Emma and Gretchen met in college through both being on the swim team at Bellarmine University. Their similar personalities and sense of humor made them fast friends, and although they lived across the hall from each other freshman year, they were in each other's rooms constantly. They roomed together Sophomore year, and often joke that they wish they could live together forever. Emma and Gretchen have known since relatively early on in their friendship that they would be each other's maid of honor, and when they both got engaged in 2017 and will be getting married 4 months apart, this became a reality. Emma is truly Gretchen's "person," having remained her friend and supported her through both the best and worst days of her life over the last 5 years. Emma is the best person to stand by the bride on her big day!

Jordan and Xander met when Xander was a junior and Jordan was a freshman, both swimming at Franklin College. They became friends quickly, and share a similar sense of humor. When Gretchen would come to Franklin to visit Xander, she also spent time with Jordan and they became friends as well. Jordan and Xander's friendship even survived a spring break trip to Florida that involved about 20 hours in the car together. Jordan is a great friend to Xander, and was involved in helping him come up with his idea for the proposal. Xander is so glad Jordan will be standing by him on the best day of his life!

Ginger is Gretchen's little sister (by almost 13 years!) Gretchen's mom often says that Ginger's arrival was what really forced Gretchen to mature, and this couldn't be more true. Ginger has always looked up to Gretchen, but Ginger is the one that has really taught her the most. Ginger spent her childhood cheering Gretchen on at swim meets, and Gretchen loves now getting to return the favor watching Ginger perform in musicals. She is definitely the talented one in the family! As of the wedding, Ginger will be in 6th grade. Watching her grow up has been one of the most incredible experiences of Gretchen's life, and the older she gets, the closer her and Gretchen become. Her spunky personality and flair for the dramatic make her the perfect yang to Gretchen's yin, and they love spending time together and having sleepovers. There was never any question that Ginger would be one of the people standing next to Gretchen on her big day. She will make a beautiful bridesmaid!

Brad is Gretchen's little brother. He has given Xander his share of crap over the years (as brothers do), but has always been there and supported both Gretchen and Xander. Brad was one of the people Xander asked before he proposed to Gretchen, and there was no doubt that he should be a part of the big day!

Whitney is Xander's first cousin, and the closest thing he has to a sister. Whitney and Xander have always been very close, and over the almost 6 years that Gretchen and Xander have been dating, Gretchen has become close to her as well. Whitney and her fiancé Jared are some of Xander and Gretchen's favorite people to hang out with. Since Gretchen started going to Xander's family events, Whitney has always made her feel welcome and like she was part of the family. Gretchen is lucky to have her in the bridal party as she officially becomes a Garcia!

Zach and Xander became friends immediately when Xander transferred to Franklin as a Sophomore. Zach is a great friend and has always been there for Xander, even making the drive all the way to St. Louis to be at his mom's funeral, which meant a great deal to both Gretchen and Xander. Zach is certain to add laughs and positive vibes to the wedding party!

Ciara and Gretchen met in their first year of law school at SLU. It was evident to Gretchen almost immediately that Ciara was going to be an important part of her law school experience, and that has proven true as they have struggled through the last 5 semesters together, along with their third amigo, Samantha. While Ciara and Gretchen have only known each other for about 3 years, it is clear to Gretchen that they will continue to be friends far beyond the end of law school. They enjoy commiserating about their law school classes and tagging each other in memes on Facebook. After Ciara helped Xander plan the proposal, Gretchen was sure she had to be part of the big day!

Kory is Gretchen's brother's best friend, and because of that, Gretchen & Xander have spent a lot of time with him as well. He has gone on weekend trips with the whole family, and this past summer, he came and helped Gretchen & Xander move. Kory is a loyal friend and so fun to be around, and they are lucky he will be part of the big day!

Jake is Gretchen's younger cousin. He will be another 11-year-old member of the wedding party, joining Gretchen's little sister Ginger. Ginger and Jake have always been close, so Gretchen and Xander thought it would be great to have them walk down the aisle together. Jake makes all of Gretchen's family gatherings more entertaining with his inventions and love of fishing. Gretchen and Xander are honored that he agreed to be a groomsman (even if it does involve having to slow dance)!

Samantha and Gretchen also met during their first year of law school at SLU. Sam's sense of humor and tendency to get overly worried about small things made her the perfect companion for Gretchen (and Ciara). Takes one to know one, right? Sam and Gretchen share a love of memes, margaritas, and complaining about how law school will be the death of them. Sam also helped Xander to plan the proposal and bamboozle Gretchen into dressing nice for "brunch." While Ciara and Gretchen have joked that Sam will probably need to be picked up on the day of the wedding so that she won't sleep through it, Gretchen knows that Sam will make a great bridesmaid!