Wedding Party
Aaryn Smith
Maid of Honor
A fellow medievalist PhD candidate (soon to defend) in the English department—and fellow Smith—Aaryn is a best friend and partner-in-fun with Helen and Kyle, with merriment through the years and shared adventures, including organizing events through the department's medieval colloquium, sight-reading Old English most Friday afternoons, spontaneous adventures, and reliable fun through "Schitty Mondays," a weekly program of Schitt's Creek viewing.
Cory Weis
Best Man
Cory is Kyle's earliest brother-in-law, generous of heart, epic of beard, married to Kyle's younger sister, Paige. Cory and Kyle bonded instantly over a shared love of cheesy '80s synth-pop and the work of Matt Berry. In the dozen or so years that they've known each other, they have developed into a pretty dynamic duo in the kitchen and have shared many a night enjoying a dram or two and talking into the wee hours.
Katie Best-Richmond
Bridesmaid
After becoming what would prove to be lifelong friends throughout a sixth grade filled with a nearly identical class schedule and hang outs watching the Disney Channel, Katie and Helen realized they had been in a book club together in elementary school. They remained friends in college, and now have over two decades of supportive and loving friendship with no signs of stopping. Even a basic list of activities could fill a book—each one matters a lot to Helen, who has even kept the locker decoration Katie made for Helen's birthday, many years ago!
Donovan Lorenzen
Groomsman
Donovan is Kyle's eldest brother-in-law, married to Kyle's older sister, Lindsey (Helen met Kyle's family for the first time at Lindsey and Donovan's wedding!), dad to Kyle's nephew, River, and one of the coolest people you will ever meet. Kyle and Donovan enjoy swapping music recs and making fun of silly old genre movies.
Francesca Bua
Bridesmaid
A member of Helen's PhD cohort, Francesca (Frankie) shared many hours with Helen in Zoom seminars during their first year. They got to know each other more through in-person classes, medievalist/early modernist crossover events, the Writing Center, co-directorship of the English 100 Tutorial Program, but especially through their shared appreciation of reality TV, animals, swimming, and running. Frankie's joyful wedding in New Orleans helped show Helen and Kyle that it is possible to get married amid the stress and chaos of graduate school!
Graham Smith
Groomsman
As Helen's younger brother, Graham will be Kyle's newest brother-in-law, and the second Smith in the bridal-party lineup! True to Graham's world-traveling ways, he and Kyle first met in Ireland, when Kyle met up with Helen and her mom's family. Graham and Kyle also bonded over a love of music (a theme seems to be emerging!), and Graham narrowly wins the brotherly-hugs sweepstakes because he is approximately a full foot taller than Kyle.