Best Man
Krishna and I became friends in high school at Hinsdale Central - we had overlapping friend groups, were both on the tennis team (Krish was infinitely better), and soon became extremely close. We won the coveted "best friends" senior superlative in high school and have lived up to the name for almost 20 years. I was Krishna's best man in his wedding less than a year ago, and I'm making him return the favor. Find him at the wedding and ask him if he's nervous for his speech.
Best Man
Grant and I met the night we both joined the same fraternity (Phi Delta Theta) in college at Indiana University, and honestly, we've been attached at the hip since. Grant will be the smartest, dumbest, funniest, least funny, most responsible, and least responsible person at the wedding all at once. If you need a good pick-me-up, find him and tell him any joke - it's pretty much guaranteed that he'll laugh. I am decently confident that's the only reason he has any friends at all.
Groomsman
Nimit is more than my brother-in-law - he's a close friend. I can confidently tell Nimit anything without worrying that he'll tell Eisha (but please don't tell her that). If Nimit isn't chasing around Shaylan (my adorable 2-year old nephew) the whole wedding, find him and ask for advice about your investment accounts, tax loopholes, or retirement savings. He's a cardiologist but knows far more about personal finance than your financial advisor...I guarantee it.
Groomsman
Evan and I met in college at Indiana University when we joined the same fraternity, and then we were roommates in Chicago for a couple years. Evan moved to Nashville with his wife recently, but that didn't stop our friendship - we always pick up right where we leave off. Evan got married years before our friends, and we were worried he'd forget how to have fun - but boy, were we wrong. If you need a whiskey drinking partner at the wedding, go find Evan and I guarantee you'll have a good time.
Groomsman
Colin and I have been friends since we met through mutual friends in 2018, and it felt like a long-lasting friendship right away. At the wedding, you will hear the most infectious laugh that exists, and you'll look around wondering who it might be - I can save you the time...it's Colin. And if you have any questions about investing or retirement accounts, find Colin at the wedding. He does this for a living, so don't blame me if he goes into excruciating detail.
Groomsman
Weaver and I met in high school and have been close friends ever since. Weaver's first name is Mike, but after calling him Weaver for almost 20 years, it feels weird using his first name. Weaver and I both work in M&A, both love playing sports, and both love to nerd out on random finance topics - it's a perfect match. If he seems a little distracted at the wedding, he's probably day dreaming about being home with his adorable son (I don't blame him).
Groomsman
Wood and I met in college while pledging the same fraternity at Indiana University. Wood's first name is Jeff, but it'd be very weird to call him that so please don't. Wood is one of the most interesting, knowledgeable (while also being dumb), and loyal people I know. If you're itching to have an intellectual conversation about a super random topic, find Wood at the wedding. Also find him if you want to feel short.
Groomsman
Watts and I met through Krishna in 2018, while both trying to learn how to DJ. We instantly became close, have traveled the country & world together several times, and were also roommates for 18 months in Chicago. Watts' first name is Anthony, but I genuinely forget that's his real name. Don't start a conversation with him about logistics unless you want to nod your head and say "oh that's interesting" for 2 hours.
Usher
Aaron and I met when Hilary brought me home to meet the family. Aaron is Hilary's oldest brother, and you can imagine how nervous I felt to meet my future fiancé's oldest brother. Not with Aaron. He immediately made me feel comfortable, and I've had the pleasure of visiting him, his wife Maria, and their stunning twins, several times over the years. He's the kind of dad where you wonder to yourself "how is he doing this while staying sane?" But he is. Aaron, like the rest of the Smith family, knows a lot about a lot...so I'd suggest you don't compete with him in trivia.
Usher
Brett and I met when Hilary brought me home to meet the family. He's one of Hilary's older brothers (3 years apart), and I have the pleasure of having him as one of my ushers in our wedding. I've gotten to know Brett over the years, and I can confidently say he is one of the kindest, most genuine, and smartest people I know. Brett remembers every detail about each of Hilary's high school softball games, including the score, date, and everything that happened...let that sink in. He's also an avid traveler, and he's on a mission to see every national park that exists - and he's well on his way.
Maid of Honor
Alex and I became best friends in the 2nd grade after we both had to sit out of recess for talking in class. I'd like to say we talk less today, but...yeah. We've been through basically our entire lives together, and now we both live in Chicago just a few miles away. Alex is an incredible artist - she painted two 5ft x 5ft masterpieces which I have hanging in the living room today. She's really, really good.
Bridesmaid
Alex and I met through a mutual friend, Kayla (also a bridesmaid), in college and we've been extremely close ever since. We live a grand total of 4 blocks away from each other in West Loop, so weeknight walks or random casual hangouts are very common. Want someone to chat or dance with at the wedding? Alex is your girl.
Bridesmaid
Kayla and I met at the University of Illinois as freshman-year roommates. We have way too many stories from college to fit into this 500-word description, but needless to say I am so happy we've remained so close over the last 15 years. Kayla recently moved back to Chicago from California and we're so happy to have her back!
Bridesmaid
Megan and I met in college at the University of Illinois. Megan is one of those people you look at and think to yourself "how does she do it all?" Megan is a lawyer, but she somehow finds the time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, travel back and forth to Ireland, enter & WIN the Chicago Rose pageant, and also see her friends and family regularly. Needless to say, she can talk to you about pretty much anything, so go find her and see if you can keep up.
Bridesmaid
Maria is my wonderful sister-in-law, and I've been able to get to know her over the last decade. Not only is she a great friend, wife, and sister-in-law, she is also an incredible mom - and she gave me the priceless gift of my perfect niece and nephew. I'm guessing she'll be chasing those little cuties around at the wedding.
Bridesmaid
Eisha is my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and I couldn't be more excited. She was the first person I met in Sameep's family, and the nerves went away very quickly. She is so kind and welcoming, and she also brought my soon-to-be nephew Shaylan into the world, who I've built a special bond with (hopefully he agrees).
Flower Girl
Valerie is Hilary's adorable little niece, and she took on the very important job as flower girl. We couldn't be happier to have her as part of the wedding. If you see her struggling to get down the aisle, cheer her on and tell her you like her dress. She likes the attention :)
Ring Bearer
Alexander (Sasha) is Hilary's perfect 2-year old nephew who graciously accepted to take on the role of ring bearer. Sasha loves animals, especially fish - if you have any fish you want to bring to the wedding, he'd appreciate it (please don't). Sasha is Valerie's twin brother, and they are inseparable - we can't wait to see him excited to go see his sister after she walks down the aisle :)
Ring Bearer
Shaylan is Sameep's absolutely adorable nephew. He is 2 years old as of the wedding weekend! We'd describe Shaylan as a ridiculously smart, unbelievably cute, and extremely fun-loving little boy. He definitely loves trucks more than anything, and he definitely loves the boxes his toys come in more than his toys, but that's why we love him. We are so excited to have him in the wedding!