Lauren & Collin
Wedding Party
Melissa Sears
Maid of Honor
Lauren and Melissa became friends during their time at Burlington High School. These two Seahorses hit it off through their shared suffering during a Sophomore Geometry class. In the years to follow Melissa & Lauren became inseparable to the point of being mistaken for sisters. Through living together, camping shenanigans, and drinking on boats, Melissa brings out the best in Lauren - even if the two of them together prove a handful for Melissa's husband, Paul.
Chris Halsted, PhD
Best Man
Originally Bates chums, Halsted and Collin's friendship leveled up when Chris decided to attend the University of Vermont for his PhD. More experienced in the relationship arena, Collin leaned on Chris early for advice while courting Lauren (Collin helped him set up a tinder account in return). Chris and Collin are known for their mischievous hijinks, coming up with questionable ideas and making Lauren regularly roll her eyes.
Elizabeth Whitney
Maid of Honor
Elizabeth and Lauren have been buds since the 6th grade. Though times have changed, conversation flows effortlessly when these two are together. Between sharing an apartment, their love of late night cheese doodles, and shamelessly dancing the night away at Red Square, these two make quite the pair! Though she lives thousands of miles away (Lauren would welcome her moving back any time) these two remain especially close.
Michael Peacock
Groomsman
Michael is Lauren's younger brother. They both share a love of the Bruins and bond over screaming at the TV when Brad Marchand inevitably takes a stupid penalty. As our Outdoor Gear Exchange aficionado, Michael has provided both Lauren and Collin with great gear recommendations over the years. Whether it is initiating Collin into the Peacock family traditions (like taking a shot of Dr. McGillicuddy's on Christmas) or making him feeling generally welcome, Collin is jazzed to be gaining a brother in Michael.
Megan McCullough
Bridesmate
As Collin's sibling, Megan has watched him grow into the human he is today. Blessed with the same goofy sense of humor, Collin and Megan can reach an epic level of silliness when together. Megan and Lauren were given the chance to build a relationship of their own during a week in California, visiting the Channel Islands and Joshua Tree National Park. Megan has made Lauren feel like part of the family and they both are excited to be gaining a new family member. It doesn't hurt that they are both obsessed with dogs.
Ben Breger, AICP
Groomsman
Yet another Bates gem, Ben is one of the first Bobcats Collin met during their pre-orientation trip. Even though their friendship is now storied, Collin has kept Ben's name as 'Ben Bates' in his phone, an homage to their humble beginnings. Living together for a year in Portland, Maine after college, these two tacked on a few extra adventures. None better than their farewell tour that took them to Katahdin's summit and the Cutler Coast. Instant easy friends, a general bearing and a full tank of gas is all that's ever needed when these two chefs step in the kitchen.
Molly Tareila, RN
Bridesmaid
As John's fiance, Lauren and Molly met through the Bates crew. Often marooned together in a sea of testosterone driven nostalgia, Molly provides Lauren with a much needed respite from the constant college reminiscing. When the collective gang gets together, these two tend to be the only non-Bates people in the room, forging a friendship through rolling their eyes at Collin & John's same old stories and making fun of them accordingly.
John Barbadoro
Groomsman
John & Collin made the dubious decision to share a room during their senior year of college, an experience that would have broken lesser men. Between John's penchant for being responsible & Collin's tendency towards mischief these two achieve a sort of equilibrium when together. Grilling, discussing politics & the economy, bickering about football, the dad energy is STRONG between these two. Oh, and by the way, they both love beer. (B - double E - double R - U - N - beer run!)
Julie Polizzotto
Bridesmaid
When Lauren first started dating Collin, Julie went out of her way to welcome her. Following an 8-hour drive that took Lauren and Collin from Maine to her apartment in Brooklyn, Julie was an extra gracious host for these two frazzled travelers. One of Collin's friends from Bates, Julie and Lauren have bonded over sharing recipes, dog mom-ing, and Julie's ability to wrangle the herd of cats that is the Bates boys. Lauren and Collin appreciate Julie's ability to make the fun happen, period.
Billy Collins
Groomsman
Another Knight of the Vale, Billy was one of Collin's first Bates friends. Upon seeing him in a ski jacket - and being desperate to meet people at a new school - Collin won over Billy with one sentence 'Hey man, I have a car and can drive us to the mountain!' What started as a quid-pro-quo arrangement soon evolved into a decade plus friendship filled with lots of days on the mountain, comparing strategies on how to have the most fun possible, and truly appreciating which each other bring to the table.
Healey Mayette
Bridesmaid
One of the reasons why Lauren felt comfortable moving to Plattsburgh was knowing that she had a good friend on this side of the lake in Healey. Perpetually jazzed on life, Healey is always up for sharing an adventure and making memories with good people. Dating back to the early days of the relationship spent at the Monopole, Healey has been going out of her way to include both Lauren and Collin in local goings ons. Whether it's a bonfire or a river trip, Healey has made Lauren feel at home in the Adirondacks.
Danny Birkhead, MD
Groomsman
Danny and Collin lived together in Vale House senior year, their friendship only growing stronger post graduation. After Collin took him up on an open-ended invitation to New Orleans - and surviving the subsequent weekend - it registered just how much they had in common. These two have a spooky identical taste in music and the artists/tunes they have shared with each other over the years has proven to be a bulwark in their relationship.
Taylor Grimes
Bridesmaid
The latest addition to the bridal party, Taylor, better known as Taybaybay, knows a thing or two about cutting a rug. As a former wedding planner, dog lover, fun haver, and thoughtful friend, Taylor is almost always down for a hoot and a holler. As Halsted’s partner, Taylor has become a confidant to Lauren and has proven dependable in teaming up with Lauren to put both Chris and Collin in their place when they get up to their gremlin ways. One thing is for sure, Lauren sure feels lucky to have Taylor in her corner for the big day.
Matt Furlow
Groomsman
Furlow, Furbie, Furbo, you take your pick. If there was a highest honor given on a national level to someone who could balance the ‘work hard, play hard’ ethos, Collin & Lauren would nominate Matt. An esteemed political savant and esquire in the making, Furlow always dedicates time and resources to making big sends for friends, a trait that Collin specifically admires. An original Bobcat connect and Knight of the Vale, Collin welcomes Furbo aboard the S.S. McCock on 9.24.22 for the big day.
Archer
Bride's Floof
The King of the Floofs, Fluff Butt McGee, Floofadoo - Archer is Lauren's bebe. Known as a snug bug, Archer never met a tennis ball he didn't like. Though Collin had to win his heart, a day at the Huntington Gorge - basking in the river - convinced Archer that Collin was a keeper. While he's warmed up to Collin, Archer still knows he's the #1 guy in Lauren's life.
Murphy
Groom's Pooch
Murphy, better known as 'Murph A' Lurph' or the 'Silver Murpher,' is our 90 lb. black lab or chonky pierogi, you take your pick. After adopting him in January '22 we have quickly fallen in love with this kind soul. Known for his 'all woof, no nibble' mentality, we'll be hitting the training hard over the next few months to get Murphy ready for the big day.
Paul Sears
Officiant
As Melissa's other half, Paul has witnessed many a shenanigan and lived to tell the tale. From his and Lauren's BHS days to now as an easy going pal of Collin's, It only makes sense for him to preside over the newlywed's next chapter. Known as a humble and hearty man of the sea, Paul is well acquainted with Lauren and Collin's relationship and with his blessing (and signature on the wedding papers) calm waters lie ahead.