Rachel & Dominick
Wedding Party
Paige Cantwell
Maid of Honor
Paige and I met the first day of college where we were living in the same residence hall. By day three, we had already cried together, quickly becoming each other’s main support system. Through our college experience, we built the foundation of our friendship to be unbreakable. Since then, Paige has continued to be the person I call whenever I need advice, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to celebrate with me. Today, we stay in touch through my poorly-timed phone calls, usually while she is traveling on a bus or subway, as she lives in New York City. No matter the distance, Paige is the person I can count on to drop everything and come to my rescue. Paige is honest, loyal and so caring. She is patient and thoughtful; she leads by example of who I want to be as a friend and wife. I am so honored that Paige will be standing next to me on my wedding day.
Joe O’Connell
Best Man
First cousins through blood, from childhood through today, Joe has always been more of a brother to me. He’s five years older, and always fell victim to my “copy catting” growing up - I wanted the same toys, same clothes, same haircut - I always wanted to have what Joe had, or do what Joe did. Getting older, though, it’s less about the objects or appearance, and more about doing my best to try and be the type of man Joe has always role modeled for me - flexible, understanding, cool headed, kind, funny, strong, knowledgable and, dare I say, adventurous. For me, Joe isn’t just my best man, I think he is among the best men in everyone’s life he’s involved in, and it is truly a privilege to have him stand closest to me on my wedding day.
Abby McCarthy Kiefer
Bridesmaid
Abby was one of my residents at Quinnipiac University, but our friendship grew very quickly beyond that of resident and RA, she became one of my most trusted friends. Abby is so positive to be around, full of silly jokes and sayings, and a true friend to everyone she meets. We have endless memories from our time in college, goofing around late at night on RA duty and spending lots of time together in Western Massachusetts. Abby and I find fun wherever we go! More recently we have been staying connected on FaceTime as Abby and her husband, John, move across the country and globe with the Navy. Dominick and I are looking forward to when Abby and John move back to Massachusetts and we can enjoy more double dates together. I am so happy that Abby will be standing with me on our wedding day.
Aaron Charette
Groomsman
Aaron is my brother-in-law, and married to my sister (and our officiant), Mia. On the surface, Aaron and I share many common interests across movies, books, music, restaurants, hobbies, and fitness, it makes him so comfortable to be around, and so easy to get along with. Beneath that, he is a role model in my life through his kindness, cool head, flexibility and understanding - his intrinsically good nature as a man make it clear how my sister fell in love with him. Their wedding took place almost 5 years ago, where I was then a groomsman, and it is sincerely special to me this year, to have close, loving family by my side in these moments.
Dani Reardon
Bridesmaid
Dani is my first cousin and only one year younger than me; when we were little, she put up with me treating her like my baby doll and living out my dreams of being a big sister. We spent our summers visiting Grandma and every family vacation made us inseparable best friends. Now, any amount of time can go by between our visits and we still we end up staying up late into the morning catching up and laughing until our stomachs hurt. Dani is so adventurous, empathetic, smart, and most of all, kind. She is an incredible inspiration to me and I am so lucky that we have been connected our whole lives. Dani is one of few that has been by my side for each phase of life; she's been part of so many of my best memories and I am so glad she will be standing with me on our wedding day.
Jon Haskins
Groomsman
Jon is my longest and closest friend, we met when we were 14 (roughly 20 years ago) and while playing junior varsity football at Minnechaug Regional High School. Back then, we had tons of shared classes together, studied for the SATs, lifted weights in the Springfield gym, applied to college, got jobs, and grew up walking those coming of age steps side by side. We continue sharing birthdays, holidays, and long weekends together, splitting time between Western MA and New Hampshire, where Jon, and his wife Melissa, currently live. Even when careers or life’s challenges keep us separated, sometimes for months at a time, we always pick right back up where we left off as if there was never a gap. I am incredibly lucky to have shared so many milestones with Jon, and it feels only natural to share one more as Jon helps Rachel and I move into the next chapter in our relationship together.
Molly Mathieu
Bridesmaid
I met Molly during our first day at Aetna; we spent every lunch and coffee break together and enjoyed nights out in West Hartford. It was obvious from the beginning that Molly and I are soul sisters. Molly is such a warm person, always ready to laugh and jump right in to any adventure I dream up - we even went on an international trip together after knowing one another for a few months. I am so thankful for her friendship through the seasons of life we have navigated, from working together to our multi-day-long double dates with the Dom & Chris to chatting about nothing for hours on the phone. I am very grateful for the role Molly plays in my life and am so glad she will be standing with Dominick and I on our wedding day.
Chris Janton
Groomsman
Chris is my newest friendship, alongside fiancée and bridesmaid Molly, each of whom I met through Rachel. Throughout the last three years, Chris has been a constant source of support, advice, trust and laughter. We’ve shared experiences moving between apartments, houses, cities, and states, getting new puppies, meeting up on vacations in Maine, and always making the proactive effort to spend weekend nights together between Longmeadow and Long Island. I look forward to a future lifetime of friendship with both Chris and Molly.
Emma O'Connell & Ava Charette
Flower Girls
Emma, 5, keeps Uncle Dom and Auntie Rachel on their toes with her boundless energy and curious mind. She is adventurous, brave and so sweet-hearted; we couldn't be more happy to have her lead her cousins down the aisle. Be prepared for Emma to tear up the dance floor and twirl the night away! Ava, 1, is a gentle soul; she is happy and full of love. Ava is an absolute joy to be around and her bright smile will definitely be a highlight of the day. We can't wait to see if Ava will walk or take a ride down the aisle!
William Charette
Ring Bearer
Our truck-loving nephew, 3, always provides the entertainment for our family. He is smart, kind-hearted and full of spirit. We are so glad to include him in our big day; he *might* make it even more exciting by breaking out "the claw" as he walks down the aisle pretending to be an excavator.
Mia Charette
Officiant
From Dominick As Mia’s older brother, we’ve shared everything our whole lives - birthdays, holidays, building Lego to applying to college, and eventually moving out to build our lives in the world that exists beyond Wilbraham. Being three years older, I tried my best to play the leader, and while not always succeeding, I tried to set the example when it came to studying and working hard. Mia got married in December 2017, a finish line she hit five years faster than me, and since then, the roles have reversed. Mia has been first in hitting many of life’s milestones - including building a home, and having two beautiful children, William and Ava. It is my greatest pleasure to have my sister lead the way for us into marriage. A place she and Aaron, as well as our parents, have long been familiar with, and where we can all enjoy the good health, love and happiness waiting ahead. From Rachel When Dominick and I first began dating, Mia welcomed me instantly into the family with open arms. Dominick and I traveled to Georgia right after William was born, and even though I spilled red wine all over the living room within the first hour, Mia and I hit it off. We fell naturally into a rhythm and became fast friends. Since then, we have only grown closer, enjoying our time together hanging in the backyard with the kids even more now that they live in Massachusetts. Mia officiating our ceremony is symbolic of the beginning of a lifetime of being and growing together.