Julia & Alex
Wedding Party
Donald Gytri
Best Man - Bride Side
Donald is the favorite child in his family by far, due in large part to his possession of the most even temper on the planet. It's almost eerie how chill he is. What he lacks in emotional volatility, he makes up for in physical dare devilishness: he has a peculiar proclivity toward near-fatal undertakings, and it's rumored that his skull and right arm are both made of steel. Donald is known for taking in and loving every stray or injured animal he encounters, teaching capuchin monkeys how to finger paint, bottle feeding baby bear cubs, and holding specialized training in tranquilizing big cats that have escaped enclosures. Always good to have him around, just in case. He's the best brother, and an even better human. It's not even a contest. He's never said he DOESN'T like Alex.
Matt Weinberg
Master of Ceremonies - Groom Side
Matt is in charge of marrying Alex and Julia. Matt's qualification to officiate a wedding: putting up with them the longest. If you're looking for an excellent travel companion, sartorial consultant, mostly-reasonable roommate, rowdy renegade, or beacon of hope that shines just like diamonds do, Matt's your guy. If you're looking for help washing dishes, Matt is not your guy. Alex and Matt have been friends since middle school. In this century, they shared an East Village apartment with an extended family of mice, all of whom were named "The Mouse." They are the future cofounders of several startups still operating in stealth. If Matt were an animal, he'd be a black-breasted snake eagle. Naturally. What does Matt call Alex? Unspeakable names. What does Matt call Julia? "Bejewelers."
Jessica Kurtz Thomas
Chief Executive Officer - Bride Side
Jessica has the biggest heart that can fit inside of a human body. She runs a business, a household, and honestly, should just run the entire country. Jess and Julia met like lots of best friends do: in a horrible job that resulted in a unique bond. They've SEEN things together and have STORIES! Now that they are on to better and brighter days, they remain tight and continue to cheer each other through life. Julia admires Jess for 1 million reasons, from being a great mom, to not being ashamed of eating cake from the middle out (edge pieces are excessive). She also does not beat around the bush: Jess will (nicely) tell you if your outfit is stupid, if YOU'RE stupid, or if you're dating someone stupid. She definitely would've told Julia by now if she had any reservations about Alex.
Nathan Kellogg
Team Captain/Temp Assistant to CEO's Jr. Intern - Groom Side
Alex and Nathan's primordial friendship dates back to the dawn of time, when they were just a couple of little dudes in diapers. As luck would have it, their worlds collided when their parents serendipitously placed them in the same daycare (thanks, Moms and Dads). Since then, they’ve been friends every step of the way, through milestones big and small, good times and bad, and far too many questionable haircuts. We know what you’re thinking. How could someone be this good-looking? It’s unknowable, but rest assured that a team of top scientists are working ‘round the clock to answer this fundamental question. Favorite thing about Alex: Grasping at straws here. Favorite thing about Julia: Everything.
Daniel Sullivan
Chief Technology Officer - Bride Side
In undergrad, Julia gave Daniel a ride home from a rehearsal of an operetta they were both not the stars of and told him they were going to be best friends. He totally fell for it! They have been queens of the night together ever since, sharing life's most wide-swinging ups, downs, and monologues. Daniel is a phenomenal dancer who has received indulgent praise the world over for his ability to step in the pattern of a box. He is also an incredibly talented vocalist. Julia's parents think he's the best singer they've ever heard, & they've heard MANY SINGERS. Daniel has disrupted the tech industry by activating the block chain and - excuse him, the Tokyo office is calling. Alex is the only person who speaks at a high enough volume for Daniel's liking. The rest of you are mumbling.
Anthony Reyes
Campaign Manager - Groom Side
Anthony is a man of many talents. He's a communications strategist, a dormant choreographer, and frankly, a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stinky, stinky world. Anthony and Alex have gallivanted all across New York City, Washington DC, and other undisclosed metropolitan areas. They have narrowly escaped certain death on more than one occasion. If you find yourself in a compromised situation and in need of a crisis PR expert, or maybe you just need a shoulder to cry on, call Anthony. He'll answer from behind the wheel of a zero-emissions vehicle somewhere in Southern California. Anthony holds the Guinness Record for Most Infectious Laugh (either side of the Mississippi). Answers to: Tony, Tone, Toner, Toine, Treyes, Grain, Brody Petranus. (Don't ask.)
Lauren Pierce Barker
Chief Business Officer - Bride Side
Lauren and Julia have been friends since middle school, where they brought out the best in each other with their contentious academic rivalry & differing political views (yes, they were incredibly vocal about these things even then). Almost every note they ever wrote each other in high school got snatched up by an authority figure. You have NO IDEA how many times both of their lives could've been RUINED if their AP chem teacher had read some of those notes out loud. Shoutout to Mrs. Mathur. They planned a DOPE prom for the Class of 2008, for which they did not receive enough credit/gratitude, & made by FAR the best speeches at their graduation ceremony, for which they did not receive enough praise. But who even remembers that? Lauren was the first to meet and (mostly) approve of Alex.
Alex Lebow
Designated Chaperone - Groom Side
AK & AL have known each other since since 1999, where they made up 2/7 of all Alex's in their 7th grade class. Lebow is the distinguished winner of a relatable superlative: Most-Likely-To-Establish-A-Reputation-As-"The-Trustworthy-One"-In-Your-Parents'-Eyes-But-Only-Because-He-Was-The-One-To-Call-Them-That-One-Time-In-8th-Grade-When-You-Gifted-Yourself-A-Concussion-And-No-Adults-Were-Around-To-Take-You-To-The-Hospital. Political aspirations: Extinguished. A man with this many skeletons could never launch a successful bid for elected office, but he can still keep you safe - not like Academy Award-nominated & three-time Golden Globe winner Liam Neeson in the 2008 hit Taken - he'll just call your parents to make sure THEY keep you safe. If you need real protection, just call Julia...
Shea McAdoo
Chief Innovation Officer - Bride Side
Shea is a retired professional ballerina who specializes in truth-telling, being funny, and holding wisdom well beyond her years (that's saying something. She's 84! Can you believe it?! So many years! So wise!). Shea and Julia met teaching fitness together in New York and share a love of movement that is heartily balanced by bread and friendship. Shea is a proponent of merriment: it is impossible not to have a the most wonderful time when she is in the room. She is also a little bit of a therapist. She keeps very busy making people happier and healthier in addition to being Max's favorite aunt. That said, Shea prefers Max to Alex, but thinks Alex is fine.
Andy St. Louis
Artist in Residence - Groom Side
In this corner, hailing all the way from Palm Desert, California by way of Seoul, Korea, weighing in at a lean none-of-your-business, Andrew Robin of House St. Louis!! Alex and Andy have lived together, written and performed music together, and survived getting locked out on a 4th floor balcony for over 4 hours in the dead of winter together. If you're looking for Andy, send a carrier pigeon. He's not off grid - his phone is just broken or the battery is dead. But if you're already together, he's a good guy to find yourself in a proverbial foxhole with. Just steer clear of any and all balconies. Weapon of Choice: the Cajon, a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru (but you already knew that).