Megan & Steve
Wedding Party
Jennifer Epstein
Maid of Honor
Megan and Jenny became friends when Jenny moved to Evanston from St. Louis in 4th grade. They have shared many laughs, talks, and memories while navigating high school, college, and adulthood. Megan is so happy to have Jenny back in Chicago and by her side on the big day!
Allan Abinoja
Best Man
Allan and Steve have been close friends since 3rd grade at Mason Ridge Elementary in St. Louis! They've endured enormous wire-rimmed glasses, co-editing a high school 90's internet poetry collaboration, leather jackets, sporty compact cars, Cardinals agony and exultation, living together multiple times, and so much karaoke. In the end, they are both still those goofy 6th graders with glasses dwarfing their faces, laughing at the longest, lamest joke ever.
Erin Eaker
Bridesmaid
Erin is Megan's sister-in-law and a person that Megan has been lucky to have as a sister and friend for over 10 years! Erin is one of the smartest and funniest people that you will meet, and has the hugest heart as well. Erin's daughter, Ingrid, will be a junior bridesmaid and her son, Ezra, will be the ring-bearer.
Ed de Castro
Best Man
Ed and Steve have been friends since Ed's skinny, granola, soccer-playing days in high school. Through 4 AM room service shifts at Union Station Hyatt Hotel as the "Kung Fu Brothers, corny guitar jams in college, and so many tight-fitting fashion trends, Ed continues to be a foundation in Steve's life.
Tiffani Kuhn
Bridesmaid
Tiffani and Megan met while working at Stowe Elementary School in Humboldt Park. Tiffani is also partially responsible for introducing Megan to Steve as she invited them both to the 2016 New Year's Eve dinner and festivities. Tiffani is an art teacher, artist, photographer, and all around awesome person.
James Leyba
Groomsman
Brought together by their mutual dear friend, Veeral, James and Steve conquered Chicago together on the soccer pitch, poker rooms, bbq joints, blues shows, bike paths, and back halls jamming on guitars. Steve's life was forever changed by the musical and non-profit doors James threw open for him. Though they've spent more time in different cities than the same during their friendship, each has a home wherever the other one lives.
Sharon Giljum
Bridesmaid
Megan is so lucky to have Sharon, Steve's sister, as her future sister-in-law! Megan, Steve, and Sharon spend a lot of time together and love taking vacations, including their yearly trek to North Captiva Island in Florida. Sharon has been a great support in preparing for the wedding, including giving her advice during multiple wedding dress try-ons!
Lawrence Rasouliyan
Groomsman
Despite meeting during Steve's one-year at Emory School of Public Health (somehow scamming an MPH), Larry Ice and Steve's friendship has traveled between Atlanta, STL, the Bay Area, KC, Chicago, and Barcelona. Half the jokes that drive Megan crazy were lifted from Larry 15 years ago. They've made fools of themselves through Nicaragua and Croatia, and fake looked off towards a hundred exotic horizons without an ounce of dignity. Also, Larry can juggle Phil Collins on the turntables.
Valerie Zimmer
Bridesmaid
Valerie and Megan became friends while working at Starbucks more than 10 years ago. Commiserating over early morning shifts while marveling over the endless Starbucks drink combinations, Valerie and Megan became friends. Val and Megan have had many adventures together, including a trip to Acadia National Park and randomly getting theater tickets from a woman on the street in Chicago. Megan is so happy to have Val by her side on her special day!
Joshua Flaherty
Groomsman
Having only met a few years ago at his father's birthday party, Josh showed Steve that you can be kind to your sister's dates. Steve had no idea that was possible. Josh has proven to be a clever, quick-witted future brother in law with a talent for brewing and cooking. Steve has been blessed with 3 brothers through marriage, and cannot imagine how lucky he is to get yet another amazing man to call brother.
Amy Kalas
Bridesmaid
Megan and Amy met through an event called Fear Experiment over 6 years ago, when Megan performed acapella singing and Amy acted in a Spanish telenovela. Amy is the kind of friend you can call for a spontaneous adventure or a long talk. Amy brings fun and joy to any experience and will surely add pizzazz to Megan and Steve's wedding!
Amit Mukherjee
Groomsman
Amit and Steve agree on nearly nothing. They have had one continuous walk-and-talk through the blinding fluorescent light in the Connector in the Complex dorm, past drinks flying through the air on Bourbon Street, across the fuzz of 20 years worth of cell phones, against the bass-drops of KC dance clubs, and for the past decade, with kids draped over them. From 3 AM in a dorm room hall to 3 AM while his kids sleep upstairs, Amit is the friend whose counsel is always welcomed, and occasionally followed.
Noel Rubio
Usher
Noel and Steve first met when Steve was an upstart medical student oozing with undeserved hubris, and Noel was a calm bemused intern. As Steve said at Noel's rehearsal dinner, everyone in the world deserves someone like Noel in their lives, though too few actually do. There are no hearts larger than Noels, and nothing he would refuse a good friend or family member.
Kevin Maas
Usher
Kevin is always there for you. He lives a life of bottomless generosity towards his family, his friends, and strangers. Few have consistently supported YourWords STL as early, consistently, and deeply as Kevin. He is seemingly everywhere for everyone, which suggests that Mara is the true saint, eh?