Laura & Greg
Wedding Party
Greg Danforth
Groom
What can I say about myself that isn't a complete fabrication but also makes me seem worthy of marrying Laura?! Well, I have been training for the open bar since I was about 14 years old sneaking the occasional beer from dad's stash - who wants a lightweight after all. While I have very limited international travel experience, I have taken a handful of lengthy road trips as both a child and an adult to places like Chicago, Baltimore, Montreal, and Florida (twice), all of which prepared me for long plane rides talking to (or blocking out) my travel companion. And this is absolutely indisputable, but I do make the best hot dogs this side of the Mississippi, below the Canadian border, above the D.C. limits, in states that start with 'M', and in towns beginning with 'B' - that's something!
Laura Finn
Bride
People say there’s no such thing as love at first sight. But from our first date, I knew Greg was the one…or at least the one I wanted to share my love of wine with. It took him a bit longer to catch up, but he can now tell the difference between Boone’s Farm and Bordeaux. While Greg’s travel roster doesn’t quite compare to my 25 states and 30 countries, we've added four to his list and hope to check off a few more on our honeymoon. We also share a love of working on home DIY projects and nautical décor, which makes for a beautiful (and very blue) home. And now that we’ve passed the test of a year-long quarantine together, I can definitely say we’re ready to say “I do!”
Matthew Cody III
Best Man
We've been friends for over 25 years, "brothers" for almost as long. He introduced me to golf, and I think about that every time I embarrass him during a round, with every wayward shot off a parked car or tee shot at a foursome two holes away. Slice (or fade as I prefer to call it) aside, no duo has ever looked better at a driving range than we did at McGolf. He was a lucky groom of my best man speech, and now it's time for me to give him a little payback... but for whom??
Jolie Gorman
Matron of Honor
Jolie and I were sisters before we even became friends. Kappa Delta brought us together, but when we both returned from study abroad programs, we hit it off with our shared love of international travel and singing karaoke. Moving to the Boston area after college, we were roommates for nearly 10 years (and possibly unknowingly domestic partners). From clubbing, to camping and ski trips, to masquerade balls, to throwing dinner parties, we grew from new college grads to sophisticated young professionals. I just hope she remembers what happens in the Virgin Islands, stays in the Virgin Islands when she writes her speech!
Billy Anastasia
Groomsman
From our days dominating in high school baseball, except against East Boston or future major leaguers at West Roxbury, some adventures through Springfield College, road-trips to Chicago and Baltimore to take in the sites, suds, and Sox, and to Bruins games in the free but not the cheap seats. We spent a few years working together in Boston, leading to so many opportunities to bond over beers at the many local establishments. And even though he eventually stole my job he will always be one of my best friends.
Nicole Manning
Bridesmaid
After meeting during our first week at UNH, Nicole and I became fast friends. We shared road trips, became roomies, and then sisters when we pledged Kappa Delta together. Nicole was always the adventurous one, getting me to do things I never thought I would do — like pulling pranks on our dorm neighbors, dressing up as newlyweds for Halloween, or staying up until 4 to dance with the “devil” in Acapulco. Although she’s now a mother of three, she’ll always be my partner in crime and one of my best friends.
Gerry Kelly III
Groomsman
While visiting Billy at Springfield College I saw Gerry chug a beer in under 8 seconds and boy was I impressed. More impressive was that it was a Keystone Light and that he was willing to do it again. Our weekend routines living in Quincy were legendary with homemade omelets, breakfast beers, and English Premier League games on the computers with College and NFL games on the TV. After nearly two decades of backyard BBQs, New England Revolution tailgates, attending Bruins and Sox games, and cursing at the TV it's comforting to know that we'll be able to do all of these things for at least a few more decades. Looking forward to the wedding tailgate.
Jo Smart
Bridesmaid
As one of my London ladies, Jo and I met studying abroad during our junior year of college. A group of us became travel buddies — infamously known as the 6-pack — and tore up the town (or should I say Europe). From pony trekking in Wales, to singing the Sound of Music in Salzburg, to arriving during a water taxi strike in Venice, Jo and I survived it all. Over the years, the 6-pack has had many reunions and even started a mini-pack! As the last one in the group to walk down the aisle, I couldn’t do it without Jo and my girls there to cheer me on.
Marc Dangora
Groomsman
Friends for over 25, he basically lived at my house when we were in 8th grade as his family moved outside of the school area. Marc certainly left his footprints during that time through candy wrappers that were left all over the house - some still being discovered to this day. He's always there to liven up the day either with a game of "Would You Rather", or breaking out in song with a classical acoustic rendition of a popular classic. That's right, he's a musician and has literally traveled the world (a couple times). Invite famous person - Check.
Rebecca Majewski
Bridesmaid
Rebecca and I frequently say if our moms met, they would be instant best friends. From both playing in the Orchestra, to our obsession with cats, to our shared love of Pride & Prejudice, we could have been raised by the same people. While we didn’t meet until the end of college, we quickly became close living together in Somerville, frequenting the Harvard pub, building our international friend circle, and entering into the world of salsa dancing. Our adventurous spirits have taken us to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and South Africa. I hope that when we are old and gray, we will still be planning our next trip together.
Ryan Steele
Groomsman
I liked Ryan since he started dating my little sister and before he corrupted her (just kidding). I liked him enough early on to risk certain jail time for sneaking him a few drinks at an unnamed establishment during a birthday celebration during - I'm sure this was his first beer, ever... and so began his love for craft breweries and our growing friendship. I expect a new delicious craft brew very soon.
Sarah Steele
Bridesmaid
I knew Sarah and I were meant to be sister-in-laws when I was helping her move apartments and unpacked her box set of Dawson’s Creek DVDs. Beyond our shared love of 90s teen dramas, chick flicks, and reality TV, we got to know each other more during winter weekend trips to Lincoln, NH, eating copious amounts of lobster at 4th of July cook-outs, and trying to learn golf to keep up with our significant others. I’m so excited to have Sarah as my sister-in-law and even better, to have someone to help me take down Greg in the family Bocce game!
Dan Finn
Groomsman
As a soon to be brother-in-law, Dan knows what he is in for now - a whiskey connoisseur, terrible croquet player, and a lost cause when it comes to cars and their mechanics. For me, I have someone who knows his way around a tool box and an automobile, which makes him an essential addition to the wedding clan and my list of in-laws. With nothing more than a paper clip, elastic band, and ball bearing Dan will turn my beat up Corolla into a beat up Lexus, but it's still a Lexus. MacGyver has nothing on him. Did I mention he's a race car owner and driver?!
Caroline Finn
Bridesmaid
After a series of girlfriends who didn’t own anything in their wardrobe besides black, I was pleasantly surprised when Dan brought home Caroline. She instantly fit into our family with a love of hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing — and she even put up with our cheesy family jokes! Well the stars must have aligned (I mean literally — they were born on the exact same day) because Dan and Caroline turned out to be the perfect match. On their wedding day, I was thrilled to welcome Caroline as my new sister and am so excited she will be there for me on mine.
Patrick Finn
Groomsman
My words will never do this man justice but I have honestly never met anyone who has more useful information that I never knew I needed. As a man of the earth and the sea, Patrick, or Hobbs as those in the know call him, he has risked life and limb smuggling illegal maple syrup from Vermont, hand-fished salmon from Alaska, key limes from Key West, and spices from the south Pacific, all for our enjoyment. A journalist, boat captain, and aspiring polar bear hunter, this soon to be brother-in-law may have also saved my life, well, at least an entire finger, and for that I am thankful to have him and his special healing ointment in our wedding.
Lydia Finn
Flower Girl
As one of the most famous children on Facebook (according to the Grandma paparazzi), it was hard to get on Lydia’s schedule between swing time at the park, building bristle blocks, and doing the dishes (her favorite household chore). But we called in a favor to her parents and she promised to squeeze us in for a quick trip down the aisle after naptime and before bedtime. If she has time, she may even stay for a Shirley Temple and the hokey-pokey!
Charlotte "Charley" Steele
Flower Girl
Charley has had the most unfortunate privilege of knowing me for her entire life, just like her mother. And while that life will be a little more than 27 months as of the wedding day, it means so much to be able to not only have her at my wedding but play such an important role in the day. Sure, she won’t remember a thing that happens, but neither will many of the other bridal party members; though, unlike the rest of the party, it will not be a result of too many adult beverages. So, as Charley walks down the aisle, hopefully all the way to the end, we’ll smile knowing “G and Rala” will always be able to share this special memory with her.