Michelle & Carson
Wedding Party
Laura Mayhall
Matron of Honor
Laura is the bride’s 5’4” older sister who enjoys margaritas and foreign travel. She knew Michelle since she was born and soon asked when Michelle was going back, after realizing she missed being an only child. Laura has since enjoyed sharing in many experiences with Michelle, from family trips to being in marching band to going to Auburn University to traveling to London together to living together in Michigan for a summer! She now loves Michelle and having a sister a whole lot. Laura lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, Joey, and two dogs, Fig and Newton. She loves traveling, reading, yoga, and kayaking, and she works as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the hospital setting.
Sabrina Bates
Maid of Honor
Sabrina is Michelle’s Maid of Honor. Sabrina and Michelle initially met in a middle school soccer league (where Sabrina claims Michelle was mean, though Michelle has NO memories of this), but became close friends during their time at Auburn University. After graduating, Michelle moved in with Sabrina. Together they cooked, quarantined, gardened, rescued dogs, watched anime, hiked, and did the occasional home repairs. Sabrina now lives in Charlotte, NC with her fiancé, Jean-Luc. This is too far away for Michelle's liking.
Katie Discher
Bridesmaid
Katie met Michelle when he started dating Katie’s brother. She knew it was pretty serious when Carson brought Michelle to New Orleans for Katie and Casey’s wedding in January of 2022! It’s always a good time with Michelle and I am glad my little bro found his better half 💜 Katie lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, dog, and cat. When Katie grows up she wants to be as cool and artistic as Michelle.
Emma Lombardo
Bridesmaid
Despite Michelle and Emma’s cross country migrations in opposite directions, they met through Emma’s brother Carson (aka the groom). Emma is so excited to have another sister and to see her peer middle sibling so happy with someone as creative, steadfast and determined as Michelle. Emma and Michelle both are passionate about their careers in old school print industries (newspapers for Emma, books for Michelle.) Before (and after) bringing in the next generation of the Discher-Lombardo clan with the birth of her daughter, you could likely find Emma at her family gatherings at the basement bar.
Ashley Holstrom
Bridesmaid
Ashley was initially Michelle’s work friend and has evolved into Michelle's "comes-over-once-a-week-to-watch-the-Bachelor/Bachelorette" friend! She has two cats and her books are sorted by spine color in rainbow order.
Cassie Gutman
Bridesmaid
Cassie Gutman met Michelle while working at Sourcebooks, where the two bonded over their love of silly dogs and weird books. She now lives in Lexington, KY, and secretly considers Mara her godchild.
Caroline Whiting
Bridesmaid
Bio coming soon!
Alaina Garsed
Bridesmaid
Alaina and Michelle met through the music fraternity SAI while at Auburn University, where they lived together and consumed margaritas together for several years. Alaina now lives in Chattanooga with her dog son Teddy while working as an engineer. She misses her favorite roommate, Mara.
Wendy von der Linden
Officiant
Wendy von der Linden is Carson's cousin, and they grew up together bonding over running, board games, and fantasy novels. When Carson started dating Michelle, Wendy loved her immediately. They have connected through their love of baking, reading, and music. Wendy looks forward to continuing to make lifelong memories with Carson, Michelle, and Mara in the years to come!
Mara Mayhall
Flower Girl
Mara met Michelle as a recently captured stray with lots of love to give! Mara has since given lots of love, while Michelle has given not enough treats. There are never enough treats.
Molly Mazur
Flower Girl Attendant
Molly is the cousin of Carson. Molly and her sisters grew up with Carson and his siblings from the moment they were born to adulthood. Our childhood together consisted of frequent fantasy make-believe games, outdoor adventures, and fort building. Now adults with money and freedom, Molly, Carson and their siblings do the same activities on a larger scale. From a summer backpacking trip in Seattle, to full day Dungeon and Dragon sessions, and 30+ years of traditions and celebrations, Carson and Molly are not only cousins, but best friends. It was only inevitable when Molly met Michelle for the first time they were immediate soul-sisters united through fantasy books, equity justice, and silly-goose behavior (see leaping hug every time we reunite for details). Molly lives in Bend, Oregon and works for a comprehensive center as a Project Manager supporting equity and Native education initiatives for the Oregon Department of Education.
Lindsey Mazur
Flower Girl Attendant
Lindsey is Carson's younger cousin. Carson has always been like an older brother to her. Lindsey couldn't be happier that Michelle and Carson wound up together. Lindsey & Michelle instantly bonded over niche art hobbies and children's books. Lindsey looks forward to seeing Michelle and Carson's love for each other continue to grow throughout the years!
Ian Discher
Best Man
Ian is the groom’s younger brother and lifelong friend. The two have shared many epic adventures together, from exploring the backyards of Schillerstrom Court and navigating the halls of Wheaton Warrenville South High School, to enjoying newfound freedom at Tulane University and life in New Orleans. Ian is currently living back in Wheaton, Illinois, working as an emergency department technician as he continues to pursue his career in medicine. Of all the adventures they’ve shared, Ian is most grateful to be a part of this next grand adventure in the bride and groom’s lives.
Casey Young
Groomsman
Casey first met Carson at Ian's 8th grade graduation. Casey at the time was dating Katie (Carson's oldest sister). Over the years Casey infiltrated the Dischers and decided he wanted to make it official. After over a decade of dating Katie and Casey got married (omg wutttt that's cray). Casey has seen Carson grow into an adult and find meaning in life through his work, passions, and love. Casey is so excited and grateful to be a part of this wedding. Looking forward to dancing, Malort shots, and love.
John Lombardo
Groomsman
John first met Carson at a pumpkin carving party during a time in which Carson’s loving sister wanted nothing to do with John. Little did Carson know, his sister couldn’t resist John’s charm, amazing looks, and intelligence, so she invited John to his first Discher family Christmas that year. Many years since then, Carson and John have celebrated the best parts of life together and enjoyed quite a few beers (and Malört). John is truly excited to create another story with Carson by standing in his wedding.
Joey Hoover
Groomsman
Joey and Carson's friendship goes way back and includes a myriad of exciting hijinks like saint Patrick's day, sushi, and going to a concert. After the approximately 5 hrs total spent together, they couldn't be any closer friends. Joey is married to Laura, the sister of the bride and matron of honor, and has the honor of being a groomsman because weddings don't usually put men on the bride's side. He enjoys board games, sticking fingers in outlets for a living, watching all the directors cut LOTR movies in one sitting, and long walks on the beach. He looks forward to a lifetime of opportunities to get to know Carson better, and is very excited to be a part of this special day for Carson and Michelle.
Kyle von der Linden
Groomsman
Kyle von der Linden is Carson’s cousin Wendy’s husband, but more importantly, he’s a great friend. Carson first met Kyle when Wendy brought him to family parties many years ago, but since then Kyle and Carson have forged their own friendship through games, drinks, and trying not to wake up a whole house with their loud laughs. Kyle looks forward to sharing many more memories with Carson and Michelle going forward, and is so excited to be a part of their big day!
Josh Doege
Groomsman
Josh met Carson in 2014 as a freshman at Tulane, and they almost instantly became friends. They then went on to be roommates for the next three years. Some of their best memories together include Crawfest, Mardi Gras, spring break, and late night pool at Reds and Bruno’s. Even though they ended up in different cities, they still remained close friends as they both went through their Masters’ programs, medical school, and now residency. Josh can’t wait to see what the future holds for Carson and Michelle, and he is so excited for the two of them.
Jason Housman
Groomsman
Back in 2014, just two weeks into college, Jason was introduced to the "Wolfpack" dinner, where he first met the groom over a Felipe's burrito. They ended up living together, even sharing a room at one point, and their friendship grew through a shared love of Game of Thrones, anime, fantasy, and partaking in New Orleans’ favorite pastime. Looking back, Jason's only wish is that they'd started a Dungeons and Dragons campaign in college. Jason met Michelle when Lindsay H and he planned a surprise visit for Carson's med school graduation, where it became clear Carson had met his perfect match. "To the happy couple: I hope your life together is filled with the same magic and adventure that you would find in any fantasy romance."