Wedding Party

MAID OF HONOR

It all started 10 years ago at Loyola Marymount University, on the eve of a Lamda Chi party in 2011, when cool sophomore Stasia got little freshman Carolyn an invite for formal. A week later, the two bonded in the library over their shared love of making lists.  In true Anastasia fashion, she bribed Carolyn with baked goods, beginning their journey of being Big + Little — but more importantly lifelong best friends. Since then, the two have traveled the world together: whether it's snorkeling in Belize, eating escargot in France, or dancing in Greece, Anastasia and Carolyn always find time for adventure and each other. Carolyn lives in San Francisco with her dog Zeppelin. She can't wait to see where this next phase of life takes them and is honored to be a part of Stasia's biggest adventure yet: marriage. 

BEST MAN

Some would say that the defining beginnings of Drew Brinckerhoff started one day in the back of a social studies classroom. That was the fateful day Drew met Brandon. Little did either of them know, but they would go on to share a lifelong friendship with plenty of adventures. Whether skiing, skydiving, or climbing Brandon's apartment roof, the two have always enjoyed an exhilarating event. In 2018, Drew moved to Valparaiso, Indiana with his beautiful wife Kelsey and his goofy pup Lucky. They welcomed their first daughter Margaret in September of 2020. Despite the distance and pandemic, Drew and Brandon keep in touch through any myriad of technologies...provided Brandon isn't lost in the woods, and Drew isn't riding his lawn-mower (in true dad fashion).

Sister of the Bride and the one you should go to for getting the best photo. Maggie is heading off to her freshman year in August of 2022!

Older sister of the Groom, Ashley, has always taken to the “oldest sibling” role looking out for her little brother. Brandon was always (and still is) a part of Ashley’s friend groups in high school, college, and Chicago thereafter.

Brother of the Bride and most likely to be getting everyone on the dance floor. Out of all of the siblings, Michael may have the label as “life of the party”. He beat Anastasia in becoming a homeowner first, and she’s trying not to hold a grudge against him for it. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska and so far has not been able to succumb to Anastasia’s pressure of moving to the same city as her.

Courtney is the groom's younger sister, with all of the creative genes in the family. While originally a collegiate athlete (something that kept Brandon and Courtney close). Courtney is now a full-service custom jewelry designer! Now Courtney and Brandon collaborate on new design lines as well as the Bride’s engagement ring!

Alana and Anastasia met during their onboarding week at Facebook in 2016. While initially intimidated by Alana’s confidence, she was won over with Alana’s sense of humor and easy-going personality. Anastasia’s best memories with Alana come from their Scotland road trip where they re-enacted the show Outlander and almost tried haggis.

Kyle and Brandon met in Chicago playing soccer together around 2012. Soon they were traveling to Rio de Janeiro for the World Cup and lived together in Chicago for 7 years after. They continued traveling, exploring Chicago, and hosting SoFar concerts together (including the one where Brandon & Anastasia met). Brandon is now trying to get Kyle to move out to Colorado where they can continue their shared passion for fishing!

Courtney met “Anna O” in middle school and they became fast friends scheming on how to simultaneously improve at tennis while avoiding their running drills. While their middle school plot of marrying Italian princes may not have worked out, they still love getting together to gossip over curry every year in Nebraska.

Mike was Brandon’s best friend in college and soccer team captain. After college, Mike and Brandon lived together in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood for 3+ years together with fellow soccer and DePauw alum Adam Davis. The three of them (including their friends: the Rob’s) figured out how to (and how not to) live in a city as a youthful 20 something…

Alex and Anastasia met at Facebook and became connected when Alex helped Anastasia through a big period of transition in her life and moving to New York. She introduced Brandon to Anastasia when they spontaneously attended a SoFar Sounds concert. Thank you Alex for being the catalyst of bringing us all to Aspen!

Evan and Brandon met by chance, when a mutual friend introduced them to share an apartment one summer during college. Despite not going to the same schools, Brandon and Evan kept in touch with college visits, and international trips, including Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Argentina. One week when Evan was visiting Brandon in Chicago, they decided that it should just become permanent...so Evan moved in!

While they met in college, it was during a girl’s trip to Belize in 2016 where they hit it off after a life-size game of chess and became inseparable. Anastasia and Gabbi are adventure buddies – sharing a love for everything outdoors, and she is now plotting on how to make Gabbi her next Colorado neighbor.

Bormet is Brandon’s best friend from UChicago-Booth. Paired in a “Freshman” cohort group together, Brandon helped Bormet tie his very first bow-tie! Over the next few years, they bonded over Thursday Karaoke, midnight Star Wars openings, hunting trips in Louisiana, and excursions to...Delaware and Rhode Island.

Coco and Anastasia met on freshman move-in day and have been friends ever since – from studying in Greece together, Saturday morning Shrek marathons with Dominoes delivery, and always finding times for reunions with their long-distance friendship. Anastasia can’t wait to celebrate Coco’s wedding to her fiancé Ben on Labor Day weekend 2022!

Jarred “Milly” Schwandt was added to Brandon’s life courtesy of Drew Brinckerhoff’s Denver University crew. Many late nights out in Chicago, a couple of soccer games, and playing Euchre (cards) every Tuesday night for 5 years are where Milly and Brandon had the most fun. They are now planning a trip for the actual world cup together in 2022 (After the wedding, of course).

Pat and Brandon were almost never meant to be. The day they met, Brandon was picking up this "random guy" to go on a Booth canoe trip, but Pat have overslept by 30 minutes and almost got left out (thank goodness he made it!). One this trip they bonded over their passions for soccer (Chelsea FC) and adventure which did not stop then. Because Pat also lived within walking distance for a number of years they found adventure at local watering holes. Brandon stood for Pat at his and his wife's (Kirsten) wedding in 2018 and the two couples have vacationed together since!

Shrey and Brandon met at the University of Chicago during grad school where the two quickly made friends and enjoyed Thursday night Karaoke. Brandon even stood for Shrey at his Italian wedding in 2019! Since then, Shrey (and his wife Anisha) have been great friends to Brandon and Anastasia, with the couples regularly finding time to meet up in different cities across the US, despite their busy schedules.