Wedding Party
Kris Freeman
Officiant
We’ve been friends for over 30 years. My mom once made us promise we’d always stay friends—and we’ve taken that promise seriously. When Kris met his love, Adam Lozuk, I loved him too. Together, Kris and Adam have been a lifeline for me—steady through both the best and the hardest times. And, most importantly, they gave Mark the thumbs up.
Audrey Phillips
Virtual Wedding Planner
Oh, Audrey. She’s out there living her best life in Spain—truly her best life. And while she couldn’t be here for everything… trust me, she’s had to hear about every single detail. So far, she’s taken it all in stride—but I’m pretty sure I’ll wear her down over the next few months. Audrey has been the ultimate travel partner. Marfa, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Valencia—the list just keeps growing. We’ve shared so many adventures, and there are plenty more to come. Are we sisters? Friends? It’s hard to say. She feels like family. What I love most about Audrey is that she’s the person I want to celebrate with—and the one I turn to when I’m grieving. This kind of friendship is rare. And I’m so lucky to have it.
Penny Allison and Vicki Smyer
Bridesmaid
I always told Penny and Vicki that they would be my bridesmaids someday—and then I’d send them pictures of the most outrageous dresses imaginable. We’d laugh and laugh at the thought of it. Vicki is no longer with us, but I know she would’ve loved this day. Someone once said that Penny and I were cut from the same tree. It’s the best compliment I’ve ever received. What is she to me? A bonus mom? A friend? A mentor? It’s hard to define—but I truly can’t imagine life without her. She’s followed me from coast to coast, visiting every place I’ve ever lived (even Colombia!). She’s stood by me through the worst of times—and now, she’s here to celebrate the best. Lucky for her, we’re having the weirdest wedding ever. No procession. No outrageous dresses. Actually nothing normal at all. But in my heart, she will always be my bridesmaid.
Joanne & the Boston girls
Bingo Brigade
My Boston girls are running the Bingo part of the ceremony—and let me tell you, they are very excited about it. They’ve traveled all the way here to be part of this day and to finally make all their Texas dreams come true. We became friends while working together at Children’s Hospital Boston, and no amount of time or distance has changed that. This bond has stayed strong—and today, it’s stronger (and maybe louder) than ever.
Megan Collins
Flower Child
Megan is truly one of the coolest people I know. She tends the most beautiful garden, keeps bees, and restores the fanciest French antiques you’ve ever seen. She’s part Mother Earth, all artist—and absolutely my top pick for a night out with a Fleetwood Mac tribute band.
Rhonda Ibrahim
Usher
Rhonda will meet you at the door with a big smile and answers to all your questions. She’s so excited about this day—it’s honestly adorable. Rhonda is the kind of friend everyone hopes for: loyal, steady, and endlessly good-hearted. She also loves to sing in the car, which makes road trips a blast—unless it’s raining. Then she completely loses her mind. (Still like that, Rho?)
Daisy Wakefield
Bride Wrangler
I’ve known Daisy since the '90s, and wow—so much has changed since then. Life took us on separate paths, but thankfully, those paths led us back to each other. She sends the best memes, gets all bent out of shape over the most random things, and—bless her—works from home so she can take my panic calls at literally any hour. Once, she even dropped everything—her shopping haul on the floor at TJ Maxx included—to talk me through a full meltdown over wedding tariffs. That's friendship. *Also, she's watching videos about boob tape to help me strap up my girls. Daisy is also a verified Reddit expert and can research absolutely anything. She's an introvert, so if you see her tucked into the corner at Papa Joe's, just go ask her for advice—she’ll quietly take care of everything you need.
Sara Martin
Keeper of the Vibe
Sara has listened to me talk about getting married for years… maybe even decades! She’s let me dream, scheme, and imagine it all—over and over—and she’s even helped nurse a broken heart or two along the way. She and Jonathan have always been the gold standard by which I measure every relationship. The real deal, through and through. (Oh, Jonathan—we miss you. You left this world far too soon.) Everything Sara touches is elegant, thoughtful, and effortlessly perfect. That’s exactly why I called her when we decided on a honky tonk wedding. I knew she’d be the one to reign me in when I started to spiral—or gently pull me back when I wandered too close to the “you can’t actually do that at a wedding” line. A good friend knows when to shake her head and say, “Girl, heavens no. Pull it together.”
George Reamy
Chicken Handler
George has been a close friend of Mark’s for many years. Get him talking, and you’re bound to hear a story—maybe about a bus ride they took through Mexico, or the time George passed out driving from taking too much asthma medicine, which led to Mark becoming a book publisher at Texas State Technical College. Like Mark, George is a writer, which means the stories never stop. He’s also a devoted animal lover, with a whole menagerie of creatures he treats like his own children. So when we decided we had to include Chicken Sh*t Bingo at the wedding, we knew George would be the one to provide one of his prized chickens. Thank you, George, for helping us in the most delightfully unexpected way. (Curious about Chicken Sh*t Bingo? Head over to the FAQ page!)
Black Mold
Music Consultant
New Orleans is home to the legendary radio station WWOZ — true guardians of the groove. Mark listens non-stop, and meeting his favorite DJ, Black Mold, on the day he proposed was a dream come true. Thank you, Black Mold, for chicken set list and making our wedding extra special by bringing the groove to us!