Wedding Party
Rayelle Merrell
Maid of Honor
Rayelle is the best sister and friend Brittany could have ever asked for. Their friendship has bloomed wonderfully into adulthood. It only took not sharing a bedroom for that to happen...Her smile lights up any room she's in! From passing clothes and secrets back and forth. To dragging each other up mountains. To being the worst (best) influencers to each other on buying things neither of them need. Rayelle and Brittany are always there for each other through the good times and the bad. Brittany didn't find her first love when she met Jim, she found it when her little sister was born (she just didn't know it yet).
Matt Hilbert
Best Man
Matt and Jim became friends during staff development sessions for a Scouting program called National Youth Leadership Training(NYLT). They began a yearly pilgrimage to Alpine for NYLT Course Directors' Conference where 14 hours in rented vehicles led them to develop an appreciation for each others quarks. One of these trips resulted in Jim's first time in NYC, and first exposure to Absolute Bagels. Matt is one of the few individuals on Earth who understands how to navigate Jim's complete inability to delegate and saved Jim from complete frustration on many occasions during NYLT conferences in the late 2010s. Matt and Jim continue to share interests in craft beer, firearms, and automobiles. Currently, Matt is converting an ambulance into a fully-functional RV, utilizing his excellent carpentry skills.
Kim Lovett
Bridesmaid
"Wanna be friends?" That's all it took to become friends in Kindergarten and nothing has changed over the years! Kim and Brittany shared a love for sports with both of them briefly playing both soccer and volleyball together. Then Kim found her love for running and Brittany said screw that, I'm just going to be a jumper! Brittany finally found her love for running on her own now that she isn't 'required' to run. Kim is a brand new mom to a beautiful little boy and still found the time to be such a supportive friend throughout the wedding planning process. She is always down to get a coffee and talk about life. Kimmy is just one of the best friends you could ever find and cherish.
Jack Ellsworth
Groomsman
Jack and Jim spent much of their youth in various Scouting programs, on the target range of each others' houses, and playing CoD: World at War on Jack's LAN system. During an excursion to Montreal/Quebec with the French club, Jack and Jim were pulled off the bus at the border to have their bags searched, and being the prepared Scouts, had items that normally would not be found in a 16 year old's suitcase. Thankfully, no detainments were necessary. Now in adulthood, they share a passion for craft beer - Jack also developed an extensive home brewing operation following college. Jack also educated himself in many facets of home construction when building his permanent home on Conesus Lake, and now gets to enjoy phenomenal views with his wonderful wife Emily and their three children.
Amanda Streeter
Bridesmaid
Amanda is also set to get married exactly one week before The Eick Wedding, so huge congratulations to her and Sam! Amanda has been friends with the Bride ever since they were little and rode the same school bus. Amanda is a sorority girl and can tell you all about your star sign. Amanda is one of the fiercest fellow Leo’s that Brittany has ever known! She is strong-minded, independent, and now a boss babe Firefighter! Amanda and Brittany briefly worked in Security at St. John Fisher and made some quite interesting memories together with the time they spent there. You can always count on Amanda for her support, but also for a good laugh.
Camden Arlauckas
Groomsman
Camden and Jim had an awkward introduction at NYLT when Camden had to bang on the glass of Jim's GTI to wake him up so he and his patrol could get their food for breakfast. Over the course of the next decade, Camden became a star presenter as a youth staff member, and continued on the NYLT program through college. Jim was incredibly honored to be presented with one of Camden's Eagle Mentor pins. Camden recently graduated from RIT, after having completed several internships with various automotive companies.
Kat Barbarossa
Bridesmaid
This one here is a Jeep girl...She can get down in the dirt during the day, then by night she's all dressed up! I wouldn't be surprised if she wears cowgirl boots under her dress at the wedding! Like the rest of Brittany's bridesmaids, she is a ray of sunshine! Kat and Brittany both attended WVU together where they also played volleyball. The list could go on forever with all the memories they may or may not remember from college, but a few favorites are: meeting the WVU Football Coach's brother and getting a bunch of free drinks from a group of very nice 40 year old men; Volleyball Nationals (ahem...); and Football tailgates and games. Brittany is so thankful that WVU brought the two of them together, now Kat just needs to move closer to Brittany so they can see each other more often!
Nick Gauer
Groomsman
Nick and Jim game quite frequently; primarily PC RTS/FPS/Simulator style games, but also play various tabletop games. Their friendship developed further when Nick was able to help Jim secure his first job out of college - working at Movies 10. Many late nights were spent gaming following closing shifts, especially long campaigns in Sins of Solar Empire. Jim's vision was also permanently damaged following Nick's betrayal during a Homeworld session in which Nick created a mini-supernova in Jim's base. Nick's appreciation for dark beers added a new repertoire to Jim's Untappd badges. Gaming now regularly involves Nick's son, Sam, in which Nick and Jim frequently carry him when playing 3 vs. 3 maps in Starcraft II. Special thanks to Nick's wife, Jillian, for supporting their hobby.
Nicole Stanton
Bridesmaid in Spirit
5ft apart or 1,000 miles away, we're always together in spirt. Nicole is expecting a baby so she couldn’t make it all the way from Texas on this special day, but she is right by Brittany's side in spirit. She's a Southern beach-bum hippie wild child and knows all the best spots for some delicious crawfish! Brittany and Nicci met in Kindergarten as they rode the bus together. Nicci would just hop off the bus with Brittany so they could hang out, without telling either of their parents. Nicci then just up and left Brittany behind and moved to Texas. They only saw each other a handful of times over the years, but they have remained best friends and soul sisters even so. Brittany couldn't imagine a world with Nicci in her life.