Wedding Party
Jesse DeWeerth
Best Man
Jesse and Jackson are the same person, we think - there is no other explanation for why they have independently ended up with the same deodorant, same computer bag, and same set of headphones. You can find the two of them playing video games together almost every night.
Ruth Anne Hoover
Maid of Honor
Jessi has known Ruthie since the first grade - although, to be fair, in those days they hated each other. Now, she has the garage code and Jessi has come home to her watching TV on the couch in her pajamas on more than one occasion. When she's not breaking and entering, Ruthie is a Child Life Specialist in the TICU and PICU at Children's.
Elisa Hoover
Maid of Honor
Elisa has been many things to Jessi - small group co-leader, gnomish pen pal, and equally evil twin (although their middle school definition of "evil" might have been stretching it a bit). She is an author, actor, dramaturge, director, and, when she finds the time, she teaches new doctors how to people again at the Emory Human Simulation Education Center.
Erin Windham-Hill
Bridesperson
Erin has the dubious honor of having been Jessi's longest (and only) roommate - at least until Jackson came along. When they're not busy being gravity's bitch or the other half of Jessi's brain, Erin is a very involved parent to five cats - Ollivander, Chaucer, Top Hat, Jacko, and Pineapple.
Jay Norton
Groomsman
As her brother, Jay knows all the best ways to drive Jessi crazy - like sitting on her head at Christmas instead of sharing the couch like a normal person - but he's also one of the people we know will always have our back. When he's not designing websites for NCR, he's an avid ultimate frisbee player, ultimate frisbee coach, and disc-golf enthusiast...assume if it's disc-shaped and flies through the air, he's into it.
Megan Norton
Bridesmaid
When Jessi found out Jay was getting married, she might have cried a little bit because it meant she got to have Meg as a sister *for real.* Honestly, it's hard to remember life before Meg - she's the best thrifting buddy, dance partner, and Quiplash co-conspirator anyone could ask for. When she's not running herd on their five fur babies, Meg is studying for her Orton-Gillingham certification and working as an elementary school tutor.
Wesley Fogg
Groomsman
Wes was Jackson's college roommate first and brother-in-law second - continuing proof that both Spell siblings have good taste in both friends and spouses. He is an excellent cook, bourbon enthusiast, and the person we most wish would make us coffee every morning. Ask him how he feels about the 99% Invisible podcast and his DVD organization spreadsheet.
Rosalind Fogg
Bridesmaid
After that one year at FBI-sponsored Russian camp, we're still not entirely sure that Roz (Jackson's sister) isn't a secret spy - but if she is, she hides it well. An excellent baker and avid cook (ask her how she met Wes), Roz and Jessi feed into each other's sewing endeavors, recipe collection habits, and thrifting victories. When she's not working as a baker, Roz spends a lot of time hiding the most delicious Apple cords from her cat, Kes.
Joe Watkins
Groomsman
As a result of a friendship that started in elementary school, Joe has more of Jackson's D&D character sheets in his possession than Jackson does - and DMed Jessi's first game. A Ph.D. student in classical studies, Joe is your go-to guy if you need help with translating an ancient text, a whiskey recommendation, or a partner to sword fight.
Virginia Catherine Bushey
Bridesmaid
VC was Jessi's senior prom date, so it's not a huge surprise that she'll be standing by her side for the wedding. Fiercely kindhearted and fiercely competitive, VC is an incredible dancer, knitter, swimmer, fireworks racer, and management consultant. DO NOT engage her in a game of Egyptian Rat Slap.
Hannah Lefton
Groomswoman
Hannah is a groomswoman because Jackson met her first (and because Jessi lost the last round of rock-paper-scissors). She met Jackson in middle school and Jessi through high school classes and lots (and lots and lots) of mock trial. After a three-year stint in Senegal with the Peace Corps, Hannah is now splitting her time between a Master's in social work, a law degree, and, as far as we can tell, running half the extracurricular activities available in her grad school.
Katie Norton
Bridesmaid
There are some bonding experiences that last a lifetime, and getting tossed around on tubes behind a boat until you're bleeding every summer is one of them. Katie is a fearless chaser of new experiences, a world traveler, writer, artist, and experimental gardener. If she's not at work, you can probably find her on a boat with her fianceé, Josh, and their dog, Leon.
Kyle Hosford
Bridesman
Kyle and Jessi were basically forced into being friends because they were always paired together for reading in first grade. Twenty-one years later, that friendship is still going strong. Kyle is a computer scientist, dungeon master, and an avid Tech fan - which we try not to hold against him.