Kerry & James
Wedding Party
Maggie Kruchten
Matron of Honor
Maggie is Kerry's best friend. They met when they were freshmen on the St. Bonaventure University cross country team, and quickly bonded during long bus rides, early morning practices, and their attempts to find ways of keeping busy during "dry season" weekends. They've shared many crazy nights out, survived some of the toughest times together, have been on some amazing trips (a favorite of Kerry's was their trip to California in 2018) and despite living in different cities continue to stay close. Kerry spent a lot of time "third-wheeling" with Maggie and her husband, Morgan, and was Maggies' maid of honor at their wedding in 2019!
Erin Caher
Bridesmaid
Erin is Kerry’s older sister by two years. She is one of the most honest and genuine people Kerry knows. She tells it how it is and has always given some of the best advice when Kerry needs it most. She was a great role model for Kerry growing up and continues to be someone Kerry admires and looks up to in adulthood. Being only two years apart in age they've been through it all together. Long road trips to Hilton Head Island, putting on musical shows for their family, childhood camping trips, and traveling around Italy together when Kerry was studying abroad. Kerry is lucky to have Erin's creativity and honest opinions while she plans the big day.
Norah Caher
Bridesmaid
Norah is Kerry’s younger sister by five years. Despite the age gap, Norah and Kerry have always been great friends. Norah is the sweetest and most caring girl Kerry knows. Although she is much younger, Kerry looks up to Norah for her ability to make friends anywhere and smile through life, even during the toughest times. Kerry can always count on her for a good laugh, a "heart to heart" conversation, a summer country concert, a night out drinking margaritas, or a long run on the weekend. One of Kerry's favorite memories with Norah is when they were on separate trips to Paris but met up for crepes under the Eiffel tower.
Maura McDonald
Bridesmaid
Maura is Kerry’s older cousin, who has always been more like a third sister. Growing up, Maura was there for every Christmas morning and family vacation to Hilton Head Island. As a kid Kerry wanted to be just like Maura and still finds herself mimicking some of Maura's behaviors today. The two have shared countless memorable times together, but a favorite of Kerry's is when they spent a week in Greece during Kerry's study abroad semester. Even though Maura lives across the country, she's always around for the special moments with family and makes the most of every second spent with the Caher's. Maura, Erin, Norah, and Kerry call themselves "the winos" because of how much wine they drink when they're together.
Jillian Jerard
Bridesmaid
Jill and Kerry met as freshmen at St. Bonaventure University. The two became close when they roomed together in a townhouse during their junior and senior years. Since they met, Jill has been such a bright light in Kerry's life. She is always down for a crazy night out or a deep conversations over coffee on Sunday morning. Kerry and Jill have been known to make fun out of anything, a prime example being the time they went mattress surfing down the staircase in the SBU dorm. The two also take pride in their ability to quote almost the entire "Princess Diaries" movie!
Becca Goess
Bridesmaid
Becca and Kerry met at St. Bonaventure University. She was also a roommate in Kerry’s townhouse for junior and senior year. Becca knows how to have a great time but is also the “mom” of their crazy friend group, always making sure everyone is safe and having fun. Some of Kerry's favorite memories with Becca include their trip to Brooklyn with the Bonnies to watch the A10 tournament, and New Years Eve 2015 in Boston. Becca will do anything for her friends, a prime example being when she showed James around South Korea without having previously met him. Becca was a teacher there at the time, and James was on a trip with friends.
Becky Christoffel
Bridesmaid
Becky and Kerry met on the Shenendehowa High School cross country team. Becky is one year older than Kerry, but the two became close friends as they laughed their way through long bus rides to meets, 5th period lunch, Starbucks dates, and several proms. Becky is the most upbeat and positive person Kerry knows. The two have more inside jokes than they could count, and Kerry knows that Becky is a forever friend. During Kerry's senior year of high school, Becky surprised Kerry by showing up at her cross country meet in New York City. Becky is also Kerry's only friend to have visited her at SBU, and is forever an honorary "Bonnie."
Maria Fusco
Bridesmaid
Maria and Kerry met on the Shenendehowa High School cross country team. Maria has always been extremely supportive, cheering Kerry on in races and being a number one fan of Kerry and James' relationship since the start. Maria was Kerry's first friend to meet James (they were introduced at the 2018 Turkey Trot). Sometimes Maria and Kerry will go months without seeing each other but they always pick up right where they left off, reminiscing about indoor track meets, the times they would run to Brugger's to eat bagels during practice, and sharing their love for Buffalo.
Joey Filippini
Best Man
Joey is James' best friend. They met in middle school, got to know each other playing soccer, and were the youngest fans in attendance at some of the best indie rock shows to hit downtown Buffalo in the mid-to-late 2000s. Despite choosing different colleges for their undergraduate years, they both attended the University at Buffalo for graduate school and had some of the most fun of their lives as roommates on Carmel Road. Since then, their friendship has remained strong. Joey and James make sure to visit each other several times a year, no matter the distance.
Paul Reed
Groomsman
Paul and James met when they were teenagers, but became close friends when they were both attending the University at Buffalo. Over the past dozen years, they have run two ultramarathons in the Pacific Northwest, visited the North Korean border, camped next to a waterfall in Iceland, and narrowly evaded a moose attack in Alaska.
Nick Filippini
Groomsman
Nick (Steve) is the brightest and funniest person that James has ever met. Though he came into James' life as "Joey's younger brother," Nick and James have developed an incredibly strong friendship of their own. Along with Joey and Paul, the fellas once drove over 9,000 miles on a roadtrip from New York to Tijuana to Vancouver and back. Nick and James have been known to share more than a few cold ones together while overlooking Waneta Lake.
Cory Hall
Groomsman
Cory and James have been buddies since high school. They played soccer together for several years and tried their best to get on The Amazing Race! Some of their adventures include hiking in Alberta, discovering the best breweries in Maine, and exploring the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Chelsey Reed
Groomswoman
Chelsey is James' "sister from another mister." From high school parties to late-night studying at UB to adventures in Southeast Asia, Chelsey and James have made so many memories together. James has always loved how strong-willed, intelligent, and independent Chelsey is. One time, she ate a cicada, silkworm, grasshopper, and tarantula all in one sitting. James is still impressed to this day.
AJ Gailie
Groomsman
AJ and James have been friends for over 15 years. They are the biggest Seattle Sounders fans on the east coast, and always find time to kick around a soccer ball. James has always loved AJ's honesty and sense of humor. In 2019, the two of them traveled to Belgium, France, and England, where they got to see their first English Premier League match.
Michael D'Angelo
Groomsman
Michael and James met on the quidditch fields at the University at Buffalo. In the years since, they have remained close friends and have traveled to Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Panama, and Costa Rica. In 2015, they summitted Mount Shasta in California with only four Clif Bars and two liters of water between the two of them. James is pretty sure that Mike has never said “no” to an adventure.
Kathleen Caher
Mother of the Bride
Kerry’s mom is the most selfless person Kerry knows. Kathleen filled their house with love, laughter, and the smell of her famous freshly baked cookies. She spent countless hours supporting all of Kerry's activities, even when it meant driving through the night to be there for figure skating competitions and cross country meets. Kathleen is Kerry's biggest fan, her confidant, her shoulder to cry on, and will do anything to make her children smile, including taking a spontaneous mother/daughter trip to Iceland when Kerry was feeling the need to get away. Kathleen gave Kerry her ability to bake, her love for wine, and her running form.
John Caher
Father of the Bride
Kerry’s dad is one of the most thoughtful, caring and warm-hearted people she knows. Growing up, John was always there to help Kerry with school assignments, coach her recreational soccer team, and take her camping/hiking in the Adirondacks with Kerry's two sisters (Kerry especially loved that her Dad would bring Mike & Ike's on every hike). He continues to be there when Kerry needs him, is exceptionally patient (living with four girls tested that plenty of times...), and loves Koa, Kerry and James’ goldendoodle, as much as they do. John gave Kerry her love for hiking, her exercise discipline, her adventurous spirit, and her clumsiness!
Colleene Maska
Mother of the Groom
If you've ever been to the Maska house for a party, you know how special of a person James' mom is. Need a bed to lie down in after a crazy night? She will make sure you've got extra blankets and pillows. Name your favorite breakfast the next morning, and she'll make the best you've ever had. She is as compassionate, genuine, and selfless as a person can get. James is proud to call Colleene his mom.
Gordon Maska
Father of the Groom
Gordon is an inspiring figure to all who have been lucky enough to meet him. He and James have been just a few rows from the ice for some of the best Buffalo Sabres games in team history. Gordon's years as a New York State Trooper combined with a strong faith and love for family make him a man who is kind, just, enthusiastic, and driven. These are the qualities that all of his children, including James, recognize and continue to strive for.
Father Jim O'Connor
Officiant
Father Jim served as the priest at Immaculate Conception Church in Ransomville, NY during the time James completed his religious education and confirmation there. Over the years, he has also become a close family friend of the Maska’s. James is honored to have Father Jim make the trip from Buffalo to Albany for the wedding.
Sophie Samson
Flower Girl
Sophie is James’ niece. She lives in Atlanta, understands both English and Spanish, and hopefully will be able to walk in a straight line by July 2022.
Sebastian Baschnagel
Ring Bearer
Sebastian (“Basti”) is James’ nephew. He loves Legos and potato chips.