Laurie & Matthew
Wedding Party
Brooke Grossman
Matron of Honor
Brooke and Laurie have known each other for most of their lives. They lived on the same street when they were younger and even attended daycare together for period of time. Going into their freshmen year of high school they became volleyball warm-up partners during two-a-days and bus buddies. From then on they were inseparable besties. Being one week apart, they've celebrated many milestone birthdays together and always celebrate life's special moments. Laurie was the Maid of Honor in Brooke's wedding and the God Mother to her precious son. Brooke and Laurie are more like family. Even thought they do not get to see each other as often as like they would like, their friendship defies the distance. A true friendship that will last a lifetime.
Jeremy Blaise
Best Man
Jeremy and Matt have been friends since their freshman year of high school. Jeremy is always around for a good time and one hell of a laugh. He spends his time camping with bears, sailing the high seas with Carnival Cruise lines, and he even joined the Navy Seals for a night. Matt's parents even consider Jeremy to be their other son, and are always happy to have him around the house - especially when he comes with a bottle of Barefoot Bay. Jeremy's positive attitude and infectious laugh have led to a number of fun times together with Matt - the most recent being at Jeremy's wedding. Now it's Matt's turn!
Jena Campbell
Matron of Honor
Jena was there the night Laurie and Matt met. It can even be said the reason Matt and Laurie first exchanged numbers was because of Jena. Jena borrowed one of Laurie's shirts the last night of the cruise and Matt got Laurie's number so he could return it to her the next day. Jena has played a huge role in Matt and Laurie's relationship and quickly became one of Laurie's best friends. In the beginning, she encouraged them to give a long distance relationship a shot. Jena has planned countless trips and can be credited for organizing some of the best memories Matt and Laurie have made together and with our friends. Of course the most memorable being her role in helping Matt plan the most beautiful, picture perfect engagement in Costa Rica.
Damon Campbell
Best Man
Damon and Matt met in college as classmates at the University of Miami and have been great friends ever since. Damon has had an upstanding reputation as tailgate master, and has shared many good times with Matt cheering on the 'Canes at the Hard Rock. Even when career opportunities led him and his wife to Washington DC after school, they have held up a long standing tradition of vacationing together several times a year, domestic and international, where they have created long lasting memories and inside jokes. Damon was aboard the ship when Laurie and Matt first met, was on the beach in Costa Rica when they got engaged, and was there everywhere in between.
Audrey Salbo
Bridesmaid
Audrey is one of Matt and Laurie's newest friends. She started dating groomsmen, Eric, who was Matt and Laurie's roommate at the time. She quickly became one of their close friends after countless weekly "roomie dinners." They spent over a year talking, laughing, and sharing stories at these dinners every week. They were sacred traditions looked forward to every Monday. After moving on from apartment 907, these traditions are still upheld to this day. Audrey has become a great friend and wine drinking partner whose friendship will be cherished a lifetime.
Eric Zuidema
Groomsman
Eric and Matt met at BNI where Matt was a part time intern while still in school, and Eric was working full time. Even though Eric is a Florida State alumni, they have managed to build a strong friendship over the years. Matt and Eric lived together for several years where they had "roomie dinners" each Monday night. Eric made a name for himself as a great cook, even though he preferred to use every pot and pan in our apartment. Eric and Matt have both moved on to different jobs since first meeting, though ironically work in the same office building, and frequently see each other. Eric is the patriarch of our crew at age forty-minus-one, but still exemplifies the highest form of "peak male performance".
Mandie Medina
Bridesmaid
Laurie met Mandie through Rue not long after starting at The University of Texas. They started going to football games together and soon were hanging out almost every weekend. They spent countless nights together on 6th Street making many "unforgettable" memories. Mandie was also there when Matt and Laurie met and went with Laurie on one of her first trips back to Miami to visit Matt. Mandie's kind and caring personality make her one of the easiest people to talk to and laugh with. Since Mandie lives in Seattle, about as far away from Miami in the continental US as possible, her and Laurie do not get to see each other as much as they would like. But the trips and time spent together are always as fun as their college times- a friendship that never changes.
Coleman Romfh
Groomsman
Coleman and Matt also met at the University of Miami as floormates in college their freshman year. Coleman and Matt have bonded over their fanhood of their alma mater, the Miami Hurricanes. Coleman was another member of cruise crew, and although unaccounted for most of the time, he was still there when Matt and Laurie met. After the college days, Coleman and Matt have remained close friends, and lived together for several years, while also serving as role model father figures to the apartment cat, Mia. Wherever Coleman goes, a wild story seems to follow, and Matt has always been happy to help rehash the night before.
Laura Vallejo
Bridesmaid
Laura is Matt's older sister. They are the best children their parents could have asked for. They never got into arguments, unless they stole a Ken doll - looking at you, Laura. They share the same sense of goofy, sarcastic, humor, which never annoyed their parents while growing up. Ever. We were fortunate enough to spend several family vacations together near and far, and still carry on that tradition today, only now with new members. Even though the military takes Laura and her family to far and away destinations, Matt and Laura remain very close, reciting old movie quotes and song lyrics, which has yet to annoy their parents to this day.
Mike Vallejo
Groomsman
Mike is Matt's brother-in-law, and a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force. Outside of being an awesome dad to Matt's nephew, Brayden, he by far has the coolest job of the group, defusing explosives and working with aircraft. Mike and Matt share a passion for craft beers and BBQ, especially from Boulevard Brewery and Q39 in Kansas City.
Katherine "Rue" Brander
Bridesmaid
Rue and Laurie "matched" as roommates their freshmen year of college. Coincidentally, they also chose the same weekend to attend orientation and wound up right next to each other in line to check in. They instantly became friends and have been traveling and making memories since 2010. Rue is also responsible for the moment Matt and Laurie met on the cruise. In college Rue's family moved from Texas to Florida to be closer to her grandparents. At first Rue was not happy her parents left the great state of Texas, but thankfully they did. Because of their recent move, Laurie, Rue, and Mandie planned to spend their 2013 Spring Break and Rue's 21st birthday in Miami. At the ship club/bar, Rue saw Matt wearing a UM cap and thew up the "U" sign. Matt came over and the rest is history.
Clayton Davidson
Groomsman
Clayton is Laurie's younger brother. Since 1994, he has been one of her favorite people. Growing up he let Laurie boss him around and tolerated her love of cats and real Christmas trees even though he was highly allergic. He is the best doggy dad to Sampson and brother to Laurie, always willing to go above and beyond for her.