Wedding party

Bride's attendants

Co-matron of honor: Amanda Bagus

• Relationship to bride: sister
• Best known for: sage perspective and support, ability to quote Friends, two-steppin’ on the dance floor
• Enjoys: athletics of all kinds and sports medicine, coffee walks with the fam, traveling
• Song request for reception: “Footloose” (Kenny Loggins)

Co-matron of honor: Michele Klein

• Relationship to Bride: sister
• Best known for: winning the title of best roomie ever, maternal grace, fierce support and loyalty (Illini and Chicago sports fan ;))
• Enjoys: cuddling with her son, Luke; playing hostess with the mostest for both work and social events; family game nights
• Song request for reception: “Hey Ya!” (OutKast)

Bridesmaid: Kristina Jarosik

• Relationship to Bride: soon-to-be sister-in-law (Matt’s sister)
• Best known for: love of history, exploring family genealogy, sublime baking
• Enjoys: cheering the Cubs on at Wrigley,exploring Chicago neighborhoods, Bobtail ice cream
• Song request for reception: “Jump Around” (H.o.P.)

Bridesmaid: Andrea Maldre

• Relationship to Groom/Bride: Matt’s sister-in-law
• Best known for: being a terrific mom, creativity in her kindergarten classroom, hosting festive Thanksgivings
• Enjoys: traveling to Florida/Disney with her family, scrapbooking, and the Olympic Games

Flower Girl: Olivia Maldre

• Relationship to Bride: Matt’s lovely niece
• Best known for: impressive artistic skills, contagious giggles, Disney princess knowledge
• Enjoys: making Rainbow Loom bracelets, art class and crafting, watching Peppa Pig
• Song request for reception: “Call Me Maybe” (Carly Rae Jepsen)

Groom's attendants

Best Man: Erik Maldre

• Relationship to Groom: Matt’s twin brother
• Best known for: LEGO cloud sculptures, world's #1 Ryne Sandberg baseball card collector, designing Bibles, inventing the Christmas tree toss competition
• Enjoys: making art, designing creative Christmas cards, croquet, Optimus Prime
• Song request for reception: “Love Shack” (B-52s)

Groomsman: Matthew Somers

• Relationship to Groom: soon-to-be brother-in-law
• Best known for: super speed (ran track for Augustana College),mad dance skills, his charismatic personality
• Enjoys: the Blackhawks, biking and boating, quality family time
• Song request for reception: “Teach Me How to Dougie” (Cali Swag District)

Groomsman: Gary Jarosik

• Relationship to Groom: Matt’s brother-in-law
• Best known for: love for the Penguins, affinity for Disney trivia/movies, sneaking up on Matt on the CTA platform
• Enjoys: sports, history, ice skating
• Song request for reception: “Pennsylvania Polka” (Groundhog Day soundtrack, Frank Yakovic)

Groomsman: Peter Kreten

• Relationship to Groom: Matt’s cousin
• Best known for: radio broadcasting shows: “God Matters”, “Rumble Radio”, “Veteran Matters”, and “Rockology”
• Enjoys: Beatles and Indie music, professional wrestling, Ghostbusters, comic books
• Song request for reception: “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” (Cake)

Usher: Casey Klein

• Relationship to Bride: Sarah’s brother-in-law
• Best known for: ardent love for Chicago Bulls & Fire, being an uncompromising Packers fan, schooling the Somers family in “Pick Two”
• Enjoys: hanging out and throwing the football with his son, Luke; competitive family game nights, playing fantasy football
• Song request for reception: “My Girl” (The Temptations)

Usher: Steve Bagus

• Relationship to Bride: Sarah’s brother-in-law
• Best known for: making a mean salsa verde, his witty sense of humor, impressive record collection  
• Enjoys: sports/sports medicine, Rick Bayless sightings (his cooking inspiration), listening to live music
• Song request for reception: “Shout!” (The Isley Brothers)

Ring bearer: Luke Maldre

• Relationship to Bride: Matt’s sweet nephew
• Best known for: advanced degree in animals/zoology (thanks to Wild Kratts!), vivid imagination, sweet smile
• Enjoys: chocolate/cake, playing Octonauts with Uncle Matt, building forts
• Song request for reception: “Let’s Go to Oktoberfest” (Cubies)

Ring bearer: Luke Klein

• Relationship to Bride: Sarah’s charming nephew
• Best known for: center stage status at Somers-side events, freely distributing hugs and handshakes, making “the unicorn” a thing (where two people lovingly touch foreheads)
• Enjoys: all things Disney, Thomas the Train, groups of people (an innate extrovert)
• Song request for reception: “Yeah” (Usher)

Parents and grandparents

Mother of the Bride: Nancy Somers

• Best known for: creative/artistic flair, status as a true lifelong learner, cheering on the Bulls, Hawks, Illini-- and heckling refs’ questionable calls 😉
• Enjoys: family time, reading, capturing memories with her camera

Father of the Bride: Mike Somers

• Best known for: living the definition of family man, a strong faith, his long-range jump shot
• Enjoys: family gatherings, watching sporting events--local & live or on tv/radio, coffee with the morning paper
• Song request for reception: “Butterfly Kisses” (Bob Carlisle)

Grandmother of the Bride: Teresa Stark

• Best known for: great laugh, angel food birthday cakes, hat collection, making great first impressions (ask my grandma how she met Grandpa ;))
• Enjoys: family reunions, quilting, visiting religious grottos

Grandfather of the Bride: Chuck Stark

• Best known for: great chuckle (to complement Grandma’s laugh!), orange and blue loyalty, being the patriarch of Stark Farms
• Enjoys: cheering on the Illini teams (and grumbling as all Illini must do), popcorn, farming

Mother of the Groom: Kathy Maldre

• Best known for: overflowing generosity, creative gifts, holiday decorating
• Enjoys: reading Christian theology, Matryoshka dolls, jigsaw puzzles
• Song request for the reception: “Sweet Dreams (are Made Of This)” (Eurythmics)

Father of the Groom: Mati Maldre

• Best known for: architectural photography, creative Christmas cards, grilling
• Enjoys: photography books, local architecture, Chicago Cubs, coffee with the morning paper
• Song request for the reception: "The Twist" (Chubby Checker)