Wedding Party
Gabrielle Tenuta-Adel
Matron of Honor
At four years old Rachel was promised a sister named Abigail, but much to her surprise (Rachel doesn't like surprises) she was given a sister named Gabby. Despite this rocky start in their relationship, it's only been smooth sailing since. Gabby is Rachel's biggest supporter and confidante, a younger sister in technicality but the definition of a best friend in reality. She’s always a phone call, house visit, or audio note away. In their 20's this duo has grown even closer, bonding over their shared interest in weight lifting and defeating their significant other's in UNO. Rachel could not imagine her wedding day without Gabby by her side as her Matron of Honor.
Alex O'Brien
Best Man
Alex was born a year and a half after Matt and the O'Brien family had another set of "Irish twins". Mom would often dress Alex and Matt up in the same outfits mostly out of convenience (see photo evidence above). Matt and Alex grew up playing all of the same sports whether it be in the backyard or at school. Alex was the reason Matt started playing lacrosse and quit baseball as he couldn't let his little brother be better than him at any sport! Nowadays, Alex has hung up his cleats and lives a global lifestyle. He moved over to Bristol, England four years ago for work and has not looked back. Matt is honored to have him fly back home from across the pond and stand by his side as Best Man.
Courtney Gill
Matron of Honor
Rachel and Courtney met on the first day of kindergarten at Pleasant Hill and have been inseparable ever since. They were each other's counterparts, enjoying the same plain meals and speaking their own language (giggles). They've been there for all of life's moments, big and small: first soccer teams, school dances, various graduations, first solo drives at 16 (an adventurous trip to...Walgreens), roommates in their first Chicago apartment, a marathon, Courtney's wedding, first baby (our ring bearer!) next on the list, Rachel's wedding! Courtney is truly another sister to Rachel, and it's only fitting she's a Matron of Honor on her big day.
Alec Eickert
Groomsman
Matt and Alec first met while playing middle school basketball in 7th grade and have been best friends ever since. They bonded quickly over the love of early 2000s comedy movies, sports, & the famous Eickert family game nights. As adults, they have continued this strong friendship by putting themselves in some precarious situations. From climbing the highest peaks in California and Utah, to finishing a 62-mile race through the night in the mountains of northern Virginia, Matt and Alec have enjoyed the ultra-endurance scene together. Matt is grateful to have a member of #TheTribe standing up with him on his wedding day.
Nina Perkkio
Bridesmaid
Rachel and Nina met during their freshman year preseason at Lake Forest College, bonding over nervous jitters and Mike's Hard Lemonade. What started as teammates quickly transformed into a lifelong friendship. They've been by each other's side through the highs and lows of their twenties, the wild tales of Chicago moving (there's been many), and whenever someone is in need of a Chipotle bowl. This pair now enjoys lakefront walks in the city and frequent couch hangs, filled with conversation that fills Rachel’s cup and makes her so very thankful they both found their way to a small school in Lake Forest.
Danny Muzzalupo
Groomsman
Matt and Danny first met when they were just 5 years old at Bell Graham Elementary School in Fox Mill. Danny and Matt competed on the same sports teams as kids, whether it be soccer, tee-ball, or the local swim team. Growing up, Danny's house was the place to be: video games, pizza nights, and sleepovers in the Muzzalupo basement were a staple in Matt's childhood. Matt was honored to stand up in Danny's wedding five years ago and now is the godfather to his beautiful daughter (our flower girl) Evie. Matt and Rachel are very excited to have the Muzzalupo family as part of our special day!
Camille Krier
Bridesmaid
Camille and Rachel met their sophomore year in the Delta Gamma lounge and quickly formed a sisterly bond. Soon after they became roommates bonding over Papa John’s Parmesan bread bites and nightly heart to hearts in a 400 square foot dorm room. Their now 1,500 mile separation hasn’t stopped them from being in each other’s lives, whether it’s celebrating their milestones together or virtually (thanks 2020 for a Zoom Law School graduation!) or going to one another with the most random, often TMI of questions, they're in it for life.
Brent Kage
Groomsman
Matt and Brent met in 7th grade playing middle school basketball at Thompson Middle School. They quickly became friends after spending so much time on the court together and continue their strong friendship to this day. Brent's childhood house was the battleground for some epic pick-up basketball games. Pick-up games turned poker nights, Brent is always the one to spearhead squad get-togethers. Brent helped pace Matt for 10 miles during his first 100-mile race back in 2021, and was the first to hear about Matt's relationship with Rachel, during this very race!
Hannah Burton
Bridesmaid
Rachel and Hannah met during eighth grade soccer, forming a friendship over Beep Test commiseration and their dedication to being the first to arrive to any soccer game. Their friendship grew through Health Quest speed classes and daily episodes of Friends during their off campus lunch. After all these years Hannah and Rachel have formed a near telepathic connection, often sharing the same thought from across a room. If you want to know what's going through Rachel’s head on the big day, ask Hannah!
Nate Craig
Groomsman
Matt and Nate met when they were 4 years old as neighbors in Fox Mill. Nate was Matt's first friend when the O'Brien family moved to St. Charles and they have been best buds ever since. Every moment Matt had as a child he was hanging out at Nate's house, playing GameBoy, watching movies, or riding scooters around the neighborhood. The Craigs can be referred to as Matt's second family because of how much time they spent together growing up. After Nate and his family moved down to Nashville, the gang still stays close and makes a point to all get together at least a couple of times a year.
Claire Mitzner
Bridesmaid
Claire and Rachel’s friendship began in high school, bonding over a shared love of Hunger Games, training for a mini Triathlon together, and a love for the movie Burlesque. Their friendship grew over the years and they became roommates in 2021, sharing the second floor at the infamous Seminary coach house. They enjoyed getting ready for a night out with a range of tunes: Olivia Rodrigo, ABBA and the Greatest Showman. Claire and Rachel share and support each other’s nervous energy, as seen when Claire took a pre-date walk with Rachel before she met Matt, calming her first date jitters.
Zach White
Groomsman
Matt met Zach during their freshman year of college at the University of Wisconsin. Zach's dorm room was across the hall from Matt's and they liked each other so much that they decided to live together in apartments for the remaining three years of college. Badger football gamedays, dinners at QQ Express and a trip down to Nola for spring break are some of the many great memories of Zach and Matt's time in Madison together. After college they moved to Chicago and continued their stint as roommates for two more years before Zach rudely left Matt to go live with his now-wife Hailey.
Marissa Lutz
Bridesmaid
Marissa and Rachel’s friendship began in their twenties thanks to their mutual friend Claire, and quickly took form as they realized they are quite similar! During their time as roommates at the Seminary coach house, they bonded over walks to Oberweis for chocolate peanut butter ice cream, nightly kitchen table heart-to-hearts, and being #teamJess in Gilmore Girls. Marissa's trademark "high and low" check-in (something Rachel has adopted for herself) is a symbol of Marissa's genuine care for her friends; she's always a phone call, a walk or a beer away, and it's something Rachel is so very thankful for!
Kevin Frank
Groomsman
Matt met Kevin during their freshman year of college at the University of Wisconsin (Kevin was Zach's roommate). They quickly bonded over their love of FIFA (#teammate), the Packers and collecting "Zach quotes". Matt and Kevin enjoy playing various sports in Chicago together and meeting at a bar to watch (and be disappointed by) Wisconsin sports. If you need to find Kevin at the wedding, he will probably be at the bar telling the bartender how to make a proper Wisconsin Old Fashioned.
Angelie Smith
Bridesmaid
When Rachel's cousin Angelie was born she was an immediate new friend for Rachel and Gabby to play with. They bonded over pool days, hours of Littlest Pet Shop in the playroom, and jokes at the kids table. The kids table has quickly turned into competitive games of LRC, Spoons and BS, where Angelie comes out the winner more than most. Rachel had the honor of standing up in Angelie's parents wedding, and is so excited to have Angelie stand alongside her as a bridesmaid.
Michael Tenuta
Groomsman
Michael is Rachel's middle sibling, just 15 months younger than her, meaning they shared almost their entire childhood together. They were often mistaken for twins, especially when Mom coordinated their outfits and Halloween costumes. Today, Michael is the calmer, less competitive sibling, and yet he still manages to win his fair share of UNO battles, much to his sister's (and soon to be brother-in-law's) dismay. Rachel and Matt are honored to have Michael stand by their sides, and Matt is ready to take Michael on in all the Tenuta UNO battles to come.
Mustafa Adel
Groomsman
Mustafa is Rachel’s brother-in-law, and Matt’s ally against the Tenuta sister’s competitive side. Over the years Rachel and Mustafa have bonded over their love of food, weight lifting and their greatest shared interest, how wonderful Gabby is. Matt and Mustafa have bonded over many of these same interests, as well as their commitment to finding the best burger in Chicago and beating Rachel and Gabby in UNO.
Vincent Hilgers
Ring Bearer
Rachel's cousin Vincent is a caring and witty ten year old, full of the greatest questions and an open mind to any new cousin game. Vin and Rachel are united in their rule following spirit, and their love of hockey, Vin can surely outskate any guest. Rachel had the honor of standing up in Vincent's parent's wedding, and is so grateful Vin made the flight back from Texas to be one of her ring bearers.
Stevie Smith
Ring Bearer
Rachel’s cousin Stevie Bruno is an energetic and lovable eight year old, with a sneaky smile that is sure to fool any BS player at the cards table. Rachel had the honor of standing up for Stevie’s parents wedding, and she’s overjoyed to have him walk down the aisle as one of her ring bearers.
Connor Gill
Ring Bearer
Rachel and Matt’s youngest member of the bridal party, Connor will be nine months old at the wedding, entering in a wagon with his fellow ring bearers. Connor has unofficially made Rachel an Aunt, and she is so honored he could make an appearance on her big day, representing her lifelong friendship with his Mom, Courtney.
Gianna Smith
Flower Girl
Rachel's cousin Gianna is a bright and spunky nine year old, always ready to face off with the big kids in a game night. She's quick to give the biggest hugs and outshine anyone with the best hair. Rachel had the honor of standing up in Gianna's parents wedding, and is so excited to have Gianna walk down the aisle as one of her flower girls.
Evie Muzzalupo
Flower Girl
Matt's goddaughter Evie is an energetic and charismatic two year old. This dancing queen will likely steal the show in October and will happily meet any new guest with a "knucks" greeting. Matt has been honored to call Evie his goddaughter, and the couple is so excited to have Evie walk down the aisle as one of their flower girls.