Tara & Zach
Wedding Party
Lizzi Kirby
Best Woman
Lizzi Kirby has been in Zach's life all of hers. (She's his younger sister.) They've had their ups and downs, but in their adult lives they've grown close. Close enough that Lizzi asked Zach to be the Man of Honor in her wedding a year and a half ago. Zach, for one, is super grateful, because if she hadn't he'd have no idea who should be his best person in this wedding.
Lindsey Lempka
Matron of Honor
Tara and Lindsey have known each other since middle school! Back then Tara would go over to Lindsey's house to do homework (and to sneakily watch Sailor Moon since she wasn't allowed to watch TV at home); more recently Lindsey was the one doing the sneaking - she and her husband Matt flew all the way from Nebraska to California so they could be there for the moment when Zach proposed!
Kelly Willett
Groomswoman
Kelly is Zach's oldest cousin on his Dad's side. Living on essentially opposite sides of the country they didn't spend a lot of time together until the Navy moved Zach to Norfolk and Kelly started her Epic Medical School Adventure at EVMS. Kelly and Zach (and also Sophia) shared a three bedroom apartment in Norfolk's historic Ghent district for the four years of their med school. Kelly took it upon herself to knowingly crash Tara and Zach's first date so it's only fitting for her to stand witness to their marriage.
Kiren Chauhan
Bridesmaid
Growing up as sisters, Tara and Kiren would build elaborate houses out of blocks for their Barbies and plan some creative wedding ceremonies for them too! Barbies eventually gave way to horseback riding lessons and then to karate lessons. Now Kiren has made another upgrade, going from blocks and Barbies to Law School and Army boots. (Though if the military decides to deploy her, well, we just might have to get creative again about how Kiren can attend this wedding!)
Rohan Sment
Groomsman
Rohan is Zach's oldest cousin on his Mom's side. They spent many summers Up North getting into various kinds of trouble in the woods around the lake house. There was probably fire involved at least a couple times. Rohan is currently living it up in the Empire State. He's here representing the Pagel side of the family.
Betsy Hare
Bridesmaid
Tara and Betsy have known each other since high school - back then it was all Hanson and Star Wars, but these days they tend to talk more about how it actually is fun to look at pretty houses on Zillow. (is that Adulting?) Betsy is responsible for Tara's love of Charleston, and even convinced her to move down South for a while. But eventually Norfolk pulled Tara back home, and it was only three short months later that Tara and Zach met!
Joe Cloonan
Groomsman
Joe and Zach met while Joe was running the sadly ill fated Bearded Bird Brewing company in Nofolk's Neon district. After meeting for the first time they hit it off immediately as great friends. Zach may have stroked Joe's beard even before knowing his name. (It is quite luscious.) After that everything else is history and Joe's here today to support Zach in the next phase of his life.
Ginger Culp
Bridesmaid
Tara and Ginger met in college, all thanks to a bowl of chocolate and Grey's Anatomy! (You're my person!) Ginger's dorm room quickly became the hang-out room for homework parties, where she would sometimes bribe friends into finishing homework by offering them the chance to play with her art supplies. Now she's teaching her own daughter (and our Ring Girl) all about being an artist, though she still made time to be the first of Tara's bridesmaids to meet Zach and give her whole-hearted approval!