Wedding Party
Louise Makowski
Maid of Honor
Known Since: Fall 1995 Louise and Devon have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Their mischief and mayhem abounded starting in Kindergarten at The Tatnall School, quite often hiding from their parents trying to pick them up from school or each other's houses causing quite the commotion, jumping on the bed with their eyes closed, Razor scootering down a giant hill (plot twist: Devon broke her big toe as a result of that endeavor). Throughout the years, it hasn't mattered what they are doing- they make adventure and fun everywhere they go together. These days that looks more like bopping around Philly, enjoying a few cocktails and glasses of wine and a really good meal, spending time in Lewes, DE at their neighboring beach houses, or traveling together such as to Las Vegas (twice!) to see Adele and the Backstreet Boys. Devon couldn't marry Rob without her BFF by her side.
William H. Mullin
Will - Brother & Best Man
Known Since: Spring 1989 Background: Will and Rob are not just brothers, they are also friends. Although any of Rob’s Groomsmen could have served as best man, none is more deserving than Will. He is a great older brother and put up with a lot of Rob’s bologna. With the exception of Bruce Springsteen, Will has been influential to Rob’s taste in music, introducing him to several different genres. Will has been by Rob’s side for his entire life, something that will not change come the wedding. Highlights: summers in Yaupon Beach NC, international vacations to London, South Korea and Ireland, every round of golf, playing basketball, carpooling to high school, working together at summer camp and watching Philadelphia sports including going to the NFC Championship game and watching the Eagles defeat the 49ers.
Rebecca Masel
Bridesmaid
Known Since: Fall 1998 Rebecca and Devon met in second grade at The Tatnall School and have been following each other throughout life's adventures ever since. The early days involved sleepovers at each other's houses "over the bridge" between NJ and DE and activities ranged from playing with Build-A-Bears and walking through Cowtown to exploring countless haunted houses (why?!), going to Flyers' games, and in high school, going to more concerts than they could count during their PacSun phase (note to the reader: neither ever stepped foot on a skateboard). Fate must have known they were meant to be best friends for life as they followed each other, typically unintentionally, to Lehigh University, both joining Kappa Alpha Theta, and after college, to Philadelphia. They have been side-by-side throughout each other's challenges and milestones so it's only fitting that Rebecca stands next to Devon as she marries Rob.
Jocelyn MacGregor
Bridesmaid
Known Since: Fall 2009 Jocelyn and Devon met at Lehigh University, ending up in the same (unairconditioned) freshman dorm and became fast friends during freshman orientation week in which they will not confirm or deny if they went to a party every single night the first week of school. Their friendship continued as they joined the same sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, and lived together senior year in a house that probably should have been condemned. Rather than break their friendship, it only made them closer and after graduation, their friendship deepened even further when Jocelyn would visit her now husband, Neil, in Philly, where the two had many debaucheries. In the years since they have enjoyed more refined pursuits- attending spinning classes together, enjoying glasses of rosé, and traveling to new places. While well past their Natty Light and the "Dude" days, Devon couldn't fathom not having her college BFF by her side with she toasts her new marriage to Rob.
Michael A. Moore
"Sandy" - Groomsman
Known Since: Fall 1991 Background: Sandy and Rob were forced into friendship as their parents became friends at Doylestown Country Club and Presbyterian Church. Sandy is the founding member of ‘The Soda Crew’, a nickname his mom gave to Sandy, Rob, Pat, Doug and Abe in high school for the amount of soda they would consume in each other’s houses. Sandy has been one of Rob’s best friends for every step of his life and loves their shared sense of humor which is several derivatives below The Simpsons and Norm MacDonald. Rob considers himself very lucky to know Sandy, as he is directly responsible for several of Rob’s close friendships and life experiences. Highlights: numerous sleepovers, winning our rec league basketball championship in 5th grade (Sandy’s dad was the head coach, Rob’s mom was the assistant coach), playing sports, skateboarding on pillows in the basement, vacations to Lake Erie & North Carolina, visiting each other in college and after, watching Philadelphia sports including the Eagles defeating the Falcons in the NFC Divisional round.
Ian E. Holstrom
Groomsman
Known Since: Fall 1995 Background: Ian and Rob met in Kindergarten at Buckingham Friends School and graduated high school together at Solebury School. Their friendship is rooted in their interest in cars, ability to make each other laugh and both having brothers named Will. Rob considers himself lucky to have known Ian for nearly his entire life, adopting Ian’s brother as a younger brother, and to have finally converted Ian into a sports fan (kind of). Special shoutout to Stephen Sheriff, the third member of the educational triumvirate. Highlights: numerous sleepovers, sledding behind a riding mower (on grass) and cars (on snow), working together at summer camp, building our own badminton court, “Hey Yo Dawk!”, Ian’s favorite bird – the Australian Boobook.
Riley M. Downs, Esq.
Groomsman
Known Since: Summer 2006 Background: Riley and Rob met in high school through their mutual friend, Sandy. They quickly bonded over their interests in video games, playing odd sports, living on the same side of Doylestown, and always being hungry. Their friendship continued to blossom after college, being roommates in Manayunk and Fairmount. Legend has it they are still friends to this day. Highlights: every round of golf, visits to each other in college, skiing in Smugglers Notch, VT, every cheesesteak at Chubby’s, COVID trips to Berkley Springs, WV.
Patrick T. Merlie
Pat - Groomsman
Known Since: Summer 2007 Background: Pat and Rob met in high school through their mutual friends, Sandy and Riley. Since then, they have bonded over their love of many things, but most importantly dumb things. Pat has a very similar sense of humor, which has benefitted Rob’s very unique joke telling. Pat and Rob spend a lot of time quoting things – The Simpsons, Seinfeld, The Office, movies, and other grumblings found on the internet. Pat has been the source for a lot of laughs and memorable experiences in Rob’s life. Highlights: nights down the Jersey Shore, mornings/afternoons/evenings/nights spent on the couch, learning how to tailgate together (and the correct amount of Sternos to use for a chafing dish), “Self Potato”, watching Philadelphia sports including crying in each other’s arms after Brandon Graham strip-sacked Tom Brady in Super Bowl 52.
Victor E. Ciancetta
Vic - Groomsman
Known Since: Fall 2008 Background: Vic and Rob met freshman year of college, living next door to each other in the same suite at St. Joes. They quickly bonded over their similar interests, goals, humors and upbringings. As a bonded pair, they took their talents to Europe and spent a semester living in Rome and traveling the continent. Vic has been one of Rob’s best friends since their first year at St Joes and despite never living in the same city, they manage to talk on the phone on a weekly basis. Highlights: grilling in the backyard on Fridays after class, running our first half marathon together, a weekend in Barcelona, visiting Vic in Chicago multiple times, genuinely every time we are together since graduation.
Sean M. Stewart
Stew - Groomsman
Known Since: Fall 2008 Background: Sean and Rob met freshman year of college, living in the same suite at St. Joes. They immediately shared connections over their accounting majors, Philadelphia sports and music (specifically: Bruce Springsteen). Sean even encouraged Rob to join him on the men’s rowing team their sophomore year, which delivered an unforgettable experience and friendships. Rob considers himself very lucky to know Sean, as he is directly responsible for several of Rob’s close friendships and life experiences. Sean and Rob are currently neighbors in Fairmount, a mere Vortex throw away from their roof decks. Highlights: going to the Phillies World Series parade, attending several Bruce Springsteen concerts, watching Philadelphia sports, a trip to Spain, a fellow member of the Philadelphia City Council.
Liam J. Leyden, Esq.
Groomsman & Officiant
Known Since: Spring 2009 Background: Liam and Rob met at the end Rob’s freshman year, when Liam came to visit Sean & friends and attend the Dad Vail party. Liam transferred to St. Joes and they continued to bond over Philadelphia sports, Bruce Springsteen, music, rowing experiences, and frequent passings on campus. Liam will act as the officiant of the wedding, a deserving role for being the first person to meet Devon and the impact he has had on both of their lives. Liam and Rob are currently next-door neighbors in Fairmount. Highlights: Trout-pond to Trout-pond, attending several Bruce Springsteen concerts, watching Philadelphia sports, a trip to Spain, a fellow member of the Philadelphia City Council.
Joseph C. Friel
Joe - Groomsman
Known Since: Fall 2009 Background: Joe and Rob became friends at the beginning of their sophomore year, living on the same floor of their St. Joes dorm. They quickly bonded over FIFA, Philadelphia sports, music and being from Bucks County. Their friendship went platinum when Joe moved to Los Angeles and they essentially spent six months living together and painting the town red. Despite Joe and Rob not living in the same city for 10 years, their friendship has never skipped a beat. Highlights: discovery of Modelos, sitting behind home plate in Phillies gear at a Dodger game when Giancarlo Stanton mashed a ball out of the park, Joe’s first Bruce Springsteen concert in Los Angeles, seeing Pearl Jam in Asbury Park, watching the Phillies hit five home runs in Game 3 of the World Series.