Wedding Party
Emily Kowalski
Matron of Honor
Emily is the sister (in-law, but who’s counting?) Shelby never had. Upon being introduced, they wasted no time bonding over their shared quirks, anxiety spirals, and synchronized reactions to her husband Mike’s jokes (Nick’s brother, for those keeping track). Much to Emily's chagrin, Shelby has also fulfilled the sisterly role with the appropriate amount of lighthearted teasing. In just a few years, Emily has become both a trusted confidante and a close friend, and Shelby couldn’t be more grateful to officially call her family.
Andy Starzinski
Best Man
Nick and Andy have been friends since high school, where their chaotic energy and shared sense of humor made them fast friends. Sometimes instead of going to school dances, they spent their weekends playing Magic: The Gathering and pulling all-night gaming marathons in Andy’s basement, fueled by the healthiest of snacks (lots of energy drinks and frozen pizzas). Over the years, they’ve kept their bond strong with weekly digital game nights, deep talks, and plenty of laughter — no matter the distance between them.
Lea Fordyce
Bridesmaid
Shelby and Lea met thanks to the most chaotic of roommate search tools: Craigslist. They soon became close friends, enjoying board game nights, girls’ trips, and bonding over bad dates. They even survived the pandemic together under the same roof — a true test of any friendship. Through it all, Lea has been an amazing friend, and a constant source of support and laughter. To this day, they still laugh about the time Shelby’s mom unintentionally made it sound like they were a couple in the family holiday newsletter.
Mike Kowalski
Groomsman
It goes without saying that Mike is Nick’s brother — not that you'd ever guess from their similar beards, height, and stylish hair choices. Throw in their mutual love of dad jokes and puns, and it’s no wonder people mix them up. Growing up, their bond was built on a mix of playful rivalry and shared values. These days, Mike is one of Nick’s favorite people to bounce creative ideas off of, whether it’s a weird story prompt or a major life decision. They may still roast each other, but there's no denying the brotherly respect beneath it.
Cass O'Rearden
Bridesmaid
Shelby first met Cass and her partner Kyle through Nick and was, admittedly, a little intimidated by Cass’s coolness and incredible art skills. But as soon as they broke through each other’s introvert walls, Shelby discovered a kind, down-to-earth friend with a delightfully goofy side. Their hangouts often include spontaneous crafts and snacking through nostalgic movies while pondering life's mysteries. Cass is one of the wisest, most understanding people Shelby knows — always ready with empathy, perspective, or just the right dinosaur noise.
Tanner Lemmon
Groomsman
Shelby's brother, Tanner, was the first Lemmon family member Nick was introduced to, and the two hit it off immediately — partly thanks to the infamous family “Christmas train photo” incident, which Nick still jokes about as traumatic. Tanner quickly made Nick feel like family, and their bond grew over countless Dungeons & Dragons sessions and other tabletop gaming adventures. Their combined goofiness is a legendary force (especially when they team up to tease Shelby), and it was clear from the start that Nick would have no trouble calling Tanner “brother.”
Julie Stankowski
Bridesmaid
Though Nick has known Julie far longer, Shelby quickly found her place in their lively group. Inside jokes like “Prospector Julie” and sleep-drunk dance routines soon followed, along with long-distance video game nights to stay connected. Shelby and Julie often bond over their Type A overachiever energy — the kind that turns making a to-do list into a competitive sport — and Shelby appreciates the humor and wit Julie always brings to the table. With Julie’s perfect mix of levity and loyalty, Shelby and Nick feel lucky to have her in their corner.
Mitch Stankowski
Groomsman
Nick and Mitch met in middle school, bonding instantly over their shared love of all things nerdy — from countless LAN parties and attending conventions together to college days and 24-hour charity livestreams. Their friendship has been a steady mix of adventure and support, with Mitch’s calm, logical nature balancing Nick’s boundless chaotic creativity. Whether swapping stories about their eerily similar career paths or geeking out over the latest gadgets, Mitch has been a true friend — and the patient voice of reason every time Nick dives headfirst into a new tech obsession.
Kyle Dillingham
Officiant
Even before a wedding date was set, Nick and Shelby had Kyle in mind to officiate. As their resident emotional support extrovert, Kyle has a way of making every gathering feel more fun, welcoming, and just a little bit magical. Whether it’s a craft night, movie night, or dressing up for the Renaissance festival or Halloween (where he’s never shy about getting into character or chatting up strangers), Kyle brings enthusiasm and heart. His shared love of tabletop games, video games, and roleplay made him a fast friend to them both — and frankly, it wouldn’t feel like a proper party without him