Wedding Party
Nicole Parnis
Bride
Nicole grew up in Sterling, VA. She went to Loudoun County schools. After high school, she went to Longwood University for her teaching degree. Then she got her first job teaching at West Gate Elementary in Prince William County and has been there for 15 years.
Matt Cavalcante
Groom
Matt grew up in Masontown, PA. He went to college at Penn State University and studied Information Science and Technology (IST). After college, Matt moved to Northern Virginia for his first job out of college, where he has been since. He works in IT Consulting for CGI Federal.
Kayla Fleming Hernandez
Matron of Honor
Kayla and Nicole met when they both worked at West Gate together. They lived together for 3 years in Centerville. They have been inseparable since! They went on many adventures in Arlington, fun vacations, and attended many concerts together!
Sirena Siu
Bridesmaid
Sirena and Nicole met when they both worked at West Gate together. Their love of teaching and students has helped them foster a friendship of love and understanding. They love to help others and hang out together for movie nights, popcorn, and peanut M&Ms.
Jamie Murphy
Bridesmaid
Jamie and Nicole met when they both worked at West Gate together. They are known as “twins” because they look alike and tend to do everything together at school! They enjoy eating together at Chilis and playing with Jamie’s two kids.
Ally Herrera
Bridesmaid
Ally and Nicole met when they worked at Logan’s Roadhouse together. The actual Logan’s building they worked at is long gone but their friendship is going strong! They enjoy their girls nights of movies, chatter, laughter, and food!
Brooke Gabellieri
Bridesmaid
Brooke and Nicole have been friends since high school. They have been on so many fun adventures. They both have a silly personality that they keep each other laughing. They enjoy being goofy and having girls weekends together every year!
Phil Lopiano
Best Man
Phil and Matt met when Phil became a Craigslist roommate find and have been friends ever since. From random roommates to bonding over Penn State Football, the rest is history. They tailgate together in Happy Valley and have attended numerous Penn State Bowl Games together.
Andre Layne
Groomsman
Andre and Matt met through mutual friends in 2011. They went on to be coworkers and roommates for many years in Northern Virginia. Chef Andre's meals have kept Matt fed for many years. They travel together often to visit mutual friends and enjoy hanging out and watching football together in the fall.
Travis Steckroth
Groomsman
Travis and Matt met at freshman orientation at Penn State. Travis noticed Matt as the loud guy yelling in the room, which is not shocking to anyone that knows Matt. They went on to become roommates and coworkers when moving to Northern Virginia for their first job out of college. Travis moved out of the area, but they try to get together a couple times a year either at Travis's house or at Penn State for a reunion weekend.
Travis Embacher
Groomsman
Travis and Matt grew up together in Southwestern Pennsylvania and met when their dads played softball against one another. They continued their friendship in high school when they played football together. They try to get together every few years for a trip or hangout with their high school buddies.
Steven Seal
Groomsman
Steven and Matt met through mutual friends and they bonded over Penn State Football. They sit next to each other in Beaver Stadium watching the Nittany Lions and have traveled to numerous Penn State Bowl Games together.
Dena Parnis
Mother of the Bride
Nicole’s mom is originally from Johnstown, PA. She moved to northern Virginia and met her husband Jay. She has worked as a secretary at many law firms. She is currently living out her retirement in Palm Springs, California. She enjoys soaking up the rays at the pool and rooting for the Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers!
Jay Parnis
Father of the Bride
Jay grew up in Elkins Park, PA. He lived in Virginia with Nicole’s mom Dena, for over 40 years and had a career as a salesman. He enjoyed going on his boat, Velcro, technology, and Eagles football. He recently passed away but will not be forgotten. We continue to remember him everyday.
Brenda Cavalcante
Mother of the Groom
Matt's mom grew up in Edenborn, PA, the next town over to where she is now in Masontown, PA. She enjoys mowing the lawn, washing cars, going to Pirates games, and the casino.
Ralph Cavalcante
Father of the Groom
Matt's dad has lived in Masontown, PA his entire life. He enjoys golf and hanging with his friends at the Pals' Club. He also is a lifelong Pirates fan and enjoys going to the casino as well. He and Matt go to a different Steelers away game every year as well.