Ashleigh & Ashley
Wedding Party
Meredith (Shiels) Apelberg
Matron of Honor
Mere & I have been friends since birth if you ask me, but there is also a slight chance it's been since junior year of high school when we both CLIPPERed at Deer Valley YMCA Family Camp. You can ask her for the details, she remembers everything. Either way, since meeting we have been as inseparable as possible, attending college at PSU together, working each summer at Deer Valley, and commuting between NYC and DC for regular visits throughout both of us attending different grad schools (Johns Hopkins for her PhD in Epidemiology, NYU for my MBA), starting our professional lives, and eventually Meredith starting her family life with husband Ben and three (!!) kids. Meredith is the one of the funniest, smartest, kindest people I know and I am honored to have her as my Matron of Honor.
Corey Bower
Best Man
Since 1981, a twin of Ashley’s, though, believe it or not, not identical. Corey graduated from Drew University and then attended Vanderbilt University for his PhD in Education Policy-- he is now a professor, ostensibly imparting his wisdom on our nation’s next generations. He swam in high school with Ashley and continues to pursue that, along with other sports, and is leading the curling revolution in America. He is currently living the revival in Buffalo, NY and is a genuinely well-rounded gentlemen.
Tia (Gupta) Malhotra
Bridesmaid
Tia & I met in 8th grade math class in Pittsburgh and instantly became the best of friends. We spent our high school years cracking up over more inside jokes than should be possible, attending Friday night ice skating and/or walking the mall, and wrangling our awesome group of friends. Even though we went to separate colleges/grad schools (Northwestern/Harvard for her, PSU/NYU for me) and then lived in Chicago and New York, some 20+ years later she is still one of the most important people in my life. She moved to NYC with her husband and 2 kids and we finally got to be in the same place for the first time (albeit briefly) since high school! In true Tia & Ashleigh form, we are once again living nowhere near each other, but you'd never know it when we get together.
Robin Bower
Groomsman
The younger, but no lesser, brother. Ashley would like to think he’s the free spirit of the family but comparing Ashley's military travels to Robin's living in Korea, Australia, Turkey, and now Canada might indicate otherwise. Robin met his wife, Valerie, while they were both teaching English outside of Seoul, South Korea and they currently reside in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada – once again outdoing Ashley in the "who can live in the place with the most extreme temperatures" department.
Jackie (Honig) Watt
Bridesmaid
Jackie & I met Freshman year at PSU when I not-so-cooly slipped in the lunchroom and went flying with my tray- right into the middle of her table. A cool, always put together New Yorker she was not amused nor interested in having an embarrassing sidekick. Nevertheless, I eventually won her over & we signed up to study abroad in Australia together for 7 months. I couldn't imagine a more fun friend to adventure around Fiji, Australia, & New Zealand with. We met her now husband while we were there (you're welcome!). Post-college she returned to Australia, then Shanghai -- living abroad for the next 10 years, & only recently returning to the US (2 kids in tow). Even with the distance we have always made a point to visit & our friendship has remained as strong as ever!
Henry Martone
Groomsman
If you know Henry, you know Henry. One of everyone’s favorite people, so get ready. Henry swam on the same team as Ashley at their Pittsburgh high school, Shady Side Academy, and they’ve been emotional support animals ever since (for the flight discounts). Henry went on to Northwestern University, worked in New York City and earned his masters and then his JD from USC. He and his wife, Lauren, currently reside in Redondo Beach, CA-- providing a lovely place for everyone to visit during any winter trips.
Laura (Buletza) McKelvie
Bridesmaid
Laura & I met on our floor freshman year. I decided we should be friends and would knock daily to wake her up from napping to go get dinner. Soon enough, we ended up spending most nights out together & we continued to live together (or in the same building) for the rest of college. Post-graduation we both headed to NYC and our friendship only strengthened as we grew up together through our 20s & early 30s in the city (twice as roommates-- which was the best!). Laura has always had a natural gift-- which makes her such a wonderful friend-- of being able to listen and give excellent advice. She is fun, open-minded, thoughtful & caring. I've traveled in Europe with her & her husband and can't wait to have her by my side in Italy. She'll be choosing all of the wines!
James Antoniono
Groomsman
James Paul Antoniono, who will be competing with Henry for the most Italian sounding last name and to be the biggest Italy fan, lives in Reno, Nevada. Naturally, he also swam in high school with Ashley; but, to outdo the others, he also went to the Naval Academy and U.S. Navy flight training with Ashley. James has continued to fly in the U.S. Navy, flying the real-life role of the adversaries in Top Gun. However, we have not seen this carry over into his real-life personality, yet, and he is just a swell guy overall. James and Ash once studied Italian (for about one month) in hopes of marrying a girl in Italy and Ashley is keeping the dream alive (although be it with a girl of Welsh descent).
Soham Sen
Bridesmaid
Soham & I met while getting our MBAs at NYU circa 2008. We both signed up for a "class" that took us to the Cannes Film Festival. We instantly hit it off with our similar love for fun & travel (& as fellow PSU alums)- I knew she was a keeper when she stayed up til 6am to make sure I didn't miss my flight home. Back in NYC, we continued to spend a lot of time together (her husband Carlton also becoming a good friend) and had many more adventures both in NYC & abroad (Dubai). She quickly became a best friend to me. Not only is she fun & adventurous, she is one of the most loyal, genuine, & dependable people I know. She is always there to listen and is key to our five-hour girls' dinners in NYC. Soham did an actual happy dance when I told her we are going to Italy- one reason why I love her.
Zak Weidner
Groomsman
Zak went to high school with Ashley but, shockingly, was not on the swim team. That said, he did run track with Ashley where he usually concentrated on the running fast part and let Ashley tinker around with the field activities. Since he's not a swimmer, we're not exactly sure why we hang out with him but it's probably for his passion for almost everything he comes across. Zak grips life by the horns and now replacement hips as an orthopedic surgeon. At the wedding, you'll probably find Zak near Ashleigh's dad getting hospital advice.
Eliana & Norah Apelberg
Flower Girl
Eliana Rose & Norah Hannah (plus honorary but still-too-tiny Flower Girl Talia Judith) are my mini BFFs and I am so excited to be the crazy Aunt Ashleigh behind them getting their first passport stamps. I have been doing my best to infuse them with my love of travel since they were born- sending postcards from far off places like Mongolia, Spain, and exotic Alaska! They are already seasoned little travelers around the US from East Coast to West Coast, but being with them in Italy for their first international adventure will be so much fun! I expect every shopkeeper in town to fall in love by the end of the week and I predict lots of free gelato in their future!
Tim Miller
Groomsman
Tim and Ashley swam together in high school, clearly a prerequisite to be in the wedding. Tim went to Duquesne Law, is now defending the legal rights of those throughout the Pittsburgh region, and will be watching the Pittsburgh Penguins from Italy. Ashley hosted (crashed) Tim and his wife Shawna's honeymoon in Paris (sorry Shawna!) so naturally we are just inviting them to ours right off the bat.