Wedding Party
Monise Brabham
Mother of the Bride
Honorary Matron of Honor
Cee Brabham
Father of the Bride
Beth Nolan
Mother of the Groom
Pat Nolan
Father of the Groom
Meredith Parker
Maid of Honor
It is hard to put into words where our love story began or really took hold. All I know is that Mia and I chose one another and will continue to choose each other for the rest of our lives — the Lord truly made us for one another. Our friendship has been built, tested, and deepened throughout many seasons of life. With each new chapter it is hard for me to believe that our connection can morph into what each of us need or desire, but I am in awe of how we are able to communicate and create the same safe space we have always been for one another. Mia has a vibrancy and depth to her like no one else on this earth. On days where the sun is shining, she is the one I want standing by me and on the days where I can’t find the sun, she is always the light that I need. It is the biggest gift to get to love her and be loved by her!
Simone Thomas
Bridesmaid
Mia and I met in LA in the NBC Page Program and instantly connected the first time we met. I was finishing my first rotation at Universal Studios, and luckily, she was also assigned to the theme park for her first rotation, which meant we trained together. She was bubbly, friendly, hilarious, and super sweet! She was my rock throughout that crazy year-long experience as Pages. We laughed together, cried together, and supported one another every step of the way. Having each other during our first years in LA meant so much because it was hard! She always provided her special words of wisdom. From road trips throughout SoCal to eating our way through LA to our cozy sleepovers, I've enjoyed every bit of the memories and laughs we've shared. We've grown even closer and still support each other six years later and thousands of miles apart. Mia is my bestie, my confidante, my favorite Libra, and my inspiration. I'm extremely happy for Mia and Dan and honored to be by their side during their wedding day, it's going to be ICONIC!
Shelby Matyus
Bridesmaid
Mia and I met at the JMU in LA program and remained close ever since. Our friendship really blossomed when we moved into 507 U St. together in Washington, DC, where we also worked at the same company and in the same department! It didn’t take long before Dan, who also worked in our department, rounded out our lil group of The Three Mouskateers :-) We bonded over tacos, a love for DC, and our 1/7 rule :D Love my best friends!
MaRae Fleming
Bridesmaid
Hi, there! My name is MaRae! Mia and I have been friends since the 4th grade! We’ve literally been inseparable ever since! Think of Oprah and Gayle when you think of us, because we’re a fabulous dynamic duo! Mia and I have experienced many seasons of life together. Our friendship and sisterhood is one of the greatest gifts that I’ve ever been given. We are kindred spirits, which makes our friendship so special. Mia is my person! I’m so grateful that we get to do life together! I’m thrilled for this next chapter of life for her and Dan!
Michael Galfetti
Bridesman
The funny thing is, there is definitely already an official story on how Mia and I met out there on Rihanna’s Internet, but the important thing is that we’ve continued to meet in cities and stages of life miles away and yet connected to Virginia Beach and Kellam High. Thanks for talking to the new kid even though you were definitely a cool kid (even if you didn’t know it yet). Turns out, the cool thing is some conversations can last a really long time. I can’t wait to stand next to my favorite late night texter, editor, co-writer, and friend when they say “I do,” that is the crazy thing, plus the fact that we’re both totally cool now (and definitely don’t take Lactaids at the bar).
Javay Frye-Nekrasova
Bridesmaid
If frenemies to lovers was a best friendship it would most definitely be Mia & Javay. Through most of undergrad there was an unspoken (and unknown to Mia) rivalry. But the summer of 2015 Mia & Javay did the JMU in LA program and Javay realized that Mia was incredible and a beautiful friendship started. After graduating JMU both Mia and Javay moved to LA and the greatest that would be them two as a powerful boss lady duo blossomed. Mia & Javay have grown so close and always there for each other cheering each other on to sparkle in their Black girl magic, encouraging each other to chase their dreams, and being there to get it when life throws some real curve balls.
Danielle Greenly
Bridesmaid
I have known Mia since we were 8 years old playing the most uncoordinated basketball of our lives 😅 We have been through every season of each other's lives with our friendship growing stronger and more open every year. Mia is someone I always feel I can share anything with knowing her honest opinion is what I will get, positive or not, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I have been excited for her future with Dan since the day we met him and cannot wait to continue watching their beautiful and fiercely strong relationship continue to grow.
Rachel Schultz
Bridesmaid
Mia and me? Where do I begin? The paths that kept on crossing until one day, the path lead to the same thing- our friendship! That’s our love story and I’m so happy that I have gotten to witness Dan and Mia’s love story ever since! From middle school to real life adulting, I’m so happy to be one of Mia’s biggest fans and honored to be considered a friend! Mia and Dan have solidified themselves as family and are forever known as Aunt Mia and Uncle Dan to my son.
Maddy Mills
Bridesmaid
Mia & I first met at JMU during a UPB event and Mia drove me home after the event. I thought Mia was so kind for driving me home after just meeting me! We had some mutual friends so we crossed paths often. We really became close while she was publishing her first book, Note to Self. We realized how much we have in common and talked/called each other daily and became great friends!
Jessica Nolan
Bridesmaid
Although not the first time I met Mia, I will never forget going to the Tove Lo concert with her and Danny and having the best night ever. I was over the moon Danny found someone who could match his energy and who also was down to fangirl with me while I was DYING watching LOML (Tove Lo) on stage. <3 <3
AUBREY WILKERSON
Best Man
Danny and I were in essence set up on a blind date by our mothers sometime in middle school. After a night of driveway basketball, Super Monkey Ball, and a Costco size box of Welch’s fruit snacks, the bromance was solidified. We bonded over our love of everything sports, most importantly Duke basketball, and spent many a summer golfing, playing pool basketball, and running up the food tabs at Winchester Country Club. Once high school arrived we found ourselves living 4 doors down the street from each other and became inseparable. We spent nearly every day together from rides to school blasting music, classes together, golf practice, and hours of Tiger Woods video games. While he went to Duke and I went to Elon, and both moved to different cities over the years, we have remained best friends and continued to paint the ceiling to this day. Danny is without a doubt the brother I always wanted! My man you couldn’t have gotten luckier than to spend your life with Mia. lt’s and honor to be your best man and can’t wait to watch the two of your build an amazing life together! Love you both!
MAX HOROWITZ
Groomsman
Dan and Max first met during pledging as freshmen at Duke, but their friendship took off when the two lived at Blue House during their first college summer. After constructing the notorious Pizzomellete, a lifelong bond was formed, and the two became roommates by junior year. Their shared love of sports, food, music, video games, and pure silliness bolstered their brotherhood. By day, they enjoyed basketball and Super Smash marathons and even started their own cooking show together. By night, the two slept soundly in side-by-side beds. After completing college as senior housemates, reunions continued all over the country, including DC (where he met the lovely Mia), Cleveland, Nashville, Charleston, and finally, NYC, which both now call home. Max could not be more thrilled for Dan and Mia and is ecstatic and honored to stand at Dan’s side on his big day.
JAY VITHA
Groomsman
Jay and Danny have been best friends since they met as freshmen at Duke. They bonded quickly over loving Duke and being very involved on campus. By senior year, they lived together in a pretty disgusting house (with Ryan, Max, Danny, and Shane) and had the best college experience they could have imagined. Jay and Danny can both talk forever about basically anything, so they do! To this day, there’s no game, global event, or life change they don’t discuss together. Seeing Dan (switching to Dan halfway through this description, like he did halfway through their friendship) and Mia’s relationship grow has been one of the most exciting parts of the friendship for Jay. Mia is amazing, and Jay can’t wait to be there for Dan and Mia on their wedding day.
DAN SCHNIEDER
Groomsman
It's been said that true love is the soul's recognition of its counterpoint in another. I'd argue that moment came in September 2010, when Dan met me. The first impression was questionable, when a 12-year old looking boy found himself guarding a somehow skinnier version of Mike Dunleavy, in flip flops and an oversized Ravens t-shirt, inexplicably draining 3s in my face. Once my ego recovered, however, off we went. Two tours of roomie'ing, Foosball foolery, riff-offs, Patagonian peaks, Cancun lil pizzas, 100 cups, birds poo-pooing in Uruguayan staircases, toothpaste theft, and a million conversations where I didn't understand a word because your retainer was in -- we've been through it all! And then, it just took meeting Mia once to understand what TRUE love actually meant :). Mia, with her contagious smile and thoughtfulness, her acceptance of my mistakes in putting Alicia on the same level as Whitney, and her incredible wisdom on how dryers work, you’re simply the best. I can’t wait to celebrate with y’all soon and witness the ride to come. Love you both.
RYAN BARDACH
Groomsman
When Ryan first saw his scrawny, slightly nerdy Randolph dormmate at a freshman lunch outing to Duke's beloved Marketplace dining hall, he knew one thing: this would be a perfect person to talk trash to about NFL football. While Dan's easy-going, bubbly personality meant trash-talking would never materialize, sports would become a foundation for their friendship, from the Bengals-Ravens rivalry to playing basketball in every gym on campus to a short-lived Duke Student Broadcasting podcast (sadly a few years ahead of its time). However, these two men, often mistaken for brothers, would have a connection deeper than that. They quickly realized one another's preternatural ability to remember rap lyrics, similar humor styles (both silly and sarcastic), and affinity for every kind of adventure, regardless of how trivial or grand it may be. These two best friends have climbed the mountains of Patagonia, responsibly sampled the local beverages of Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras, navigated the tunnels of the Chuck E. Cheese playplace, laughed to tears while watching a pastor turn into a velociraptor, and purchased matching RompHims to sport around DC. There is nothing that Ryan and Dan can't make into an incredible escapade together, an ability surpassed only by Dan and Mia. While Ryan will have to settle for second place on that list, he can't wait to see how Dan and Mia continue to make every experience, trivial or grand, into an adventure once they officially tie the knot!
SHANE STONE
Groomsman
Dan and Shane met in the springtime of youth as freshmen in college. Though early bonds were formed while Shane sat in the backseat of Bingo dumbfounded by the way this human from Winchester, Virginia in his blue Duke hat could rattle off the lyrics to Busta Rhymes verse in "Look At Me Now" (Shane was only capable of C Breezy and Lil Wayne's verses), their true friendship started in DUU. It was there that they would sit around a giant board table pretending to be important while in reality, Dan was just filming Shane's recreation of a Nickelodeon TV Show. It was in seeing each other's creative sides that they really bonded. Throughout their years in college and beyond they remained close and something Shane has always appreciated was how Dan was willing to push him outside of his comfort zone. It started with freestyling (+/- I am T-Pain App) but evolved over the years in more meaningful ways. No matter the distance they remained close, and when Shane finally met Mia (after hearing about her over texts for quite some time) he was impressed. Dan, Shane, and their college friends loved (still love?) ice-ing people. When they first met Mia, they iced her. Though she wasn't good at, she tried her best because it was for Dan. Since then, Shane has watched as they've each made more meaningful sacrifices for each other and organized Chicken Chases together (for Shane's 30th) and is so excited to watch their relationship grow (especially since Shane's moving back to the east coast!).
SEAN DICKEY
Groomsman
Dan and I were in the same year of college, so we were somewhat familiar with each other. After moving to the DMV around the same time, we would run into each other at different functions and become casual friends. Then, one day I hosted a party for my birthday in 2015. I invited him but didn't expect him to come to a party in Arlington. Not only did he show up, but he was very adamant about us hanging out later that night and beyond. From then on, he's been a close friend as he is one of the most inclusive and empathetic people I know!
KAMEEK BRABHAM
Groomsman
When I heard Mia had a boyfriend, I couldn't believe it and knew I had to do everything I could to get rid of him. But, unbeknownst to me, Dan was a perfect gentleman and loved my sister, so he won the entire family's hearts over in no time. Plus, it didn't hurt that he also liked Star Wars. Dan and Mia, I love you both very much and wish you all the luck in the world!
NAQUIS BRABHAM
Groomsman
Mia…my favorite sister! I never knew what type of man you would marry. Little did I know you weren't marrying "a" man… but "THE" man. Dan has been low-key (high-key) the coolest dude in the room since the day we met. Confidence on 100, yet is somehow still humble, and will outdo you in anything with a friendly smile on his face. Mia, you are no different, thriving in everything you touch! You both are perfect for each other. Excited to have another brother and a somehow even HAPPIER sister. Cheeeeers!
AARIS BRABHAM
Groomsman
Meeting Dan for the first time went a lot differently than I expected. Mia didn’t have many boyfriends before Dan, and I could never see myself hanging out with the ones she did. I expected the same with Dan…l was wrong! The first time we met, we talked about sports for over an hour. I was genuinely impressed with how cool he was and how well he treated Mia. Now, many years later, I only think higher of Dan and know he is the perfect person for Mia.
Alexandria Patterson
Wedding Planner