Our Wedding Party
Catie Scannell
Maid of Honor
Sara and her little sister Catie have always been attached at the hip, but they grew even closer after Catie decided to join Sara in Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University. You can usually find the two of them giggling, singing, and eating their favorite snacks. Catie recently graduated and was awarded the prestigious Keegan Fellowship to travel around the world studying the global health impact of climate change on women. Sara is very proud of her! Ask Catie about her climate health fun facts or chickpea recipes.
Rachael Maier
Bridesmaid
Thanks to their moms, Kelly and Jaina, meeting in a parenting group, Rachael and Sara were friends before they could even walk! (or scoot, iykyk) They were inseparable growing up; from dance classes to tubing at Bucks Lake to playing in the Belvedere lagoon. Unfortunately, they can't attend every activity together anymore, but they have stayed close as they've grown up. Rachael lives in Santa Monica and works in finance, but loves to find new adventures and explore California on her weekends. Ask Rachael about her amazing travels (but fair warning, you will be jealous!)
Mary Kate Carragher
Bridesmaid
Sara and Mary Kate met through the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at Belmont, but their friendship truly blossomed on their 2016 study abroad program in London. For the rest of their time in college, they could usually be found together at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream or eating pasta somewhere. Mary Kate lives in New York now and works in the music industry, but she and Sara still bond over their shared love of Italian food, travel, music, fabulous shoes, and parmesan cheese. Ask MK about crocs or her November wedding - we are so excited for her to marry Will!
Christina Canady
Bridesmaid
Sara and Christina grew up together as the eldest siblings in the Scanady family (Scannells + Canadys). From Costa Rica to Kiawah, they spent some of their formative years traveling together. Now, as all four Scanady parents live in Palm Springs, they enjoy soaking up the sun in La Quinta together (peep the picture from Stagecoach Festival). While they've moved on from their matching outfits, Sara and Christina always pick up like no time has passed. Christina works in executive recruiting and takes advantage of all the outdoor activities San Francisco has to offer. Ask Christina about Strava and our Scanady trips. Plus, be sure to meet the other family members: Liz, Mike and Bennett!
Tommy Kessler
Grooms Party
Tommy & Zach lived together freshman year of college (in the largest dorm room anyone has ever seen) and bonded over a shared passion for movies, music and morning silences. Fun fact: one year, Zach, Sara and several of Tommy's friends dressed up like them for their birthday! (see attached photo!) Tommy now lives in Chicago and shreds on guitar for a number of bands in the local music scene, as well as their own solo projects. They are deeply creative, exceptionally talented - and most of all - unwaveringly kind. What better person to first introduce Zach & Sara? For an exciting trip back to 2016, ask Tommy what Zach & Sara were like as dewy-eyed 19 year olds!
Michael Richardson
Grooms Party
Meeting in the sixth grade, Michael is Zach’s oldest friend by far. The duo shared a proclivity for shenanigans, which - to their great surprise - got them into trouble a bit too often. After a long day of mischief-making, Michael and Zach would talk on the phone for hours, recapping the day's events until someone had to sit down for dinner, go do homework, or simply plug the phone back in to charge (we still had landlines back then!) Though the calls are a bit less frequent these days (and a little more technologically advanced), whenever they do get to talking, it's like they haven't missed a day. Ask Michael what his favorite memory of Zach is - there are a lot to choose from - and what he likes most about living in Seattle!
Jason Saitta
Grooms Party
Zach & Jason met briefly at the beginning of freshman year, but didn’t truly become friends until Sara reconnected them junior year. From there, they quickly bonded over a shared sense of humor, and have spent most of the last decade trying to make the other break down laughing. Jason is indescribably special to both Zach and Sara because of the unwavering, unconditional support & friendship he has offered up over the last nine-plus years. Whether it's tagging along for an impromptu four-hour road trip to IKEA, helping with some last-minute guitar lessons, or any number of things in between, Jason is always there. Ask Jason about what he does for a living (it’s the coolest) and his very real, not at all fake campaign for Belmont SGA president with Zach as his running mate.
Brooks Bratten
Grooms Party
When Zach landed his dream internship with the NHL's Nashville Predators, there was a lot he didn't know. Most of it had little to do with hockey. He didn't know he'd be meeting one of his very best friends, and didn't know that friend would start out as his internship supervisor. He didn't know they'd cross paths again in a few short years - this time as coworkers. He didn't know that eventually, as Brooks stepped away to begin married life, he'd be taking up the mantle from his former supervisor, nor did he know he'd be gladly returning it when it came time to marry Sara. Ask Brooks about hockey, wine or seeing U2 at the Sphere - and make sure to meet his wife, Amy (she’s the best!)
Connor Scannell
Officiant
Sara's little brother Connor was her first playmate and best buddy. Thankfully, they have stayed best buddies as adults (not to leave Catie out - she's their best buddy too) and spend most of their family time laughing at each other's jokes. Although Sara used to dress Connor up in princess outfits, she's excited that the wedding is her turn to wear a fancy dress. Connor has been an integral part of Sara and Zach's life (as well as being funny and well-spoken), so they knew he would be the perfect person to officiate their wedding. No pressure! Ask him about golf and how awesome his sisters are.
Kelsey Gilchriest
Ring Bearer
For much of their childhood, Zach excelled in pushing his older sister Kelsey’s buttons. But when Kelsey returned home for the first time after leaving for college, they both became closer than ever. After graduating and living in California for several years, Kelsey eventually moved back to Nashville, where she’s lived among her family ever since. Naturally, it only felt right to let Zach’s older sister hand off the rings that will usher him into the next stage in his life. Ask Kelsey about her dog (Kya!), rollerskating and the significance of the underrated Disney animated film Brother Bear.