e+k are getting married!

the beginning Kristin and Eric have known each other since their days at Klem North (thanks Mr. Dobler). They spent much of their childhood ignoring each other, despite their meddling mothers' hints that the two hockey players would make a good match. Once Kristin and Eric moved on to high school, everything changed. Rumor has it, Eric had a bit of a crush on Kristin starting freshmen year. By sophomore year, Kristin had said "sure" when Eric asked if she wanted to date, and the rest was history. Can you spot the two future lovebirds in this sixth grade "graduation" photo? Hint: they're about as far away from each other as they could possibly be.

the next chapter After high school, Eric left Rochester for the exotic city of Syracuse and Kristin made the 18 mile hike to RIT. Fortunately, New York kept the thruway well-plowed and Kristin wasn't afraid of driving through the occasional snow storm and the two were able to stick together those four years apart. Somewhat on a whim, after college Kristin took a job offer and moved to Greenville, South Carolina. Little did Kristin know, two weeks after he helped her move into her awesome cousin Billy's bachelor pad Eric would be making his way down south to join her. During their stay in the Palmetto State, the two became three when a puppy named Calder joined the family. He's since grown to be nearly 100 pounds and they haven't all sat comfortably on the couch since.

where are they now? In 2011 Eric left Greenville to head to law school in New Orleans. Although Kristin was hesitant to move even further south, she quickly fell in love with the city and officially joined Eric in the Big Easy in early 2012. The couple quickly made New Orleans their home, and on August 4, 2014, Eric popped the question. Despite practicing with Calder for weeks ahead of time, Eric failed to account for the lack of a light switch by the front door. Not to be thrown off his game, Eric proposed, in the dark, at 4 A.M. before the two hit the road to the airport for a post-bar exam (and engagement!) celebratory trip to the Dominican Republic. (They were both number 4 on their hockey teams, a sign they took to mean they were meant to be together – hence the timing!)

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We’re so excited to have our friends and family by our side for our big day! Both the ceremony and reception will be held at Broussard’s Restaurant and Courtyard in New Orleans' historic French Quarter. Broussard’s is within walking distance of most downtown hotels. Please plan to arrive at Broussard’s by 5:30 P.M. The ceremony will begin at 6:00. After we’ve said “I do,” we want all of you to join us for a second line to kick off the reception New Orleans-style. (Never heard of a second line? Click here!) Then the celebration begins – hope you packed your dancing shoes!

For those of you flying here, the closest airport is the Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY). Cabs are readily available to take you downtown to the hotels.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton on Canal Street for $159 a night. Give them a call at 888-627-7033 and let them know you're coming for the Popham/Ferrante wedding or use this link to book online.

Here's a quick list of some of our favorite things in New Orleans:

The Rum House Caribbean Taqueria – 3128 Magazine Street

New Orleans Original Daiquiris – on every corner downtown!

Woldenberg Park – 1 Canal Street

District Donuts, Sliders and Brew – 2209 Magazine Street

Celebration Distillery – 2815 Frenchmen Street

Blue Nile Music Venue & Bar – 532 Frenchmen Street

The National WWII Museum – 945 Magazine Street

Domenica – 123 Baronne Street

Dee's Coffee – 401 Baronne Street

Maegan Maloney | Maid of Honor Maegan and Kristin have been friends since Mrs. Vick's fifth grade class at Klem North. Kristin, Maegan, and bridesmaid Ashley were so inseparable that Mrs. Vick put them in different sixth grade classes with the hope that they would make other friends. That plan failed, and Kristin and Maegan remained the best of friends through high school, college, and into "real" life. They recently reaffirmed why they are best friends when they both showed up at a New Year's Eve party with their own baggie of orange slices for their Blue Moons. It was also Maegan that pressured Eric to "pick up the pace" and ask Kristin out. A new mother of a beautiful baby daughter Allison, it could be said Maegan honed her mothering skills keeping Kristin out of trouble all these years. Click the Bridesmaids text to exit.

Ashley Vogan | Bridesmaid Ashley is Kristin's oldest friend. Ashley and Kristin became friends during the Beanie Baby craze when the other third grade girls shunned them for not having large enough collections. Conveniently, the two lived in the same neighborhood throughout childhood and would spend their summers walking back-and-forth between the Popham and Hoffman homes. Kristin and Ashley were softball teammates and workout warriors together throughout middle and into high school. Ashley now lives in El Paso with her wonderful husband Jon and their two bunnies. Click the Bridesmaids text to exit.

Aimee Houck | Bridesmaid In Kristin’s very first class, on her very first day at RIT, she sat next to a bubbly, blonde Illustration major named Aimee. There’s nothing like the horrors of classes that require nude figure drawing to form a life-long bond. The two quickly became friends and were virtually inseparable during their time in Brick City – whether they were working side by side in the studio or having “Wine Wednesdays” at Kristin’s apartment. Somehow, they both managed to survive RIT, and Aimee moved to D.C. where she is a tequila aficionado and a UX Designer for LivingSocial. Click the Bridesmaids text to exit.

Annie Chaput | Bridesmaid Annie has been many things to Kristin over the years – classmate, neighbor, spring break road trip buddy… and now, bridesmaid! The two met while at RIT and with similar majors and senses of humor, became fast friends. You could often find Annie and Kristin at Jay’s Diner, having conversations completely comprised of movie quotes and nicknames no one remembers the origin of. Annie is a photographer living in New Hampshire with her husband Tyler and their cute rescue dog TC. Click the Bridesmaids text to exit.

Jessie Popham | Bridesmaid + Sister The tension in the Popham household was high in 1997 when Kristin threatened her pregnant mother with moving out if she had to deal with another brother. All of Kristin's prayers were answered when Jessie was born, and Kristin was so excited that she brought her new sister to her third grade class show and tell. From changing her diapers to giving her boy advice, Kristin is thankful she has a little sister like Jessie – and not another brother (love you Jake and Kevin!). Jessie is a Converse sneaker addict, avid SnapChatter and starting this fall, will be working towards her nursing degree. Click the Bridesmaids text to exit.

Lisa Boone | Bridesmaid There are several theories to how Lisa and Kristin actually met for the first time, but being that they were two girls at a college that was only 13% female their freshman year, it was bound to happen. Despite having two totally different majors – Lisa was a Biochemistry student, and Kristin was a graphic design major – the girls made sure they still had classes like “Turbo Cardio Kickboxing” together. They managed to spend so much time with each other that Kristin was often mistaken for being in Lisa’s sorority; which she would just go along with when it meant free drinks. Lisa currently lives in D.C. and will be relocating to the beautiful country of Ecuador this summer! Click the Bridesmaids text to exit.

TYLER CONDIT | BEST MAN

Tyler and Eric struck up a fast friendship during their first year at Syracuse, where they dominated the beer pong scene and shared a love for sports. After living down the hall from one another on Brew 1 their freshman year, Eric and Tyler lived together their final three years of college. A native of Northern California, Tyler lives in San Francisco where he dreams of someday beating Eric in a debate or athletic competition.

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BRAD FETES | GROOMSMAN

Brad and Eric met in Ms. Faulk's third grade classroom and have been friends ever since. Brad played a key role in Eric and Kristin's relationship, as it was on his family computer that the future couple struck up their first conversation on AOL instant messenger. Brad and Eric later made-up what would be known as the greatest kitchen duo the Webster Golf Course has ever seen. Brad now lives in Syracuse, NY, where he works in urban/community development.

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THOMAS BERGERSTOCK | GROOMSMAN

Thomas and Eric have been friends since the sixth grade. During their younger years, the two discussed starting a band (a dream Thomas and Brad would realize without Eric when he couldn't learn how to play the guitar), and later played on the varsity baseball team together. A former bruising college running back, Thomas now lives in NYC where he works in advertising and enjoys sampling the best brunch spots the city has to offer.

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MATT MAILLETT | GROOMSMAN

Matt and Eric met during their freshman year at Syracuse. It was with Matt that Eric made his first trip to New Orleans, when the two, along with their friends Hot Carl and Pat Hartobey (watch out for him at the wedding) decided it would be a brilliant idea to make the 27-hour drive to Mardi Gras. Matt now lives in the dirty Jersey with his soon-to-be wife Jill.

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BRETT FERRANTE | GROOMSMAN

Brett and Eric met 24 years ago in Rochester General Hospital. Some would say Eric was Brett's first friend; others would say Brett was without a choice. Brett is Eric's younger brother, and occasional teammate in causing their mother much anxiety (and lots of happiness!). Brett will add the final touch of Orange to the wedding party when he earns his Master's Degree in Information Technology from Syracuse University in May 2015 before heading off to Hartford, CT, where he will protect the world from the rise of the machines.

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SAM HAUSS | GROOMSMAN

Sam and Eric lived together during their last two years at Syracuse; years the Post Standard would likely call the most epic two-year run the Hill has ever seen. Sam is Eric's go-to fantasy football expert, and Eric will be Sam's go-to legal expert when he gets arrested for trying to give Eli Manning a kiss.

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