Wedding Party
We are so lucky to have so many wonderful friends and family included in our wedding day. We want you all to know that we appreciate both the time and financial commitment that it takes for you to stand by our sides through this process. We love you all and cannot imagine our day without you there!
We hope the below will help everyone get to know our wedding party just a little bit better before the big day. We already know they are pretty awesome, but now you have no excuse not to know it too!
Meet Carly Rubel
Quick Facts by Lauren
Title: Maid of Honor
Friends for: 9 years
How we met: She lived across the hall from me in our freshman dorm at the University of Maryland.
Favorite Carly Memory: In December 2011 we went on the road trip of a lifetime together stopping in Savannah, New Orleans, and Nashville. The above photo was taken on our trip together. I cannot possibly pick one memory from our trip.
I love Carly because she has a heart of gold. I have literally never seen her mean. Ever. How is that possible? She is just that amazing.
Q&A with Carly
Last meal? Last meal is so hard. I'd want something from all my favorite food memories: 2 charbroiled oysters from the Royal House in NOLA; 2 raw East Coast oysters; escargot from Jules Bistro in NYC; a Lauren Gonzalez curated cheese and charcuterie board; lots of good wine; a small portion of lobster mac 'n' cheese from the Lobster Pound in Laconia, NH; a fresh salad with lots of tomatoes and my Mom's lemon dressing; eggplant salad from Tanoreen in Brooklyn; one Al pastor taco from El Fogon in Playa del Carmen; a pineapple cilantro Margarita with habañero tequila from El Gato Negro in NOLA, Pork Gyoza from Izanami in Santa Fe; foie gras poutine from Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal; a (bite of a) slice of deep dish from Giordano's in Chicago; a (bite of a) square slice from L&B Spumoni in Brooklyn; a side of homemade sundried tomato fusilli; and for dessert, keylime pie from GG's in Hollywood, FL and a Mayan hot coco from Chocolate Maven in Santa Fe. (Oh, is that it?!?!)
Favorite city...because: New Orleans because I have so many memories with my best friend there. (Best friend = ME!)
Favorite Lauren Memory: 5:00 AM at Cafe du Monde high on powdered sugar and chicory coffee, laughing about the creepers who kept trying to talk to us...did one guy ask to touch your hair or something? Gross.
Meet Grant Gonzalez
Quick Facts by Lauren
Title: Groomsman
Relationship: My little brother and soon to be David's brother!
Best Memory: Spending time with my brother at our engagement party. It was wonderful to see what a nice young man he has become. Runner up: pulling toys out of his ears for hours when he was a little kid. He loved it and it was wonderful to make him laugh!
I love Grant because he is the best little brother. EVER. I think it is truly special that even though we are 9 years apart we have always found ways to connect throughout the years.
Q&A with Grant
Last meal? Chipotle burrito.
I'd rather be: Playing soccer.
Favorite Lauren Memory: The car ride home when you commentated the whole ride (yes, in an announcer voice) and it was hilarious especially after that shitty (bad word!) dinner at the Chinese restaurant.
Meet Marianne Gibson
Quick Facts by Lauren
Title: Bridesmaid
Friends for: 4 years
How we met: When I moved back to Annapolis in 2010 I asked Marianne on a "friend date." Thankfully (and lucky for me) she said "Yes!" and we've been best friends ever since.
Best Memory: Every night we spend that combines "embarrassing" television, Rocco's pizza, and wine.
I love Marianne because she is completely comfortable being herself which makes me feel completely comfortable being myself with her. So what if we like to sing Celine Dion in the car at the top of our lungs?
Q&A with Marianne
Worst habit? Overbooking myself? Canceling plans.
Favorite city...because: Cruz Bay, St. John because I'm obsessed with the Virgin Islands or San Diego because it's pretty perfect in every way.
Favorite Lauren Memory: Dinner at Grapes Wine Bar then Flashdance for our Valentine's Day date or just singing in the car.
Meet Joel Hackett
Quick Facts by David
Title: Groomsman
Friends for: 3 years
How we met: We originally met in college through mutual friends and hung out sporadically, but we became friends when he moved in with me.
Best Memory: Jumping out of an airplane for the first time.
Q&A with Joel
Last meal? Chicken #1 from Clyde's.
When I was a kid I wanted to be...when I grew up: Indiana Jones
Favorite David Memory: Jumping out of lots of planes.
Meet Kerry Tucker
Quick Facts by Lauren
Title: Bridesmaid
Friends for: 2 1/2 years
How we met: Well, I guess my ex-boyfriend was good for one thing...
Best Memory: Maybe that time we went to a concert and got invited backstage and then went onto the tour bus. Oh wait, that's happened to us more than once.
I love Kerry because our senses of humor line up exactly. Together we are always laughing.
Q&A with Kerry
Worst habit? Probably over-thinking things.
When I was a kid I wanted to be...when I grew up: I wanted to be a chef when I was really young...before I realized I just like eating food, not making it.
Favorite Lauren Memory: Let me seeeeee...It's hard to pick just one because many nights we've shared have turned into adventures! The magical combination seems to be good food, drinks, music, and dancing the night away. If I had to narrow it down, I'd say I've really loved our nights spent at one of our favorite places, Red Red Wine, dancing to Pressing Strings.
Meet Benjamin Towne
Quick Facts by David
Title: Groomsman
Friends for: 15 years
How we met: Playing rec league soccer as kids but we became friends in high school.
Best Memory: Parties at Ben's house.
Q&A with Ben
Favorite city...because: Reykjavik, Iceland because of how it completely transforms from day to night based on the people who live there.
I'd rather be: Spending time in my kitchen as an amateur saucier.
Favorite David Memory: Straight-lining runs on ski trips in New Hampshire.
Meet Darcy Stanton
Quick Facts by Lauren
Title: Bridesmaid
Friends for: 18 years (holy cow...how are we old enough to be friends for 18 years?!?)
How we met: We attended fourth grade together at Shipley's Choice Elementary school.
Best Memory: Standing by her side at her wedding in August 2013 as she married her best friend.
I love Darcy because no matter how many months pass without seeing one another (or even chatting) we can pick things up like we were just hanging out the day before.
Q&A with Darcy
When I was a kid I wanted to be...when I grew up: I think at a young age I was pretty set on being a Librarian, just because it seemed like the best thing in the world to be surrounded by books all day. By middle school I had settled on the idea of being a doctor of some sort, and upon taking my first 8:00 AM Biology class at Wake Forest that idea was but a distant memory.
Last meal? Either pepperoni pizza or tacos with guacamole, tough to choose between the two!
Favorite Lauren Memory: It's gotta be our many, many sleepovers growing up. As children Lauren and I were both lucky enough to have very strict parents, like, no PG-13 movies before age 13 kind of strict. So, some of my very best memories involve sleeping over at Lauren's, renting age-appropriate movies from Blockbuster and getting to eat all kinds of candy and special snacks that I would have NEVER seen within the four walls of my own home.
Meet Lorry Twisdale
Quick Facts by Lauren
Title: Bridesmaid
Friends for: 2 1/2 years
How we met: Working together at HRi.
Best Memory: Necessary girl talk sessions over cerveritas and queso dip at our favorite spot.
I love Lorry because she is a great friend. She truly wants you to feel your best, look your best, and be your best. She is an amazing supporter.
Q&A with Lorry
Last meal? Gourmet cheeses, meats, and crackers with champagne.
Favorite city...because: Scottsdale, AZ. I love the mountains, the hiking, the shopping, the weather, the food...and my son was conceived there.
Favorite Lauren Memory: Our night out on the town in Annapolis where we danced and drank in all those clubs. It was so fun spending all that girl time with you.
Meet Jennifer VanBenschoten
Quick Facts by David
Title: Bridesmaid
Relationship: My older sister and soon to be Lauren's sister.
Best Memory: My trip to Japan to visit her when I was in high school.
Meet Rage AKA John Criscuolo
Quick Facts by David
Title: Groomsman
Friends for: 12 years
How we met: Freshman year of college.
Best Memory: Every year we lived together.
Q&A with John
Last meal? Corned beef and cabbage.
Worst habit? Nail biting.
Favorite David Memory: It cannot be posted on this website.