The Wedding of Michael and Claudia

Starring...
Claudia Hagan
as the Bride

It's hard to pass Claudia on the street without staring. She's the center of any room she is in - even if she'd rather not be. Born and raised in Conyers, GA, she is a true southern girl. Give her a stack of biscuits and a mess of hash browns, and she's happy.

Claudia is a devoted educator who taught high school Science for five years. Wanting to expand her reach, she set off to get her Ph.D at Georgia State in science education. Her dream is world domination...or running the Department of Education.

Michael is super excited to marry Claudia. He's already starting to call her the "w" word. Michael is a story teller and seeks out those stories other might have missed. In his day job, Michael works at Lime Crane Productions filming, editing, and writing about all things visual.

When he's not watching Youtube videos about food or bad movies, he loves playing with his three fur babies. For those of you who know Michael, this has to be a sign of changing times. Michael grew up down the road from Claudia in Lilburn, Ga and also has a strong passion for Southern breakfast foods.

and
Michael Hamilton
as the Groom

Executive producers
Paul & Renée
Hagan

Paul and Renée are the source of Claudia's sass, determination, and work ethic.

Both are dedicated educators (no wonder Claudia became a teacher). Renée taught social studies for Dekalb County and Paul taught Physics in their home town of Conyers. Now, they are enjoying the retired life.

When they aren't taking care of their three "brown dogs" and two cats, they love to go to their boathouse on Allatoona to relax. Their current favorite pastime is coming up with excuses to meet Claudia and Michael at trendy lunch spots downtown.

Cary and Ellie have helped Michael become the person he is today. Ellie inspired his love for coffee and adventure, while Cary has helped Michael continue to explore his passion of film making.

Both enjoy relaxing on the family house-boat, the Best Buddy. When they're not there, Ellie can be found singing in the church choir or inspecting blood banks around the country. Michael usually knows he can find Cary planning for his next mission trip to help install machines for clean water.

Michael's awareness of social issues, creativity, and ability to solve problems originates in this dynamic duo.

associate producers
Cary & Ellie
Hamilton

with
Heather Hall
as the officiant

Heather is Michael’s cousin. But she was there the day he was born, and they lived in the same house growing up, so she’s really a sister, and he will tell people that. Heather is a quick-witted, determined, and creative professional who doesn’t let
any of that stop her from being a great mom.

When Claudia started coming around, she was incredibly welcoming and made her feel at home. She means so much to the couple, and when Michael and Claudia were discussing options for their ceremony, they wanted to buck tradition and have the personal religious ceremony performed by a close family member. The couple was happy to ask Heather to get ordained and practice preaching!

Eye rolls and exasperated sighs bonded Claudia and Megan in their first weeks at Berry College. It quickly became obvious they were kindred spirits who lived for mischief, adventure, and sweatpants.

At the risk of her secrets being exposed, Claudia really had no choice but to ask Megan to be her Maid of Honor. Megan currently lives in Berlin, Germany (the land of no spices) and uses her creative eye to make companies appealing online. Watch out for her dance moves!

Megan Benson
as Maid of honor

Alexis Petrassi
as Best man #1

Michael and Alexis first met on a lonely road outside of Juarez at midnight. It was either there or high school. Alexis is always ready to let you know that she’s basically Michael’s oldest friend and knows everything about him. She’s correct. Alexis is getting her master’s degree to teach science and has a degree in entomology. Michael calls her a “bug scientist”, which she loves.

He has forgotten about more adventures with Alexis than he could count, and she is always there when he needs to talk about the serious things, but more often the nonsensical things. Few high school buds end up becoming life-long friends, but they are doing alright.

“I hired someone just like you today” was Claudia’s intro to Carly. Both were crazy enough to become science teachers, have what some may call “unhealthy” love for their cats, and have watched every TLC show between them.

Carly graciously came out of bridesmaid retirement to be Claudia’s Maid of Dishonor (self-proclaimed). Carly represents East Atlanta and ventures outside of the perimeter to mold young minds in the ways of covering up crimes (no, she’s not a crime boss…just a forensics teacher). Don’t mess with Texas!

cARLY JACKSON
as Maid of DIShonor

Jordan Mills
as Best man #2

Jordan and Michael both went to Emory for Filmmaking, got a business minor, love to make movies, hate rude drivers, shoot old school film, drink their weight in coffee daily, and have worked at three of the same companies. At their sports TV job right out of college, they were collectively known as “Michael Jordan”.
Jordan is a cinematographer for Michael’s studio, and is extremely talented. Many days they are together more than either of them sees Paige or Claudia. They talk about everything from shows to movies, politics, gardening, and where they will inevitably retire as cranky old geezers that play canasta and talk about the good old days.

Out of the whole wedding party, Nick is the only person to be able to say he peed on, fought with Sock-Em Boppers, and grew up with Ky-yah (as Nick calls Claudia). As her younger brother, Nick has known Claudia the longest and is her oldest friend. They have been through it all together and are there to support each other, even if that means drinking from a penis straw.

Nick currently lives in Bowling Green, KY and makes sure people’s cars get seen about. It was only right that Nick stand by Claudia’s side, not only as her brother, but as her friend.

Nick Hagan
as Bridesguy #1

Will Hamilton
as groomsman #1

If you are throwing a party for no reason on a weeknight, you call Will. Growing up with Michael cannot have been easy, but Will did it with a song and dance. Will is a music lover and is getting his degree from Georgia State in music entrepreneurship.

Michael is most happy that as they got older, Will morphed from just a little brother to a true friend. Will and Michael single handedly saw enough movies that Moviepass went bankrupt, and ate enough taquitos that QuikTrip definitely has them on a list. Will is the record holder for the exhausting title of Michael’s longest roommate.

Wine, cheese, and an assortment of meats can bring people together in mysterious ways. Within an hour of knowing each other, Sam invited Claudia to crash at her place in Tallahassee. And you best believe, Claudia took her up on the offer.

Both ladies work as graduate research assistants for a grant between Georgia and Florida State Universities. Claudia and Sam can nerd out over the most important things: details, order, and lists. Sam is a lover of the ocean, disk golf, and driving huge government vehicles. She’s the real shark girl!

Sam Skrob
as Bridesmaid #1

Ben Hamilton
as groomsman #2

If you have to get to Mexico by Sunrise, you call Ben. Michael has worked with his brother Ben since they were kids. It never mattered if it were Family projects, school projects, first job cooking together at the family restaurant, first “big boy” job putting football games on Comcast together.

Ben is the one that Michael knows he can call when things get real. Ben and Michael also love to hang out playing video games, talking Harry Potter and Legend of Zelda, or just talking about life plans together. Ben means a lot to Michael, and he’s glad he’s here.

It’s been lost to history how Claudia and Gordie first met. Megan might say they met while working on Berry College’s newspaper. Other friends might say through game nights. One thing that is for sure their quick banter, dry humor, and straight forwardness has continued for ten plus years of friendship.

Gordie currently lives in Boston working hard to incorporate Elizabeth Warren’s dog into her campaign. In his spare time, Gordie watches movies, makes a podcast, and throws tea into the harbor.

Gordie Murphy
as Bridesguy #2

Paige Barrera
as groomsgal #1

Michael is just happy that Jordan finally found someone good enough for him😉. Paige always brings the fun, which is so important for getting all these nerds to loosen up. She hails from Las Vegas and Jet-sets around the world flying for United Airlines.

Michael has known her for a while now, and can safely say she never turns down an adventure. Whether it’s tubing down the Etowah river or being on our best behavior at a work party (because Claudia and Jordan get sassy), Michael is so happy to have her as a friend and neighbor.

Entering a Ph.D. program together is how strong bonds are made. As the only full-time science Ph.D. students, Claudia and Scott are colleagues and representatives of the department. They work hard to hold each other accountable, make the other laugh, and commiserate about assignments.

Claudia knew they were going to be friends when he dressed up as Mario for Halloween and came to class. Through working on the doctoral council, making a video, and throwing a bomb-ass party, the two are using their powers for good (shocking…I know). Scott still owes Claudia two drinks.

Scott Cohen
as Bridesguy #3

Yosef Ayala
as groomsman #3

Alexis found Yosef on Tinder too, and like Claudia, he’s not the typical online beau. Yosef and Michael have been good friends for several years, and is his go-to Buford Highway food buddy. Yosef always brings a calming, relaxed presence with his witty one-liners and his deep knowledge of time and space.

Yosef has the distinct honor of being the one who gave Michael his nickname “Mikeham”. Count on Yosef when making fun of bad movies together, turning Michael’s old bachelor pad into a “carnival of the soul”, and being someone that both Michael and Claudia can relax with when their workaholic nature get out of hand.

All pet owners know that you don't pick the pet, they pick you. Penny was the crazy, determined, and wild puppy that selected Claudia five years ago. Pen has a multitude of nicknames ranging from PenWin (short for Penelope Winifred) to Corn-Dog to PenDragon.

She loves to lay on the porch, chase balls, and cuddle with those she loves. Claudia's mom likes to say Claudia and Penny are Pete and Repeat or just simply, two of a kind. No one was surprised when Michael revealed that Penny is one of his favorite doggies around.

with a special appearance by
Penny Hagan
as Flower Girl

And introducing...
Beckham Hall
as Ring Bearer

The honor of ring-bearer (and flower girl leash holder) goes to Mr. Beckham Hall. Second-cousin to Michael and son of Heather, Beckham likes transformers, paw patrol, and most of all garlic knots!

When he plays, he always plays as the bad guy. He’s a little too cute to be a super-villain we think, but we are so glad THIS is the five-year-old keeping up with our expensive, irreplaceable jewelry.