Samantha and Stuart
Wedding Party
Natalie Gibson
Matron of Honor
When I was three years old, I asked my mom for a little sister and as luck would have it, she delivered (hahah). And I will be forever grateful because I can't imagine my life, let alone my wedding day, without my sister by my side. We may have been frenemies growing up, but I'm so thrilled that’s no longer the case. Even though we've spent most of our adult lives living in different cities and countries, we're closer than ever and I hope that never changes. It means the world to me to have my seester as my Matron of Honor.
Lewis Moore
Best Man
A top buddy for 13 years now, although it feels like a lot more…in a good way! We met at teacher training and his work hard, play hard mantra has lived on. A leader of men on the footy pitch, where we've shared victory and defeat, but also in his home-life during our many visits to Brum sharing time with his awesome partner Katy and crazy kids Alf and Ada! To call him the best man is no misnomer, he's been a great friend through the good and tougher times, always with a smile on his face and positive word to be motivate. We've shared many a beer together and know he will love sharing one with y’all at the wedding!
Esther Hatkoff
Bridesmaid
Esther pretty much gets the credit for this wedding taking place. If she hadn't come to London for NYE, I wouldn't have been at Victoria Market Hall that night, and if she hadn't asked the two guys at the table next to us about their sweet potato fries/chips, Stuart and I might never have met. She's the best friend a girl could ask for; we don't even need words, just eye contact, to have a full and lengthy conversation. There is no one else I'd rather share a charcuterie board with while watching The Bachelor, or The Holiday, or some Zac Efron movie. I'm so lucky to have her with me.
Rob Lewis
Groomsman
Rob’s first memory of me is being told about the moony I pulled in front of an auditorium of 200! A closer pal since we all moved to Norf Landan and he provided my surrogate pup Georgie Best, the first of the Berko therapy dogs! An amazing friend, confidant, political debater and fountain of all Man Utd knowledge (pre-2016). He introduced me to proper coffee and upped my whiskey game significantly, so I have a lot to thank him for! A sage head in any situation, and as kind and thoughtful a man as you would wish to meet. I’ve always enjoyed a Friday night Kiddush, and look forward to more religious holidays to be shared together now that I am a card-carrying member of “The Tribe”.
Eryn Parker
Bridesmaid
Eryn also deserves a lot of credit for making this day happen. Not only was she the one to plant the seeds of my moving back to London, she was the one who made our New Year's Eve plans, so she has been there by my side from the start. She was "Sir" Stuart's biggest champion and was always available when I needed to chat or cry over a chai latte on Upper Street. It's fitting that she was there the night I met my future husband, as I was lucky enough to be there when she met hers and we've both been along for the ride! I cannot imagine my life or my wedding without this gorgeous girl.
Jo Parkes
Groomsman
My marathon and Ironman buddy, Jo has endured and shared numerous painful as well as joyful long runs and cycles with me. He's as much of a glutton for punishment with booze and exercise as I am, though he has the capacity to "bonk" like no other! Memorable days at the cricket stand out; the World-Cup “Leo Sayer” is legendary with Dad thanks to Sam’s sickly constitution, when she had to miss South Africa’s visit. Thankfully, Sam and Sal were present to watch the delights of Jofra at the World Cup Final. That generational win was a nice change from our many less successful pub visits watching our footy teams lose while spending a fortune on craft beer! Jo is returning from the sandpit soon and we cannot wait to have him back.
Cameron Stark
Bridesmaid
Having met on the playground at pre-school at the age of 3, I literally cannot remember a day in my life when I didn’t know Cameron. From childhood sleepovers on the floor to more recent bunkbeds in Viennese hostels, no one else has always had my back like she has. She's even protected my back whenever I've gone to lift heavy boxes or pieces of furniture - I can't move house without her! This dear gal means the world to me; never have I imagined a wedding day where Cam wasn't standing up with me.
Chris Stapleton
Groomsman
A gentle giant who has so much empathy and heart it makes you wonder how we are friends! Chris has taken 13 years of abuse from me; he must really enjoy getting beat at fantasy football (and have a thick skin) or he wouldn’t have stuck around! Always love our Wembley NFL visits and I can always count on him to chat about American sports. Chris’ ace sense of humour ensures we always have a giggle together, although he is often happier laughing at our drunkard antics, rather than partaking in them – so always a key wing-man for rowdy nights out! Luckily, he loves a quiet wee dram so I’m counting on sharing one or two with him on the big day.
Stephanie Keats
Bridesmaid
I will be forever glad that I recognized Steph from a freshman theatre class a few years later when we arrived in London and that I made her join my new group of friends. She became a staple in my flat that semester, and has been a staple in my life ever since. Our lives have taken us to numerous cities across the States (and now world!) but we've never let the distance get in the way. She is always there for me when I need her, and considering the hours we have spent watching Say Yes to the Dress together, it's only right that she's with me as I say yes to Stuart.
Simon Woolf
Groomsman
With me from the first year of Senior school and there on the night Sam and I met! Without his unerring taste for nights out (Gospel Karaoke…who would have thought…) Sam and I would never have met, and this amazing union would not be happening! Simon is a loony in so many ways, but a great pal when you need him and always game for a shot or two to set up a night on the sauce! Arsenal has kept us together on a fortnightly basis, in both suffering and celebration! FA Cup finals and The Invincibles home and away stand out as the epic times: though the moan-fests at the Emirates are the more recent experiences. A legend on the school cricket pitch and the sadly now closed Roadhouse dance floor, let’s hope he pulls it out of the bag at the Abbey.
Alana Burchett
Bridesmaid
I was terribly nervous to meet Alana for the first time but my worry was for nought. We clicked right away and she immediately welcomed me into the family. I'm so glad that we have become friends and now will become sisters. I just love our walks on the common together and the comfy chats on the sofa while she gives me a hard time for the way I drink my tea. Plus, thanks to her (and Ed of course), I've gained three nephews I absolutely adore. It means so much to me to have her with me on my wedding day.
Ben Rackstraw
Groomsman
Ben first met Sam when I double booked a night out watching the rugby with him and an early date with Sam…I know, I'm not sure why she is marrying me either! The Welsh Centre is now a yearly pilgrimage as it was the site where Sam was introduced to rugby, "Bread of Heaven" and copious amounts of Tiny Rebel craft beer. Ben is an inquisitive chap and I learned more about Sam that night than I had off my own bat, although the less said about my lack of knowledge of her surname the better! Burns night celebrations with his better half are always highlights of the year, as are our cycles into Essex these days as we grow old and grey. Rackers’ “Lord of the Dance” status at gigs and gatherings live large in the collective memory and we are all hoping to see him throwing shapes at Notley!
Adam Goldberg
Man of Honor/Officiant
I still maintain that Adam hated me when we first met at ABC, and he'd say I hated him back. Thank goodness we quickly realized it wasn't real though, because I don't know what I'd do without him. Adam is always there when I need a cheerleader, a grocery store buddy or someone to play Devil's Advocate. He was the one I went to when I decided to quit my job and move to England, and rather than talking me out of it, he fully supported and approved of my crazy decision. Through countless country concerts and casinos, travels in Scotland and SoCal, and an unseemly number of hours spent in the swimming pool and on the sofa, he has been my best friend and my gay husband. Now as I make Stuart my real husband, I'm so grateful Adam has agreed to be my Man of Honor as well as officiate our ceremony.
Rogelio Orozco
Bridesman/Master of Ceremonies
My brother from another mother. There are few who know me better than Roger and few, if any, who have a better collection of embarrassing stories/photos of me. He has always been the first to brighten my day with a joke or compliment, as well as the first to come my aid when I need him. From eating string cheese on stage in high school or making latkes every year in my mother's kitchen, time spent with Roger is the best kind of time. I'm beyond happy that he and Stuart bonded so quickly... even if I now regret that they can team up to tease me about bad photos and American football. I'm so thrilled he agreed to be a part of our wedding, and will be putting those years of drama school to use as our Master of Ceremonies.