Wedding Party
Denise Wells-Fairley
Matron of Honor
Denise and I met at a basketball camp back in Ye Olde Days of Yore (AKA 2007). Throughout high school, Denise was always my rock and by far the best friend any girl could ask for. My mom will never stop telling the story of the best class field trip she ever chaperoned because Denise honestly handled everything perfectly, being our Senior Class President. Denise truly supported me in all my personal, professional, and romantic highs and lows. She even came all the way to Pittsburgh to see my get my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2019. In 2021, she married her high school sweetheart, Michael. In 2022, they welcomed their first son, Kace. She's currently expecting her second angel in April 2024 (yes, I've already suggesting Lauree as a name for a girl and obviously, Lauro if it's a boy. I'm not getting much traction with either name, unfortunately). Denise is working as a brilliant CPA and lives in the Frederick, MD area.
Kiera Kegges
Bridesmaid
Kiera and I were inseparable as soon as we joined Alpha Phi at Duquesne University in 2014. We've been through it all together and I couldn't have asked for a better "Exit Buddy" for my years in Pittsburgh. The moment I knew Kiera was in my life to stay was when I had a big "night out" in college, and she lovingly took off my makeup for me. In 2021, Kiera planned a beautiful bachelorette weekend for herself in Manhattan and it was that weekend, I fully became an adult. I had to fly in early in the morning after they had already had a big night out and I managed to get myself, with Kiera's help, from Newark Airport to the Lower East Side using only trains. In 2022, she married her college sweetheart, Matt and I was honored enough to be a part of her wedding. They're expecting their first baby in 2024 and yes, I've also suggested Lauree and Lauro as baby names. Still not getting very far with those. Kiera is an amazing teacher and still living in Pittsburgh, PA.
Maggie Mollura
Bridesmaid
Maggie is another Alpha Phi sister and one that I couldn't have gotten through my years at Duquesne without. Maggie is one of those people who everyone is just so happy they get to be around and I'm so excited for everyone to get to know her better. Maggie is the only person I can imagine spending hours in a virtual waiting room with to get Taylor Swift tickets. She stood by me while we stood in an actual line for 2 hours just to make a mad sprint to get tour merchandise. We then sat and made friends with other Swifties for about three hours. We then proceeded to black out from excitement and joy as we were in the FRONT. ROW. to see our favorite artist of all time in the best tour of all time. In 2022, she married David and I had the honor of being by her side for that wedding. Her amazing Disco-themed bachelorette trip got me to explore Miami for the first time and I can't wait to go back (girls trip, anyone?) Maggie is a brilliant teacher and currently living in Pittsburgh, PA.
Gina DiPaolo
Bridesmaid
Gina, oh Gina. Gina is one of the greatest people I'm honored to call my friend. She is the first person to answer the phone if you're having a bad night and just need a chat. Gina and I met Orientation Week of freshman year at Duquesne but our closeness really didn't start until our post-grad time. She was living with two of my PT classmates at the time and every Monday, I'd walk the 10 blocks to their house and we'd all watch the Bachelor together. In that time, I realized that everyone should have a Gina in their life. Gina is marrying Liam approximately 3 weeks before DJ and I get married and I cannot wait to celebrate her. Gina has been an amazing friend as we’ve both navigated wedding planning together and she’s so compassionate and understanding, I cannot wait for us to both be there for each other’s special days.
Molly Dreher
Bridesmaid
All calling Dr. Dre-her. Molly is genuinely one of the most fun people you could ever have around and is the life of the party in the BEST way. Molly was in my Pledge Class of Alpha Phi and one year ahead of me in the DPT program. Molly was my guiding light for pretty much all of my undergrad and grad school years. She supported me and helped me study and is overall one of the greatest people to have by my side when I get married. Molly and I lived together during my first post-grad year and the hours we spent studying together at the dining room table or drunkenly heating up Dino nuggets at 2 in the morning will always be some of my fondest memories. Molly is currently working as a PT in the Philly area (obligatory Go Birds for Molly). Molly is the first person (okay second, behind DJ) I want to talk to when work is rough. If you see her, just yell "HOLLA" as loud as you can and you're automatically her friend.
Jacky Brady
Bridesmaid
I can never thank Duquesne Orientation enough for bringing Jacky into my life. As our small group leader in August 2013, I remember my friends from the orientation group just saying "Man I just wish I could be like Jacky in my college life." Jacky ended up being in Alpha Phi as well just solidifying our friendship. Jacky also wound up being in my DPT program class and being in grad school together lead to some of the most fun moments of my life. My favorite Jacky Memory is when we would go to a local Halloween-themed dive bar on Thursdays for karaoke. She managed to sing the whole chorus of Africa by Toto once in a full falsetto. I couldn't finish singing the song because I was laughing so hard. She is honestly one of the kindest and smartest people I know. She joined our Monday night Bachelor watch sessions during post-grad life and honestly, I'm thinking that's where all the best friendships are solidified (yes, over wine and bad reality television). Jacky is currently living her best life, working at one of the country's foremost rehabilitation hospitals (Rancho Los Amigos) in Los Angeles, California. She is kind enough to let me live my SoCal dreams vicariously through her.
Gina Barta
Bridesmaid
I am #blessed to have so many wonderful Ginas in my life. Gina is overall one of the absolute sweetest people I can imagine to have in my life. She was, of course, my brilliant classmate and study buddy throughout my days in the Duquesne University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She was always one of those quietly hilarious type of people who catches you off guard with her humor. Gina's bachelorette trip in 2021 to Nashville happened right after they had lifted mask recommendations and when I tell you this was an incredible trip, it really was. She married her high school sweetheart Allen in 2020 and they had a beautiful reception to celebrate fully after Covid in 2021. She has the most beautiful soul and despite being from Cleveland, is a wonderful Steelers fan (because everyone should be). In 2022, she welcomed her first daughter, Kollyns and their gorgeous family is living in the Cleveland area.
Katie Kolli
Bridesmaid
Katie is another wonderful soul from my PT class at Duquesne. She and my two Gina girls actually were the ones who hosted our Monday night Bachelor viewing parties. She also joined me, Gina B, and Jacky at Bruegger's Bagels every Wednesday morning for coffee, a bagel, and a good old fashioned b*tch session where we got out all our frustrations with the post-grad life outside of the prying ears of campus. Even before we really got to be friends in grad school, I always knew Katie as the kindest person you could ever come across. All the stereotypes about rivalries and what not between different sororities on a given campus went out the window when you came across Katie. Another brilliant mind, she managed to quell my many anxieties when I convinced myself there was no way I was going to pass PT school (spoiler alert, we all did). In August 2022, Katie was thoughtful enough to invite me to her wonderful bachelorette trip to the Finger Lakes, NY, and in November, she married Vic in two gorgeous ceremonies celebrating their respective faiths in Cleveland. Katie is currently living and thriving in Columbus, OH.
Paris Jolley
Bridesmaid
DJ's younger sister, Paris, is the perfect person to round out my girl's group. Paris manages to make every trip to see DJ's family so special because of her big heart and her willingness to give love. Paris is currently in high school in Cumberland, MD and is growing into a wonderful young lady. She's the perfect Junior Bridesmaid for my group and we love you so much, Paris!
Zachary Jolley
Best Man
Zach and DJ were inseparable from the start. Okay, maybe not from the *start* but pretty close. After high school, DJ and Zach became each other's closest allies and the one who generally understood the other the best. Zach is by far one of the greatest people we know we couldn't imagine our wedding day without him. He lives with his beautiful family in Cumberland, MD.
Garrett Shively
Groomsman
Garrett and DJ were introduced by mutual friends back in 2018 or so and since then have become fast, close friends. One of our favorite holiday traditions is to go spend time with Garrett on Christmas Day, exchange presents and memories. We couldn't imagine our day without Garrett. He has a wonderful daughter, Lill, and lives in Cumberland, MD.
Brad Benson
Groomsman
Brad is another wonderful friend of DJ's from their days at Ye Olde Fort Hill High School. Brad is an active member of the guys' Snapchat group (every man has a Snapchat group of guys from high school where it's nothing but memes and debauchery). Brad lives in Charlottesville, VA and is getting married in October 2024.
Kody Hinzman
Groomsman
Likely the most responsible of the groomsmen is Kody. Kody and DJ met while teaching at Mountain Ridge Middle School in 2020 and became fast friends. Both teaching social studies, they were able to work together with wonderful cohesiveness and built a friendship following this. Kody and DJ might be best known for their roles as Dr. Evil and Mini Me during Spirit Week at the school in 2022. Kody asked DJ to be with him when he got married in October 2023 and we are so happy to have him as part of our special day.
Ethan McDermott
Groomsman
Everybody knows when Ethan is in a room. He brings joy and laughter wherever he goes and always knows how to get a party started. Ethan and DJ met playing football together at Fort Hill High School back in the late 2000s and have been friends ever since. Ethan married his wife Alexis in fall of 2022 and asked DJ to be a part of his special day. He and his wife live in Cumberland, MD.
Zach Wilson
Groomsman
Known in the group simply as "Wilson," Zach was also a high school football buddy of DJ's. Fun facts include that Wilson was interviewed by the groom as a "Meme Connoisseur" for his high school graduation project. If you have no idea what a meme is, go ask him because he's clearly the resident expert on the matter. Zach currently works and lives in Cumberland, MD.
Brandon March
Groomsman
Another fast teaching friend, DJ and Brandon met at Mountain Ridge Middle School, the site of all the best adult bromances. Brandon is a thorough lover of the Philadelphia Eagles and has an incredible Man Cave in his home to prove it. In December, 2022, Brandon asked DJ to be a part of his wedding day, though this did involve Lauree and DJ taking a detour to his house because someone (not naming names) forgot the wedding rings. Brandon lives with his wonderful wife, Rachel, and their beautiful children in Falling Waters, WV.
Austin Lee
Groomsman
Austin and DJ are also old high school buddies from the good old days of Fort Hill High School. They grew up on the same street creating a strong bond that surrounded a love of Chewy Granola Bars. Austin finished his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2023 and is living with his beautiful wife, Makayla, in Cumberland, MD.
Will Lorensen
Groomsman
Will and Lauree were also inseparable from the beginning (now realizing that sarcasm doesn't translate well over text). Will and Lauree have been each other's closest allies since Lauree was old enough to drink with him. DJ and Will got on well immediately and love spending time cooking and watching football. Will is currently working for Berkeley County and lives in Martinsburg, WV.
Brandon Jolley
Groomsman
Last but not least for the groomsmen is our Junior Groomsman and DJ's youngest brother, Brandon. Brandon is a joy to be around no matter what though he does take a decent amount of playful bullying from both DJ and Lauree. Eh, it's good for them.