The following people have been great friends and ultimately a great support system for us through all stages of our lives. There may be some unfamiliar faces from the multiple networks of families and friends at the wedding and reception, so we’d like to give a little background on each of them explaining who they are, how they’ve impacted our lives, and hopefully open up a few icebreakers should you cross paths with them on the big day.
Amy Harshman: Maid of Honor
Amy and I are fortunate to have of one those rare friendships that has stood the test of time. Our families are old friends, so we have known each other our entire lives. Through all the ups and downs, I have always been able to count on her. Amy is one of the most dedicated women I know and always willing to lend a helping hand. She currently resides on Key Biscayne, FL.
Eric Nebelung: Best Man
The first of a handful of fraternity brothers of the group, we met our freshman year at Purdue and grew our friendship through being in the same major and especially from our time living together our last year on campus. Eric’s a great guy and an even better friend. Even as graduation put us halfway across the country, I’m grateful for the amount we’ve kept in touch. Eric currently lives in Stamford, CT with the wonderful bridesmaid , Ellen Schuerger.
Sara Pecina: Bridesmaid
As sisters, Sara and I have had to opportunity to go on all types of exciting adventures all over the world. Though vastly different in some ways, our love of Disney, dance, Harry Potter, and travel has always kept our relationship strong. Sara is courageous and quite simply the most determined individual I have ever known. She will be moving to Rome, GA next month for an exciting job opportunity.
Blake Anderson: Groomsman
Blake and I met our freshman year through pledgeship and we quickly became close friends. Blake took a slightly different path in college through co-ops that put him in Georgia roughly half the time we were at school, and we lived together nearly every semester he was on campus. He’s been a great friend over the years and always knows how to have a good time. Blake currently resides in Chicago, IL.
Ellen Schuerger: Bridesmaid
Amy introduced Ellen (a fellow Boilermaker) and I the summer of 2011 at Purdue, and our friendship has grown exponentially over the years. We have always found the proper way to celebrate any occasion, and it has been a blast along the way. Ellen is such a vibrant human being as well as someone I can always count on for a listening ear or advice. She currently lives in Stamford, CT with the best man whom I’m eternally grateful for introducing Brandon and me.
Colby Burdick: Groomsman
Colby is my older brother and has been a part of my support system for my entire life. Colby is one of the most patient people I know. From what I’m told about the type of child I was, I’m sure fortunate he put up with me! Colby lives in Decatur, IL and is an avid golfer (he even coaches at the high school level where we attended in Mt. Zion) who is always good for a pointer or two when I need it!
Amanda DeVary: Bridesmaid
Amanda (or Mandi as I remain to call her) entered my life in elementary school at auditions for a musical. We quickly became close friends and did practically everything together over the next decade; learning countless life lessons along the way. Amanda is very knowledgeable about food and wine and exceptionally creative. She currently lives in Indianapolis, IN..
Cory Brown: Groomsman
Cory and I have been friends since grade school, and growing up together, playing the same sports, and sharing many common interests, we’ve become great friends over the years. Cory currently resides in Shelbyville, IL (a short drive from Decatur) where he’s a partner of an accounting firm. On just about a weekly basis, we take every chance we get to catch a game, hit the golf course, or just meet for dinner and drinks.
Nicole Weber: Bridesmaid
Growing up down the street from one and other, Nicole (or Nicki to me) and I both attended Northwestern and faced all the awkward teen years together as great friends. Our shameless love of Hacienda and catchy pop songs has always kept us close. Nicole is beyond crafty on projects of all sizes and is also one of the most caring women out there. She currently is finishing up a home renovation project in Indianapolis, IN.
Dalton Geisler: Groomsman
Dalton and I go back to middle school days, though we didn’t really connect until high school and even more so during and after our college years. Dalton is a very large part of both Laura and I’s lives, whether it’s going to dinner or wing night, or spending some time on the links. I truly value our friendship and the amount of time we’re able to spend together. Dalton currently lives in Decatur, IL where he is a Pharmacist
Paige Umphred: Bridesmaid
As a fellow Purdue goer, we met our freshman year within the walls of Delta Zeta (our sorority). There, we lived together a couple of semesters wreaking the natural havoc of college students, having just the right amount of fun all along the way. Paige is well-versed and always inordinately considerate of others. She currently resides in Chicago, IL.
Jordan Fortner: Groomsman
Outside of my brother, I have probably known Jordan the longest out of the entire bunch. Jordan also has an older brother the same age as Colby, which meant we would typically terrorize any sporting event of theirs growing up to keep ourselves entertained. Through growing up in the same classes, playing the same sports, and periodically catching up now that Jordan is living in Fort Branch, IN; he’s been a great friend of mine for the vast majority of my life.
Alex Crocker: Usher
Alex and Laura grew up in the same neighborhood and attended both Northwestern (grade school through high school) and Purdue University together. Having known each other for years, they became roommates during Laura's final year at college. Alex is someone you can always depend on as well at the first to get out on the dance floor. He’s currently living in Kokomo, IN.
Jim Schopmeyer: Usher
Jim is actually the first person I met while at Purdue. Before we enrolled, Jim, both of our dads, and I happened to sit next to each other and made small talk during our freshman orientation. The fact we reconnected through the same fraternity at a school as large as Purdue is a “small world” scenario that we like to look back on from time to time. Jim is living in Nashville, TN.
Tom Pagnotta: Usher
Tom is also a fellow fraternity brother, and he (along with Blake) actually met Laura roughly around the same time that he and I met. Tom also took a path less traveled through college by spending a semester abroad studying in Italy. He’s been a great friend to me for as long as we’ve known eachother, and though we’ve spent the majority of our friendship with a lot of miles between us (Tom currently lives in Bronx, NY), I’m fortunate that we’ve kept in touch and are able to see each other at least once a year.