Courtney & Tom
Wedding Party
Michael Olson
Hand of the Bride
Michael has known the Bride for 26 years. The Bride is my sister, I am truly blessed to have the sister that I do. We have had our battles, like most siblings, but there is no one I’d rather have in my corner than her. When I turned 21, I was in Ireland visiting my family. My sister went above and beyond to make my birthday feel special in a place where the drinking age was 18. I woke up to a birthday cake of Carlsberg and a fifth of Jack Daniels. On top of that, she made me a necklace that basically told everyone that I had just turned 21. Then we went to the Dublin Horse Show and she got me a private box to celebrate. I think that small example shows how special the bride is, she is always caring about others and their feelings, even when it is not always convenient for her.
Chelsea Battles
Best Woman
Chelsea has known the Groom for 28 years. Tommy is the reason I am the way I am today! I would be SUCH a girly girl if he hadn't inspired me to do all of the boy things growing up. He definitely made me tough and turned me into a secret tomboy. Tommy and I would always be on the go, trying out something new that we would eventually get hurt doing. Whether it be going off jumps on our bikes, racing down the driveway on our scooters, rollerblading, doing flips on the trampoline, creating forts in the basement, building snow tunnels, sledding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, wake-skating, tubing, and so many more ridiculous things. We may have given my parents several heart attacks growing up, but it was worth it! I believe our adventurous childhood together shaped who we both are today!
Brianna Lamb
Bridesmaid
Brianna has known the Bride for 10 years. My favorite thing about Courtney is her loyalty and determination. She loves HARD and will go to battle for any one of her friends. Courtney won't give up on any single thing she puts her mind to, regardless how big or small, (especially when trying to prove Tom wrong about something!). My favorite memories always include our shenanigans (her favorite word) around San Diego. One time, we were so loopy, we missed the exit for the airport 3-4 times and kept screaming "Get your cold cuts" at everyone we passed. My favorite two memories from USD Rowing are when we absolutely ruined every other boat in a seat racing practice on Mission Bay, and when we raced in a pair at the Marina classic. We didn't win that race, but we sure looked good doing it.
Andy Bangert
Groomsman
Andy has known the Groom for 6 years. Even though Tom and I didn’t meet in high school or college, it feels like we’ve known each other much longer than 6 years. We have the unfortunate tendency to accidentally dress alike which led to us being called Property Brothers by our friends and strangers. I’d say my favorite time with Tom was summer 2015. Sure we hung out with the crew, but it seemed like at least weekly we’d head out as a duo. We started off the summer going to the beach bars together, West Hartford scene, the casino, and ultimately leading to one of our favorite experiences, a spur of the moment trip to Cancun. The entire resort knew us by name by our 3rd day and to say the least we made some memories we’ll never forget, even with Tom being “two belts wasted” a night or two.
Erika Wilvang
Bridesmaid
Erika has known the Bride for 20 years. What I love about our friendship is no matter how far apart it’s like nothing has changed; our friendship remains preserved in time. Endless laughs and memories with this girl I don’t even know where to begin. From playing on the trampoline in the backyard, putting our hand prints in the cement outside her driveway, supposedly pushing her off the bed and breaking her arm ;), wine tasting/chugging in Cayucos, trips around the world with last minute tattoos in Dublin, the list goes on. Aside from all the adventures I love that we can also be perfectly content doing absolutely nothing all day maybe just binging Love Island. She is my most loyal, caring, and selfless friend. She means the world to me and it makes me happy to see her so happy with Tom.
Dan Warden
Groomsman
Dan has know the Groom for 11 years. Well if I'm being honest, I wasn't a huge fan of Tom when we first met. He was far too tall and way too loud. We met through mutual friends when he was pledging Delta Chi, at the University of Connecticut. And despite all odds, he grew on me. We've lived together several times since then and it's always been a fun time. Our friendship can be defined by one short conversation. I once told Tom he was, "...a tall drink of water". To which he replied... "You thirsty?". The answer was, and will always be, "Yes".
Jennifer Travis
Bridesmaid
Jenn has known the Bride for 10 years. Since 2010, Courtney and I have been friends... but a label as simple as ‘friends’ doesn’t really describe it. We have been roommates, classmates, teammates, sorority sisters, travel buddies & so much more. Never did I think I would ever meet someone who loves Twizzlers as much as I, who could encourage me to try (and love!) sushi, who would have such an equally amazing ‘singing in the car’ voice or would be someone whose friendship’s worth is immeasurable. Words do not begin to describe how happy I am to be standing by Courtney’s side on such a special day. She is the most loving and selfless person and I know her and Tom will have a lifetime of abundance simply based on their depth of love for each other.
Eric Oberg
Groomsman
Eric has known the Groom for 20 years. I've known the groom since 6th grade and met Courtney when my wife and I visited San Diego two years ago for Thanksgiving. It was clear right away that she was a perfect match for Tom, who I have known for almost 20 years. Tom and I used to nerd out in basements playing video games (commonly known as LAN parties). Now, two decades later, we have found wives who not only let us nerd out but join in the games.
Jessica Churchill
Bridesmaid
Jessica has known the Bride for 16 years. With 16 years of friendship, it's difficult to choose a favorite memory! Especially since we spent nearly every day together from 7th grade to High School graduation. We even lived together! Memories that stick out include afternoons in the backyard, falling out of tree houses, playing on the trampoline (naturally, when we got older, changed to playing truth or dare), days at the beach, church camps, cheer camps, ranch trips, dance parties, accidentally breaking one another’s bones & MORE! Court encouraged me to try new things and was right by my side for many of them! Even though we live in different states now, when we're together it's like nothing changed. There's a reason we were voted “most likely to be best friends forever” in high school!
Matthew Tunucci
Groomsman
Matt has known the Groom for 11 years. I met Tom in college when he was pledging Delta Chi. My first thought was, “not another Southington kid”. He was gangly, loud, slightly obnoxious and witty. Honestly, he hasn’t changed much. Yet, I’ve known him for 11 years now and I’ve lived with him for 8 of those; I truly don’t know whether I’m a masochist or there’s some hidden charm in it. What I do know is that Tom’s the kind of friend that will move across the country with you on a couple weeks’ notice to a city he’s never visited for the adventure of it. I know that because he did, and whether that was because my company paid to move all his stuff or he figured San Diego couldn’t be worse than Hartford, I wouldn’t have wanted to do it without him. Clearly it worked out well for both of us.
Marissa Mancebo
Bridesmaid
Marissa has known the Bride for 3 years. My favorite part of my friendship with Courtney is how she always makes me feel supported and loved in every adventure I embark on. I know, without a doubt, that she will always be by my side and do anything to help me succeed. Courtney is the best friend that anyone could ever ask for. We are all incredibly lucky to have her love in our lives.
Thomas Battles
Groomsman and Father of the Groom
Tom has known the Groom for 31 years. My favorite memory of the groom was a flight in a Cesna 172, with Tommy as the pilot at age 16. I heard him on the the radio “Niner one niner, preparing for take off” to the air-traffic controller as I sat in the backseat of the aircraft. I thought I would be scared but I wasn’t. He has always had such a spirit of adventure! I love that! Courtney's first visit to the lake-house and meeting us, Courtney got behind the boat with the wakeboard! She gave it the “all clear” and Tommy pulled her out of the water, first try! She wake-boarded like a she had been doing it all her life! She was such a grounded, down to earth young lady, who knew how to embrace life. We love you! And feel so lucky to have you as a daughter in-law!