Morgan + Allison
Wedding Party
Morgan Ertel
Bride
Mo was raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where she discovered her fondness for deep dish pizza, basketball (Da Bulls!), and sleeping, because there honestly wasn't a whole lot else to do in the Midwest. After attending the University of Notre Dame, Mo moved to New York City, where she started her career in publishing. Because she is easily bored, Mo quickly tired of editing books and decided to try client management. This career path seems to have stuck (fingers crossed), and she now works as a client manager at a modern furniture manufacturer, whose iconic designs she is happy to lust after day in and day out. She still loves deep dish pizza and basketball (also: sleeping), and she is happy to share her life with Quila, her beloved dog, Nacho, her crotchety cat, and, of course, Allison.
Allison Houpt
Bride
Allison was raised in Los Angeles by a loving and wonderful family, made up of her nuclear family, her step family, and her aunties (Allison's mother's best friends from high school, a.k.a. the Cypress Girls). After graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans, Allison moved to New York City with a job offer in hand from KPMG. After seven years in the corporate world, she changed her career and joined the wild world of financial recruiting; finally, she'd found a place that allows her to do things in her own style. Allison loves the color black, sports (especially roller derby), animals, nail polish, musicals and, of course, Madonna. She's excited and extremely grateful to soon be able to call Mo her wife and to share a life full of laughter with her (even though Mo is a Gemini).
Mallory Ertel Baches
Bridesmaid
Mo's oldest sister -- as well as longest-term confidante -- Mallory is an urban planner with aesthetic sensibilities second to none. A true renaissance woman, Mal's knowledge of politics, history, art, music, design, sports, the American South, cocktails, cooking, and cities make for some of the best conversation you can find. While she is perhaps best known more recently for her many world travels -- she is currently pursuing a Masters at Oxford -- Mal's home base is Beaufort, SC. The lovely mother to Mo's oldest niece and bridesmaid, Iris, Mal specifically asked Mo to note in this bio that she is, quote, a big fan of the gays. (No, for real, though, she really is.)
Suzette Whitmyer
Bridesmaid
Suzette, Allison's oldest sister and the mother of beautiful (and tall!) Briana and Robert, works in Sales at Chester Paul Company in Los Angeles. Now that her kids are grown up (literally, they are so tall), Suzette and her husband, Sean, take pleasure in their free time, traveling to Europe or Hawaii whenever life allows. She has a passion for all animals, especially her pooch, Kona, and she's a health and fitness practitioner and advocate. She loves being a strong female (and dislikes coming up with cute things for wedding website bios...). So what you need to know is that she's a tough mother who can crush a Tough Mudder. Watch out for her sweet, yet unassuming, moves on the dance floor!
Bailey Ertel Green
Bridesmaid
Mo's middle sister, Bailey has been Mo's (sometimes literal) partner in crime for as long as they can both remember. Ever since they were young, they've found ways to rebel together -- from inventing a secret language to communicate with one another when they were both sent to their rooms, to getting matching tattoos after Mo's very first college finals, to throwing secret parties at their parents' lakeside house. These days, Bailey lives with her husband, Wilson, and daughter, Lula, in Austin, TX, where she works in retail technology at Whole Foods Corporate. She is also expecting a new baby girl in early 2018!
Christine Geoffray
Bridesmaid
Allison's middle sister, Christine (Chrissy) is a Senior Registered Associate at Morgan Stanley in Los Angeles -- which is quite unassuming for someone who was formerly known as, "Christine, the Party Machine." Nowadays, Chrissy prefers to spend her time at home in Hollywood, CA, with her husband, Ben, and daughter, Parker. She loves all things Parker, online shopping, and cats with good hearts. She and Allison share a distaste for black olives and a pure love for musicals. In fact, they have been known to spontaneously rewrite and perform famous songs from musicals to irritate the family. Rumor has it that Chrissy was the person responsible for Allison's initial (and thereafter everlasting) obsession with Madonna.
Iris Baches
Bridesmaid
At just twelve years old, Iris may be the youngest (human) member of the bridal party, but don't let her age fool you. Iris has a nearly photographic memory, and she can more than hold her own when it comes to discussions about anything and everything the natural world has to offer. Seriously, just ask her about the difference between a Brandenburger and a Calabrese horse, stand back, and be amazed. Iris also happens to be Mo's oldest niece, and the two share a special love of Taylor Swift singles, video games, and queso (no shame). Iris is currently an equestrienne, cross country runner, soccer player, and skilled artist.
Briana Nava
Bridesmaid
Allison's niece, Briana, is a Content Assistant at PopSugar in Los Angeles. During her free time, Briana enjoys baking, spending time in her happy place of Barnes and Noble, and binge watching shows on Netflix -- a love she shares with Mo and Allison. She also loves art and dogs and a considers brunch the best meal, hands down -- again, something she shares with Mo and Allison! Briana tends to find the beauty in everything around her, and many say her smile and laugh are contagious. We are expecting big smiles and lots of laughter from Bri in New Orleans come April 2017 ... But no pressure! ;)
Anna Callahan
Bridesmaid
If you ask Bailey, Mallory, and Mo how many sisters they have, they will automatically say three. No, they aren't terrible at counting. It's just that for as long as they all can remember, Anna has been their third sister from another mister. Although Anna started out as Bailey's childhood friend, the entire Ertel family quickly realized that there was something special about Anna, and she has been a part of the family ever since. Anna currently lives with her husband, Will, and her daughters, Harper and Emery, in St. Charles, IL, and commutes into Chicago for her job as a massage therapist.
Robert Nava
Bridesman
Allison has always shared a love for music and art with her nephew, Robert -- so much so that when he was younger, Robert, who is now a recording engineer and producer in Los Angeles, allowed Allison to play DJ for him. She loved this ritual -- and hopes he loved it too, though he may have just been being nice. These days, Robert likes working out his artistic muscles by reading, taking photographs, and listening to and playing music. If he's not indulging in art, he's hiking in the mountains and canyons or spending time near the ocean. He's tall and strong, like his mother, Suzette. So strong, in fact, Robby (whoops, ROBERT) has never broken a bone!
Quila Ertel
Bridesdog
Born in West Virginia but raised in the bustling city of New York, Quila is Mo's rescue dog -- and her very best canine friend. Although her adoption paperwork claims otherwise, Mo is fairly convinced that Quila is 100% Carolina Dog -- and 100% love bug, and 100% seal pup, and 100% monster, and 100% lady dog. In the five years that she's been in Mo's life, Quila has seen Mo through some of the hardest times she's ever been through, and despite the ups and downs, Quila always shows up with a wiggle and a wag. While she is always up for any adventure, Quila is, admittedly, highly dubious about what she may be expected to wear as Mo's bridesdog.
Joe Black
Bridesman
Meet Joe Black! Joe is Allison's cousin and is an intelligence consultant for Palantir Technologies in Carlsbad, CA. Joe and Allison spent much of their younger lives together, getting into trouble and always exploring (Joe is only a few weeks older than Allison). From the mountains to the lake to the moon (and to New Year's Eve celebrations on the MTA and to near death by sea lions), they have experienced quite a bit together. He's an adventurer, a nature-lover, and an animal enthusiast. He also likes romcoms and "lady music," and has been known to cut the biggest rug. Though they have spent most of their adult lives quite far apart, there is a spiritual connection between them that never falters. They may say their connection starts with their toes... then one might wrinkle their nose...