Wedding Party
Megan Smith
Maid of Honor
Megan is Sammi’s older sister. Sammi has looked up to Megan her entire life, and is the reason Sammi started playing tennis in the first place (she was told she needed an activity and chose to follow her older sister around). Megan and Sammi now spend their time turning trip ideas into reality - they are both each other’s “yes” men. One of their current bucket list items is to try and see all 4 major tennis tournaments - but they are always open to new ideas. Megan now lives in Tampa, FL.
Seth McGann
Best Man
Seth is from Cary, NC. His and Sammi’s families were close friends from the time he and Sammi were young kids. Seth and Paul had many mutual friends in the Marine Corps, but did not meet until they became roommates at the Logistics Officer Course at Camp Lejeune, upon JP’s suggestion. Seth and Paul became close friends very quickly, as they regularly played golf together, along with JP, and often with Seth’s older brother Luke. While there, Seth invited Paul to his wedding in Cincinnati. Seth strategically sat Paul next to Sammi at the reception, and hinted to Paul that he would like Sammi. Their introduction at Seth and Rachel’s wedding ultimately led to their engagement and marriage. Seth, his wife Rachel, and their daughter Stella live in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Allison Smith
Maid of Honor
Allison is Sammi’s younger sister. Allie is in the Navy and Sammi brags about her any chance she gets. When Paul was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Sammi and Allie got to see each other often, mostly when Allie’s ship was in port and she wasn’t on duty. In the beginning of Allie’s Naval career, she was stationed in Hawaii and easily became the favorite child and sibling since everyone got to go visit her in Hawaii. Sammi still loves to visit Allie in Southern California when she’s able to and Allie is in town. Allie now lives in Coronado, CA.
Vincent Pechie
Groomsman
Vinny is Paul’s only brother, and was born when Paul was 11. Vinny is a student athlete at Fauquier High School and lives in Warrenton, VA. Vinny is excellent at video games such as Madden and 2K Basketball, and has an undefeated record against Paul. Some of Paul’s favorite memories of Vinny include the hunting and fishing trips that they went on together in Virginia before Paul moved to California.
Gabrielle O’Gorman
Bridesmaid
While playing tennis together at Penn State, Gabby and Sammi became really close friends and have taken several trips together after college as well (including a Disney Princess Half Marathon). Gabby is from Gunnedah, Australia and has spent Christmas at the Smith house when she hasn’t been able to go back to Australia - earning her the title of Smith sister #4. Gabby is now living back in Australia.
Andrew Nguyen
Groomsman
Andrew is from Nokesville, Virginia. He and Paul’s sister, Caroline, started dating when they were freshmen in high school. Andrew and Caroline are getting married in August, and plan to live in Gainesville, VA together. Andrew and Caroline’s relationship has brought Paul and Andrew closer as friends through the years.
Mackenzie Rourke
Bridesmaid
Mackenzie came into Sammi’s life through her husband, Chase, who is one of Paul’s best friends. They became friends quickly and have since formed their own friendship. Mackenzie and Sammi enjoy group trips where they shop and lounge by the pool while the boys play golf. Mackenzie has quickly become someone Sammi leans on and loves to spend time with. Mackenzie lives in Frederick, MD with her husband, Chase, son, Jameson and dog, Nala.
Chase Rourke
Groomsman
Chase is from Gibsonia, PA. He went to Penn State and met Paul at The Basic School, where they were roommates and in the same squad. After The Basic School, Chase became an Infantry Officer and moved to California, where he and Paul remained in close contact, frequently golfing together along with JP, and often getting together to watch football. He and his wife, Mackenzie, became close friends with Sammi while Paul lived in California. Chase and Mackenzie live in Maryland with their son, Jameson, and their dog Nala.
Megan Voetsch
Bridesmaid
Megan is one of Sammi’s best friends from college. Megan played on the golf team at Penn State and convinced Sammi to go back for a 5th year so that she could have a roommate. That turned out to be one of Sammi’s best decisions; they had a great year living together and getting through an intense Master’s program together while still playing sports. Megan and Sammi have come even closer since graduating. Megan is living in Boston, MA with her husband, Will, and Sammi tries to stop by and see them whenever she’s in town for work.
JP Maher
Groomsman
JP is from New Jersey and met Paul at The Basic School. He and Paul became close friends through their mutual friend, Chase, who JP had met at Officer Candidate School. JP and Seth were in the same platoon at The Basic School. JP and Paul attended the Logistics Officer Course at Camp Lejeune together, where JP suggested Paul become roommates with Seth, leading to Paul meeting Sammi at Seth’s wedding. While at the Logistics Officer Course, JP and Paul decided to become roommates upon moving back to California. JP and Paul were roommates for three years, until they completed their first tour. JP has since moved back to New Jersey.
Madison Edwards
Bridesmaid
Sammi met Madison on Facebook and while they were both skeptical of living with someone they met on the internet, they became fast friends. They lived together for a year in Philadelphia and loved to try new restaurants and watch Bridgerton on cold, snowy weekends. Madison and her husband, Avery were the first ones to give Sammi the idea to fly out to see Paul in California when they first met. Madison now lives in Delray Beach, FL with her husband, Avery and son, Saxon.
Ben Mannino
Groomsman
Ben is from Staten Island, New York. He went to Penn State and is an Infantry Officer in the Marine Corps. Ben and Paul met at the Officer Candidate School in 2019, where they were in the same platoon. They were again in the same platoon at The Basic School a year later. They deployed to Australia together in 2023, and became close friends by frequently going to the gym together. Shortly after deployment, Ben and Paul became roommates in Monterey, CA, and lived together along with their friends Charlie and Trent for two years. Ben currently lives in Maryland where he works as a Data Analyst for the Marine Corps.
Susanne Boyden
Bridesmaid
Susanne is one of Sammi’s oldest friends. They have played tennis with each other in the Raleigh area since middle school. Susanne and Sammi trained together at North Hills throughout all of high school and continued to support each other through their college careers. They have enjoyed reuniting when they’re both in Raleigh - usually returning to their old stomping grounds, North Hills, but now for Bar Taco. Luckily, Sammi has been able to visit Susanne a couple of times since Paul has lived close by. Susanne lives in San Francisco, CA.
Neil Schubel
Groomsman
Neil is from Fredericksburg, VA. He and Paul met when they were freshmen at Virginia Tech. They were in the same company in the Corps of Cadets their freshmen year, and hung out together almost every day during their college careers. Paul and Neil have remained close friends since college, speaking regularly about the state of Virginia Tech Football and keeping up with each other’s lives. Neil is a Military Intelligence Officer in the Army, and currently lives with his wife, Maria, and their daughter in Maryland.
Hadley Weishaar
Flower Girl
Hadley is Sammi’s close cousin’s daughter and Colin’s sister. Sammi has been making family trips to Michigan since before Hadley was even born, so she’s been able to watch Hadley grow up over the years—whether that meant swimming in the lake, jumping off the dock, and making summer memories together. Hadley lives with her family in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Colin Weishaar
Ring Bearer
Colin is Sammi’s close cousin’s son and Hadley’s brother. Sammi has been making family trips to Michigan since before Colin was born, so she’s been able to watch him grow up over the years as well—spending summers together and making memories along the way. Colin lives with his family in Kalamazoo, Michigan.