Abbie & Mitch
Wedding Party
Sarah Strebel
Maid of Honor
Sarah has been my best friend and partner in crime since we met freshman year of college. So many of my favorite memories have Sarah front and center because she is always along for the ride in whatever crazy, elaborate plan I've thought up. Even though we’ve been long-distance friends since graduating (but not for much longer!), she has always prioritized our friendship in such an admirable way. Sarah has shown unwavering support through all of the little and big moments, from giving me interview advice to helping me find my dream wedding dress. She’s stuck by my side since day one and now I couldn’t be more honored for her to stand beside me on my wedding day.
Jake Kennedy
Best Man
Jake and I met on the first day of 2nd grade. I had just moved to a new school and I had spent most of the morning worried about not being able to make any friends. When it was time for lunch, I was next to Jake in the bathroom and I asked him if he would come to my birthday party. The rest was history. Since then we've played hundreds of hours of Need for Speed: Most Wanted and MVP Baseball 2005, pushed Napster to its limit, jumped our bikes off of homemade ramps (to obviously bad results), and spent countless more hours doing anything and everything we could think of. There's no better friend than Jake Kennedy, and despite us living in separate cities, there's no doubt you'll catch us at a poker table with a couple cigars until we're old and Gray.
Annie Kramer
Matron of Honor
Annie and I went over 7 years at the same middle and high school without ever really crossing paths, but once we finally did during our senior year, my life got immensely more full and now she knows me better than almost anyone. I’ve never met anyone who cares about the little details as much as Annie does. She’s always the first one to wish me luck, ask me how something went, or just let me know she’s thinking about me. Needless to say, Annie has the biggest heart and has kept me grounded through every phase of life we’ve been through together. She inspires me through the way she can bring people together and I’m so lucky to call her my best friend.
Justin Price
Groomsman
Justin and I grew up competing over everything. He was the smartest kid around, a solid athlete, and a wizard at video games; all of these remain true to this day. I still remember trying to grasp math problems when I was in school, and Justin would make sure I didn't just understand how to do the problem, but why it makes sense and how it applies to all sorts of situations. He was always there to show me the right (and sometimes wrong) direction, as long as we weren't too busy fighting over the last of the milk or who would get to ride shotgun. Justin was the greatest influence to me as a child, and I wouldn't be who I am today without him helping me along the way.
Kate Ammerman
Bridesmaid
Kate and I first met freshman year while living on the same floor of HoJo, but we became friends after I invited myself to her 19th birthday party and she graciously accepted. That’s a long and funny story, but more importantly, that night started a friendship that would become one to last a lifetime. Kate and I bonded quickly over endless similarities and I swear we could have been sisters in another life. She's my go-to hype woman and I can't imagine my wedding day without her.
Austin Clinger
Groomsman
Austin and I met in our sophomore year at UNC, and the first thought was "man this guy sure has plenty of confidence." We kind of stumbled into living together for the next two years, and it was one of the most fortunate series of events of my adult life. There's probably not anyone I've spent more time with than Austin (except probably Abbie), and I just hope that if I keep up the trend that one day he can help me break 80 on the golf course.
Krista Bird
Bridesmaid
I think I spent more time with Krista in high school than almost anyone else as a result of us doing the same sports all three seasons of the school year. From long-run conversations at cross country practice to longer bus rides to Gaston County for swim meets to hyping each other up before track races, Krista has been my biggest cheerleader for as long as I can remember. She’s one of the most driven, dedicated people I’ve ever met and is the best at telling me exactly what I need to hear - I truly don’t know where I’d be without her.
Chris Cotillo
Groomsman
I first met Chris at UNC because my roommates always wanted to hang out with him, and there's no surprise why. Every third thing out of his mouth tends to make everyone laugh (though the other two things might cause you to leave the room before he gets there). Despite the rough exterior, Chris is one of the most caring, hard-working people that I know. I'm grateful to have been his roommate and friend, and I look forward to our handful of get-togethers each year, as long as there are no tree nuts or shellfish involved.
Logan Castrodale
Bridesmaid
Logan and I met freshman year of college and I can thank the 8th floor HoJo girls for bringing us together. She is one of those people I can spend days, weeks or months with and never get bored. From cleaning our shared Jack-and-Jill bathroom during senior year of college to exploring California together, I’ve realized that no matter what we’re doing, she somehow makes it more fun. Logan is one of the most easy-going people I’ve ever met and I can’t wait for many more west coast adventures with her.
Alex Davis
Groomsman
I met Alex freshman year at UNC. We lived together the following year and next door to each other in the second half of college. When he wasn't busy "studying fish", we'd hit up the disc golf course, play some pickup basketball, or hang out at McDaed St. playing Call of Duty. He also saved my life once by picking me up off my floor one summer after I threw out my back, but he might have just done that to get some extra reps in after the gym. Alex brought me into a friend group that I'm thankful to have for the rest of my life, though I wish he'd stop beating me in fantasy football…
Sarah Cheeley
Bridesmaid
Sarah was my first ever friend and the closest thing I have to a sister. We grew up on the same street and rarely left each other’s side - I still have her home phone number memorized by heart from all the times I would call asking if she could come over. Sarah helped me plan my “dream wedding” when we were 7, and about 16 years later she helped Mitch plan the most perfect proposal. Sarah is the most genuine, loyal person I know and I can’t wait for a lifetime of trips to Hilton Head together.
Chance Hamby
Groomsman
Chance and I met in high school and played baseball together for four years. We sat across from each other on the bus to away games getting half of the words wrong to whatever rap song was playing from the back of the bus, and then we'd go get an ACP at El Maguey. Chance is incredibly loyal and always there to stand by his friends. I was proud to be a groomsman at Chance's wedding, and I'm even more proud to have him up there next to me on the big day.
Kate Henderson
Bridesmaid
Kate and I go all the way back to the rec league and middle school softball days where she was hands down the funniest and friendliest out there. She was just one of those people you wanted to sit next to at school, and for good reason - some of our funniest memories were from 11th grade chemistry class. I will never forget Kate going out of her way to make me feel included when I started getting to know the group of girls who are still my best friends to this day. She’s a light in everyone’s life, the best road trip buddy and the truest friend.
Spencer Holcomb
Groomsman
Spencer and I officially met first freshman year of high school. Unofficially, we first met when I held him to just a single in 3 at bats in our 8th grade baseball playoffs. No big deal. Since then, Spencer and I have played baseball together, gone to Vegas, and spent countless nights hanging out during and after high school. Spencer is hands down the most hard-working, dedicated, driven person that I know. If I ever need to help moving heavy boxes, Spencer is the first person I'm calling, and I know he'll be there in exchange for some nice grilled chicken.
Caroline Steadman
Bridesmaid
I will always credit the Highland Creek Hurricanes neighborhood swim team for my friendship with Caroline. We became inseparable almost immediately, spending our summers driving around town with nowhere to go while laughing at everything and nothing at the same time. Caroline is someone I can talk to about absolutely anything, big or small, and she’s always listening and offering the most honest advice. She makes my life so much more fun and I know we will be best friends for life.
Conner Leonard
Groomsman
I met Conner in middle school, and we've been friends ever since. Conner would come over about 4-5 times per week to "hang out" though he really just wanted to play my drum set. Conner is about the biggest goober out there, but definitely one of the friendliest and most easy-going people I know. Whenever we get the old gang back together for a poker night at whichever house Jake is living in at the time, he never fails to bring the laughs. Everyone keep an eye out for Big Cat out on the dance floor, he needs some room for his moves.
Katie Sullivan
Bridesmaid
Katie played a big role in the story of how I became friends with the 8th floor HoJo girls after I invited myself to Kate's birthday party freshman year, so I owe her big time for that one. I am also very thankful for the outcome that night because Katie is truly one of my favorite people in the world. I feel like I can tell her anything without fear of judgment, probably because her sense of humor can make light out of just about any situation. Katie adds so much to everyone's lives and I know we'll be sitting on Sunset Beach until we're 90 (maybe I'll join her under the umbrella by then).
Justin MacMahan
Groomsman
Justin and I met late in our first year at UNC one day when I ventured down to south campus for once. If there's a more friendly and generous guy out there, I haven't met him yet. We became immediate friends despite the countless debates we've had over every topic under the sun. Justin is always ready to be the life of the party and help everyone around him have a better time.
Lauren Sullivan
Bridesmaid
My friendship with Lauren is yet another very important reason to thank the 8th floor of HoJo and Kate's 19th birthday party. We've made so many amazing memories since meeting freshman year, from sleepovers in Shortbread when I didn't want to walk back to my dorm to driving around Chapel Hill blasting Taylor Swift while taking a break from studying at the ADPi house. She has always been a voice of reason and I admire her authenticity - I am so lucky to have Lauren in my life.
Matthew Miller
Groomsman
Matt is Abbie's younger brother and my soon to be brother in law! He was very quick to welcome me when we first met, and I am extremely lucky to be able to call him family soon. I look forward to seeing him continue to grow in his career and his life, and to seeing him around Charlotte "taking it easy".