Wedding Party
Hannah Lawrence
Maid of Honor
Hannah is Laura’s 13-year old daughter and she’s been planning our wedding for months before we were even engaged! Pinterest boards and all! Hannah is equally bright and beautiful…a little Elle Woods in the making! Hannah loves playing volleyball and coaching kids in the pool. Our dog Tate is one of her best friends--she is a true dog person. Hannah is one of the sweetest kids I've known. She's very sensitive and intuitive...one of the easiest people to have a deep conversation with and it's hard to remember she's only 13!
Leah Lawrence
Bridesmaid
Leah is Laura’s 9-year old daughter. She has an adventurous spirit and is a natural explorer. Leah loves the entire animal kingdom, but cats most of all. Leah is funny, goofy, and witty. She loves non-fiction and life sciences. Challenge her to a game of animal charades or strike up a conversation about dinosaurs--she can talk about these things for hours! Outside of school and science, Leah loves summer swimming, gymnastics, and video games.
Alena Morgan
Maid of Honor
Alena and Laura have been friends since 1997! They met on a recruit trip at UCSB and lived in the same suite freshman year. They have been through it all…and going through it together made life SO much better. Alena is the friend you want by your side at any event, the friend you want to travel with, the friend you want to cry with…a true life soulmate.
Jake Mefford
Bridesman
Jake and Laura met when he was coaching Laura’s daughter, Hannah (swimming). Laura quickly recruited (forced?) Jake to swim masters with her and the two became fast friends. Jake has been a huge support for Laura, Hannah, and Leah over the years. Life would not have been so wonderful without Jake. He’s been part of so many major things and Laura couldn’t picture marrying James without Jake by our side.
Katy O'Mara
Bridesmaid
Katy is James' big sister. She is well-traveled, a loving mom and daughter, and gives incredible advice on almost any topic. Katy lives in Dallas with her husband Darryl and her daughter Olivia. Katy just started her very own side business--Dirt Dog for Landscape and Design. When Laura met Katy, the two clicked instantly and Laura is SO excited to have a sister-in-law who is also a friend!
Olivia MacNair
Bridesmaid
Olivia (Olive) is James' 9-year old niece (Bridesmaid Katy's daughter). Laura, Hannah, and Leah quickly took to Olive and the girls totally hit it off. Olive is a lover of cats, cautiously adventurous, super sweet, very smart, and sensitive! She is outgoing, funny, joyful, athletic (lacrosse, basketball, dance, and art), and she gives it her all when she tries anything. We are SO excited to have Olive stand with us as we get married!
Mackenzie Schwarm
Bridesmaid
Mackenzie and Laura met several years ago...in the pool of all places! It's hard to explain the bond between two swimmers who become best of friends, but just trust us. Laura and Mackenzie work hard together in the water and at the gym trying to become strong girls and have fun doing about anything as they somehow are navigating the same life experiences simultaneously (from clogged sewer mains to buying houses five minutes from each other). Mackenzie is from the East Coast, but you'd never guess she wasn't born a California girl!
James O'Mara III
Best Man
Married to Kaye for 51 years, and together, made Jimmy who he is. Fishing, hunting, playing chess, can talk to just about anyone, about anything. A good artist, salesman, enjoys daydreaming about the Sierras, big lakes and rivers, time spent on the East Coast, long drives, and looking at property. Frank Sinatra, Ray Price, The Three Tenors, Ahmad Jahmal. Read "No Man is an Island", by Jon Donne, and "If" by Rudyard Kipling, and you'll get the idea.
Terrance F. Wallace
Groomsman
Philly originally, and for the most part. Roomed with Jimmy at the Coast Guard Academy for the better part of 3 years. Married Sara, has three amazing kids: Makenzie, Finian, Caden. Diplomatic Security Service, lived and served in Libya, Pakistan, Dominican Republic, among other places. A serious beard, likes Saw Doctors, Billy Joel, Mumford and Sons.
Kevin Duffy
Groomsman
Cohasset Massachusetts. New England and Boston fan, however misguided. Another classmate of Jimmy's from USCGA. Retired Commander, now living his best life with wife Rocio, in Alicante Spain. Laura and Jimmy visited, didn't want to leave. Confused with Ryan Phillipe several times....true. Writer, reader, maritime security specialist, a continued yearning to travel, and work on his Spanish. Bruce Springsteen, The Pogues. Beer, not wine, and no hard stuff. Just good quality beer, please. Thank you.
Paul Rishar
Groomsman
Originally from New Jersey, but VERY very French. Coast Guard Academy, Naval Engineer, banking, loans, very smart, sometimes funny. A "cheeky monkey", as noted by several encounters while traveling abroad. Wife Kate, an amazing teacher - and exceptionally patient, given....well, Paul. Ivy, Alice, Lena and James - the kids, home in Baltimore…but the Rishars recently went on almost a year long cross country traveling and schooling adventure. So ask about that. The Cars, Gordon Lightfoot.
Brendan O'Shea
Groomsman
Gardener, Massachusetts originally. Coast Guard Academy. Wife Courtney, and three kids Declan, Nora, Ava out in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Hockey, baseball, fitness. “You can’t teach speed”, according to B. Often unrewarded but never discouraged, a true Boston fan. Passion for Tom Brady and seasons long since past…too close to call. Retired Commander, active lawyer, knows intellectual property, working with trade association, and traveling quite a bit.
Justin Covert
Groomsman
Hails from Dresden, Ohio. Graduated same Coast Guard Academy class as the rest of the guys. Retired after 20+ years, moved back to Ohio, picked up a new job, devoted family man spending more time with Karen and kids…Alyssa and Aidan both grown up! Great with numbers, financial management, practicality. Hence, his advice, sound though it may have been, was often not heeded working for the federal government. Corey Hart, Fight Club.
Josh Ready
Groomsman
From Norco, CA, grew up with Jimmy. Grade school through high school, paintball, football, mountain bikes, fishing, exploring, everything. Lived in Costa Mesa, while Jimmy was in Newport Beach, spent most of their 20's together. Wife Renee, 3 yr old and 5 yr old, now all in Murfeesboro TN, building their next family home. Salesman, entrepreneur, tireless work ethic, living the American dream and devoted to family and friends. All terrain vehicles, pickup trucks, now loves horses almost as much as Rene. Country music, Van Damme and Steven Segal movies. All of em'.
Michelle Kloos
Mother of the Bride
Michelle is Laura's mom and lifelong best friend. She has been a huge support to us throughout our relationship and has always been there for us in times of need. She's always doing whatever she can to make our lives easier and better. Laura and Michelle share the best memories from Laura's childhood through today on horseback, in the pool, and dancing through the aisles at the grocery store. Michelle really is a Wonder Woman. She's a retired teacher who keeps her mind and body as active as possible...mostly through swimming, taking Ivy on walks, traveling, and making sure to be extremely involved in her grandkids' lives. Michelle is married to Mike, Laura's stepdad. He has been more than anyone could ask for in a stepparent. He steps in effortlessly in times of need and really has made Laura's life better. Mike and Michelle are a great example of how husbands and wives can be a really strong team.
Kaye O'Mara
Mother of the Groom
Kaye is one of the most generous and thoughtful people you'll ever meet! She makes a home really feel like home and did an absolutely fabulous job raising Jimmy and Katy into the incredible humans they are today. She was PTA president, was involved in all the extracurricular activities for her kids, and loved taking the kids to the beach on weekends. Kaye is an amazing cook and baker. Just taste the toffee's at our wedding! You'll be hooked! Kaye is super organized, motivated, and a big giver to her community. She really takes volunteering to the next level. She has taken in Laura, Hannah, and Leah with open arms and truly made us feel like family.
Thomas Wilson
Father of the Bride
Tom is Laura's dad and he is pretty awesome. He is always there for Laura and seems to know if she needs a laugh or someone to listen through tears. He's sensitive and strong, and a wonderful emotional support. Tom is a retired counselor to kids and has an impressive athletic history with the best stories to share. He is married to Teresa, and they both love the beach and the mountains. Sunny days in Capitola and snowy days in Arnold keep them young at heart and actively moving through their healthy and fun life.