Wedding Party
Elle Auman
Maid of Honor
Hi! My name is Elle and I work at an elementary school in my city. Some of my favorite things to do are baking, writing, and spending time with my loved ones. I’ve known Abby my entire life— we’re cousins and we grew up together. I don’t think either of us could have imagined we’d be as close as we are now, and I think that’s what makes it all the better. My favorite memory with Abby, well, it’s hard to choose just one when you have 20+ years of memories, but I would have to say that it’s probably any memory of the two of us driving in the car and running errands together. We always tend to play music that’s nostalgic for us and we sing along and just goof off. I’m so excited to be there for Abby and support her through such a momentous occasion.
Bob Wiley
Best Man
Bob has the rare and singular distinction of being Sam's oldest friend. In fact, their friendship dates all the way back to a smoke-filled room at Piedmont hospital in the late 90s where the powers that be decided that Sam would be the twin with looks that are easily 19 minutes more youthful than Bob's, a stature that is (maybe?) 19 mm taller, and an enthusiasm for life that is 19x more contagious. In the 29 years that have followed that fateful day, Bob and Sam have had too many adventures to count. Still, though, some of his favorites include going on long hikes; either by themselves in places ranging from North Carolina to Hawaii, or through scouting in North Georgia and New Mexico. Today, one of Bob's favorite things to do is to give Sam a call and chat while he's in the car on a long commute home from work or while driving around his home state of Virginia and exploring local wineries. While he is incredibly excited to be celebrating the wedding of Sam and Abby with all of their beloved friends and family, Bob is most excited for the facts that Sam is getting to marry the love of his life and that he is going to get to welcome an amazing new member to the Wiley family.
J'Mia Byrd
Bridesmaid
My name is J’Mia Byrd, and I am the College and Career Readiness Coordinator with Communities In Schools of Atlanta. I’m passionate about supporting students, love all things sports, and enjoy spending time outdoors. Abby and I were next door neighbors at Clarkston High School. One of my favorite memories is from the first day of pre-planning for the 2023–2024 school year. She was having lunch in her classroom, and I invited her to join me—and from that moment on, we’ve been friends! I’m excited to celebrate Abby and Sam as they begin this exciting new chapter together; they are perfect for each other!
Will Hall
Groomsperson
I'm a Data Accuracy Specialist with CADY Studios by day and an art fiend by night. Of note, I'm in the process of crafting a doom/sludge metal album themed around turtles and am learning to sketch in a classic comic book style (in the vein of Jack Kirby and Mark Bagley, Steve Ditko and Todd MacFarlane). I met Sam in our time at Georgia Tech in the Society of Physics Students, where we spent loads of time together having grand friendship adventures. My favorite such adventure with Sam has to be our post-graduation trip to Gatlinburg with the Wiley family. I truly felt like I belonged to the group and we had a delightful time amongst gorgeous mountain scenery goofing around and enjoying companionship. With this wedding, the thing I'm most excited about is getting to see my two best friends having a big, special moment together and starting a long and happy journey of love and life.
Mandy Clement
Bridesmaid
I’m Mandy Clement and I am a project manager ☺️ I am an identical twin - which you’ll find out shortly if you explore the wedding party. The greatest joy in my life are my cats and I love to do my own nails 💅🏻 Abby and I met in high school! I can’t believe we graduated… 10 years ago… In all seriousness, I can’t believe how time has flown by - and now I’m getting ready for my high school besties wedding?!?!? Unreal 😩❤️ My favorite memory is when Abby surprised me at college our freshman year. I missed her terribly and I remember pulling into the dorm parking lot and I saw her car!! I called Maddy (my twin sister and also roommate - yes we are that stereotype) and told her I saw Abby’s car in the parking lot. She gaslit me - I mean, Abby is hours away, why would she be here?? I walked through the dorm and she popped out the corner and I literally screeched and fell to my knees like the obnoxious girl I was. She stayed the weekend and it was such a magical time - and a memory I look back on such great fondness. She got me good! And it was such a special surprise. ❤️ I’m so excited for the day itself. I can’t wait to get up that morning and get ready with the bridal party and just be witness to what I know will be such a beautiful day. That and the dance floor - as our Lord and Savior Shakira testified - “I’m on tonight and these hips don’t lie” and I’m ready to show my party moves 💃
Maddy Clement
Bridesmaid
Heyo, the name’s Maddy! When I’m not at a desk as a graphic designer, I love playing video games. I’m also a ✨ cryptid connoisseur ✨, with my fav being Mothman. So much so that my sister and I visit the Mothman Festival every year. 😆It’s hard to believe that I’ve known Abby since high school, it’s crazy to think how much time has passed since then. 😂 I vividly remember meeting her for the first time in our high school’s gym, where my sister and I were at a basketball game of some kind for some kind of school benefit. Who knew that moment would be the beginning of our journey together as friends. 🥰 Picking one favorite memory is hard when you’ve known Abby for as long as I have. 🤣 From sleep overs, to pool parties, to school field trips, I have a lot of memories at my disposal to choose from. But if I had to pick just one memory, it would be the time she and I went to Build-a-Bear. We both made the same unicorns and since the store we went to had a broken printer, we got a photo strip done at one of the booths in the mall and wrote on the back of them for the unicorn’s birth certificates. I’m most excited to not only see how happy Abby is on that day, but also to enjoy the place she’s getting married at. I’ve seen a few pictures at this point, but I think the gorgeous scenery, coupled with the, you guessed it, happy couple will make for such a wonderful experience all around. ☺️
Sailor Stevens
Bridesmaid
Sailor Stevens is a chemist-turned-teacher who lives in ATL and loves to craft. She met Abby through Sam (who she met in GT choirs) and they’ve become fast friends! Her favorite memory with Abby is from New Year’s, when they frolicked around late at night in the big field in Franklin. She’s so incredibly excited for this wedding, especially for the music and doughnuts!!
Rusty Yates
Groomsman
I like long walks in the mountains and pretending I’m a mountain goat climbing up the side of cliff faces. I love playing sand Volleyball with old farts in the warmer months and playing pickleball in the winter. I am down for spontaneous road trips to the mountains. Magic the gathering is a cool game to play with the homies. Sam and I share a passion of Shrimp and uranium glass collections that glow under blacklights. I met Sam when he was shorter than he is now. High school and Boy Scouts brought us together in our teen years; then games and friends brought us back together again after college. Sam has always loved the particulars of board game rules and has had talent for music since the early days of our youth. Sam, being the generous person he is, let me borrow his kilt for our friend’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor so we could match outfits. On more than one occasion , we played billiards in his parent’s basement and hit the ceiling too many times with the cue sticks. On another occasion, we put mostly cut grapes and marshmallows into his parent’s microwave (Google the results of these experiments for a laugh!). Other times, we watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail in the basement and played 8-person Risk games where I lost before my first turn. Even as an adult, I still look forward to nights of nights of games and shenanigans with Sam. I am exited to dance with all of you guys! You better come dance with me, or I’ll come dancing with you (yes, this is a threat).
Thomas Mckean
Groomsman
Thomas is an Environmental Consultant by day and board game and Magic: the Gathering enthusiast pretty much whenever he can get away with it. He met Sam way back in middle school in Boy Scouts, and ever after they've shared hobbies and friendship. Thomas's favorite memory of Sam is getting snowed at Sam's house with fellow groomsmen Rusty and Bob - the four of them got up to all manner of shenanigans over the course of a week. He's beyond excited for Sam and Abby's wedding in May, and to celebrate them and the love they share together.
Miles Wester
Bridesman
Hi my name is Miles. Im a certified American Sign Language Interpreter making my way through NC's school systems in my area. If Im not working I like playing board/ card games, crocheting, doing artsy things, or reading. My favorite memory with Abby is when we stayed up all night in college (one of many) then went to the closest starbucks in Gaffney and raced back to campus to climb the football stadium and watch the sunrise. I am most excited just to celebrate Sam and Abby's happiness together!
Kevin Carothers
Groomsman
My name is Kevin and I'm a biomedical engineer and fellow pipe band nerd like our dear couple. My wife and I live on the west coasts where she works in museums like Indian Jones, I play pipes, occasionally sail on tall ships and also somehow try to go to grad school while also holding down a full time job. Not sure how that one is supposed to work out. I met Sam online in a bagpipe discord channel and then in person when we BATTLED TO THE DEATH in bagpipe solos at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in 2022. We bonded over nerdy bagpipe topics (piobaireachd gang wut wut) and data handling projects. In the worst of the COVID19 Pandemic lockdowns, Sam and I would spend long nights chatting for hours about the intricacies of piobaireachd and composing challenging medleys. From the start, Sam has felt like a friend I've had for decades and I'm so honored to stand beside him and Abby on their wedding day. I can't wait to meet the family and friends who made Sam the weirdo/wonderful person he is today. Every moment I get to spend with Abby makes me happier and happier for their future together. It's such a joy to be part of this celebration of their love!
Kayla Ebright
Bridesmaid
Hi, I’m Kayla! I’m currently a data engineer at IBM, and when I’m not at work, I love spending time with my very spoiled cat, Piper, and exploring Virginia’s wineries. I’ve visited more than 50 so far, so I think it’s safe to say I’m officially a Virginia wine enthusiast! One of my favorite memories with Abby was our day out together last December when Bob and I were in town. It was so much fun to catch up, explore all her favorite Atlanta spots, and spend some quality time together outside of the usual family gatherings. I’m beyond thrilled that Abby and Sam found each other, and I can’t wait for all the upcoming wedding celebrations! I’m so excited for everything about the wedding day. I know it’s going to be so special and perfectly “Abby and Sam,” with all the personal touches that reflect your love story. Most of all, I can’t wait to officially gain a sister!
