Wedding Party

Michael Koval

Best Man

Mike and Donald became friends on the baseball field in middle school and their love of the sport helped to continue to build a friendship through high school. Typically the cool, calm and collected one, Mike was a good balance for Donald’s hot-headed, sometimes irrational, and spirited approach to situations. Together, they were known to belt out a Kesha jam or two in the car. Through college, they would split weekends between Villanova and Scranton and sharing in many a road trip to visit friends or the occasional country music festival. Mike’s parents, Beth and Tim, have also been a huge part of Donald’s support system through the years. Donald appreciates Mike's genuine care for others and his willingness to put others’ needs above his own.

Brian Babbitt

Best Man

Brian and Donald met during their college years. With fellow Best Man, Mike, they frequently carpooled to/from Upstate New York. While Donald spent many a night on the Main Line in Philly, it wasn't until after college that Brian and Donald became close friends. During their time in DC, Brian and Donald came to find similar paths via an emphasis on mental & physical health, sobriety, and a fondness for adventure. Since those days in DC, they've both moved to Denver where you can find them hiking, running, and debating the merits of capitalism. Donald appreciates Brian's empathy towards others as well as his focus on the crises happening in our world. The two shared many a conversation over the pandemic and 2020’s social unrest that left an impact on Donald.

Nathan Bult

Co-Officiant & Groomsman

Nate and Donald met on a blustery March day in 2016. Donald joined the Capitol Hill Running Club (CHRC) where Nate had been a stalwart for a few years prior. The two were similarly paced so they started running together. Both Capitol Hill staffers, they consoled each other about the hilarity ensuing day after day but their friendship went far beyond work. Donald always had an open invite to join Nate and his wife, Laura, for a service at National Community Church. After a year or so of open invites, Donald caved and found his way back to faith through the Bults and NCC. Without Nate, that journey could have taken much longer. Donald appreciates Nate's humility to know that he can always be learning something from others, his ability to listen, and his steadfast faith in God and in others.

Christian Burne

Groomsman

Christian and Donald became roommates under precarious circumstances. A week before the housing lottery, we realized we were in need of a fourth roommate. Little did Christian know he was signing up for two years of shenanigans. The two's friendship began freshman year when they waited in line to talk with an author visiting campus. Christian had some very thoughtful questions having read it in its entirety. As if a premonition of the next four years, Donald rode Christian’s coattails throughout that conversation. The two later became President and VP of the student body in an unopposed election in which some have compared to the strong-arming of potential candidates only seen in Moscow. Donald appreciates Christian's work ethic, composure, and service to our country.

James Hranek

Groomsman

Batting 1-2 in the lineup, Donald and “Griffey” formed a close bond. That bond went past the baseball diamond and continued to grow through their early 20’s as they spent many a weekend at Scranton and Villanova. James would graciously always keep us hooligans out of trouble. Despite being in different parts of the country, Donald is always excited to go home and visit James, Veronica, and their spunky two year old, Iris. Donald appreciates James's love for his community and coaching, his ability to always see the best in others, and to be there whenever his friends need him.

Thomas Lapham

Groomsman

Thomas and Donald got to spend plenty of time together early in the pandemic. With gyms and courts shut down, Thomas was looking for ways to stay in shape and running was something that was allowed and he knew Donald and Emily were doing a lot to stay sane. Thomas joined them for a few runs here and there, eventually catching the running bug and completing the NYC Marathon in November 2021. These two will certainly share many more miles and Cafe Rio burritos together over the years to come. Emily and Donald appreciate Thomas's sense of humor, love of basketball and giving back to the sport, and his ability to shuffle a deck of cards.

Sterling McHale

Groomsman

Sterling joined CHRC a bit after Donald but their story really begins on Highway 110 in Arlington, VA during the Marine Corps Marathon. We’d be lying if we said that Donald saved Sterling’s life that day but Donald did flag down the people that saved Sterling’s life that day. From that day forward, the two shared a special bond and a story that has been told over and over and over again. Emily and Donald had the chance to spend a month with Sterling, his wife, Christy, and their adorable pup Cali during their road trip where they shared many meals, good conversations, and games of Nertz. Donald appreciates Sterling's friendliness towards strangers, his ability to be true to himself, and how he always has the passenger side door stocked with an NA.

Cassius Tilyou

Groomsman

Cassius and Donald’s friendship goes the furthest back of all his groomsmen. The two started elementary school together and went through senior year of high school. Being from a small school and two of the classmates that lived furthest out, they spent a lot of time together at Cassius’’s house playing video games and paintballing through the woods, and many, many nights running barefoot through snow and ice to the hot tub. Donald appreciates Cassius's ability to not take himself too seriously, his commitment and dedication to his craft through adversity, and his hot tub. But mainly the hot tub.

Lena Kelly

Maid of Honor

Over the past 15 years, Emily and Lena have become the inseparable duo, “EmiLena”. They met on the volleyball court Emily’s freshman year, dressed up as Zebras together for basketball season’s opener (we don’t remember why either), and the rest was history. From co-captains on the court and shenanigans off of it to annual camping trips and visiting each other in D.C., Cleveland, and Seattle, the two have spent a lot of time adventuring, laughing, and finding the best vegan food in town. Emily can always count on Lena to answer her Facetime. As Judy, Lena’s mom, has said, “But I thought you were always texting with Emily.” Emily appreciates Lena’s ability not to take herself too seriously, her curiosity and desire to learn, and her ability to always make the three pointer when needed most.

Nicole Compton

Bridesmaid & Co-Officiant

Emily and Compton’s friendship began on the court, when an eager Emily introduced herself to the new girl during summer practice. Their friendship was built through basketball, a love for international relations, and the countless hours spent at the Compton house playing cards. Emily followed Compton to Washington, D.C. where they spent years running around the National Mall, going line dancing in Virginia, and even returning to the basketball court as the 2018 Tuesday night intramural champs. Emily considers herself a third Compton sister and is grateful to have had Nicole and her sister Rachel in D.C. during the first few years of real “adulthood”. Emily appreciates Compton’s selflessness, her unique ability to calm Emily down, and that she’s always up for spending time outdoors.

Emily Bushman

Bridesmaid

Emily and Bushman met while working at Northrop Grumman in August 2015, but they didn’t become “real” friends until December of that year when Bushman asked, “did we just become real friends?” Being real friends meant that in addition to crushing the WaPo crossword during lunch breaks and carpooling home on Friday evenings, Emily and Bushman spent most weekends going to Flywheel class, eating Cava, watching Tarheel hoops, and enjoying a beverage or two at Dacha beer garden. The two said a very teary goodbye at a Zac Brown Band concert when Bushman left for the Bay Area, but have found many opportunities to reunite since. Emily appreciates Bushman’s sense of humor, that she’s always looking out for her gals, and her unapologetic tears during any event that is remotely sweet or sappy.

Lauren Castellucci

Bridesmaid

Emily and Lauren have spent memorable time together in upstate New York and Maine, mostly trying to tease Don as much as possible. Lauren made engagement weekend in Maine very fun while also remaining the voice of reason in the group - not an easy task. Emily and Lauren share an affinity for a good beer, a good run, and a good hike, and Emily is excited for Lauren to come visit Colorado so that they can enjoy all three. Emily and Donald appreciate Lauren’s interest in hiking and camping, her selflessness in taking care of others, and her humor.

Emma Krasovich

Bridesmaid

Emily and Emma met in a serendipitous moment when Emily wore a Brooklyn Half Marathon shirt - a race that Emma happened to run the same year - to her first track club practice in Berkeley. It became immediately clear how much they had in common - not only in their shared love of all things running, but realizing they just had done the same exact road trip from the East Coast in the weeks prior. Since that day, Emily and Emma have met for countless early morning runs, shared many hours at a favorite board games bar (with Alan and Donald in tow), run a 31-hour relay, hiked Half Dome, and squeezed in endless adventures in between. Emily appreciates Emma’s big heart, her constant pursuit of big dreams, and the fact that she’s always cheering for her people, both on the run and off.

Laura McLaughlin

Bridesmaid

Emily and Laura met when the transfer showed up to basketball practice in a cut-off t-shirt ready to show Chadwick how the game is played. Emily knew she had to befriend this girl who was way cooler than her, and it was an instant and long-lasting friendship. With Laura in NYC and Emily in D.C. after college, the two made countless bus trips to visit each other. Most visits involved running half marathons, finding the best post-race meal, and spending the rest of the time exploring. When not running together, they are doing the NYT Crossword, drinking coffee, or forcing Compton to cuddle. Laura is the best hype woman, and Emily is lucky to have her always. Emily appreciates Dr. Laura’s smarts, her dedication to her patients, and her willingness to always hold your hand.

Karoline Porcello

Bridesmaid

Anyone who knows Karoline knows that she is a “blast and a half”, and that was apparent to Emily within the first five minutes of meeting Karoline during freshman year at Emory. Karoline is one of those friends who you can count on to be there for you regardless of the situation, and the two spent most college days, nights, and weekends getting into shenanigans that can’t be explained in 800 characters. With Karoline, everything was (and is!) an adventure whether it is a weekend at Mardi Gras, driving around Atlanta in Karoline’s minivan looking for frozen yogurt, or long conversation over tea. The two have found many chances to continue adventuring in Boston, D.C., SF, and beyond. Emily appreciates Karoline’s kindness, her thoughtfulness, and her incredible cross-stitching capabilities.

Sachi Twine

Bridesmaid

In 8th grade, Emily infamously told Sachi that she would be curious to meet “Adult Sachi” later in life, to which Sachi responded by bouncing her off the trampoline at the idea that they wouldn’t still be friends. Sure enough, Sachi is still by Emily’s side 17 years after starting 6th grade together at Chadwick. (She also holds the "Most Sleepovers at the Lapham's" title). Even though Sachi has lived in more countries than a 30-year veteran of the Foreign Service, the two have managed to always find time to see each other. Their most memorable experience together is spending two weeks driving the Garden Route in South Africa - the type of adventure you can only take on with a really good friend. Emily appreciates Sachi’s energy, her taste in music, and that she is truly up for anything.

Evelyn and John Lapham

Parents of the Bride

Victoria & Don Castellucci Jr

Parents of the Groom

Iris Hranek

Flower Girl

James and Veronica's little girl will grace us with her presence :) While we don't get to see her much, when we do, it lights up our day! Expect equal parts sass and silly and 100% adorable.

The "Dream Team" Boys

Ushers

The self-titled Dream Team has been there for each other through countless milestones as friends and roommates, including spring break trips, 21st birthdays, graduations, college formals, new jobs, and now - weddings! In addition to Karoline, Emily is grateful to Max, Matt, Alex, Michael, and Tim for the many years of friendship and shenanigans. After the Dream Team moved to different cities after college, they made the rounds and spent weekends cramped in each other's small apartments in Boston, D.C., Atlanta, and San Francisco, and even a weekend in somewhat more spacious accommodations in Manhattan Beach. Emily knows she can count on the boys to provide advice when asked and laughter when needed. Next stop on the Dream Team reunion tour - Denver!