Wedding Party
Caeli Morrissey
Matron of Honor
My twin and very first friend. (a.k.a. “CC” / “Bird”) Younger by 4 minutes, more responsible by 4 years, Caeli is the most graceful, dedicated, uncomplaining person I know. Growing up, we were opposites. The older we get, the closer we grow, and though we’re very different, there’s (literally) nothing like being a twin. Caeli regularly lives up to the nickname her college friends gave her, “Grandma,” mainly by knitting and consistently turning down plans after 6 PM because “that’s close to my bedtime.” Caeli, her husband Mike, and their two parakeets abide in the tiny town of Struthers, Ohio.
Emily Lucas
Bridesmaid
My housemate for almost 4 years. (a.k.a. "Emsie") Em and I met at my first real job, where she volunteered with the youth group, and inspired me as a fresh-out-of-college youth minister with her joyful, authentic love for the teens we served. We rented the cutest house together, fave memories of which include watching Whose Line is It Anyway, throwing parties, and pulling pranks on each other with Emily’s life-size cardboard cutout of Legolas from Lord of the Rings. Her dear husband Adam chose our iconic house as his place to propose, and she is now the sweetest wife and most caring mother to their precious child (and my cutie godson), baby Jude.
Chelsea Zimmerman
Bridesmaid
My adventure buddy! Our friendship goes back to youth group, c. 2009. Chelsea is the most adventurous person I know - which I am so grateful for, especially because of how it rubbed off on me. Chelsea got a kayak, so I got a kayak. Chelsea wanted to go on a road trip up the coast and camp in Maine for 10 days without showering, so we did it. Chelsea jumped off a cliff first, so I jumped too (literally). She has the most compassionate and selfless heart, which makes her the best mom to sweet Zelie and wife to Alex (featured in the police interrogation mentioned below).
Sarah Jimenez
Bridesmaid
My fellow Camino pilgrim. We met at a friend’s brunch and the next summer ended up walking 200 miles of the Camino de Santiago together. Our first night in Spain, we got back to the hostel after they’d closed the doors for the night. After failed attempts at scaling walls (one of which led to the Spanish police stopping and interrogating our friend Alex), we were just about to “settle in” and sleep on the front steps when, God bless them, someone let us in. Sarah eats healthier and listens more attentively than anyone else I’ve ever met, and she now exercises these talents in her native California, much to the sadness of the dear friends she’s left in Pittsburgh.
Emma Grassi
Bridesmaid
My college roommate! “Randomly” assigned by Saint Vincent College to live together, we became inseparable practically overnight, and lived together all through college. Though we look nothing alike, people often confused us because we did everything together, including trying to prank our dear friend Kate Dillon by bunking her bed while she was in night class. Unfortunately, the bed smashed Emma’s hand, resulting in a trip to the ER and a lost fingernail. Emma survived this incident to marry her husband Ben, move to Phoenix, and become the proudest mom to Kolbe, Josephine, and soon-to-be-born baby #3.
Rachel Pauzé
Bridesmaid
Noah’s only sister, and easily the most beautiful of the seven Pepmeyer children. (a.k.a. “Rae” / “Magpie”) She boasts the best smile in the family, and also the hardest kick, which she utilized heavily in babysitting her 5 younger brothers. A talented artist and a shy but delightful singer and Irish dancer, Rachel also runs her own garden start-up, Bee’z Kneez Flower Farm. She takes care of her 2 little boys, Levi and Victor, and her rather large boy, John Michael, in their cozy home in Columbus.
Nino Castellano
Best Man
My best man. (a.k.a “Neen” / “Nine-o”) Nino is utterly unable to crash any event because everyone wanted him there in the first place. Hailing from the little town of Morningside, this Irish-Italian seminarian possesses an impeccable palate for red wine, pipe tobacco, and smooth jazz saxophone. Nino is presiding chairman of the St. Paul’s Smoking Society, CFO of the Secret Sipping Society, and the founder of Café Castellano. Noah is deeply honored every time Fr. Sweeney accidentally calls him “Nino”.
Bruce Dorman
Groomsman
Co-founder of the Morningside Men’s house and my certified travel buddy. (a.k.a “Bruuuuuuuce” / “Big Crunchy”) An absolute menace on the ski slopes with a squatting prowess second only to Joseph Vincent Bonar, Bruce is always down for an overseas jaunt, or simply a mostly-legal tour of a local abandoned church. He single-handedly fed the men’s house for nearly three years on home-cooked meals and his mother’s zucchini bread and flew all the way to Denver to run after his lass Maria.
Sean Cahalan
Groomsman
The first dad among the dawgs. (a.k.a. “Seano” / “House Wife”) Sean was the voice of reason in the men’s house, but only after 8 am, before which his vocabulary was limited mostly to grunts during morning prayer. Quick to laugh and even quicker to accidentally vomit, Sean keeps things lighter than his fair skin. With his prominent stache, less prominent belly, and endless supply of dad-humor commentary, Sean is the perfect father to wee Agnes Jane, and an even better hubby to Erin.
Dan Smith
Groomsman
My college upper-bunkmate. (a.k.a “Darn” / “Pahh!”) Born and raised on a diet of Jimmy Dean’s corndogs and Toaster Scramblers, Dan Smith was the heart and soul of the men’s house. Despite having the most normal name, Dan is a superbly unrepeatable human. Known for his voracious appetite, trademark American flag tank top, and feet that are inevitably at a 140º angle, Dan and I went to bed each night, saying, “Night dawg, I love you.” He has replaced me as a bunkmate with his lovely wife Nicole.
Aaron Pepmeyer
Groomsman
The youngest Pepmeyer with the biggest dreams. (a.k.a. “A” / “The Mullet”) As the founding father of Outdoor Grandeur Landscaping™ (“We bring class to your grass”©), the only lawn this entrepreneur won’t cut is the one on the back of his head. The most likely to cry at a family dinner and the only Pepmeyer to ever rock a wrestling singlet, Aaron fell in love on a pickleball court and is now married to Gina, the love of his life and supporter of his mullet since he began growing it in early 2023.
Seth Pepmeyer
Groomsman
The elder half of the Pepmeyer twins by 10 minutes. (a.k.a. “Serp” / “Sethrone”) As possessor of the biggest heart in the family, he’s been dubbed “The Philosopher'' for his surprisingly wisened insights into the likes of conflict resolution, wing seasoning, and lawn mowing theory. His famed leftie golf slice makes him the only Pepmeyer capable of driving a ball 500 yards in the air, yet only 200 yards forward. Seth is an internationally acclaimed hugger and Emma’s main squeeze.
Isaac Pepmeyer
Groomsman
The brother below me and the most athletic of the Pepmeyer brothers. (a.k.a. “Ike” / “Ike Larou”) In the largest recorded growth spurt in family history, young Isaac outgrew the days of getting teased for being “sensitive and chunky” and is now feared universally on the flag football field. He had a beard before me, but his true claim to fame is being the only male Pepmeyer to once have hair longer than our mother’s. Ike prefers the floor or recliners to mattresses and is merrily engaged to Corinne.
Joel Pepmeyer
Groomsman
The brother above me and my roommate for most of my years at home. (a.k.a. “Joel Bug” / “Joel Willy”) Joel is generally a meek and gentle man, unless you’re competing against him or the Steelers happen to be losing. He was the first to test the limits of Pepmeyer facial hair possibilities and still holds family records in categories of length, thickness, and redness. He also could rock a mohawk until his hair retired permanently in 2020. Joel’s a local Christian missionary and wakes up every morning wondering how he landed his delightful wife Bridgette.
Nate Pepmeyer
Groomsman
The eldest sibling and the hardest working man I know. (a.k.a. “Natedawg” / “Dr. Pep”) Famous for his cooking, painting, and his innovative use of the word “ponch” as both a term of endearment and disdain in the Pepmeyer clan. Nate’s beard-growing capabilities are comparable to the growth rate of a Chia Pet, and despite his multiple leg injuries over the years, he is indisputably smooth on the dance floor. Proud husband of Roxanne, and even prouder dad of Oliver.
