Samantha & Connor
Wedding Party
Tori Puhl
Maid of Honor
Tori is the triplet sister of the bride. She is Sam's right hand when it comes to a best friend, drinking partner, partner in crime. They truly have a bond like no other! Through thick and thin, they lean on each other and truly have the best of times navigating life! Tori currently resides in the Historic Third Ward, so this wedding is not only close to heart but also close to home! From matching tutus to sharing their love for beer and cheese, Tori and Sam have been side by side no matter the distance. When together, they frequent the public market, the walking trail along the lakefront, and Cafe Benelux. Many concerts, North Carolina hikes, and bloodies later, the two still remain thick as thieves. Tori's favorite past times are SolidCore and walking with her Aussie, Dixie (aka Lil Dickie). Don't be afraid to try to convince her to move to North Carolina!!!
Chase Skrypek
Best Man
Chase, Big Brother Bear, Meatball… these two go way back and have known each other for 30 years. Chase and Connor have done it all together. As kids, they argued, fought, reenacted WWE moves, etc. If these two went missing, it’s likely they are out on the water somewhere catching fish or catching a buzz. When Connor went to college in South Carolina, Chase was soon to follow him East where they lived together and their relationship grew stronger. Chase was always a significant role model for Connor. - he looked up to Chase and knew he could count on him for support and life advice. Fast forward several years, Chase resides in Northern Illinois with his wife, Alex, and their two rowdy boys, Bodhi and Bruin. With Chase’s lively personality, you will see him (and his two minions) tearing up the dance floor.
Trish Keller
Matron of Honor
Trish and Sam met in 2019 while working on the Orthopedic Floor at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton, WI. Sam had just moved home from college and was applying to physician assistant schools. While they were working here, Trish and Sam quickly became the best of friends and "work wives". COVID-19 hit and Trish and Sam worked countless hours together to help serve their community. This was an experience that brought them together in many ways. Trish has always been there for Sam despite living halfway across the nation. She's been a reliant shoulder to lean on through the many phases of life and career changes Sam has gone through. Her favorite past times are sunbathing on her pond float and spending time with her family.
Alex Puhl
Groomsman
Alex is Sam’s older brother and one of the Puhl triplets. The first time Sam brought Connor to her home town, the two met and felt like an effortless chemistry. The two bonded at the shooting range, talking about their dream artillery, and driving a thousand miles in a uhaul truck with broken AC in the middle of the southern summer. It was a long journey for the two of them but it didn’t stop them from having a good time. Currently, Alex lives in his hometown of Mequon and enjoys working for a local business in computer science.
Abiane Dawson
Bridesmaid
Sam's and Abiane make up the Medtronic Work Wives' Club. Abiane's husband, Grant, also works for Medtronic, making him and Connor coworkers, just in different territories. Coincidentally, Sam actually had met Grant in Winston-Salem when he was just starting out at Medtronic, little did she know, his girlfriend (now wife), Abiane, would be one of her first and closest friends in WS years later! Through an odd twist of fate, Abiane and Sam where introduced by Connor and Grant and now are the best of friends. The two love to drink their espresso tini's on the weekends while the boys talk shop. They share a joint love of margaritas and are frequently found sharing cocktails during work week happy hours. The two have become the closest of friends and are never one to turn down a night of shenanigans (:
Mike Murphy
Groomsman
Mike and Connor met in Asheville through a mutual friend. Little did they know, both of them were Midwestern born and raised only a county away from each other. It didn't take long for these guys to develop a strong relationship through fishing, running, and enjoying a few craft beers. Mike has been a great friend to Connor through the years and was extremely supportive during Sam and Connor's long distance journey. Mike currently lives in Asheville, NC with his lovely wife Carolin and their two greyhounds, Wiley and Tootsie. When they aren't working, you can find them out on a hike, trying the newest restaurants around town, or at the dog bar.
Gabriela Morrell-Zucker
Bridesmaid
Where to begin with Gavi? Gavi and Sam met on the University of Delaware Figure Skating Team during undergrad. Gavi was Sam's little on the team and they became the closest of friends after Sam made her hamantaschen for big-little week. Gavi currently lives in the state of Florida, which is quite fitting as she reminds Sam of a ray of sunshine--she radiates positive energy! Sam and Gavi have made sure to visit each other once-twice a year since college. Each time they visit each other, they are able to pick up as if no time had ever passed. These two have been through many walks of life together and, somehow, keep coming back for more. Gavi is artistically apt and embodies a beautiful and genuine energy! A lover of all things good for the soul, Gavi works as an Occupational Therapist and sound healer.
Jay Tschirky
Groomsman
Jay and Connor met each other their first year of college. Jay was randomly assigned as a roommate to Connor and Jessee, who requested to be roommates. Little did they know they would become great friends and room together the remainder of their college career. The two bonded over fishing and losing dozens of balls on the golf course. Chase and Jay became great friends as well to the point where Chase and Connor convinced Jay to make a last minute decision to quit his job at Olive Garden, move up to Illinois, and work with them at Sideouts Bar for a shenanigan filled summer. Present Day, Jay lives in the Charlotte area with his wife Gabby, and their dog child, Finley. Watch out for this guy at the wedding, he’s not one to shy away from cracking a joke at you, talking you into several more drinks, or pitching you a business idea.
Kayla Sellers
Bridesmaid
Kayla and Sam met at the ripe age of eight while figure skating on a team together at the Pettit National Ice Center. Sam was a very shy young lady at the time and decided team skating was not for her. Despite Sam's decision, Kayla still went out of her way to make friends with Sam and, before they knew it, they were inseparable. Their relationship blossomed on and off the ice. Even after they both retired, Kayla and Sam are still the best of friends. Together, they are the queens of spontaneity--never a dull moment when these two hooligans are together! They've shared many memories on the ice, grabbing beers downtown, and beach weekends on the lake. It was actually Kayla that convinced Sam to go on her first date with Connor!
Jessee Holmberg
Groomsman
Jessee and Connor met during their first year in college. In a true lifting bro fashion, they messaged each other on Facebook saying “you look like you lift. You want to be roommates?’ And from there these two became swole mates. Jessee was by far the most intelligent amongst the group. He graduated from Coastal in three years with a degree in chemistry. Don’t be fooled by his extensive knowledge of the periodic table, his spelling peaked at the seventh grade level. Fast forward several years, Jessee was the first of the young bucks to get married. Him and his wife, Jourdan, now live near Lexington, KY and where they both eat, sleep, and breath chemistry. He won’t be hard to miss at the wedding. If you see a swole, tatooed, chemistry nerd looking guy, that’s him!
Kristen Drew
Bridesmaid
Kristen and Sam met at Wingate University during PA school right after COVID 19 hit. Through online classes and a rigorous course load, Sam and Kristen's friendship proved resistant to the trials and tribulations that PA school brought, and they quickly became the closest of friends. Sam and Kristen have remained friends and live quite close to each other in North Carolina where they frequent many of the breweries with Connor and Paul (significant others). The four of them have tasted countless beers together, headbanged at a Talking Heads concert, navigated career changes, and helped each other with several moves over the past four years!
Nick Serra
Groomsman
Nick and Connor are childhood friends. The two met playing little league baseball and chomping on sunflower seeds and big league chew. If these two had a free weekend, you would likely catch them fishing, competing in yard games like it’s an olympic sport, or sneaking out of the Serra’s house late at night. Silence was a key indicator that the two were up to no good. Regardless of the distance, the two maintained a close friendship throughout college. Nick was the first of the young bucks to get married where he asked Connor to be one of his groomsmen. Nick and his wife, Bri, now live in just outside of Milwaukee and have a beautiful daughter, Shay. Embarrassment doesn’t exist with this man. You will see him busting a move out on the dance floor the night of the wedding.