The “I Do” Crew
Andrea Ohlhausen
Bridesmaid
Andrea and Lauren were SRAT stars (sorority sisters) back at IU, first bonding over being some of the only girls lifting weights in the “big boy gym” at the SRSC, and figuring out ways to skip sorority bonding activities and get back to their own beds. They later became Bucktown neighbors and have made it through various life stages and phases together along the way. Andrea has been a steady, ride-or-die friend through it all.
Caitlin Stapinski
Bridesmaid
Caitlin will be Lauren’s first official sister and has always been incredibly welcoming from the start. She’s warm, easy to be around, and always makes Lauren feel like part of the family. They also share a very serious appreciation for gluten-free snacks, which has become its own kind of bonding experience.
Christa Reid
Bridesmaid
From 6th grade orchestra until now, Lauren & Christa have grown up together. From conversations about how the world might be ending to whether aliens are already among us, they’ve truly covered it all and will continue to do so. Christa is the kind of friend who will always tell you the truth, in the most direct (and somehow still caring) way, because she cares deeply about her people. Growing up, they spent plenty of time baking desserts together, Christa baking & Lauren taste-testing, working at the Snack Shack together, and making summer Costco runs in Mequon, which basically counts as a core childhood memory.
Elena Cueller
Bridesmaid
Elena and Lauren met just in time to immediately stop seeing the world for a year (aka covid) and somehow became besties anyway. They’ve bonded over dogs, working at XSport, travel chaos, and a shared commitment to not taking life too seriously. Their Type B personalities travel surprisingly well together, and they've missed flights, had flights cancelled, and still pet all the stray dogs along the way. Elena even adopted Lauren’s first foster dog, Piper, which sealed the deal on lifelong friendship (and a mutual inability to stop talking about animals, life’s mysteries, and what their dog's voices would sound like if they were human).
Halle Freihofer
Bridesmaid
Coming October: future sister-in-laws! Halle is the newest (and most anticipated) addition to the Plavnick family. She and Lauren are already well on their way to becoming the kind of sisters who can gossip together, share knowing looks, and gang up on David (Lauren's brother/Halle's future husband) just for sport.
Nilou Larilou
Bridesmaid
First meeting as freshmen in the Foster dorms, Lauren and Nilou quickly became fast friends and later roommates. Have you ever slept in a full-size bunk bed? Lauren & Nilou shared one for an entire semester and somehow made it the most fun part of college. Two empaths with big feelings, a lot of laughter, and an equally big love for dogs and each other.
Stacey Shaller
Bridesmaid
Stacey was actually the first person Lauren met in Chicago, and they quickly built a solid friendship centered around two key pillars: doing random activities and getting ice cream afterward. Stacey is always down to hang, whether it’s a planned adventure or a very loosely defined “we should do something.” She’s the kind of friend you can count on to show up and probably bring some snacks she baked.
Jeremy Palgen
Best Man
Jeremy is Michael's older brother and best man. Despite abandoning the rest of the family to live in Colorado with his wife Brittany, their two boys, and (most importantly) their dog Nox, Jeremy remains one of the most reliable people in Michael's life. He's always been someone Michael looked up to, and if you're aware of Michael's coffee obsession, Jeremy is largely to blame for that. Jeremy has also gone out of his way to welcome Lauren into the family and make her feel included from the very beginning.
Shaun Palgen
Groomsman
Shaun is the youngest of the four Palgen siblings. He's the type of person who will do things his own way, especially if you tell him to do it another way. Growing up, Shaun was usually the sibling getting injured, breaking something, or somehow finding himself in trouble, but he turned out alright in the end (at least we think so). He's hardworking, motivated, and can accomplish just about anything he sets his mind to. Despite having the worst grades and causing the most trouble growing up, he's without a doubt the smartest of the four Palgen kids.
David Plavnick
Groomsman
David is Lauren's brother and genuinely one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Whether he's playing soccer or rock climbing, David always seems to find a way to keep busy. Michael quickly learned that Lauren wasn't exaggerating when she described her brother as one of the kindest people she knows. David and his fiancée Halle are also getting married later this year, making 2026 a busy wedding season for the family.
Len
Groomsman
Len and Michael have been friends for over 15 years, dating back to high school. From college at the University of Illinois to being roommates in Chicago, Len has been part of some of Michael's favorite memories. Though some might refer to it as "trash music," Len and his wife Abra are passionate about music and spend much of their free time attending shows and festivals. When he's not at a show (which is rare), Len can usually be found hanging out with Abra in their new home, along with whichever friend happens to be living with them that week.
Alex Gengo
Groomsman
Alex and Michael have been friends since high school and have grown closer since Alex moved to Chicago. These days, they spend much of their time losing sand volleyball tournaments around the city and convincing themselves they'll do better next time. Alex is passionate about food and cooking, even if most dinners aren't ready until after 9pm. He recently got married and has also become a great friend to Lauren, aside from the few times he's hit her in the face with a volleyball.
Jacob
Groomsman
Jacob and Michael lived together in Chicago along with their other roommate, Len. Some of Michael's favorite memories from that time involved late-night conversations in the kitchen and whatever random YouTube video Jacob was excited to show everyone. Jacob enjoys house music, spirited conversations, and Marc Rebillet videos. He also recently earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth. If you're looking for someone to have a fascinating conversation with at the wedding, Jacob is your guy.
Ashley
Groomswoman
Ashley and Michael have been friends for over 15 years, and there's rarely a dull moment when she's around. Through high school, college, world travel, and everything in between, she's been one of Michael's most dependable friends. Ashley is always up for an adventure and somehow manages to be both the loudest and most caring person in the room at the same time. If you hear a particularly recognizable laugh somewhere on the dance floor, there's a good chance you've found Ashley.
Jenny
Groomswoman
Jenny and Michael met while attending the University of Illinois and have been close friends ever since. Jenny now lives in Washington, D.C. and is passionate about sustainability and travel. Together they've traveled to several countries and accumulated more than a few memorable stories along the way, including the time Jenny convinced Michael to practice his Spanish in Guatemala only for him to discover the person he approached spoke perfect English. Even though they now live in different cities, they're always able to pick up right where they left off, no matter how much time has passed.