Wedding Party

Pam McDonald

Maid of Honor

Pam is Abby's genetically superior twin sister. Regrettably, the two never developed telepathy, but not for lack of trying. She is one of the most patient people Abby has ever met, and has been a wonderful teacher to many very challenging students. Pam is currently a full-time rock star 2nd grade teacher in Connecticut and a part-time singer and running enthusiast. She is a no-brainer for maid of honor -- can't wait to hear that speech, Pam.

Matt Kaiser

Best Man

As the de facto leader of the Villanova Law’s intramural clubs, Matt was a predictable choice as Mark’s first friend in law school. Then, after a week with Matt’s family on Lake George, countless tennis matches and softball tournaments, and identifying their shared love for country music, it was clear that Mark had found a keeper. When not representing athletes on issues ranging from doping bans to intellectual property, Matt is anchoring the swimming leg of the annual Lake George triathlon, rooting for the Mets, and running marathons.

Kara Abbott

Bridesmaid

Kara might as well have been Super Nanny for Abby and her siblings, and has been a part of the family Abby's whole life. Kara turned a blind eye to Pam and Abby's baby wars, orchestrated by Jack and Paul, but Abby has found forgiveness in her heart because Kara also always brought nifty arts and crafts. She has been a wonderful source of support for Abby and was the first (and only) person truly to grill Mark about proposing to Abby.

Joe Hall

Best Man

The groom’s first brother, Joe quickly proved to be the ultimate partner-in-crime (their mom will attest), tackling-dummy, and bunk-bed-buddy. Once you meet him, you’ll quickly note that his days of being Mark’s tackling-dummy have long since passed. When not wearing his whitecoat, Joe is the ultimate outdoorsmen. Indeed, even after a two-day hike with Mark turned into a 26 mile marathon due in part to apparently forgotten tent poles (turns out they just couldn’t find them), there is no one with whom Mark would rather hit the trails.

Katherine Uva

Bridesmaid

Katherine is one of Abby's oldest friends starting in elementary school. She began her MBA journey at the same time as Abby and has been a wonderful source of support all of the years in between through life's highs and lows (girl scout camping trips, awkward middle school dances, marching band, ice cream outings...)! While Katherine currently lives in North Carolina, Abby has high hopes she will make her way back to New England for her PhD with her dog Flynn.

Chris Chau

Groomsman

Chris AKA Chau and Mark met in the academic advisor’s office on the first day of undergrad. Despite a semester abroad, a transfer, and living in different cities for most of the last 12 years, Chau has always been there for Mark. In addition to taking Mark to Southern California and introducing him to the best dim sum on the West Coast (and chicken and waffles!), Chau regularly eliminates Mark from the fantasy football playoffs, joins Mark and Matt for country music festivals, and is always willing to listen to Mark complain about the Steelers’ front office.

Haley Hall

Bridesmaid

Haley is Mark's sister and Abby's newest sister-in-law! To Abby's relief, Haley has accepted her into the family despite Abby's ineptitude at climbing up waterfalls and throwing (and catching) a regulation size football. She's the most easygoing person Abby could ever hope to have as a sister-in-law. Haley is always on the move with her two cats Dill and Pickle, most recently working as a travel nurse!

Harry Hall

Groomsman

As if one awesome brother wasn’t enough, Harry arrived when Mark was eight years old. However, even the eight-year head start wouldn’t stop the eventual Chess and Stratego domination. With all due love and respect to Matt, Mark’s favorite memories from law school were of driving home to watch Harry rewrite the football record books at Northwestern Lehigh High School. Now a summa cum laude college graduate, Harry is taking a gap year and is rumored to be planning frequent visits to Mark and Abby in Philadelphia.

Shannon Brady

Bridesmaid

Abby first met Shannon in 2019 when Paul brought her to the lake to meet the family. She is one of the most creative and thoughtful people Abby knows, as demonstrated by her throwing an awesome surprise 30th birthday for Paul, helping execute Mark's engagement to Abby, and creating a personalized Quiplash game for Abby's bachelorette party, despite her busy schedule as a consultant at BCG!

Paul McDonald

Groomsman

When Mark arrived at his first McDonald family OBX vacation, Abby led him back to the pool where the family was playing volleyball. Paul, standing on the opposite side of the pool, took the quickest route to other side, going full roadrunner across the water and rolling out of the water before extending a dripping wet hand and introducing himself. Remembering Paul’s flair for the dramatic, Mark was quick to enlist Paul’s help planning the proposal.

Sarah McDonald

Bridesmaid

Sarah has been Abby's sister-in-law for eight years and a part of the family for as long as she can remember. The first time they met, during the peak of Abby's awkward phase, Sarah brought gummy bears and they've gotten along just fine ever since. Sarah has been a huge help during the wedding planning process, and has always been a role model for Abby both personally and professionally. Sarah is currently a Director of Policy and Political Programs at The Home Depot.

Jack McDonald

Groomsman

Abby’s oldest brother, Jack, is the father of two awesome kiddos, one of whom warmly refers to Mark as ‘Uncle Monk.’ Don’t anyone get any ideas! Mark has the best memories of visiting Jack and Family in Maryland and is looking forward to Jack’s return to the Outer Banks in 2020. Even though he was unable to witness the proposal, Jack was quick to share his feelings in the most warm and thoughtful call wishing the couple the very best. Mark is excited and grateful to have two more brothers.

Theresa Mackey

Honorary Bridesmaid

Theresa is unfortunately unable to attend the wedding but we love her very much! Theresa and Abby have been best friends since high school. Before Mark came along, Theresa sometimes wrote Abby letters signed as Jared Leto (Abby's stand-in boyfriend) because they're strange like that. Theresa Mackey is actually Jacques Cousteau's least-known alias. She has been working and freezing her butt off in Canada, earning her Master's degree and focusing on fish physiology and aquatic conservation. Before that, Theresa had the coolest job ever, working in the Epcot aquarium at Disney World.

Maud Paquien

Honorary Bridesmaid

Maud is unfortunately unable to attend the wedding but we love her very much! Dr. Shmaud has been an honorary McDonald since she was 13 years old, first meeting the McDonald family through Abby's French exchange program. For whatever reason, she's decided they were cool enough for her to return every year since. The friendship has endured over a decade and across the Atlantic Ocean. Maud is currently in residency becoming a general practitioner in Toulouse. Don't chug your champagne in front of her; she's from France.

Bob McDonald

Father of the Bride

Sara Hall

Mother of the Groom

Cathy McDonald

Mother of the Bride

Ron Hall

Father of the Groom

Jacob McDonald

Officiant