Jessie & Ken
Wedding Party
Megan Carson
Maid of Honor
Jessie and Megan met at OU through ballroom dance. They served on the executive board together for several years transforming the club together into a thriving, friendly organization and one of the largest on OU's campus. They have been great friends ever since sharing in many dance outings, book club, and shopping for ridiculous jumpsuits. They have travelled to many dance competitions together and conquered the NYC subway system. Megan is always inclusive of those around her and makes the world a better place through volunteering and creative designs. She has also introduced Jessie to many good books and great places to eat.
Evan Tucker
Best Man
Evan and Ken met in Boy Scouts back in middle school, where they rose to the troop's #1 & #2 leadership positions and shared an Eagle Scout commencement ceremony. When they learned they were both going to Kettering University they signed up to be freshmen roommates and eventually pledged the same fraternity. Since graduation they backpacked Europe and ended up buying homes mere blocks apart. The last 10+ years have included hundreds of nights of shared hobbies- enjoying games, beers, cocktails, motorcycle rides, house projects, brew sessions, camp-outs, and conversations. Ken and Evan are Best Man in each other's weddings, after which Ken can't wait to help build and stock each other's basement bars for the many more great nights to come.
Zac Felix
Bridesman
Zac is Jessie's younger brother and longest friend. They have been there for each other for their entire lives through family vacations, sporting competitions, college parties, graduations, moves, and now Jessie and Ken's wedding. Zac's need for speed has him holding titles at Mount Holly ski racing, F1 sims, and "King of the Springs" on road bike. Always ready to crack you open the next cold beer, hanging out with Zac might involve a day on the lake, a good campfire, a nearly impossible croquet course, or being the last ones up playing social games.
Graham Wellens
Officiant
Graham is Ken's younger brother. They shared an imaginative and competitive childhood that took them from fiercest rivals to oldest friends. When Ken was looking to expand his horizons in 2016, Graham invited him to a OU ballroom dance practice where he first met Jessie. Jessie and Graham would go on to be the first OU pair to dance competitively in Silver league. Graham has continued to be a close friend of the couple ever since. They always have a great time together playing ping-pong at Christmas, closing out dives, or camping and kayaking. Ken looks forward to many more road trips together and maybe one day being taught the art of keeping a house plant alive for more than a few days.
Aleksandra Atanasova
Bridesmaid
Jessie and Aleks met at OU through ballroom dance in 2014. Jessie always appreciates Alek's multitude of questions about anything and everything, often causing Jessie to think in different ways. They both share a love of walks and trying out girly things together. From dance competitions to game nights to book club, Aleks and Jessie share many laughs and discussions about the world surrounding them.
Zeke Piskulich
Groomsman
Zeke and Ken met early in highschool at the International Academy, bonding via long after school walks discussing the challenges of adolescence. A year later and shared late nights of games, movies, or drama talk were all too regular; Ken and Zeke have never recommended a video game that the other didn't immediately over-commit to. Their shared love of science led them to create a Gauss rifle for a high school physics project, but also led to them setting off to pursue undergrad at different universities. They have stayed in contact ever since, always meeting up whenever Zeke is in Michigan, and Ken standing up at Zeke's wedding last year. While Ken can no longer keep up with Zeke's science-jargon after what feels like his 20th year of post-doc university, Ken always looks forward to the regular nights of voice-chat video games or Shadowrun.
Nicole Whitmore
Bridesmaid
Nicole and Jessie met through Ballroom Dance at OU where they discovered a shared passion for dancing, medicine and all around unexpected adventures. For a time Jessie was Nicole's dance lead, and Nicole was Jessie's boss causing them to spend approximately 12 fabulous hours a day together. While in PA school in separate states when they found time to get together it was as if no time had passed at all. Nicole is an inspiring person, always striving to change more lives for the better. Jessie would be lost without all the laughter and late nights they have spent together!
Ben Samoylov
Groomsman
First meeting in high school at International Academy, Ben was the one to introduce Ken to Kettering University where they would both attend (and become League of Legends 2014 champions). There their friendship took off when discovering a shared love of all types of games; no one else has introduced Ken to more new favorites or spent as many hours happily discussing game mechanics, balance, and design. Rather than weekend long videogame binges the two now favor talks of investment and home ownership, and regular D&D nights. Ken looks forward to learning Ben's new favorite games and his secret art of points premium travel.
Kayla Mcclung
Bridesmaid
Kayla and Jessie met through PA school. On the first day of class both were nervous about the difficulties ahead and strict program policies until they talked at lunch and it soon became apparent they both loved a good beer, a solid joke, and the great outdoors. They have shared many long evenings of studying punctuated by food runs and funny videos and now many lake days and hikes. Kayla has always been very welcoming and supportive of Jessie often providing beautiful retreats at "the cabin."
Sam Bober
Groomsman
A fateful clerical error introduced Ken to his unexpected freshman roommate (and soon to be close friend) Sam Bober, who soon bonded over games, sports, and comedy. Ken, Sam, and Evan all ended up pledging the same fraternity and sharing many more hobbies to come. Sam pursued college elsewhere but ended up reconnecting with Ken years later when he moved back to Detroit area as Ben's roommate. From there, Sam and Ken have enjoyed many nights of video games, board games, D&D, and nights out. Always easy-going but ever a "troll", Sam is a menace in social deduction games yet a joyful spirit and close friend.
Hilary Severyn
Bridesmaid
Jessie and Hilary met through Ken. She has introduced Jessie to many board games, canning, and sewing projects and Jessie always appreciates her can-do attitude and creative spirit. Hilary has helped with many paint projects and has a great eye for color. They can be found at weekly board game night and enjoying the finer things in life including fine spirits and new cocktails.
Brendan Acre
Groomsman
At Kettering, Ken met many close friends through his fraternity, but none moreso than his "Big B" Brendan Acre. Ken and Brendan would be frequent roommates throughout college, often staying up much too late discussing physics, science fiction, anime, games, or philosophy. Brendan and Ken have enjoyed each other's company over many camping trips, bottles of fine whiskey, and homebrewing sessions since.