Wedding Party
Taylor van der Mandele
Maid of Honor
Taylor and I first met at the start of business school at UMass Amherst. A month prior to getting to campus, we had to introduce ourselves for an accounting class online. I sent over a quick bio mentioning I went to Cornell. Taylor was living with her younger brother Powers at the time who also went to Cornell, and she asked if he knew me and he mentioned that we were good friends! Taylor and I ended up meeting for dinner the night before classes started, and we sat for over three hours, finding out even more similarities and common relationships, including being in the same sorority at Cornell albeit 5 years apart! When classes started everyone had assumed we’d known each other forever – and that bond has continued to grow over the years. We’ve shared similar paths and funny coincidences in the 10+ years since school, including my living in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida for a few years - only a mile from Taylor’s family vacation home! We’ve had so many great experiences over the years and I’m so fortunate she’s a part of this great weekend to remember!
Jon Evan
Best Man
I’ve always felt incredibly lucky to have a big brother like Jon. Some of my earliest memories are of Jon proudly introducing me to his friends, and he always made sure to include me in every activity from a very young age. And even when some of those activities were “let’s give Josh a friendly beating” it still felt special. He taught me so much. He was a guide throughout my childhood, teenage years, and adulthood, and every bit of advice he gave me was spot on. I’m lucky we live just a few miles away, and it has been so much fun to be a part of his life as my niece and nephew have gotten older. Having a great older brother is a gift that not everyone gets, and there is no one else I would want by my side on the most special day of my life.
Steffie Ross
Bridesmaid
Steffie and my relationship dates back over 30 years! We first became close in elementary school and Hebrew school classes. With birthdays only a few days apart, we used to (and still do) share birthday parties. And Steffie was what made Hebrew School tolerable – through our fun stops at the convenience store for Charleston Chews before class, to after our Bat Mitzvahs, sometimes hiding in the closet instead of class haha! We have lived in different cities across the country, and have always made an effort to stay connected over the years. Luckily for the past few years we’ve both been fortunate to live in Boston, and most recently both in the South End. Spending the past few years together back home in Boston has only made our relationship that much more special!
Mike Roberts
Groomsman
Mike and I grew up in the same city but we didn’t become friends until Arthur introduced us in high school. His introduction was, “I need you two to become friends because I can’t stand hearing you guys talk about music to me when you could be talking to each other about it instead!” Mike and I developed an instant bond over music. We listened to everything we could get our hands on, introduced each other to new music on a daily basis, and learned guitar together in Mike’s basement (thanks Bruce and Nancy, I can’t imagine that was easy for you!). Mike has always been there for me, and has always been an anchor whenever I need help or advice, even when I didn’t ask for it, but needed it greatly.
Sarah Wasser
Bridesmaid
I first met Sarah on my first day working at Fenway Sports Management. She was one of the most warm and welcoming people in the office, and we instantly connected as two of the only Jews at FSM. That friendship has been strengthened over our love of sports (even though she’s a New York sports fan!). But our ability to always find fun activities and great nights out any chance we can get has helped make my early time back in Boston memorable. Sarah is always the life of the party, and the first person I think about when I want to go on a weekend trip or get out to a game and enjoy a hot dog at a game. We have experienced a World Series, Duckboat parade and countless amazing nights from Boston to New York and they are some of the most epic memories! Even though Sarah now lives in NYC we still find ways to see each other regularly which I am so appreciative of!
Arthur Voronov
Groomsman
Arthur is my oldest friend and despite going to the same elementary school, we didn’t become friends/partners in crime until sixth grade. Arthur is one of the funniest people I know, aneven though he drives me insane on occasion, I can’t imagine life without him. In our youth we hustled our friends in pool, poker and street hockey, we partied (sometimes a bit too much) in high school and college, and in my toughest times he was always there to pick me up and make me laugh. His fantasy football leagues are legendary, and his yearly draft report cards and fun NFL banter are something I look forward to every year.