Best Man
Ordinary people can't say they've had the same best friend for over 26 years and once ran a tricycle racket with that same person at the ripe old age of five. We happen to not be most people. Joe and I have been getting into trouble together since '93 with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. We spent summers on swim team together and wrestled together during the spring and summer months of middle and high school. If there's one thing to be sure of its that this best man has never failed to have my back and has always pushed me to be better than I ever knew could be. Blue, you're my boy.
Groomsman
Ben and I became friends over a game of volleyball that ended with us not being sure who's fault it was that the ball went out. It is a debate that goes on to this very day, with blame always being claimed by the other. We spent many years down at Virginia Tech, becoming brothers through Super Smash Bros, the gym, BDubs, Avatar: The Last Air Bender, and always striving to help the other one be more humble than the other person, given that they were as humble as they should be
Groomsman
This debonair man is on a mission to test run marriage and give me the run down of what to expect. Anthony and I became friends during a Youth Apostle's Silent Retreat in 2018 where we were nominated by several semi-professional sources as being the best sharing group that year. Anthony have spent many hours bonding over a shared love of board games and game nights with our other friends and he has always been willing to lend an ear when ever I need help figuring something out. You won't find a better advice giver out there!
Groomsman
What is there to say about Vinny that can't be told...IN SONG!!!! Just kidding, kinda like what Vinny does on a regular basis. My brother is the goofiest person I know and is essentially the life of the party wherever he goes. He never fails to make people laugh and has the Irish gift of gab. You'll also never meet a guy more willing to give you the shirt of his own back than this guy. He's the OG roommate and always has a funny way to spin things that are guaranteed to make you die of laughter and think about things differently. My little brother is a heck of a guy and a good friend, even if he did manage to get bigger than me.
Groomsman
My youngest but not so littlest brother. Rico has more nicknames than anyone on the planet and has more energy and will power than anybody I've ever met. I've known him for quiet a long time now but this kid never ceases to surprise me. He works harder than just about anyone I know and knows how to have fun while doing it. When he's not busy being the strong, silent type, this guy has one of the most enjoyable personalities you'll ever have the pleasure of experiencing. And yeah, we all can agree he's the cute one. This guy always makes me want to strive to be a better big brother and he's made me proud with everything he's ever accomplished.
Groomsman
You know those friends who you're so close to you can't even remember how you met? That pretty well sums up my friendship with James. I couldn't tell you how or why we became friends, but he just randomly popped up one day and has been a true bro ever since. From beers at the beach to watching the Washington Capitals play hockey, this bromance has been one for the ages. James has always been there when I needed to chat and talk things out and has been nothing but helpful and ready to give me a heavy dose of reality when the time comes for it. You won't meet a better guy this side of the Mississippi.
Groomsman
What can I say about Mitch that won't be completely apparent the moment you meet him? Mitch is just a genuinely amazing man. He and I first met down at Virginia Tech his freshmen year over a board game that quickly devolved into what can only be described as a series of freestyle campfire songs. Mitch has an incredible capacity for friendship with everyone he meets and has never let me down when I've needed him. Truly and inspiring guy that's always up for a good hangout. He's one of the greatest people you'll ever meet and will always have your back. Very proud to call him one of my best friends.
Maid of Honor
Best friend and national parks adventure partner. We met in our underclassmen year of college when we lived right across from one another. We became roommates the next year and really bonded when we both struggled through microbiology together (she definitely got the better grade). After that, we pretty much were inseparable. We’ve shared so many experiences together and have traveled the country together. I can’t wait to continue exploring more with her. Courtney will forever be my best friend and I am so happy she’s my maid of honor!
Bridesmaid
I first met Alana back over Christmas in 2016. We have both gotten to grow closer over the years through our mutual love and adoration for her younger sister Mary Kate. Alana and Bella have always been so caring for their younger sister and have really made me wish I had a younger sister to grow up with. I consider myself so fortunate that I get to gain a sister like Alana who has shown so much love for her other sister. She has always been so sweet and shown me that same kind of love and care in the time I've known her and I'm so excited to have a future sister like Alana in my life!
Bridesmaid
This is a direct quote from Bella "Rachel is beautiful and incredibly smart and takes some of the greatest pictures that I've ever seen!". When you future sister-in-law is that sweet how can you not be excited to gain a new sister? Bella and I met during the holidays in 2016 and she has been so welcoming to me, even more so when she learned Joe and I were going to be getting married. She an incredible make-up artist who knows better than anyone how to make your eye look incredible and I am so thankful to have her as a part of my future family.
Bridesmaid
Mary Kate is the most loving and sweetest little girl I have ever had the opportunity to meet. Each time I have visited Joe's house since our engagement, she has always greeted me with an incredibly happy and enthusiastic "Hey there, sister!" and it never fails to make me smile. She gives the greatest hugs and has shown me so much love since the first day I met her. I have always wanted to know what it is like to have a little sister, and knowing that I will get to have a glimpse of that with Mary Kate is so exciting! I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life getting all the Mary Kate love that I can get my hands on.
Bridesmaid
Happy, full of life, and body positivity role model are a few words to describe Anna. We met in the nutrition program our junior year of college. She is constantly teaching me about mental health and body positivity and has left a lasting impact on me with how I view food and nutrition. Anna is always the life of any party and her laugh never fails to make me laugh. Our group has kept in close touch ever since graduating and we have all made it a point to get together multiple times a year (#NUTRGang).
Bridesmaid
Alyssa and I met when we both worked at an aquatic center. We happened to also be in the same major and started our courses together junior year. She adopted me into her group of friends on our very first day of class. As an introvert, Alyssa is single handily the only reason I had a group of friends in my major (shoutout to you Alyssa). She is funny, loyal, down to earth, and chocolate obsessed. She always made us laugh with her very random remarks that had all of us tearing up from holding in our laughter during class. There is no one else I would have rather sat next to at 8 am for two years in a row.