Wedding Party

Mark Thompson

Groom

Lauren Cranmer

Bride

Travis Murphy

Best Man

Travis is Mark’s cousin, but could pass as his brother. The pair met in 2002 when Mark was 12 and Travis was 7. They grew up playing backyard football and video games. Adulthood made the two even closer sharing the same hobbies, like cosmic bowling and golf. Travis asked Mark to be a groomsman in his wedding in 2020. Watching Travis prepare for marriage Mark realized that Travis would be the perfect Best Man for his wedding.

Alina Cranmer

Maid of Honor

Alina is Lauren’s older sister. Growing up, Alina was always someone Lauren wanted to be like. So much so that Lauren was the annoying little sister that you can’t escape (sorry not sorry!). Alina met Lauren in 1994 in Tampa, Florida when she was born. At 5 years old, Alina was used to being an only child and was not a fan of sharing the attention or her parents. She learned to deal with it! Lauren has known for her whole life that Alina would be her maid of honor. This position was filled long before the groom position was filled.

Nathan Easters

Groomsman

Nathan is Mark’s little brother. Mark was 6 when Nathan joined the family. Mark was so excited to have a playmate that he used to break Nathan out of the crib or sometimes even get in there with him for a nap. Now that the brothers are grown up and Nathan has his own family, the two don’t get to spend as much time together as they used to. But Mark still wanted his brother to stand with him on his special day because no amount of time passed could break their brotherly bond.

Tia Purvis

Bridesmaid

Lauren and Tia met and became friends before the MILLENNIUM when they were both living in Panama City, Panama. Tia is Lauren’s longest friend and the two have been able to see each other at least once a year for all the years they’ve known each other (with the exception of two years)! They both love the show Friends and have had many marathon sleepovers over the years. Tia is the only person that Lauren shares a matching tattoo with; a Friends tattoo, of course! At the end of the day, Tia is more family than she is just a friend.

Brandon Murphy

Groomsman

Brandon is Mark’s cousin. They met in 2002 when Mark was 12 and Brandon was 10. Mark and Brandon were very close growing up since they were so near in age. They used to play video games and little league football together. Mark used to chase Brandon with snakes and Brandon used to return the favor and chase Mark with spiders. They stayed close through school and into adulthood. Mark and Brandon see each other almost daily now, since they work for the same company. Brandon was the first of Mark’s friends and family to meet Lauren.

Victoria Connelly

Bridesmaid

Lauren and Victoria were introduced by a mutual friend the summer before 9th grade while they were both living in Stuttgart, Germany. Neither of them initially a fan of the other. They only went to the same school for one year but had formed such a bond and stayed in such good touch through high school that Lauren took her senior year spring break to visit Victoria in San Diego, California! Since then Victoria’s parents moved to the Tampa Bay Area! Lauren and Victoria get to visit together every time Victoria comes back to see her parents!

Leslie Murphy

Groomsman

Leslie is Mark’s uncle. He came into Mark’s life when Mark was 12 and ever since then has filled the role of a father-figure to Mark. Leslie taught Mark how to play football (the right way) and how to fish. He showed him a good work ethic, and how to be a good husband and dad. Now that Mark is grown up, Leslie is more than just an uncle; he is a friend.

Jacob Tovo

Bridesman

Lauren and Jacob met in the last few months of 8th grade while they were both living in Stuttgart, Germany. Jacob was the newest kid at the school Lauren had just been the new kid at in the fall. Jacob was shoved into Lauren’s Spanish class. It was towards the end of the year, so they bonded over watching Beverly Hills Ninja (with Spanish subtitles, because Spanish class) and Nerds candy. Jacob ended up moving after 9th grade, but was close enough for a visit here and there. After high school Jacob and Lauren both ended up in Tampa for college! Jacob was the first friend of Lauren’s that Mark met.

Jake Cranmer

Officiant

Jake is Lauren’s little brother. One day, before the thought of marriage was a thing for anyone, Jake joked that he was going to officiate both his sisters’ weddings. It was silly at the time, but when Lauren told Mark about it he was on board without hesitation. Lauren and Mark have known that they wanted to ask Jake to officiate their wedding years before they ever got engaged. They are so excited to have someone that they love so much marrying them! Jake will also be escorting their mom, Theresa, down the aisle on the big day!