Wedding Party

Natalie Link

Matron of Honor

If you cannot tell, Natalie is Nicole’s twin sister. Natalie is older than Nicole by 16 minutes and she never lets her forget it! Natalie was married to Nolan Link on June 8th, 2023. Both families made the trek for their special day to Moab, Utah and it was a blast! Natalie is a travel nurse and has been all over the place for different assignments! Natalie, Nicole, Nolan and Bill are the best of friends and their bond is so incredibly special. Although the same age, Nicole has always looked up to Natalie in every way and is so thankful that God gave her a best friend and the greatest sister to be born with.

Kaylee Austad

Bridesmaid

Also known as ‘Kylee Murder’, to Nicole. Kaylee was recently married in May of 2025 and Nicole was a part of her wedding too! Kaylee was originally friends with Natalie from UPJ, and Nicole jumped right into their friendship becoming close with Kaylee as well. Later on, the girls figured out they only lived a few houses a part in Shaler and spent many wild nights out on the town together during the summers. Kaylee is a travel nurse in the Pittsburgh area!

Julia Bernesser

Bridesmaid

“Jules” and Nicole met playing volleyball and track and field together at Shaler High School. Through suffering, success, and thousands upon thousands of reps, the two friends became very very close. Now, they coach together at Pitt United, a competitive volleyball club in the Pittsburgh area. They met playing the sports they love, and it continues to keep them so close! Jules is a selfless, giving and loving employee for CYS.

Mackenzie Filipiak

Bridesmaid

From Blue Streak to Bridesmaid! “Mack Nav” as Nicole always called her, was Nicole’s roommate for all 4 years of college (lucky Mack lol.) Mack and Nicole met in their dorm room at JCU, and were inseparable until graduation. Although they dont see each other often, their friendship picks right back up where it left off as soon as they meet up again. It’s a friendship Nicole will value for life! Mack was recently married to Sam Flip in June of 2025, who is also from JCU. Mack works with her dad in Marketing!

Jess Krenn

Bridesmaid

From Blue Streak to Bridesmaid part 2! Jess was also a roomie at JCU who came a little bit later in the JCU timeline, but instantly became a homie. Jess and Nicole both love Cyclebar, lululemon and their pups! Jess and her dog Sully just moved out to Colorado in June of 2024. Jess is one smart cookie, as an accountant!

Alex Davis

Bridesmaid

Alex is the older sister to Bill and also played volleyball! Alex actually met Nicole before Bill, coaching a volleyball camp for her senior project while Nicole was in middle school just picking up the game. Alex was recently married in April of 2025. Nicole and Bill were home when Alex came back from her first date with her now husband! Alex owns a coffee truck called The Usual Grind, and her coffee will be featured at the wedding! Give it a taste and support The Usual Grind!

Sydney Castello

Bridesmaid

Sydney is the youngest sister to Bill and met Nicole playing volleyball too! They played together at Shaler and knew each other through Bill. Sydney was recently married to her high school sweet heart, Tommy, in November of 2024. Syd is a Manager with Enterprise!

Cody Schmitt

Best Man

Cody and Bill are as close as any brothers can be. Code is the oldest sibling of the five Schmitt’s. They are best friends and Cody has been Bill's biggest role model since he was little.

Nolan Link

Groomsman

Nolan is Nicole's brother in law and he and Bill became best friends from the first moment they met. Bill and Nolan met after Bill got out of the Navy and they hit it off immediately!

Mark Clements

Groomsman

Mark is one of Bill's best friends from serving in the Navy. They met while serving in Japan. Mark is from Tennessee and is the biggest Tennessee Volunteers football fan out there. Bill and Mark remain in constant contact since getting out of the military.

Juan Garcia

Groomsman

Bill and Juan are best friends who met while serving in the Navy. Juan goes by Johnny and is from Los Angeles, California. Bill and Johnny became very close friends during their time in Japan and still remain in constant contact.

Justin Brantner

Groomsman

Justin and Bill have been best friends since they were about six years old and were neighbors growing up. They were pretty much inseparable as kids and still remain great friends!

Alec Groton

Groomsman

Alec is from Florida and now currently living in Los Angeles, CA. Bill and Alec met while serving in the Navy in Japan. Alec was Bill’s first mentor in the military and they bonded through their love of sports, mainly football. Despite being from Florida, Alec is a huge Redskins fan. Bill was in Alec’s wedding back in 2022!

Neil Pilewski

Groomsman

Neil is Nicole's brother and the oldest of the three Pilewski's. Neil and Bill have an awesome friendship and even go to Pirate games together.... without Nicole. Neil has three children- Madison, Amelia and Luke- that Bill and Nicole love very much!

Tony Pilewski

Father of the Bride

Tony is the father of the bride! Nicole and Dad have an agreement that Dads Cuda (the muscle car he has had since he was 16) must be finished by 8/31/25, so that there can be photos with it, Dad can pull up in it loudly, and he can finally enjoy its awesomeness. Tony is recently retired from Port Authority after thirty some years, and showed the Pilewski’s what it means to work hard and show up day in and day out. You rock, Slap!

Lisa Pilewski

Mother of the Bride

Lisa P- she is grace, she is kindness, and she is the mother of the bride! Lisa or ‘Mehm’ is the biggest Pirates fan in the entire city of Pittsburgh! She works at PNC Park during season in Guest Relations, and she is an Administrative Assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. Fun Fact: Lisa knows EVERYONE’S birthday!!!

Vicki Schmitt

Mother of the Groom

Matt Schmitt

Father of the Groom

Madison Pilewski

Flower Girl

Madison is Nicole’s first niece and a bundle of energy! She is incredibly smart, loves soccer and loves to sport her ‘Aunt Cole Cole Pants’ AKA leggings around the house! Madison loves Princess Ana from Frozen and wants to be just like her.

Amelia Pilewski

Flower Girl

‘Meals’ is Nicole’s second niece and a lil firecracker! Meals loves Dunkin’ Donuts, hanging out with her sister Madison and doing make up. Her birthday is 2/2/22, so she also has the nickname ‘two-two’!

Luke Pilewski

Ring Bearer

Luke is Nicole’s first nephew and the newest Pilewski baby from Neil and Amanda Pilewski! Lukey has the honor of bringing the wedding bands down with baby Ronan Schmitt.

Ronan S.

Ring Bearer

Ronan is Bill’s third nephew and the first baby of Cody and Fina! Ronan will be bringing the wedding bands down with Luke Pilewski. Fun Fact: Cody and Fina did not find out the gender of their baby prior to birth. So, the family all took bets on the gender, date of birth and weight of baby Schmitt. Nicole won the pot being the most accurate guesser!

Paul Hunter

Officiant