Wedding Party
Chelsea Creighton
Maid of Honor
Chelsea is the yin to my yang in our family & has always been crucial in calling me back to earth when I get a little over the top. Through all our moves growing up we were there for each other, when we knew literally no one else we were there for each other & I wouldn’t understand the stability of true friendship without my little sister. She has been a rock for me through all my adventures as well as an advisor, a travel agent, a travel buddy, an explorer & most importantly the TOTAL sister. I could not be a luckier big sister!!!!! I love you Mouser. Chelsea & her boyfriend Tim live in Berlin w/their dog Bruno; Chelsea works for an HR orientated app that helps companies keep everything for their employees organized & accessible.
Savannah Shepherd
Bridesmaid
Savannah & I met Freshman year at VT & were lucky enough to have a class together every semester of college (except 2). Savannah & I were both Bio majors & both aspired to be veterinarians; we also both liked to party in a similar fashion. To make a very long history short it was destiny & here we are. Savannah & her husband Jason have 2 kids (Trevor- 3 & Ella- 1) where they still get to enjoy the mountains of Blacksburg; Savannah is a brilliant small animal veterinarian.
Mandy Thrush
Bridesmaid
Savannah introduced Mandy & I at VT where we enjoyed partying together & hanging out. But where our friendship really evolved & blossomed was when we both lived in New York City at the same time. Mandy & I had what can only be described as a magical two years getting to know each other better & living NYC up to its fullest; NYC movies are very nostalgic nowadays thanks to Mandy. Mandy & her husband Kyle live in MD together with their 2 kids (Olivia- 3 & Lincoln- 2); they have a property management business that they started & run full time.
Cathy Utt
Bridesmaid
We were also introduced by Savannah at VT & also made some amazing memories down at Virginia Tech. Cathy & I were both lucky enough to always live w/in an hr or so of each other, first in NoVA & then in NYC too. Cathy & I had our date nights in NYC where somehow truffle was always a main ingredient & feature of the meal. Cathy & her husband Jon currently live in NJ with their 2 kids (Aria- 3 & Grayson- 1); Cathy is a baller Mechanical Engineer/Designer.
Rebecca Atkinson
Bridesmaid
Becca & I met in Biology lab (Savannah was also in the lab group) which then evolved into being roommates through our last 2 years at VT. We are two peas in a pod that studied science, bars & Chelsea Handler (not in that order). Straight after college we were lucky enough to live close enough that on long weekends or especially NYEs we were able to PARRRTAAAYYYY. Becca currently lives in NC w/her husband Don & their two children (Greyson- 3 & Zoey- 1); Becca is a project manager at Merck for their technical operations.
Tiffany Israel
Bridesmaid
Tiffany & I met in bum-fuck nowhere NY… or upstate NY… or Carthage High School. We spent our Sophomore year of high school making fun our or math teacher & his strange obsession with Corvettes, making up silly dances & raps during study hall & barely managing to actually do any drills & workouts during Track. We have been blessed to have stayed in touch through the years & have impromptu adventures together. Tiffany lives in AZ w/her husband, Travis & daughter (Maya- 3); Tiffany works as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Jordan Walsh
Bridesmaid
Jordan & I met in Omaha, NE the summer before senior year of high school. Though Jordan went to a different high school we lived 5 doors down from each other. We spent that year speeding our way down the streets of Omaha, going to all sorts of sports events, “having a lot of bad days” ;) & getting through all the struggles of 17y/o’s together. Jordan & her husband Pat live in TX where Jordan practices Social Work & creates beautiful quilts.
Jessie Rossie
Bridesmaid
Jessie lived across the hall from me at VT my freshman year. Jessie introduced me to parties, to Grey’s Anatomy & to trying my hardest to act like someone who had some sense. Jessie is the big sister I never had & always available for a glass of wine; she is the reason I literally survived my freshman year of college. Jessie lives in NoVA & works as a business teacher at one of our local high schools (Loudoun County High School) .
Taylor Fisher
Bridesmaid
Taylor & I have the best small world moment. Long story short we both got into UCD Vet school, both did our undergrad at VT & were both apart of the same small local fraternity (DPS; or Chi Phi as it was when I was in school) but DIDN’T know each other when we flew to Dublin. After attending an Alt-J concert together & both realizing that were kinda cool we spent the rest of vet school being cool & trying to not lose our sanity. Taylor & her DPS fiance Josh live in Michigan where Taylor works as an amazing small animal veterinarian. (Taylor & Josh are getting married April 29th, to which Mike & I are also both apart of their wedding; Josh is a groomsman for Mike).
Hanum
Bridesmaid
Hanum & I met in TX as baby vets, fresh out of school. We had some of the worst nights together, accompanied by amazing brunches, movie nights & an unbreakable friendship. Hanum was the voice inside our heads that tried to lead us down the righteous path. Hanum & her husband Jeff live in PA where Hanum works as a wonderful small animal veterinarian.
Maggie Lees
Bridesmaid
Maggie & I also met in TX where we were almost roommates. Maggie & I share a lot in common, we both love Tequila Tuesday, we both love Tacos, we both have an unhealthy obsession with Margheritas, we both love our work & most of our patients, oh & we both love Tequila Tuesday. Maggie was always up to at least chat about a hair-brainey ideas before we moved on to logic & sense & for that I will be forever grateful. Maggie currently lives in TX & is still holding down the fort of Alvarado Veterinary Clinic (the OG), but now an associate veterinarian (mixed animal).
Lauren Brady
Bridesmaid
Brady met us all in TX as the red-headed, been around the block veterinarian who kept us on track. Brady was an incredible role-model for us ,at that time having already been in practice for 2 years & ended up being one of the coolest people we know. Somewhere between her truck ants, mixology knowledge & massive capacity for love & friendship Brady rounded out our Pandas. Brady is currently living & working in TX as a resilient zoological veterinarian.
Ben Davidson
Best Man
Having first met at Virginia Tech in 2006, Ben and Mike have since traveled to four continents together. Their adventures have included scuba diving, hunting, jet ski-ing (and almost wrecking) in the Caribbean, and becoming certified pourers by the Guinness brewery. A tremendous athlete, Ben is an avid sports fan; he and Mike share a love of tailgating and all things college football. Ben is a successful IT professional, and a master Lego builder/collector. He calls Northern Virginia home with his wife Megan, and daughter MacKenzie.
Mike Ewell
Best Man
The Mikes’ friendship also dates back to Blacksburg circa 2006 - a time when sleep and academics were perhaps less important to them. The two share a passion for hunting - a skill and lifestyle that Mr. Ewell has helped impart to Mike over the years. While Mike E. considers himself a better fisherman than forester, his success in the (international) hunting community is virtually unrivaled for his age. Mike E. is a leader of best practice adoption in the Federal IT security space, and has even helped author national legislation as such. Aldie is home for Mike, along with his wife Thi, and daughter Ava.
Dave Astrow
Groomsman
Dave and Mike have been close friends since high school, where they met on the Annandale wrestling team. Dave has spent the better part of two decades mastering several martial arts, showing favoritism towards Jiu Jitsu and Krav Maga. Dave has worn many hats - including personal trainer, martial arts instructor, and semi-pro paintballer. Dave resides in Annandale and spends much of his free time with his family, including his sister and niece, to whom he is an exemplary uncle.
Josh Edwards
Groomsman
Originally from Big Island, Virginia (which as fate would have it, is not an island), Josh is Mike’s little brother in their Blacksburg-based fraternity, Delta Phi Sigma. Josh and Mike have extensive travel stories together, including from Ireland when visiting Josh’s wife (Taylor - a Bridesmaid) and Brianna. An avid rock climber, Josh lives with Taylor in Michigan and enjoys numerous outdoor activities - especially when accompanied by their dogs.
Tony Green
Groomsman
Hailing from Minnesota, Tony loves all things cold - especially the annual Polar Bear Plunge. Tony and Mike crossed paths in the AV industry, where they started in their respective firms around the same time. The two have had extensive in-industry travel time together, including to Europe, and enjoy bouncing business-related problems and strategies off each other. Tony also shares a love of the outdoors, but this year he will be spending most of his free time with his (first) newborn!
Lance Hickman
Groomsman
Also a Hokie, Lance and Mike share many memories spanning from their time in Blacksburg to present. An engineer by trade, Lance is originally from Delaware where he has recently built a home with his wife Julie and daughters Audrey and Adaline. Lance is a history buff (of a high caliber) and a seasoned hustler at darts. In his free time he also enjoys the beaches of his native state and, of course, Hokie football.
Kris Kelley
Groomsman
A fellow Irishman, Mr. Kelley is perhaps the most avid reader in the group. He and Mike enjoy spending time discussing life philosophies, usually over a scotch tasting while sampling pipe tobacco. Kris’ lifestyle is largely guided by his devout faith. He and his wife Noel are (excelling at) raising a large family while homeschooling all their children. Originally from Wisconsin, but having lived in Virginia for many years, Kris is still struggling to believe that winter can last less than six months.
Mike Laguarda
Groomsman
Adding more confusion to which “Mike” is which - Dr. Laguarda is the only retired Navy Sailor (allowed) to attend the altar on our wedding day (Brianna’s parents are Army!). After serving two tours overseas, Mike L. has retired to work on his second career - a Neonatologist at Vanderbilt. He and his wife Rasha recently planted roots in Nashville with their daughter Zoey, whom Mike K. is godfather to. Mike L. frequently calls Mike K. soliciting advice in the area of home improvement; we are confident that one day he will find the blunt side of the hammer.
Addison Orr
Groomsman
Addison and Mike also met at Annandale High, where Addison was the starting varsity guard. At the time, the two had a fierce competitive streak, and although the strength difference was (formerly) to Addison’s advantage, he never hesitated to demonstrate the value of a full-power tackle. Addison has built a strong career in IT sales - a change which he has jump started through much hard work and learning - in which he is already outpacing his peers. Addison calls Annandale home with his wife Maggie, his son Bruce, and newborn daughter, Ryder.
Eric Russell
Groomsman
While also of Celtic origin, Mr. Russell hails lineage from “the other island”. His Scottish ancestors came to America in the 18th century, and several of his family have served our armed forces throughout history. Eric himself is an Air Force veteran, and in recent years has developed a flourishing career as a government contractor. Having recently acquired his MBA, Eric is building a homestead with his wife Rose and three active children in Berryville proper.
Tim Sweben
Groomsman
Joining us from the Netherlands is Mr. Sweben, long time partner of Chelsea Creighton (Maid of Honor). Tim and Chelsea recently purchased their first home near Rotterdam, which provides ample time to visit with Tim’s family. His on-the-clock hours are spent nurturing channel partnerships in the EU, whilst in his free time Tim runs a side business dealing in historical trading cards.
Jason Torres
Groomsman
Jason and Mike’s friendship goes back to early middle school. Having known each other since childhood, the two are quick to seek each others’ counsel during transitionary periods in life. Mr. Torres maintains an extensive personal network - one which has opened many-a-travel-door to him across the world. While his preferred destination is Miami, Jason can be found on the road most weekends reveling in new experiences, old traditions, and great friends.