Lauren & Jonathan

Meredith is Lauren's younger sister and Maid of Honor also known as Mer Bear. Meredith & Lauren are 9 years apart. Even though there is 9 years difference between them, they have always stayed close. Lauren has fond memories of them doing musicals together, dance competitions, siblings’ weekend at CMU, Christmas Eve Grinch watching, NYC trip, Meredith's 21st birthday and her recent favorite which was bridesmaid dress shopping together. Meredith is currently attending Central Michigan University (Lauren's Alumna) as a vocal music major. Meredith was recently chosen and recognized as Central Michigan's Choral Service Award and has sang in both Italy and Carnegie Hall. She is both talented, kind, and beautiful- both inside and out. Lauren is so thankful that Meredith will be there through all the wedding planning headaches and the joyous moments the day of the wedding. Up until Jon proposed to Lauren, Meredith enjoyed pestering him always saying "When you asking?!" Now that he has asked, being the little sister she is, she loves to joke, "There's still time Jon..." 

Favorite place traveled: Italy

Barbara and Lauren (B & LO) met their first year at Central Michigan on a school bus for a college field trip. They quickly bonded over their same majors, love for dance and event planning. Lauren still remembers the first time they hung out. Barb picked Lauren up at her college dorm in a little red car and they got ready drinking Bloody Mary’s (yes, Bloody Mary’s at 6 PM) which followed by going out in matching outfits. Barbara quickly became the older sister she never had (or asked for… haha!). If you tried to find them in college, they were either cramming for an exam at Finch Fieldhouse or doing unplanned synchronized dance moves (photo to prove.) Barbara & Lauren have always had each other backs. Barbara was also the first person she called when she met Jon and said there is something was different with this one. Barbara’s first daughter, Graelyn Rose, is Lauren’s namesake and mini bestie. 

Favorite place traveled: Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Islands

Amanda and Lauren first met through a mutual friend when both searching for a roommate. They ended up living together in New Orleans for 2 years. When they first moved in together Lauren’s dog, Charles, was a small pup. She quickly became not only a great friend to Lauren but Charles’ god (dog) mom. Lauren and Amanda have done a million fun things together but to name a few: New Orleans Jazz Fest, many Mardi Gras, Endymion balls, many concerts, awkward dance moves on Frenchman, searching for the best Sazerac, and eating tons of oysters and crawfish. No matter where life takes them, they can always pick up exactly where they left off. Amanda also joined Lauren in Jamaica for her 30th and is so happy she can join Jon and Lauren again a year later for their wedding!

Favorite place traveled: Huascarán National Park - Peru

Colin and Lauren met while both working at Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It didn’t take long for these two become best friends. About a year into being friends Lauren moved from New Orleans to New York and Colin joined her in their great American road trip; New Orleans to Michigan to New York. After about 20 hours in the car together they may have fought like siblings, but it just means they loved each other like one. Colin & Lauren have also visited Chicago together, and was there when Jon and Lauren met for the first time. Between many memories of Mardi Gras, Saints games, festivals, & road trips- She can’t wait to make many more in Jamaica, Mon with her Brides’Mon, Colin!

Favorite place traveled: Thailand & Tokyo

Lauren and Megan have known each other for many years from working and living together in Fire Island. They both worked together bartending at The Landing and instantly became fast friends and their dogs did too. (Megan even helped Lauren throw a ridiculously over the top birthday party for Charles). Not only did they become fast friends but quickly realized that everyone thought looked like each other. Many people confused them while working to the point where Lauren would just respond when someone called out Megan and vice versa. They lived together for a summer in Fire Island and if you saw one of them, you probably saw the other. Some of Lauren's favorite memories with Megan are... prom, all Island bar crawl, to many bartending shifts to count, Sunday 4-for-all, day drinks with the pups at wherever the day would take them, Schooners, PR, Dave Matthews Show, bike crashes, car shopping, blue bombs, Zippies, and most recently exploring Chicago and arguing on if you should eat the peanut shell. Lauren can not wait for their next adventure in Jamaica! 

Danette is Jon's only sister and is attending the wedding with her two great kids Justin and Ella (who will also be great helpers the day of the wedding).  Growing up, Danette would often take Jon to movies or their favorite activity together, puddle jumping during a summer rain storm.  Of course Danette had her fun with Jon, too, as she'd have her friends over and they'd have make-up parties where "Jonathina" would be the test subject.  Fortunately there are no known pictures of him all "done up" as a child...and he turned out ok. :D Lauren is excited to have an older sister that she has never had and is grateful she will be standing on her side on the wedding day. 

Favorite place traveled: Cayman Islands

Kirsten and Lauren met in Fire Island, NY years ago both working in the restaurant industry. They were always distant friends in Fire Island but it wasn’t until Kirsten, moved to New Orleans was when they became close friends. They bonded over beer, late night Verti Marte and appreciation for New Orleans culture. Lauren misses the times where Kiki would stop over on her bike and they would listen to old records while hanging with Charles and while attempting to whip up cocktails from the mint in her garden. Kirsten & Lauren always have each other’s back and will always be friends through thick and thin. Lauren is excited to spend time with her at the bachelorette party in their favorite city, New Orleans in October. 

Favorite place traveled: Kilkee, Ireland

Lauren met Leah in New Orleans through a mutual friend. Leah and Lauren both needed a roommate and lived together in NOLA for a year. Their friendship has come a long way since their arguments over dirty dishes and who took the trash out (haha!). Leah now lives in Denver and they still manage to try to see each other as much as possible. Leah and Lauren's love for music and festivals brought them together- they have seen shows together at Voo Doo fest, Joy Theater in New Orleans, Northerly Islands in Chicago & Red Rocks in Denver. Leah has introduced Lauren to many great music artists and vice versa. They recently had a blast seeing Ben Harper in Chicago and had so many Jamaican signs the entire weekend: "If you don't like my fire, Then don't come around, 'Cause I'm gonna burn one down." Distance doesn't keep these two apart, they will truly be friends forever.

Favorite place traveled: Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Lauren and Luiza haven’t known each other long but became fast friends. Lauren met Luiza from Jon’s friend Ben, which is her Husband. Jon stood up in Ben and Luiza’s wedding and they will both be returning the favor in April to them. Luiza and Lauren share a love for traveling and experiencing other cultures. She and Ben joined Lauren in Jamaica for her 30th birthday and was a huge help gathering donations for the fundraising efforts for the Negril Schools. Lauren looks forward to showing Luiza New Orleans for the first time in October and traveling back to Jamaica with her in April for the wedding.  Next on the traveling bucketlist, Luiza's motherland of Brazil!

Favorite place traveled: Nærøyfjord, Norway and Rila National Park, Bulgaria