The Wedding Crew
Celebrant
Matron of
Honor
MICHELLE GO
Michelle entered Gülen’s life at just the right time—back when they were students at University of Pennsylvania. What started as a simple roommate arrangement quickly turned into something much bigger. Late-night talks, shared dreams, and plenty of laughter turned two only children into something they had both secretly wished for their whole lives: sisters by choice.
From that moment on, Michelle wasn’t just a friend—she was family. She celebrated every milestone right alongside Gülen, standing proudly by her side at both her Master’s graduation and her PhD graduation, cheering louder than anyone else in the room. Through stress, success, and everything in between, Michelle was always there—steady, supportive, and full of love.
Over the years, their bond only grew stronger. Michelle became the person who knew Gülen’s heart, her journey, and her dreams better than almost anyone. So it feels only fitting that on this most meaningful day, Michelle isn’t just standing next to Gülen—she is the one bringing everyone together.
Today, as the celebrant of the day, Michelle isn’t just helping Gülen tie the knot—she’s honoring a lifetime of friendship, sisterhood, and unconditional support. Quite simply, this day would not be complete without her.
Best friends. Chosen sisters. Forever family. 💕
Bridesmaids
Maid of
Honor
SELIN ESENER
Selin entered Gülen’s life in San Diego, thanks to a mutual friend—and at exactly the moment she was needed most. Gülen was deep into her PhD years, living on coffee, determination, and far too little sleep. Stress was high, nights were long, and deadlines were relentless.
And then there was Selin. 💫
She brought laughter into the chaos, joy into the exhaustion, and a reminder that life wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously—even during the toughest chapters. Selin was always there to share amazing moments, plan fun events, and make sure Gülen remembered how to breathe, laugh, and live.
Very quickly, they discovered a tradition worth keeping: Gülen’s birthday became the perfect excuse for an annual trip to Las Vegas. And well… they say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas 😉but what definitely didn’t stay there was the friendship. It only grew stronger with every trip, every memory, and every uncontrollable laugh.
Through the years, distance never mattered. Their bond deepened, their stories multiplied, and Selin remained one of Gülen’s greatest sources of joy, support, and fun.
So it’s only fitting that today, Selin stands by Gülen’s side as her Maid of Honor—the one who turned stress into laughter, birthdays into legendary adventures, and friendship into something truly lifelong.
Partner in crime. Keeper of memories. Maid of Honor forever. 💕✨
AYSE OKESLI-ARMLOVICH
Ayşe and Gülen met during their student days at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, at a time when life revolved around classes, deadlines, and chasing big dreams. They were both working hard, studying harder, and doing everything they could to build the future they imagined for themselves.
School was stressful, and Urbana-Champaign could feel especially challenging for two free-spirited, social souls. But instead of letting the pressure dim their light, these two decided to do what came naturally—find joy where they were. They laughed, explored the little town, created their own fun, and slowly but surely, a beautiful friendship began to grow.
What truly bonded them was how similar they were: big dreamers with hopeful hearts, always believing there was more life waiting beyond the next chapter. Through the years, their friendship deepened, shaped by shared experiences, support, and an unspoken understanding of each other’s hopes and ambitions.
When Ayşe found the love of her life, Gülen proudly stood by her side as a bridesmaid. And now, as Gülen begins her own forever, it’s Ayşe’s turn—standing beside her once again, this time as Gülen’s bridesmaid. A full-circle friendship. 💖
LIZZY EGAN
Lizzy may be Chris’s cousin by family tree, but in real life, she has always been so much more than that. Growing up together, Lizzy became the sister Chris never had. As an only child, Chris found in Lizzy a built-in best friend—someone who shared childhood memories, laughter, support, and a bond that only grows stronger with time. To Chris, Lizzy has always been family in the deepest sense of the word.
When Gülen entered Chris’s life, she quickly understood just how special Lizzy was to him. Although Gülen and Lizzy didn’t have many chances to spend time together at first, one thing was immediately clear: anyone who is this important to Chris is already family.
So asking Lizzy to stand as a bridesmaid today was never a question—it was a promise. A promise of love, connection, and a future where cousins become sisters, and families grow not just by name, but by heart.
Today, Lizzy doesn’t just stand beside the bride—she steps into a new chapter as Gülen’s sister too. 💕
Flower Girls
JULIET ANDONIAN
MAGGIE ANDONIAN
Juliet is Michelle’s first child—and from the very moment she arrived, she gave Gülen one of her favorite titles ever: Auntie. 💕 Becoming “Auntie Gülen” for the first time was a milestone filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of joy, and Juliet has been stealing hearts ever since.
With her bright spirit, sweet smile, and playful energy, Juliet brings happiness wherever she goes. Let’s be honest—without her, this wedding just wouldn’t be nearly as fun. She adds the magic, the giggles, and the unforgettable moments that make the day truly special.
So it’s only fitting that today, Juliet takes on the very important role of Flower Girl at Auntie Gülen’s big day—spreading petals, smiles, and a little extra sparkle down the aisle. 🌸✨
Maggie is Michelle’s second child—and from the very beginning, she has been lovingly known as mini Michelle. With her sweet presence and adorable charm, Maggie made Gülen a happy Auntie for the second time, doubling the love and joy in her heart. 💕
Even though she’s little, Maggie has a big personality and a way of making everyone smile just by being herself. Together with her big sister Juliet, she brings extra laughter, warmth, and pure happiness to every moment.
Having Maggie as part of the wedding makes the day even more special. As one of Auntie Gülen’s Flower Girls, she adds softness, sweetness, and a touch of magic that only a child can bring. 🌸✨
Groomsmen
Best
Man
JON GREEN
Jon is my best friend. We met in the summer before 7th grade at a pool party. Our eyes locked across the sand box and its been a party after that. Jon likes football and video games. He played both of them in high school, but he only plays one of them now... like a lot, he has a special chair and everything. He has 3 or 4 dogs (Colt, Diesel, Bella, and Big Bird), but Big Bird technically belongs to his son and is only on periodic short term loan.
His wifey Ruschel is super amazing... pretty sure he paid here like 100k, but he denies it and she says shes not allowed to talk about it because of the non disclosure agreement. Last year they got married in Hawaii, without me, depriving me of my best man speech, but i still love him so he gets to be my best man regardless. I may still make that speech some time on July 18th 2026... TBD.
Also, Jon has this beard... which you may have noticed as its rather long. Sometimes i debate flying to Florida and sneaking into his room with a trimmer, but thats too far. Hey Jon, you better lock your door while in DC :-)
TOM GALLAGHER
My cousin Tom is a Marine... I could probably stop here and you would get the picture, but ill keep going.
When he's not working as a federal law enforcement officer, he's driving his 2 sons Liam and Declan to hockey, picking up dog poop in the backyard, picking up nerf darts basically everywhere, or doing one of the 500 chores around the house that his wife and my loving cousin Darcy tells him he better get done.
Tom and i are basically the same age, so we grew up together and perpetually got yelled at by our parents for constantly doing dumb things, like blowing things up in my backyard, breaking our fathers tools, trying to drown his sister Tara in the pool, or hiding behind the row of bushes by the fence... Tom, i still cant figure out why the bushes was thing, and i'm pretty sure they just did it for fun to screw with us!
Back to Darcy. I was also in Tom and Darcy's wedding and theirs these pictures and video that she still keeps which i don't want anyone to see... So for the record, Darcy is amazing and i love her and she's literally the best cousin hockey mom in New England. Go Darcy! (p.s. Tom please just find and burn those things so i can sleep at night, thanks)
MICHAEL EGAN
Michael aka Miguel is my favorite cousin. He live in Atlanta with his very new wife Alexia and BMW named Rupert. Alexia is from Uruguay, and they met while he spent 2 years working internationally for Delta airlines in Chile. Rupert is from North Carolina, as thats where BMW has their USA assembly plant.
When not at work, you can find him on the rooftop of his kick ass town house, or traveling with Alexia to one of the 500 international destinations where Delta flies.... i'm pretty sure he has more passport stamps than Gulen.
When Miguel came home from the hospital in 1991 i was only 8. I thought i was going to get a fun playmate to hang out with on day 1, but all he did was sit there and look at the ceiling; i was very upset (ask his mom Kimbo). Anyways, eventually after a year or two he became fun, and i've spent the last 34 years loving and torturing him in person and from a far.
To continue the torturing tradition, if anyone reading this ever needs free standby tickets on Delta, just let Miguel know. He will totally give you one of his buddy passes or make you a standby companion; upgrades extra.
BRAD STINEHART
My bestest Navy friend Brad is a historian, a pilot, a flight officer, and does super secret squirrel things for work that he wont ever tell me.
When he's not playing James Bond, he's at home in Florida with his awesome kids Carter and Charlotte, and super cool wife Lauren. In 2015 i went to their wedding in Atlanta and went a little crazy playing with Navy swords (there's pictures) ... hopefully Brad doesn't get revenge on me in DC.
Anyways, we spent a good amount of time together in Corpus Christi TX for Navy flight school. We absolutely were good kids and spent all our time studying, flying, and going to bible study. This is our story and we're sticking to it.
Anyways, Brad is also from Boston, the greatest city in America as its home to Boston University, which is totally better than that place out in Purdue Indiana where Brad spent 4 years counting rows of corn. Go BU!
DEVANKA ALUWIHARE
Devanka "from Sri Lanka" is my amazing college roomate. He lives in LA with his two kids Dirren and Raya, and #1 wifey Chamindri, aka Chummy. When not working in the oil industry as an Engineer, you can find him at home fixing the many things they didn't know were wrong with their new house.
Now about Chummy for a minute. At first i told Devanka to run screaming when we randomly found out via letter a week before the semester started that she decided to pickup and follow him all the way from Sri Lanka to Boston, just a week after he returned from summer break in 2006. However, after a little while i realized she wasn't actually crazy, but pretty awesome, and she started to grown on me so eventually we all became roommates.
Speaking of becoming roomates, after Chummy graduated from her masters program, her off campus lease expired a few months later. Devanka told me she needed a place to stay for a couple weeks (max) while she found a new apartment to live in until December, which is when here student visa expired. So like an awesome roommate, i agreed to hide her from BU housing in our very tiny 1 bedroom on campus apartment for what was supposed to be 2 weeks, but that then turned out to be 4 months! Anyways, like any good roommate, i gave them the bedroom and i moved into the kitchen/living room with a sheet curtain my dad helped me hang up. Chummy did a lot of cooking that year, and i like food, so i eventually forgot about the 2 weeks.
Just to set the record straight, Chummy NEVER burned a half bottle of curry with the windows closed and 3 fans blowing, basically turning the entire 300 sqft apartment into a chemical weapons facility gone wrong... nope, never happened, ever! I love you Chummy and Devanka :-)
Ring Bearers & Security
Liam Gallagher
Usher in Chief
Liam is my favorite little cousin. He's also a big brother, boy scout, and killer hockey player. When he's not on the ice carving circles around the rest of the kids, he's at home shooting his mom with nerf gun darts that "Crazy Uncle Chris" bought him for Christmas... again.
Since he's used to leading the Gallagher pack, he was the clear choice for "Usher in Chief", tasked to make sure you get to your seats. This is a big responsibility, but i know he can handle it because he's a little gentlemen. Go Liam!
Declan Gallagher
Lead Bouncer
Declan is my favorite littler cousin, and younger brother to the Usher in Chief. He reminds me of myself when i was his age because he has both very innocent and completely devilish sides to his personality. One minute he's sitting quietly, the next he's plotting how to take over the world Pinky and the Brain style.
Since i know i can count on his fortitude, i've selected him as "Lead Bouncer". If anyone gets out of hand, you will have to answer to "The Decki"... and he's probably bringing his goalie stick, so watch out!
