John & Meredith
Wedding Party
Kristin Terrana
Maid of Honor
Kristin and Meredith were locked in friendship forever when Meredith's Fall Out Boy ringtone rang loud in their 7th grade Spanish class. It was at this time that Kristin realized Meredith was in fact, cool. They instantly became best friends. Kristin and Meredith have bonded over countless sleepovers involving Oreos and Mary Kate and Ashley movies making their friendship ironclad. This has kept them close despite living far apart as Kristin fulfills her lifelong dream of thriving in NYC as a Copywriter. Kristin has remained one of Meredith's dearest friends and confidants through the years and Meredith is honored to have Kristin as her Maid of Honor.
Chris Gage
Best Man
John's not quite sure whether Chris is more likely to help John commit murder or prosecute John for a murder he *didn't commit* However, It's the extra mile Chris would go to plant evidence in either situation that makes him the perfect fit for John's best man. After law school, John roped Chris into staying in Gainesville to work at the State Attorney's Office and to coach trial team with him. John's fondest memories of his time as a prosecutor include asking his work mom for permission to go do trials with Chris in Bradford County. The two have been a pair ever since.
Raquel Gordiychuk
Matron of Honor
Meredith met Raquel when Raquel moved in across the street in the year 2000. Meredith knew in an instant that she would be adopting 10 year old Raquel as her cool big sister that she would look up to and learn from for years to come. If you couldn't find Meredith as a kid, she was likely at Raquel's watching Mrs Doubtfire and begging Raquel to do her hair, nails, and makeup while simultaneously eating all the snacks in the Rodriguez house. They have remained undeniably close for the last 21 years through all of their big life moments. Meredith is delighted to have Raquel as her Matron of Honor and honored to wear her engagement and wedding rings designed and created by Raquel's father, Frank Rodriquez.
Chris Barton
Groomsman
A dancing machine with the energy of a Pikachu on adderall, Chris forced his friendship on John one terrible dad joke at a time. No matter where John went, Chris was there. John coached Chris on trial team, competed with him, and then coached with him afterward. Eventually, John and Chris became widely known as (no one else called them this) the Best Advocate Special. Chris later became John's first legal intern at the State Attorney's Office. Chris had a front row seat to some of the dumbest decisions John has ever made in his life. Just when John was looking into a restraining order, Chris moved away and John has had separation anxiety ever since. Everyone at the wedding needs to ask Chris how he became a "full member" of the trial team.
Maria Benzekri
Bridesmaid
Maria and Meredith first met when they were both recruited to sell books door to door for Southwestern Advantage the summer following their freshmen year of college. Working door to door in the sticks of West Virginia gave them a unique bond that grew stronger through their time together at University of Florida. They became roommates and soon after BFFLs. Their friendship bound by traveling together, eating butter chicken, and quoting John Mulaney has remained strong despite being apart as Maria's moved across the country, then across the world and back again in the last few years. Meredith is honored to have Maria stand with her as her Bridesmaid.
Zack "El TIgre" Gonzalez
Groomsman
Another friendship forged in the fires of trial team, John and Zach were pitted against each other in tryouts and ended up facing off in the Final Four competition. Later that night in a drunken haze (and fearing their mutually assured destruction should they go head to head again) John and Zach planned to take over the team and partner up for every competition thereafter. While Zach and John were never defeated as co-counsel, their greatest victory was being crowned Levin High Bar Golf Champions of 2015 - a night I'm sure we'll hear about in Gage's best man speech. While Zach has not quite figured out how to work the top four buttons of a dress shirt, he rocks the suit, aviators, and lolli-pop look like no other. A little known fact: You cannot catheterize El Tigre.
Nicole Hartmann
Bridesmaid
Nicole and Meredith became acquainted through selling and recruiting with Southwestern Advantage. They became bonded for life after sailing together on the trip of a lifetime- Semester at Sea in Fall of 2014. Their friendship grew over sharing hostels, late night chats at SAS snack time, and salsa dancing. They have since become best friends with a mutual love for potatoes, making suspicious facial expressions, spontaneous trips, and long phone calls to each other for much needed life catch-ups. Meredith is honored to have Nicole stand beside her as her Bridesmaid.
Brian Miller
Groomsman
Brian is one of John's oldest friends and confidants. Brian is best known for his work moonlighting as the devil over John's left shoulder during his high school and college years. Some of John's favorite stories he's not allowed to tell anymore began with Brian's questionable influence. Brian has moved off now to some small town called "Chicago" and is kicking ass in the finance world. From taking John to his first high school party, through spring/winter break trips, all the way to showing John the nightlife in Chi-town 10 years later, the two have been through a lot together. Look for the smooth talker standing out in a room full of lawyers and you'll have found Brian.
Jennifer Bromwell
Bridesmaid
Jen and Meredith met in their junior year of at University of Florida. Surprised they had not met already, they instantly became friends over their mutual love for Dragonfly sushi, wine, and rock climbing. Their friendship continued to grow through coffee dates, studying, and life chats over micro-brews . They have since supported each other through applying to graduate schools and starting their careers with a few bouts of being roommates along the way. And we obviously can't forget about the great quarantine incident of 2020. Meredith was honored to stand with Jen in her wedding and is honored to have Jen stand with her as her bridesmaid.
Mark Wilson
Groomsman
Mark is John's oldest brother and probably the one who had the greatest influence on John's personality. John grew up watching Mark's every move - wanting to like what he liked and hate what he hated. John's favorite childhood memory was going alone for a week in middle school up to Albany, NY to visit Mark in college. Destroying Mark and his college roommates at Smash Brothers at 12 years old is still the coolest John has ever felt in his life. Mark later took John to go tour the University of Florida on a game-day weekend and taught John how to sneak into bars as a minor. Mark is most well known in the family playing games until he wins and then walking away declaring himself the reigning champion. It was those traumatic experiences that made John hate losing at anything, even once.
Ashley Castillo
Bridesmaid
Ashley and Meredith met through Southwestern Advantage while Meredith was recruiting and Ashley became her first official team member. They were bookfield roommates together in Ohio and bonded over car rides home after long days of selling, and pizza on Saturday nights. Their friendship continued to grow at UF as they recruited and sold together for the next few years. As roommates in Gainesville, Meredith reaped the benefits of Ashley's cooking- most memorably her Cuban Cafe con Leche and rice and beans, while Ashley reaped the benefits of living with the worlds most precious dog, Toffee. They have since gone into similar careers, Ashley as an Occupation Therapist and Meredith as a Physical Therapist. Meredith is honored to have Ashley stand by her as her bridesmaid.
Greg Wilson
Groomsman
Greg is John's next eldest brother and is definitely the most adventurous out of the group. Whether on dirt bikes, jet ski's, motorcycles, or jumping out of plane, John always thought of his older brother Greg as fearless. As kids, Greg turned the family trampoline into a knock-off WWF ring. Greg never shyed away from powerbombing his toddler brothers through plywood or choke-slamming them off the deck onto the trampoline. Greg bought his first car with funds procured from breaking his foot videotaping himself wrestling on his friend's shed (which may or may not have piqued John's interest in a particular field of law). Greg has now made it his life's mission to teach John to test the limits of the Irish liver.
Caroline Salem
Bridesmaid
Meredith met Caroline in Physical Therapy school at UF. Meredith has a distinct memory of thinking Caroline was "just the coolest", and knew she must befriend her. They became friends after an epic group trip to Atlanta where they bonded over getting kicked out of an Air bnb, drinking beer, and the Human Body exhibit. They have since endured ridiculous amounts of exams and practicals, finally resulting in their graduation into careers as PTs. They have continued to grow closer as friends and confidants keeping in touch over Facetime with the Pacific Ocean between them. Meredith cannot wait until she is able to visit Caroline in Hawaii where they can share more adventures. She is honored to have Caroline stand with her as her bridesmaid.
Howie Kelly
Groomsman
As Irish twins, John and Howie grew up going doing (read: competing in) everything together. Howie's favorite pastime involved watching John's head explode when he would put his finger in John's food, and/or watching John get in trouble for throwing said food thereafter. Their sibling rivalry which has baffled therapists aside, Howie is the hardest working and laser focused brother out of the group. The man dabbles in nothing. When he puts his mind to something, he has to be, and usually is, the best at it. Despite his best efforts, Howie's cold dead heart was melted by his wonderful wife Kaylee. Howie's ultimate victory over John was raising three (embarrassingly young) kids who can beat John in almost any video game he touches. Well done, sir.
Ashlyn Lasso
Bridesmaid
Meredith and Ashlyn met in Physical Therapy school. After their first year of practicing transfers and sharing study guides they became roommates. From Ashlyn, Meredith learned her love for the Great British Baking Show, knitted blankets, and cheesy Hallmark movies. She considers these things to be what comforted her through the hardest parts of PT school. She always appreciated how Ashlyn danced to the beat of her own drummer.. literally.. at any moment in their apartment. They bonded over countless nights of studying, crying, and laughing together as they endured the unforgettable experience that was PT school. Meredith was honored to stand with Ashlyn at her wedding and is honored to have Ashlyn stand with her as her Bridesmaid.
Barbara Kelly
Groomswoman
Bobbie-Jo is John's youngest sister. John and Bobbie-Jo basically grew up in a perpetual contest of who could drive their parents the craziest and who had the most offensive sense of humor. The end result is now a product that that would make Melissa McCarthy blush. The down-side of their relationship is that Bobbie-Jo tops the list (tied only with their father) of people that must die before John can run for office. John wouldn't have it any other way. She is also the most loyal and kind-hearted of any of his siblings.