Wedding Party
Emma Dedmond
Man of Honor
Molly's life changed forever in the summer of 1995 when Emma entered the world. Although she was a little miffed at first, it turned out that the small annoyances of welcoming a younger sibling were quickly outweighed by the delight of having a dedicated partner-in-crime. Although the number of inside jokes and the general volume level would indicate otherwise, a lot has changed since childhood. Emma no longer copies Molly's every move, but they most certainly cheer on every one.
Arrow Salkeld
Groomsperson
As the only two students in the local traveling home school, Ben and older sibling Arrow spent formative years as best friends. Days consisted of fun school projects (thanks, mom!), skipping class for Disney World (THANKS, MOM!), and playing Pokemon or Harry Potter. Ben changed the rules constantly and Arrow adapted with few complaints. A tight race for “Nerdiest kid in class”, by all accounts. They still connect over newer nerdy interests, but prefer to call them “intellectual endeavors” now. Ben builds board games when not managing a Payroll software team, and librarian Arrow obsesses over obscure local history.
Anna Roberson
Bridesmaid
Molly was alone and scared at UNC's freshman orientation when she saw Anna's gigantic smile and thought "she looks like she would be my friend." She was right. And it's a good thing too because otherwise we literally wouldn't be here. Anna introduced Molly to Ben. And actually she introduced Molly to a lot of people on this page. Because Anna is exactly the kind of friend you need when you are alone and scared.
Adam Dickinson
Groomsman
In college, Ben and Adam bonded over UNC sports and bad puns. They later lived together — Adam in pharmacy school, Ben slinging subs at Jersey Mike’s. Their friendship was on a roll, only sub-optimal when Adam committed sandwich treason at Jimmy John’s. Co-parenting Ben’s puppy Ellie is their proudest achievement, with Adam’s escape rescue skills earning him ulti-mutt dog dad status. Adam is now a licensed pun distributor and pharmacist, eager to dose you with medical facts and prescription-strength dad jokes.
Baylen Phillips
Bridesmaid
Molly and Baylen were friends at first sight when the Phillips family moved into the house behind the Dedmonds in 2000. From building fairy houses along the path between their backyards to exploring real-life fairytale castles in Europe, they have sought (and found) magic at every turn for over a quarter of a century. Their friendship has spanned continents and oceans, and their adventures have always taken them There and Back Again.
Chris Taylor
Groomsman & Officiant
As roommates in college, Ben and Chris hosted house parties that ceilings hated to see coming, and they poured hours into building a video game hockey dynasty (which may have slightly lowered their GPAs). These days, they channel that same weird energy into bird-themed board games, national park adventures, increasingly detailed football betting spreadsheets, and custom-built trivia games that last longer than any of their subjected friends would like — but never long enough for them.
Caroline Hudson
Bridesmaid
Molly knew that moving to Richmond to share a city with her friend of over a decade, Caroline, would be a great idea. But she's not sure that anyone could have guessed how much fun would be had, how much their friendship would deepen, or how many IPAs would be drank. If live music is playing, a game is on, or the sun is shining, "The Clean Yaks" are probably somewhere celebrating. Molly loves Caroline so much she bought a house down the street from her. Oh, and their dogs are best friends too.
Clay Hudson
Groomsman
When Ben and Molly moved to Richmond, Clay became their local tour guide through the city’s best breweries, restaurants, and trivia nights (where they do a lot of “almost winning”). He and Ben bond over Liverpool soccer and nervously supervising their dogs’ WWE matches. As neighbors, their friendship now runs on a beautiful and simple barter system: Ben runs burger night at his backyard pop-up Benny Blackstone’s; Clay lends his ladder and lets Ben win at Catan.
Olivia Grunert
Bridesmaid
Molly and Olivia have a friendship tattoo of a wasabi flower (iykyk). They met freshman year at Carolina, but these five foot assassins solidified as the iconic duo you know and love when they moved into their senior year apartment. While their days of running home from Franklin Street and New York Saves Lives may have been replaced by Asheville reunions and loving on baby Theo, one constant remains... Nicki Minaj's hip-hop classic "Beez in the Trap".
Joey Dragonette
Groomsman
In high school, Ben and Joey recognized each other as fellow UNC superfans before destiny saw them live together all 4 years in college. “Ben and Joey’s” became a go-to hangout spot, even if it sometimes smelled like Easy Mac. Music festivals, 2k during covid, and misadventure road trips have allowed them to keep doing what they do best – accidentally saying the same jokes at the same time. With Ben on drums and Joey on guitar, their future album will feature titles of overplayed inside jokes like "The Incident", "Reaction in Nashville", "We have to go back", and "Whose backpack is that?"
Quinn Scott
Bridesmaid
Molly doesn't remember meeting Quinn because she can't remember life before she knew her. The misadventures of their youth have been well documented in critically-acclaimed annual variety show "Christmas Special" and inspiring short film "That's My Boy!", while the misadventures of today are set across the Southwest, Hawaii, and Mexico. These days there may be a little less costumery, but luckily there are no fewer laughs.
Matt Abate
Groomsman
Ben and Matt forged an instant friendship through daily ping pong battles at work in Santa Barbara – a never-ending rivalry that continues now that Matt has migrated to Richmond. The two compete in darts, pool, disc golf, and anything that can be scored. Though they’ve taken turns introducing each other to new friends and new hometowns, Matt may ultimately win the hospitality competition — he's the friend who moves to your city and somehow ends up introducing you to everyone.
Rebecca Coe
Bridesmaid
Molly and Rebecca met working at a dog park bar... which will tell you a lot about their shared interests. Bonding over weekday cocktails, a love for their rescue herding-breed mutts, and a shared ambition to see as much of the world as possible, Molly and Rebecca quickly became the kind of friends that feel like they've known each other forever, and Rebecca certainly makes Richmond feel more like home.
Jacob Coe
Groomsman
For 3 years now, Jacob has helped Ben enjoy life's finer things. He’ll carefully select a wine for the table and mix espresso martinis in the backyard, but he also shares Ben’s more cultured interests – a movie at the theater and a round of late night Taco Bell. He’s a fiercely loyal friend, charging onto paintball battlefields and comparing bruises later, and sharing the heavy burden of explaining new board games to confused guests.
Jack
Best Dog
Molly and Ben adopted Jack in 2020. He is always up for an adventure and always down for a nap. He loves squirrels, carrots, and Hambone Hudson. Notoriously not a party guy, Jack will be making no appearances on wedding weekend, but the couple thought he deserved a shout out for being their #1 ride-or-die.