Meghan & Riad
Wedding Party
Sharrie Volcin
Maid of Honor
Sharrie and Meghan became fast friends while they both worked at the Writing Center of William Paterson University. Since then, Sharrie and Meghan have seen many sides to one another, whether it was traveling around Europe, sleep deprived and with five flights to catch, or binge watching housewives and eating only bagels. Sharrie can be counted on for everything. It also helps that she practically set the bride and groom up.
Chris McKim
Best Man
One humid summer day in '03, Riad met Chris smoking a cigarette outside a punk rock garage show in Wycoff, NJ. Since then, their friendship has stretched across borders: working as manual laborers, feasting on Tibetan dumplings in cell phone kiosks, searching for lost keys at dawn in Krakow, dreaming of all the backwoods Soviet roads their future would lead them down.
Samantha Ghirardi
Matron of Honor
Every since 2003, Samantha and Meghan were inseparable. At Hawthorne Christian Academy their freshman year, they made themselves outcasts and ate lunch on the steps outside by themselves. Sam and Meghan endured many unwanted volleyball practices, dying each other's hair, coming up with a complete, albeit simple, language to communicate with each other, and they have remained constant throughout.
Tyler Peckio
Groomsman
Tyler and Riad share passions for Hegel and Barnyard Ciders. They met their sophomore year at William Paterson University, where they established the institution of the Big Jim's business lunch. They sweated together stocking shelves at Super Cellars on New Year's Eve, watched the Germany Brazil World Cup game in a London pub, and figured out the Viennese tramcar network. In Riad's mind, you can find them as two old men spending their days walking around the park.
Dorie Vovsi
Bridesmaid
Dorie is more like a sister to Meghan. From BlackBerry Messaging one another all the time to both moving to opposite sides of the world, they've almost become closer. They've been to countless numbers of Anthony Green shows, driven to the city just for a slice of Artichoke Pizza, spent hours in the bay of Long Beach Island, and that's just the first eight years! Dorie is the life of the party but is also an amazing listener and friend to everyone she loves.
Mike McCabe
Groomsman
Mike and Riad forged their friendship on the barricades. The first time Riad saw Mike, he had a pony tail and a silly fedora; some Italian dude who worked on cars. Through all the night long debates, going hoarse over tactics and strategy, the absurdity of capitalism, scotch, they developed their bond. Now, a pair of demobilized academics, they spend hours on the phone remember the good old days. Perhaps the best is yet to come.
Christina Costello
Bridesmaid
Christina and Meghan met at church when they were about 13 years old. Christina had a Linkin Park poster hanging next to her bunk at sleep away camp, and Meghan was so drawn to her (and the poster, let's be honest.) As they grew, so did their taste in music. As young teenagers, they would go to every local show and have endless sleepovers and dance parties. Christina's awe and lust for life is a true gift and one of the many admirable things about her.
Christian Pressner
Groomsman
Christian and Riad have known each other since middle school, when Riad bled on Christian’s jacket in Van Ness Square. Christian didn’t know that Riad’s nose was so sensitive; Riad didn’t know Christian was trying to be such a tough guy. They spent most of high school sneaking out for cigarette breaks, thinking about ancient philosophy, watching Donnie Darko, looking at books in the “Neo-Spiritualist” section of Barnes and Noble. “They’ve been through it all” is an understatement.
Gillian Arndt
Bridesmaid
Gillian and Meghan met at Riad's house many years ago. Meghan was instantly drawn to Gillian. She makes people feel warm and comforted from the moment they meet her. Gillian has a profound understanding; a unique and special way of seeing the world. Gillian has always been an amazing friend to both Riad and Meghan. From staying up countless hours drinking rosehip tea to giving the clothes off her back for warmth, Gillian will always occupy a huge place in Meghan and Riad's heart.
Anthony Tokarz
Groomsman
Anthony is the brains of the family. Riad still remembers changing his diaper, rolling around in the grass, or sledding down the hill outside Riad’s house. As they grew older they spent time watching the drama unfold at family gatherings, keeping notes in Latin, arguing about politics. When the time comes, Riad looks forward to winters stuck in a cottage in the Biesczady mountains.
Natalie McKenna
Bridesmaid
Natalie and Meghan met back in 2012, when the happy couple first started dating. Being Riad's sister, Meghan was nervous to make a good impression and to fit in. Thankfully, with Natalie it was easy. She welcomed Meghan into the family, long before the engagement was announced. Natalie has such a fun and quick witted charm, it's hard to not instantly get along with her. Her strength as a mother and wife is something Meghan can aspire to be.
Ryan McKenna
Groomsman
Ryan and Riad first met in 2010 when Natalie brought home an Irish construction worker from Queens. Since then, he’s taken many roles in Riad’s life. They worked together on construction projects throughout North Jersey, bonding over early morning Dunkin Donuts breakfast croissants and afternoon strolls at Home Depot. His unwavering dedication to his family is an inspiration.