Wedding Party
Lauren Duffy
Maid of Honor
Lauren is the bride's big sister. They met on the day Kristen was born when Lauren cut the umbilical cord and baby Kristen was definitely not screaming. She and her husband, Jay, live in Chicago with her two stepsons and new baby, soon to be starring as a flower girl near you. You're likely to find her working on an impossibly complicated project or giving her sister some much-needed advice. Check out her non-profit cafe, Kusanya, next time you're near Chicago's south side!
Mary Allison
Bridesmaid
Mary is the bride's cousin. They met the day or so after she was born, as Kristen was required to attend a morning soccer game (thanks dad). She has henceforth had to endure being called "Little Cousin" despite being a fully grown woman with a master's degree. Mary lives in Northern Virginia, where you can find her in her inaugural year as a special education teacher. On wedding day, she will likely be found coaching the bride on how to best pose for photos, because only Gen Z-ers seem to be successful at this.
Deniz Halici
Bridesmaid
Childhood friend of the bride, a member of the famed Beech Down Crew. They met as tiny humans and have been friends ever since. She stars in many a photo of the two of them as kids with crazy haircuts. She is the most likely person to say 'yes' when Kristen suggests an international trip, perhaps because she already lives in Europe. You can usually find her on a jealousy-inducing multi-country trip somewhere fabulous.
Karly Beckwith
Bridesmaid
Childhood friend of the bride and another member of the famed "Beech Down Crew". They met as kiddos and could often be found having playdates where Karly got Kristen to play more dress up than she usually did. Karly lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and sparkly kindergartener. You're likely to find her picking fresh flowers and reminding strangers to dance in the rain.
Rebecca Smith Haley
Bridesmaid
Friend and former roommate of the bride. They met at a mutual friend's party on Kristen's first day moving to Virginia Beach and became instant friends. Rebecca and her husband and son live in Charlottesville, where she can be found civil engineering and generally being the calm, logical one on the other end of Kristen's phone.
Mallory Ellington
Bridesmaid
Mallory has been a dear friend of the bride since their camp days together. She’s one of the calmest people to call with any problem and also one of the loudest cheerleaders. She is one of the few, the proud, the non-Duffys to have braved Duffy Beach Week. You can find her in Georgia where she works teaching prison inmates while also having cooler tats than them. She wears many hats including writer/author, which is why the bride was mildly stressed to write this paragraph.
Rochelle Davis
Bridesmaid
Friend of the bride. They met working at their first nursing job in Virginia Beach at the local children's hospital. They've crossed over some of the same travel nursing gigs and generally have had a multi-state journey together. Rochelle can be found wandering around Austin with her awww-inducing ginger lab, Copper.
Mike Redder
Best Man
Left-handed and his name is a palindrome. Systems engineer for a local hospital system here in Portland and is also a Christmas Tree farmer on his off time on his property...which still has a licensed airfield on it. Mike is the first person to call to shoot the proverbial breeze with, ask a computer IT question, or to come over and help you frame a wall/plumb your pipes. He is truly a today's age Renaissance man, and one of the best men (see what I did there) I know.
Nick James
Groomsman
Nick James, no relation to Rick James, is an upstanding lad and he is dependable, and rugged like a New Zealand rugby player. A man who speaks few but strong words and speaks volumes through actions for those he entrusts and cares about. An outdoorsman and a tradesman that I stand with honor on my wedding day.
Nick Currin
Groomsman
Initially drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2000 (true story) ...Nick is another Nick and not to be confused as that Nick. Currin also works at a local hospital system in the IT department solving people’s issues when they are about at wits end. He has phenomenal natural athletic ability as most that know him know, but many don’t know his natural ability to be an outstanding friend. Currin is the kind of guy that shows up to help in a bind, no questions asked, with a smile. I’m proud to call him a friend and happy that he will be there to share this day with me.
Stephen Pearson
Groomsman
If Stephen was in a mafia movie with me, he'd be my consigliere. My right-hand man/paramedic when I was a friendly neighborhood charge nurse at a Level 1 Trauma Center in South Denver. I always knew, without question, that he was doing the right thing and saving lives in a room where my eyes could not always be. He was my eyes and ears for almost 6 years helping treat the sickest of the sick and the hurtest (even a word?) of the hurt. A person that would have your back in all aspects of life, and grateful to have him in my circle.
Ashley Dinger
Groomsman
Ashley (“Jersey Girl”) has more intestinal fortitude than anyone that I have met, hands-down. She is the epitome of entrepreneurship and has been the executive director and owner of many ventures in her journey: Fort Collins, Colorado has even given her a day (Ashley Dinger Day) in her honor. She is a stand-up kind of guy with a magnetic personality, and yes, I meant to title her as a groomsman :). She is a force of nature and the world would be a little less bright without her in it.
Lauren Steiner
Groomswoman
Yes, another Lauren in the party! Lauren is another example of hard work paying off and someone putting their nose to the grindstone and powering through. She is a small animal veterinarian and business owner and has made a powerful impact on me and my daily dealing with people in the community. She has been through most things with me thick and thin and has helped me be the person that I am today. The honor is all mine by her being a part of the groom's party.
Peter Pieringer
Officiant
Peter is another of the bride's oldest friends. They met working at camp as teenagers and have been close friends ever since. 15 years later, he met and became instant friends with the groom on a night out in San Diego. Peter is most likely to be found somewhere warm and probably making music.
Steve Hubbs
Groomsman
The Silent Assassin.
