Joanna Sue Neskow
and
Matthew Schlafly McCarthy
Wedding Party
Eleni Smith
Maid of Honor
Eleni and Joanna first met when they were 11 years old in middle school at Elgin Academy. They quickly became best friends through their mutual love for being silly, loud and anything fun. After graduating high school together, the two stayed in close touch visiting each other at college and eventually living together in downtown Chicago. Eleni currently lives in St. Charles, IL with her husband Nick, their daughters Evie and Iris!
Caryn Peterson
Bridesmaid
Caryn is Joanna's first cousin. Growing up together, Joanna and Caryn always had a special bond - laughing, camping and skiing. Despite never living in the same city (except when they were little), the two have stayed very close talking/facetiming, visiting each other and taking trips together. Caryn currently lives in San Diego, CA with her two beautiful daughters Izzie and Brooklyn.
Ashley Ramirez
Bridesmaid
Ashley and Joanna first met when they were little in church and then on the soccer field, but it wasn't until they both started as new students at Elgin Academy for middle school that their friendship truly grew. Throughout middle school Ashley and Joanna were always dressing up, coming up with amazing presentations for school (videos, dancing, you name it!) and going through confirmation at church together. Even though Ashley went to Barrington High School and Joanna stayed at EA, they stayed in contact and hung out frequently. After college the two were fortunate enough to live together for a year in Chicago. Ashley still resides in Chicago today with her husband Kurt and their two daughters Lina and Ada!
Amanda Scully
Bridesmaid
Amanda and Joanna first met freshman year of college on the field hockey team at Bentley College (now Bentley University). They both lived in the Elm Trees dorm and grew increasingly close as time went on. By senior year they were inseparable - living together, training together, countless runs to Dunkin Donuts (dunks) and continuing on their shenanigans as college kids do. After college the two trade off every year visiting each other and still talk multiple times a week. Amanda lives in Braintree, MA with her husband Mike, their two boys Tedy and Harry and has twin twin girls due in June!
Maegan Shida
Bridesmaid
Maegan and Joanna met through their mutual friend Adrienne when Joanna moved to Dallas. The first time Joanna hung out with Maegan she thought Maegan didn't like her. Little did Joanna know that was NOT the case and the two would grow to be best friends. The two have run multiple races together, enjoy eating Thai food, shopping at Nordstrom and staying in to have game nights! Maegan lives in Dallas with her husband David.
Adrienne Hargrave
Bridesmaid
Adrienne was Joanna's first friend when she moved to Dallas. They met when Joanna was searching for apartments and Adrienne was her leasing consultant. After they joined a kickball league together and realized their mutual obsession with Bridesmaids, the two were well on their way to being life long friends. Adrienne lives in Dallas with her husband Jared and their adorable son Miller!
Sarah Haake
Bridesmaid
Joanna and Matt took a weekend trip to Philadelphia to visit with Matt's sister Sarah, her husband John and new baby Amanda. The weekend was a lot of firsts for Joanna - meeting Sarah, John, Amanda and exploring Philadelphia. And ALL of them exceeded her expectations. Joanna is excited to not only gain Sarah as a sister, but John as a brother-in-law and Amanda as a niece. Sarah currently lives in Philadelphia, PA with her husband John, daughter Amanda and has a baby boy due in August!
Kevin McCarthy
Best Man
Kevin is Matt's older brother by 2.5 years. They first met when Matt was born and Kevin asked their Grandma Eleanor if they could take him back to the hospital. They were best friends until Matt was 5. From 5 to 14 they tolerated each other like good competitive brothers. From then on they have been extremely close and supportive of each other. Kevin lives in O'Fallon, IL with his wife Jenna, their three boys, Colin, Will, and Sam and new daughter Greta.
J.C. Pleban
Groomsman
J.C. and Matt grew up playing against each other as heated rivals in gradeschool basketball; J.C. for St. Michael's and Matt for Mary Queen of Peace. Little did they know they would become great friends when they met in high school. They continued their friendship on the J.V. basketball team and remained friends as J.C. played and Matt was last man off the bench (ask for more details). J.C. and Matt were roommates after college for two years in St. Louis while Matt worked for Edward Jones and J.C. was in law school at St. Louis University. J.C. lives in St. Louis with his wife, Lauren, and their two kids, Harper and Cooper.
Tim Baldes
Groomsman
Tim and Matt first met at St. Louis University High School and became fast friends on and off the soccer field. While working at Edward Jones, Matt brought Tim's qualified resume to a hiring manager and threatened to stage a walk-out if they didn't hire Tim. Tim was hired and still works there today. Tim and his wife Courtney live in St. Louis with their two daughters, Josie and Emerson.
Matt Kreikemeier
Groomsman
Matt K., a.k.a. Goon, and Matt M. first met when they were 10 years old playing for Busch Soccer Club. They both played for the same club soccer team for the next 8 years. They became closer friends as they both went to St. Louis University High School and somehow avoided any serious trouble between visits to his family cabin in Bourbon, Missouri and other countless trips around the country. Goon lives in St. Louis with his wife Emily and their two boys Mason and Oliver.
Eddie Davis
Groomsman
Eddie and Matt met as freshman "all-stars" on the J.V. soccer team in high school. They spent many weekends at Eddie's farm shooting guns, riding horses, fishing, and drinking sodas. Eddie is a loyal friend and always scheming "good" ideas. Eddie and his wife, Katie, live in St. Louis with their two daighters, Finley and Gemma.
C.J. Baricevic
Groomsman
C.J. and Matt first met on the Freshman baseball team in high school. Matt can depend on C.J. to be the first one to meet up when he is back in the STL to catch up over a cold Stag beer. Others can depend on C.J. to regale them with his always entertainig half-truth story telling. He has been known to bring a harmonica to social gatherings. C.J. currently lives in Belleville, IL as a partner in his law firm and is active in politics.
Andrew Neskow
Groomsman
Joanna and Matt went to Barrington in fall of 2016 to attend a wedding. On the Friday night prior to the wedding, a Neskow family dinner around the kitchen table was organized so Matt could meet Joanna's family. Andrew came out to the burbs from Lincoln Park Chicago and was welcoming to Matt, his little sister's new boyfriend. After more visits to Chicago and two ski trips together, Matt is looking forward to having another brother that is fun to hang with!
Luke Schlafly
Usher
Luke is Matt's first cousin and is the reason Joanna and Matt met. Luke's fiance, Jenner Johnson set Matt and Joanna up on a blind date in Dallas. Matt and Luke both grew up in St. Louis spending every family holiday together. Both also lived in Chicago together in 2014/15 which gave them another chance to reconnect. Luke lives in New York with his fiance, Jenner.
Geoff Brengle
Usher
Geoff and Matt met at Truman State University on the Men's Soccer Team. Matt and Geoff were also in the same fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and went through their Finance major together. After college they were roommates in St. Louis as they started off their careers. Geoff and his fiance, Anisah, live in St. Louis.
Amanda Haake
Flower Girl/Child
Amanda is Matt's niece, parents are his sister Sarah and brother-in-law John.
Sam McCarthy
Ring Bearer
Sam is Matt's nephew, parents are his brother Kevin and sister-in-law Jenna.
