Brady & Harley
Wedding Party
Richard Neel
Best Man
Richard is my oldest cousin on my Dad's side from the town of Redmond Oregon. Being that he is 5 years younger than me we didn't really have much in common or spend that much time together as children. But once we were both adults we quickly bonded over our love of video games and all things nerdy. I learned that Richard was a super smart guy and dang funny to boot. His love of the outdoors along with my constant nagging pushed him to come up and work for the Alaska Railroad for the summer of 2017, where we had apartments across from each other and really got close that year. Richard was there when Brady and I started dating and has approved since the beginning. In the last 7 years or so Richard has gone from my little cousin to about as close to a brother as I could have asked for.
Lily Cullers
Maid of Honor
Lily and I bonded during rehearsals for our elementary school honor band and we've been doing life together ever since. That means 15 years of love, laughs and nerdiness. She stuck by me through my weird middle school phase, still supports my Harry Potter obsession and is always down to watch an animated children's movie with me even when no one else will. Lily's got the best memes in the game, is an incredible support for all her girls and is one of the funniest people I have ever met. From sports teams in middle school to baking themed sleepovers to my wedding day, Lily is really the girl who has been with me through it all.
Evan Zaragoza
Groomsman
Becoming friends with Evan is one of my earliest memories. We were just 6 years old in our first grade class when we met. He thought my dad looked like Hulk Hogan so he wanted to be friends with me. A silly event that has led to over 25 years of friendship! Knowing Evan the longest we have the most crazy stories to share, we've grown all the way up from cute kids to dumb boys to slightly less dumb men. Evan is one of the hardest working people I've ever known and he is a true friend through and through. I was honored to stand beside him when he married his wonderful wife Rachael and I'm honored that he will stand next with me on Brady and I's special day.
Elizabeth Ray
Bridesmaid
Liz and I met sometime within the first week of college in Russell Hall, where we lived freshmen year. While I can't recall that very first meeting, I can tell you that Liz was my first friend to ever have purple hair and we bonded over watching Sherlock together. Liz was my roommate for 2 years later in college and we saw each other through all the ups and downs that life threw our way. She was my snuggle buddy when I needed a hug, my voice of reason when I got too stressed and was always willing to share a bottle of wine when that was all we really wanted. Liz and I have known each other for six years now, but sometimes I'd swear it's been forever.
Josh Leutzinger
Groomsman
Josh was an adult volunteer at the youth group I attended Sunday nights and my youth leader at the time recommended that he and I get some coffee at Jitters and hang out a bit. He felt that Josh and I would get along and he was right! Josh is a big part of why I am the man I am today. When I was 21 I fought forest fires and he was the crew boss. He really instilled in me the value of living with a purpose, with working hard and honestly and graciously, no matter what task you're assigned. We've definitely had some tough times between us, but our relationship has grown and changed so much, from a mentorship to a true adult friendship. He is super great to talk to and I would recommend doing so at our wedding.
Paige Harmon
Bridesmaid
Paige was my first friend at UGA. I met Paige when my parents and I decided to go check out my dorm (8east!) a few days early because "hey, the doors open." She is one of the hardest workers I know, is always running around making herself and the world a better place, and somehow still finds time to be a loving friend to so many. If you know Paige you know how lucky you are to get the time with her that you can. She's quirky, fun, smart and beautiful in every way. I am lucky to have her by my side on this special day.
Dylan Brann
Groomsman
Dylan met one of my other groomsmen David at film school in Los Angeles way back in 2010. He then decided to come work for the Alaska Railroad for just one summer, and he and I met on the train during that time. Several years later David and Dylan and I went on a trip to Thailand and I really got to know and enjoy him as a friend. Dylan has always been a bit older than his years. He is always content to take an early night, or go for a walk alone to the store or sit and muse for a while. However underneath his Squidward-like behavior is a kooky punk rock kid who has great advice and great jokes. We've really become very close in the last few years and I'm lucky to be able to count him as a dear friend.
Claire Lutrick
Bridesmaid
Claire is hands down one of my favorite people I've ever known. Another 8east-er, I met Claire my freshmen year of college. She is funny, adventurous, caring, and wise. While we're a little too far away from each other now, in Athens Claire was my go-to girl when I needed a weekend away, the craft beer (or cider) of our dreams, a ride home from a night out, a coffee shop chat or help writing a paper. Basically she can do it all. She's the most loyal person I know and loves seeing the people she loves be happy. This day wouldn't be complete without her.
Frank Jess
Groomsman
Frank Ryan Jess is unabashedly in my humble opinion, the best person in the world. A highschool freshman when we met, while I working for a youth program in Kalamazoo Michigan, I've gotten to watch Frank grow up into a super great guy. A man with a true love of nature and the outdoors, Frank also enjoys sensible hunting and fishing. In the last few years he has also taken up photography as a passion. All these loves he applied to the two summers he came up to work in Alaska in 2016-17 when we shared an apartment. I always love spending time with Frank, who I know will make me laugh and smile and remind me of all our inside jokes, while likely creating a few more right there and then.
zOeeeE Cown
Bridesmaid
Zoë makes my world a better place. She's goofy, likes silly TV shows, feels everything a lot and I just love her. I had the pleasure to live with Zoë for three years at UGA. We drove each other crazy and had the time of our lives, I wouldn't trade that time for anything. She let me barge in her room when I needed to talk (or to raid her closet), let me be her apartment 'mom' and sort of listened when I told her to eat her veggies, and always got me when a TV show or book made me cry. Zoë is one-of-a-kind and once you're her friend, you're in her pack for life. Fun fact: Zoë was actually present for several of Harley and I's first dates and was the first of my friends to meet him!
David Grabowski
Groomsman
A friend from all the way back in High School, David was friends with Brady from the train before we ever dated. He casually joked to me once that I should marry her, because we'd make a great match. David dreams of making it big on the silver screen, and has pursued many different paths to that goal. He founded his own production company and travels the world in the wintertime in pursuit of the next big opportunity. In the summer he is a Railroad Conductor like myself, so we get to enjoy that together. David and I enjoy being great travel buddies as well as cinema fiends. He always has a plan for the next big trip and I'm honored that one of those will be a trip to Big Lake with the rest of us this summer!
Laura Bedingfield
Bridesmaid
Laura is a sweetheart, plain and simple. She cares a lot and loves a lot and is always there for you when you need it. I met Laura freshmen year at UGA and have seen her grow so much over the last 6 years. Among other things, Laura has gone from never being on a plane to becoming a world traveler! I even had the honor of bringing her to Alaska for spring break as her first flight ever. Laura is a typical Southern belle in many ways, but she's got tricks up her sleeve that will probably keep surprising me until the end of time. Sometimes it's crazy to think about how a girl from tiny Palmer, Alaska became best friends with someone from tiny Dublin, Georgia, but I for one am glad that we did!
Paul Knapp
Groomsman and Officiant
A wonderful friend that hails from Michigan, Paul's family moved up to Alaska his freshman year of high school. Paul and I quickly bonded over our shared goofiness and extreme extrovert traits. We both loved getting a laugh out of anyone and everyone. A good guy who grew up into a great man, he and his wife adopted a lovely boy two years ago and their family is beautiful. Being a great father, husband, friend, and leader in his community doesn't stop him from enjoying nerdy board games and still engaging in some serious silliness when the time calls for it. Brady and I are very honored to have a friend that we love so much that we also want to officiate our ceremony. He will surely bring his love and charm into our special event, and we couldn't be happier he agreed to participate.
Marina Siegel
Junior Bridesmaid
Marina is the girl who made me a big sister, which has been one of the greatest honors of my life. She loves to swim and currently prefers to communicate with me via memes on Instagram, which I am happy to oblige. Marina is sarcastic, fun and sweet and great fun to be around.
Isaac Barron
Brother of the Bride
Isaac is my one and only little (6ft tall) brother. He's a perfect balance of sporty and nerdy and, whether it's basketball or chess, he's always running around from one practice to the next. When he has some spare time, you might find him playing video games, but he is also good at getting outside to hike and snowmachine. He's funny and kind, and I am really lucky to get to be his big sister.
Bailey Siegel
Junior Bridesmaid
Bailey is commonly referred to as my "mini-me," and for good reason. While there may be 12 years between us, we look the same, we talk the same and we laugh at the same silly jokes. Bailey and I both like to be creative and have been able to share that in many ways over the years (except with slime, I didn't like that). Bailey is the youngest of my siblings and the only one I have a chance of being taller than, although I think my "mini-me" will be catching up to me soon.