Lidia & Austin
Wedding Party
Macey Davis
Maid of Honor
Like all sisters growing up, our bickering and competitive spirits got the best of us most of the time. But I think we fight the most with the people we actually hold closest to our hearts. She’s always been my very best friend. Macey’s the one I call to talk about absolutely nothing — and sometimes, we end up providing each other a free therapy session. She’s got a zest for life that’s infectious and so much faith. No one is as intentional with relationships as Macey is, and I’m so thankful for her.
Jamie Calloway
Groomsman
Jamie and I met on the first day of 1st grade. We had an assignment to write down a list of our favorite things, and when we got to cereal, we both turned to each other at the exact same time and said “how do you spell ‘Special K’?” Although we don’t eat much Special K anymore, we have shared countless memories over our 19+ years of friendship, including: Backyard Baseball 2003 tournaments, playing poker at the Hard Rock until 5am, road-tripping across Canada and the Northeast to check-off MLB parks, and turning everything we do together into a competition. They say once you're friends with someone for 7+ years, it will last a lifetime, so there's a good chance you'll find Jamie and I playing whiffle-ball in a retirement home in 50 years, still throwing a tantrum when the other one wins.
Bailey Hill
Bridesmaid
We were frequently referred to as one entity in high school — “Balidia” — if that tells you anything about our relationship. She was with me throughout all of the awkward and angsty teen years, and she’ll be drinking margaritas with me on a beach somewhere when we retire. She truly is (and always will be) the yin to my yang. I also owe my first date with Austin to her. She was the one who showed up at my dorm door to hype me up and help me pick out an outfit.
Fisher Curry
Groomsman
Fisher and I met in elementary school and first bonded over two loves we shared: Eminem (pictured above is us imitating him), and Steve Smith. It seems like I spent most of my childhood at the Curry's house with Fish, playing basketball in driveway, drawing up routes in 2-on-2 football in the backyard (X-Clown), or writing down a list of our top 50 Eminem songs and spending the next 4 hours going through the list and having debates on who was right. Although we didn't go to the same high school or college, we always made time to see each other, whether it was making surprise trips to UNC or UF, or spending our college breaks together on Anna Maria, which speaks to how great of a friendship we have. I'm looking forward to all the memories we'll continue to make over the next 50 years!
Emily Dover
Bridesmaid
Almost every childhood memory I can recount, whether it be listening to one of Mamaw’s old tales or getting a lecture from Mom to read 30 pages of a book before going out to swim, Emily most likely remembers as well. And probably better. I think we knew each other in a previous life. She’s part of our family, and we’re just as close (if not closer) today than ever. My parents love her just as much as they love me, and I know Aunt Andrea would be so proud of her.
Chris Cotillo
Groomsman
Chris and I met in the Enterprise Rent-A-Car shuttle at RDU heading to our first day of class at UNC in August 2014 and have spoken almost every day since. We first bonded over our love for baseball, but shortly realized that nearly all of our interests align, and have basically grown up together over the past 7 years. Chris probably knows me better than anyone (aside from Lidia), as we have spent thousands of hours together talking about anything from sports, to life, to what off-campus frat party seems like "the move" (makes me cringe to type that now). I have no doubt that Chris and I will be friends for life, especially since I know he will still call me at 75 years old to tell me about what minor league prospect he just bumped into in line at Chipotle.
Sydney Brogden
Bridesmaid
I’m pretty sure we scared all of our preschool teachers by pretending to be pregnant during recess. (Thanks, TLC’s “A Baby Story.”) Some call us creative – others may say it’s a form of hypochondria, and I think we’d agree with both assessments. She’s overly cautious and thinks through everything — that said, she’s been a voice of reason in my life and the trailblazer of our family friend group. We all look up to her. Sydney’s stood by my side through every season, and I can’t wait to spend the next chapters together.
Steven Halsey
Groomsman
Steven and I met in elementary school, and I don't think I've stopped laughing since. We have always bonded over talking about music and movies, and share a love for John Mayer, as we've been to his concerts together twice. Steven and I love to get into debates, over almost anything, and we always seem to carve out our own niche in our friend group, like choosing to pursue writing in the middle school newspaper together (Panther Press - LOL), while most of our other friends chose extra PE time. It's pretty hard to make me laugh, but Steven always finds a way. My humor tends to be somewhat dry and sarcastic, where Steven's is eccentric and imaginative, which I find hilarious. Don't be surprised if he cracks a joke while I'm standing at the altar...
Madeline White
Bridesmaid
Madeline inspires me because she smiles through just about everything and carries herself with poise no matter the circumstance. She and I can also understand each other with just one glance — which proved to be true throughout our dance team days. Even if practice was intense and left us without time to chat, we’d drive home to Cotton Street and quickly discover we thought the same thing — about everything. Still today, regardless of what’s happening, Madeline always gives me the most thorough, thoughtful advice, all with empathy and understanding.
Evan O'Brien
Groomsman
Evan and I met freshman year in high school (through Fisher) and have been close friends ever since. We made the arrangement to live together in Charlotte after college, and have had the time of our lives. We are on the same bowling team, softball team, golf together almost every weekend, have taken 2+ trips across the country together to see our favorite MLB teams play, among so many other fun activities. We have truly "lived our best life" together post-college, and it has been an absolute blast. We've had the unique opportunity to grow in our professional careers together (living together post-college), and always ask each other for advice. Not sure what I would do without Evan, and can't wait to stand by his side in his wedding two weeks after ours!
Island Shuler
Bridesmaid
Island Shuler will be a household name — mark my words. When we were all little, we’d play “house” in Giggy and Dude’s (our grandparents) backyard and end the night with a cousin sleepover in the living room. Island was always practicing a dance routine or fearlessly trying a new trick. Macey and I tried but couldn’t ever keep up. Needless to say, I’ve seen Island grow into a strong and clever young woman. Her confidence and ambition inspire me — when she sets her mind to something, she achieves it.
Locke Davis
Groomsman
Locke has been the little brother to me that I never had, and it has been such a cool experience watching him grow up over the past 7 years. Although we are 6.5 years apart, we share an abundance of common interests and a love for sports that makes our age gap seem much closer. We've also shared some awesome memories over the years including countless trick shot videos at the lake, intense Madden battles, backcountry frog hunting (LOL), and long-drive battles over Plott Creek. Looking forward to watching him flourish during his college years and being able to give him advice on what "not" to do!
Jenna Clinger
Bridesmaid
Much like her brother, Jenna has a heart for others that’s unmatched. Most people use the description — “oh, she’d give you the shirt off her back” — in passing. But Jenna actually would go topless on the street so a stranger could be warm. She’s someone who doesn’t take claim to anything but instead shares what she has with others and puts everyone before herself. Her faith inspires me, along with the love she has for her family and friends. I’m so lucky to call her my sister.
Mitch Price
Groomsman
Mitch and I met during ours years at UNC, and also live right near each other in Charlotte. Similar to Evan, Mitch and I are on the same bowling and softball teams, and have been close since we met in school. We both majored in Statistics at UNC, and I have to swallow some pride because I'm not used to saying this, but there were many nights where I had to ask Mitch for help with our homework, and he mostly obliged, as long as his nightly Cookout run was not interrupted (*wink*). We have many nicknames for Mitch, but I will keep it PG here. All joking aside, Mitch, Chris, Matt, and I shared the time of our lives together living at 314 Brooks Street in Chapel Hill for two years. Mitch is one of the most loyal people I know, and I am lucky to have him as my friend.
Sydney Elliot
Bridesmaid
There’s no one quite as genuine or kindhearted as this one. Truly. Regardless of the miles that have separated us in our 20s, we always pick up right where we left off. Deep down, we’re still the pre-teens who loved to practice back-handsprings in the yard and recklessly drive around in a golf cart while eating Cheetos. I know that if I were going through a crisis, Syd would coach me all the way from France. And it’s not just me — this is how she loves. She’s always there for her friends.
Luke Gutekunst
Groomsman
There are very few occasions where Luke is not the funniest guy in the room. Luke and I met during our time at UNC, and have grown as friends post-college through various trips to visit each other in Charlotte, NYC, and Boston. We share countless similar interests including our love for sports and random stats, our passion for a good wing at Bar Coastal (Kerry's style), and our jovial and sarcastic humor. You'll most likely find Luke by the buffet table tonight, building his own Moroccan Steak Bowl. Luke is a great friend and would do anything for people, as long as it didn't involve MillerCoors products.