Wedding Party
Patrick Hurley
Officiant
Patrick Hurley is the older brother of the bride. Rachel & Patrick share a love of FRIENDS the tv show, Dave Matthews Band, Green Bay Packers & the Cubs. Growing up Rachel always looked up to her older brother! Rachel is thrilled he accepted the request to officiate her nuptials to Dylan!
Emily Van Laan
Matron of Honor
Emily Van Laan is Rachel's oldest friend. They grew up together on Boca Lago Dr. Played together in 200 East Park. Both attended preschool through high school together and even went on to Ball State together. Most notably Rachel & Emily were featured in the local newspaper holding hands as they crossed the finish line during the famous Little Kernel Puff race at The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival when they were only 3 years old!
Kayla LaMorte
Maid of Honor
Kayla & Rachel met at McCormick Place in 2015. Due to the nature of their work in catering, working long hours & many days in a row - the phrase "trauma bond" applied to their friendship. They quickly became close friends sharing a love of all things food and drinks. Even though Kayla moved away to Reno, NV in 2019 and then to Denver, CO in 2020, they still see each other multiple times throughout the year!
Morgan Budde
Bridesmaid
Morgan & Rachel met in 2017 at McCormick Place. Morgan started as a fresh Exhibitor Catering Manager and quickly became Rachel's favorite newbie. Even though Morgan was younger, Rachel was drawn to Morgan's big heart and charismatic personality. Morgan was always a cheerleader for Rachel's love life and was so ecstatic for Rachel to finally meet a "normal" guy like Dylan!
Natalie Moten
Bridesmaid
Rachel met Natalie at McCormick Place in 2014 when she first started her job there. Natalie was a new mom and Rachel was obsessed with babies. They grew close quickly with Rachel babysitting Declan often and over their passion for running and working out. They ran many races together and kept each other accountable for working out. Natalie is always a voice of reason for relationship advice and overall life advice for Rachel.
Blair Mills
Bridesmaid
Rachel met Blair in 2014 through a mutual friend. They grew close over the years of going out to their favorite places like Galway Bay or Wills Northwood Inn. They both love dogs and Dave Matthews Band and PINK.
Patrick Hankey
Best Man
Patrick, also known as Condor by his friends and enemies, is the older brother of Dylan. Eternal Ping Pong nemeses, they have very little else in common. But, for the sake of this snippet, they bond over several inside jokes that make VERY little sense to anyone but themselves and enjoy time off and on (mostly) the golf course in between their busy personal lives and jobs. Patrick has always offered great advice to Dylan over the years. Whether it was heeded or not, Patrick has always remained supportive and at the very least intrigued by Dylan’s “nightwalker” lifestyle.
Ben Masters
Groomsman
Dylan and Ben met in elementary school and then didn’t speak to one another for about a decade when they both grew closer over their love of tennis, percussion instruments and music in general. After brief tenures at two different colleges, they reunited at community college and started the band George Swayne with several other close friends and rotating members. Though Ben moved to LA to pursue a far more serious musical career, they kept their musical bond together by having recorded music in person and over the internet on Dylan's solo and band projects. Ben also doubles as "Mr. Wiggles" when he performs with Dylan at Irish Eyes on bass guitar or tambourine. One day, when they find some free time, they plan to host the first and probably last “Rock Show on the Moon”.
Brian Hoyt
Groomsman
Brian and Dylan met at Irish Eyes over ten years ago. Fellow musicians, they enjoy playing and seeing each other play, sometimes not at Irish Eyes. Various annual parties with his wife Jackie, golf rounds and concerts keep them close friends and peers in Chicago. If you see one of them on stage and the other is in attendance, you can guarantee an impromptu rendition of Wagon Wheel/Country Roads or Robyn's "Dancing on my Own". Brian Hoyt is a dedicated Chicago Bears fan.
Jeremy Stark
Groomsman
Jeremy and Dylan met via Brian about ten years ago… allegedly… no one is entirely sure who met who first. Though, it is confirmed that after attending Jeremy and Jamie’s New Years Eve Party later that year they were probably friends. Jeremy learned everything he knows about singing from Dylan. Jeremy even imitates Dylan's stage presence and timbre when he performs karaoke. They enjoy seeing good and bad movies together and attending concerts.
Ricky Podgorny
Groomsman
Dylan and Ricky met through their shared passion for ‘working at bars on Lincoln Avenue’ about a decade ago. Ricky, a bartender then at Racine Plumbing, and Dylan, the house musician at Irish Eyes down the street, would bond before/after their respective evening shifts at one of their workplaces or closer to home at the Oakwood 83 (Brokewood). Over the years they hung out in several other zip codes, especially during COVID shutdown when they formed a cautiously tight bubble of friends and would spend time missing their bars and eating Pete’s Pizza at home. Go Bears!
Hankey Kiddos
Flower Girls & Ring Bearer - Hankey Side
(L-R) Rosalie, Cora, Grace, Max, Holly
Hurley Kiddos
Flower Girls - Hurley Side
Hurley Flower Girls: Vivian & Sloane