Shaelyn & Matthew
Wedding Party
Lauren Leonard
Matron of Honor
Shaelyn’s high school cheerleading besties and one of her closest friends! Their friendship blossomed during those long bus rides, cheering on the Titans together. Lauren has been by Shaelyn's side for countless unforgettable moments, from adventures at Big Canoe to celebrating her 21st birthday in downtown Atlanta and watching the Dawgs play in Athens (even though neither of them attended UGA!). Shaelyn cherishes all the laughter and memories they've created together and is incredibly grateful to have both Lauren and Meredith supporting her every step of the way. She truly doesn’t know what she would do without them!
Meredith Solheim
Maid of Honor
Shaelyn's very first friend from high school! They clicked instantly in Mr. Wilken's homeroom during sophomore year and have been inseparable ever since. From cheering on Meredith at horse races to unforgettable sleepovers and a road trip to Florida for Lauren's bachelorette party, their bond has only deepened. Most recently, they had a blast wedding dress shopping, where Meredith and Lauren made Shaelyn feel like a total princess with thoughtful gifts and champagne. Together they truly embody the spirit of the three musketeers. Shaelyn is forever grateful for their incredible friendship!
Becca Reed
Bridesmaid
One of the most amazing friends anyone could ask for! Fun, caring, and endlessly hilarious, Becca has been by Shaelyn’s side since their freshman year of college, but it was during a spring break road trip to Charleston that their bond truly deepened. Together, they enjoyed unforgettable adventures cruising to the Bahamas, singing their hearts out at the piano bar, and soaking up the sun by the pool. Their friendship continued to flourish over the summers and even during COVID, as they spent countless joyful days on the lake. Shaelyn feels incredibly welcomed into Becca's family—she even receives birthday cards every year from Becca's mom! Shaelyn is so lucky to have such a wonderful friend in Becca!
Angelina Kurtyak
Bridesmaid
One of Shaelyn's very best friends! Their friendship began when her fiancé, Fletcher, became best friends with Matthew. With Fletcher and Angelina starting their relationship just two weeks before Shaelyn and Matthew, they quickly became a close-knit crew. They had a blast quarantining together, playing Ticket to Ride, and enjoying nights out at Balter. Now living in Austin, Shaelyn cherishes their countless road trips to visit them, filled with laughter and unforgettable memories. Angelina holds a special place in Shaelyn's heart as a steadfast friend who always keeps her grounded. Shaelyn loves her dearly!
Charlotte Breslin
Bridesmaid
Charlotte is not just Matthew’s sister; she quickly became Shaelyn’s sister in spirit as well. Their bond flourished during the pandemic, thanks to countless hours spent playing "Ticket to Ride" together. They often stayed connected via FaceTime, which only deepened their friendship. Charlotte's support was invaluable when she helped Shaelyn and Matthew move to Dallas, and soon after, she joined them there. From trivia nights to exploring new restaurants and binge-watching TV shows, Charlotte has become one of Shaelyn’s closest friends and a cherished part of their lives.
Katarina Danks
Bridesmaid
Shaelyn’s wonderful older cousin and childhood role model! Growing up, Shaelyn always looked up to Katarina as her “cooler older cousin.” Katarina introduced her to the queen, Britney Spears, and together they put on countless dance concerts in their great-grandma's living room, plus made many sweet trips to the candy stand. Shaelyn cherished every moment spent growing up with Katarina, aspiring to be just like her. After being a part of Katarina’s wedding last April, Shaelyn is thrilled to have her by her side on this special day!
Danielle Reed
Bridesmaid
Shaelyn's beloved younger cousin! Growing up nearby, Shaelyn cherished their time together, often babysitting Danielle and creating wonderful memories during visits to their grandparents in Big Canoe. Those moments helped shape a special bond, and Shaelyn is thrilled to have Danielle by her side on this exciting journey!
Dylan Reed
Junior Bridesmaid
Shaelyn's adored younger cousin! Shaelyn cherishes their playful moments together, where she gets to relive her childhood and create new memories. Watching Dylan grow into a wonderful young lady has been a joy, and Shaelyn is thrilled to have her by her side on this special day!
Andrew Peterson
Best Man
Matthew’s older brother Andrew has always been his biggest supporter and closest friend, thus making him the obvious choice to be Matthew’s best man. The two share a love for Chicago sports, with the Bears especially providing so many memories (and frustrations). For over three years, they have made countless treks up and down I-35, with Andrew in Austin and Matthew in Dallas. Matthew has always looked up to his big brother for many of his great qualities, but nothing compares to his ability to emulate Andrew’s undeniable humor. His incredible ability to make anyone laugh at any time will be on full display during the best man speech!
Jack Peterson
Groomsman
Growing up just a few towns over, Jack was Matthew’s closest cousin by proximity, and as a result, the two were attached at the hip during family gatherings. A fond bond they share is their love for hockey. Jack, a star ice hockey player growing up, dropped by Matthew’s pond hockey game and quickly became the number one skater on the ice, easily outperforming all of Matthew’s friends, including members of this very wedding party. Today, the two of them pick up where they left off and quickly reminisce about all the great travels they shared during their childhood.
Joe Breslin
Groomsman
An incredible recent addition to the family, Joe is the husband of Matthew’s older sister, Charlotte. The two went from a few meet-ups at the start of his relationship with Charlotte, to a close bond when Charlotte and Joe moved to Dallas, directly across the street from Matthew and Shaelyn. The next two years blossomed into a great friendship among the four, along with a few more additions to the small but mighty DePaul Blue Demons basketball team fan club, led by Joe and his many pseudonyms online.
Wesley Foley
Groomsman
Shaelyn’s younger brother and Matthew’s go-to guy when visiting Shaelyn’s family in the suburbs of Atlanta, Wesley has been nothing short of welcoming and brotherly. The two have formed a bond over going to the range or hanging out on the Foley family boat during a day at Lake Lanier. Matthew is very excited to add another brother to his ranks and looks forward to forming new bonds with Wesley for years to come!
Jack Miller
Groomsman
One of the first friends Matthew made in 2008 when moving back to Glenview, IL, from Tokyo, Japan, Jack has been one of Matthew’s longest and most loyal friends. The two were always together in high school, ranging from being lacrosse teammates to practically living at each other's houses on weekends. Following high school, their friendship did not wane, with Matthew visiting Jack at Dayton and Jack experiencing multiple Tennessee football games with Matthew. Nowadays, a mutual love for travel helps keep the two connected from afar, with stories of their trips bouncing back and forth between them.
Nick Panagakis
Groomsman
Nick and Matthew’s friendship had a unique start, but thankfully, over time, the two grew a strong bond that has been rock solid even while living in different parts of the country. Like the rest of Matthew’s groomsmen from Glenbrook South High School, Matthew and Nick played lacrosse together all four years and formed an impenetrable wall on defense. The brains of their friend group, no group trip would be possible without Nick, who inherited much of his intelligence from his ancestors, like Plato and Socrates. Having made several trips to Dallas to visit Matthew and Shaelyn, Nick is one of Matthew’s most genuine friends.
Andrew Marziani
Groomsman
The namesake of the high school friend group’s nickname, Marz & Co., Andrew (better known as Marz) and Matthew’s friendship is rooted in their love for sports, their time as high school lacrosse teammates, and their enjoyment of making one another rich with can't-miss bets that almost never hit. The two share memorable moments, like attending numerous Bears games, and less memorable moments, like a Lady Gaga concert with Mr. Peterson in the fifth grade. Marz has been the glue guy of the group for well over a decade and always seems to be celebrating a birthday anytime the group goes out to a restaurant.
Tyler Canning
Groomsman
A leader and an extroverted individual, Tyler has been one of Matthew’s closest friends since elementary school. Always ready for a good time, and often leading the group to a night out, Tyler and Matthew have shared countless excursions across the country, from a group trip with Jack and Marz to Minnesota for a Blackhawks game, to a rendezvous in Southwest Florida. Today, their friendship includes back-and-forth banter regarding their 15+-year-long fantasy football league, along with a mutual love for a late-night cigar and nightcap.
William Hensley
Groomsman
The first and loudest friend Matthew made his freshman year at the University of Tennessee, William was Matthew’s right-hand man on all of their college adventures and a Sigma Nu fraternity brother. Whether it was a fall break trip to Orlando to catch a U.S. Men’s soccer game, with a quick detour to Epcot at Disney World, or attempting to rob Caesars Palace in Windsor, Ontario, Canada via the craps table (specifically, the hard eight), William has always ridden shotgun with Matthew. Now, their friendship is stoked by the flames of trivia as they battle in an online trivia league with fellow groomsman Fletcher Henson on their team.
Fletcher Henson
Groomsman
When searching for another roommate for their junior year college apartment, Matthew and William reached out to Fletcher, a fraternity brother of theirs. The rest was history. Fletcher, Matthew, William, and Riley were all routine players at a Tuesday sports trivia night, but no one was more frequently there than Fletcher and Matthew. Now, the two make trips between Dallas and Austin to see each other, watch the Vols play, or just enjoy a weekend of golf. Fletcher is engaged to Shaelyn’s bridesmaid, Angelina Kurtyak, and the four can be found playing board games or finding a new spot to share a meal and drink.
Riley Beck
Groomsman
Another fraternity brother of Matthew’s, Riley was one of the first friends Matthew made during their pledgeship together. Since then, their friendship includes impromptu phone calls to exchange life stories or to convince one another that this is Tennessee’s year. A two-year roommate of Matthew’s in college and a lifelong Vols fan, Riley was always the first one up on game day and the last one to go to bed, showing Matthew how to adopt the Volunteer tradition. And just like every single other groomsman, the two are always sharing trivia questions with each other.