Meet the Wedding Party

Benji and David first met in preschool and quickly became enemies - Benji hogged the computer, and Benji claims David was cocky (at age four). They buried the hatchet in kindergarten after realizing how much they had in common, and from then on became like brothers. Benji taught David how to ice skate and ski, David played goalie so Benji could fire hockey shots at him, Benji served as a “cone” for David to practice crossovers in basketball, and of course they competed relentlessly in video games, test scores, and height (David’s taller, still). They stayed best friends through elementary, middle, and high school, and eventually became college roommates at Indiana University. Today, their friendship continues into adult life as they push and encourage each other to be the best they can be in work, fitness, and navigating adulthood. Benji brings unmatched loyalty, enthusiasm, and a never-ending willingness to say yes to whatever comes next.

Ryan is always Lauren’s Man of Honor and born-in built-in best friend. They’ve been close from the very beginning - growing up and playing every day together as kids, growing as students and friends together at Harley, and always showing up for each other no matter what in every stage of life. In college, Lauren once brought Ryan to a party, and by the end of the night he knew everyone’s name and was somehow running the game table like he lived there too. A few years ago, Ryan moved back to Rochester, and they took their sibling bond to sitcom levels by living in neighboring apartments on the same floor of their apartment building. Ryan has a huge heart, a huge brain, and an unmatched ability to be both incredibly smart and incredibly kind at the same time. He is both the best brother and the best friend, and is irreplaceable in Lauren’s life!

Nora is Lauren’s cousin and the coolest almost-16-year-old around. Lauren has loved watching Nora grow from a wild, hilarious little kid into a beautiful young woman with confidence, sass, and an impressively sharp mind. Nora is deeply kind and strong in the way that really matters - leading with both her intellect and her heart. She also plays a vital role in Lauren’s life by keeping her up to date on whatever slang the kids are currently using (a true public service). Thoughtful, witty, and wise beyond her years, Nora is a real-life Hermione Granger! Lauren couldn’t be more proud to have her as her cousin or as part of the bridal party!

Matt and David first met in eighth grade on the junior football team, where Matt was already a standout athlete and David was still figuring out which direction to run. In high school, Matt leaned into his natural talent for baseball while David stuck with football, but after spending nearly every class together junior year, the friendship was locked in for good. Through college and into adulthood, Matt has been a constant presence - showing up for visits, shenanigans, and just about every shared tradition since. That friendship has lived on through adulthood with long Chicago dinners, Super Bowl parties, Friendsgivings, legendary lake-house weekends, and David’s trips to Matt’s physical therapy clinic so he can stay healthy enough to keep beating Matt in pond hockey, pickleball, and basketball. Matt brings an easy confidence, steady support, goofy humor, and competitive edge to everything he does - the kind of friend you trust completely and are lucky to have in your corner.

David met Jack at the high school lunch table and became instant friends, quickly discovering a shared talent for turning ordinary weekends into full agendas - video games, cooking experiments, poker competitions, swimming, skiing, and a relentless search for the cheapest, most filling restaurants possible. After high school, Jack made frequent visits to Indiana University, and when David was home on breaks, Jack became his personal driver and workout buddy, picking him up daily to get him back into fighting shape. As adults, the friendship has only expanded: Jack hosts BBQs, organizes pond hockey, and leads ski trips, while David responds by planning over-the-top surf-and-turf home-cooked dinners or convincing Jack to help explore whatever business idea was top of mind. Jack brings a rare mix of competence, ease, and good humor, and has been a loyal friend to David for over 15 years.

Scott and David became friends in high school and quickly discovered that Scott treats the phrase “any activity” not as a suggestion, but as a legally binding challenge. What followed was a long-running rivalry that somehow expanded to include sports, board games, eating, cooking, and activities no one else thought should be competitive. Through college, they kept the friendship going with constant visits between Indiana University and the University of Illinois, along with Scott enthusiastically dragging David into whatever his latest interest happened to be - whether that meant skateboarding, pickling vegetables, perfecting banana bread, or eating irresponsible amounts of sushi. One of David’s closest friends, Scott brings nonstop energy, humor, and heart to every room. He’s the guy who will turn a casual hang into a competition, a competition into a story, and then surprise you by being just as ready for a deep, thoughtful conversation once the trash talk ends.