Sarah & Matthew
Wedding Party
Taylor Manzo
Matron of Honor
Taylor and I first met in 4th grade (we were both rocking some pretty sick coke-bottle glasses) and became closer friends in high school. We then roomed together freshman and sophomore year at UNC and got to live together again in Greensboro (Taylor's then boyfriend/now husband, John, lived with us as well so we had a very Three's Company vibe going on). Taylor has been one of my closest friends for my entire adult life, and I’m so thankful that I have her sympathetic ear, her excellent taste in music and our shared love of historical romance novels in my life.
Mary Brannan Gubitz
Matron of Honor
Mary Brannan was the first friend I made in North Carolina when our families both moved onto Veranda Lane/Veranda Court in 1998. We went to elementary, middle, and high school together and have been lucky enough to stay close even though we went to different colleges. Our families are like our second families, and we've gotten to spend many Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easters, and neighborhood block parties together through the years. We’ve gone through all of life’s milestones together – hers was the first wedding I was in all the way back in August of 2012, and I’m so happy we get to continue that streak with my wedding.
Katelyn Garrett
Bridesmaid
Matt's sister, but much more importantly, one of my favorite people and good friends. Meeting a significant other’s sister is something that has always intimidated me, but I lucked out and got to meet Katelyn. We both have the same sense of humor (weird with lots of strange voices thrown in for good measure) and we both have beautiful, big, black cats (Asher and George) who truly look like they could be brothers (DNA test still pending). Knowing I get to *finally* have a sister makes me incredibly happy and knowing that sister is Katelyn just sweetens the pot.
Ann Louise Fields
Bridesmaid
Ann Louise (Annie as I call her) and I met through Girl Scouts (Troop 227 for life!) and quickly became friends. Though we never went to the same school, Girl Scouts and friendship kept us close and we got to visit Costa Rica together our senior year of high school. Ann Louise moved to DC and then New York City, and I’ve had some of my favorite memories visiting her in both cities. I had the joy of being in Annie’s wedding in July 2019, and we always make it a point to visit any time she’s back in Greensboro.
Lorna Knick
Bridesmaid
Lorna and I were in the same sorority at UNC and were in the same Comparative Literature class (dystopian literature is a thing and it’s fascinating … but also a bit of a downer), but our friendship truly formed during an ATO beach weekend. We got to live together in the Tri Delt house our junior and senior years and have stayed close since. Lorna’s quick wit and our shared love for Arrested Development and interior design have kept us close. Also, her taste in stationery (and stamps) is unparalleled.
Cara Ross
Bridesmaid
I first met Cara our freshman year, but we truly became close when she joined Tri Delt. We did our senior spring break together in Key West and had ourselves a TIME. Cara and her now-husband, Malcolm, moved to Pittsburgh and I got the pleasure of visiting twice and seeing a city I may have never visited otherwise. Cara is one of those friends I could not see for a year and then pick up right where we left off when I do see her. Now, Cara is back in North Carolina, and I couldn’t be happier to have one of my favorite people only a short drive away.
Mary Lesa Pegg
Bridesmaid
Mary Lesa and I met through the Junior League of Greensboro when she joined and was assigned to the group of Provisionals that I advised as a Membership Advisor. We became fast friends and she has remained one of my closest friends in Greensboro (along with Melissa). We’ve vacationed and traveled together probably more than anyone else outside of my family and have spent many nights exploring all of Greensboro’s bars and restaurants (probably more than I’d like to count). She has an infectious laugh and easy-going spirit and brings the life to any party (even if it’s just a lazy night in with takeout and wine).
Melissa Prosky
Bridesmaid
This will likely sound like a carbon copy of my description for Mary Lesa, but that’s because the three of us became close at the same time and spent many years as a nearly inseparable trio. Melissa and I officially met through the Junior League (she, too, was in the group of Provisionals for which I served as Membership Advisor), but we actually both worked at Tanger at the time. Thanks to the Junior League, Melissa became one of my closest friends at Tanger (and since has become one of my closest friends, period), and along with Mary Lesa we’ve traveled and vacationed together countless time. She, too, has explored *almost* all of Greensboro’s bars and restaurants, and is one of the easiest people to be around. I truly can’t imagine life in Greensboro without her.
Michael Garrett
Best Man
Michael is my oldest and most responsible brother. He came out of the womb holding a briefcase and barking orders. Despite Michael’s strong sense of responsibility, he also knows how to have a good time. One trip to Miami in particular stands out in my mind. We traveled down to watch the Orange Bowl and we left with one of the worst hangovers of my life. This is the trip that taught me I can’t quite hang the way Michael can. Michael has always been there for me as an older brother, friend, and mentor. I look up to him in many ways (but not all ways) and aspire to be the kind of father he is to my nephew Jack and niece Charlotte.
David Garrett
Best Man
David and I were close in age growing up and shared a room until I was in middle school. We became very close, and I quickly learned that I was the neat freak of the family. I will always remember the late nights spent making each other laugh (and pissing off my Dad for having to hear our antics), nights where David was too scared to sleep because we’d watched Tales from the Crypt, and our intense “floor is lava” games before it went mainstream. David is the kind of guy who will always be there for the people he cares about, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to get to call him my brother.
Will George
Groomsman
You cannot ask for a better brother-in-law than Sir William George. We hit it off instantly because we’re both cool guys and we love talking sports. Will is such a nice guy, BUT I quickly learned you do not talk smack about UNC with him – he’s a Tar Heel through and through. He’s made up for his UNC ties with his loyalty to the Carolina Panthers and talking about the Panthers is one of our favorite pastimes. Although I hate Will lives five hours away (in Charleston, SC), Sarah and I love visiting him there. In fact, one of my favorite memories with Sir William is watching the total solar eclipse with him in 2017 on a Sullivan’s Island beach. Looking forward to all the new memories we’ll get to create ... and to all the UNC smack I’ll undoubtedly continue to talk.
Max Kaplan
Groomsman
Max Lide lived right across the street when we were growing up, and we spent countless hours together. I’ve always looked up to Max (mostly because was always 8” taller than me) and still do to this day. My mom will never let us live down “The Miracle” I shared with her when Max and I were very young. “The Miracle” was that I was older than Max, but he was taller and bigger than me. I guess when you’re that young, bigger always equals older, so in my mind this difference in size was a true miracle. Dumb but cute. Max is currently being the man down in Atlanta engineering light shows for performers, and he recently built “an egg” for Kanye West. Who knows with Kanye? Max is a guy that will always have your back and will do anything for his friends.
Ryan Tavenner
Groomsman
Tav Von Dutchie is someone you always want to be around. He is hilarious, kind and spunky. We knew each other in high school, but our relationship really blossomed in college. I went to UNC Charlotte (suitcase college) and would come back to Greensboro to stay at Tav’s apartment (a.k.a. the cottage). We both transferred to App State in 2009 and lived together until he graduated ahead of me and left to head back to the flatlands. Once I finally graduated, I too left for the flatlands of Greensboro where we proceeded to rent a house together. We then rented another house and while living there he met the love of his life and abandoned me to live with her (shh! don’t tell her parents). Tav is a great friend, but an even better father to his lovely boy (Brandrew). Love you Tav!
Jim Barbour
Groomsman
I grew up with Bimmy but can’t remember the exact age we were when we met. We have been great friends since elementary school. I went to UNC Charlotte for 2 years and had the pleasure of having Jimmy as one of my roommates. He was easy to live with until I would wake him up at 11:45 AM playing Madden on max speaker volume and yelling at the TV. I quickly learned to not play Madden when a princess is getting her beauty rest. At UNC Charlotte, Jim tore his ACL playing flag football, and I was there to save the day and take him to the hospital. Funny part of that story – Jim assumed the wait at the ER would be long, so he said “let’s go to Buffalo Wild Wings before and eat dinner. The ACL can wait ... chicken wings cannot.”. Jim is the wittiest (and driest) guy I know and a great friend.
Nick Lanning
Groomsman
Nicholas Lanning is a national treasure. Hands down, the funniest guy I have ever met (sorry, rest of the group). Whether he's saying something funny, or just saying anything, Nick will always bring a smile to your face. Nick + I met sometime in elementary school + hit it off right away. He’s a huge Panthers fan and once took his friends to a game for his birthday. After the game, we went to Burger King where we were informed they were out of ketchup. Nick’s mom couldn’t believe it + an altercation ensued. Moral of the story: never tell the Lannings you don’t have ketchup! Nick was another of my roommates during my tenure at UNC Charlotte, and I could not have asked for a better roomie. Nick’s favorite hobbies include his walking his cute dog, Chloe, walking Chloe and ... walking Chloe.
Taylor Gentry
Groomsman
Taylor Gentry, aka JUICE, has always been a very close friend of mine. Taylor lived in my neighborhood, and we grew up riding the bus together. We were enemies in 2nd grade but all that changed after his father called my mother about an incident that we still laugh about. Taylor moved away in 6th grade, but we’ve kept up all these years later. Our parents would always meet in Mebane, and we would spend the weekends together. Taylor was a stud football player at NC State, and he always attributed his athletic drive to playing backyard football with David and me. We may or may not have ragged on this kid growing up. Relationships speak volumes when you keep up with each other after moving away at such a young age. Taylor is a great dude, and I am lucky enough to call him a great friend.
Matt Fox
Groomsman
Ol Mox has been a dear friend of mine for a looong time. We grew up together and went to the same church. Mox is my brother David’s age (‘06), but he sees himself more as an ‘07-er . He went to school at ECU, and I always enjoyed going to visit him and watching ECU football. Mox moved back to Greensboro after school, and we lived together for about a year. Mox was a great roommate + powered through his extreme cat allergies to always show love to my cat, Mr. Charles. It shows the kindness in someone’s soul when they’re willing to love your cat knowing full well they’re about to be in a world of pain from their allergies. Mox comes from a great family, and The Foxes + The Garretts enjoyed many a Christmas and beach vacation together through the years. I love all the many memories we have.
Josh Rotenstreich
Groomsman
JR - what a special guy this one is. This seems to be a common theme, but I can’t tell you exactly when we first met. I do recall getting to know JR during my college visits back to UNCG. JR went to UNCG with a group of my friends, and we hit it off right away. I’ve spent A LOT of time with this guy since we met. We drove across country together starting in NC and finishing our trip in AZ. We went coast-to-coast and didn’t miss much in between. Each year, I get to join him + his family on their family beach trip and for our yearly trip to visit his grandfather, Jimbo, at his farm in Alabama. We definitely have a brotherly relationship as we bicker from time to time, but that just tells me how close we are. I’m happy to consider myself an honorary Rotenstreich.