Katie & Abe
Wedding Party
Amy Zawada
Maid of Honor
I met Amy at an event a few days before our freshman year began at Shippensburg University. Then we realized we were in the same wing of the same dorm and were basically inseparable from that moment on. We were constantly asked if we were twins, lived together, procrastinated on projects to make power hour playlists, somehow still got As, and leaned on each other for all the good times and all the hard ones. We survived a week long blizzard in Iceland together so we can basically get through anything. If phone plans didn't come with unlimited texts, we'd both be broke. I knew since I was about 19 that Amy would stand beside me in my wedding someday, but what I didn't know then was what a huge part of my life she would always be.
Luke Davis
Best Man
Luke has always been the Robin to my Batman, Luigi to my Mario… although maybe not always by choice. BUT, just as I made very clear several decades ago, it is the little brother’s obligation to be player two, to use the crappy controller, to be the side-kick. So here we are, the best man to my groom. Luke and I used to spend every minute together growing up, whether we were inventing imaginary worlds at 12AM when we should have been asleep, battling each other in Mario Kart or going to Blockbuster three times a day all summer long. In nearly all of my happiest memories growing up, Luke was there. As I look to start a family of my own, I cannot think of a better person to stand by my side than the person who has made my own childhood so special.
Ashley Martin Killion
Matron of Honor
I met Ashley in 6th grade homeroom but we got off on the wrong foot because one of us tried to cut in line. I never could have imagined we’d still be best friends 20 years later. Throughout our younger years I spent so much time at Ashley’s house that her parents bought me an air mattress and when I walked in the door without knocking I’d yell “honey, I’m home!”. Ashley has been there for me always, including taking care of me when I broke my ankle dancing in Philadelphia while visiting her in med school ... not my finest moment :) I can confidently say that much of who I am today was shaped by my basically-life-long friendship with Ashley. She's been a constant positive influence and the most caring and genuine friend one could ever ask for.
Hannah Tosch
Groomswoman
Not everyone can say that they have known someone since before they were born. I wish I could say that Hannah was the smart twin, but while she was wasting time taking pristine notes and studying hard, I took the more intelligent route of using the pristine notes that already seemed to exist for every test I needed to take. A lot of people ask what it is like being a twin, but I cannot imagine my life without Hannah in it. She has always been a rock, a constant support and true friend no matter what. Hannah and her husband Paul were the first to welcome Katie into our friend group and family, and an important part of celebrating our relationship.
Lauren Baumgardner
Bridesmaid
Lauren is my younger cousin by only 8 months and she was my first best friend. We spent so much of our childhood together - coming up with choreographed dances, eating peanut butter & marshmallow sandwiches then going for a swim, playing hours of Uno with Mimi & Granddad. We repeat inside jokes to each other over and over again (let mee checkkkk... & THAT KIDS POOPIN), and share a love of dogs and all baby animals. Lauren is brave and strong in ways that I will never be, is creative and kind, and I’m forever thankful to have never known a life without her in it.
Faith Davis
Groomswoman
Faith is my youngest sibling and was the baby of the family. More than 15 years ago, my brother and I were trusted to watch Faith while my mom went to the grocery store. Somebody thought it would be a good idea to chase her around the house with the vacuum and it scared her so bad that she ended up hiding in her room the rest of the time. Today she is a talented artist. Now I am not saying that I should get credit, but I am not saying I should not get credit either. While in some ways Faith will always my baby sister, the one that I would stay up late with inventing choose-your-own-adventure stories for to help her sleep, she has grown to be a gifted and inspiring person. I am proud to have her stand next to me as not only a sister, but a friend.
Nicolette Palmer
Bridesmaid
Nicolette is my younger cousin and lifelong member of our cousin gang “peas in a pod guys”. Nikki has a spirit unlike any I have known and has been making me laugh for as long as I can remember. I admire her heart of gold, her fierce love for her family, and outgoing personality. One time Nikki, her brother Ben, Abe and I watched 14 hours straight of Skin Wars (a body paint competition show) and you can’t do that with just anyone. If you want to meet Nikki at the wedding, she’ll be the one with the infectious laugh requesting Michael Jackson and having the most fun.
Curtis Stone
Groomsman
Somehow despite meeting me in one of the most awkward phases of my life, Curtis has remained a lifelong friend. We met at my first job, a Movie Theater. It is hard to believe now, but I remember thinking he was pretty cool at the time. He taught me the dying art (and dance) of threading film into a projector. We would spend hours talking about life and I credit a lot of my transition from awkward/sheltered teenager to the person I am today on our friendship. More than 15 years later, Curtis is truly a member of the family and one of the most important people in my life.
Deborah Charles
Groomswoman
My relationship with Deborah has been everything from annoying little sister to best friend. Over the course of our lives we have worked together, been roommates and traveled across the world. Deborah and I are known to our friends as the most graceful winners and inspire them with choreographed dance after every score. Unknowing at the time, Deb set into motion nine years ago a series of events that lead me to eventually meeting Katie. Deb is not only an incredible friend, but an integral piece of what lead to this special day.
Ian Charles
Groomsman
Ian and I met working together at a restaurant, where he would eventually meet Deborah (thanks to me) and become my brother-in-law. He is your go-to person if you ever want support with planning. You can expect a “narrowed down” list of the top 1000 things to do in no particular order. If you think his list is too broad, you can always just search things-to-do and the google result will probably be shorter. Fortunately for all of you, we didn’t ask Ian to plan our wedding, otherwise we would still be sifting through his shortlist of 500 venues. Ian has been a longtime friend and travel partner. Whether it is at-home or abroad, some of my and Katie’s favorite memories are laughing with Ian over a few drinks.
Paul Tosch
Officiant
Do you need someone to tell you the planet Chewbacca is from? Someone to sing Sweet Caroline karaoke-style with all the enthusiasm and talent of Neil Diamond? Someone to spit a watermelon seed 20 yards? Then Paul is your guy. One thing I have learned about my brother-in-law since he came into my life is that any random competition or trivia, Paul will not only win, but destroy the competition. And it turns out in addition to all of this, he is also a talented officiant. While Paul can captivate a crowd, offstage he is an easy-going and thoughtful friend, and we are so happy to have someone who means so much to us make our big day official.