Wedding Party
Taylor Hildner
Matron of Honor
Bella met Taylor the beginning of freshman year of college when they joined the same sorority. They became fast friends and lived together for 5 years. They have shared over 8 years of friendship that have included a lot of late night library trips, camping, traveling, home-cooked meals, and more. If you are lucky enough to be Taylor's friend, you will know that she will support you through anything and is a fierce protector when you need her.
John Pinion
Best Man
Rafa met John back when the youngins used Skype instead of use discord when playing video games. A year later, they happened to share APUSH, AP Lit, AP Spanish, and AP gov which eventually led to Rafa’s first concert experience and indoctrination into drum and bass and a variety of other music genres introduced by John. During college, Rafa maintained a strong relationship with John, albeit John went to GT and Rafa UGA, and through a brief time, Rafa slept on the floor of John’s bedroom at Tech so he could make enough money at a job in Atlanta while working through school. It was through listening to John’s all nighter projects at Tech that Rafa gained some understanding and “technical background” in computer programming. To this day, whenever a complex infrastructure or tech question comes up, Rafa calls up John for advisory. John’s the best free consultant Rafa has ever had!
Maggie Baenen
Bridesmaid
Bella and Maggie first met at Gracie Raleigh when Bella began training jiu jitsu at 19. It has been 8 years since then, and they have been key supports for each other on and off the mats. They have traveled to jiu jitsu tournaments together. They have learned new crafts together. They have upheld a reputation in the gym as extremely cool and funny.
Dan Newcomb
Best Man
“The ying to the yang” When Rafa moved to the states in ‘04, he started playing little league baseball on the same team as Will. Dan had happened to be attending Will’s first game when the three met. Having lived in Singapore at a young age and moving around, Dan learned to not be shy about meeting people. When Rafa coincidentally moved into their neighborhood in ‘05, Dan dragged Will into knocking on Rafa’s door at Will’s Mom’s suggestion. Because Will was one grade above the two, Dan and Rafa grew close and as young boys and competed in everything. This solidified their bond as more brotherly than friendly and they were often called the “married couple” of the school bus. As adults, the two can be very blunt and open with each other having a deep understanding of how each ticks.
Baleigh Crino
Bridesmaid
Baleigh and Bella met early on in college and became closer and closer of friends in the years after undergrad, even when Baleigh went to law school for 3 years. Bella can always count on Baleigh to listen when things are hard, watch trash reality tv anytime, and share her closet. Bella says that Baleigh is her friend with the most friends. And every single one of those friends can tell you that Baleigh cares deeply for each of them. It amazes Bella how genuine Baleigh is and how much love she has to give.
Will Priddy
Groomsman
“The mediator” If you read Dan’s description then you should know that Will and Rafa first met in little league based after Rafa first moved to the states in ‘04. You would also know that as kids, Dan was much more extroverted than Will, but because of his more reserved nature, Will has always been more “chill.” Thanks to Dan and Rafa incessantly bickering, Will had always been the voice of reason and glue of the three. On every argument and heated debate on “who had won at something,” Will was always there to mediate. Often a better listener, Dan and Rafa would come to understand why Will got married first.
Elizabeth Schwabe
Bridesmaid
Elizabeth and Bella met freshman year of high school when they both joined the lacrosse team. Elizabeth’s first words to Bella were “you must be the girl everyone thinks is me.” And they were best friends from that point on. When Elizabeth moved across the world to Sri Lanka for the remainder of high school, the two mailed each other letters and kept in constant contact. Now, they are both back in the same city, and still close friends.
Alex Wallerstein
Groomsman
“Real recognize real” At his first corporate job, Rafa worked really hard to try and be the best account manager of his company. Alex, aka Wallie, also liked to be at the top, and thankfully they were in separate departments. Having recognized each other’s work ethic, the two grew close as friends and eventually lived together. For a time, Rafa was in a rut and thanks to Wallie getting him out of the house and worrying less about work and more about life, Wallie convinced Rafa to go to his first music festival. The same music festival where he met Bella.
Sabrina Sicilia
Bridesmaid
Sabrina and Bella met in college and their friendship has only grown stronger over the years. They share a love for reading that has brought them together even through a year and half of living in different states. Sabrina never fails to make Bella laugh, she is witty and can run a bit forever. She's also a great cook. Bella is so proud of the way Sabrina has gracefully and successfully stepped into her new job as a teacher.
Adam Taylor
Groomsman
“Kind of a goofball, but a really smart goofball” Because they are family, Rafa had no choice but to like Adam and Jordan. Early in his conversations with Bella, she had expressed that family was important to her. When Rafa first met the family, her father expressed that Bella’s brothers were the real test and had they not liked Rafa, he wouldn’t be part of the family. To this day, Rafa doesn’t know what the criteria was to be accepted into the family, but he sure is glad he downloaded the chess app and “let them win.”
Mckayla Wabalas
Bridesmaid
Mckayla and Bella met part way through college when Mckayla returned from a study abroad trip. Baleigh was so excited to introduce them to each other. Bella and Mckayla have since spent countless hours together on road trips to and from music festivals. Even though their music tastes are complete opposites, it has brought them together. Mckayla has taught Bella to connect with nature and always pause to enjoy the silly little moments of life.
Jordan Taylor
Groomsman
If you read Adam’s description, then you know that Jordan and Adam had a “strict evaluation” of Rafa when they first met. As Rafa came to understand, the way to get Jordan to like him, was to talk about gambling, stocks, and the chess app. To be perfectly honest, as I write this, I don’t really know how someone couldn’t “fit in” with Adam and Jordan. I think as long as you come from a loud family, and you don’t kiss too much ass, you’ll do just fine. The Taylor’s are smart people. Don’t be fake!