Mei-lin & Billy
Wedding Party
Natasia Hampton
Matron of Honor
Natasia and Mei-lin met mid-year during the 2018-2019 school year when they were teachers at the same school. Natasia was joining not only the team, but also Mei-lin’s classroom/office space. Although they were both initially worried about sharing the space, they quickly became “room sisters” and are still soul sisters to this day. Even though they shouldn’t be allowed to be by each other at important events, Mei-lin couldn’t imagine anyone else next to her on her big day!
Paige Bauling
Bridesmaid
Paige and Mei-lin go back to when they were freshmen in their sorority, ADPi. They bonded with each other, mostly because they were too awkward around anyone else! Their friendship grew stronger as they were roommates in the house and they bonded over teaching. Paige has been by Mei-lin’s side through thick and thin and knows tequila can always make anything better.
Kara Thurman
Bridesmaid
Kara and Mei-lin first met on the sorority recruitment bus in 2013. They had a brief conversation about how they were torn between the same 2 chapters. They both ended up in ADPi but their connection really started in 2014 when they were roommates in the house. Kara and Mei-lin have countless inside jokes and so many memories, including Mei-lin standing up in Kara’s wedding in May 2021!
Erin Kelly
Bridesmaid
Erin and Mei-lin met in college through their mutual friend, Kara. Mei-lin always thought Erin was a sweetheart but they didn’t see each other a lot. When Erin, a country girl, moved to the suburbs, she and Mei-lin started hanging out more. They grew even closer through Kara’s wedding events. From road trips to doing puzzles at their apartments, Erin and Mei-lin can have fun doing anything together!
Rebecca Akkawi
Bridesmaid
Rebecca is Billy’s older sister and mother to our flower girls, Nora Jade and Mila Shay. Rebecca is someone Mei-lin looks up to (literally and figuratively). Mei-lin is so grateful for Rebecca’s calm, cool, and collected personality, which keeps her stress level down during wedding planning. Mei-lin is so excited to gain Rebecca as a sister!
Becca Mullner
Bridesmaid
Becca is Billy’s sister-in-law but is really more like a sister! She is also the mother of our ring bearer, Jack. Becca encourages Mei-lin to get out of her comfort zone and live on the wild side. You can catch her making Mei-lin an amazing margarita or sending funny cat posts on Instagram.
Rich Mullner
Best Man
Rich is Billy’s older brother and father of our ring bearer, Jack. Rich and Billy have always been there for one another, from times when they got into trouble to Billy being Rich’s best man in June 2021. Rich is most excited to to give his best man speech because he loves public speaking!
Dan O’Leary
Groomsman
Dan is like a 2nd brother to Billy and a 3rd son to Billy’s parents. He has been on many Mullner vacations and shockingly is still alive. Dan prides himself in being the “favorite friend” and “permanent 3rd wheel” to Mei-lin and Billy. Even though Dan says Mei-lin stole his man, he is pumped for the big day!
Connor McMurray
Groomsman
Connor and Billy have been friends since high school. Connor was the one who dared Billy to text Mei-lin, and let Billy use his car to see her the following night, so he’s basically a matchmaker. You can catch Connor and Billy trying, keyword TRYING, to golf at Bolingbrook prior to the ceremony.
Joel Wheeler
Groomsman
Joel and Billy have been friends since junior high. Joel was also the friend Billy was visiting the weekend he met Mei-lin. He and Billy have fun playing nerd games, Bottle Drop, and most recently golf!
Sam Akkawi
Groomsman
Sam is Billy’s brother-in-law and father to our flower girls, Nora Jade and Mila Shay. Sam and Billy have been through it all but are now closer than ever. Even though he wanted to be Mei-lin’s maid of honor, being one of Billy’s groomsmen is a close second!
Joe Olczak
Groomsman
Joe and Billy have been friends since childhood and are basically part of one another’s families. Joe’s mother is the only one, besides Mei-lin, who can call him William. Joe keeps busy with his 3 boys!
Nora Jade Akkawi
Flower Girl
Nora Jade is Billy’s first niece. She has gone from crying every time she saw Billy to now asking him to leave work early to hang out with her. Nora has had practice as a flower girl for Uncle Richie and Auntie Becca, so now she will show Mila the ropes!
Mila Shay Akkawi
Flower Girl
Mila Shay is Billy’s second niece. She is adventurous and has no fear! She brings joy to everyone she meets and has such a special bond with her sister, Nora. This will be Mila’s first time as a flower girl!
Jack Mullner
Ring Bearer
Jack is Billy’s nephew and Billy is proud to be Jack’s “favorite uncle.” Billy says that the best thing that ever happened to him was becoming an uncle. Jack is well prepared to be a ring bearer, as he was the ring bearer for his parents in June 2021!