Jamie & Jay
Wedding Party
Jamie DeHay
Groom
These four guys mean the world to me! They have all been by my side for many years and have watched my relationship with Jay grow since the very beginning into what it is today. They are all scattered about the country, and it's not often that I get to have them all in the same room at the same time, but I can't wait to have them there to experience this with me!
Jay Hawkins
Groom
This gal and these guys all have deep roots in my life. If I ever need anything, from relationship, medical, or career advice or heck, what the best beer in the world is, I only need four phone numbers in my speed dial. Each and every one of these great friends means the world to me. I, like Jamie, cannot remember a time they have all been in the same room together, and I am so looking forward to their support and continued friendship as I move on to this new chapter in my life. #friendsforever
Matthew Wyss
Best Man (Jamie)
I met Matt in January of 2005 on the very first day of our college program at Walt Disney World. He was my first friend in Florida and has been my ride-or-die ever since. Back in those days, we didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun... okay probably too much fun. I think one of the reasons we get along so well is because we share and join in on each other's weirdness, interests, and appreciation for everything fabulous; and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Dona Alvarez
Best Woman (Jay)
I met Dona in the early 80s. She was in Med School, and I was an undergrad at WVU. She lived across the street from me in Morgantown's South Park. She now lives in Oakland, MD. Dona has kept me balanced in my adult life. She is always there for me. When I am injured, she fixes me. When I am down, she perks me up. When I am thirsty, she hands me a beer. If we were straight, we would have been married a long time ago.
Keith Conrad
Groomsman (Jamie)
I met Keith in Orlando in 2006 and we instantly clicked. A couple of short months later, we found ourselves in a tattoo shop on East Colonial getting matching ink done, so I guess we're stuck together for life now. Even though he's older than me, Keith is like the little brother I never had and the one that I love to pick on... but it's all in good fun. A good friend like Keith is kind of like a four leaf clover: hard to find, but lucky to have.
Dan Moro
Groomsman (Jay)
I met Dan more than 12 years ago at the Cheyenne Saloon in Orlando over a nickel beer. It was instant friendship. We would return every Wednesday for happy hour for nickel beer for the next couple years, until the place closed. We would rotate picking up the bar tab, which was always under a dollar. Dan lives in Orlando and is my local go-to of my wedding party. We usually meet weekly over lunch or a beer and solve the worlds problems. Dan is an entrepreneur and always keeps me motivated to be the best I can be in all that I do.
Erik Rijfkogel
Groomsman (Jamie)
Erik and I first met for professional reasons, but our relationship quickly transformed into “sisters.” Fast forward 10 years later, and we're both working on the same projects side by side professionally, and our friendship is stronger than ever. Although the days are long gone that we would party til 3:00 am 5-7 nights a week, I have enjoyed watching Erik grow and mature into a husband and now a father... He'll always be my favorite hot mess though.
Steve Nutt
Groomsman (Jay)
I met Steve at a party of a mutual friend in the late 80s when I lived in DC. We instantly clicked, and I started inviting him out on my boat. Steve quickly caught the boating bug, and before long had a brand new boat docked next to mine. This boating bug has burned a hole in his pocket ever since. I have learned it is better to have a friend with a boat than to own one. Steve still lives near DC, but I keep trying to get him to move to Florida and bring the boat along with him.
James Shaffer
Groomsman (Jamie)
James and I met in 2006 in Orlando over midnight ice cream. It was friendship at first scoop. Since then we have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit together, learn incredible things from each other, and were even roommates for a year before I met Jay. Although we no longer live in the same city, we still see each other all the time thanks to James' career that takes him all over the world. James was pretty innocent when I first met him, but now it's been so long that it's unclear to me which one of us is the bad influence!
Jim Ryan
Groomsman (Jay)
I met Jim by happenstance just after moving to Orlando in the early 90s when a flight to Orlando was diverted to Tampa. Jim happened to snag the last rental car available, but offered a ride back to Orlando. We have remained friends ever since. When I was unemployed in the early 2000s, Jim talked me into applying for a flight attendant position at his airline, Northwest. Before long I was traveling the world. I lost that job thanks to 9-11, but it was the best job I have ever had. If you ever want to know what it is like to be in Detroit one day, Tokyo the next, and Amsterdam the following day, just ask Jim. He has been traveling the time zones for a hundred years.