Taylor & Dylan
Wedding Party
Raven Lewis
Maid of Honor and Taylor's Sister By Heart
I was lucky to meet Raven in middle school. We were both on the dance team and grew close throughout high school. Endless Riverdale drama created a true bond (I mean, I ended up as Raven's designated hall-pass our senior year, so I had to take all of her trips to the bathroom too). Thankfully, our friendship continued after graduation. While we didn't attend the same university, Raven went to Loyola (which is practically part of Tulane's campus) so that we could enjoy endless lunches at Luff or the LBC with Victoria. We've experienced a lot over the years and, even though I made her cry on her birthday one day at the LBC, she knows I only did it cause I love her. And now, it's Raven's turn to return the favor for all those bathroom trips as my maid of honor.
Rick Johnson
Best Man and Dylan's Uncle Dogs
I had to ask the man that's loved me ever since he sat on a half-built wall with my dad a week before my birth to be my Best Man and stand with me at our wedding. Uncle Dogs has and will always be there for me and I can't thank him enough.
Michelle Noverola
Bridesmaid and Taylor's Sister
Michelle has become (literally) the sister I have never had. I had the great honor of standing in Michelle and Sergio's wedding years ago and now I'm extremely happy to have them both in my wedding. Through the years, Michelle has not only given me countless hair, make-up, and fashion world advice over the years, but she has been there for me whenever I needed her most.. especially when I needed a fellow cook in the kitchen so we didn't overcook anything! I couldn't dream of saying I do without her.
Sergio Noverola
Groomsman and Taylor's Older Brother
Sergio is my older brother who tried to name me Roach or Shark as a baby. Thanks Mom and Dad for not following Serg's advice. Serg may be able to take credit for bringing me and Dylan together. If not for Serg's love of video games and (forced) willingness to let me play his video games growing up, I would've never become a gamer! I remember nights of hiding under Serg's bunk bed to watch him play Mario through the night. He isn't the biggest fan of hugging his sister (I was definitely an annoying sister), so I can't wait to capitalize on the big day to cash in a few hugs. Thanks for being a brother who had some pretty large shoes to fill and setting an example of what it means to be a great person in our generation. Thanks for getting into GT so I was shoe-in. And thanks for being you.
Jessica Reno
Bridesmaid and Taylor's middle school homeroom savior
Jessica, also known as Bob, is one of my longest lasting friendships. I am forever thankful that I met her in middle school homeroom.. I'm even more grateful that there weren't more people with last names between Noverola and Reno; otherwise, these introverts wouldn't have been forced to sit next to each other (and eventually talk to each other) all year in 6th grade! I know I wasn't always optimistic about friendships after high school and Jess would get so mad.. I'm an engineer, so I couldn't help but look up those statistics... but I'm glad you have proven me wrong. We have definitely beaten the odds and I'm so grateful you'll be there to celebrate my big day.
Matthew Cook
Groomsman and Dylan's party planner
Spending high school and college years in southern California meant having a naturally diverse group of friends. Matt was easily the whitest friend I had, maybe the only one (no offense, James). Honestly, if he didn't put together all the planned social interactions, I probably would've been a professional video game player by now.
Brittany Chambers
Bridesmaid and Taylor's Karaoke Queen
Meeting in middle school, I can just remember that Brittany and I hit it off immediately. From sleepovers with a water bottle to protect myself from her cats (I've got terrible allergies, sorry Weezy) to cheering together in high school, to allll of her house parties. She's made so much effort to constantly keep our group, through Halloween parties, basic parties, just because parties... We've shared so many memories over the years and I can't wait to make more at the wedding!
Wade Schaul
Groomsman and Dylan's younger brother
Growing up, we didn't share too many interests outside of sports. Most of our lives, we were just bros who lived in the same house. One collaboration that we can both take credit for was turning out a pretty bad ass younger brother (you're welcome, Tanner). Butting heads always kept me honest and taught me a lot I wouldn't have otherwise learned early on in life. Looking back, I can say, I now appreciate the life lessons I got growing up with you.
Robyn Marks
Bridesmaid and Taylor's sanity at work
Robyn and I met in a cult gathering in the woods north of Houston one March (it was a company sponsored young professionals conference). We spent three days plotting to take over the company that brought us together, before traveling back to our respective offices (Robyn is based out of our Cincinnati office) . Skype for Business facilitated our long distance friendship, where we have supported each other's careers, talked life, and kept each other motivated. Skype truly helped to create a life-long bond to where 4 years after that faithful gathering in the woods, I couldn't dare have my big day without Robyn standing by my side. P.S. Thanks for always encouraging me to push the limits.
Cody Noverola
Groomsman and Taylor and Dylan's Halo Teammate
With one year in age apart, Cody and I were mistaken for siblings or sometimes twins instead of cousins (although genetically, we're closer to brother and sister than cousin). From shared Spanish classes, love of soccer, and late night gaming with both Dylan and I, I couldn't say I do with BabyLuci.
Shelby Noverola
Bridesmaid and Genetically Identical Cousins
Shelby and I share nearly identical genes and a last name. Forever grouped together in school for being the Noverola girls, I'm really grateful for my close relationship with my cousin.. and even more grateful that Shelby helped even out the gender count of Noverolas (I was almost outnumbered!). We've done a lot of growing up together and helped expand our cultural appreciation. We shared so many links to different stories online, swapped books, always gushed about Spirited Away or Totoro among other shows. I also live vicariously through Shelby's fantastic hair - ugh true goals.
Kosta Marikas
Groomsman and Dylan's business parter
We spent our college days maxed out on our parents' line of credit and knew we needed something to show for it. Kosta and I commiserated in honors curricula, student sentatorship, how long Wells Fargo would own us, and busing hors d'oeuvres at uppity Christmas parties. Lacking both career foresight and money to bankroll one of many "business ventures", Kosta's law degree landed him his dream job (ask him about it). This was motivation enough to abandon working towards a dead end and start over with a slightly more practical approach.
Angel Burgess
Bridesmaid and Taylor's duet partner
Little Angel and I's relationship expands past us just being cousins. We share a deep rooted love for dancing. For years, Angel and I rocked out on every drive to and from our dance studio, often publicly embarrassing ourselves (or really, I was just embarrassing her). But hey, we had fun. I've had the honor of dancing with her on stage while we were growing up and I'll never forget that. I can't wait to relive those dancing memories with Angel at the wedding. Catch us on the dance floor!
Tanner Schaul
Groomsman and the youngest Schaul brother
You're welcome for making sure you turned out to be alright. Unfortunate for you, we caught a lot of the same genes - so stick to the gym if you don't want to look like this 10 years from now. Video games were the sponsor of most "big bro/little bro" bonding and I'm glad kicking your ass encouraged you to get better and return the favor (not quit like pops). I've learned a lot by being your older brother, and I guess I'll say, mentor in some areas and looking forward to continuing that role.
Victoria Tecchie
Bridesmaid and fellow New Orleans "Ex-Pat"
When part of Victoria's middle school merged with mine in middle school, I was outraged that she was granted a spot in the dream class - Publications. Many of us (fellow bridesmaids) just couldn't believe that a Hayne's student was just given a spot in this class! But now, obviously, I'm so grateful it happened. If not for Publications and frog jumps, I wouldn't be able to call Victoria one of my best friends. Eventually, when I move back to Baton Rouge, we'll both be NOLA Ex-Pats, living on the outside but excited that we'll be together in our BR/Praireville adventures.
Anthony Noverola
Groomsman and Taylor's Younger Brother
Anthony has been my literal knight in shining armor over the years. He would greet all of my potential suitors with a sword at the door vying to protect his sister... with the exception of Dylan. Dylan had apparently passed the test since he could beat Anthony at Halo. We may have bickered over the years, with Mom and Dad worried about our relationship.. Little did they know, it was our way of showing our love. In all seriousness, I wouldn't be who I am without you Tony. Please don't shave your head before the wedding, I like your hair. And I can't wait for free medical consultations in the future.
Elizabeth Lohmann
Bridesmaid and Taylor's partner in crime
It took some time for Elizabeth and I to become friends at work. We'll just say there were some powers at work, keeping us a part. But once we finally went out to Olive or Twist one faithful night with Keith, we made our friendship Facebook official. Becoming one of Liz's only people to receive texts back within an hour or two at most (most people have to wait 5 years to get an answer..) we became inseparable. Elizabeth and I were known as JAG's dynamic duo since we were always together (when work would allow, of course). Thanks for being my escort (well, we were each other's escort) out of the plant when we worked late and always being excited to have a girl's night.
Walter Ray Burgess
Groomsman and Taylor's Hip Cousin
Ray Ray is the youngest of my cousins. From boom boom pow to flossing, he's always been the life of every family gathering. And you can't forget his love for video games too! I will one day beat him at the impossible wall-touch game. Be on the look-out for Ray's smooth moves on the dance floor and check out his Overwatch skills on his youtube channel - TheBabySaint has got skills.
Mila Valentina
Flower Girl
Mila is Taylor's first niece who brings great joy to the family. Her spunky attitude and fantastic dance moves will definitely be a highlight at the wedding.