Meghan & Zein
Wedding Party
Virginia Newton
Maid of Honor
Virginia is Meghan's best friend since they were three and met in a construction site on a dirt pile. Believe it or not, they still like each other 30 years later! They have been through every life phase together whether it be in person, over the phone, or now over Zoom. This is why it will surprise literally no one that Virginia was chosen to lead the wedding crew by being Meghan's maid of honor!
Ziyad Nour
Best Man
Ziyad is Zein’s younger, significantly taller brother. Whether it was bickering as children, coordinating pranks on their parents as youths, playing sports as adolescents, or talking through all of life’s changes as adults – there is no one that knows Zein better, and there is no one else that he would want by his side on this day than his big little brother.
Lucia Cortez
Bridesmaid
Lucia and Meghan became fast friends at the University of San Diego where they were placed in the same Freshman seminar class, math class, and the same dorm! It wasn't long before they bonded over their shared love of Christina Aguilera. In the last 15 years - not much has changed, they still love Xtina and hate math.
Alex Trombetta
Groomsman
Alex and Zein met in high school where they became fast friends. In their time as friends they have formed a vaguely competent doubles tennis team, youth football (soccer) coaching duo, biology baking tandem, and podcast connoisseurs. Their friendship was solidified exploring the green caves and blue caves of Hvar, Croatia - so much so that even Arsenal’s demolition of Napoli in 2019 couldn’t separate them!
Jena Altstatt
Bridesmaid
Jena and Meghan were assigned roommates during their time in AmeriCorps NCCC in Denver, Colorado. What was first forced, soon became chosen as Meghan and Jena were roommates for many year in Nashville years later navigating new careers and a new city!
Saidi Mwanundu
Groomsman
Saidi is Zein’s oldest friend, having first met him in 7th grade. Since then they’ve spent countless hours together, many of them on basketball courts and soccer pitches. Having gone through so many life stages together, it seemed only natural that Saidi would be intimately involved in Zein and Meghan’s big day. As one of the most gregarious people around, it’s likely that you and Saidi will be friends by the end of the wedding!
Molly Wharton
Bridesmaid
Molly and Meghan became close while they were getting their Master's at Vanderbilt University. Meghan and Molly spent countless hours avoiding presentations and papers at the local dog park with their dogs, Shep and Booker (who consequently became best friends). Also Meghan introduced Molly to her now husband, Hank Wharton, Meghan's cousin. So now Molly is also Meghan's cousin!
Bilawal Mahmood
Groomsman
In their first year at the University of San Diego, Zein and Bilawal were placed as neighbors in the dorms. As it turns out, this wasn’t close enough for them, as they spent the next 3 years living, working, playing basketball and “studying” together as roommates. Even though they don't live together any more, Bilawal’s loyalty, frank brand of honesty, and fun loving spirit mean that it's been easy remain friends in the years since.
Laura Kim
Bridesmaid
Laura and Meghan taught high school English together in Nashville, Tennessee. They spent many an hour laughing over funny student stories, writing curriculum, and commiserating over the American education system. Meghan and Laura remained good friends, despite working at different schools, by going on many Nashville adventures together.
Farik Kassymov
Groomsman
Farik and Zein met as undergraduate students at the University of San Diego where their time on the Orientation teams, and a love of Thursday nights at Sandbar made them great friends. Since then they have met up several times all over the world, and are now reunited living in Charlotte! Despite moving here after Meghan and Zein, he already knows far more about the city, so hit him up for recommendations and hot tips!