Noah & Sara
Wedding Party
Matt Menendez
Best Man
AKA "Nargy" to Noah, who at an early age couldn't make a distinction between Matthew and the monkey from the PBS children's show "Zaboomafoo." Matthew has always been the subject of Noah's admiration, starting when Noah wanted to be a linebacker in football and a defender in lacrosse because those were the positions he played. Even now, Matthew possesses qualities that draw the attention of Noah, such as quick and clever wit, a vast vocabulary, an aptitude for impressive video game play, and a creatively passionate ability to play any DnD character (especially those with a southern accent). The past few years of geographic separation has only brought Noah and Matthew closer, and when they see each other it is like not a day has passed. Noah is proud to have his big bro as his best man!
Casey Rayburn
Maid of Honor
Casey and Sara go way back to Junior High, where they met in 7th grade art class. Neither of them were particularly good at art, but their friendship blossomed from that day on. Through all of the awkward middle school and high school years, the football rivalry, as Casey is an Ohio State fan and Sara is a Florida fan (2006-2008 were rough for Casey), and all of the high school boy drama in between... Casey and Sara have been inseparable. As the two went in different directions for college, they knew their friendship wouldn't be phased by the distance. Thank goodness for Facetime and Snapchat as the two were able to talk and catch up almost every day!! This is truly a forever friendship. Sara cannot wait to have Casey stand by her side on the big day!
Grant Preston
Groomsman
The bond between Noah and Grant formed through the love of lacrosse. They met during a club lacrosse practice and became fast friends after a tournament in Maryland during the fall of 2011. Since then Noah has become somewhat of an adopted son to the Preston family. Close friends joked that Noah would marry Grant before Sara...
Marissa Killpack
Bridesmaid
Marissa and Sara met at the University of Tampa, where they both played on the Women's Lacrosse team. They both played defense and were constantly with each other in practice. Their bond grew closer off the field and by the end of the first semester of college, Sara and Marissa were attached at the hip. For the next three years, it was very rare that you found Marissa without Sara. It was Marissa's sarcasm and sense of humor that kept Sara laughing until both of their bellies hurt, a fact that is undeniably true to this day.
Michael Conlon
Groomsman
The relationship between Noah and Michael began freshman year at Jesuit High School during a "fun day" soccer game. During his first trip to Michael's house, they attempted to make easy mac... by boiling the pasta in milk, not water. Their relationship since then has followed suit...
Kelly Austin
Bridesmaid
Kelly was Sara's first true friend at the University of Tampa. She invited Sara out on a run on Bayshore with some of the other lacrosse girls before the fall ball season started. Kelly has one of the kindest hearts, a trait that was first quickly revealed when she offered to carry Sara's phone and school ID in her drawstring bag while they were on their run. It also helped that those two were about the same running speed, so they got to know each other quite well while on their run, and their friendship has been very close ever since.
Rhett Shimberg
Groomsman
Noah met Rhett during spring break when they were in 7th grade. Rhett's older brother, Kyle, happened to be one of Noah's older brother's first high school friends. Noah proceeded to spend almost every night of that spring break at Rhett's house, and their relationship continued fruitfully into high school. Rhett, now an engineer, is a prime example that Noah surrounds himself with people who are smarter than him.
Jaime Austin
Bridesmaid
Because of Sara's friendship with Kelly, she naturally grew very close with Jaime too. Just like Kelly, Jaime has a heart of gold (shout out to the Austin's parents... ya'll did real well). Jaime and Sara's bond became like no other when they often found themselves out on the strangest, yet most fun adventures on the weekends. Jaime soon became a close friend of Sara, and while their adventures may be a little less rowdy these days, they're still adventures nonetheless.
Eric Rogowski
Groomsman
Eric and Noah met in Kindergarten at Clark Elementary School. Fate had it that Eric lived down the road in the same neighborhood as Noah! They spent years riding bikes to each other's houses, but Noah always slept over at his house. Their friendship has continued today, 18 years in the making!
Wylie Cassidy
Bridesmaid
Wylie was a tough cookie to crack, as she was quiet and reserved when Sara first met her in college. Another UT Women's Lacrosse player, Sara and other friends used to hang out in Wylie's room because she had comfy bean bag chairs. Friends used to tease Wylie because she always had sand in her bed from being at the beach... typical Florida girl, am I right?? As college went on, Sara and Wylie developed the sweetest friendship and Wylie was always down to join Sara on the lengthy drive to Clearwater to get Skyline Chili.
Chris Conlon
Groomsman
Brother to Michael Conlon. When Noah and Michael became friends, Chris was always around to participate in the shenanigans. Since then, Noah has been able to develop a close relationship with him. Chris is an avid Liverpool fan, loves a strong Bourbon, and has mastered the "Jeep Wave."
Brittney Pulliam
Bridesmaid
While Marissa can technically claim being friends with Brittney first, Sara is so thankful that Marissa brought Brittney into her life. Sara and Brittney became very close throughout their time at UT and bonded over their favorite things like soccer, Disney, and gossiping about the latest drama (duh who doesn't enjoy a little gossip). One moment that will never be forgotten amongst the friend group was when Brittney got denied entrance into a local bar because the bouncer thought her ID was fake. She had an Arizona ID with an unbelievable expiration date... and she was 22. So she did what any person of legal age would do... called the Police officer over to make the bouncer let her in.
Hunter Spencer
Groomsman
Noah met Hunter during the "fall ball" lacrosse of their freshman year at UT. The bond over beer, sports, and fishing were almost immediate. It was also convenient that his family had just moved to New Tampa, so even back home they were able to hang out. The only downside of this relationship?... Hunter is an avid Ohio State fan!
Lindsay Hernandez
Bridesmaid
Lindsay was very close friends with Noah in high school, and it was through Noah that Sara met Lindsay. Sara knew that if she wanted to be with Noah long term, she had to get the approval from his closest friends. It's safe to say that Sara earned Lindsay's approval. Over the years, Sara and Lindsay's relationship grew close and continues to grow closer now that Sara has moved back to Tampa. Sara and Lindsay are most excited that they will always have each other to watch the Bachelor with every Monday.