Hannah & Natalie
Wedding Party
Kelsey Vester
Woman of Honor
Though they started off as enemies on the slow pitch softball field (Go Thundercats), Kelsey and Hannah quickly became besties when Kelsey had a friend back out of her family beach trip, and Hannah got the last minute invite (literally Kelsey chased Hannah down in the parking lot after a softball tournament). That beach trip was the first of many Towe/Thomas family adventures over the years and the start of an incredible sisterhood between Hannah and Kelsey. In the summer of 2007, Hannah moved into Kelsey's neighborhood and the rest was history. Kelsey knows all of Hannah's most deepest darkest secrets and the pair has bailed each other out of trouble too many times to count. Teammates. Partners in Crime. Third Wheels. Best Friends. Roommates (not our best idea). Sisters.
Megan Butler
Woman of Honor
Natalie lovingly refers to her friendship with Megan as the best forced friendship she has ever had. Megan and her now husband, Matt, moved to Knoxville before anyone else in their grad program, and Natalie moved shortly after. Since they knew no one in town, they were forced to hang out. Through wine nights at Sunspot and happy hours at Balter Beerworks, the friendship truly began to feel genuine and not forced at all. Natalie thought Megan would end up back in Iowa, but thankfully, they spend their weekends in Knoxville together with Matt and Hannah talking about life on their couches with their dogs. Megan truly feels like family and even forced her dad and sister to be Natalie and Hannah's Iowa tour guides when they visited this summer. Knoxville wouldn't be the same without her!
Amanda Moats
Bridesmaid
Middle school softball brought them together, but it was Amanda's loyalty and never ending support that kept their friendship strong over all these years. From classmates to roommates and everything in between, Hannah and Amanda have seen each other through the best and worst of times. Amanda was the first person Hannah ever "came out" to (well Morgan technically was but that is another story for later) and she handled it in the most supportive, laid back Amanda way. Amanda is a "take it to the grave" kind of friend. If Hannah ever needed someone to bail her out of jail, Amanda would be the first phone call. (Kelsey would be in the next cell over).
Callie Strachan
Bridesmaid
Natalie and Callie first met in August of 2012 in a world geography class at Appalachian State. Callie's backpack was always leaning on Natalie's chair, much to her annoyance. They exchanged few words that semester and definitely didn't expect Callie to be in Nataile's wedding one day. They became true friends on Callie's 21st birthday... still one of Natalie's favorite memories but not something that should be shared with the internet. Natalie and Callie have stayed friends through their moves to New York, Virginia, New Mexico, California, and Tennessee. Now Natalie spends her time trying to convince Callie to move to Knoxville so they can live in the same city again.
Cameron Miller
Best Man
When Hannah and Cam first met while serving as Orientation Leaders together in 2015, Cam was still "straight" and a Republican (L O L). Hannah and Cameron became close during the summer of 2015 while watching the USWNT win the World Cup and eating lots of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos in the Fort. The summer of 2017 truly changed it all for this pair as Hannah slept on Cam's couch for the majority of the summer while coping with a breakup and serious ANGST about leaving Knoxville. While Cam is standing on Hannah's side of the aisle, he and Natalie also developed a strong bond over their mutual love of music and Hannah. Cam would square up for either of us and we love him for it.
Meredith Bush
Bridesmaid
Natalie and Meredith became quick friends when they moved into the small yellow house on Wey Street during their time at Appalachian State. Although they didn't know each other well, it took only a matter of hours for them to share their entire life stories (the good, the bad, and the ugly) over glasses of Barefoot Moscato in their half-furnished living room. After their first night in their new house, they were inseparable, often found belting the lyrics to Schooling Life by Beyoncé or Take Me or Leave Me from RENT in that same living room before a night out in the booming metropolis that is Boone, NC. Natalie's time at App State truly wouldn't have been the same without Meredith.
Hailey Flavin
Bridesmaid
Hailey and Hannah lived together during Hannah's second year of grad school. On the day Hailey moved in, her dad took Hannah and Hailey out for Italian and she knew in that moment they would be close. Through all of the trials and tribulations of grad school, Hailey was the best listening ear and support system. Hailey probably knows more about Hannah and Natalie's relationship than Hannah and Natalie do and kept Hannah from dropping out on several occasions. Hailey is an EXPERT in maintaining long distance friendships and made sure to check in on Hannah almost weekly during the California years. Hailey missed Hannah so much she moved to Knoxville so Krieger and Hailey's dog Tilly could be besties too.
Nick Grant
Best Man
Nick and Natalie didn't start off as the grad school friends they ended up being by May of 2019. Nick hails from Long Island, NY and that definitely came through when he first moved to Knoxville. Nick was a little brash and VERY direct, so Natalie wasn't sure she wanted to be friends. However, Nick's demeanor quickly softened and through the trauma that is graduate school, they became good friends and the best office mates in Dunford Hall at UTK. Even when Natalie moved to California with Hannah, Nick was the person who was most regularly checking in on them (besides their parents), because that's the kind of friend he is. Now, over four years later, Natalie is very grateful to have a friend like him.
Morgan Coppock
Bridesmaid
Morgan's the oldest and she's in charge! Morgan and Hannah started strong as teammates during Hannah's first ever softball season with the Hornets at age 6. Over 20+ years of friendship, Hannah and Morgan have seen each other through every stage of life. Through summer trips to Norris Lake, countless no sleep sleepovers, hundreds of softball practices, Morgan convincing Hannah to run cross country in high school, and Hannah becoming Lady Vol Rowings #1 fan, they have been each others voice of reason and comedic relief. When she was 16, Hannah basically told Morgan she liked girls, in which Morgan more or less responded "I mean, I think everyone feels that way." Morgan still seemed surprised when Hannah came out for real three years later.
Riley Oxendine
Bridesmaid
Riley and Natalie were in the same pledge class in their sorority at App State, but didn't become friends until their second year when they randomly went to lunch at McAlister's in the student union. Natalie didn't think she was cool enough to be friends with someone like Riley. They quickly bonded over their unexpected love of Taylor Swift, App State football (Natalie enjoyed the social aspect, while Riley actually likes the sport), and themed parties. Natalie and Riley could be found dancing in the living room to Closer by the Chainsmokers or on the bottom floor of the library where Riley would try to get Natalie to actually study for her classes. They might not live in the same city anymore but Riley still sends check in texts regularly, even if Natalie sucks at responding.
Paige Andresen
Bridesmaid
Brought together by Texas A&M University, a mutual love of beer/food, and long distance relationships, Paige was Hannah's go to gal during the grad school years. Paige and Hannah QUICKLY became friends after the Aggies Beat the Hell out of Harvey (if you know you know). Paige made sure Hannah had fun in College Station and continued including her in all festivities no matter how many times Hannah ghosted or bailed on late night plans. Paige is the kind of friend that moves your entire apartment for you by herself and stores your stuff in her living room so you can get an extra week at home when you really need it. Hannah would not have a Masters Degree without her.
Laura (Ketola) Solomon
Officiant and Bridesmaid
Most of you know her as Ketola, few know her as Laura. When Hannah came out publicly during her Emerging Leaders final project she had no idea the Grad Assistant for the class would one day be officiating her wedding. Supervisor-less and lost, Ketola became Natalie's go to person during her Grad Assistantship after co-leading a service trip to Prague. While both of our relationships with Laura started out professionally, everything changed when she convinced Natalie moving back to Knoxville was a good idea. Now we spend most weekends gathered around the fire pit discussing (debating with Spencer) life's biggest (and smallest) questions. Laura has guided us through dog momming, job searching, and house buying so it's only fitting that she be the one to marry us.