Important People
Ian Van Cleave
Officiant
Ian is thrilled to stand with Frankie and Meredith as they officially tie the knot. An amazing friend of the couple for several years, he has witnessed their love and commitment up close and is honored to help them begin this next chapter of their lives. Known for his thoughtfulness and dependability, Ian approaches life with kindness and consideration, opening doors for others, offering small acts of care like giving water to USPS and UPS carriers on their routes and always striving to be a better friend. His warmth, generosity, and fun spirit make him a great friend and a truly meaningful presence in the lives of those around him. Ian, and his beautiful wife Karen, hold a special place in M+F hearts! They couldn’t imagine anyone else marrying them!
Kellie Beeler
Matron of Honor
Kellie is Merediths incredible best friend, and their bond spans years. They first met in high school at Pentucket Regional High School in 2003, two unique souls.... Many summers spent by the pool or cruising in Kellies jeep! Life drifted them apart for a while, but they reconnected in 2019 when Meredith moved back to Massachusetts—over coffee at Plum Island Coffee Roasters and a walk along the bike path, their friendship felt effortless, as if no time had passed. Kellie has seen Meredith at her best, her worst, and everything in between. She tolerates Merediths wild, weird hobbies and interests, and Meredith fully supports Kellies dreams and aspirations. Kellie is endlessly inspiring: an amazing second-grade teacher, a loving mother and wife, a passionate gardener, and even a beekeeper! Meredith trusts Kellie fiercely and is truly grateful for Kellie (and her family- Pete and Ellie Jo!) presence in her life!
Kelly Trumbull
Mother of the Bride
Kelly, originally from Canandaigua, NY, now enjoys her best retired life in sunny Florida. She’s the life of every party...you’ll probably find her lighting up the dance floor! She has always been Merediths number one fan, cheering her on in every wild, weirdly wonderful choice she's made—whether at the pool while swimming competitively, or just in life. Kelly celebrates individuality and never silenced Merediths uniqueness; in fact, she’s often the first to ask about her latest tattoo or piercing. A natural interior designer, she’s always was and is transforming spaces. Meredith fondly remembers the childhood magic Kelly created—like painting one of Meredith walls with a mural of “Princess Meredith,” a castle, tree, and prince... and inventing bedtime stories about her weekly adventures. Kelly is full of positivity and warmth, and has a magical way of making everyone feel like the only person in the room. She is a devoted mom, a cherished friend and the heart of any gathering.
Tom Trumbull
Father of the Bride
Tom, also from Canandaigua, NY, now enjoys his retirement in Newburyport, MA. He’s the source of Meredith’s competitive, athletic drive, teaching the value of hard work through building his own HVAC company and running marathons. When Meredith was born, he lovingly nicknamed her “Pumpkin Pie,” since she was adopted on November 22nd. Tom and Meredith share countless traditions—from cheering on the Celtics together and Father’s Day Yankees vs. Red Sox games, to savoring oysters along the shore or taking walks along the waterfront.
Laurie Gwynne
Mother of the Groom
Laurie comes from a large Italian family and has always valued family, tradition, and the moments that bring people together. She and David had Frankie in California, lived in Canada for a time, then moved to Beverly, Massachusetts, to raise their family, and have now retired to Canada. Known for her love of cooking and baking, Laurie ensures every gathering includes something homemade and from the heart- whether it’s her signature bread, a favorite cake or cookies that everyone looks forward to. She has a knack for creating small but meaningful traditions that make family events memorable. Laurie treasures time spent with loved ones and the familiar comfort of sharing food, laughter, games & stories... One memory that always makes Laurie smile is from when Frankie was just four years old. While checking out at the grocery store, Frankie hid candy bars under his two-week-old sister Elizabeth in the car seat and gleefully thanked her for “getting him candy.” The march back into the store to return the candy has become a cherished family story... a small, funny moment that reflects the humor and spirit of their family!
David Gwynne
Father of the Groom
David spent many years in Beverly, Massachusetts, where he and Laurie raised their family before retiring and returning back to Canada. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, he enjoys spending time boating and relaxing by the water. One of David’s favorite memories of Frankie comes from when he was in kindergarten working on a Father’s Day project. The assignment was to complete the sentence, “My dad is funniest when…” Frankie wrote about the time he saw David chasing Laurie around the house with a baguette (ask to see the photo ;-)) or as he called it, “long bread.” The story led to plenty of laughter at home and even a follow-up conversation at school, a moment that still makes David smile years later. One of David’s greatest passions is the family cottage on Bobs Lake, a place that began as his parents’ dream and has since become a lasting family tradition. He takes pride in seeing it continue to bring generations together, creating new memories year after year.
Elizabeth Gwynne
Sister of the Groom
Lizzie grew up in Beverly, Massachusetts, and now lives in Canada, raising her son, Laken. As a sister, she is thoughtful, dependable, and always ready to show up for the people she loves. She often serves as the family’s “representative,” keeping everyone connected and in the loop, whether it’s updates from Massachusetts or news from Canada. Her warmth makes her the glue that holds the family together across the miles. One of Lizzie's favorite memories with Frankie is the day he invited her to drive up to Maine to pick up Archie when he adopted him. She felt honored to be there for the very first meeting between Frankie and his new puppy... a small but meaningful moment that she will always remember. Beyond her role as a sister, Lizzy is a devoted and proud mom. Becoming a mother on her own terms has been her greatest joy and most rewarding adventure, and she cherishes every moment of watching Laken grow & thrive.
Jennifer Gwynne
Sister of the Groom
The youngest of the Gwynne family, Jenni grew up by the ocean in Beverly, where weekends were spent boating with family and neighbors and creating countless unique memories. Though six years younger, she always looked up to her big brother, Frankie — often following in his footsteps, whether that meant borrowing his LEGOs and video games, heading off to university in Canada, or even getting her tongue pierced. A lifelong animal lover, Jenni has a special place in her heart for cats. Her childhood leopard-print bedroom has since evolved into life with her Bengal cat, Sloan — who, along with her boyfriend Dan and his cat Oliver, recently made the move from Canada to Tacoma, Washington. Now happily back by the ocean, Jenni enjoys outdoor adventures, concerts and music festivals, and escaping cold winters for trips with friends. She’s also passionate about cooking, crafting the perfect cocktail, and settling in with a great true-crime documentary. Jenni always brings the energy and good vibes to any & all Gwynne events!
Tim Sayers
Groomsman
Tim met Frankie at a Halloween party where Frankie was fully committed to a Geico caveman costume! That party set the tone for what would become a lasting friendship with a lot of humor, extreme loyalty, and showing up when it matters most. Tim says Frankie is the kind of friend who leaves an impression: effortlessly funny, all in, and genuinely himself. But beyond the laughs, Frankie has been dependable in life’s most meaningful moments, a sentiment Frankie feels equally toward Tim. One memory that stands out to Tim is the time Frankie spent with him the night before his wedding, a very meaningful gesture that reflects the kind of friend Frankie is and the bond they share. Over the years, Meredith has also grown close with Tim, and that shared friendship has meant so much to both of them. From football games to fun rips in the boat, Tim and his family have become an important part of their lives, and they are incredibly grateful to have them by their side as they begin this next chapter.
Noah Goldstein
Groomsman
Noah met Frankie through his cousin Brad when they were freshmen in high school.... an introduction that quickly turned into a lifelong friendship. From those early days to today, Noah has remained one of Frankie’s most constant and closest friends. One of their favorite traditions became an annual trip to West Palm Beach to see the Dave Matthews Band each July. The heat was relentless — 100 degrees with humidity thick enough to feel like breathing through a wet towel — and they’d be drenched before the opener even took the stage. But the trips were never just about the concerts. They were about the anticipation, the travel, and the stories they still laugh about years later. Those summer weekends were simple and fun... it helped shape an amazing friendship built on memories, loyalty and a lot of laughs. Noah and Meredith also share a bond over music that isn’t always everyone else’s first pick or some wellness trend that not everyone understands. Some of Frankie and Merediths favorite memories with Noah were created together on Plum Island- long beach days & time with great friends.
Peter Kersker
Groomsman
Peter first met Frankie in 2007 when they were living together on Story Ave in Essex during Peter’s medical leave from college... alongside Matt and Ryan in what can only be described as their “adult frat house.” From day one, their friendship was natural and just the right amount of wild & wacky. Over the last 20 years, their friendship has been all about adventure, loyalty, and a shared ability to roll with whatever life throws their way. They’ve explored countless cities, chased concerts across state lines, and created stories that somehow only get better with time. One of Pete’s favorite memories with Frank is their trip to Seattle, when they discovered they’d been scammed and had no RV to get to The Gorge. Instead of panicking, they did what they always do-rolled with it, and they of course ended up with the best campsite on the entire lot. We feel so lucky for the genuine, mutual friendship the four of us share. Peter and his incredible wife, Grace, mean so much to us, and we’re all looking forward to the next couples retreat and whatever adventure comes next!
Matt Kersker
Groomsman
Matt & Frank highlights: Their story began on Story St, where the friendship really took root. Then came the move to Grapevine, complete with a pellet stove and, in true Frank fashion, an actual ton of pellets delivered, taking up half the driveway. Frank has always believed in planning ahead- preferably in bulk. There was the birth of what may be the most epic trivia production in New England. Frank was prepared every week, fully aware that Matt’s “we’ll figure it out when we get there” approach would somehow carry them through. Somehow, it always did! Frank may be late to the party, but once he commits, he’s all in. When he finally embraced DMB, he didn’t just attend a show, he took the bull by its horns & every show was better because they were there together. Bikini-Speedo Dodgeball & every Halloween celebration. Enough said. If there’s 1 season that stands out, it was when Matt moved into Frank’s new home to keep him from being a lonely homeowner. What began as a roommate situation- turned into Frank stepping into the role of 90 day at-home nurse after an unfortunate Greek incident that nearly took Matt out for good. What could have felt like a long time instead flew by. From their “last hurrah” New Orleans Super Bowl trip to PI, where Frankie allowed a full-scale DJ production from the balcony, they always find a way to elevate the moment! If there’s one thing we know for sure, the best memories are not behind them- it’s whatever adventure they decide to produce next.