Ciara & Kevin
Wedding Party
Maureen McGowan
Matron of Honor
Ciara and I met in 2009 at Lakeland Community Theatre. We became close friends very quickly. The years that followed are some of the most memorable, fun times of my life, at the theatre, hanging out at Ciara's house after shows, hosting themed parties at my apartment, and getting into other fun shenanigans. Ciara helped me through some crazy big life events, good and bad, always there to listen and offer advice. We share a love for good food and drinks, and even better conversation. Ciara and I were roommates for a time, eve adopting a baby kitten together, Indy June HeapsandWhelan. The years we've lived far from each other have been hard, but we always pick up where we left off like no time has passed. Ciara is like a sister, and I'm so excited to be her Maid of Honor!
Jeremy Allinder
Best Man
Kevin was his brother Jeremy's best man when Jeremy got married several years ago. When Kevin got engaged, there wasn't a question who he wanted as his best man. Even though they don't get to see each other much since Kevin moved away, Kevin and Jeremy usually spend all day texting each other, mostly about sports. Jeremy has been able to travel to visit Kevin in the numerous places he's lived, most recently Vermont, where Ciara and Kevin got to show Jeremy all of their favorite places. Sadly, Jeremy missed the snow by just one day! Kevin couldn't imagine getting married without Jeremy as his best man.
Benedict Heaps
Groomsman
Ciara's brother, Ben, was the first in the family to meet Kevin when he visited them for the first time in Vermont. Both avid Marvel fans, Ben and Kevin hit it off right away, and Ben gave the family seal of approval to Kevin in no time! Also both fans of bourbon drinks, Kevin and Ben are even credited with adding a maple old fashioned to the official menu of one of our favorite restaurants in Vermont. Ben and Ciara are much better friends as adult siblings than they were as kids, so it was a no-brainer to have him in the wedding party!
Robin Buda
Bridesmaid
I’ve never been the type of person to have a lot of female friends. I met Ciara while doing a show at Lakeland Community Theatre. She was different than most women I’ve encountered: no nonsense, no drama, & exactly what I needed. We became fast friends. Whether working on shows together, hanging out far stage right, or getting into trouble, we always had a great time. Ciara is fiercely independent and I’ve always respected that. I knew if she ever found someone to spend her life with, that man would have to be worthy. When she first talked about Kevin, she lit up. I was one of the first to “meet” Kevin over the phone. It was new and I could already tell this was it. When you know, you know. I’m lucky to still have Ciara in my life and look forward to having Kevin be a part of my life too.
Jillian Gowac
Bridesmaid
When Ciara and I first met, we were coworkers in a new town who weren’t exactly sure of each other. We soon became roommates in addition to coworkers and spent nearly every waking moment together (sometimes even by choice!). Over time our names became more or less interchangeable at Northern Stage: “Jill-Ciara, do we have eyes on Dave?” or “Ciara-Jill, could you spike that?” Though we’re pretty much opposites in a lot of ways, we’re a great duo! Ciara is a true friend, and I’m so lucky to have her in my life. Most importantly, she taught me everything I know about beer, and for that I will be forever grateful.
Kat Morrill
Groomswoman
I met Ciara and Kevin while working at Northern Stage in Vermont. Ciara and I bonded over mutual interests in cats, bad movies, board games, and long venting sessions about work and the theater industry in general. Kevin was actually hired as my replacement when I was leaving the company, but we became fast friends and love to nerd out together about stage lighting and video games. It has been a great joy in my life to get to know this amazing couple and I can’t wait to celebrate their marriage soon!
Hunter Long
Groomsman
Hunter and Kevin first met during theatre class in high school. Though not fast friends, they became close over those years. While Kevin was in college, he moved into a house with a few other guys including Hunter. They bonded while playing video games and teaching each other about their favorite sports: soccer and baseball. Even after they each moved out, the two spent almost every night together visiting pool halls, bars or each others' apartments. Though Kevin has since moved around the country, they have remained close friends, picking up where they left off each time. Kevin and Hunter have been there for each other through highs and lows, and Kevin couldn't imagine not having Hunter in his wedding.
Greg Freeman
Groomsman
Greg and Kevin met in 2013 while they were both pursuing their MFA in theatrical lighting design at Purdue University. As the only two members of their program, Greg and Kevin were forced to start liking each other after spending endless hours working together and bonding over a shared love of sports. They even spent some summers away working together in Conway, Arkansas working for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. If all that time spent together wasn’t enough, after graduating from Purdue they found themselves living 5 blocks apart in Chicago. Kevin was a groomsmen in Greg’s wedding back in 2016 and Greg is looking forward to returning the favor for Kevin and Ciara!