Carleigh & David
Wedding Party
Lisa Foreman Shekarchi
Maid of Honor
Lisa and I met at UMD in College Park when we were working together in the College Park Scholars office. We shared such good memories on and off campus, like at Cornerstone, in Commons apartments and in NYC during the Scholars in NY trip. After college, we were roommates in Canton and the fun and laughs were nonstop. Lisa has been an incredibly loyal and caring friend to me through hard times and great times-- including a spontaneous trip to Puerto Rico to celebrate when I got into medical school and years later when handsome Ollie was born. I was lucky enough to stand by her side when she married Tommy in Nags Head, NC and I will be again so lucky to have her stand by me when I marry Dave!
Christine Deugwillo
Bridesmaid
Christine and I started as friends when we were on Gym Meet Dance Committee together in high school. But our friendship really blossomed when we were, by chance, across-the-hall dorm neighbors in Cumberland Hall. We soon became inseparable and ended up as roomies from sophomore to senior year in College Park. I was devastated when Christine said she was moving to California after graduation, but she quickly returned to the East Coast where we grew even closer. Christine and Paul are, in part, to thank for getting Dave and me together on July 4, 2013. Countless Baltimore nights later, we loved having them both as down-the-street Hampden neighbors and even though we are 1,700 miles away, we still talk all the time. There is no one else I would rather jump out of a plane at 10K feet with!
Loretta Bacon
Bridesmaid
Loretta is one of my oldest friends, since we were in Creative Communications class together in freshman year of high school. We have shared too many memories to even count, including making up choreographed dances to Shakira in Kelly's room, late night study seshes, minivan adventures, our brothers' visits to CP and way too many more that I can't remember... but Loretta seems to remember them all crystal clear as she definitely wins for best memory of anyone I know! There were good memories and bad memories but Loretta has been there through it all. Can't imagine getting married to Dave without you up there with me.
Kelly Dougherty
Bridesmaid
Kelly and I have been friends for 15 (!) years but it feels like just yesterday when we were hanging out in my dad's backyard and Deb's living room in Parkville. From Parkvillian nights to summers in OC, there are so many great memories. Kelly, you are one of my most fun-loving friends and you always know how to cheer everyone up around you. Thank you for always reminding me to take a moment to enjoy all the fun things life has to offer. Dave and I are so grateful to get to celebrate our new married life together with you up on the altar with us!
Mandy Nicholson
Bridesmaid
Mandy, thanks for being the older sibling to me that I never had. So excited to get to call you my sister for real now. Some of my favorite memories with you include cooking out on your back porch, drinking wine at our Hampden house, watching Livy grow up (too fast) and all of our holidays together. Oh yeah, and when we went on stage with Bush! XOX
Lisa Woods
Bridesmaid
Lisa, I am so happy you and Mandy came into my life when Dave did. Some of my favorite memories with Lisa include drinking wine out on the back patio at our Hampden house and all of the amazing meals we have collaborated on (and eaten) together. Lucky to call you and Livy my family now.
David Schmidt
Best Man
Schmidt and I met in middle school. We shared the same name, were in many of the same classes, and had similar friends. But it wasn’t until we started traveling in college and our early adult lives, seeking out new cultures and food, that we became close friends. Visiting Schmidt, who was studying abroad in Madrid, was my first taste of what international travel could be like. We have gone to other countries since and experienced the cuisines of yet many more. Schmidt has always looked out for me like a brother and has proved to be as trustworthy as family. Carleigh and I spent the second half of our Greece engagement trip with Schmidt, enjoying the beaches, gyros, and wine that are best when shared and I’m grateful to have him by my side when I marry Carleigh.
Brian Stromberg
Groomsman
Brian and I played soccer together for half of our lives. He was the anchor on the defensive half of the field and has been an unwavering fixture in my life. Brian, wise ahead of his years, introduced me to my first Philly Cheesesteak (Sonny’s) and took me to my first Pearl Jam concert. We’ve spent countless hours watching World Cup matches and dozens more perfecting our pizza recipes for the Pizza Monday tradition. I couldn’t think of a more reliable guy to have in my life, especially on one of the most important days in my life.
Mike Petti
Groomsman
Mike moved to Bel Air during Sophomore year of high school and we quickly became friends on the lacrosse field. Our friendship was galvanized through on and off-field competitions and a strong sense of family. I have never met a more competitive person (aside from Mike’s dad) who can so extraordinarily balance winning with loyalty. Mike and I spent a summer living together at the beach and, more recently, share the state of Colorado as our home away from home. Our athletic pursuits have slowed down, but our familial camaraderie is as strong as ever.
Kevin Burke
Groomsman
Kevin and I grew up down the street from one another and played soccer together in high school. We wound up going to college at Maryland and quickly realized that we had more in common off of the pitch than on it. Our friendship strengthened while living together during sophomore year and again for a five year span in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore. Kevin and I have had many late-night chats about life and love. He nominated me for Baltimore’s most eligible bachelor and I served as his side-kick and third wheel on a number of dates. My twenties would have been significantly different if it weren’t for the generosity of this guy.
Corey Benton
Groomsman
Corey is Carleigh’s younger brother and, as a fellow Terp, we quickly connected over basketball games. Corey embraced me as part of the family early on, helping me to navigate the large family gatherings. I grew up with two sisters and I’ve always wanted a brother. I finally have that with Corey.
Kevin Moyer
Groomsman
Kevin and I met in college while taking a History of Rock ’n Roll class and lived together during junior year. Some of my fondest memories together revolve around transportation rather than music. There was the time when we went off-roading in Baltimore and had to get towed out of 3’ of water, the cross-country road trip from Boston to San Diego, or that visit to NYC where not even a hurricane could completely derail our plans. Generous and (blank), Kevin has always gone out of his way to be a good friend, despite geographic barriers and whatever else might be in his way.