Kurt & Melanie
Wedding Party
Kristine Doyle
Best Person
Kristine was the kitchen manager at Portobello's Grill when Kurt was the general manager. The BOH to Kurt’s FOH. Whether it was Kristine running to open the restaurant while Kurt ran home to shower when they both overslept after a night out, or Kristine calling Kurt every Wednesday on her drive home from work, Kurt has constantly been able to rely on Kristine and her friendship. Kurt feels so fortunate to have been able to watch Kristine and her wife, Heather, as their love grew after meeting at Portobello's as well! There is no one Kurt would rather be in the trenches with than Kristine.
Liv Greco
Maid of Honor
Melanie and Olivia started their friendship in Ms. Murphy’s biology class, freshman year of high school, and continued to bond through P.A.C.E. (Performing Arts Curricular Experience). Liv has been Melanie’s constant, no matter what hardships they go through. For the last 15 years, Liv has been the most loyal, generous, inspiring, and hilarious friend. It’s just a bonus that’s she’s so pretty! While they may share a platonic love, Olivia is the only person worthy of competing with Kurt for Melanie’s affection.
Daniel Meadows
Groomsman
The OG BFF. Kurt and “Meadows” have been running the streets since they were playing in them. Meadows is known for always getting into some kind of trouble. When Daniel jumped off a bridge (into the swamp), so did Kurt. He was there the first time Kurt got drunk or got in a fight, and he even almost got him expelled from college after using Kurt's ID to get into the campus gym! But the great thing about a friend like that is that they are always pushing you to do and be better. Meadows taught Kurt how to take chances and give it his all... Even if that sometimes meant that Kurt's mom may wake up to find Kurt's pants on the front lawn.
Sarah Tuszynski-Dobkins
Maiden of Honor
While Sarah is technically Melanie's cousin, "sisters" has become a more accurate term. 11 years her senior, it has been a great honor getting to watch Sarah grow up into the brilliant, hysterical, weirdo that she's turning out to be. Whether it's updating Melanie on the coolest lingo, making sure her outfit "slaps", or just being someone to talk to, Melanie know's she can always rely on Sarah to be there... something Melanie hopes (basically knows) that Sarah knows is true in reverse. Melanie is so excited to be sharing this big life moment with Sarah, and is even MORE excited that Sarah will be moving to Los Angeles next year to attend UCLA!
Lionel Torrado
Groomsman
Kurt may be the youngest sibling, but he still felt protective over his sisters whenever they started dating new people. Lucky for Kurt, his eldest sister chose Lionel! Easily one of the smartest men you’ll ever meet, Lionel has been a great addition to the Krause family. Lionel is always good for talking stocks, a game of chess, or getting his butt kicked by Kurt in a game of Mario Kart. Since Lionel and Katrina are high school sweethearts, Kurt has gotten to have Lionel in his life for almost as long as he can remember. Is it weird to be best friends with your brother-in-law?
Katrina Torrado
Bridesmaid
Kurt's eldest sister, and Melanie's future Sister in Law! Melanie and Katrina first met in 2017, when Katrina and her husband came to LA for thanksgiving. They all went to trivia the night before, and then had a big Friendsgiving at Kurt’s house the next day. Ask Katrina how meeting Melanie went! She loves to tell people that story! However, Katrina and Melanie first started getting to know each other when Katrina took Melanie and Kurt into her home in Louisiana at the beginning of Covid. After many bottles of wine, a lot of games of Mario Kart and Settlers of Catan, and getting to watch Katrina’s first daughter grow together… Melanie knew this was a family she was lucky to be joining.
Brian Gabel
Groomsman
Being a brother himself, Kurt was worried about winning over Melanie’s big brother, Brian. But lucky for Kurt, Brian has been nothing but welcoming! Kurt and Brian first met when they both flew from California to New York for Grandpa Joe's (Melanie and Brian's maternal grandfather) 90th birthday in 2019. Kurt could tell how much Brian loves his sister, and immediately knew he wanted to be part of the group! Being an amazing artist and animator, Brian shares Kurt's passion for story telling. Kurt couldn’t be more excited to keep getting to know his new brother-in-law, and to have Brian standing next to him on Kurt and Melanie’s big day.
Kay Krause
Bridesmaid
Kurt's middle sister, and Melanie's future Sister in Law! Kay and Melanie first met when she started working at Soul, under Kurt and Melanie’s management. Kay drove down from Fresno to help cover shifts for a couple weekends, during which, Melanie and Kay developed a friendship on their own! Melanie would like to credit Kay with being the big mouth who told Kurt that she liked him (mwah ha ha! Exactly how Melanie planned it!) right before they started dating! Just in case she hasn’t mentioned it… thanks for that! And we can’t forget how much Louie loves his “Tia Kay”. Kay is just one more benefit to becoming a member of “Das Krause Haus”
Zach McManus
Groomsman
If you know Kurt, you know how competitive he is, so it may shock you to know that he was always in for a good butt kicking when he went head to head in video games with Zach growing up. Without this childhood friend and his butt kickings, Kurt might not have learned the humility he (sometimes) experiences today. Kurt credits Zach and his parents for sportsmanship. Nowadays, Zach is most often brought up in the Gabel-Krause household as a response to Melanie asking, "Hey Kurt. Who are you texting so much over there?". If you know Kurt, you know he always wanted a brother, and Zach might be the closest thing he’s ever had.
Matt Gray
Bridesman
Melanie is not exactly sure how she first met Matt. It may have been in elementary school when they played oompaloompas in their school's production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it may have been a connection over his mother (who is also named Melany) being an active member of the PTA at their elementary school (where Melanie's mother taught as well), or it may have just been when their real friendship started in high school through P.A.C.E. Matt is an avid global traveler, and is always eager to share his travels with those around him, or offer a bed to sleep in if you're in NYC when he isn't at his apartment. Melanie is so excited that Matt was able to schedule her wedding into his travel schedule (which can be found on his app "Pangea". Downloadable wherever you get your apps. #Pangea)
Pritam Dudgaonkar
Groomsman
Even though they grew up minutes from each other, Kurt and Pritam met through mutual friends in college and quickly became besties. When it comes to arguing, few can go toe to toe with Kurt, but Pritam is the exception. Kurt and Pritam have the type of friendship where they can argue for an hour, and never have to apologize. Pritam was one of the first Louisiana friends to come out and visit Kurt after he moved to California (with their other bestie, Tori), and he and his girlfriend, Lucy, are always willing to offer up a place to stay when Melanie and Kurt are in town. Pritam, like many others in this group, is also a Portobellos alum!
Sam Margolis
Bridesman
Sam and Melanie became friends when Melanie started dating his childhood best friend in high school. While their relationship didn't stick, Melanie and Sam's friendship did! Melanie and Sam sealed their friendship when he took her to senior prom as his date, to make sure Melanie would be included in their group after prom. Sam has always been one of the smartest guys in the room, which is why Melanie is so excited to see what he does with his law career. Sam can't be out-argued, and Melanie can’t wait to see all the laws he takes down! Sam is always good for some solid advice or a solid hug. It is probably fair to say that Sam is the glue behind their high school group of friends. Melanie is also happy for any excuse she can give Sam to return to New Orleans, as he is a Tulane Alum!
Alex Goransson
Groomsman
The newest friend in the Groom’s party, Alex is one of Kurt’s L.A. besties. Starting their friendship when Kurt trained Alex as a server at Firefly, their friendship really developed when Alex starting training Kurt at the gym. When they're not working out, you can find Alex and Kurt on the golf course or taping auditions together. Alex is referred to by Kurt and Melanie as the "Swedish Dog Whisperer", as he not only helped with training their dog Louie, but is Louie's favorite babysitter!
Alex Kyritsis
Bridesman
While Melanie remembers Alex from elementary school, their friendship didn't begin until the end of Alex's senior year, and the end of Melanie's junior year of high school. Alex is always the life of the party, no matter what situation he is in. However, he was also the friend who insisted on seeing Melanie when she came home for one day during the summer, for a 2 hour relaxing talk by the manor. He is a fantastic listener and an amazing encourager, a goofball who is always down for a serious debate, and a wild cannon who is the strongest support system. Melanie is so fortunate to have Alex as a support system on her wedding day.
Drew Lyons
Groomsman
Kurt and Drew first met in theater classes in Middle school, but really grew close in college where they spent as much time freestyle rapping as they did studying. The term Ride or Die comes to mind because Drew, like a big brother, has always had Kurt’s back. In true lawyer fashion, Drew is the friend that is always gonna give it to you straight. Kurt was so excited to be a part of Drew's wedding day almost 2 years ago, and is so grateful for the opportunity to return the favor! Drew is also a fellow Portobellos alum!
Adam Wrobel
Bridesman
Like the rest of Melanie's bridesmen, Adam, or "Wrobel" as they call him, was part of the group of friends Melanie developed at the end of her junior year of high school. Wrobel has the best smile (and not just because of his endearing dimples!) which you almost never see him without. Wrobel is one of the sweetest people Melanie has ever met. Whether it was going to pick Melanie up when she fell asleep on the train and missed her stop, or many nights knowing that Wrobel would make sure everyone got home safely after a night out, Melanie is so lucky to have her trusted friend by her side.