Wedding Party

Kate Seelig

Bride

Tarik Emara

Groom

Phil Chang

Officiant

Kate and Phil met at Georgetown, and continued their friendship when they both moved to NYC after college. Phil and Kate’s friendship is rooted in their mutual appreciation for puns, their parallel past lives as camp counselors, and their similar career paths. Despite their differences (Phil with an inexplicable loyalty to United Airlines, and Kate, a smarter, more sane Delta flyer), Phil has been one of Kate’s best friends through the years. Kate asked Phil to officiate her wedding long before she met Tarik, but Phil was even more excited about the job when he got to know T. Phil works in Tech and lives in Brooklyn with Jessica, his beautiful and incredibly smart, kind, and hard working girlfriend — also a dear friend to Kate and T.

Katie Dillon

Maid of Honor

Kate and Katie have been best friends since the beginning, when they met at “Play Group”, a mommy and baby meetup group that Nance and Les, their moms, joined circa 1990. At Scituate High School, Katie and Kate were inseparable, to the disdain of their teachers — Katie’s report card feedback was “Distracts Others” and Kate’s was “Distracted by Others” (really). Katie is loyal, absolutely hilarious, and thoughtful, and she knew T was The One for Kate from the day they met (at Pinehills). Katie is a nanny to a family in Cohasset, and lives in Halifax with her husband, Bobby. Kate and Tarik are lucky enough to spend time with Katie and Bobby (“Kabob”), and Shannon and Drew (“Shitzy”), regularly.

Shannon Hendrickson

Maid of Honor

Although Kate and Shannon are both graduates of Hatherly Elementary and Lester J. Gates Intermediate Schools, it wasn’t until they sat next to each other in a Clay Pottery class at SHS that their quirky friendship blossomed. After college, the two both moved to NY, where they have countless joyful memories — from going out dancing at Boiler Room, to looking for sunlight at Rockaway Beach, to perfecting their charcuterie board skills for many Girls Nights In. Shannon was a supportive force in Kates decision to pursue her MBA, and the two both encouraged each other throughout their respective grad school programs. This is Shannon’s 12th time being a Bridesmaid, which is a testament to her character. She is empathetic, supportive, and always comes through when you need her. Shannon is a pre-school teacher in Scituate, and lives in Marshfield with her boyfriend Drew (“Fitzy”). Kate and Tarik spend time with Shannon and Fitzy (“Shitzy”) and Katie and Bobby (“Kabob”) regularly.

Wynn Burson Cateron

Bridesman

Wynn and Kate met in the East Village in 2008, when they lived in catty-cornered dormitories across 3rd Avenue. Wynn became like family to Kate, hosting dinner every Wednesday Night for years with his Grandpa Harold and our friends, Shannon and Anna, in the Upper West Side. They spent many hours together watching Law and Order SVU, singing Mariah Carey, drinking Decoy Cab Sauv, and belly laughing. Wynn is magnetic, eloquent, and goes above and beyond to care for his friends and family. Wynn works in Fashion and lives in the UWS with his husband, Steven, and new puppy Guy.

Norah Emara Rader

Bridesmaid

Norah is Tarik’s sister and Kate’s soon-to-be sister-in-law. Norah was two grades above Tarik in high school and set the ultimate standard for him. She is incredibly smart and hard working, and all the Watertown teachers knew she was on track for medical school from the beginning (one of many “Dr. Emara’s” in the family). Unfortunately those same Watertown teachers soon found out Tarik was not the same model student in the classroom. Nonetheless, he turned out okay. Norah is also funny, kind, and above all caring for her kids, her family, and her friends. Tarik and Kate are so happy to have her be a part of their big day. Norah is a pediatrician and lives in Hyde Park with her husband, Matt, their two beautiful children Owen and Emmeline, and their dog Simi.

Maddy Florea Seelig

Bridesmaid

Maddy has been Kate’s sister-in-law since October 2022, when Maddy married Al, Kate’s younger brother. They also got married in Plymouth! Kate met Maddy back in 2017, when Maddy and Al first started dating. Maddy is everything Kate could have asked for in a sister and a partner to Al. She is kind, down to earth, and generous. She is a book lover and works in publishing, and lives in Salem with Al and their black cat, Indigo.

Joe Heinz

Best Man

Joe and Tarik have known each other since freshman year of College in 2005, but they didn’t become best buds until “middler” year on the basketball courts of Columbus Park by Northeastern; the pick and roll combination was lethal. Tarik and Joe have been each other’s travel buddies for years - Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Italy, France, Monaco, Belgium, Amsterdam - just to name a few of the places they’ve conquered. No one knows Tarik better than Joe and Tarik is proud to have him by his side on his big day. Joe lives in New York City and works at a Hedge Fund. When he’s not burning the midnight oil in Manhattan, he’s enjoying the outdoors at his house upstate, where he and Tarik have lots of memories hiking, biking, and swimming.

Dave Nash

Best Man

“The Big Lord” - Dave is loyal, hilarious, and big hearted. Dave is one of Tarik’s oldest friends from his hometown of Watertown. From Watertown High to Howe Park, from “The River” to the Boston Garden, from Mohegan Sun to The Woods, these two have had amazing times and shared countless laughs, all while somehow avoiding serious legal troubles (thank you Patti Nash and Abbye Emara). Everyone who meets Dave soon finds out he is the life of the party, and Tarik is thrilled for all to experience Dave at his finest on the big day. Dave works in biotech in Boston and lives with his wife Jude, and two beautiful daughters, Ellie and Natalie, in Milford.

Derek Dolan

Groomsman

Derek and Tarik have been rhyming names and confusing people they meet since sophomore year at Northeastern. Somehow, even in the largest of group settings, they’re always next to one another when introducing themselves. Derek is also Tarik’s resident real estate mogul and advisor, and Tarik is proud to have woken him up all those times as he nodded off in business classes. Tarik and Derek are big golf bros and Tarik couldn’t imagine having a wedding at Pinehills, Derek’s happy place, without Derek being a key part of it. Derek works in Investment Management and lives with his wife, Chelsea, and new baby daughter Mara, in East Boston.

Charles Seelig

Groomsman

Charles is Kate’s brother and Tarik’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. Charles has always been a protective big brother, especially when Kate and Charles both lived in NY. A man of few words, Charles always has always showed Kate he was there for her with acts of service. When an emergency meant Kate’s parents couldn’t drop her off at college, Charles packed up the car and moved her into her freshman dorm. That was only the first of many (and I mean many…) times Charles has UHauled Kate and her belongings up and down the Eastern Seaboard. (Due to Kate’s driving skills, she has yet to return the favor for him.) When Tarik and Charles met, they immediately bonded over their love of golf, and look forward to playing together for years to come. Charles works in Ops and recently moved back to the Boston area, which has been great for his golf game.

Al Seelig

Groomsman

Al is Kate’s brother and Tarik’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. Kate was so excited when Al was born, because she got to move on from baby dolls to her own real life baby brother. Not so little anymore, Kate and Al still have a special sibling bond and many shared memories - nostalgic Nickelodeon shows, weird alternative bands, and their shared past as Dry Cleaning Receptionists. Al is exceptionally kind, hard working, and selfless. Al is a trained chef, so he and Tarik are both big foodies. Kate and Tarik love going out to eat in Boston with Al and Maddy, or enjoying home cooked meals with Kate’s family in Plymouth. Al was recently inducted into the Sheet Metal Workers Union, after completing his 5 year apprenticeship. Al lives in Salem with his wife, Maddy, and their black cat, Indigo.

Matt Rader

Groomsman

Matt is Tarik’s brother-in-law, and father to Tarik’s nephew, Owen, and niece, Emmeline (Emme). Tarik and Kate love spending time with Matt and Norah, going out to eat, hanging out on their boat, celebrating birthdays, and playing with the kids. Matt is a Boston Firefighter and lives in Hyde Park with his wife, Norah, their two beautiful children, and their dog Simi.

Owen Rader

Ring Bearer

Owen is Tarik’s sweet and happy nephew. He will be almost 4 on the wedding day. He loves trucks, preschool, and his baby sister Emme.

Emme Rader

Flower Girl

Emme is Tarik’s adorable and happy niece. Emme will be just over 1 year old on the wedding day. She loves wiggling, belly laughs, and her big brother Owen.