Wedding Party
Tara Johns
Bridesmaid
Tara and Amanda met in high school while attending the same ballet studio in Tucson. Since both are introverts, the friendship was slow to start. It took several years and a move to a different ballet studio where they only knew each other for the friendship to truly begin. Amanda asking Tara to borrow her straightener before her birthday dinner was a turning point and they have never looked back. Tara has been there through the good and the bad the past decade plus and Amanda couldn't imagine her wedding day without her. Keep an eye out for her adorable son, Henry, as the ring bearer and you will be sure to catch her on the dance floor!
Holly Harward
Bridesmaid
Amanda met Holly at the age of 10 in Colorado Springs where they were going to the same ballet studio. They were best friends from the first time Holly came over to Amanda's house. The late night sleepovers, experimenting with hair and makeup, and lots of shopping are some of Amanda's best memories. Amanda and Holly have not lived in the same state for most of the 20-plus year friendship, but have still remained very close and can pick up where they left off every time they see each other. Holly has been a part of almost all of Amanda's biggest life moments that she can remember and her wedding day is no exception. Holly's two beautiful daughters, Alaina and Zoey, are the flower girls in the wedding.
Alyssa Martinez
Bridesmaid
Amanda met Alyssa shortly after moving to Tucson in high school while going to the same ballet school. Alyssa made it a point to get to know Amanda and include her in plans with friends outside of dance. Alyssa quickly became one of Amanda's first friends in Tucson, which Amanda is forever grateful for. From Amanda's one and only time on the city bus in Tucson to waiting for the midnight showing of Harry Potter, Alyssa is always up for an adventure. She is the bridesmaid traveling the farthest as she lives in China with her husband and two little boys. It means the world to Amanda to have her at the wedding!
Alex Cude
Bridesman
Amanda met Alex freshman year of college at the University of Arizona. Alex joined Amanda’s French class the second week of school after realizing Persian was not for him. French was neither of their cup of tea, but it led to one of the best friendships. Alex is Amanda's favorite travel buddy (besides David!). From exploring San Fransisco to laying on the beach in Tulum it is always a good time. He is someone it is impossible not to be laughing and smiling around. You can catch him at the wedding with a glass of rose and most likely on the dance floor!
Hillary Chen
Bridesmaid
Amanda met Hillary at the University of Arizona. They both were Accounting majors and saw each other around, but became friends in the Master’s program when they realized they both were going to work for the same CPA firm and loved to go out dancing. The friendship was meant to be. Hillary quickly became Amanda’s sanity buddy as they navigated their first few years in public accounting and adult life on their own. If you need an epic vacation planned, put Hillary and Amanda together. There will be an Excel spreadsheet full of planned activities and restaurants to try. Hillary is one of the most dependable, loyal people you will meet!
Katherine Shell
Bridesmaid
Amanda met Katherine at The University of Arizona as both were Accounting majors. The long hours working on group projects in the Master’s program was what brought them closer together. After both moving to Phoenix, Friday night dinners at Buffalo Wild Wings are what they had to look forward to in surviving their first few busy seasons in public accounting. At least one of them managed to escape public accounting and our dinner choices have expanded, but the friendship continues! Katherine is prepared for any situation and will even make you a makeshift shoe out of a Walmart bag and wet towel when you lose your shoe floating the Salt River.
Jake Conwill
Groomsman
Jake and David met on a racquetball court in the college rec center. When Jake started doing prop comedy with the racquet and speaking in funny voices, David knew they were destined to be friends. They were roommates from sophomore through senior year of college and did virtually everything together. Despite living in different cities for over a decade, they have traveled all over the world together from Japan to Argentina. If you ever want top quality entertainment, watch TV with Jake for 15 minutes. His commentary will have you laughing so hard you'll be gasping for air.
Alex Ivan
Groomsman
Alex met David during their time together in Teach For America. They were roommates during orientation and quickly bonded over their love of dark humor. During their two years together in Phoenix, they met every Saturday for coffee and donuts while working on lesson plans, etc. Alex is most fondly remembered for correctly diagnosing David's appendicitis despite having zero medical training. This early intervention saved David's appendix from exploding and the lengthy recovery associated with it.
Michael Carroll
Groomsman
Michael worked with David at the TCU Daily Skiff in college. They spent many late nights editing articles, approving stories and playing jokes on each other. Work never felt like a chore when Michael was around, and working at the Skiff remains David's favorite job to this day. Michael's calm and confident approach to life is what David aspires to have!
Michael Sollee
Groomsman
Michael and David met in the 8th grade after Michael's family moved to Texas from Nigeria. Yes, you heard that right: Nigeria. They played tennis together all through high school and could often be found at each other's homes since they lived about 1/4 mile apart. The two share fond memories of teenage vandalism they used to engage in (but since they were good kids and covered their tracks no one has ever found out exactly what shenanigans were afoot). Michael is known for his exceptional intelligence and upbeat demeanor.
Anthony North
Groomsman
Anthony met David in the dorm room laundry facility at TCU. They struck up a conversation about football and hit it off immediately. Anthony is noted for his remarkable loyalty, dry sense of humor and love of conspiracy theories related to small-market sports teams being kept from winning championships in the interest of corporate profits.
Miguel Lozano
Groomsman
Miguel and David taught high school together during their time in Teach for America. They were also roommates too! They leaned on each other to get through the trials and tribulations of teaching at one of the roughest schools in town. Miguel is an easygoing guy and always down for a good time! Just ask him to go to the casino with you. He literally can't say no.
Michael Bohlen
Groomsman
Michael is David's oldest friend. They met in the three-year-old class in preschool. Many weekends in the 90s were spent practicing wrestling moves they saw on TV. Since Michael was (and still is) a lot bigger than David, David was on the receiving end of many Power Bombs, Scorpion Suplexes and Torture Racks. Whenever David was worried he'd get hurt, Michael would always reply "trust me". Well, Michael is a trustworthy guy because David still has full use of all his limbs.
Austin Steed
Groomsman
Austin and David met while they were working together in Nashville. Both being recent transplants to the area, they struck up a friendship and explored the city together. They spent many Saturdays grabbing drinks in East Nashville and eating artisan hot dogs to soak it all up. Austin is a true renaissance man. He speaks Chinese, was an undefeated Mixed Martial Arts fighter and basically remodeled his current home with his own two hands.