Bridesmaid
Mariah and Susanne have been inseparable for the past 7 years. After forming a close bond as co-workers in the non-profit gauntlet of Opera America (doing more laughing than working), the girls became roommates in NYC! Their long-standing traditions include hungover apple picking, adopting dogs at very inappropriate times, intrusive turkey basting, bottomless brunches with consequences, slugging to true crime, and various annoying voices. You're so welcome!
Bridesmaid
Shauna (responding more frequently to Fat Ass Kelly Price) was Susanne's ride-or-die in New York City during their tumultuous twenties. They made extremely questionable choices, ate a lot of carbs in bed, cried through a lot of breakups, braved torrential storms to reach the bars, and joined sports teams that they were not cut out for. Ah, the joys of youth.. Since then the girls have been constant systems of support to each other, frequently taking trips together near their new homes in the South.
Bridesmaid
Kristen and Susanne go all the way back to 2013, when the girls had just moved to New York City post-graduation. Upon their first meeting, they followed some strangers to Rockaway Beach, which turned out to be the worst date ever, but the best way to make a new friend! For the next 10 years, the girls explored New York's various neighborhoods through each life-event and shared many "firsts" in their young-adulthood. Kristen and Susanne have been friends through so many stages of growing up, and here they are again!
Bridesmaid
Better known to her devotees as "La Krupp," Gretchen and Susanne met in the Atlanta Opera Studio in 2021. They became fast friends, bonding over their mutual good vibes among the big stressors of their industry. Gretchen has become a go-to activity buddy, airtight confidant (thank you 10 min voice memos), and the best of friends. She comes with an impeccable sense of humor and style. You're basically gonna love her!
Bridesmaid
Mary would seem the most responsible of the group, but is actually 100% down for anything, and therefore we are doomed. Mary, her husband Matt, and Susanne and Luke got particularly close during the pandemic when they hunkered down together in VA for a few weeks. They ordered many appetizers, went on numerous "relaxing" (but secretly strenuous) bike rides, and laughed away many nights together!
Groomsman
Justin and Luke first met when Justin made the risky decision of hiring Luke as a brand new recruiter. Since then, their relationship has grown from the professional into great friends (though Luke still likes to call on him for advice during his monthly career panic). Both being relatively new to Atlanta, they've enjoyed exploring new hikes and happy hours organized by their bosses (wives).
Groomsman
Luke and Sam met on the first day of kindergarten and have remained great friends ever since. Growing up in the backwoods of Oregon, their childhood activities included teaching pigs to navigate obstacle courses, mudfights, and probably a few too many adventures they were lucky to escape from alive.
Groomsman
Luke met Cody pretty much at birth. Luke was often referred to as "Mini-Me" when seen with Cody (despite absolutely no obvious resemblance...) There were a number of great summers shared between the two involving afternoons spent watching James Bond and Jackie Chan movies, eating raw nestle cookie dough, and chugging orange soda, all justified by the morning's hour swim-team practice. Cody's marriage and family have become #couplegoals for Luke and Susie!
Groomsman
Patrick and Luke first became friends in middle school and bonded over their love of the outdoors/hiking and repeated disappointments in David Lynch. Luke has always been in awe of Patrick's insistence on hiking some of the most famously difficult trails in the Columbia River Gorge in sandals that he made out of old tires. Fiercely independent yet remarkably empathetic, Patrick was a shoo-in for groomsmen (but please wear proper shoes for the ceremony ;)
Groomsman
Ryan and Luke became great friends in Wisconsin, while Luke interned for Ryan at the Third Avenue Playhouse (a theme of befriending his boss, perhaps?). Ryan's advice on confidence and positivity is often cited as the main reason Luke had the courage to ask the beautiful Susanne out for dinner in the first place. Talk about a fantastic friend and mentor!
Officiant
Mike is one of Luke's best friends, sharing a background in music performance. Throughout college, they shared some incredible memories, be it "Rage Night" (Mortal Combat and too much whiskey), or the antics that come with coping as a music major. Mike has been a huge inspiration and is a source of positivity and community to all who know him. When we got engaged, there was no question that Mike was the person we wanted standing there to marry us.