Meet us tonight in Atlantic City...
Wedding Party
Megan "BFFL" Schwartz
Matron of Honor
From the day Began was christened at NJ Books while Becca was in grad school at Rutgers-Newark, they were inseparable. Even after a "disagreement" in the McGovern's bathroom, it has been nearly 20 years of Kenny Chesney and the Murphys, avoiding central booking, lying about where we were spending spring break, battleshots, and roadtrips between Albany, Boston, Jersey, Long Island and Virginia. I think it's time for some naglebombs.
Jackson Grom
Best Man
In April 2013 Tom’s new best friend was born, and from the moment Tom and Becca got engaged they knew there was only one guy that could handle this job.
Corinne Rowe
Bridesmaid
Through 2 iterations of the Long Island Three Musketeers, the OG Mets and Islanders Fan Friend, whose relationship went to the next level after walking around Brooklyn with greasy popcorn-bucket-hair. Late nights, smoking out back and Long Island debauchery is the name of the game set to a soundtrack of Fall Out Boy.
Jason Wood
Groomsman
Who would have thought back in 1997 that a USA Hockey Magazine would forge a 25 year friendship. The Godfather’s of Bloomingdale hockey (1998 Champs!) and Two Dope Boyz in a Cadillac. Whether it be Orlando, college football trips, Pro Bowl weekend at the Bud Light Hotel, Living Room Parties, the Lumsden Crawl or any other place where you can find sports and beers…..the stories are many, the details are foggy, but the one constant is the J-Man (shout out Dad) has always been there. SOCIAL!
Melissa Anderson
Bridesmaid
Becca's cousin and lifeline through many of the trials and tribulations, including living in a house with 4 adults and 8 kids. This prepared us for the stress of hoping a bomb on a bus doesn't go off if it goes below 55mph and Roberito attempting to pull an early 90s version of sliding into the DMs. Being 3 months apart, our 12th birthdays saw sister gifts - first, a pair of tickets for what was supposed to be our first concert (Smashing Pumpkins at the Richmond Coliseum), get replaced by the pair of tickets to see Beck at the Arthur Ashe Center thanks to Billy Corgan's strep throat. As an adult, Melissa's Brooklyn couch was a frequent stop for Becca on her Albany adventure.
Kevin Grom
Groomsman
Tom’s cousin who also holds the title of longest reigning friend (having a 3 year head start will get you there pretty easily). The memories shared are countless, but you can guarantee they all revolve around Star Wars, 80s music, comedy and/or the goddamn Jets. Once saw their lives flash before their eyes sitting in an emptying Giants Stadium and watching a father put his hands on his son’s shoulders and utter the words “they’ll always break your heart”. THE BIG YELLOW ONE IS THE SUN.
Drea Goode
Bridesmaid
A sister-wife bond that began when Drea was in need of sunscreen before heading to Wrigley for the Mets game. We broke in Drea and Miles' Brooklyn home with Zombie Jesus Brunch, fireworks and opening day - an event that led to Becca basically becoming a part time resident. The April to Becca's Leslie, Drea was always one to offer her home to host Galentine's Day (which begat Palentine's Day) to the ladies' Christmas gatherings (which begat full coed parties), and the one to offer to shank someone as needed. Tom will always be on the top of the shank list.
TJ Grom
Groomsman
Tom's cousin and lifelong (at least since TJ was born) friend. Although TJ was only 6 when Tom moved to Florida, they have not only remained, but also grown closer as the years have gone by. Even after Tom convinced TJ that the Aerosmith Rock n Roller Coster couldn’t go upside down because it’s inside. For the better part of 10 years TJ’s basement apartment was Tom’s hotel on trips back to NJ, where many laughs, beers and Biancamano sandwiches were shared. DID YA?!?
Caitlin Buthmann
Bridesmaid
The third member of the Long Island Three Musketeers, and the party began as her and Becca did shots after work to celebrate the announcement of Mike Piazza's Hall of Fame induction. Concerts and Friday happy hour staples were high up there in the repertoire, but sleeping on the floor of Penn Station was definitely a low point for Caitlin.
Michael Grom
Groomsman
Tom’s cousin and preverbal thorn in his side. After “growing up” together in the 3 years that Tom lived in Freehold, NJ, adulthood has reconnected their bond through Bruce, craft beers, Devils/Rangers hatred, Tottenham Hotspur, and gambling (allegedly). Thanks to Michael, Tom is an approximately 57 time Royal Rumble champion, a streak that may never be broken. We’re all lucky that Michael is able to join us for this day, as he is a heat stroke survivor and managed to avoid dem gatas. For a good laugh, ask Michael about that time he met Becca and Tom in Brooklyn.
Kristine Blacknick
Bridesmaid
The one who Becca disappeared with on a seven-day cruise the day after she and Tom met. Hands down the best travel buddy. Sloths and monkeys and ziplines - oh my! Parade days just ain't the same. Too bad the last memory of drinking around Woodside was Becca's apartment flooding.
Mike Black
Groomsman
Tom’s friend for over 20 years, which is impressive considering the first time they met Tom was dressed as a bagel alongside the busiest road in Brandon, FL. As the years passed, I guarantee you’ll never find more epic pool volleyball games than those that celebrated Mike’s birthday in the early to mid-2000s. From Hooters to the Dallas Bull to Spring Training road trips to Wrestling to USF games, Mike was Uber before there was Uber because he found great humor in driving Tom (and Chip’s) drunk (allegedly) asses around….this giving birth to “The Joker”. Always remember, it’s all a rib, so don’t let yourself get worked into a shoot by a bunch of marks.
Ashley Hall
Bridesmaid
Literally Becca's oldest friend after they survived high school in Chesterfield County. Tailgates and Tech road trips, to getting handcuffed to the truck at the race, Richmond adventures just kept coming back around. Who do you think you are? Conway Twitty?
Chip Burnett
Groomsman
Tom’s friend for over 20 years, and Chip is still mad at Tom for not wrecking the Isuzu truck for the insurance money back in 1999. Tom and Chip should probably own a Hooters franchise after all the time and money spent there from 1999-2005, but the memories and bonds of friendship will have to do. From Friday nights at the bowling alley to the Dallas Bull to Spring Training road trips to USF games (you can see the theme here for Tom, Chip and Mike) you could find Tom and Chip somewhere with a Bud Light in hand. Hey Chip, wanna go to Ale House and watch the Syracuse game?
Evan Wynn
Bridesman
From closing everything down after post-game Saturdays to Shea Bridge Sundays, there is no one else Becca would want to walk her down the aisle. From crashing on the same couches and changing in cars on Sunday morning, to getting white girl wasted in Becca's kitchen after Ev hopped a surprise flight, the adventures never cease. Shots? Shoes optional.
Noel Grom
Groomswoman
Tom’s sister. Hahaha, just kidding. When you spend a lifetime growing up together the memories are infinite. Through them all, Noel has been there. As with all siblings there will be bumps in the road and not all memories are the best, but they will always be overshadowed by the good. Summers down the shore, playing every sport imaginable in the living room, Disney, Bruce and MeatLoaf concerts, Howl at the Moon, Nuber, USF games, Devils games, Mets Spring Training trips (more on that in a minute)…..so much has been done together. As noted in our story, Noel being there played a role in Tom and Becca meeting and bringing us all to this day. Hey DJ, play “Yellow Submarine”!