Anne & Mary Claire
Wedding Party
Rebecca Harris
Anne's Maid of Honor
My sister, my Maid of Honor, the person who has seen me go through every awkward phase of life, all milestones,happy & sad moments. Our relationship developed from childhood fist fights in the living room where she was always blamed and I was never in trouble, to high school Dunkin' Donuts runs before school with forged "late to school" notes, to countless conversations where only a sister can give you the raw advice needed. She is part of my everyday and I am thankful we share such a solid bond. I know without a shadow of doubt that I can always turn to her for that silly story that nobody else will laugh at, moments of doubt or anxiety & moments where we just choose to fill the time and space with each others company. I am so happy that she will be standing by my side at our wedding.
Veronica Kelly
Anne's Bridesmaid
Veronica and I met when we were about 12 years old on a grade school basketball team, years later I was told that I was "too cool" for her and we weren't friends back then. Our friendship developed at Compo Beach summer camp before I went off to college; we car pooled, made CD's together and played pick up bball until the sun went down. We had the opportunity to play basketball together at Roanoke College for 3 years and have remained very close since. Between RC alumni reunions, trips to Boston & plenty of other shenanigans in between. I see "V" very much as my moral compass, someone who can give me the advice and emotional support needed that helps me grow and push myself. She has been a very safe place for me throughout the years as trusted friend & always there without judgement :)
Erica Custis
Anne's Bridesmaid
Oh Erica, Captain Custis. A true blue friend in and out. Erica and I met around 2008 in Norfolk and quickly became friends. Our outings usually consist of roaming around North Colley, backyard BBQ's, trips to Chick's beach and boat rides in the Chesapeake Bay. Throw a little 80's music on and you can find Erica breaking it down in weird ways you didn't even know possible. I laugh like I am at a stand up show and everyone should get the opportunity to witness it! I always have a trusted solid friend in Erica, always a laid back time with many laughs. I have the same level of comfort as ease when I am around Erica as I would a family member. When you are around Erica, you are reminded to keep it simple! I am looking forward to having her be a part of our special day.
Erin VanLoon
Bridesmaid
Erin and I met in 2007, both working for Virginia Eye Consultants at the time and quickly formed a friendship that consisted of Thursday night dinners and a show. Thursday night dinners turned into weekend hangouts, mid week conversations, then becoming roommates in Virginia Beach for a couple years. I have always respected Erin for the kind, generous, selfless person that she is and I have always looked up to her as a "mentor" during my career. Her ability to separate herself from what you have going on and truly "be there" for you sets her apart. While we don't see each other nearly enough, I will always have such love and care in my heart for my BIFF. Always a good time had with lots of laughs & good conversation sums up the 14 years of friendship. PS- She loves Bruce!!
Berkley Custis
Bridesmaid
Berkley and I have been friends well over a decade. Each get together, without a shadow of a doubt, will include LOTS of laughs, giggles and just being silly. I think sometimes we talk in a completely made up language. We may talk about her newest plant in the garden, new reggae artists, or ramble back and forth about complete nonsense. Berkley stays true to who she is and always adds a bubbly and fun spin to my day. Our friendship has many common grounds; thousands of hours have been spent on the beach, boating, or on the water in some capacity! I am excited she will be a part of our big day!
Kristen Neumann (Absent)
Anne's Bridesmaid
Kristen and I go wayyyy back, becoming the best of friends in High School in Weston, CT. We were inseparable, I am not sure we did anything without the other; including her talking me into playing track in the spring and me talking her into playing basketball in the winter so we could hang. We have countless memories on Compo beach on the lifeguard stand, Westport Diner late nights, Friendly's, picking movies in the Blockbuster isles, 3rd floor in the Kelley residence where watching a boxed TV's and eating Chinese food, then getting pumped about Chinese leftovers were the Friday night special. I will always cherish those memories and appreciate the solid friendship we have continued through adulthood. The distance is tough, but when we are together we know how to have a good time!
Natalie Berardesca (Absent)
Anne's Bridesmaid
Nat and I become friends when I was 16, a Sophmore in High School, where we both played for the AAU team; The Connecticut Starters. It was easy to determine that out of all our teammates we had a similar sense of humor and interests, therefore became "partners in crime" during our travel tournaments. The trouble we got into was harmless (mostly), but definitely fills the memory bank. I think its remarkable to maintain a 20 year friendship from one very short basketball season. We have remained very close throughout the years, visiting each other, taking impromptu trips, attending concerts and shows to support our mutual love for music. I look forward to continual support through all of life's twists and turns.
Tyler Matthew
Best Man
My boy! Tyler and I met around 10pm on July 2nd 2009. He was first opening his eyes to the world and I was the excited aunt who had been sleeping on the hospital floor since 3am. As with all of my nephews, I fell in love at first sight. Quickly picking up the role of protector and wanting to steal every moment I could to spoil him with love. On May 5th 2013 Tyler and I started a new journey. One of parent and child. It is a path I never knew my life would take, but we have walked it together and we have learned and grown so much along the way. He has made me a mom, and he makes me and Annie more than just a couple, he makes us a family. I could not be more proud to have him walk me down the isle as we enter this new phase of our lives.
Courtney (Buddha) Butowicz
Mary Claire's Maid of Honor
My sister from another mister! Oh where o where do I begin?! Courtney and I met as adversaries on the TCBL basketball courts in 3rd grade. After years of competing against each other we met again as familair faces across the dance floor at HBs and from there we struck up a fast and never ending friendship. Courtney is my constant. Always there, at every turn, and always ready to tear up a dance floor (whether we are out at a club or in my living room) or relax with a bottle of wine and laugh at a Netflix stand up. Through every phase of my teenage and adult life she has been my chosen family. There are not enough pictures or words to sum up our friendship. And when pictures and words aren't enough, all you have to do is turn on a little Celine Dion :)
Sara McLaughlin Hahne
Mary Claire's Matron of Honor
My big sister! My guide, through childhood, adolesence, and even into adult life. Sara is my keeper of all the thousands of moments and memories that are only shared between sisters. The childhood times of naming our cabbage patch dolls, wrestling, and drinking orange juliuses, the road trips and summers in Wyoming and Fla, teaching me how to move my hips to dance to the newest CD she got from the BMG CD club, and sneaking me into my first bar with her own ID. Sara has always paved the way for me and always looked back to make sure I am still being taken care of as she moves into the next phase. I have always been so proud to be Sara's sister and I have that same sense of pride knowing she will be standing beside me on my wedding day.
Grace McLaughlin
Mary Claire's Bridemaid (In Memoriam)
My (not so little) little sister! From playing make believe, to summers filled with "hang out", to childhood arguments and disputes about sharing clothes, to sisters who have each other's back and adult friends, to raising a kid together. My relationship with Grace was like none other. The last conversation I had with my sister was me asking her to be a bridesmaid at our wedding, which she answered casually and assuredly with "aww, of course, I'll be there!". That simple statement filled my heart with joy and reminded me that even in the toughest of times, sisters show up for each other. While the circumstances of life have changed, there is no doubt in my mind that Grace's presence will be there on our wedding day - in the hearts and minds of those who love her and who love us.
Marie Petran
Mary Claire's Bridesmaid
My soul sister! Me and Marie met in 8th grade at the start for the Northside basketball season. When I became friends with Marie it was the first time the world felt like it fit. Marie easily understands me - my passions, my competitiveness, my challenges. Marie has always helped to push me to the next level and been by my side no matter the outcome. Marie and I share a great love for music. We can sit and listen to music for hours, disecting every Tracy Chapman or Amos Lee lyric and applying it to our lives. We've seen countless concerts and had countless conversations about where life has been and where it is going. But what's best about me and Marie is our friendship goes deeper than any moment or conversation. We are two people cut from the same cloth.
Katie Bundy
Mary Claire's Bridesmaid
My steady sister! From late nights at the waterfront apartments, weekend trips to Rehobeth, and dance parties at the Cactus, to adult aged college graduation parties, relationship advice, and learning how to parent in our modern families. Katie and I have always emabarked on new life phases together. Always managing to some how keep pace with each other and being so happy the other is there "with" us in the good times and the challenging times. Katie is a constant reminder that friends keep you stable when the path you are on is unknown. Our friendship is a true example of "no matter how much things change they always stay the same". Even though our friendship lives 2,000 miles apart, when I look to my side Katie is always there - I am so happy that the same will be true on my wedding day.
Shannon Drury
Mary Claire's Bridesmaid
My laughing all the time, whether it's appropriate or inappropriate, sister! When I first met Shannon she was dressed up like a clown for Halloween, which was fitting since she has kept me laughing for almost 20 years. Shannon and I have a unique sense of humor that can be shared through conversation or through no words at all from across the room. Shannon was my first adult roommate. She helped me to find my independence and has always been in my corner rooting me on. Our friendship is one that has grown from late nights dancing and singing off tune at OAR concerts to early nights dancing and singing off tune with kids. Time with Shannon is always easy, carefree, and fun and I cherish every moment of it.