The Bridal Party

The Bride’s Man of Honor and Bridesmaids:
(Commentary by Alison)

 

Marc Savoie – The Bride’s Man of Honor

Marc in the town of A Coruña in the Galicia region of Spain

Alison met Marc at her soul sucking corporate job in New Jersey. While Alison was quite glad to leave that job behind, she did gain a lifelong friend as a result of that experience. Marc shares the bride’s tendency toward wanderlust and a love of all things French. Marc has good taste in music, is talented, warm hearted, linguistically gifted, and pleasantly eccentric. He also knows how to throw one hell of a party! Marc also grew up in New Jersey and he is now living in his very own Haussmannian flat in Paris, France.

Jealous much?  Vive la France! Vive le Marc!

Michaela Hickman – Bridesmaid and Sister of the Groom

Michaela is the beloved sister of the groom. She has also fulfilled a lifelong dream for the bride; she will soon be Ali’s sister! Michaela is a fellow MSW and a successful forensic psychiatric social worker in her home state of Arizona. Michaela can pretty much accomplish whatever she puts her mind to. She’s recently become a world traveler with trips to Singapore and Costa Rica and I’ve seen her walk stealthily in five inch heels. Her accomplishments do not escape me. Michaela has a penchant for 80s fashion when combined with cocktails, but she’s promised not to crimp her hair for the wedding. ;)

Breanne Church – Bridesmaid

Alison met Breanne after moving to Brooklyn and she has fast become one of the bride’s favorite people. Breanne is a gifted writer, world traveler, businesswoman, and is passionate about living life to its fullest. Breanne works in the hotel business, hails from PA via D.C., and now lives in Brooklyn. Last summer, Breanne explored much of Europe with a trip that went from the Netherlands down through France, Spain, and over to Italy! (She’d better take me along one of these times.) We dance, have cocktails, brunch, and gossip about each other’s life quite well.

Sarah Hoadley – Bridesmaid

Alison met Sarah (and, her man and our groomsman, Gerrard Lindsay) at one of Lucas’ DJ gigs almost 6 years ago. We’ve decided that Sarah and Gerrard should teach classes on being awesome. Sarah is super fun and a wonderful, caring friend. She’s usually up for anything and hosts many fight nights with delightful snackie things. Sarah descends from Quakers and her dad is a storm chaser! It’s no surprise that Sarah’s creativity takes on many forms; she is a fashion designer and regularly performs bellydance. I’m hoping Sarah’s Quaker connection can get me into the private Quaker cemetery in Prospect Park where Montgomery Clift is buried! What do you think?

Amanda Kinsley - Bridesmaid

Amanda and Alison met when she visited New York with her man, groomsman Dave Knight. Much to Lucas’ and Alison’s delight, the two decided to move to New York permanently from Arizona. (I’m secretly hoping they’ll move back to AZ with us one day.) Amanda is pursuing a degree in teaching at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn and lives in a 5th floor walk up on a historic block in Clinton Hill. Aside from being really good at climbing stairs, Amanda is a masterful cook and she knows how to have a good time. Amanda also likes to explore caves in Central America, touch large furry spiders, and dodge bats. That doesn’t sound like a vacation to me, but she seems to enjoy it. 

Honorable Mention: Rob Frey – Usher

Robbie and Alison have known each other since they went to the same preschool … so age 3?  They went through school together and played in band together. Ali played Alto Sax and Rob plays the drums. Rob was much more serious about band camp than Ali. He even joined Drum Corps. In high school, Rob asked Ali to buy some green Doc Martens and then they went to Lollapalooza together. A lifelong friendship was solidified in the early 90s through many a punk rock show on Handy Street, hardcore shows at Middlesex County College, and many, many skate videos after school. Ali’s prom date canceled on her at the last minute, so Rob took Ali to the prom the day after our friend Kevin broke his nose. His mom wouldn’t let him wear old school vans. I’m still upset about that.


Honorable Mention: Jacques Bou-Bou - The Bride's Beloved Doggie


Jacques will likely be unable to attend the wedding because he can be naughty (he's a diva) and the venue is not doggie-friendly. Jacques is the "honorary ring boy" - in any event. 
Smooches Jacques. Smooches.      

The Groomsmen: (Commentary by Lucas)

Brian Peterson - Groomsman

Brian, an AZ native and resident, is one of Lucas’s oldest friends and a family favorite around the Hickman household. He is one of the few friends that can still remember the high school years and one of the only ones who told high school to “F” off.  He was often mistaken for a biblical figure while in his 20’s. Brian is also a lethal trivial pursuit opponent, computer genius (according to Lucas), successful poker player, movie critic, fine liquor connoisseur, and an experienced traveler. Brian’s European travels were the catalyst for Lucas’s 2005 solo European backpacking adventure. Brian is an excellent judge of character and the groom has always appreciated Brian’s ability to keep Lucas’ propensity toward BS in check.

David Knight - Groomsman

              

After over a decade of common acquaintances, mutual friends, and two states, Dave has finally settled in Brooklyn and become one of Lucas’s closest friends. Dave, AKA “The Nighthawk,” is everyone’s favorite late night, rock n’ roll adventure seeker, amateur jungle explorer, amphibian husbandry expert, exotic tropical horticulturist, and a JETS fanatic. Dave has recently accepted a position in the organic and sustainable food industry and has happily left the monotony of corporate life behind. He loves a mighty fine cup of joe and is, at times, that Faustian voice in your ear. 

Phil Rigaud - Groomsman

           

Lucas met Phil at a local reggae DJ night through a mutual friend.  A common love of music, obscure movie references, and obsessive record collecting has fostered a great friendship. Aside from being Lucas’ DJ partner in crime, Phil is an internationally sought after provider of good music and the president of Special People Quality Records, Inc. In addition to his many successful musical endeavors, Phil is also a podiatrist; he can quite efficiently saw off a pesky limb or cure what ails your aching feet! Lucas has to credit Phil’s “acta non verba” maxim for the first acquaintance of his future bride. It was Phil’s skilled peripheral vision that spotted Alison’s initial glances towards us, and it was his coaxing that brought Lucas to introduce himself. So, it’s really all his damn fault.

Gerrard Lindsay - Groomsman

           

Lucas first met Gerrard in Central Park while walking with a couple of mutual friends. Gerrard was playing softball and, in the process, he had injured himself and the female shortstop while trying to get to second base. As memorable as this first encounter was, he will always be appreciated for bringing the dance party wherever he goes. This Strong Island native firmly believes, “Don’t trust anyone who doesn’t dance” (DTAWDD).  Gerrard has an almost sadistic fanaticism for the NY Mets and this likely helps him see the positive in any given situation. Gerrard’s ability to make and share his music and act as host to the frequent get-together is the glue that helps keep our circle of friends together.

Mike Josephson - Groomsman

Mike (on right) with fellow Groomsman Gerrard (left)

            Lucas met Mike in NYC the winter of 2004.  A friendship quickly emerged through similar circumstances and interests. At first, Mike thought Lucas was some young elitist punk but he quickly learned that Lucas was actually just shy and quiet around strangers. Mike learned that, once Lucas warms up to people, he can be quite loud and stubborn. A couple years later, Mike moved into the infamous 3^rd Ave apartment with Viki and Lucas until work took him out West to San Francisco. Mike has the superhuman ability to open a bar at 4am after no sleep in order to fulfill the need for a hospitable place to watch European football. Mike is a true supporter of a crap team called Arsenal; a long distance call to talk about the weekend’s football action has been a long tradition between he and the groom. Lucas would like to apologize for leading him to believe Arsenal won the 2006 Champions League Final.