Désirée & Brian
Wedding Party
Desiree Dixon
Bride
I graduated in 2020 from the University of Virginia with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I currently work as a Neonatal ICU nurse at Stafford Hospital, and am pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing degree at Georgetown University, with a concentration in Women's Health. I enjoy horse-riding, baking, Harry Potter, and cuddling with our two dogs, Louie and Henrietta (and of course Brian too!)
Brian Neumann
Groom
I grew up in South Carolina and earned my PhD in American History from UVA in 2020. I work as the Managing Director of the Nau Civil War Center at UVA, and I'm publishing my first book with LSU Press in early 2022. I love running, hiking, traveling, and reading classic literature. And I love sharing those passions - and my life - with Desiree. I'm so excited for a lifetime of more adventures!
Marisa Cox
Matron of Honor
Desiree and I met in 2012 in high school and quickly became friends that year. I had no idea then, the friendship that we would have now. Since we became friends, we've enjoyed many Buffalo Wild Wings dates, girl's nights, Mamma Mia and Phantom of the Opera movie nights, graduations, engagements, and now, Desiree and Brian's wedding! Desiree is the most loyal friend anyone could ask for and I am so excited to stand next to her as she says "I do" to the love of her life!
Ann-Marie Morgan
Bridesmaid
I met Desiree during nursing school and we formed a strong bond through class, projects, and clinicals. We've supported each other through the craziness of life and becoming nurses, and I couldn't imagine my life without her. I'm so honored to be standing by her on her wedding day!
Reanna Panagides
Bridesmaid
Desiree and I met during our second year of college when we decided to work together on a group project. Since then, our friendship has survived nursing school, new jobs, new boys, and even a pandemic! I am grateful to be celebrating such a happy day for Desiree and Brian!
Delaney Willingham
Bridesmaid
Desiree and I have been friends for almost ten years. We met in eighth grade in a Latin class that, for some reason, we both decided was a good idea to take! We bonded over our frustration for the class and she has been my best friend ever since. Some of my favorite memories are of homeroom that year, where we would plan our weddings all the way down to the centerpieces and had whole Pinterest pages filled with ideas! Now we've grown up and I get to be part of her special day!
Chris Halsted
Best Man
I met Brian on a visiting student weekend before our first year of grad school. We agreed to live together, which we did for three years. We quickly became Official Best Friends (tm) based on our mutual love of history, the West Wing, and late night conversations about feelings. It is a testament to our friendship that Brian at no point during our roommateship, which I spent cluttering our house with misplaced books, socks, and assorted detritus, tried to make me sleep in the backyard.
Clayton Butler
Groomsman
I am a postdoc at the Nau Center at the University of Virginia. Brian and I met in graduate school, where we shared an advisor and took several classes together. Our mutual love of history, baseball, Lord of the Rings, and general unapologetic nerdiness (what gave it away?) made us fast friends. Being with Brian to see the final out of the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series victory is one of my best memories.
Skyler Moon
Groomsman
I'm from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and met Brian my first year of college at the University of Virginia when I joined Club Running. The only thing faster than our long run pace was how quickly he became one of my closest friends. Brian is one of the best training partners and friends I could have ever hoped to have. He has always inspired me to be a better runner and person, and I am so honored to be a part of his wedding.
Ryan Torbic
Groomsman
My first year at the University of Virginia, I met Brian and he quickly became one of my oldest friends (pun intended). From road trips to long runs to countless game nights, Brian's kind soul, good humor, and incessant history facts have made every moment knowing him a joy. He's been one of the best running partners I've ever had (and if the traits needed to be a good husband are anything similar to those needed to run 15 miles and still remain good-natured, he'll excel at that as well). I'm so thrilled for him and Desiree and wish them both the best!
Edward Morgan
Usher
I consider Desiree and Brian to be two of my closest friends and I am so happy to see them start their life together! When Desiree and Brian first met during the pandemic, Desiree would come down to Charlottesville to go on dates, and she would stay with me and Ann-Marie. Because of that, I've been lucky enough to see their relationship grow firsthand. It was so special to have them be a part of my and Ann-Marie's wedding (Brian as the officiant, Desiree as a bridesmaid), and I'm excited to see them tie the knot!
William Edmisten
Usher
I first met Desiree and Brian at a home movie showing of Lord of the Rings. From that day forward we have shared many great memories together. Perhaps the most memorable was driving Desiree to her first shift off orientation, after both her and Brian's cars got stuck in a snowstorm. I'm grateful to be friends with this lovely couple (and their adorable dogs). Wishing them the best!