Wedding Party
Rebecca McGown
Matron of Honor/Bride Escort
Of all the places she could have gone, Rebecca decided to work with the Kent State Orchestra and unknowingly influence the life of Carmen. This relationship was an easy one to start because of the admiration both her and Carmen share over the Horn. She even played on Carmen's senior recital! They encourage one another emotionally and professionally and Carmen is so thankful to have Rebecca walk her down the aisle.
Chris King
Best Man
Oh Chris King. What a special guy. Chris and Bill met through music school at Youngstown State University. Everything from travelling hours to visit each other to living together for a few years, their friendship has been there for quite some time (almost 14 years at the time of the wedding!); even if Bill drives about an hour to come to Chris' apartment for him to only be sleeping and leaving Bill stranded outside. Hopefully that Chris will be awake for the wedding (and everything that will be accompanying it) so that we are not stranded through this entire process! #chriskingsucks
Katie Richter
Bridesmaid
The better, younger Richter sibling, this bridesmaid is excited to add a sister to her family. The bride and her bond by spamming each other with cat TikTok videos.
Zack Morrow
Groomsman
Bill and Zack met in Indiana, PA at Noble Stein Brewing. While Zack is the owner, Bill was just a regular! During this time, they got to know each other fairly well. During the summer of 2019, Bill received a text message from Zack (which was a bit odd as it hadn't ever actually happened before) and was offered a job to bartend at Noble Stein! Zack's humor is also fantastic (and sometimes accidental). During the summer prior to Bill's move to Morgantown, a bunch of people were hanging out behind Noble Stein having a beer share and Carmen commented on Zack's sock/shoe tan line. Zack responds by lifting his 5" inseam shorts and saying "these tan lines!?"
Karen Clark
Bridesmaid
She kept a neonatal kitten alive until the bride could come pick it up. Carmen was moved by Karen's big heart and all the effort she put towards keeping this baby kitten alive. Soon after, the bride texted her asking to be friends, to which Karen replied she was just thinking the same thing. They bonded over true crime podcasts, beer, and smashing the patriarchy.
Zach Clark
Groomsman
Originally, Zach and Bill had no real way of meeting! The first "introduction" was shortly after Bill moved to Indiana, PA. Bill was looking around on the Untappd app and saw someone named Zach checking in a lot of interesting beers. Bill thought that this was actually Zack Morrow, but it was not at all! Instead, he got to make a new friend (through Karen) once he started to work at Noble Stein Brewing. Bill and Zach continue to hang out regularly in both Morgantown and Indiana. They have both bonded over the fact that Carmen likes to repeatedly reject both of their love. *sadness...*
Josh Thomas
Bridesman
As you can tell by the pattern, people either have to tell Carmen repeatedly they want her affection or she smooshes it all on them. This is the case of smooshing. The bride made Josh play duets with her and they talked about podcasts, got to know each other, and forgot about the duets for most of the time. During their times in orchestra when Carmen sat next to Josh, he dealt with her harassing humor like a pro. They continued to bond over mutual weirdness, stress, and goji berries.
Richie Dickinson
Groomsman
Richie is another that met Bill at the start of music school (specifically with marching band!). At this point, we know that Bill and Chris lived together... Richie lived with them as well! He used to drive to Kent to visit Bill every Sunday after Bill left Youngstown State to go to Kent State. Bill's newest kitten, Picante Jalapeno (a.k.a. P.J.) is a rescue kitten that Richie loved dearly. The idea of keeping her around Richie for the extent of her life is what prompted Bill to adopt this kitten. She may be skittish, but she still loves her Uncle Richie!
Juan Gonzalez
Bridesman
Bill and Carmen met Juan in Morgantown within a few months of moving to town! Juan and Bill had online classes for their doctoral degrees and Juan was slowly inviting classmates over for dinner to meet them. Bill received an invite and they got along immediately! After a couple of times of hanging out and some badgering that Carmencita had to come to hang out, she finally got to meet Juan. They also got along magnificently! He is an amazingly supportive person that Carmen is ecstatic to have at her side on this day!
Garrett Joiner
Groomsman
After getting to know each other while working at Noble Stein Brewing in Indiana, Bill and Garrett realized that they are truly two kindred spirits. Trust me. Speaking of "trust me", Garrett first met other groomsmen, Richie and Chris, when they came to visit at Noble Stein and continue to go out after for another beer. This was the first time that I got Garrett to hang out after work and apparently it was something that was not super common! We had discussed the idea of creating a cover band (which never came into being) where we would cover MCR's "I'm Not Okay" and Garrett would come up exclusively to speak the words "Trust Me". Garrett is even the first person that Bill told that he was planning to propose to Carmen! How could he not be involved with this day?!
Joe Boulos
Bridesman
Since the moment Carmen asked him to be a bridesman, he has not stopped telling people that he is one. Voted Most Excited Bridesman by a landslide, the bride looks forward to making many memories on this day and those to come with Joe.
Antonio Duran
Groomsman
Antonio is another one that Bill and Carmen met in Morgantown. They all met through graduate student hangs at Juan’s! Antonio is one of the warmest and kindest people that you will ever meet! He is nothing but good vibes and great hugs!
Alayna Mellott
Bridesmaid
Bill told Carmen of this girl he works with that he accidentally made friends with during his IUP days (he thought that she was someone else) and how she wanted to make more friends. Carmen stepped out of her comfort zone and shot Alayna a message, and she is so glad to have done so. They share a common interest in bunnies and anatomy and Carmen admires Alayna's openness and curiosity of life.
Drake Nolan
Groomsman
Drake and Bill met shortly into Bill's first semester at West Virginia University when they began to work together. After many nights of post-shift beers, Drake and Bill actually became friends as opposed to merely co-workers! There was even plenty of talk about various sporting events that would be on the TVs as we worked. There was even the introduction into sports betting by Drake that has caused Bill to lose a bit of money. "Thanks, Drake.."-Carmen
Ryan Moore
Ring Bearer
Ryan and Bill probably had one of the most random introductions possible. During Halloween in Youngstown, there were quite a few parties that were going on! Bill and his housemates were hosting one! Moore happened to be walking to another party, but decided to stop at ours to warm up! We were always a bit careful when it is someone that we don’t know, but we were instantly cool with him! He visited for a bit then we sent him with a beer for the remainder of his walk! He has continued to be a part of Bill’s life ever since. He even comes to most of Bill’s horn recitals! Moore has to have a role in the day! Plus there will be Creed.
Julian Longo
Officiant
There is not a single person that is better for this role than Julian. Julian and Bill have been friends for about ten years after meeting at a karaoke night where they both sang Backstreet Boys (separately and together!). While not a religious officiant, Julian gets to be a friend that performs what is quite possibly the biggest role in this entire day for Bill and Carmen!