Allison & Young
Wedding Party
Ashley Woods
Matron of Honor
Ashley was my first best friend. She's the level-headed one and the only person I know who will answer my call 100% of the time. It's impressive actually. She's warm and caring and can have an entire conversation of just movie quotes. She also just became a mom to her sweet baby Crew Lincoln Woods!
Justin Hu
Best Man
In case you didn't put 2 and 2 together, this is my brother. One of two family additions to the party. He wins the competition for putting up with me for the longest, thus, has earned the Best Man title. Not nearly as good looking as I am, but those were the cards he was dealt. Still kind of fun despite his age (and curmudgeon-y nature) and father to my beloved nieces.
Amber Grubbs
Maid of Honor
Amber is the littlest of my sisters. She came home from the hospital on my 6 ½ birthday and to this day she is the best half-birthday present I ever received! She has the biggest heart and is the funniest person I know, hands down.
Eric Elgin
Groomsman
The token WASP friend. Part of the 'Minneapolis Crew'. Thinks ketchup is spicy, but managed to marry a half-Cuban wife extremely out of his league. Likes Michigan and thinking he can drink a lot.
Amanda Wilson
Bridesmaid
Aka Mamie! Amanda/Mamie (what I call her) is technically just a cousin but that title just doesn’t sound deep enough for how close we are so we call ourselves sister-cousins because that’s what she is to me. She’s a true romantic and I got to be a part of her love story and now she gets to be a part of mine. She also has the cutest little flower girl in the world, Baby Meredith.
Anish Chakravarthi
Groomsman
Fulfills the Asian Subcontinent quota of the group. The third leg of the 'Minneapolis Crew,' now lives and works in NYC. Claims to 'work out,' but still only weighs approximately 150 lbs. soaking wet. Indiana undergrad, Duke MBA now a 'fuh-nance' (finance) bro, but definitely the endearing kind. Almost as well dressed as me...almost.
Rachel Walker
Bridesmaid
Another sister-cousin and Mamie’s actual sister! Rachel and I share a deep love for the Hunger Games and she's someone I can count on to be up for anything! I'm lucky to have a sister-cousin like her.
Jacob Metzger
Groomsman
Claims he's Greek, but everyone knows he's Mexican. Part of the Kansas/High School trio (Olathe East what up!). Likes to think he's the ultimate fraternity bro, but was not a member of the best fraternity in history so obviously false.
Caitlin Elgin
Bridesmaid
I first met Cait when around the time that I also first met Young. But Cait made a significantly much better first impression. We quickly became friends because our then boyfriends were bestie bros. But our friendship now is far far beyond just being friends because of Eric and Young. It also helps that we live 4 minutes from each other.
Matt Jenkins
Groomsman
Checking the box for another white guy, but this one is from Kansas! The newer addition to the Kansas/High School trio. Maintains the unique role of formerly sworn enemy to best friend. Once a multi-sport athletic specimen, now is father to 2 boys he has remarkably kept alive. Like Eric, married way out of his league. Likes Texas and thinking he can drink a lot.
Mignon Senuta
Bridesmaid
A few years after college graduation I found a vision board, or vision list, that I created my freshman year at Loyola. On that list was the dorm I wanted (Mertz), the sorority I wanted (Alpha Sigma Alpha), and just below that was Mignon’s name. Without really knowing her, I somehow knew I had to be her friend and 14 years later, I still feel like that. It’s impossible not have a good time with her, whether it’s out or hungover on a couch with enough take-out to feed a family of 12.
Charles Qiao
Groomsman
The Chinese representative to this United Nations of Groomsmen. Part of the WashU/Frat group (Sigma Phi Hairsalon what up!). Used to have hair that was almost as loud as mine. Native New Yorker who also works in 'fuh-nance' (finance) in NYC. Loves fine watches and falling asleep anywhere and everywhere.
Madeline O'Phelan
Bridesmaid
Maddie claims to not have been in a sorority but that is literally how I first met her at Loyola. (Thank you vision board Alpha Sigma Alpha!) But what solidified our friendship was living together my Junior year/her Senior year. After she graduated, we decided to take a trip somewhere every year (Vegas, Chicago). On our 3rd year, we decided that our trip would be for me to visit Minneapolis. That was Summer 2012 and by March 2013 I was packed up in a U-haul headed up North.
Mikey Benson
Groomsman
My personal rabbi. Also part of the WashU/Frat group. Miami native now living in New Jersey (???). One of two real life, certified medical doctors included in the groomsmen (who let this happen?!?), he will be responsible for keeping the Bachelor Party alive. Could successfully hit on an inanimate object and it would likely go home with him. Huge mensch.
Natalie Wires
Bridesmaid
It was on that Vegas trip with Maddie where I met Natalie! Natalie is the breath of fresh air in every room. Our friendship has been built on live music and festivals and I truthfully don’t know if I could event count how many concerts we’ve been to together.
Brian Corwin
Groomsman
Half Asian, half amazing...kind of. The last member of the WashU/Frat group. Talks very loudly and is VERY excitable. Boston native now living in Cleveland, the other real life medical doctor in the group (again, who is approving these things?) Loves partying, staying out until the wee hours of the morning, and taking shots.
Lauren Meckstroth
Bridesmaid
And through Natalie, I met Lauren! Lauren and I were not immediate friends, and this will turn out to be just another unsolved mystery in the world. But we went from not to hot for no particular reason at all and now even Nebraska can't come between us. I can always count on Lauren to want to find a place to go dance. Everytime. Even if you’re visiting her in the middle of nowhere Nebraska.
Brandon Walker
Groomsman
The other family addition. Has had to put up with Allison since birth (as her cousin officially, but for all intents and purposes her brother), so should be sainted, but all he got was a Groomsmen nod. Lives in Springfield, IL, but unfortunately maintains worse sports allegiances than Brian (Boston), that I definitely don't ever mention or hold against him. Is down for anything and everything.
Meredith Wilson
Flower Girl
So if Mamie is my sister-cousin, then baby Meredith is my niece-cousin! Meredith went on her first limo ride and saw her first snowflake when she was visiting Minneapolis (along with the adults, of course) for wedding dress shopping so she's officially part of our crew!
Kylee & Kenzie Hu
Flower Girls
My beloved nieces - will make the BEST flower girls.