Ashley may be Rachael's older sister, but with a 9 year age difference, no one could have predicted just how close they would become. And yet, despite Ashley moving out and leaving for college when Rach was only starting the 4th grade, these two went on to forge the kind of connection that feels like it was written for the movies. The love was always there, but a more adult friendship started to spark when Rachael turned about 15, and she will never forgot her first solo weekend visit at her sister's gorgeous downtown Chicago apartment, where they spent the next 48 hours watching countless movies and eating way too much Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Over the years it went from Ashley helping Rachael get ready for her school dances to Rach visiting Ash in CA on college break and helping her pick out her first pair of maternity pants. Their relationship was easy, but deep, and they became a lifeline for each other in life's hard moments, a voice of reason and understanding when needed, and each other's number one fan as they worked towards accomplishing their individual goals. Rach and Ashley have gone from sisters, to best friends, to something akin to an extension of each other - effortlessly fitting into each others lives. Whether they are perusing the aisles of TJ Maxx and Home Goods looking for their next great find, cheering on Ashley's daughter Tessa's Marching Band at the Friday night game, being terrorized by/fighting demon bugs in 100 degree heat, laying out like lizards in the sun any chance they get, or quietly reading their favorite books together with a glass of wine in hand, they are in sync in everything they do. Ashley is the ocean to Rachael's mountains, and they now even have matching tattoos to prove it!

Rachael and Kim's friendship was an unlikely one. They first learned of each others existence after realizing they were dating the same boy at the same time in high school (the DRAMA). They unexpectedly met in person months later, and despite a predisposition not to want to like each other, they hit it off IMMEDIATELY. From that point on, they were two peas in a pod, rooming together in college, matching their class schedules as much as possible and even accepting the same internships and post graduation jobs. You almost never saw one without the other until Rach broke both their hearts and moved 2,000 miles away to San Diego. Somehow they continued to only grow closer with each passing year, making a point to visit each other constantly, and staying in touch long-distance through phone calls, text messages and many a shared meme/reel. Even from a distance they have never stopped doing all the standard best friend things, from helping pick out outfits and planning out home decor, to venting about the frustrating life moments and keeping each other sane. Despite the distance, they still feel joined at the hip, even if they only see each other in person a fraction of the time. When they actually are together, whether they are building a huge nest of blankets and pillows to lounge in as they binge their favorite shows, or they're embarking on one of their crazy adventures (like motorcycle sidecar winery tours), they make the most of every minute together. The one thing they almost never do.. take updated photos together, so plan to see a TON posted after the wedding day!

Rachael and Gel first met in 8th grade at a mutual friend's birthday party and their friendship continued to develop in High School, mainly due to their mutual disdain and avoidance of gym class. The magic really started to happen in college though, when they took their adventures outside of the campus halls to a happy hour at Olive Garden, then take out sushi and wine nights, to birthday bar crawls in Wrigleyville, and so much more. Over the years they developed what they have lovingly come to call a "low maintenance friendship". One where they operate the same whether they are talking every day, or they go months without a catch up call. Where when life gets busy and they take a week (or two) to respond to a casual text, the other never gives it a second thought. A connection founded on endless support, cheering each other on through all of life's big and small moments, and loving each other's people like their own. And while their quality time may have evolved from late nights out on the town to early days in curled up on the couch talking over coffee, they have never and will never let go of their tradition of Richard Walker's brunch. Those brunch dates are sacred.

If you knew Rachael growing up, you knew Kim. Best friends since age 12, they took on just about every coming of age chapter as a team. From sleepovers nearly every weekend and tagging along on family vacations, to high school dances, college parties and figuring out adulthood together, their friendship has continuously shaped who Rachael is today. Not a day goes by where she doesn't do something that makes her immediately think of Kim, some previous adventure they had gone on, trouble they had gotten into, or life lesson they had learned together. While adult life has had an annoying habit of keeping them apart geographically (Kim has spent this last year as a Visiting Lecturer of American Studies in Germany - Rach could not be more proud and brags about how amazing Kim is often!), they remain steadfast in their commitment to always be there for one another, through the good and bad. Rach's wedding is in extra large, bold font on the good list and she couldn't be more excited to have her life long "Best Ever" beside her when she says "I do"!

Jenna and Rachael met through mutual friends in college, and their friendship began with weekly group Taco Tuesday dinner nights and annual week long boat trips on Kentucky Lake. It was mostly fun nights out and a lot of shenanigans, until Rach moved to California and their connection turned long distance. Life happened for each of them, coming with some pretty heavy heartbreak, and it was in that moment that they realized they could count on each other for more than just the surface stuff. These two continued to get into all kinds of silliness when they were together, from Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, to Cubs games and Drag brunches, but the true foundation of their closeness stems from the way they always show up in the hard moments, without hesitation. No matter where life takes them, they know they always have each others back, and it makes all those hard moments a little less lonely. To this day, when Rach visits Jenna she can always count on her to have face masks prepped in the fridge, her famous pistachio cake freshly baked, and tons of laughter and great conversation on deck. Their bond is a cherished one, and Rachael couldn't imagine marrying her future hubby without her original "wifey" by her side!

Rachael and Natalie met at work in their mid-twenties and quickly ended up roommates. They spent the next year living 3 blocks off the La Jolla coast, watching copious amounts of Bravo TV (Nat does NOT share Rach's love of true crime), ordering in way too much pizza and sushi, and hitting up the local beach and country bars. Living together was easy, and they bonded over dating in San Diego (oof), girl bossing at work, and tons of shared stories and dreams of the future. Natalie moved back home to Georgia a year later, but despite occasionally going months without talking, their friendship never missed a beat. These two have never stopped cheering each other on, genuinely rooting for the other to get everything they have ever dreamed of out of life, and remaining a safe place for one another in all of life's hard ships. When Natalie got engaged to the man of her dreams, Rach couldn't have been more excited to celebrate her at her bachelorette in D.C. and stand beside her as a bridesmaid at her beautiful Atlanta wedding. Now that it's Rachael's time to say "I do", she is thrilled to share the experience with her favorite Georgia Peach. If only their 24/25 year old selves could see them now!