Rachel & Andrew
Wedding Party
Jack Frauenheim
Best Man
Andrew and Jack met in the high school marching band, where, like so many of Andrew's friends, they quickly became like family. It was Jack's college roommate (the some-day-husband of the Matron of Honor) who ultimately introduced Andrew and Rachel into the same social circle.
Emma McCarter
Matron of Honor
Emma and Rachel lived down the street from one another as toddlers and reconnected as adults when they both moved to Chicago. Rachel considers Emma to be something akin to a Fairy Godmother as well as a best friend, and no amount of Emma claiming to be a fellow imperfect human will convince Rachel otherwise.
Mathew Santillo
Groomsman
The second of the four Santillo brothers, Matthew is an avid historian, currently pursuing a Master's degree in Museum Studies from John's Hopkins University.
Kelsey Howard
Bridesmaid
Kelsey and Rachel both participated at different times in the same England study-abroad program at Valpo. The primary difference was that Rachel returned home, while Kelsey went native. Since she and her English husband returned to the states, Kelsey and Rachel bonded over their love of books and a mutual longing for Cambridge and a proper cuppa tea.
Joseph Santillo
Groomsman
The third Santillo brother, Joe currently teaches high school art, where he also coaches cross country and track. A talented artist and fitness instructor, Joe is a recent Master's graduate of the University of Florida.
Heather Gilman
Bridesmaid
Heather taught swim lessons at the Lakeview YMCA alongside Rachel, where they discovered they were both Valpo alumn. As Heather repeatedly fed the fresh-out-of-college Rachel home-cooked meals and they swapped advice on getting the chlorine smell out of your hair (hint: you can't), a lasting friendship developed.
Samuel Santillo
Groomsman
The fourth and final Santillo brother, Sam currently works for Respawn video games in sunny California.
Jessica Pascazio
Bridesmaid
Jess and Rachel met during Jess's tenure as a flight attendant at American Airlines. Rachel's manager and "other mother" Karen is Jess's actual mother and made sure it wasn't long before the two were introduced. Currently a hairstylist, Jess transforms ordinary people into fashion icons every day. She's even been generous enough to style Rachel's hair for the wedding.
Daniel Krueger
Groomsman
The bride's one and only brother, Dan has known Rachel since she was born. Dan has been in the Air force for 11 years, and Rachel could not be more proud of her older brother, or more delighted that Andrew asked Dan to stand up with him for the wedding.
Kristina Wood
Bridesmaid
As kids, Kristina lived across the street from Rachel in Collierville, Tennessee for a few years. She was the immediate trendsetter and trailblazer for the neighborhood squad. After she and her family moved away to California, Rachel very determinedly saved up her weekly allowance in order to start an annual tradition of a summer vacation visit. At 11, Rachel already knew friends like Kristina were worth keeping around long-term.
Patrick Healy
Groomsman
Pat and Andrew have been childhood friends since age 7. They bonded over video games and sports, especially baseball.
Bethany Ziegler
Bridesmaid
Rachel & Bethany met in the same voice class freshman year at Valparaiso, and shortly decided to be come roommates. A year's worth of midnight giggle-fests led to a steadfast bond that saw them through the next few years even when they were no longer sharing a dorm.
Casey Williams
Groomsman
Friends since high school, Casey and Andrew are avid lovers of the great outdoors and have spent many a night enjoying the simple pleasure of lounging around a bonfire.
Bernadette Kovacs
Bridesmaid
Both members of the "gifted" program in grade school, Bernadette and Rachel bonded most significantly in high school as they navigated teenage life and AP courses together. Bernadette is a constant source of support for all of Rachel's creative endeavors and never fails to have a few words of wisdom when called upon. Engaged in an ongoing chat with Marlene and Rachel about books, comics, movies, and TV, no one quite knows how Bernadette finds time for her career as an attorney.
Connor Sewing
Groomsman
Wow! Yet another brother-like childhood friend. There seems to be a theme here.... Andrew and Connor have been friends since junior high band. Connor has excellent taste in books and food, and Andrew recommends the "I'll have what he's having" approach to hanging out with Connor. You can't go wrong.
Marlene Harrison
Bridesmaid
According to Marlene, the first time she set eyes on Rachel was in the second grade at rehearsal for the church children's choir. Rachel was wearing a frilly dress and perfectly coordinating hairbow and could actually carry a tune. Somehow Marlene got past all of that and found something to like about Rachel anyway, and here they are, decades later, both flying the friendly skies (Marlene as a pilot, Rachel as a flight attendant) and discussing books with Bernadette on a daily basis.