Wedding Party

Abbey Riddick

Bride

Elizabeth Atwell

Bride

Yvonne Cappel-Vickery

Abigail's Wedding Party

Yvonne and Abbey became fast friends when they were 11, and they’ve kept that same rambunctious, cackling adolescent spirit in their shenanigans to this day. It wouldn’t be surprising to find her donning pearls and shrimpin’ boots in one go, blending class and grit with ease. Whether it’s in her mama’s kitchen, a dance floor in Europe, or a beach in Colombia, Yvonne knows how to make you feel at home anywhere in the world.

Elaine Atwell

Elizabeth's Wedding Party

Elaine has been Elizabeth's best friend since the day she was born. Elaine is an accomplished writer and song-writer, and an autodidact with a penchant for esoteric knowledge about archeology, history, politics and pop culture. To this day, Elaine insists that she is the taller sister and better ping-pong player - both of which are up for debate, and will remain so for the rest of time. Elaine recently celebrated her own wedding to the lovely Gayle Schwartzberg.

Mary Day

Abigail's Wedding Party, Reception MC!

Mary’s brilliance transforms everything she touches into gold - whether it’s running her small business, hosting the parade cam during Mardi Gras, performing stand up, or showing up for the people she loves. Mary has been one of Abbey’s best friends since elementary school, and will be the best reception MC ever seen on this side of the Mississippi. Ask Mary about: how to fight fast fashion, why the Met Gala is such great comedy.

Kris Austin Abrams

Bridesman

Kris is the man about town in Durham - always out and about, learning, trying something new, and making friends. Kris came into Abbey and Elizabeth's lives back in 2022 and they've developed a beautiful friendship since. Kris lives with his amazing partner Rachael and their two cats. He is currently working on turning his passion for photography into a career. Ask Kris about: swords, costuming, photography or heel dancing.

Erin Chelberg

Abigail's Wedding Party

Erin and Abbey met through their high school drama club, where they captured everyone’s hearts through dazzling stage performances (including a rendition of The Miracle Worker that they would now be cancelled for). Erin has many formidable qualities: the singing voice it takes to rock out to Aretha Franklin, the skill it takes to be an effective nurse, and the dedication, love and care it takes to be an excellent friend.

Ellie Angarame

Bridesmaid

Ellie lives in New Haven, Connecticut where she aspires to a life split between farming and go-go dancing. Ellie and Elizabeth love to adventure together, like backpacking in Iceland and bopping around Budapest, where Ellie charms the locals with her kindness and curiosity. Ellie is a dedicated and compassionate friend, and Elizabeth is looking forward to receiving letters in Ellie's stunningly beautiful handwriting until they are old biddies. Ask Ellie about: kick-boxing, farming, or how to talk to strangers.

Terra Durio

Abigail's Wedding Party

Hailing from Cajun Country, Terra has made her home in NOLA, where she became close friends with Abbey. Notable points on Terra’s resumé include writing for Antigravity Magazine and a variety of questionable tech companies, and hanging out with Mongolian eagle hunters while with Peace Corps. She'll have to leave her jungle of houseplants for the wedding, but she's decided it's worth it!

Ellie Bomstein

Elizabeth's Wedding Party

It's possible that Elizabeth spends more time talking to Ellie than she does her own fiancée. That's because Ellie has the distinct honor of not only being one of Elizabeth's dearest friends, but her business partner and long-time colleague. If you want to get Ellie talking, just ask her about: food systems, cooking, skiing, backpacking, or how to choose the perfect outfit for any occasion.

Domenica Fouchi

Abigail's Wedding Party

Growing up together, Domenica and Abbey felt more like sisters than cousins. Domenica embodies a unique balance of gentleness, grit, humor, wisdom, lightheartedness, and overall badassery. She’s deployed this year with the National Guard in Kuwait but will hurry home in time for her favorite couple to get hitched.

Heather Hall

Elizabeth’s Wedding Party

Heather Hall is a talented multi-disciplinary artist, musician, and gardener. Heather grew up in Wilmington, NC, lived in New Orleans, and now calls Hillsborough home - where she lives with her husband Ryan, cat Gangster, and much-beloved dog Reuben. She is a dear friend of both Abbey and Elizabeth and is an honorary Atwell. Ask Heather about: puppetry or how to take care of your plants.

Maka Fouchi

Abigail's Wedding Party

Maka is not only Abbey’s cousin, she is her first and oldest friend. Technically, she was born first, so Maka will forever carry the mantle as the wiser, cooler one. She loves to learn and share her knowledge about plants and gardening, alternative medicines and writing poetry on the fly at local fairs. She’s thrilled to bring her partner and two sons to North Carolina this September to celebrate!

Jesi Harris

Elizabeth's Wedding Party

Elizabeth met Jesi at a party in Carrboro over a conversation about Nina Simone and wanting to get into cycling. They grew their friendship, riding bikes up and down the hills of the Piedmont. Jesi moved to L.A. to charm all of the queers in west Hollywood with her brilliance, wit, humor, and motorcycle. Still, she gets to join Elizabeth for the occasional adventure, and even kicked-off Elizabeth's thru-hike of the PCT. Ask Jesi about: bike-friendly city planning or evolutionary psychology.

Meagan Lanier

Abigail's Wedding Party

A loving and devoted friend, adventurous world traveler, and mysteriously riveting frontwoman to a local shoegaze band ... the only downside to Meagan is she has really bad allergies and can never pet your dog. (Or cat. Or rabbit. Maybe your iguana?) Meagan will be traveling all the way from her new (temporary, damn it!) home in San Fran for the big day.

Kelly Knapp

Elizabeth's Wedding Party

Kelly has the unique honor as a Bestie to Both Brides since they were 19 years old and met at a Feminist Student United meeting in college. Kelly is good at everything: cooking, baking, sewing, songwriting, making art; Kelly does it all with grace and style. This wedding is surreal and serendipitous for her, as her two best friends tie the knot! Ask Kelly about: thrifting your style or Happy Dolly Diva Movie Club or The Bachelor.

Ren Pollen-Browning

Abigail's Wedding Party

Ren has been a close friend of Abbey’s ever since they started at the same Wilmington high school midway through the year, and despite people thinking that must have meant she’s also from New Orleans (cough - Erin), she’s a born n bred North Carolinian. As Pittsboro's finest bar maid, Ren knows how to talk to just about anybody and is always down to catch up on some good gossip. She’s a silly, empathetic, curious and genuine friend.

Becca Novak

Elizabeth's Wedding Party

Tink and Elizabeth met up on a mountain pass on the PCT and liked each other so much they decided to hike hundreds of miles together. Tink lives in Oakland, California and is always up to some kind of adventure - backpacking or exploring the best the Bay Area has to offer. Ask Tink about: training for a marathon, what it means to be “ultralight”, or the show Survivor.

Karen Brown

Officiant

Karen has been an honorary Atwell for the last quarter century. She currently lives in Boone, North Carolina but is often down in the Triangle and at many an Atwell function. You can often find her kayaking, hiking, traveling, or out on an adventure. Speaking of, she just welcomed her first grandbaby into the world and is excited for an excuse to make frequent trips to Hawaii to visit. Ask Karen about: astrology, Gestalt therapy.

Bela

Best Pup

Abbey & Elizabeth’s fur baby! Béla became a part of the family as a wee 8 week old babe, and now none of them can remember what it was like before they were all together. Béla (pronounced Bay-la) enjoys being outside, cuddling on the couch, splashing in puddles, and munching on apples. He doesn’t know what a wedding is, but he’s looking forward to it regardless.