Wedding Party
Amanda DeCastro
Matron of Honor
Amanda and I met at ESPN, where we sat nearby one another and annoyed plenty of coworkers with constant belly laughs and very little productivity. We may be a few hundred miles apart now, but she's still my best friend and makes me laugh every day like no one else can. An incredible mama, a giver to her community, and the most thoughtful and generous person I know -- I'm lucky to call her a friend.
Ellie Bautista
Bridesmaid
Sister of the groom, BFF of the bride. We hit it off immediately, and now I can't imagine going more than a day or so without talking. My recipe-swap buddy, the one who will laugh at my terrible jokes, and the one who gets me through tough days by always knowing how to speak right to my heart-of-hearts. I'm pretty lucky to hit the in-law jackpot.
Casey Ferguson
Bridesmaid
From the minute we met, Casey and I both knew we have such similar brains that it sometimes feels like we're talking to ourselves. I can count on Casey for so many things, but most of all to build me up and hold up a mirror to my best qualities whenever I have doubted myself. From baking to pottery to web coding, she's also one of the most talented people I know.
Alyssa Robling
Bridesmaid
You know someone is an absolute joy to be around when you have the best time just running errands with them. Alyssa is that person to me -- no matter what we're doing, I'm having a great time doing it. She is one of the most selfless people I've ever met, and loves people with a grace and kindness of which I'm forever in awe.
Andrew Simpson
Best Man
As Aaron's far less successful older brother, Andrew has spent his entire life minus two years looking up to Aaron. For that reason, and because Mom said he had to, Aaron has asked Andrew to be his Best Man.
Ezequiel Bautista
Groomsman
To this day, Ezequiel Bautista is the only man ever brave enough to voluntarily become part of the Simpson family by marrying Aaron's sister. Aaron and Ezequiel have a friendship forged by the mountains of Boone, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, and the Watauga River.
Brandon Baird
Groomsman
When people hear "Aaron and Bear" they almost always think "Bonnie and Clyde," not only because Bear and Aaron have been an inseparable duo since they met at Governor's School in 2007, but because together they conducted a string bloody bank robberies across the midwest in 1930's depression-era America.
Everett Hardin
Groomsman
Long before Aaron fell in love with an auburn-haired girl from Florida, another ginger held his heart. To compare Everett's musical prowess to any other musical legend is pure folly. He is not the Beyonce of bluegrass music, Beyonce is the Everett Hardin of pop. From his mastery of the cello to his wizardry in the recording studio, Everett Hardin is incomparable.
Andrew Jacobs
Groomsman
Every story needs a soundtrack. In the unassuming horror-comedy of Aaron's life, Andrew Jacobs is the soundtrack. Since the cabin steps of Camp Tekoa, halls of Appalachian State, countless music venues and just about every day since, Andrew has been a faithful friend helping Aaron keep the course in a way that only he ever could.
Daniel Potter
Groomsman
Since the early days of Elementary School, whenever you found Aaron getting into trouble, Daniel Potter was right by his side, telling him that this probably wasn't a good idea. Although now Daniel is answering the call to ministry in Georgia, this kindred spirit still wears his Chapel Hill High School wrestling singlet underneath every outfit he wears. Some traditions never die.