Taylor & Michael
Wedding Party
Meredith Vorderbruggen
Maid of Honor
The woman who has seen this relationship since its very inception, Meredith has been our biggest fan since day one of us being together. Mer and I first met when I sat next to her during an English class in college we both needed to take to graduate, and we were fast friends. She was the one who let me take up her bedroom floor when I had nowhere to stay upon my awaited return to Texas, there to listen to me prattle on nervously about meeting Michael for the first time since I moved away the night before our first official date, there to take all the photos when I got proposed to exactly one year later. As a dear friend to both Bride and Groom, no one is more qualified for this role than Meredith.
Marize Awad
Bridesmaid
My longest standing friend, I've known Marize since 2015, where we met at the Aliso Niguel High School pool deck. Barely freshmen, Marize had tried out for the school's water polo team I'd been in the summer prior. I wished her good luck before she hopped in to try out, and the rest is history. We have suffered 6am morning practices together, went on vacations together, and spent many late nights studying for AP exams and finals together. So beloved, my father affectionately referred to her as his "third daughter." Wickedly ambitious, kind, intelligent, humble and God-fearing, our friendship is steady, despite being 1,500 miles away. No distance, time or new adulthood obligations can get in the way of our unwavering bond. Ours is the friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Christiane Emery
Bridesmaid
Christiane, Cat, Cece -- she goes by many names, but I know her well as another lasting girlfriend in our college friend group. We technically met at Alpha Delta Pi bid day our freshman year in 2019, but we rekindled a few years later when she was brought into our 6am weekday coffee study group at Buon Giorno Coffee in downtown Fort Worth (why would you agree to that? I'm glad you did, but why?). Our friendship has only grown since, with Christiane going out of her way to make an appearance at Taylor's 25th birthday this year, despite living all the way in Arizona. Christiane is energetic, hilarious, full of surprises and always down for an adventure -- but she is also resilient and gracious. I knew she'd be an exciting inclusion to the wedding party during this special time.
Domenica Lyznick
Bridesmaid
Domenica and I met far too late, but we have become fast friends in the last few months. Her boyfriend Jaxon and I were close friends in college, but I only met Domenica herself in passing at the TCU library on one occasion during a stress-induced all nighter shortly before I graduated. Per Jaxon, he told Domenica after our exchange: "You would like her; you two would get along." Cut to two and a half years later at a mutual's bridal shower, and we quickly begin brainstorming on how to bring our dream homestead to life over classic bridal shower games. There's always more to bond over some brunch or boba or HomeGoods meandering with Domenica, and being so aligned in beliefs and values, I can't wait to have even more excuses to spend time with her.
Savannah DeCrow
Bridesmaid
Savannah and I have an especially unique relationship -- we met in Florence, Italy as assigned roommates, but became travel companions throughout our study abroad program. During our four-month stay in the Cradle of the Renaissance, we explored the Vatican, gambled penny slots in Monte Carlo, saw the Palace of Versailles, meandered Disneyland Paris on Halloween, boated to some random islands in Croatia, blared the Ratatouille soundtrack in a rental car through the South of France, rode a gondola lift to the top of the Swiss Alps, and even experienced an *unexpectedly intimate* and hilarious spa excursion in Marrakech together -- and this was all before she lived on a cruise ship for nine months in the Caribbean as an actress in Cats! She came into my life during a particularly transformative period of time -- less than two weeks after my father passed -- and she was my rock the whole time I was abroad. She is talented, gracious, and an absolute riot, and my wedding party wouldn't be complete without her by my side.
Shane Taylor
Best Man
Shane and Michael first met during Michael’s freshman year of high school while working together on the tech and stage crew for Mary Poppins. They spent their time behind the scenes during productions, quickly realizing they held a shared sense of humor and similar interests. They became fast friends from then on, frequenting the movie theater dozens of times and taking badminton far, far too seriously. Come college, they both relocated up to the metroplex, allowing them to remain in consistent contact. Having spent many weekends together since (and even more hours online with their friend group), Shane has been a constant presence throughout Michael's life, and has even welcomed Taylor into their hang-outs from the jump, making him the obvious choice for best man on our special day. Fun fact: The two starred in a production of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, with Shane being Count Frollo and Michael being the titular character!
Ethan Iwama
Groomsman
Ethan is Michael’s longest-standing friend. The two met in middle school, developed their friendship and spent nearly every morning and lunch together. Through his ribbing and competitive edge, Ethan "bullied" (his words not mine) Michael while playing Super Smash Brothers into becoming a second to none player -- er, well, maybe second to Ethan. Their time together only grew in high school, where they frequently found themselves in the same classes and working together on stage crew and in small roles for nearly every play and musical. During college, Ethan lived in Dallas and remained central to the friend group that Michael would spend so much time with later on. Whether in person during long drives or through countless online calls, the two would remain close friends, with Michael always howling at Ethan's comedic timing and iconically deadpan delivery.
Ryan Rice
Groomsman
Ryan was one of Michael’s very first friends in BYX, as the two were in the same pledge class. From the beginning, their friendship was shaped by the many hours spent together through fraternity activities and events. Through those shared experiences, Ryan became a close and dependable friend during Michael’s college years, bonding over incessant movie references. Ryan also connected with his lovely wife, Mary Claire, at the exact same event where Michael connected with Taylor (and they even had their first date at the exact same coffee shop!). When their wedding day inevitably came, Michael was fortunate enough to be a groomsman for the happy couple. Both couples were introduced by the same BYX friend William, who has a very solid record as a matchmaker. Ryan has been an important part of Michael’s college memories -- and now will be in our wedding memories!
John Dubois
Groomsman
Michael met John during his sophomore year of college through BYX, where he quickly became a core friend alongside Ryan (another groomsman) in the fraternity group. Much of their friendship was built through the many events and activities that come with fraternity life. John also joined Michael on several trips to Billy Bob’s Texas, to improve on both social and line dancing (and Michael still pesters John about joining him to go dancing to this day). Recently, they were both groomsmen for Ryan on his wedding day. John has always been someone Michael could count on (and much like the Bride, John also holds a special fondness toward Italy!).
Wesley Vaughn
Groomsman
Wesley also met Michael during his freshman year of college through BYX. They were friends during those early and formative years. Their friendship grew even exponentially when they spent a year living together at the Merida Mansion (IYKYK) and exchanging convo while meal prepping side-by-side in their dinky kitchen. During that time, the two shared many late nights talking, watching movies and navigating college and life, even making time to chat during the brief interims between classes. Wesley’s steady friendship, thoughtful conversations and constant connection persisted despite living states apart.
Jake Bryant
Groomsman
Jake and Michael met thanks to the Best Man, Shane, and it did not take long for them to become quick friends. Much of their bond came from a shared sense of humor, as Jake is "easily the funniest person" that Michael knows. Alongside Shane and Ethan, the group has spent countless hours together both online and in person over the years. Many of those memories involved Michael making the drive to Dallas simply to spend time with the group, and Taylor was consistently welcomed, too. Taylor and Jake have gotten into a meme battle or two!
Jasmine Horne
Flower Girl
The Bride's eldest niece and the oldest flower girl, "Little Miss Jasmine" is five years old and unabashedly sweet. She loves ballet and being a princess, particularly like her namesake, Princess Jasmine.
Ellie Brown
Flower Girl
A riot of strawberry ringlets, Ellie is the Groom's eldest niece. She is kind, gentle and patient at four years old and loves bounce houses, being tickled, the color pink, and -- like the Bride's niece -- also loves ballet, along with tumbling.
Logan O'Neal
Flower Girl
The younger sister of the Ring Bearer at two years old, Logan is another one of the Groom's nieces, the youngest flower girl, and has the loudest opinions. She loves being tossed in the air and doing whatever her older brother or uncle are doing.
Noah O'Neal
Ring Bearer
The eldest child among the Groom's nieces and nephews and Logan's older brother, Noah is a sociable and energetic four-year-old who adores his uncle. He loves riding in his R/C blue Jeep, Spiderman, Legos and arcade games.