Alina & Bill's Wedding
Wedding Party
Ava Hess
Maid of Honor
The prettiest of the Hess sisters, a Taurus and a candy lover. When Ava is not out and about in Oakland, she enjoys a relaxing evening watching Netflix. She is a freshman at Pitt, and the coolest of the bridal party - but don’t touch her hair without asking ;)
Christopher Woody
Groomsman
From riding around in the Sub(aru), to roommates at Penn State, to a strangely strong, shared love of Cold Play- 'Woody' and Billy go way back, and share an odd sense of humor. Woody is a great entertainer (starting with his MC gig with Kyle at the JV show), and also one of Billy and Alina's newest neighbors in Old City.
Conor Hyder
Groomsman
We don't know who left Conor and Billy in charge of a Fraternity house, but they had a memorable time keeping it standing up for a year. Conor is a true adventurer- climbing mountains across the world. He even convinced Billy to climb a (small) one in Yosemite.
Egan Hess
Groomsman
Alina's favorite brother is studying Nutrition at Penn State, the greatest college in the world. When he isn't working hard or catching up on sleep, Egan enjoys hanging out with his lovely girlfriend Amy, traveling to new places, watching shows such as "The Witcher," and creating in the kitchen or eating out delicious food.
Elke Hess
Maid of Honor
Alina’s next oldest sister and sorority sister, this government Epidemiologist enjoys everything hygge, watching movies, reading books, nature hikes, and correcting people on how to pronounce her name (it’s like the “L” key on your laptop).
Etta Hess
Flower Girl
Billy's favorite Hess sister- always smiling and laughing 😊 Etta enjoys playing with beads, toys that make loud noises, and clapping. Her favorite movie is "Brave" because the heroine has fierce red hair like herself.
Jacob Krasovec
Groomsman
An avid skier, Jake and Billy have skid a number of mountains together- including the French Alps a few years back. Jake recently moved to Old City, where he's Billy and Alina's newest neighbor.
John McDonnell
Father of the Groom
There is a picture of John next to the definition of 'Dad' in the Oxford Dictionary. He can fix anything, even Billy's reckless behavior as a kid, which tests his patience even today. After 20+ years of coaching soccer, we thought John was ready to retire, but you can still find him volunteering for intramural soccer.
John McDonnell, Jr.
Best Man
Billy's first bunk bed buddy and brother. As Irish twins, Johnny and Billy have been causing trouble in the back woods of Glenwood since 1993. Playing on the same soccer, baseball, swimming and lacrosse teams- Johnny has always had Billy's back- on and off the field.
Judith McDonnell
Mother of the Groom
Judy, AKA Judy Basket, AKA the ultimate soccer mom (now official in the Media Sports HOF). This is all on top of her full-time job as a loving, compassionate and caring mother of four. In her free time, she can be seen socializing in Media- from State St to Broomalls Lake- or putting her feet in the sand at OCNJ.
Julia Cieri
Bridesmaid
Alina’s best friend since the 8th grade and forever concert partner - a yoga teacher and cat lover (her cat’s name is Toad - ask her about it) who makes you feel like family and will sell you Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes (they’re GRRRRREAT!)
Karen Hess
Mother of the Bride
Alina's Mother is the most selfless and caring person in the world. She cares immensely for her five children and her wonder-woman ability to do it all has you wondering - how DOES she do it? Karen is an art expert, a classic movie lover, a reader, a rememberer of random facts, a user of words such as "discombobulated," and an avid Italian Fine Food lover - don't even TRY to serve her "Olive Garden."
Kenna Bryan
Bridesmaid
Alina’s best friend since 9th grade - this Computer Engineer and boating Queen loves cats, France and Italia, IPAs, and bouncing around Seacrets in Ocean City with the girls. She just got ENGAGED to the love of her life Kevin on December 17th and will be moving to Annapolis with him in February 2022.
Kyle Wright
Groomsman
Kyle and Billy have taken a trip or two together, and share a love of fine, authentic food and good music. Kyle is a connoisseur of board games, and knows a thing or two about making a good drink.
Lauren Buckley
Bridesmaid
Alina’s best friend since the 8th grade- this Capricorn and New York Textile Designer loves her fur baby Molly, her fiancé Ryan, Patti Smith, Gilmore Girls & coffee, and sharing guacamole with Alina on their El Vez dates. Lauren is always just a phone call away.
Lauren Kaminsky
Bridesmaid
Alina’s best friend since 8th grade but she has been friends with Lauren since they were in KINDERGARDEN - her forever concert buddy and government environmental worker who enjoys music & concerts, traveling, and all-around good vibes (she is low key a hippie).
Margaret Flint
Bridesmaid
Maggie is Billy's favorite sister. A rose among thorns with the McDonnell children, she showed her brothers to better appreciate the more feminine side of life. Maggie recently moved to Amberg, Germany with her new husband, Chandler.
Meghan Corbett
Bridesmaid
Alina’s best friend from Penn State (the best University in the whole world) and sorority sister, this Physician’s Assistant loves taking shots with Alina, her fur baby Sophie, her fiancé Ryan, caramel iced coffee, mozzarella sticks, and saying weird things like “ruhm” when pronouncing “room” because she is from New England.
Michael McKernan
Groomsman
Both having very Irish last names, Mike and Billy sat next to each other in homeroom in high school. Their friendship blossomed over a shared interest in pyrotechnics, and the hope their parents wouldn't find out (sorry Mike 😬).
Robert McDonnell
Groomsman
The youngest of the McDonnell family- Robby picked up the best traits from each of his siblings, and grew up to be the tallest of the bunch. When Bert isn't hitting the engineering books up at Penn State, he's hitting the gym- getting SWOLE, or hitting the slopes- trying to keep up with his big bro, Billy.
Ryan Urban
Groomsman
Finally one of Alina's bridesmaids found a guy who like to golf. Ryan and Billy often, selflessly give their fiancés some much needed 'girl time'- and sneak out to play a quick nine.
Saranya Govindaraju
Bridesmaid
Alina’s best friend since 10th grade, a low-key therapist, and a Yale alum - this scientific consultant despises taking shots, LOVES her dog Willie (yes, as in William like the Groom), and enjoys pointing out HCVs (health code violations) during our excursions.
Stephen Hess
Father of the Bride
Alina's Dad does everything for his five children. Among consistently checking in with each of them to make sure their cars are up to date on their oil changes, this Engineer enjoys watching movies with his wife and family, creating fantastical food masterpieces in the kitchen, traveling, and of course, drinking a good beer.