Wedding Party
Olivia Fracassini
Lauryn's Maid of Honor
Better known as Liv, we met at Crossfit Brave and were known for being loud, boisterous, and ridiculous! You can find Liv usually surrounded by her pups, Cisco and Moose. Liv and I are always down for a Bond Brothers patio night or Mexican food, where she complains about me ordering too much food. We love pool parties at her house and giving Christian (her fiance) the third-wheel treatment. I'm constantly... "encouraged" by Liv's not-so-gentle urges to be my best self!
Courtney Allen
Lauryn's Bridesmaid
Courtney and I both went to Meredith College, but we never knew each other on campus! Thanks to alumnae events, we found each other, bonding over Young Alum Board meetings and our yearly pilgrimage to NYC with Meredith (#teamLIT). Court and I can usually be found with a glass of wine in hand, singing Lizzo, or dishing out pop culture references to make sense of our surroundings!
Ashley Allen
Lauryn's Bridesmaid
Ashley is another Meredith grad, who I met through her big sister Courtney. Ashley quickly got used to our shenanigans and became a fast integral part of #teamLIT. Whether it's Bravo references or helping lead a 20+ block run through New York City to make a food tour, Ashley can hang no matter what. Ashley will stop traffic in the middle of New York City to squat down and get a bomb picture of you. We all need an Ashley in our life.
Cindy Deluca
Lauryn's Bridesmaid
The story of my Auntie Cindy and I is a new one, but it is one that makes so much sense. After being adopted, my mom used DNA tests to find her family, which has been the most amazing journey. Cindy and I instantly connected on many levels, sharing so much in a short time. Among those things we've shared, my favorites being our time at Champions in Gilbert, AZ and the BEST Spotify playlist EVER!
Jessica Harrison
Lauryn's Bridesmaid
Jessica and I met at Carnage Middle School! We both ended up going to Southeast Raleigh High School, where we formed a bond that lasted us through different colleges and life experiences. My fondest memories with Jessica involve laughing over missing car hubcaps, messing up the words to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," and our countless weekend shenanigans with Bubba teeth in our mouths.
Emma Gallagher
Lara's Matron of Honor
Emma and I met living across the street from each other in the neighborhood and quickly bonded. Emma is always one to have a good time-- especially when that involves wine and watching TV shows at each other's houses! Emma's boys and our boys are the best of friends! We have had the best times, sitting on her back porch or sofa, talking until 2 in the morning (and maybe UberEats-ing McDonald's). Emma has been the greatest confidant for me always. She is someone I can laugh with, but she is also someone who listens that I can cry with. Emma has been the second mom to all of my dogs, Ninja, Sandy, and Ruby. She is a braider and makeup artist extraordinaire and she'll be doing my hair/makeup for the wedding day!
Nikki Evans
Lara's Bridesmaid
Nikki may be my cousin, but she's also like the little sister I never had. Growing up, I remember spending holidays together, even when that means getting smashed in the face with a pie! I tried my best to look out for her as she was growing up, but now we are more like sister-friends. We live ten miles apart and our boys will get to grow up together!
Lindsey Weigman
Lara's Bridesmaid
Lindsey and I first worked together at UNC on 5 Bedtower. We quickly became super close friends, having Rock Band sleepovers and going on trips together. Our Memorial Day beach trips have become a yearly tradition! Lindsey's son is good friends with our boys and now they are continuing our sleepovers, too!
Bridget Lusky
Lara's Bridesmaid
Bridget is one of my best friends from my Clemson University days. She was always one of the most caring, loving, and fun friends in our friend group. But, we grew closer together after our Clemson years through our Clemson reunion trips and her move to North Carolina several years ago. Now, our boys and her boys love to spend time together at the lake and we love meeting up for Clemson football games!
Angela Richardson
Lara's Bridesmaid
Angela was considered to be my "work wife," from working together at Duke. We instantly bonded at a conference in 2010 and there's been no looking back. We then joined together to create what is now known as the Run for Resilience Ostomy 5K. We love to grab lunch on our days off or meet for drinks after work!
Logan Leininger
Ring Bearer
Logan will be ten years old by the time of our wedding. He is responsible for making Lara a mom! Logan has the biggest heart, the most optimistic views, and the patience of a saint. Whether entertaining a baby or toddler or dealing with kids who are different from him, Logan always sees the best in every person. Logan loves to play on his tablet, build Legos, climb trees, and ask questions that neither Mom nor Lala know the answer to. Logan, our future engineer, also loves to research about vehicles and buildings. Logan may very well also be the only child to prefer celery to junk food. If it were up to him, we'd be serving celery instead of wedding cake. Logan is very excited to be our ring bearer and so are we!
Daniel Leininger
Ring "Security"
Daniel will be eight years old by the time of our wedding. He was proudly born in China and loves to celebrate his "Gotcha Day" each year on April 15th. Daniel is a people-person and an observer extraordinaire. He just "gets" people and social interactions, without having to explain it. Daniel loves wit and sarcasm, so be ready for him to hang with your conversation. His favorite activities are cooking/eating (any and all things-- ranch, gravy, and seafood are his faves), making precious crafts, and anything that Lala is doing (including makeup). Note Daniel's title; he was insistent upon being ring "security," but don't worry--we refused to get him the taser he requested.
Hannah DuPree
Flower Girl
Hannah will be four by the time of our wedding. Hannah is her Lala's mini-me and "Lala's princess and best friend." She adores Logan and Daniel, and they adore her right back. Hannah loves spinning dresses (any dress that spins when she turns), singing songs from Frozen and Moana, playing with her baby dolls (Callie, Sister, Rooster, and Spice--all named by Hannah), and snuggling with Beezer (her brother dog). She is a professional at FaceTiming with Lala, Lara, and "da boys." Hannah is super smart and SUPER verbal, so she can hang with the "big kids" pretty well. She is loved "to the moon" and "more than the Jeeps/wolves/coatis in the world."
Denise Kurtz
Officiant
Lauryn grew up living one house over from Denise. We met in 2005 after she adopted her son, Cody (aka Bug) and I started babysitting him. A babysitting job quickly became a situation where Denise was like my second mom/aunt/sister/cousin/crazy friend. Denise's favorite things are anything involving wine, getting lost in parking lots, and telling it like it is. My favorite thing about Denise, though, is her personality, drive, and strength. Denise has promised to use appropriate language [when she has a microphone on for the ceremony].
Rhonda Beese
Officiant
Rhonda was a neighbor of Lara's and fast friend. We would get together for ladies' nights in the neighborhood, which usually involved wine and laughs. Rhonda has a larger than life personality and knows no stranger. She is a lover of wine, games, and finding the most random festivals/shows/events to get a group together for. At all of our get-togethers, Rhonda is known for her pictures, earning her the title of "Rhondarazzi." Rhonda has agreed to not take any pictures [while she is doing our ceremony].