The Wedding Party 🎉
Hannah DiGiovanni
Matron of Honor
Hannah was Abby's catcher starting in 10U, all the way through Varsity. Hannah has been there at every turn for Abby. While growing up together these two have famously been noted to have the same brain. They seem to always be on the same page, which especially helped them on the softball field, but more importantly, made them an unstoppable duo as friends. Hannah is as honest and genuine as they come. Abby is lucky to have such a steady constant in her life. Hannah and Abby made a pact in High School to be each other's maid of honor since they were the only two in their friend group without a sister. Abby was Hannah's maid of honor 3 years ago, and now it's Hannah's turn to hold up her end of the bargain. At some point during the reception, you can expect to find Hannah running around looking for something Abby will inevitably lose.
Kelly Colvin
Bridesmaid
Abby has known Kelly (Bark) since middle school. Abby was always skeptical of how nice Bark is; she often thought it couldn't be real. However, Abby eventually learned Bark is the real deal and they became best friends. Abby and Bark played softball growing up and continue to share the field in a couple of leagues even today. They share a love for Chilis and would often be seen at one having a pregame meal before a late slow-pitch softball game. Bark is a bright light in all of their friend's lives and often provides the best comedic stories. If you need someone who will be patient with you as you fail getting up on a wakeboard for hours on end, or need an expert opinion on the best Buffet in the Capital Region, Kelly is the go-to. When you see Kelly on the dance floor, please give her some space so you don't step on her toes.
Shannon Harper
Bridesmaid
Shannon is Abby's cousin and built-in best friend growing up. From Holiday parties with the family as kids to Friday night movie nights as adults, these two share many memories together. Abbys favorite memories with Shannon include playing Sims as kids, having a brief stint as members of the karaoke group The Fab 5 (feat Joe Harper), playing slow-pitch softball together, and of course always having Shannon on-call for a spontaneous board game night. Abby always appreciated Shannon for including her in everything she did; even though "everything" was once joining Shannon and her friends on an Ouija board that left Abby terrified. You will most likely find Shannon with a glass of red wine in her hand, telling increasingly embarrassing stories of Abby as the night progresses.
Katie O'Gorman
Bridesmaid
Katie would always be around growing up because she was Kelly Pokrentowski's older sister. They became much closer because in between college breaks, Abby and Katie would work out together at Shields Fitness. Then, Abby found herself taking body combat at the local gym with Katie as the instructor. Katie has quickly become a best friend to Abby. They share a lot in common, from playing softball to their love for pizza and espresso martinis at Classic Crust. Every Saturday, Abby and Katie work out together and catch up afterwards on anything they missed during the week. Katie is often credited as the most put-together in the friend group, but when she finds time away from work, she knows how to party. Abby can't imagine celebrating without Katie by her side. Don't be alarmed if you see Katie with two cellphones the night of the wedding. This is normal as one is just her "work phone".
Kelly Pokrentowski
Bridesmaid
Kelly and Abby have been best friends since Fifth Grade. Bonding over boys, softball, and their love of ice cream, these two are inseparable. Kelly is like a sister to Abby. Abby and Kelly played travel softball together starting when they were 10 years old. On weekend tournaments, they would often share a hotel room and then beg their moms to let them sleep in the same bed. After high school, they both played softball in college at rival schools (Ithaca and Cortland), and they still managed to remain best friends. Abby would like to point out that Ithaca never lost to Cortland during their time playing against each other. To this day, if Abby has plans, it is safe to assume Kelly will be there as well. With everything they have been through together, Abby can't imagine going through the most important day of her life without Kelly by her side. During the reception, Kelly will be the one confidently singing the wrong lyrics completely off-key.
Dan Zdanowski
Best Man
Dan is the father of Phil’s nephew, Finnegan. Dan has been a brother to Phil his whole life. They grew up together in Marcellus, NY, but their adventures started even earlier, traveling the world as kids. Dan let Phil tag along in everything he did; from bike rides to the community pool in Texas, where Phil may have been left behind once or twice… to backyard football games in Marcellus, where they definitely had to tell their mom it was “two-hand touch only.” Dan has been a role model and friend in every stage of life for Phil. Phil couldn't think of a better Best Man for his big day. Phil was Dan’s Best Man seven years ago, and now it’s Dan’s turn to try and do at least half as good of a job as Phil did. If you run into Dan on the night of the wedding, be careful as he will confidently give you fun facts that are entirely untrue.
Joe Carcone
Groomsman
Carcone was Phil's college baseball teammate, turned coach, turned business partner, and constant best friend through all of it. If you've ever heard a story about Phil out on the weekend during college, it is guaranteed that Carcone was at the center of it. As the life of the party everywhere he goes, Phil couldn't imagine throwing the biggest party of his life without him. Aside from the fun they used to have, Phil used to hide away in Carcone's office on campus for hours each day studying for the CPA exam. Phil was constantly third-wheeling around Joey and his now wife, Nicole. Maybe Phil couldn't take the hint at times, but just being around Carcone daily provided some of Phil's best memories on campus. During the reception, if you see someone on top of someone else's shoulders, or with freshly ripped pants, dont be concerned. That's just Joey.
Sean Daley
Groomsman
Sean is not only one of Phil's best friends, but also his Life Coach and Realtor. Sean and Phil worked in public accounting together for 4+ years and coincidentally left their cubicles behind within one week of each other. Sean has been a constant in Phil's life since they met right after college. They have taken weekend trips together, camped with each other's families, referred business to each other, attended comedy shows, and sporting events together. Sean and his wife even get Phil his own birthday cake every year at their son's birthday party, whose birthday is the day before Phil's. If you get the chance to meet Sean at the wedding, don't even think about selling your home or he will have it listed and sold before the end of the night.
Mitch Forshey
Groomsman
Mitch and Phil were pitchers on the Saint Rose Baseball Team together. Phil also had the privilege of being Mitch's Best Man 7 years ago. Mitch is the first person Phil turns to when he needs an ear, or a hand. Mitch has helped Phil rip up tile for a kitchen renovation, dig up bushes, and seal coat a driveway (Mitch I haven't asked you yet, but I'm gonna need help with the driveway this summer). Mitch and Phil have similar senses of humor and both aren't afraid to have a deep conversation every now and then. Mitch has spent hours coaching Phil on the golf course, but still refuses to recognize Phil as a lost cause. Mitch will be the one at the bar ensuring all the groomsman mix in water throughout the night.
Joe Pokrentowski
Groomsman
Phil and Poke went from baseball rivals in Syracuse, NY, to "roommates" in college for 3 years. They were teammates on the baseball field and also dart partners at The Pub (their favorite local bar). All of Phil's favorite memories from college have Poke in them. From Poke driving Phil to every practice to Phil driving Poke crazy, these two did everything together. To this day, they still play slow pitch softball together, play basketball on Thursday nights, and text each other for a last-minute hangout when they find themselves with a free weekend. If you want to bet on whether or not Phil will cry during the ceremony, find Poke as I'm sure he has already started taking bets.
Mike Shields
Groomsman
Mike is Abby’s brother, a devoted cheese enthusiast, and a walking encyclopedia of completely random facts. Mike is Phil’s official tie-breaker in life. Anytime Phil and Abby can’t agree on something, it inevitably ends with, “Fine, call Mike.” Just like that, Mike becomes the final word and settles the argument. Beyond settling the important debates, Phil’s favorite thing is just riffing with Mike. Give them any random topic and they’ll turn it into a full-blown comedy routine. On multiple occassions, Phil has genuinely floated the idea of starting a podcast with Mike. Don't be shocked if you hear us ranking our favorite food and discussing sports on our podcast one day. If you're looking for Shields at the wedding, he will be the first one on the dance floor and the last one off, with both hands above his head the entire time.
Taylor Vile
Groomsman
Taylor Vile was Phil's second baseman in High School. They were the (self-proclaimed) best middle infield in the Tri-State area in 2011 after turning 6 double plays in one game. Phil's favorite memories with Vile include working out on their High School turf in preparation for college baseball, living in a studio apartment together in North Carolina (twice), skiing different mountains in Vermont every winter, annual trips each summer to the StarBoard on Dewey Beach, and casual hang-outs when one of them is just passing through the other's neck of the woods. During the wedding, expect to find Vile with one too many buttons undone and a fruity drink in his hand.