Kathleen & Andrew
Wedding Party
Derek Pearson
Best Man
Shortly after moving to Virginia in 2006, Andrew met Derek as his school bus seat partner in 4th grade. Despite Derek giving the cold shoulder for a few weeks, he became Andrew's first friend in Virginia and is now his best man after nearly two decades. Andrew and Derek played soccer together throughout school but would eventually split paths for college. Derek studied Health Services Administration with a minor in General Business at James Madison University, where he would also meet Kathleen. Derek currently lives with his fiancée, Peyton, in Fairfax, Virginia and works as a Senior Account Manager.
Amanda Roache
Maid of Honor
Thanks to their little brothers' baseball game, Amanda and Kat met back in eighth grade and immediately became best friends. Though they went to separate schools, they shared every prom together, supported each other at their sporting events, and practically lived at each other's houses. After graduating high school, they parted ways- Amanda went to Virginia Tech and Kat went to JMU. However, their friendship has never wavered, even 15 years later. Amanda currently lives in Virginia Beach and works as an Occupational Therapist, but the long distance is no barrier to them seeing each other.
William Wampler
Best Man
Meeting by force rather than by choice, William and Andrew were freshman roommates at VMI together. After a hectic first year, the two grew closer and became inseparable throughout the rest of their time in college, sharing many things in common. Both William and Andrew played college sports, majored in STEM, and enjoyed cheap beer on the Maury River. Following college, William entered the Army in the Medical Services field. Following his four years of service, William has since moved to Wilmington, North Carolina with his wife, Ellie, where he now works as a Loan Officer for Intercoastal Mortgage.
Avery Prince
Maid of Honor
Avery and Kat met freshman year at JMU and after knowing each other for two weeks, they signed an apartment lease to live together sophomore year. Sharing a bathroom only made their friendship grow stronger and they ended up living together all through senior year. They created the best memories, laughs, and even shed some tears. Thankfully, they ended up living in the same apartment building post-grad in Richmond, VA. Kat's move to Charleston was difficult, but their friendship continues as status quo and Avery continues to work as the Director of Admissions for a Skilled Nursing Facility in Richmond, VA.
Christopher Bendit
Groomsman
After attending different elementary schools, Chris and Andrew met in middle school whilst playing junior varsity soccer. This friendship would continue to grow as sports and similar class schedules brought them together. Chris would attend James Madison University, along with Derek, and studied Kinesiology. Andrew spent most of his weekends at Chris's apartment, whenever he was able to escape VMI, and eventually met Kathleen this way. Following graduation, Chris would attend Mary Baldwin University to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He know lives in Wilmington, North Carolina and is a Physical Therapist.
Megan Kraft
Bridesmaid
To the rest of the world, Meg is a one of a kind, four-time national championship, professional beach volleyball player, but to Kat, she is her best friend and sister. Their days as professional boogie-boarders may be over, but their love for Taylor Swift, working out, and food remains steadfast. Even though Kat is the older sister, Meg is the taller one, the quieter one (everyone knows Kat is an expert chatter), and Meg definitely may be more mature at times (lol). Though they live far apart and have completely different and busy schedules, they always make time to check in. Meg graduated from University of Southern California this May with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and will be pursing a career as a professional beach volleyball player and Accountant.
Miguel Arrate
Groomsman
Miguel and Andrew unknowingly met while playing travel soccer throughout high school and would officially meet during junior year at a VMI soccer camp. Upon arriving at training camp prior to freshman year, the two would rejoin and grew closer throughout the following years as roommates. Miguel majored in Civil Engineering and lettered all 4 years for VMI soccer. He now lives in Richmond, Virginia and works as a Civil/Structural Associate for an engineering firm.
Bella Lavista
Bridesmaid
Bella and Kat met freshman year of college at JMU. While navigating the uncertainty that comes with freshman year, their friendship continued to blossom through downtown Harrisonburg dinner dates with her mom Wanda and ensuring Kat's room was never as messy as her freshman year dorm room. Their friendship still remains and even though Kat misses having Bella two hours away in Savannah, Bella is thriving as a Physician Assistant in Pediatric Transplant Surgery in Arlington, VA.
Sohrab Shaikh
Groomsman
Sohrab and Andrew would meet for the first time as incoming freshman for the soccer team at VMI during training camp. Following the first year, the two would become roommates for the remainder of their time at VMI. Sohrab earned his degree in Psychology and would eventually enter the Army as an Infantry Officer, moving to Hawaii for his first duty assignment. Although Andrew was never able to make a trip out there to visit, the two stayed in close touch until Sohrab was assigned to move back to the states. Sohrab is now temporarily stationed at Fort Liberty in Fayetteville, North Carolina as he undergoes Special Forces qualification and lives with his girlfriend, Anna.
Jewel Hurt
Bridesmaid
Jewel and Kat lived on the same dorm hallway and met the first day of freshman year at JMU. They both shared the same sentiment of "work hard play hard," where time spent together varied from spontaneous nights out to late night studying. Now, their time together consists of visits to Boston, New Hampshire, or Jewel's family lake house, always picking up where they left off. Jewel lives in New Hampshire with her fiance Tyler and recently graduated from University of Pennsylvania with her Master of Science in Education Entrepreneurship, now currently working as a high school history teacher and is the founder & CEO of KROW, INC.
Cole Hylton
Groomsman
Out of the rest of the wedding party, Cole was the only one who roomed with Andrew for all four years, being randomly assigned as freshmen. Cole and Andrew shared struggles majoring in Biology, however Cole made sure Andrew didn't completely fail out, while also straightening him out on the military side of things. Following college, Cole would enter the Army as an Armor Officer, being stationed in El Paso, Texas, where he still lives today. Following his duty requirement, Cole plans to move back to the East Coast.
Peyton Kennedy
Bridesmaid
Peyton and Kat met in line during sorority recruitment during Kat's sophomore year at JMU. Little did they know that soon after Kat would become Peyton's Honors College Mentor and her Tri Delta Sorority "Big." Through the years, that mentorship grew into a wonderful friendship that remains today. Peyton is known for being the best host when visiting her, and practically functions as a tour guide for Nashville, taking everyone to the best restaurants and bars in the city. Peyton is a reporter for Good Morning Nashville on News 2.