Who’s Who?
Last modified on 2010-05-10 12:22:58 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
I know that traditionally weddings have programs that spell out who is who, why these people are here and their connection to the bride and groom. But seeing as we are doing this 2010 style, paperless as much as possible, I’ll start by introducing you to my Matron of Honor, Elizabeth (Liz) Neary.
Katherine on the left, Liz on the right
I have known Liz the entirety of my memory-related life. Our families were similarly structured and we did things together most weekends while we were growing up. Our fathers worked together. On weekends, we went skiing, had homes on Lake George, went hiking and even went to the Olympics in 1980.
She has been married for 15 years to Tom, they have 2 fantastic kids, Patrick and Claire, and have created a life incredibly similar to the ones that we both knew as kids. We have tried to see each other most years, usually up at Lake George. Don’t be surprised if you hear her calling me “Kathy”, just like I have a hard time not calling her “Elizabeth”, old habits are hard to break.
I couldn’t imagine getting married without her being a part of this very important day.
♦
Best Man: Mike Shea
Mike and Hugh have known each other since 1977. They attended Fordham Prep and have been close friends ever since. They share a love of Raising Arizona, the non-sequitur, music that annoys their loved ones, cycling, and beer.
Best Man: Mike Shea
♦
Bridesmaids: Sharon Shea, Roberta Gigon and Junior Bridesmaid Lucy Shea
Sharon Shea is the Best-Man-Mike’s wife, and a powerhouse of a wedding coordinator!
Audrey Hepburn
Sharon Shea "fashionista"
Sharon hails from the English countryside, and don’t let her Audrey Hepburn-esque beauty misguide you, Sharon is my mentor (after my Mom) for family fun and down to earth realness. This shindig couldn’t have happened without her help! I mean it!! Sharon and Mike are the parents of Lucy and Angus, both of whom are also involved in the wedding, read on…
♦
Roberta Gigon is one of Hugh’s best friends, they go back 15 years or so to the Grolier days (pre-Scholastic takeover).
New Year's Eve Roberta and Katherine
Many members of the wedding guest list have ties to Hugh through those days. Roberta is my taste maven, the go-to gal for restaurants and trends of all things culinary. She and I have become good friends over the past almost 3 years and everyone can thank her for the good taste guidance of the “cake”. She has been married to Gerry for 10 years and the 4 of us have had many good times together. Roberta is also a cloud/grid computing genius, truly. I don’t know if I even understand what she does, I just know that she’s good at it!
♦
Lucy Shea, age 15, is Hugh’s goddaughter and the elder of the Shea children.
Lucy on the runway
Lucy has been wanting to plan Uncle Hugh’s wedding since she was 5! Sorry I took so long to come around, but doesn’t she look stunning in her purple dress! Lucy is involved with ROTC, takes after her father and godfather with her movie and music taste, and is an avid Rock Band player. She currently loves Milton (and his red stapler) from the movie Office Space.
I chose these amazing women to be with me on this very important day because they all have marriages that I truly admire and I wanted as much of their good marriage mojo as possible to be part of Hugh’s and my beginning.
♦
Ring keeper: Angus Shea
Angus is the younger Shea, age 11, and he is going to be in charge of the rings.
Mike and Angus
We have no worries: they are in good hands as he is a dedicated Boy Scout, a budding great skier, and a man who likes to fix things. I know, they have nothing to do with one another, I just like saying it!
So there’s the wedding party!
More Who’s Who: Parents of the Bride
Last modified on 2016-05-09 19:24:55 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
Bob and Kay Allen are the very happy parents of Katherine. They have been waiting a long 42 years for this day! OK, kidding aside, here’s a little scoop as to who they are.
Bob and Kay
Bob is a Jersey boy at heart, an Irish lad, an avid skier to this day, and you’d better like his Giants! (and maybe a little scotch?) He was a mortgage broker for his career, retired to Vermont and now they live in Hanover, New Hampshire where he has put down the paddle tennis racquet and picked up the Wii tennis controller.
Kay (aka Koppie) hails from Rockland County, NY, her Dutch heritage traces all the way back to original settlers in NY on the De Halve Mein. She worked in advertising in NYC in the early 60s, think Mad Men, and can still type a frightening number of words a minute. Kay has found herself a technology maven, with her iPhone, MacBook and Wii fit. (She’s better than she thinks she is!)
They have been devoted volunteers for many local NH organizations, most notedly the Upper Valley Hostel. President, nominating committee, treasurer (I think more than once): they like keeping busy, being involved with the community, and giving back as well.
They have a summer home on Lake George, NY (where this photo was taken) and spend many a peaceful, yet hard working month there. They have been married for 47 years this September.
They are definitely the best parents of all time – every one of my friends says so! (and I heartily agree).
