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Wedding Party
Debra Neong
Maid of Honor
Windsor, CA Years Known: 19+ My absolute ride or die. You’ll also hear me refer to her as Doll Face. Debby and I met in 2004, she was a sophomore and I was a freshman. She was cheering at a high school football game and I remember a mutual friend introducing us, knowing immediately this girl would be in my life forever. Well, what actually happened is she got something in her eye and I jumped up and stuck my finger in her eye to get it out. Problem solved. Instant besties. I love her zest for life, her love of puns, and how much she loves and supports the people around her. She also makes the best damn charcuterie board around. She is the best mom, wife, and badass career woman in a male-dominated Wine Industry. We’ve been through it all together and I couldn’t picture planning a wedding or getting married without Deb by my side. You can find us dancing and singing to every country song at the top of our lungs. To know her, is to love her. And I love her so damn much!
Jennifer Sheridan
Matron of Honor
Petaluma, CA Years Known: 32+ My pepper bell, my first best friend, and my cousin. Jen and I were raised like sisters, from me tagging along to all of her high school cheer practices, to giving her a hard time when she would stall my moms geo metro on the way to school, and to me stealing her clothes as a kid because I wanted to be just like her. I am so grateful to have a sister like Jen and I can’t wait to have her as my Matron of Honor. She is the mom to two of my favorite mini human beings, Liam and Makenna. She is married to Sean, who is one of the funniest people we know, though we don't like to tell him that. Big head and all. ;) I am so lucky she’s been with me through it all!
Gabrielle Shultz
The Babe of Honor
CT and CA Years Known: 10+ The sister I was destined to have. I still remember when I first started dating Drew and I found out he had a sister, I was so excited! I knew I wanted her and I to be close and build our own relationship. The first day I met Gab was NYE 2013 in Tahoe, Drew picked me up from Stateline (I was in Tahoe with a group of friends for NYE) and took me to meet the rest of the family and family friends while they were bowling. I immediately wanted to meet Gab and was instantly drawn to her personality and fierce love for her people. When we got back to the house, we shared laughs over a few (or more) peppermint patty shots. For those wondering, you take a shot of Peppermint Schnapps and chocolate sauce and shake your head while it all mixes together. Definitely worth the hangover. Over the years our bond has grown and she is one of my best friends. I’m so grateful for Gab and all of our back and forth shopping decisions, DIY projects, and more that we make via text. She’s been my sister for years but now we can’t wait to make it official! I can’t wait for her to be by my side through this exciting time! I feel so grateful for Gab every single day. Also, her reaction to our engagement news will go down in history as the BEST reaction. Love you so much, SIL! Fun fact: Gab and Brett recently got engaged and I cannot wait for all of the wedding planning and festivities. Two of our favorite people in the world are getting married!
Taylor Hammill
Bestie
San Jose, CA Years Known: 20+ Flashback to NYE 2000. My mom’s best friend was dating Taylor's Dad. Our parents were going to a party for NYE and they dropped me off at Taylor’s house and said “Jordan meet Taylor, Taylor meet Jordan, have fun, here’s money for pizza, bye!” We looked at each other for a few seconds and became instant best friends. We’ve been inseparable ever since. 20+ years in the making. The cheer blondie to my soccer babe {thanks aol AIM screen names} 😂 She is always down for a good time, an insanely talented triathlete, a wonderful wife and Mom to the cutest blondies you’ll ever see! I can’t imagine saying “I Do” without Tay by my side.
Ellie Haas
Bestie
Santa Rosa, CA Years Known: 22+ Ellie and I met and became the best of friends in 7th grade. We’ve been through every season and stage of life together. Every questionable fashion and makeup choice imaginable, we’ve done it all and laughed at the photos years later. We still see old photos of ourselves and send them back and forth questioning WHY?! We’ve always been each other’s biggest cheerleaders and sounding boards. She is an incredible Mom to the smiliest little man, a fabulous wife, and an actual hair wizard. She is my favorite dance partner and the Original Twerk Queen. No seriously, I have evidence and timestamps to prove she did it first. She’s a one of a kind bestie and I can’t wait to say “I Do” with her by my side. Want to see the real us? Just hit play on anything by Tupac, Too Short, and E-40... and buckle up! Fun fact, she created HOURS worth of the most epic getting ready playlist that I don't think this group is ready for.
Cassie Lawrenson
Bestie
San Diego, CA Years Known: 22+ Cassie and I met and became friends in the 7th grade. No matter where we are in our lives I know we can always connect and pick up right where we left off. I am so grateful for her, our lifelong friendship, her drive, and her passion about the things and people she loves. She is an amazing mom to a sweet baby girl and loves to travel with her amazing husband. She is smart, worldly, and truly one of a kind. I am so excited she will be by my side on our wedding day. Fun fact: Cassie let Ellie and I officiate her wedding after we convinced her it was a great idea and we got ordained online. Honestly, we may have missed our calling.
Grisell Loomis
Bestie
Petaluma, CA Years Known: 22+ Grisell and I met and became friends in the 7th grade as well! Grisell has this vivacious and loving energy about her that can’t be matched. She is so genuine and honestly one of the funniest and most fun people I know. I know that I can talk about anything with Grisell and always feel supported. She is the best wife to Cameron, who I have known since Kindergarten and the most incredible mom to two amazing kids who always make me laugh. She is a total foodie and loves a stiff gin martini (really the only option, in my opinion), she's my kind of lady! I am so grateful for her and our friendship! I couldn’t say “I Do” without her.
Matthew Nalley
Best Man
Hometown: Glen Burnie, MD by way of Brookfield, CT Years known: 30+ The History: Best friend of the groom through thick and thin since 2nd grade. Honored the groom by making him a godfather for the first time, to his amazing daughter Dylan. Strengths/Pros: Dad strength, unwavering dedication to the things he loves most - his family, his Traeger grill(s), Ohio State + NY Giants football, and cigars. Weaknesses/Cons: Both knees, both shoulders. Has known the groom the longest and will have a live mic to tell you all about it. True Fact: After suffering the indignity of being treated like a little kid for far too long, 10 year old Matt finally struck back at the tyrants who held him under his boot, his parents Mike and Barb! Determined to show them, and the world, that he was ready to be a man, Matt infamously stole the family minivan, reversed out of the driveway, drove several miles to the town ball fields and did several doughnuts in the parking lot before a neighbor stuck her nose in his business and was able to bring him to a halt. Thankfully no one was injured, and by all accounts, Matt was a skilled wheelman. What to expect at the wedding: Embarrassing stories about the groom, and probably a few of the groomsmen and other guests. Possible Guns n' Roses karaoke attempt with the bride.
Ryan Hurley
Groomsman
Hometown: Honolulu, HI Years known: 15+ The History: Along with fellow groomsman Jeff, we first met as roommates in law school. Ryan practices law in Honolulu these days, and we try to get out to visit him and his wife, Rachel, as often as possible. Pros: Arguably the most well-rounded and certainly the most social of the group, Ryan has a great sense of humor and is as at home on the slopes as he is on the water. Well-above-average woodworker, waterman, and handyman. Dad to two adorable kiddos, and honored the groom by naming him godfather to his eldest (though no pinky ring has yet been provided). Cons: The only person I know who seems to eat food only for sustenance, not enjoyment. The two notable exceptions, of course, are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Girl Scout Cookies. We admire his support of both mass-produced American classics and young female entrepreneurship. True Fact: Former national champion, open-water solo outrigger canoe. What to expect at the wedding: An outgoing, talkative, and very relatable good time!
Joseph Mercer
Groomsman
Hometown: Alexandria, VA via Brookfield, CT Years known: 30+ The History: A fellow Brookfield native, has known the groom since as far back as they can remember. Although the groom does admit, and is reminded often by Joe, his memory (and most other things, honestly) ain’t what it used to be. A constant, loyal and dependable friend and source of advice, knowledge, and humor, Joe is the learned scholar of the crew. Smart, sophisticated and well-informed, with a wry comedic style. Pros: 90’s NBA and hip-hop encyclopedia, intelligent, charming, and worldly. Can talk you into just about anything. Along with partner Megan, comprises one half of what may be the most well-read household in America. Cons: Eagles fan. Excellent and enthusiastic long-distance runner. My chest burns just thinking about it. True Facts: Bumps into political heavyweights in DC seemingly all the time. Extensive and impressive collection of wines and bourbons, not to mention books. What to expect at the wedding: Classy fun, with maybe a few surprises up his sleeve - “Oh, I didn’t know he could do that” types of moments. May also be on the run from Kevin, stepfather of the groom, for having run up a sizable bar tab at Kevin’s wedding to Alice, mother of the groom, almost 20 years ago.
Mike Murphy
Groomsman
Hometown: Orlando, FL via Brookfield, CT Years known: 30+ The History: Mike is another one of the Brookfield Boys and has been there for it all. Schoolmates K-12, multi-sport teammates since back in the day. Pros: Blessed with an incredible ability to rally, Mike is always an enthusiastic participant in any get-together. Keeps his friends and family close, an avid boater and skier, and lives life to the fullest. While he may not always actively participate in the group text chains, when he drops in it’s always gold! High business acumen, with a great sense of both humor and adventure. Cons: Not a condiment guy. Like, at all. Not ranch, not mayo, not honey mustard, none of it. True Facts: Mike, a former semi-professional rugby player, was once featured in a J. Crew catalog along with his teammates and got a bespoke suit out of the deal! Attended this year’s Final Four, won by his alma mater, UConn. What to expect at the wedding: Along with Matt, an extended absence from the reception to lay down multiple parlays, spreads and money lines on the following day’s NFL games at Harvey’s and/or Harrah’s is possible, perhaps even likely. Wanna bet?
Jeff McCrary
Groomsman
Hometown: Austin, TX Years known: 15+ The History: Along with Ryan, he first met the groom as roommates in law school. Jeff and his wife, Lenti, have become the bride and groom's favorite travel partners over the years. Pros: Great girl dad to two daughters. A true Texas gentleman - yes sir, no ma’am - the whole bit. And he has the McConaughey accent. A licensed attorney in Austin, Jeff is a good man to know if you find yourself in a jam on 6th Street. Good travel buddy! Cons: Hopelessly outnumbered by those girls! Hates, and I mean HATES, soccer, but more than makes up for it by loving Ted Lasso. True Facts: LEGO Master. Big Lonesome Dove fan, even met author Larry McMurtry at a bar once. What to expect at the wedding: High-motor fun! An outgoing conversationalist with a wide range of interesting stories.
George Drake
Groomsman
Hometown: Apex, NC, by way of Chicagoland Years known: 15+ The History: First met through fellow groomsman Ryan while in law school. George and Ryan go way back to childhood, having survived The Great Potato Gun Wars of Lincoln, Illinois (which they started) in the mid-1990s. George is an employee and enthusiast of Porsche autos, and first met the groom while George was working for Porsche Beverly Hills, fixing the cars that many celebrities had mistreated. George has moved on up and is a suit now, barking orders from the Carolinas. Pros: Perhaps the most loyal and generous person at the wedding. A true shirt-off-his-back kind of guy. Good with his hands, capable, crafty and knowledgeable. Girl dad! You ever have one of those friends who just "knows stuff?" George knows stuff - history, cars, economics, all kinds of stuff. Very versatile! Cons: Hard to find one, but he does live far away and I don’t get to see him often, so let’s pin that on him! True Facts: A direct descendant of Sir Francis Drake. The only guy to answer “Who'd win in a wrestling match, Lemmy or God?” from Airheads AND “All right, pop quiz. Airport, gunman with one hostage. He's using her for cover; he's almost to a plane. You're a hundred feet away...Jack?” from Speed correctly on the first try, in the theater. What to expect at the wedding: Classic, understated confidence. A sort of masculine grace, or gravitas if you will.
Brett Nimphius
Groomsman
Hometown: Hawthorne, NY Years known: 2+ The History: The groom has gotten to know Brett as the fiance of his sister, Gabrielle. We're beyond happy to welcome him to the family, since he's a great guy and we're short on men on our side, so he helps even out the odds! We're very lucky to have gotten to know him and consider him both friend and family. Pros: First and foremost, adds another Giants fan to the family. Will find you the best speakeasies in town, loves Gabrielle more than we could ever have hoped for, good dog dad to Malek. Brett is incredibly kind, social, smart and gracious, and we'll be honored to have him as a brother in law very soon! Cons: Engaged to be married to Gabrielle, which seems an unfair sentence for such a good man. Just kidding, we think they are a great couple and wish them nothing but the very best! Yankees fan, though. True Facts: You know those people who win something and say, “Oh, my God, I never win anything!”? Well, the first raffle prize he ever won was a date with the groom’s sister, so the wait paid off! Or did it? Big fan of true crime. Broke a handful of teeth and most of the bones in his lower body playing hockey, so you can't say he's not tough! What to expect at the wedding: As much energy as the bride with as little rhythm as the groom. May also be taking a few mental notes for do's and don't's at his own upcoming wedding.