Jake & Molly
Wedding Party
Ben Bedenian
Officiant
My dad has always been my best friend, but when my mom died, that only became more clear. He always puts others before himself and is always willing to help in any way he can. He has taken to Molly like another daughter and I'm beyond grateful to call him my dad. He's the only person in the world that I can ask any question without feeling silly and the easiest question I ever asked him was if he'd marry me and Molly.
Marcy Faulkner
Matron of Honor
Sharing a room with Marcy as a child taught me patience. Since then, she's taught me a lot of other things like how to do my makeup, where to shop, and how to navigate concerts. I loved being Maid of Honor for Marcy at her wedding, and I can't wait for her to be mine. Get your microphone ready for Pink Pony Club!
Adam Schilling
Best Man
I didn't like Adam when I first met him, mostly because I had a crush on his girlfriend at the time, and it wasn't until we forged a connection on the battlefield of student teaching that we became friends. I was lucky enough to live with Adam for four years and work with him for three. He's given me sound advice including the most influential of "riding the chill wave." I would not be standing at the altar if it wasn't for his friendship and can't think of a better person to serve as my best man.
Jessie Arras
Maid of Honor
Our 30 year friendship is documented with best friend keychains, 90s era JCPenney photo shoots in matching outfits, and first day of school pictures all the way from kindergarten through senior year of high school. While we never got to work together at Taco Bell like we planned, my dream of having her by my side on my wedding day will come true.
Jon Pardo
Groomsman
Jon's that friend that you can call to help you move (or in Jon's case, build a shed) or bury a body. He was one of the first friends I made on my freshman dorm floor and one of the few that lasted through life after college. I essentially moved into Jon and Adam's apartment after I started working at Loyola and that move helped me survive my post-college years. I love being on the boat with Capitano Trueno Cubano himself and I'm so glad he'll be standing with me.
Stephanie Gelhot
Bridesmaid
Stephanie and I have been laughing together since first grade. Our friendship had a rocky start after I didn’t want to play Barbies with her, but it has since thrived over the last 20 years at Girl Scout camps, Branson vacations, float trips, and game nights. She’s creative, a natural-born storyteller, and a unifier of friends which makes her a perfect addition to the bridal party.
Max Karlov
Groomsman
I actually hate Max and have since he put AP exam stickers on the side mirrors of my car right before it rained which fused the stickers to the mirrors so well that no amount of goo-gone could fix and I still think there's residue on the mirrors to this day. There's no one I love competing against more than Max and the almost sibling rivalry we have is one of my favorite things about our friendship. I like his wife, and my self-acclaimed best friend, Jenn way better though.
Bridget Chadwick
Bridesmaid
Bridget is my sounding board for all of life’s high and low moments. She talked me through switching majors at Saint Louis University during our sophomore year. She also once baked a cake when my stuffed animal’s birthday fell on a weekend I was visiting her. She’s the kind of person you want around no matter what.
Michel Garcia
Groomsman
Michel and I became friends in Science Olympiad in high school and we haven't looked back since. He'll tell you that I helped him ask his prom date (now wife Jackie) to prom with the help of tennis balls and I'll tell you that I have no recollection of it. What I'll always remember is that of all my friends, he's the one I can always count on coming up to my family's tree farm each year where he helps with all our projects and always helps us finish the keg and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Peggy Ceresia
Bridesmaid
In 2018, I responded to Peggy’s message on the Former Jesuit Volunteer Corps email about looking for a new roommate. We had five years of bananagrams, backyard hangs, and Bachelor Mondays in our apartment before Jake came along and I moved in with him. We survived living together during COVID, so I know that Peggy will survive whatever wedding planning throws at us.
Mark Garofalo
Groomsman
Mark has been one of my closest friends since high school, between Science Olympiad, going defeated (you read that right) in two straight years of club volleyball, or rides to school, Mark probably holds the title for most consistent friend. Playing NHL 21 with Mark and Max kept me sane during COVID. Above all, he does a great job of reminding me how to spell his last name, which I still don't know after 15 years of friendship. We have a great balance of him dealing with my horrible football takes as I deal with his horrible hockey takes. I'm excited for him to be standing up with me.
Jennah Davis
Bridesmaid
I knew we’d be friends when I complimented Jennah’s llama notebook on the first day of grad school and it led to a discovery that we both owned the same piece of llama artwork. Jennah is in the bridal party not only because she scored us pit tickets to Harry Styles, but because she’s a wonderful friend. She’s my fellow public health worker, fashion consultant, and Happy Camper groupie.
Will Hsieh
Groomsman
Will and I tried out for Loyola's Ultimate Frisbee team together and he's on record as saying, "I hope that Jake guy doesn't make the team." Luckily we both made the team and his animosity towards me turned into a friendship that included six years as roommates, countless Cubs games, steak nights, and much more. Will and I started a tradition called Roommate Christmas where we celebrate together like family and I look forward to celebrating my wedding with him by my side like family too.
Molly Franklin
Bridesmaid
Molly and I met in DePaul’s Master of Public Health program where we learned that we shared names and the same love of Happy Camper. Molly is always down for another drink (if you’re going to have one too). She makes Chicago feel like home because there’s almost always an open invitation to her house. She is kind, generous, and probably the only reason I passed Biostatistics in grad school.