What’s a wedding without good people around you?
Maid of Honor | Karla Shook
Kelly has known Karla since the beginning. She lived down the hall most of Kelly’s life. Karla, Kelly’s older sister, by a mere 14 months, works as an actor and singer all over the world. From dance class, to Mac-Haydn shows, to an apartment in Manhattan, to touring Japan together, they get along surprisingly well. Sure, Karla hates when Kelly is too busy to talk to her, and Kelly hates when Karla asks her to Google things because her phone doesn’t work in Canada, but there is no one else Kelly would rather have by her side.
Bridesmaid | Amelia Millar
Amelia is Kelly’s Mini-Me. Look at any picture of Amelia, and that was Kelly 10 years prior. Both seem pretty happy with the comparison. Amelia, like her cousins, has been working professionally in Musical Theatre for over 15 years. Yes, she started when she was 9. Amelia now resides in her very first apartment in NYC, which she has tastefully and craftily decorated herself, and has been a huge help in executing wedding details as well. She may be a cousin, but to Kelly, she is a sister. (Who she can yell at to brush her hair.)
Bridesman | Joshua Zecher-Ross
Joshua and Kelly began their love affair in 1996, but did not truly cement their relationship until Joshua played the back end to Kelly’s cow, Caroline, in 2004. They shared an apartment together for 5 years in NYC, hosting the best Fall parties Upper Manhattan had ever seen, and eating cookies while they cried through “Parenthood.” Joshua is an accomplished pianist and Musical Director, who has teamed with Kelly for some of her most esteemed productions. He now lives in NYC with Sam and their dog, Monty.
Bridesmaid | Lisa Frechette
Lisa and Kelly were freshmen together at Wagner College, where they were known as the dancers of their class. Although they would rather not kick their faces any more without serious financial compensation, they do plan to tear up the dance floor at the wedding. Lisa spent this past year in Taipei, working on location with Sikelia Productions. Lisa is the first person Kelly told about Dave, during one of their epic sushi and wine nights. The exact phrase: “We had a really nice time. I’m going to let him buy me dinner.” Smart decision.
Groomswoman | Anne Earel
Anne is quite possibly Dave’s oldest friend (in duration of friendship, not in terms of age). One of the few Naperville North HS representatives, they first met Dave’s freshman (Anne’s sophomore) year (even though Dave is older). Through various choirs, tours, musicals and intense sarcasm, they have built a friendship that has stood the test of time. Dave has also famously been known to offer her father a kidney for a ride to the airport (it was far). Over the last decade, Anne and her fantastic husband Jim have been steering Dave toward good beers, electronic gadgets, and even a good amount of engagement ring shopping advice on his trips home to the Midwest. Anne is currently a librarian at Augustana College in IL.
Groomsman | Scott Keller
Scott and Dave first met when they worked together at the Salt River Project in Phoenix in 2006. They were pretty fast friends, highlighted by Dave’s assistance videotaping Scott and Maegan’s wedding in Denver. (Scott is not being required to return the favor.) When Scott and Maegan moved to New York City in 2010, Dave was soon to follow, and relied on them heavily for basics like subway usage, understanding shopping cart escalators, and living efficiently in less than 500 sq-ft. Scott is currently a Systems Engineer at NBC in New York, where Dave was able to once again work in the same building with Scott for a short time.
Groomsman | Josh Kelman
Josh and Dave were both a part of the same scholarship program at Arizona State University, and ended up sharing majors, extra-curricular activities, an apartment and a house at some point while Dave lived in Phoenix. At many times (but especially while battling neighborhood hooligans in South Phoenix), Josh consistently reinforced that he’s a good guy to have in your corner when an argument is involved and an amazingly effective communicator in any medium. He is currently a TV Producer for Fox Sports Arizona based in Phoenix, where he lives with his lovely wife Christy.
Groomsman | Ross Novotny
Ross and Dave first met at a convention somewhere for Key Club International, where they were both busy politicking for an international board office of some kind. Once elected, they crossed paths may times that year (Dave’s senior and Ross’ junior year of high school), and then ended up reuniting a year later when Ross joined the same scholarship program at ASU. Dave’s apartment became the de-facto video gaming location, and thankfully all four of his video game controllers survived many rounds of abuses at the hands of an angry Ross. Ross and his wonderful wife Lauren have recently survived a home remodel in Phoenix, where he continues to work in real estate.