Brea & Ben
Wedding Party
Marley Oswalt
Matron of Honor
Marley (Mar, Mo, Marge, etc.) and Brea have known each other since elementary school and have been best friends since the seventh grade. Mar lives in Pittsburgh and is married to her high school sweetheart (and Brea's cousin), Brett. She is mom to one very adorable little girl, Aria, and one mini golden doodle, Braun. Mar is an interior designer by day and came in clutch with her eye for design as Brea decorated their new home in Pittsburgh. She is the sole owner of the most blackmail-worthy videos and photos of Brea from their middle school days as amateur film makers. The pair managed to stay close through years attending different colleges and living in different cities, which Brea is super grateful for!
Peter Hanscom
Best Man
From recruiting Ben into his fraternity to working side-by-side in Democratic politics for nearly a decade two things have been a constant with Peter: a good time and unconditional love. Peter lives in Carmel, Indiana with his wife, Jordan, and two sons, and works to improve his community through his job with the United Way of Central Indiana. Ben and Peter have stayed in almost constant touch over the years through the GT (Group Text), along with Jake and Kevin, where they discuss everything under the sun — the NBA, politics, and office happenings to name a few. The group sees each other at least once a year at their annual Super Bowl Party.
Jenna Neri
Bridesmaid & Sister of the Bride
Jenna and Brea first met in 2001, on the day of Jenna’s birth. For the first few years of their sisterhood, Brea refused to let Jenna into her room when her friends were over, but somehow this rocky start transformed into one of the most special friendships. Except don’t even think about stealing my shirt, k? Jenna is in her senior year at Seton Hill University where she is studying Art Therapy. Her hobbies include consuming copious amounts of coffee, painting dog portraits that can pass for real life, napping, and making fun of Brea for using slang she doesn't understand. Bet.
Kevin Brown
Groomsman
Kevin’s friendship with Ben started when they were pledge brothers in their fraternity and has since taken them across the world to England, Thailand, and Cambodia. Kevin lives in Owensboro, Kentucky with his wife, Savannah, and their dog, Olive. Kevin is passionate about fitness both in his career as a physical therapist and in his personal life, leaving Ben with Strava envy on a near-daily basis. In fact, Brea got some incredible 1-1 coaching from Kevin when she picked out his 2021 birthday gift: a beautiful road bike that Ben is anxious to take on the road with Kevin in the not too distant future.
Leah Neri
Bridesmaid & Sister of the Bride
Leah (aka Lou) is Brea's youngest (and coolest) sister who loves dogs, baking, and dancing. Brea and Leah have always bonded over music — exchanging playlists of must listens and getting pulled over for going a little too fast while jamming out in the car (oops!). If Leah had to choose between Brea and Harry Styles, she would definitely have one less sister. She is currently a sophomore in high school who is very much a city girl at heart, with dreams of one day calling the Big Apple home.
Jake Nardulli
Groomsman
Like several of the other guys in the wedding party, Jake and Ben also got close through their time in the fraternity and traveling the world together – but Jake is usually the one making the itinerary! It makes sense that Jake is an excellent planner as he currently is a civil engineer living and working in Chicago. Jake fills his spare time with intramural sports and rooting for his favorite sports teams: Tottenham and the Chicago Bulls. Jake and Ben were also college roommates their senior year where they had some of their most intense NBA debates, but those continue today through the GT.
Harris Cauler
Bridesman
Harris and Brea met in college, but (for some unknown and unlucky reason) they didn't realize that they were soulmates until their very last semester there. Luckily, they were both moving to DC after graduation, and only grew closer over the next years as they took on their new city together. Their friendship found a new dimension when Ben, Brea, and Harris formed a pod during the early days of the COVID19 pandemic, lounging together away from the rest of the world. Harris is adventurous and spontaneous by nature. He knows way (way) more than you about all things technology and definitely missed his calling as an Apple store Genius. He now resides in sunny Florida with his fiancé, Joe, and their cat, Horatio.
Ryan Cramer
Groomsman
Ryan is as quality of a guy as they come – one of the first people to text Ben if he senses any need for a helping hand. Ryan and Ben also met through the fraternity and studied abroad together at Harlaxton College in England, and Ryan attends the annual Super Bowl party every year. Ryan’s new nickname is “The Pod Father” which is rightfully earned now that he’s concluded the 200th episode of his successful e-marketing podcast. Ryan lives in Westfield, Indiana with his wife, Hilary, their son, Billy, and their dog, Paris.
Isabelle Icso
Bridesmaid
Brea and Belle met in the most serendipitous of ways: Two gals from different colleges, randomly paired up as roommates during their study abroad semester in Brussels, Belgium. Brea could tell from the get-go that Belle was a real one. Years later, they ended up in the same city again — this time in Washington, DC where they became roommates part two. Belle is a loving wife to Brendan, and fur mom to Maggie and Kat. She is an international trade policy wonk, a skilled board gamer, and a fierce friend who will always have your back and refill your wine glass.
Matt LaFortune
Groomsman
Matt and Ben’s friendship started when Matt became Ben’s first post-college boss on a campaign they worked on together in Indiana’s 8th congressional district. They may have lost the campaign, but they won a lifelong friendship (🥁). Shortly after the campaign, they both moved to D.C. to further explore their careers in politics and public affairs, eventually sharing a group house in the city. Now they regularly attend Washington Wizards games together and exchange recommended books through the mail.
Tess Rancourt
Bridesmaid
Tess and Brea became close in high school (affectionately calling their crew with Caitlyn and Marley the “Fab 4”) and have gotten even closer as the years have gone by. Tess and her husband, Matt, live in Nashville, Tennessee with their son, Henry, and their dog, Woodford. She may look like your wholesome suburban mama bear who does it all (which she is), but don’t get it twisted — she is also as a former division one hockey player who will tell it like it is, so watch yourself. A true nerd at heart, she loves Pokemon, Harry Potter, and Star Wars and her sassiness keeps everyone laughing.
Trevor Neri
Groomsman & Brother of the Bride
Having grown up an only child, Ben was excited to gain a brother (and two sisters) through his relationship with Brea. When Ben picked the guitar back up as one of his “quarantine hobbies", Trevor was happy to put his incredible musical talent to use with a few lessons that led to family jam sessions. Since then, they’ve also bonded over a tumultuous love of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trevor lives in Windber, PA where he’s an avid fly fisherman and carpenter.
Caitlyn Pingatore
Bridesmaid
Caitlyn and Brea also became close in high school and grew even closer when they attended Juniata College together. Their senior year of college, the two shared a room in the attic of the “Unit House” with 3 of their other best friends where many memories were made that they will never forget (and some that they definitely have). Caitlyn is a lover of the outdoors and has dedicated her career to helping people with special needs. She currently lives in Altoona, PA, with her four cats and dozens of plants — earning her the dual titles of crazy cat lady and crazy plant lady.
Tyler Patton
Groomsman
Tyler and Ben met at Ben’s first job in D.C. and have since worked together as partners or coworkers a total of five times! In between all the office run-ins, they became the close friend each needed to navigate the D.C. experience. Tyler also lived in the group house with Matt and Ben and has become Ben’s most reliable running buddy. Tyler moved to Pittsburgh just after Ben and Brea, so they’re now learning a new city together all over again!
Sadie Hershberger
Flower Girl
Sadie is Brea's second cousin and is super excited to be a part of our special day. Sadie is equal parts sweet and silly. She is a loving big sister and loves to dance and do art.
Julius
Honorary Ring Bearer
"Orange" Julius is the two-year-old fur baby of Ben and Brea. The absolute apple of his parents' eyes, Julius is a sweet, playful, orange tabby who enjoys the finer things in life: Plotting his attack on backyard wildlife from his cat tree, wet food, long sprints through the entire house, and searching out and eating even the most hidden stringy objects (Brea and Ben do not approve of this last hobby!). He dreams of one day being able to go into the basement whenever he wants and of catching the red dot.