Our wedding party is made up of the people who have loved us, supported us, and shown up for us over the years.
You’ll notice we use the terms Bridesmates and Mates of Honor—language we chose to be inclusive, reflective of our bridal party, and aligned with the values that matter most to us.
Rose and Adriana have been best friends for nearly 20 years. Their friendship began in high school and has led to countless adventures since.Some were big adventures like driving to Tennessee for a music festival. Some were small adventures like just driving around blasting RENT or State Radio and belting out every word (which is what they spent countless hours doing). Most of their time together has been spent laughing until they cry, crying until they laugh, and happily losing themselves in logic puzzles.
Adriana has been a constant, grounding presence in Rose’s life—someone who knows her deeply, laughs with her endlessly, and has stood by her through every chapter. Rose couldn’t imagine this day without Adriana as her Mate of Honor.
Allison and Emily shared a bedroom throughout their childhood, while their two older sisters had one of their own. Despite being three years apart, they shared the same interests—playing outside, skateboarding, and coming home so dirty their mom had to scrub a literal dirt ring out of the tub. Emily was, by her own admission, a very annoying little sister, and Allison patiently endured years of late-night chatter and dark-hallway water runs when Emily was too scared to go alone.
Their bond carried into high school and college, from long T rides splitting headphones to rewatch School of Rock on Allison’s iPod Nano, to frequent college visits where Allison welcomed Emily into her world. From running tech for Emily’s theater-kid stardom to encouraging her to join Beantown Rugby, Allison has always been someone Emily could count on—making her a natural choice to stand beside her on her wedding day as her Mate of Honor.
LP is Rose’s cousin but they have always been more of a sibling and best friend. Since literal birth there has never been a dull moment when these two are together. They have spent a wildly impressive amount of time hiding under tables at family functions (ages 3-30’s), laughing so hard it physically hurts, and celebrating their most important milestones together.
LP has always been there for Rose, full of unwavering support, through every stage of her life. Their childhood sneaky giggles have grown into deep laughter right down to their cores. While Rose feels forever blessed to have LP as her family by blood, there is no question they would have ended up family by choice. LP & their wife Jenn (and daughter Logan) seamlessly welcomed Emily into the family with love, kindness, and acceptance.
Rose knows LP is one of her greatest gifts in life and couldn’t get married without them right by her side as her bridesmate.
Laura is Emily’s oldest sister and has been big-sister-in-charge from day one. She’s called Emily “the baby” for most of her life—and it stuck. Growing up, the two shared a flair for magic and drama, with Laura orchestrating elaborate Tooth Fairy visits complete with handwritten notes, tiny gifts, and even carefully placed footprints.
Laura is lovingly bossy, fiercely loyal, and always shows up—whether that meant traveling home for school musicals, welcoming Emily into her college world for a legendary “party” while she was still a tween, or bravely going out dancing at Machine when Emily turned 21—an act requiring both courage and impressive stamina.
Laura later made Emily an aunt, and her two daughters are flower girls. It feels only right to have her by Emily’s side on the big day.
Amy is one of Emily’s older sisters—silly, easygoing, and somehow the calm one in many very un-calm Gaylord moments.
Amy played field hockey in high school, and when Emily later followed in her footsteps, she used Amy’s old field hockey stick throughout her entire high school career. Amy also brought Emily to her very first concert—just the two of them—to see Brad Paisley on the American Saturday Night Tour.
Amy is also the mom of two of Emily and Rose’s favorite people: their niece Grace (4), one of the flower girls, and nephew Brooks (almost 3), the ring bearer. Between epic Dorchester Halloween trick-or-treating and casual hangouts at Amy’s house, time with Amy always includes kids, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos. It feels only right to have her by Emily’s side on the big day.
Emily and Niamh have been friends since 4th grade, when they were placed in the same Advanced Work Class. They spent their middle school years at each other’s houses, bothering siblings. Armed with T passes and their first taste of independence, they ran all over Boston; testing bath bombs at Lush, getting stickers at Johnny Cupcakes, and unlimited food court samples at the Corner Mall.
Niamh is family. They knew where the spare key was, would let themselves in and go straight to the fridge like a fifth sibling—which is exactly how the Gaylord family thinks of them. Having them by Emily’s side on this day feels like the natural continuation of a very long, very funny, full circle story.