Nikki & Paul
Wedding Party
Brant Schwendel
Best Man
Brant is my brother, best man, and best friend. We grew up playing baseball in the back yard together (and sometimes in our bedroom as well, sorry Mom and Dad). Brant is currently enrolled at Kennesaw State University, where he is studying marketing. He got his real education though at the school of hard knocks via his older brother.
Blake Charvoz
Best Man
Blake and I met on the rooftop of our apartment building and there were immediate fireworks (literally, it was July 4th- and yes, I tell that joke a lot). Blake is thoughtful and enthusiastic, and squats slightly less than me. Blake enjoys a good book, bourbon on the rocks, and gloating to me about the Astros' victory over the Yankees this year. In all seriousness, Blake is a great friend to both me and Nikki (and will be instrumental in the planning of Paul's bachelor party).
Rebecca Di
Maid of Honor
I met Di our freshman year in class. I thought she was cool. She thought I was a total square. Since then we’ve become inseparable friends/roommates, and she is the closest thing to a sister that I’ve ever had. She has seen me at my best as well as my worst (laying face down on the carpet) and has stuck by me through it all. I’ve watched her grow and overcome challenges through the years, and I can honestly say she is one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. I am thrilled that I’ve had the opportunity to grow beside her and that she can stand beside me as my maid of honor.
Nicole Pescatore
Maid of Honor
Nicole and I met on the Emory Club Volleyball team our sophomore year. Besides being the best libero I've ever had the opportunity to play with, she is also my confidant, my pick-me-up, my best friend, and now my long-distance maid of honor. Together we've been through 4 breakups, 2 concussions and 1 fractured wrist, 20 early-morning volleyball tournaments, 5 different apartments, 3 generations of The Sims, 1 trip to Reno NV, and COUNTLESS extra large cheese pizzas. After so many years together, Nicole has become the first person I text whenever something happens in my life. I could not imagine getting married without her as a maid of honor.
Chris Pulliam
Groomsman
Chris is my future brother-in-law (Lauren’s fiancé). Although not as good as me at golf, he’s a pretty good guy. Chris works with mortgages, which means he'll be a very valuable asset when Nikki and I start saving for a house.
Nick Eyrich
Groomsman
Nick and I both played baseball at Emory, but were not on team at the same time. We actually became friends through Nikki and one of her bridesmaids, Nick’s girlfriend Nicole. So yes, when we go on double dates, it’s Nick, Nicole, Nikki, and........ Paul. Nick is currently enrolled at the University of Michigan's Medical School, and will be on medical standby during the bachelor party.
Lauren Schwendel
Bridesmaid
Lauren is my soon-to-be sister and I am so lucky that she's so freaking cool. Beyond having an awesome sense of humor, a down-to-earth attitude, and three adorable dogs, Lauren also has a crazy work-ethic that I respect a ton. She works early mornings and weekends without even batting an eye. Her passion for her career and her unwavering dedication to her dreams is inspiring. At some point during the wedding-planning process, I read quote on a fashionista's blog that said: "You don't just marry a person; you marry into a family". I hit the jackpot with Paul's family. I am excited to have Lauren standing beside us on our wedding day!
Tess Oetter
Bridesmaid
Tess and I met on our first day of freshman year at Emory. She lived across the hall and during move-in I offered her a handful of cold microwave popcorn. Since that day 6 years ago, Tess has been my suitemate, my best friend, and my adventure partner. Tess’s hobbies include: pandas, grabbing people’s feet when they’re under a blanket, gin and tonics, taking naps, petting my head when I’m stressed, eating my popcorn (reoccurring theme), and waking me up for class. Tess is a genuine friend, and I have no doubt that we will be friends for life. I could not imagine this big day without her.
Connor McGuiness
Groomsman
Connor and I played baseball together at Emory University. We were in the same graduating class, and both pitchers on the baseball team. Connor has a incredible pick-off move and some of the best video game skills you will ever find. He once intercepted a hand-off in Madden (NFL video game)... seriously. When he's not dominating at Madden or NBA 2k, Connor moonlights as a pitching coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Jared Welch
Groomsman
Jared and I were college teammates on the baseball team at Emory University. We share a unique bond as battery mates (Jared was a catcher, I'm a pitcher) and have had many heated discussions about whether I should throw a fastball or slider during games (also, second sign, Jared). Additionally, Jared introduced me to Nikki. We’re very excited to have a good friend, who’s been there since the beginning, involved in our wedding.
Sarah Wilkening
Bridesmaid
The first time I spent time with Sarah at volleyball practice my sophomore year I thought to myself "I want to be just like Sarah when I grow up". Even though she's only a couple years older than me, Sarah has always been a role-model of mine. When Sarah wants something, she works her butt off for it. I've had the privilege of being her friend while she completed her PhD from Emory, biked 200 miles for AIDS research (twice), planned an amazing destination wedding, and became a patent agent for GTech. I am so thankful that I've had her motivation and guidance for the past 5 years, and to have her as part of my wedding party!
Jenna Long
Bridesmaid
Paul and I met Jenna two years ago when we first started dating. We clicked immediately, mostly because she has the same insane sense of humor as me. I now call her my 'wifey'. Jenna is a nurse at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, which is a testament to how caring, sweet, and wonderful she truly is. She is always there to pick me up when I am sad, sick, or hurt. She's even gone as far as buying me crutches from the Goodwill when I tore my Achilles. I am so excited to celebrate our wedding (AND HER BIRTHDAY) together in California this November. She also loves birds.
Maddie Guenther
Bridesmaid
Maddie and I played volleyball in high school and took on the roles of "the weirdest girls on the team". She is ALWAYS ready for an adventure, whether we're traveling to Southeast Asia, sharing new dishes at dinner, or going on spontaneous drives across the Bay Bridge to crash a wedding at my venue. If Maddie loves you, she loves you fiercely. Even if that means showing up at your house with grilled cheese, flowers, and LaCroix when you're feeling down. Maddie is the type of friend that sticks by you even when you live 2,526 miles away and suck at texting (sorry). She is genuinely kind, loving, and wonderful. I am ecstatic that she will stand beside me on my wedding day AND that she'll get to meet all the important Atlantans in my life!