Chris and Edie Allen – Parents of the Bride

Chris and Edie have been married for 36 years. They told their children they met at a library but really they met at a bar. Chris is the resident family goofball (make sure you learn how to do his classic Chris Allen dance on the dance floor). He is a dreamer and a doer, a builder and an inventor of so many life hacks you didn’t know you needed. Edie is a pillar of wisdom, empathy, and emotional support. She is a wordsmith and a lighthouse for so many. One of the greatest joys in life is to get her laughing until she cries. Together, these two taught their children to be creative and warm, to not shy away from emotions, and most importantly to love one another. They created a family culture of friendship and respect. They have embraced Will and his family and can’t wait for these families to merge further.

Benton Allen – Bridesbro

The Big Brother everyone wishes they had. The tinker-er, the maker of wooden things, the one we begged to play one more song. With tenderness and strength, he holds his family and loved ones near. If by any chance you think the Allen sisters are cool it is only because they have been copying their big brother from the start- stealing his mix CD’s, learning to sew patches in the holes of their clothes, and ultimately making their way down to Texas. The best big brother in the world, the one who made our parents parents and our family a family.

Little Anna – Maid of Honor

Introducing the littlest Allen, the peacekeeper with just a dash of trouble. The one who followed Mere around until Mere finally asked her never to stop. If you’ve ever hung out with the Allen sisters, its likely they’ve made you play a game of “close your eyes and guess which sister is speaking.” They revel in their similarities and celebrate their differences, but you will never know which sister their clothing originally belonged to. Renowned for her joy, her energy, her music, her art, Anna is the world’s best sister and will 100% be the most popular person at the wedding.

Emily Jackson – Sister-In-Love

Finally, Mere gets to HAVE a big sister! You haven’t lived till you have basked in the wonder of Emily’s laughter. A common occurrence in Emily’s presence is wondering if you have always been this funny and smart and beautiful and eloquent…orrr does she just bring out the best in you? One minute she’s in overalls and elbows deep in a school bus engine, and the next she’s the hottest bartender you’ve ever seen and you are leaving her a $1000 dollar tip (true story, ask her). Emily came into the family by way of Benton, but now she belongs to all the Allens: a sister, a daughter, a friend, a beloved.

Alexandra Beresford – Bestie

AKA Al, the world’s most curious woman, the ultimate question asker, the safest space you could ever find. Al and Mere met in college at American University and Al quickly became a regular fixture at Custer Road in Bethesda with Meredith’s grandparents. And it took just one visit to Pennsylvania for the Beresfords to fold Meredith in with their family too- today she even boasts Al’s new nephew amongst her doula babies! At home in Portland, it seems that Al has sprung from a vegetable garden herself; she’s one with the dirt and the worms, and also with the trees and the sky. If you know her, that sentence made total and complete sense. She is who Mere looks to whenever she needs a reminder of her own strengths and inner beauty. She is a true and forever friend.

The groom’s family is a wild bunch spread all over Texas. Claude and Grace, Will’s dad and stepmom, have been married for 14 years and live in Seguin, Texas on the banks of the mighty Guadalupe River. Their 4th of July river parties have become legend, and beg the question, ‘can you ever have too many margarita machines?’ Answer. No. These days, if they’re not on a boat ride, they’re probably in the RV on the next great adventure.

Will’s mom, Tedi is pure unconditional love. Most people are fairly certain that she’s a real angel. But don’t let that fool you, she’s also got an edge. She was the one who taught Will how to rock out on the drums to Rage Against the Machine. She’s a prolific haiku poet, a chicken-shit-bingo champion, and the best Mom in the world.

Will has spent his whole life looking up to his older sister, Katie. Not literally, as he outgrew her in his teens, ending her tyrannical rule over him via noogies, wet willy’s, and her trademark– the dreaded ‘Johnny Boy.’ (if you don’t know, don’t ask)

She is wildly creative– an artist of dozens of mediums. She’s razor sharp and funny as hell. She appreciates luxury like few others do. She gives the absolute best gifts. She is the one who he sat on the top stair with every Christmas morning, who administered life saving first aid when he stepped on a razor sharp tuna can lid, who always cast him as the female character in her movie productions–dressing him in flowing gowns and lipstick, to their father’s delight. She is Will’s other other-half.

Kirk Johnson – Groomsboy

The first time Will and Kirk played Guitar Hero 2 together, they entwined in the sacred Na’vi bond of Tsaheylu, uniting their spirits as one for eternity. The original Party Boi, and two time winner of Lake Highlands High School’s Silliest Goose award, Kirk will serve as the groom’s jester and the ceremony’s Master of Giggles.

Sean Neesley – Cuz of Honor

Though they grew up a thousand miles apart, Will and Sean’s blood connection could not be denied, and as soon as they were able to set out on their own, they did it together. Over the years, two emo boys became men. Sean has always been the coolest one in the group–skateboarding, playing in bands, and traveling the world. He is afraid of man-made heights but will do a hand stand at the edge of a cliff– that’s how in tune with nature he is. Wise beyond his years, Sean’s wedding duties will be as Will’s advisor and spiritual guru. It is highly likely that at some point he will climb a tree.

Friends from Texas and then neighbors in Echo Park in LA, Jake is Meredith and Will’s most equally shared bestie. Hilarious. Humble. Jake will keep you laughing and keep you guessing. He was always the first to show up to our poker nights, arms full of goodies, and the last to leave, arms full of our money. Jake was always next to us in the cheap seats at Dodger stadium, and we love knowing that he’ll be next to us when we say our vows.