Tabatha & Michael
Wedding Party
Morgan Wilkey
Bridesmaid
Employee of the Month? Pfft. Morgan and I were instant best friends, we met while struggling to fold sweaters and change mannequins in the heart of the Gap dressing room in 2012. Let's just say my life would have been completely different if we had never met, for the worse. You will always have those friends that bring out the best in you, and maybe... just maybe Morgan does that to me. From loving horror movies, poetry, and Starbucks pastries this girl has been here for me whenever I need it, whatever the distance, I could not have asked for a better lifelong bestie.
Cassie Ricalde
Bridesmaid
Should we open some wine? Cassie is Michael's to be sister in-law, making her the other to-be Gagliardo. Cassie and I met way back on the weekend Michael decided to finally make things official in Chicago, so I would say our friendship is as old as Michael and I's relationship. She is someone I can always guaranty instant laughs with, someone that I know is always ready for a mimosa or kill it as my codenames partner, and someone I can always count on. I could not have asked for a greater bridesmaid and future sister in law^2 (or however you'd consider it).
Chloe Greig
Bridesmaid
The Tallest Mini-Me People always ask me how many siblings I have, and yes of course there is Jim, my older brother, but I often consider Chloe the little sister I never had. As my cousin, who I have known all of her life, I have watched her grow and become the beautiful woman she is today. I can recall the amount of firsts I was able to share with Chloe, her first rollercoaster ride, her first museum day, her first time seeing the ocean, I was there with her for it all. The funniest part is she was always a little hesitant as a child to take these leaps for the first time, and being able to hold her hand was always an honor, and now she gets to hold my hand as I take the leap.
Brandi Martin
Bridesmaid
Getting "adopted" by the Martins Brandi was Michael's friend who I have always admired. She is the definition of a free spirit, and the life of the party. When I first moved down here I realized right quick that the Michael was essentially a part of the entire Martin family. They always say that you do have the right to choose family members, and this is a prime example. Brandi has been an amazing friend, and a part of our created family, whose always there for a chat when I need it most, and I am honored for her to be a part of my big day.
Aly Stone
Bridesmaid
A Competitive Spirit to Match My Own I took a huge chance in uprooting my Mid-western self to come down to North Carolina. I left friends and family behind, and it wasn't an easy decision to make. However, Aly was the first person I deeply connected with. She is my absolute favorite partner in any game (Spikeball, tennis, board games) due to her competitive nature that rivals my own. She has been an amazing friend, who I have shared some of my favorite North Carolina moments with, and having her smile and confidence is the light that I need in my bridal party.
Amanda Lytle
Bridesmaid
Bird Watcher, Tundra Swan Impersonator, Poison Ivy Enthusiast Amanda and I have become incredibly close over our time at NC State together. Amanda is an incredible lab assistant, but an even better friend. I have always wanted a friend that will nerd out with me about biology stuff, and the moment I saw Amanda wrangle some snakes under a rock in her front yard, I knew she would be a life long friend. This girl has the biggest heart, and it means the world to me that she is a part of my big day.
Juliana Hager
Flower Girl
My Playground Pal Juliana's presence has blessed the family and our hearts. She brings so much joy with her everywhere she goes, and for this reason, she is going to be the beautiful belle of the ball that walks down the aisle before me. Michael and I have been together since before she was born, and I have been able to watch her grow. We have had some cherished memories together, and I will always count on her to be my buddy and playmate.
Kyle Martin
Officiant / Groomsmen
Friends at first Craiglist post. I met Kyle at a local Raleigh bar in response to a listing in search of a roommate. The randomness of the meet was shortly overshadowed by the fact that Kyle had not only known a few of my close friends, but had also attended the same middle school with them. We remained roommates over the course of the following three years and grew to be frequent concert-goers, brewing partners, racquetball opponents, enthusiasts of fortuitous Folivora and close friends. Kyle witnessed the start of my relationship with Tabatha and, because of this, there is no one better to be overseeing our marriage as the officiant.
Will Belzak
Groomsman
¿Cuánto cuesta este? Will and I met during my time at NC State through Ben Fussell. While we didn't spend a ton of time together at college, we became close after graduation. Will shared my interest in travel, backpacking and music which was all that was needed for a great friendship. In the summer of 2015, Will and I decided to converge our two trips together and spend a few weeks traveling through Guatemala and Nicaragua, a trip that led to hiking and boarding down a Volcano as well as a broken hand (we won't discuss the dangerous circumstance that led to that.. hint: slacklining is not Will's forte). This was the same trip that culminated with myself meeting Tabatha in Costa Rica and, ultimately, our relationship.
Ben Fussell
Groomsman
Hyzer or Anhyzer? I can never remember the correct one. I met Ben in the hallway outside of our lecture hall on the first day of our Spring semester during my Junior year at NC State. Standards are pretty low in Electrical and Computer Engineering - if someone can maintain a normal conversation, chances are we were going to get along. Luckily, Ben and I connected on more levels than being able to communicate and became roommates shortly after. Our Senior Design project won first place my final semester, and Ben became my co-worker the summer he graduated. We've started a business together, albeit for fun rather than profit, and have remained close friends to this day.
Dominic Gagliardo
Groomsman
You're getting of of those? Fine, I'll get this then. As my older brother, Dominic has been someone I have always looked up to and, not surprisingly, always been competitive with. He would get the Xbox, I would get a PlayStation. He would get this brand new audio player called an iPod, I would get the super-awesome, definitely-going-to-last Dell Juke (I still have it). We didn't always get along growing up, and I'm sure I was a big part of the problem, always starting fights. But overall, he has been someone I can call on when no other could be of help - from career changes to difficult decisions, I knew I'd feel better after getting his advice.
David Gagliardo
Groomsman
"Who can clean the fastest?". Go! I met David when I was three years old; it wasn't long before I realized that he wasn't temporary, but someone I would be living with for the next fifteen years. As my younger brother, David and I spent a lot of time together, always imagining up some in-depth adventure to go on, always including some friendly competition. This could be anywhere from competitive sliding down the foyer (resulting in a emergency room visit) to a "who can clean the fastest" game in which I would move at 1/5 the pace to "encourage" David to clean up. Though we don't get to see eachother as often anymore, living across the state from one another, its as if nothing has changed when we are together, right back into the days of our youth.
Patrick (Packy) Mueller
Groomsman
pa·cky | /pa-kē/: (v) To take a joke too far Packy and I met at a run club in Raleigh. It was after this we became close friends, bonding over our love of beer. You can always rely on Packy to tell a bad joke, help build furniture or to take something too far, a notion we now refer to as a packyism. Nevertheless, Packy has been one of my most honest and caring friends, always ready to volunteer to help out no matter the task. He is one of those friends you know you will still be close with many years down the road, and I couldn't imagine standing up there without him.