Carly & Eddie
Wedding Party
Larissa Lynch
Maid of Honor
There I sat at New Teacher Orientation, not really knowing anyone yet... "Hi! I'm Larissa!" said a bubbly redhead in the seat in front of me. Shoutout to Tyler Limbrick for putting the fear of God into Larissa and Kelly G. (fellow bridal party member) to find their friends at NTI, or be forever friendless. Lucky for me, Larissa took that very literally, and I apparently was the chosen one. We navigated the new world of teaching together alongside our "Fred Fam" and have been by each other's sides since #TownhouseTwins. She's also the reason Eddie and I had our very first interaction. I am so excited we are a part of each other's big day!
Mike Nave
Best Man
Mike and I first met in 7th-Grade Music class (Mike's first impression: "I thought you were weird"), then played little league baseball together on the Minnesota Twins (famously coached by Arnie Steenstra), and finally became great friends in 9th-Grade at Marching Band. Since then we've only really seen each other when we were hanging out constantly throughout high school, rooming together all 4 years of college, touring with 4 Point 0 over the summers, and visiting each other in Ithaca/Fredericksburg several times per year since college... Mike is my best friend.
Jill Mushman
Bridesmaid
Jill and I always jokingly tell people that we've been friends since the womb- which isn't actually that far off-base. Our moms were friends before we were born! We have a long history of inside jokes, going on weird/fun camping trips with our Dads, and staying after school for physics labs we couldn't finish in class like everybody else. (So... yeah, we were the cool kids). She is a natural comic and never fails to make me LOL. From hiding every time our playdates had to end, to being there through hard times, we can always count on each other.
Garrett Biedermann
Groomsman
Garrett and I also became great friends in High School through Marching Band/Vocal Jazz/Concert Band, etc, and spent a bunch of time hanging out with our group (Garrett, Mike, Noll, me). Garrett was also a member of 4 Point 0 (for which he wrote most of the music), so we had many long van rides together through previously unexplored parts of NY State on the way to shows. Since college we've continued to hang out often in NYC, Fredericksburg, and many random locations in between.
Amanda Perez
Bridesmaid
Amanda was my college roommate freshman and sophomore year. We quickly became much more than roommates- we were pretty inseparable from the moment we met! (By far the best experience I've had meeting someone online). We even created our own language that we would use when we were still (barely) awake at 3am on a Tuesday, and would have regular dorm/quad jam sessions that always gave me life. This girl has taught me SO much and I couldn't imagine JMU or life without her!
Mike Noll
Groomsman
Michael "Noll" Noll (math genius, 4 Point 0 bassist/lyricist, chocolate milk connoisseur, NBA fan) and I also became great friends in High School Marching Band. We had lots of fun times playing in 4 Point 0 together, talking basketball and politics, and hanging out at each other's houses. Despite his move to San Francisco, we have remained close friends through visits and many COVID-era (sanity-saving) Zoom calls.
Paige Stricker
Bridesmaid
Paige and I met on the soccer team allll the way back in Kindergarten. We've bonded over music, boys, heartbreak, post-class starbucks runs, and everything in between. She has an unparalleled skill of making friends with literally anyone within minutes, which has always impressed (but never surprised) me. She has been amazingly supportive in my life, and has always been there when I needed someone to talk to. She also ALWAYS knows how to have a good time- even if it was just keeping me company in the Marshall's dressing room before my shift was over. I am excited to cheer her on as she also ties the knot this year!
Alex Schwind
Groomsman
"Schwind" (middle) and I became friends freshman year at Ithaca College through the Music School and our nightly Mario-Kart tournaments in the Terrace Dorms. We lived together Junior and Senior year, and have continued to hang out several times a year between PA and VA. He's one of the most kind and supportive people I know, and is without a doubt the most photogenic person I've ever met.
Kelly Grieco
Bridesmaid
Kelly G, fellow Fred Fam member and Taylor Swift fangirl, has been one of my best friends since moving to Fredericksburg. When I first met her (along with the future "Fred Fam") at Capitol Ale House, I thought "This chick is way too cool for me." This is true. However, we have been together through it ALL. Kelly has an infectious energy that brightens every room, is the life of every party, and is a pro at making you feel loved. Our souls are two peas in a pod whether we are shopping, cruising, sipping, or dancing (to TSwift). We are BOTH getting married this year! #Feeling22
Steve Humes
Groomsman
Steve and I also met and became great friends Freshman year of college in the Terrace Dorms, where he lived a few rooms down from Mike and me. We lived together Junior and Senior year, and thanks to Steve, hosted some of the most meticulously-planned parties IC has ever seen. Steve continues to thrive as our group's "Dad", planning and hosting many weekend trips in PA since college, and continuing his reign of lockdown defense on the basketball court.
Katherine Preseren
Bridesmaid
Katherine was an essential member of the AGW Music department (#FantasticFour), and my mentor my first year teaching. Since then we have become great friends, so now the more fitting term we like to use is "friendtor." She is a HUGE part of me finding my footing in here in Fredericksburg. Whether I needed to vent after a rough day, or needed to let my hair down, Katherine has always been there supporting me and cheering me on. She is a ray of sunshine and I feel so lucky to have her in my life.
Jason Juliano
Groomsman
When Jason and I first met, I knew it was the start, Of a long-lasting friendship- He beat me at Mario-Kart. And when we lived together, With Schwind and Steven Humes, He taught us to appreciate, A clean and tidy bathroom. The sax is his instrument, And at it, he’s a pro, And while he may regret it, He subbed with 4 Point 0. Now he writes great music, And lives in NYC, I daresay no one has, A cooler friend than he.
Kelly Ralston
Bridesmaid
Kelly R, fellow Fred Fam member and orchestra teacher, is one of my dearest friends who I met my first year in Fredericksburg. Not only do we share a passion for music, our students, and tea; she majorly helped me settle into being an orchestra teacher in Stafford. She is always the perfect person to bounce ideas off of, the best advice-giver, and has a way of making you feel calm and collected. Although she no longer lives in VA, we continue to have numerous phone calls and visits that always make my heart happy. So excited to be a part of each other's big day!
Taylor Cardwell
Groomsman
Taylor and I met in Fredericksburg as Band Directors in Stafford County, and became great friends as we lived together for 3 years BC (Before Carly) at Graham Drive (S/O Graham Drive 5). Between many hikes, rounds of golf, Friendsgivings, game nights, Nats and FredNats games, we've had a lot of fun around Fredericksburg together. Taylor was also instrumental in helping me meet and hang out with Carly, for which no amount of top-shelf whiskey or cat-sitting could ever repay him.