MaryAnn & Joe
Wedding Party
Lena Shalaby
Maid of Honor
Lena and MaryAnn met when they were just 6 years old in the first grade. They immediately bonded over their middle eastern heritage and have been best friends ever since. Once when Lena came to visit MaryAnn at UMD, MaryAnn introduced her as "her best friend who will one day be her Maid of Honor". Lena has been patiently waiting to serve in her role as MOH since that day. If you see Lena at the wedding, conversation topics could include: baseball, NASA, her cat, and travelling.
James Croci
Best Man
James and Joe met through Busy Bee preschool and have been best friends ever since! Even though they placed runner-up as "Best Friends" in their high school superlatives, they are still waiting on a recount. James met MaryAnn at Joe's 21st birthday and since then they've bonded over roasting Joe and playing Sporcle games during quarantine. If you see James at the wedding, some conversation topics could include: Disney, Boston sports (he wants to make sure you tell Joe that the Yankees SUCK), Cape Cod, and vizsla dogs.
Rosalind Gallagher
Flower Girl/Junior Bridesmaid
Rosalind - who goes by Roz - is Joe's niece, daughter of bridesmaid Jackie and groomsman Steve, as well as elder sister to ring bearers Dalton and Langdon. Roz holds a special place in Joe's heart as she provided him with a new title and role in life - Uncle - his favorite job thus far! She also completely stole MaryAnn's heart from the moment they met when Roz was only 2 years old. They've had a special bond ever since then. If you see Roz at the wedding some conversation topics could include: her love of all things Disney, Marvel, and Hamilton!
Dalton & Langdon Gallagher
Ring Bearers
Dalton is Joe's eldest nephew and older brother to other ring bearer, and other nephew of Joe's, Langdon. They are both younger brothers to flower girl Rosalind and youngest children to bridesmaid Jackie and groomsman Steve. Like typical brothers, Dalton and Langdon love doing everything together including wrestling with their Uncle Joe. If you see Dalton or Langdon at the wedding, some conversation topics could include: Spiderman and other Marvel superheroes, nerf guns, and all things Disney.
Jackie Gallagher
Bridesmaid
Jackie is Joe's eldest sister and favorite sister. Just kidding! He loves them both :) She is also married to groomsman Steve G. and is the mother to flower girl Rosalind and ring bearers Dalton and Langdon. MaryAnn and Jackie first met at a family gathering where Jackie immediately tested MaryAnn's Disney knowledge. MaryAnn failed miserably, but her heart and patience won Jackie over anyways. Nowadays, Jackie and MaryAnn like to work out together to have their own special bonding time. If you see Jackie at the wedding some conversation topics could include: ANY and ALL things Disney, health & wellness, as well as her beautiful children and family.
Stephen Gallagher
Groomsman
Steve is married to Joe's eldest sister, and bridesmaid, Jackie. He is also the father to flower girl Rosalind and ring bearers Dalton and Langdon. Steve and Joe met in the summer of 2006 when Steve was first introduced to the Moleski family. Joe cuddled right up to his future BIL and they've been close ever since! Joe and Steve particularly bond over Walt Disney World and engineering. If you see Steve at the wedding some conversation topics could include: all things Disney, Philadelphia sports, whiskey, and his wife and kids.
Nicole Moleski
Bridesmaid
Nicole is Joe's second eldest and second favorite sister (again, totally kidding! they are both equally loved and amazing!). Nicole and MaryAnn met at Nicole's college graduation party and since then have bonded over their love of fine wine and feminism. If you see Nicole at the wedding some conversation topics could include: her work at Pratt & Whitney, running & skiing, and drinking wine & champagne.
Cameron Massumi
Groomsman
Cameron is MaryAnn's older brother and favorite (also only) sibling. Similar to MaryAnn and Joe, Cameron also attended the University of Maryland, which is something that brought them all closer. Cameron and Joe like to bond over golf and friendly arguments over which sports teams are better: Baltimore or NY. If you see Cameron at the wedding, some conversation topics could include: working out/physical therapy, his wife, and golf.
Sarah Schmidt
Bridesmaid
Sarah and MaryAnn met sophomore year when they kept running into each other at the same club meetings. During those awful icebreaker activities, they learned they had so much in common that they actually coined the phrase "Did we just become best friends?!" prior to it's pop culture debut in Step Brothers. Sarah was THRILLED when she met Joe and learned he was from Massachusetts - already envisioning the bond they would share over New England sports - but was quickly deflated (get it) when he declared his love for New York teams. They've managed to put their differences aside. If you see Sarah at the wedding, conversation topics could include: music festivals, hot sauce/spicy food, travelling, the Patriots, and her dog Nala.
Timothy Gallant
Groomsman/Officiant
Tim and Joe met in the 4th grade and when realizing they lived in the same neighborhood, they instantly became lifelong friends. Despite the superior athleticism and genius brain's that Joe possessed, he graciously accepted Tim into his inner circle. Since then, they've together rooted for the Yankees (Red Sox SUCK), "rode bikes to school with James", and devised fantasy football strategies that rarely paid off. Tim and MaryAnn first met at Joe's college graduation party and instantly connected upon finding out they are birthday twins - born on the same day! If you see Tim at the wedding, some conversation topics could include: all things sports - especially soccer and the Vikings, cooking, his burgeoning side hustle of selling baseball/football cards, and of course: The Office.
Elizabeth Virga
Bridesmaid
Elizabeth - who goes by Lizzie among friends - has been one of MaryAnn's best friends since junior year of college. They first met through their service fraternity, APO, but quickly bonded over their love of musicals, Gilmore Girls, and a nice cup of coffee or cold beer. Although Lizzie absolutely loves Joe, she can never forgive him for making fun of her slow scooter skills when visiting Hoboken. If you see Lizzie at the wedding, conversation topics include: any and all things politics [kind of kidding - she works on the Hill!], a good IPA or strong black coffee, and why we all need to be wearing sunscreen all day, every day.
Michael Mangiapane
Groomsman
Mike met Joe their sophomore year of college hours before pledging their fraternity. They became great friends & even lived together for 3 straight years. They have shared countless memories at Bentley's, Mad River (RIP), catching a ball game, or just hanging out. Fun fact about Mike: he was one of the 1st people to witness what would become the best couple, probably of all time, Joe & MaryAnn. Joe brought MaryAnn as his date to a weekend trip in the mountains. Mike didn't know her yet, but he affectionally called her "Red Bull Girl" because of all the Red Bull she brought. They hit it off instantly and the rest is history! If you see Mike at the wedding, some conversation topics could include: sports (Terps, Yankees, Bears), food/restaurants, places to travel, and stock/investing tips.
Abby Dickes
Bridesmaid
Abby and MaryAnn met freshman year of college where they lived across the hall from each other. Once realizing they were both from Baltimore, they pieced together that Abby was childhood camp friends with Lena (yes, the MOH!). The friendship was sealed over an epic night of beer pong, and the rest is history. Abby’s nickname for MaryAnn and Joe is ‘MoJo JoJo’ and Joe absolutely hates it. If you see Abby at the wedding, some conversation topics include: her love of space, Italian food, and why MaryAnn is the best.
Michael Giovine
Groomsman
Michael is one of Joe's cousins - his mom and Joe's dad are siblings. They have always been close as Michael has always looked up to Joe, but they became even closer when Joe lived with Michael and his family during his first year in New Jersey. They both love playing golf. watching sports, and playing drunk Mario Cart together. Michael and MaryAnn are also close and have a little brother/big sister relationship. Michael is always trying to find ways to mess with MaryAnn and he sadly often succeeds. If you see Michael at the wedding, some conversation topics include: the New York Giants, motorcycles, and Marvel.
Nicole Certner
Bridesmaid
Nicole - who goes by Nikki among friends - met MaryAnn through the fundraising organization, Terp Thon, during their sophomore year of college. They continued working together as moralers - people who keep the crowd excited and energized - until they graduated. The experience bonded them forever! While Nikki and MaryAnn were always close, they didn't become best friends until after graduation when they lived together as roommates in DC. Although all three are Terps, Nikki really got to know Joe while living with MaryAnn. Once when asked to rank MaryAnn's friends from nicest to meanest, Joe ranked Nikki as #1 stating "she wouldn't hurt a fly". If you see Nikki at the wedding, some conversation topics could include: her love of Friends, legos, and her inability to properly digest cheese [or really anything].
Daniel Liska
Groomsman
Daniel - who goes by Danny or Dan- is one of Joe's cousins. Their mom's are sisters so they grew up celebrating holidays and going on vacations together. Being one year apart, Joe and Danny have always been close. Once Joe moved to New Jersey, they grew even closer and enjoy going golfing, watching sports, and exploring Hoboken. Danny and MaryAnn first met at his sister's high school graduation party. Being the same age and having similar interests, they hit it off right away. Danny is always hanging out in Hoboken with Joe & MaryAnn and was so happy when they got engaged knowing that Joe found a great partner to spend his life with! If you see Danny at the wedding, some conversation topics could include: cars, sports, and swapping stories about how you know/met the bride and groom!
Eileen Painter
Bridesmaid
Eileen and MaryAnn not only share a bond over their love of good wine, but are fortunate enough to share the bond of being cousins. Eileen considers MaryAnn the sister she was destined to have and is thankful everyday for her. While they may not have always been close, they grew their (best) friendship over years of beach trips, pool days, playing “suddenly 70’s”, and one unforgettable night on Halloween at UMD. Eileen knew Joe was the one for MaryAnn immediately (despite him being a sore loser when then the Yankees lost to the Astros) and sobbed when they were FINALLY engaged. If you catch Eileen at the bar or on the dance floor, good conversation topics include: how much you can squat, ALL things wine & cheese, and why we DO NOT drink Burnett’s anymore.
Frank Moleski
Groomsman
Frank is another one of Joe's cousins - their dad's are brothers. Frank and Joe have always gotten along, but since Joe moved to New Jersey they have particularly bonded over tasting and reviewing pizza places throughout northern New Jersey. Some favorite places include Ralph's and Star Tavern. Frank has approved of MaryAnn from Day 1 as she is also a pizza lover and enjoys tagging along on these outings when she can. If you see Frank at the wedding some conversation topics could include: pizza, asking him to explain why Sabretts are the best hotdogs, and diesel trucks.