Zoe & Sam
The Wedding Party
Christian Brecht
Bridesman
Christian is Sam's youngest brother, sometimes simply referred to as "The Boy." He does many things well, but among his exceptional qualities, he makes the BEST coffee. He is also one of the few who enjoys hiking with Zoe and Sam at the pace that they enjoy, and they have made a regular thing of kidnapping him for hiking trips in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Christian will almost certainly be the fittest person in attendance.
Matthew Brecht
Bridesman
As a former mule rider for West Point Military Academy, one of Matt's criteria, whether choosing a military post or traveling for vacation, is "can I ride a horse there?" Matt and his handsome dog, Boomer, currently live in Texas, where they enjoy hikes through nature and hunting. Sam's middle brother is not only an exceptional shot, but also won the family axe-throwing tournament. He has promised to lord this victory over his siblings forever.
Alexander Brecht
Bridesman
Alex is the oldest of Sam's brothers, and currently the lead world traveler. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Alex was first posted in a beautiful coastal town in Spain, and then in sunny San Diego. Most recently, his work has taken him to locales such as Hawaii, Vietnam, and Micronesia. In his spare time, when he is not too busy traveling to exotic lands, he enjoys surfing and baking. His recent projects have included trying to perfect the French baguette.
Noah Fleischmann
Bridesman
The youngest and tallest of Zoe's brothers, Noah lives in Boston where he is completing his undergraduate degree at Northeastern. He is also Sam and Zoe's roommate, and he does his best to keep them current. In addition to his interests in modern popular culture, math, and politics, Noah is passionate about music. He hosts a weekly 2 hour show on the university radio, provides fresh playlists for long car rides, and is also a highly requested guitarist and vocalist at family gatherings.
Christopher Fleischmann
Bridesman
Chris is a quiet, kind, and gentle soul who patiently enjoys and endures the insanity of the family around him. In the tumult of family reunions, he is the one who remembers to feed the dogs and otherwise helps keep things running and on the rails. In his spare time, Chris enjoys website development, gaming, and educating his siblings on the finer points of superhero movies.
Zakk Fleischmann
Bridesman
Zoe's older brother Zakk is a fantastic older brother. He was brave enough to immerse himself in the surprisingly intense process of wedding dress shopping. Throughout the wedding planning process, Zakk and his wife, Sarah, were always available for Facetime calls full of guidance and support, and have been instrumental throughout high-powered decision-making moments, from saying yes to the dress to acquiring alcohol.
Sarah McHaney
Bridesmaid
Sarah has known Zoe and her now-husband, Zakk since college, when they attended American University together, but that is a whole other wedding story! Sarah also played an instrumental role in welcoming Sam into the Fleischmann-McHaney family, and is a continued resource of love, friendship, and advice to both brides. In addition to being an overall fantastic person, Sarah McHaney brings a Sommelier-level knowledge of wine and years of football expertise to the family mix. She and Zakk are also excellent chefs and a frequently requested duet at family jam sessions.
Victoria Burke
Bridesmaid
Sam (and Zoe) met Vicky at GMS Rowing Center in Connecticut. Vicky and another bridesmaid, Sarah Giancola, actually tried out for the Olympics together at one time. Although Vicky is often busy doing cool shit, like climbing mountains, hiking across the desert, and taking over the world as an athlete/coach/student and lives far away, she still makes time to get the gang back together whenever possible! So far, these semi-irregular pilgrimages have included LA, MA, and the Adirondack Mts. in NY. We are excited to add Western Mass. to the list, and to have so many of the GMS survivors represented here.
Annie Shapiro
Bridesmaid
Annie Shapiro, aka A$hap, is another former rower and GMS veteran. Annie has since taken the life lessons from those experiences and her badassery to found her business, The Strong Girl Guide, through which she provides personal training and lifestyle coaching. Annie and her girlfriend, Ali, actually live in Boston, so Zoe and Sam get to see them whenever grad school will let them :)
Sarah Giancola
Bridesmaid
Sarah Giancola feels a deep kinship with Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Samwise, and the other Hobbits of the Fellowship of the Ring (yes, this is a Lord of the Rings reference). Like the hobbits, she enjoys a cozy home and good food, drink, and company. Uncommon but not unheard of among hobbits, Sarah also has a healthy appetite for Adventure. We are excited that she has decided to journey out of her Shire of Buffalove to party with us!
Emily Farrar
Bridesmaid
Farrar is one of Zoe's closest college friends from her time in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Farrar has known Zoe and Sam as a couple from the very beginning of their relationship, when they all camped out together at the Canadian Henley Regatta over 6 years ago. The couple, who are failures by millennial selfie standards, are forever in her debt, as she is the photographer responsible for most of the pictures that they have from that time period.
Maria Laura Abalo
Bridesmaid
Laura, nicknamed "Motha Foca" ("mother seal" in Castellano) has taken great care of Zoe, during and after their 2016 run at the Olympics in the women's pair. Laura dutifully took many pictures and kept Sam in the loop when she and Zoe were training and competing for the Argentine national team across South America and Europe. Laura continues to look after her "baby foca," Zoe, and her whatsapp voice messages are cherished by both Zoe and Sam to this day. Laura might not be able to attend the ceremony, because she is now the mother of the most beautiful baby ever, so Zoe and Sam will have to see her the next time they are in Argentina.