Alex & Blake
Wedding Party
Amanda Campbell
Maid of Honor
Starting at "Maid of Honor" is Amanda Campbell from Delmar, MD. Amanda and Alex are cousins and just 7 months apart. Until Lizzie came along, there was just the two of them among 8 boy cousins and they grew up as basically sisters. From bath time at Grandmom's to countless beach days to dozens of country concerts, Amanda and Alex have two and half decades of memories. They even have their own table for Thanksgiving dinner, which is also their favorite holiday. Family is first for Amanda and she is always there to lend a helping hand, even flying across the country to escort an elderly great aunt to see her sisters. Amanda works as a hair stylist at a local salon but sometimes she thinks she could be a Celine Dion impersonator. Let's all keep a close eye on the microphones...
Vincent Mancari
Best Man
Starting at “Best Man,” from Akron, OH, is Vincent Mancari. Blake has known Vince since they were babies. They grew up playing army men together, occasionally getting in fights (Blake may or may not have pushed Vince up against a hot grill), going to church together, camping together (Vince may or may not have dropped a grill grate on Blake's leg), and of course, playing basically every sport together. Vince currently lives in Akron and works as a marketing and web design consultant after helping found a web design company. Vince never ceases to listen, ask insightful questions and challenge you to grow. Blake is honored to have him as his best man and can’t wait for many more talks mixing God, sports, business and who knows what else.
Abby Hastings
Bridesmaid
Starting at Libero from Berlin, MD is Abby Hastings, fiancee of Alex's brother, John. In true small town fashion, Alex and Abby first met accidentally at the Delaware State Fair before John had the chance to introduce her. They'd meet again at the White Marlin Open before John decided to finally bring her around. Abby is a personal shopper extraordinaire and expert advice giver. Abby graduated with a masters degree in interpersonal conflict analysis and works at Mid-Shore Mediation, leading their in-court programs. Abby was already a big part of the family long before John popped the question. Alex is excited to have Abby as a sister and to complain with as they both plan their weddings this year.
Jonathan Clancy
Groomsman
Starting at right back and with a deadly slide tackle, from Woodridge, IL is John Clancy. Blake and Clancy played soccer together at Gordon. He almost got cut as a freshman, which would have been a shame in terms of our friendship, but probably a net gain for the staunchness of our defense (joking - he got a lot better). More than that, he is also incredibly loyal, always there for you and someone that I have leaned on for advice and laughter through life’s journey. Don’t get me wrong, he still routinely misses open goals (unless Spencer is in goal) and wears funky glasses. After spending a few years at Deloitte, he currently works for LSC Communications in investor relations and corporate development. PSA: Just tell him to shut up if he starts to tell you the same story twice.
Lizzie Coates
Bridesmaid
Starting at left back from Berlin, MD is Lizzie Coates. The youngest of the Coates grandchildren and the third girl cousin that Alex and Amanda so desperately wanted. Lizzie was the one of the only kids that Alex would babysit and loved to come help on the OC Rocket's last cruise. Her wages were cheap: a single honey bun from the dock office. Now she works as a food runner at M.R. Ducks and is no longer paid in honey buns. Lizzie is finishing up her sophomore year at Stephen Decatur High School where she plays on the varsity field hockey team and the junior varsity lacrosse team. Lizzie somehow managed to avoid all of her older cousins' bad influences and has grown into a wonderful young woman. I guess the "earmuffs" worked all those years...
Matt Craine
Groomsman
Starting as attacking mid due to his similarity to Edgar Davids, from Morristown, TN, is Matt Craine. Matt played soccer at Carson Newman, but Blake met him in law school at UVA where they dominated the men’s league and intramural circuit. He practiced law in NYC for two years before moving to the business side at a mid-market private equity firm in ATL. He is never afraid to push you to think deeper about an issue, or encourage you to embrace a challenge. He has helped Blake grow in his ability to connect with others, in analyzing business situations, as a follower of God and as an athlete. Blake is blessed to have made such a friend at UVA and is glad he can stand beside him on his wedding day.
Sondra Campanelli
Bridesmaid
Starting as the National Anthem singer from Stony Point, NY is Sondra Campanelli. Next door neighbors freshman year at American University, Alex and Sondra would go on to become sorority sisters, housemates and of course best friends. Sondra and Alex are a classic case of opposites attract. Alex is into sports; Sondra went to ultimate frisbee once and ended up in rehab with a hip injury. Sondra is a classically trained singer; Alex is tone deaf. Alex loves all things bacon; Sondra occasionally goes vegan. Nevertheless, they bonded over a shared love of One Tree Hill, Rob Gronkowski and three hour phone calls for their birthdays each November (which are only 5 days apart). When they're together it's all aboard the Hot Mess Express and get ready for a good story.
Brian Shellhaas
Groomsman
Starting at backup goalkeeper (got the W in Haiti) and a professional downhill skier, from Solon, OH, is Brian Shellhaas. Blake will forever be grateful to Brian for teaching him to ski. He also has a great hot tub where their high school friends ended many Saturday nights just hanging out (or doing the polar bear plunge). Brian is a great mix of brilliant (he is an engineer for GE), down to earth, patient and fun. From many ski trips, to group projects or just talking about life, Blake always appreciates Brian’s perspective and friendship. He has a lot of real-life and Godly wisdom. Just be forewarned that if he is teaching you how to ski out west (believe me, it’s a whole new world), he will take you through the powder back bowls as the initial lesson.
Alison Friberg
Bridesmaid
Starting at Catcher from North Redding, MA is Ali Friberg. Alex chose Ali as a roommate on the basis that she was most likely a Patriots fan and also went to Maryland for undergrad; thus, their sports allegiances would likely be aligned. She was not wrong and Ali is Alex's longest running roommate to date after living together for all 3 years of law school. Ali channeled her high school softball experience into being captain of Co-Rec Blue and commanding the field from behind home plate. While most conversations these days revolve around Patriots wins or losses or each other's weddings, Ali is Alex's closest friend from law school and she can always count on her for any play at the plate.
Spencer Lord
Groomsman
Starting at keeper and Team Doctor, from North Stonington, CT, is Spencer Lord. Blake also played soccer with Spencer and lived with him at Gordon. No one works as hard at school as Spencer, and it is paying off as he is finishing up residency as an ER doctor in NY. He is a wealth of information about all the minor scientific things in life that you always wonder about. He does have a more interesting and better-looking twin, who we always wished would replace Spencer in our lives. But, losing Spencer would leave a big hole in goal and in our friendships. No matter how busy, Spencer would never fail to drop what he was doing to help you. It’s an honor to count him as one of Blake's closest friends, but we all know that with this group it is helpful to have an ER doctor on hand as well.
Brittany Smith
Bridesmaid
Starting as Team Cheerleader from New Orleans, Louisiana is Brittany Smith. Alex and Brittany work together at Vinson & Elkins and Brittany was one of Alex's first friends in Houston. They bonded over long hours, long distance relationships and Shipley's donut runs. Never without a smile, Brittany brings a big ball of Louisiana sunshine wherever she goes, always cheering on the LSU Tigers. (We sincerely apologize for getting married on the day of the LSU-UT game.) Brittany is always down for a nail appointment or El Tiempo fajitas. But if you need cajun food recommendations or just someone to listen, she's your girl. Geaux Tigers!
John Lewis
Groomsman
Starting at “the guy you want on your side in a gunfight” from Ocean City, MD, is John Lewis. John is Alex’s brother and unlike his fiancée, is a man of few words. While Blake hasn't known John all that long, he respects his commitment to family and the outdoors. He’s the type of guy who will be there when you need him without asking questions. And, Blake's hunting and fishing game could use some help, so hopefully some of his skill rubs off over time. John currently works in the family business as a ship captain and gets to spend the summers on the water. He also has a great hunting dog named Iva, who he is very proud of (most days).
Rebecca Prowler
Bridesmaid
Starting at right wing from Port Washington, NY is Rebecca Prowler. Rebecca founded the club field hockey team at American and while she and Alex only played together for a few years, they've stayed close friends and digital pen pals. Her determination is unmatched, and unfazed, even when Alex repeatedly forgets to respond to her texts. After a few years in graphic design, Rebecca turned her love of theater into a day job and now works in Broadway marketing. If you need to know anything about Broadway, the Mets, gymnastics or just where to find a good bargain in NYC, Rebecca is your girl.
Travis Masters
Worst Man
Starting on the last spot on the bench, at “Worst Man,” from Annapolis, MD, is Travis Masters. Blake was (un)fortunate enough to room and play soccer with Travis all 4 years at Gordon. You'll learn quickly after meeting Travis that he is a freak athlete, competitive, funny and mischievous, and should never have been allowed to pass 3rd grade spelling. Travis is in a lot of ways, the brother Blake never had - competing, training and pushing each other with plenty of jokes, arguments and laughs along the way. He is also a leading salesman of capital medical equipment and disposables for Stryker in Washington. PSA: beware of Travis’ dance moves (please don’t ask him to bust them out) and propensity to eat all of the eggs and smoothies that you have and call it “defensive eating.”