as well as enjoyed throwing a baseball or frisbee. John still has my number on most races, but I keep him sharp. Congrats!
Ashleigh Martin
Bridesmaid
Nicola and I have been friends for about 6 years. We started out as co-workers in the PICU at Duke while also being in NP school together. We quickly bonded over our studies, night shifts together, and our love for football. As we continued school & working together, Nicola and I became closer friends with her being invited to family functions, me traveling to a Gator game, and her meeting Jack. As a side note – when they started dating, I called this marriage thing before things were even serious. As the years have gone by, Nicola has continued to be one of my best friends. She has become an honorary aunt to my daughter, a part of my family, and someone I can always count on. I am so happy for both her and Jack as I have seen this relationship grow and flourish since the very beginning.
Mitchell Hustad
Groomsman
Mitchell and Jack met over the glow of Bunsen burners in their Quantitative Analysis course at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. They bonded over a shared enjoyment of biochemistry, baseball, and Point beer. Despite traveling in separate directions following graduation, their paths have been continuously criss-crossing from Portland, OR all the way to Richmond, VA. Nicola has been a great sport in putting up with their near-constant jibberish and nonsensical noises.
Sarah Ferguson
Bridesmaid
I met Nicola 10 years ago in Gator Band camp at UF, and as fellow trumpet players we became fast friends! Over the next few years we bonded over numerous practices, band trips, parties, and all things orange and blue! Once Nicola moved to NC, she fueled my interest in running, becoming my long-distance training partner and even running my first half marathon with me! Nicola is such an incredible person and friend! She has been there for me through great times, heartbreak, major life changes and has always been so supportive and encouraging. I was so honored when Nicola agreed to be my bridesmaid, and even more so that I can be hers! I can’t say enough how happy I am that Nicola has found her forever love in Jack! I know they’re going to have an amazing life together!
Nell Gamble
Groomswoman
Nell has been Jack's sister for approximately 32 years.
Kirsten Hughes
Bridesmaid
Like Sarah, Kirsten and Nicola met in the trumpet section of the marching band at UF. They quickly bonded over their love of Harry Potter, rap music, and generally being gangsta. Kirsten and Nicola have now been friends for over a decade and have made many wonderful memories together. They even decided to get married a week apart they're such good friends!
Carrie Wanamaker
Groomswoman
I met Jack a little over 32 years ago. Some of my favorite memories of Jack as a kid include beating him at Mario Kart, painting fences together singing “I shot the sheriff”, and getting his input on the best cafeterias at the colleges we visited. As we got older, my favorite memories include him beating me at Mario Kart and Tetris (his Tetris skills are uncanny), our down-hill ski adventures, and Tim (my husband) constantly picking on and goofing around with Jack as if they were long lost brothers. Jack is such an amazing person and I am so happy for him to have found Nicola. The first things I noticed about Nicola were that she radiated joy and had a spunkiness that was perfect for Jack. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect fit for Jack and I am overjoyed to welcome Nicola to our family.
Rick Gamble
Groomsman/Officiant
Rick has been Jack's brother for give or take 32 years.