Heather & Austin
Wedding Party
Lizzy Reid
Maid of Honor
Lizzy and I met a few years back while we worked with a team of ambassador animals. We bonded over the animals in our care (especially the African Crested Porcupine, Hatari!) and very quickly determined we had much in common and started to hang out beyond work! We enjoy baking and watching Miyazaki movies, dancing and going to the club, watching shows about vampires, German things, and trying to visit as many zoos and aquariums together as possible!
Beau Stewart
Bridesman
I have known Beau for such a long time! Beau and Heather go back to even before there was a Heather and Austin. In fact, Beau was the friend who went with me to see Austin's band play back in 2010 where it all began! Beau and I met in Geschaeftsdeutsch at the University of North Texas back in 2009. We first made the call to hang out together to go see a vampire movie! After that we had weekly dates to watch Project Runway and do our German homework together. We have a secret robot language and laugh until we cry every time we're together. Beau was around through the development of my relationship with Austin, and a wonderful friend to both of us the whole time.
Hayley Alvis
Bridesmaid
Hayley and I met around nine years ago when I started dating her brother! We became fast friends and bonded over things like Rammstein, Backstreet Boys, Ugly Dolls, Grey's Anatomy, Taco Bell, pizza, and animals. We've been able to see both Rammstein AND Backstreet Boys together and it was an experience I'm so happy we got to share together. We regularly plan pizza dates to Grimaldi's or Earl's where she'll fill me in on her horse world and I fill her in on my zoo world. We Snapchat daily, usually intentionally with the most unflattering selfie we can muster. We have the same sense of humor.
Amanda Winter
Bridesmaid
I first met Amanda when I was an intern at Dallas Zoo! We met at a cheetah encounter where it was suggested that I get to know her due to her past of working with marsupials (my favorites). So we chatted about the marsupials she'd worked with. Fast forward to a few months I actually got a job with the Wild Encounters team, and Amanda told me she had put in a good word when she found out I interviewed for the team! We bonded over animals (obviously), and music. When we hang out animals, karaoke, live music, and/or food is typically involved.
Andrew Willis
Best Man
Another great story about who you meet in life. Andrew and I worked at the same IT firm in very different positions. We would always see each other in the break room and chat about small interests. Little did I know how much we had in common. Music, politics, experiences, dreams, video games, Steve Brule...and a great group of friends he introduced me to who I consider a very strong core of people everyone should get to know. We have made huge life decisions where we work and with what we do. I consider Andrew one of my best friends and comrades in this great adventure of life and pursuit of happiness. Though separated by many miles as he is living in Illinois now, we work together at the same Dallas firm and keep each other at our A game. I also got him a few raises.. <3
Michael Vasquez
Groomsman
Michael and I met on interesting terms. He was one of Heather's first guy friends to meet me and it was most definitely in an attempt to sum me up. Long story short, after squaring up and asking some probing questions, by the end of the night we were cheersing and singing along to songs at a show like we had been long lost buds. Ever since then, I have considered Michael to be a very close and thoughtful friend. Always there, checking in, inviting me to all sorts of fun things and getting me out living life despite my crazy work schedule. Though separated by miles living in Denton, he finally convinced us to move closer to Dallas and I wouldn't want to be at a local show without him. <3
Dustin Hoag
Groomsman
I have known Dustin since the Elementary School Days. Best of friends. We caught all the original Pokemon, caused all sorts of trouble in the neighborhood, went through the skateboarding phase, shopped comic books and learned how to play music together. Dustin's parents' garage was the place where I felt most at home. Filled with music gear, we would eventually form our own band and win our high school battle of the bands. That band, The Irregulars, had everything in the name.. Dustin and I shared dorm rooms and rental houses all through college and still managed not to hate one another. We were brothers then and still are even though separated by a few states. Music was as important to both of us then as it is now. I couldn't imagine getting married without my brother in music there.
Travis Kerr
Groomsman
Travis Kerr, as the name would suggest, is Heather's brother. Trav and I have so much in common from taste in video games, sports, travel, entertainment and shows...the list goes on. We also had the privilege of being roommates after Heather and I bought our first house! We have grown up together over the years into adulthood and learned so much along the way. Travis has been there from the beginning and I'm honored to have him as part of the Groom Party on this very special occasion as we now become brothers for life.