Sarah and Samantha met at Oklahoma State in 2010 as teammates on the equestrian team. What started as a friendship grew into so much more — Sarah is now married to Brian (Samantha's oldest brother), a mom to two amazing kids, and truly the perfect addition to the Elser Clan. Samantha feels so lucky to have her as a sister-in-law and couldn’t imagine anyone better standing by her side as her matron of honor.

The Bridesmen are Samantha's brothers — from left to right: Danny, Drew, Brian, Jimmy, and Juggernaut (Doug). They have been her constants through every season of life: her protectors, her hype team, and her built-in best friends. Over the years, they have spent time teasing her, looking out for her, and making sure she never takes herself too seriously. She wouldn’t want anyone else standing by her side on the biggest day of her life.

Kevin met Scotty on April 6, 1997 at Princeton Hospital. His first impression? Small, loud, and very much a mama’s boy. Still, Kevin could already tell he had long-term upside — maybe even Best Man potential.

They were housemates from 1997–2012, teammates in 2012, and are brothers for life. Scotty went on to play baseball at Indiana University before continuing his career professionally in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

He now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he works in medical device sales (not a doctor, despite how confidently he might explain things). Through every chapter — childhood chaos, competition, and adulthood — Scotty has been a constant. There’s no one Kevin would rather have standing beside him.

Kevin met John playing rec basketball in elementary school, and by middle school they were inseparable. Teammates in both baseball and basketball, they grew up competing side by side.

On the basketball court, John was steady with the rock, owning a seasoned midrange game and an elite ability to find the open man — even when that man was Kevin, who was sometimes a little too eager to launch a three against the zone. On the diamond, the two formed what The Trentonian once called “the greatest double play combination in school history.”

Years later, they lived together in Hell’s Kitchen while Kevin was finishing his degree at Columbia. During that time, John somehow convinced his boss at PIMCO to bring Kevin in for an interview he was absolutely not qualified for. To this day, Kevin still isn’t entirely sure what a pivot table is — but John has always believed in him anyway.

Today, John lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife, Karen, and works as an Investment Operations Manager at Polar Asset Management in New York City. From rec basketball to New York City to this day, John has been steady, loyal, and firmly in Kevin’s corner — which makes him the obvious choice to stand beside him as Best Man.

Kevin met Tyler freshman year at Clemson, where their friendship began in the middle of competition and early-morning workouts. Their bond endured despite one particularly memorable moment in Chapel Hill — when Kevin assured Tyler he had room near the wall. He did. Just… not much. Tyler made the catch. The brick wall won the collision. The friendship survived.

Their paths crossed again in the Cleveland Indians organization, where they later lived together in Arizona while rehabbing shoulder surgeries. Tyler went on to play nearly a decade in the minor leagues, earning respect everywhere he went for his toughness and consistency.

Today, Tyler is the co-founder of Maven Baseball Lab in Atlanta, where he now technically serves as Kevin’s boss — yet he’s never amused when Kevin acknowledges such. From teammates to roommates to business partners, Tyler has been part of nearly every chapter of Kevin’s adult life, making him an easy choice to stand alongside him on this one.

Kevin met Steven freshman year at Clemson. Road trips quickly made them more than just teammates — they were roommates, navigating long bus rides, early games, and everything that comes with chasing something bigger.

Their time together extended to the Cape Cod League, where they made more memories than hard contact. Most notably, Steven was there the night Kevin met Samantha, making him one of the few who can say he witnessed the very beginning.

Steven went on to have an eight-year professional baseball career, including playing in the Major Leagues for the San Francisco Giants — an accomplishment that reflects the work ethic and talent Kevin saw from day one. Today, Steven lives outside Charleston, South Carolina with his wife, Bri, and their sons, Declan and Beckham.

Steven has been part of Kevin and Samantha’s story since day one, and Kevin wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kevin was teammates and roommates with Michael at Oklahoma State, where both arrived as junior college transfers coming off labrum surgery. Starting over isn’t easy — but doing it together made it manageable. At the Grove Apartments, Michael’s steadiness and maturity were often a necessary counterbalance to the environment.

After college, Michael continued his career pitching in the Miami Marlins organization, bringing the same consistency and work ethic that defined his time in Stillwater.

Today, Michael lives outside Austin, Texas with his wife, Tara, their daughter MJ, and a baby boy on the way. Years ago, Kevin gave him twelve hours’ notice and showed up for a week — where Michael introduced him to Buc-ee’s, the Alamo, and a properly “dressed” Dos Equis like a true Texan. From labrum surgeries to spontaneous cross-country visits, Michael has always been steady — and Kevin wouldn’t want this day without him.

Kevin and Donovan were teammates and roommates at Oklahoma State, living together at the Grove Apartments in Stillwater. With shared Scottish and New Jersey roots, the connection was immediate. Late nights were often spent watching Chipper Jones and Omar Vizquel highlights, debating swings, gloves, and anything else baseball-related.

Over the years, their friendship has stretched well beyond college — from celebrating at the Mertz and Theroux weddings to a summer in Scottsdale, Arizona, and most recently serving as Honorary Hoosiers for the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Every reunion feels like picking up right where they left off.

Donovan is still playing professional baseball, which unfortunately means he won’t be in attendance — but there was no scenario where he wasn’t on the groomsmen roster. And if he hits 20 homers this year, he owes Kevin a Cadillac.