The Wedding Party

Joe and Laura each chose seven special people to stand beside them at their wedding. Isn't seven supposed to be a lucky number? Well, that's why these two decided that these seven people would bring them the most luck of all. Read on to find out more about the wedding party. You'll also find out who the ring bearer, flower girls and ushers are!

Nydia Laabs
Matron of Honor

One of Laura's best friends since she was 16, Nydia and Laura have worked together, gone to school together, laughed together and grown together.



Steve Tomlitz
Best Man

Joe and Steve have known each other since little league. These two have shared the stage, their room and their good times.

Amber Whitaker
Maid of Honor

Amber and Laura are sisters of rock. These two met five years ago and have enjoyed sharing music, attending concerts and meeting new friends.




Jamie Meo
Best Man

Although they met through Steve, Joe and Jamie became fast friends. Immediately they could sense that they shared some odd cosmic connection having an equal voracity for both food and Metal. You can often find them together, at your local bar...giggling uncontrollably.

Allison Dunn
Bridesmaid

Allison is the beautiful young lady engaged to Laura's brother. She's a good friend and will make a great sister.




Darren Hince
Groomsman

Darren is Laura's little brother. Even though he passed her up in height when he was around fourteen years old, she'll always be his big sister. These two have gone from teasing and hair-pulling to being great friends. Laura is so proud of Darren and everything he has accomplished. Love you Dar!

Jackie Scola-Bernstein
Bridesmaid

Having had the honor to stand up in Jackie's wedding, Joe is eager to return the favor. Though admittedly they weren't terribly close as young children, after the "who's more attractive" debate was settled, they were able to move on and have become tighter than ever.

Joe Bernstein
Groomsman

Brother-in-law and fellow musician, JB, has always been an inspiration for Joe...not because of his success or talent, but because of his amazing ability to grow his facial hair into any shape or length at will.







Bethany Lisack
Bridesmaid

Beth and Laura were college roommates. Now that both of them are teachers, they have even more to share.




Brian Budzynski
Groomsman

Despite some differences in appearance, taste and personality...Joe and Brian's friendship has survived since the glory days of High School. Ok, there was that 5-year period where Bud flipped out and left for Europe unannounced...then didn't call or write for 5 years...but hey, who's counting? Point is, all is back to "normal" and everyone is glad that Brian can be part of this special occasion.

Stacy O'Connor
Bridesmaid

Laura and Stacy met at work in 2000 and shared their first apartment together. It's impossible to think of how much these two have gone through together.




Chris Blomquist
Groomsman

Like the older brother that Joe never had...or asked for...Chris has been there, without fail, for the last 10 years. Whether it was back when they were hacking computers at Blue Cross, or when they were entertaining Chicago's North Side as Acousti-Rock duo, Orange Julius, there have rarely been better partners-in-crime.

Christine DiPompeo
Bridesmaid

Christine is Laura's cousin. Family parties and life events just wouldn't be the same without her.




Robert Colon
Groomsman

There is no better way to get to know someone than to be stranded 50ft. above the stage at Foellinger Auditorium with them. Joe and Robert's friendship is not only proof of that, but of the fact that Subway sandwiches taste better if delivered to you via a pulley system.

Annie Allan
Flower Girl

Annie is the daughter of Laura's best friend from work, Laura Allan. When Laura heard that Annie expressed the need to "be near a bride," she couldn't wait to ask her to be in the wedding party.

Ava Jarman
Flower Girl

Daughter of Laura's lifelong friend Lara, Ava will make a precious flower girl.

Zack McGillis
Ring Bearer

Joe is thrilled to be able to have his cousin Zack as a part of this shindig. There is no doubt his appearance in a mini-tux will steal the show!

Avery Sundling
Usher

Swedish sensation Avery Sundling, longtime friend to Joe, has always been there to provide our groom with the touch of class and style that he has always been lacking.



Justin DiPompeo
Usher

Laura is so excited to have her cousin Justin be a part of the wedding. No one played "Baby Dinosaur" better when they were kids.