Joie’s Bridal Party

Anna — Maid of Honor
Anna and Joie were fresh out of college when one fateful evening driftwood exhibit turned into a 10,000-year long friendship pact. Soul sisters from other misses and misters, they have weathered car crashes, extreme weather, and the occasional public meltdown. The rest, is herstory.

Aija
Aija was formerly Joie’s work spouse, where they spent their time together scheming up how to reign in corporations while dealing with all the trappings that come with non-profit work. Aija keeps Joie in check while Joie keeps Aija young.

Darcy
Darcy met Joie when they co-led a service trip together senior year of college. After that they bonded over their time in the U.S. Senate, being women of color trying to change the world, and plant parenthood.

Katharine
Katharine and Joie had some legendary sleepovers in college that cemented their friendship. One of Joie’s favorite pastimes is listening to Katharine recount the plots of horror movies that Joie is way too scared to ever see. 

Liv
Liv is Joie’s oldest friend, meeting her in Mrs. Hinden’s third grade class. Growing up, Liv and Joie spent many a summer listening to the American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, swimming in the James River, and giggling into the night. 

Michael’s Grooms Party

Justin — Best Man
Third only to their mom and dad, Justin is one of the largest reasons Michael is still alive at this point in time. He’s also largely the reason Michael has good politics, taste in music, and possibly any sense at all.

Blair
Before there was Joie, there was Blair. Blair and Michael lived together for formative years in DC and remains one of his best roommates (other than Joie, of course!!) — but their history goes all the way back to 6th grade, where their friendship could have been described as a “social awkwardness arms race”.

Brandon
Brandon and Michael’s careers together span from competitive athletics (4th grade AYSO soccer) to digital media (failed middle school YouTube channel). While they’re still on hiatus in their professional endeavors, they are still the best of buddies.

Carlos
Michael met Carlos 2018 when a meet-cute between them resulted in a lengthy conversation about local and state politics, where of course, they agreed on just about everything (cue “Step Brothers” (2008) “‘WHAT!’ ‘Did we just become best friends?!’” soundbite). Since then, Carlos has remained Joie and Michael’s most faithful political advisor and correspondent, and a rock in our D.C. community.

Ian
Ian and Michael technically met for the first time in a freshman seminar course, but they didn’t really get to know each other until later in college life. Now, they help shepherd a flock of wayward boys (our college friends) on the path of righteousness.

Nick
One of Michael’s most important online-first connections (again, other than Joie), Nick first got in touch with our groom through a social network site for musicians. The music instantly became kind of secondary to their friendship, but they still managed to put out a whole recorded album of “folk punk” “music” together in between all their other antics.

Special Guests

Arnav — Officiant
AKA “Dad”

Paz — Wedding Wizard
Paz and Joie are kindred spirits, both endlessly hungry who like to treat others and be treated themselves. You might find them trying on clothes in the aisles at thrift stores or singing each other pop punk songs of their youths. 

Ruthie — Cat
AKA Ruth Bader Ginspurr, AKA Moomoo Bear, AKA Stinky, AKA Poopy Joe, Ruthie was adopted by Joie in the fall of 2017 at the spry young age of 5. After some initial fits and starts, Ruthie has come into her own as the queen of the castle, fawned over and adored by all her loving fans who take care of her when Michael and Joie are away.