Zeva & Jagadish
Wedding Party
Zeva Levine
Bride
Zeva grew up with her parents, two older brothers, and maternal grandfather in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She inherited her father's love of roaring guitar solos and her mother's tomboy love of adventure, and slowly caught on to her family's goofy, dark senses of humor. After graduating from Beloit College in Wisconsin, Zeva relocated to the East Coast to begin a 10-year career working in nonprofits that empower high school students to be the first in their families to access college. She currently works for Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS), a summer academic enrichment program.
Jagadish Manvi
Groom
Jagadish is a lifelong Connecticuter, UCONN Husky, and fan of chocolate stouts. In addition to his loving parents and sister, he has a large, caring family, with 20(!) first cousins and untold numbers of aunties, uncles, nieces, and nephews. After graduating from UCONN in 2007, Jagadish found his way into the field of fundraising and development for a variety of nonprofits, ranging from a New England prep school to a social services organization in Lynchburg, VA. He currently works at Fenway Health, an LGBTQ health care, research, and advocacy organization based out of Boston, MA.
Hannah Sacks
Maid of Honor
Hannah is definitively, unequivocally Zeva's person. Their mothers worked out together when they were pregnant, and Zeva burst into the world the day after Hannah's baby shower because she heard there was a party and Hannah had been there. From their humble beginnings to their questionable yet overly enthusiastic ideas as children (e.g., constructing a box for barn kittens made entirely of scotch tape), Hannah and Zeva truly grew up in their own world. A mac n' cheese wizard, spreadsheet queen, and board game aficionado, Zeva is so honored to have Hannah as her Maid of Honor.
Rahul Magavi
Best Man
Seven years older than Jagadish, Rahul took great delight in terrorizing his little cousin Jagadish, typically with an impressive variety of sweet wrestling moves. However, as they grew older, Rahul became Jagadish's big brother and close friend, as they visited each other in college, went to concerts together, and were there for each other through major life changes. Jagadish is a doting uncle to Rahul's two daughters, Jaya and Priyanka, and equally proud petsitter to Rahul's pups, Choco and Kali. The world's greatest multi-tasker and a class clown at heart, Jagadish is thrilled to have Rahul as his Best Man.
Leslie Randall
Bridesmaid
Leslie moved to Mt. Vernon the summer before high school, and met Zeva when they were the only two freshmen on the soccer team. Leslie is known for having one the best laughs anyone has ever heard, and Zeva was hooked immediately. They spent four years and countless bus rides to basketball and soccer games together, and grew even closer as they visited each other in college and decided to study abroad together for a semester in New Zealand. A voracious reader and puzzle-solving expert, Zeva is so excited to have Leslie as her bridesmaid.
Sanjay Magavi
Groomsman
Jagadish has always looked up to his oldest cousin, Sanjay, even when he's taking his brother Rahul up on one of his obviously questionable dares (e.g., jumping onto and/or off of large, dangerous objects). Sanjay taught Jagadish how to ski, how to discern bad music and movies, and how not to remodel a home. Jagadish adores hanging out with Sanjay's daughters Maya, Anara, and Zia (and less so with their papillon, Ewok). The most athletic nerd you'll ever meet and clear thrill-seeker as a longtime bicyclist in Boston, Jagadish is psyched to have Sanjay serve as his groomsman.
Sangeetha Manvi
Bridesmaid
As kids, people regularly mistook Jagadish's younger sister Sangeetha and him as twins, which both of them protested was an insult. But from the moment she was born, Jagadish couldn't help but adore his baby sister, and by the time they got to high school they became very close. Always the cultured one, Sangeetha helped Jagadish learn what to wear, how not to be a jerk, and how to swear less often but with more punch. During their time in Boston, Zeva & Jagadish endlessly enjoyed spending time with Sangeetha, and were routinely amazed by her healthy cooking, rigorous exercise routine, and commitment to JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). We are thrilled she is our bridesmaid!
Seth Levine
Groomsman
Seth is and forever will be Zeva's cool older brother. Seven years older than Zeva, Seth made a habit of teaching her things before she was supposed to know them (e.g., algebra, curse words, a love of the Road Warrior franchise). Zeva watched Seth find a home and incredible network of friends at Beloit College, and yearned to partake in the gift baskets their mother assembled for him and his friends. Now a world traveler and master chess player and coach, Seth was the first family member Zeva told about this new guy she was dating from Connecticut, and they are thrilled to have him as their groomsman.
Deepti Nagaraja
Bridesmaid
Jagadish's cousin Deepti has been his defacto older sister his whole life. Like many big sisters, it took Deepti a while to get used to having Jagadish around full-time (for example, she almost shot him with a BB gun when he was a toddler). However, as a kid she quickly warmed up and decided he was her very favorite person have around. Jagadish and Deepti never let distance keep them apart, and after overlapping their time at UCONN, they visited each other and/or traveled together in Philadelphia, D.C., and even India. Deepti is always willing to listen and talk through any problem with Jagadish. Someone who can always get stuff done quickly and with a keen eye for fashion, Jagadish & Zeva are happy to have Deepti as a bridesmaid.
Corey Suydam
Groomsman
Undoubtedly the nicest member of their family, Zeva has always adored her endlessly patient older brother, Corey. Though he told their mother he had specifically requested a younger brother, Corey quickly got used to Zeva toddling around after him and attempting to play with his transformers, ninja turtles, super-soakers, videogames, and anything else she could get her hands on. As adults, Corey is still one of Zeva's favorite people to have long phonecalls with discussing politics, current events, movies, books, military history, relationships, and so much more. Jagadish & Zeva are honored to have Corey as a groomsmen.
Laura Damon-Moore
Bridesmaid
It felt like fate when Zeva and Laura met as college freshmen, as both were daughters of professors at small colleges based out of Midwestern towns called Mt. Vernon (Laura in Iowa, Zeva in Ohio). They were inseparable throughout their time at Beloit, including spending a summer working together at Kenyon College and Zeva visiting Laura in Ireland. After graduation, Zeva worked with Laura's mother at Dartmouth College, and soon was spending time with not only Laura, but her younger sister Stephanie and parents Helen & Dennis. An artist with a librarian's penchant for seeing every project through, Zeva is thrilled to have Laura as a bridesmaid.
Anil Sanikop
Groomsman
A cousin on the other side of the family, Anil was Jagadish's earliest playmate. Since Jagadish was four, they enjoyed adventures together every summer in Anil's hometown of Perry Point, Maryland, including biking around the neighborhood, sneaking into vacant houses, and pretending to dress up as Navy Seals. Jagadish and Anil's adventures continue to this day, whether it's sneaking off on family vacations or mercilessly teasing their sisters. Anil's good nature, patience, and dry humor are just a few of the reasons Jagadish is excited to have him as a groomsman.
Lindsey Green
Bridesmaid
Amusingly, one of the first memories Zeva has of Lindsey is her parents apologizing for how messy Lindsey kept her room (to this day, Lindsey is one of the cleanest, most put-together people Zeva knows). Zeva was as endlessly intrigued by her first New Englander friend's passion for adventure as Lindsey was amused by Zeva's cartoon life, and they ended many late nights at Beloit laughing together while enjoying a Palermo's pizza. After graduation, Lindsey and Zeva have lived and/or traveled together in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Quebec City. A former Peace Corps Volunteer in The Gambia and figure skater who once accompanied Brian Boitano, Zeva is so excited to have Lindsey as a bridesmaid.
Sean Mulready
Groomsman
Jagadish first met Sean in kindergarten. They were such good friends that Jagadish's parents regularly dropped him off to Sean's place for the weekend. Not only did Sean have the best toys, he was always willing to hang out. Pretty soon Jagadish and Sean went on summer vacations and celebrated holidays together. They spent so much time together that people used to ask Sean's parents if they had adopted this young brown boy. No matter how far they've lived from each other, Jagadish and Sean have always managed to celebrate major milestones together. A groomsman at Sean's wedding a few years ago, Jagadish can't wait to see Sean's fly dance moves and willingness to come in "hawt."
Chris Nisch
Groomsman
Jagadish met Chris early in high school, where they shared a lot of the same classes and friends. Jagadish grew closer with Chris after they both joined the track team (you can probably guess which one ran and which one threw). One of Jagadish’s more responsible friends, Chris was the first to get his driver’s license (and pilot’s license). This proved especially useful, as Jagadish required some chauffeuring around town when he failed his own driver’s test – three times. Chris and Jagadish have kept in touch over the years, whether playing basketball in the summer at King Street or hanging around Danbury with friends. Chris has always prioritized visiting Jagadish, even as Chris’ origin point has ranged from Bahrain to Alabama. Jagadish is ecstatic to have Chris as a groomsman.
Steve Harrison
Groomsman
Zeva and Steve met sometime around their best friends (Laura and Jim, respectively) falling for each other, and soon discovered they had met their equals in goofy, dark senses of humor. A lifetime of close, platonic, opposite-gendered friendships had prepared them for each other, and each was endlessly amused by the adventures of the other. Steve is one of the most creative people Zeva knows, and has an uncanny ability to make cutting observations with undeniably charming delivery. They have supported each other through so many major life changes, and managed to visit each other annually in places ranging from Rhode Island to California. Jagadish & Zeva are so excited to have Steve as a groomsman!
Zeyneb Magavi
Bridesmaid
Zeyneb's known Jagadish since she starting dating his cousin, Sanjay, in college many years ago. As an 8-year old, Jagadish was impressed that Zeyneb had a black belt in karate, which lasted until he turned 10 and grew taller than her. Since Sanjay and Zeyneb got married, Jagadish has been a staple at their Cambridge home, hanging out, playing board games, and occasionally eating all of their daughter Anara's incredible food creations. Zeyneb's eye for detail, green thumb, and uncanny ability to persuade a crowd make Jagadish & Zeva thrilled to have her as a bridesmaid!
Jim Burling
Groomsman
Zeva and Jim met in college as he and Laura fell for each other. Fifteen years later, Jim & Laura are married with an adorable 3-year old daughter Lily, and after their initial four years of adventures around Beloit, college buddies Zeva, Steve, Jim, and Laura have now spent countless holidays, summer breaks, weddings, and more together. Jim is one of the smartest people Zeva knows (he is especially savvy with technology), and a gifted performer. One of Zeva's very favorite people to dance with to sweet, throwback Busta Rhymes jams, Jagadish & Zeva are so thrilled to have Jim as a groomsman.
Emily Herchenroether
Bridesmaid
Emily wasn't so sure about the peppy new employee at Philadelphia Futures in 2012, but she came around after a night out celebrating a coworker's birthday, and she and Zeva quickly became close friends. Emily is the best person to bring with you to ANY event (e.g., wedding, concert, speed-dating, random night spent watching the Olympics while dramatically reading Shel Silverstein books), and Zeva fell in love with the city of Philadelphia while adventuring all around it with Emily. A gifted dancer, choreographer, and event planner, Zeva is so excited to have Emily as a bridesmaid!
Ricky Arconti
Groomsman
Jagadish met Ricky when they were seniors in high school. Every day the two of them showed up to accounting class 20+ minutes late. They both had poor excuses; Jagadish took forever to get ready in the morning, and Ricky insisted on picking up a breakfast sandwich on his way to school. Soon they became flag football teammates, roommates, and eventually close friends in college. Even though they are thousands of miles away, Jagadish cherishes the ability to pick up the phone and confide in Ricky about whatever's happening in life (all the more impressive on Ricky's part when Jagadish forgets about the 3-hour time difference). Jagadish is so excited to have Ricky as a groomsman!
Lauren Nelson
Bridesmaid
Zeva spent her first few weeks at Philadelphia Futures longing to become friends with the woman one desk over, who had both a gift for working with students and a wonderfully sultry sense of humor with coworkers. From the first chance they got to hang out together outside of work, it was clear that Lauren and Zeva were destined to become close friends. Zeva loves her home away from home at Lauren's house in Philadelphia, complete with Lauren's sassy cavalier king charles spaniel, Riley, and all of Lauren's incredible DIY home-decorating talents. Rivaling Zeva in "naturally projecting voice" volume and always the life of the party, Zeva is so thrilled to have Lauren as a bridesmaid.
Frank Luongo
Groomsman
Jagadish met Frank his freshman year of college. They became fast friends, eventually rooming together their junior year. Frank planned some of the best parties at UCONN, and then even more impressively kept their space the cleanest post-party apartment on campus. Since college, Jagadish and Frank have remained close, with Jagadish looking forward to Frank's regular check-in's about life. Along with Ricky and their college crew, Frank and Jagadish are always planning their next guys' trip or just the next time they can all hang out. Jagadish is looking forward to Frank's life-of-the-party skills for the festivities, and is lucky to have him as a groomsman.
Lakshmi Magavi
Bridesmaid Emeritus
Jagadish is Lakshmi's favorite cousin-in-law, which is surprising because Jagadish is complicit in sneaking her husband, Rahul, out of the house to hit the bars on a week night, regularly rifles through her fridge, and openly disparages her favorite celebrities. However, they share a lot in common, including their love of food - Lakshmi loves cooking and Jagadish loves eating. Lakshmi is always ready to give a pep talk, confidence boost, and get stuff done, including hosting incredible family gatherings at her home. One of the hardest working women they know, Jagadish & Zeva are so excited to have Lakshmi as a bridesmaid. UPDATE: While we're sad that Lakshmi is unable to attend our wedding, we're also THE MOST excited for the two [identical] little ones she is expecting in July!