Wedding Party
Nicholas Contreras
Officiate/Groomsman/Bridesmaid
Nick C. has had many roles: matchmaker, rival, best friend, dungeon master, teammate, sword master, goon, and so on. But for us, for our big day, he's got three major roles. Besides, he was the person that introduced us to each other so we thought it would be fitting if he finished the task. He met Mackenzie at FSU while watching someone play a horror game on a theater screen. He later met (groom) Nick while in line for internship orientation at Home Depot, bonding over having the same name. At least one night a week he hangs out with us to watch a show/movie, then follow it up with a youtube quiz game/hour long fail compilation. He’s also Tanji’s favorite human besides us and will be filling in for him on our big day.
Emily Gorey
Maid of Honor
Who could’ve guessed my best (and only) younger sister would be my Maid of Honor! Emily and I have gotten along from childhood (not counting me slapping her when she first came home as a newborn) until today! Somehow, we’re into the same things (K-pop, Reality shows, Theme Parks), but on opposite ends, which makes the late-night phone calls so fun. I’m excited to celebrate with Emily because she knows how weird and fun I like to be, and matches it (most of the time!). She’ll also be there to make sure everything is done right, because she works that way!
John Schmitt
Best Man
I’ve known John since I was born, and we’ve been the best of friends ever since. I even had the honor of being his best man at his wedding last year. It took me a couple early years of my life to figure out John and I weren’t related, since we’d call each other cousins. We’ve always been separated by seven-ish states but kept in touch mostly by playing games online together. When we’d visit each other, you could find us doing the same exact thing. Our friendship has always been easy going, as long as we were talking and playing something, everything was right in the world. So, hopefully, we won’t be late to the ceremony, for as long as there are games to play, my cousin and I will game til the next day. Just kidding Mackenzie!
Jamie Schmitt
Bridesmaid
Jamie S. and I may bully each other over video games, but she is genuinely a light in my life. We got along swimmingly when we first met, and over annual trips and game nights, we’ve grown closer since. Jamie will always make sure I’m comfortable and give her time to talk to me. I know she will be an amazing support during the wedding, as long as I haven’t stolen her star in Mario Party recently.
Michael Brennan
Groomsman
Michael and I met each other in high school, and every conversation since then one of us couldn’t walk away without laughing. He was always a big influence on my sense of humor and even my geeky obsessions. We went separate ways after high school, which is when Michael became like a friendship glue. Making sure to not only keep in touch but also help cultivate a group of online friends I cherish a lot. When he and Mackenzie first met, he told me that he thought she was incredibly funny. I will never let him forget that my better half can make him laugh.
Lauren Stiles
Bridesmaid
I was unaware how much change Lauren would bring into my life when I met her hosting her Halloween party, but it’s been a completely positive spin since! Lauren is always pushing me to do my best, whether it’s getting out to walk weekly or trying out an event or restaurant I’ve never heard of before. Her annual events I MUST attend are the Renaissance Fair & Dragon Con, and those are the events where we make the most fun memories. She has changed me into a healthier, more spontaneous lifestyle, and I can’t wait to see the fun she brings to the wedding!
Mike Kostrab
Groomsman
My middlest brother. Growing up, I took a lot of cues from Mikey. I played lacrosse because of him, even taking his jersey number. I even remember watching him play games and use the computer, which obviously eventually influenced my career path. To my ‘little brother eyes’ he was always the ‘cool’ brother (sorry Matty). So if you think I’m cool now, it’s thanks to him, and if don’t think I’m cool now, it’s because of him. Nowadays we bond over beers, espresso martinis, music, financial advice, and influencing his daughter to be a Pokémon trainer.
Jamie Kostrab
Bridesmaid
I know it’s crazy for me to say, but Jamie K. is a real-life Disney princess. She can craft, she can plan, she can buy the pink glittery nutcracker you saw in a store and thought was too expensive, but she found it cheaper on Amazon. And she does all that WHILE raising a beautiful daughter! She will always make me laugh, and while our time together is usually short, it always sticks with me because of how impactful she is. She’s already helping out with centerpieces for the wedding, but I know there is so much more she will help out with, and I can never thank her enough!
Matt Kostrab
Groomsman
My oldest brother. Matty has heavily influenced my taste in music, to the point that we both have the same favorite band. I still cherish a band poster he got for me, when he took me to my first concert. Matt was also a rock star when it came to school, and thus pushed me to study and work harder. To my ‘little brother eyes’ he was always the ‘smart’ brother (sorry Mikey). Even then, he did teach me a lot of things I’m sure he’s regretting now, because now it’s my job as his sons’ favorite uncle to teach them how to make fart noises and annoy their father.