Jessica & Willis
Wedding Party
Ozanne Armstrong
Maid of Honor
Ozanne and I have been friends since before we can remember. We grew up together in daycare/after-school care in Greenville, NC, but never attended the same school together until high school! Of all things in my life, Ozanne has been the most consistent and steady. She's level-headed, calm, and I can easily be myself when I'm around her. Ozanne has such a sweet sense of humor, and we laugh so much when we're together! Ozanne will be traveling from Greenville, NC, and I am so excited to have her as my maid-of-honor! I'm also completely honored to have her as my life-long best friend.
Hannah Libera
Bridesmaid
Hannah has been one of my best friends, since our early college days at NC State! In the dorms, we often ended up staying in each other's rooms, and we finally got an apartment together our junior year. We've traveled together quite a bit over the years: backpacking in Utah, a weekend in Vermont, a weekend in the Florida Keys, kayaking the NC coast, a week in Belize-Hannah is my adventure buddy, through and through. She is that friend I can call-up anytime, and we pick right back up where we left off. Hannah has also known Willis as long as I have, and her support for us over the years has been special. So excited to have Hannah as part of our team to support our marriage!
Leeanna Bunch
Bridesmaid
Leeanna and I lived in the same dorm-room suite for our first 2 years of undergrad at NC State. Our friendship has grown stronger and stronger over the years, and Leeanna is a friend that I absolutely treasure. Fun story, Leeanna was the first person to teach me to shoot a rifle. ;) Over the years, we've had some wonderful adventures: kayaking the NC coast, making apple cider in the NC mountains, hiking in VA mountains, spending lots of time on the NC coast, and watching our dogs play together. Leeanna is the type of friend that will always pick up the phone when I call her, and she has been immensely supportive in my relationship with Will. She'll be traveling from Kinston, NC and we're excited to have her join us!
Melissa Ricker
Bridesmaid
Melissa is a friend from the very beginning of undergrad, when our time in the WISE village brought us together! In terms of professional mentorship, Melissa is unmatched. She has taught me how to work hard, the importance of being organized, the importance of relationships, and that working for your dreams is worth it. I actually have a list of quotes from Melissa, because she always has thoughtful and inspiring things to say. Mel is also that friend that is always down for a good time, and somehow I end up with the best stories when I hang out with her! She's traveling from Charlotte, and I am looking forward to having Melissa by my side to celebrate my marriage!
Dr. Carolyn Edson
Bridesmaid
Carolyn and I became friends our first year in vet school at NC State. It can be very overwhelming that first year when you're all of a sudden thrown into a class of 100 strangers, but Carolyn and I had an instant connection. I remember sitting outside of Port City Java coffee shop when we both figured out we were from Greenville, NC, that I had met her boyfriend when I was 14 at a friends house, and that we had both experienced tragic loss of our fathers. Having Carolyn as a friend has been a blessing in so many ways, and it's extra special that we understand how to support each other too. Carolyn will be traveling from Wilmington, NC to stand by us, and we are so excited!
Dr. Amanda Slusky
Bridesmaid
Amanda is one of my closest friends from vet school, and we lived together our first 2 years in school. We both desperately needed a roommate, very last minute, and we were lucky we found each other! Amanda is one of the most intelligent, and organized people I know! I can always count on her support, and intel, for whatever it is I'm going through. She always answers my calls to her, and I love hearing about her cases as an emergency vet in Charlotte, NC. I was lucky enough stand beside her when she was married in 2017, and now I can't wait for her to stand beside me!
Dr. Carly Stephens
Bridesmaid
Carly and I have been friends since very early during vet school. I even remember her from orientation! She is funny, smart, brave, and has such a wonderful heart! Carly has been immensely supportive of Will and I, and she has helped me explore my faith further over the last several years. I can always count on her for a good laugh! Carly will be bringing the smiles and sunshine with her from Carborro, NC! Her support on my wedding day is very special to me, and I cannot wait to have her by my side!
Gracie Hunnings
Junior Bridesmaid
Gracie is my sweet, adorable, funny, athletic, and kind-hearted cousin! Until Gracie came along 10 years ago, I was the only other girl in the family! Inevitably, we have a special connection, because the girls have to stick together! Gracie is joining Will and I as a Junior Bridesmaid, and we are looking forward to having her as part of our special day! Gracie is pretty excited too...she thinks we're cool.
Jack Frost
Best Man
Jack and I have been friends since we first met in 4th grade. Having both studied electrical engineering in collage, Jack is someone I know I can always geek out with. From being on the same soccer and track teams in high school, to working at summer camps together, we have shared a lot together in life. When Jack moved back to Raleigh after college, he and I lived together for several years while I was finishing school. Those couple of years were some of the most enjoyable and memorable in my life, full of fun times, hilarious pranks, and trying to figure out how to be an adult. Jack is a generous and caring friend who always knows how to bring people together. Jess and I are honored to have Jack there with us on our wedding day and look forward the years ahead.
Lucas Edmondson
Groomsman
Lucas is my older brother and life long fishing guide. Lucas and I have always shared a love for fishing and pretty much anything to do with the ocean. Growing up together, we went to the same marine science camp at cape lookout and spent the summers learning new fishing techniques. On every family vacation you could be assured that we would be packing or fishing rods. Most our time together nowadays is spent at Harkers Island on weekends. I have always looked up to Lucas and continue to learn a lot from him. Lucas lives with his wife Claire in Wilmington NC. Jess and I are so happy to have him with us on our wedding day.
David Hurley
Groomsman
David and I first met at NC State and became friends at the campus climbing wall. For our final summer vacation from collage, we headed west in my parent’s van for a 6 week long life changing trip to the Rockies to experience the epic climbing the we had only read about in books up until then. Every great adventure changes you in ways you don’t expect and opens your eyes to new possibilities and ways of life. Our friendship has continued to be bonded to our mutual love of the outdoors and I can always be assured that I’m in for an adventure when I go to visit him. David always carries a fun loving and positive energy with him that is infectious to everyone around. Jess and I are excited to have him there to support us as we step into this new stage of life.
John Smith
Groomsman
John is Jessica's little brother, traveling from Boone, NC where he's studying graphic design at Appalachian State. He's a fun, creative, kind-hearted young man. He's an important part of Jessica's life, and she's so excited he'll be able to be part of our special day. I'm also looking forward to having another brother in the family.
Dr. Liz Punger
Reader
Funny story, Liz and I were on the tennis team together back in high school! She was a year older than me, and obviously way cooler. Fast-forward 6 years later, Liz and I recognized each other at vet school orientation, and we've remained close friends since that fall of 2013. Liz is one of the most driven, organized, motivated people I've ever met. She's now a captain in the US Army Veterinary Corps, and will be traveling from Ohio to join us!
Dr. Deb Yannessa
Official Casey Escort
Deb and I met during orientation at vet school, and along with Liz and Carolyn, Deb rounds out our first year anatomy group! Deb initially may come off as quiet, but is one of the funniest people I know, and easily provides the comic relief to our tight group of friends. She is kind, incredibly smart, and adventurous. Recently engaged herself, Deb will be traveling from Charlotte to be a part of our special day! She's the Official Casey Escort, meaning she'll be in charge of walking our darling dog down the aisle to us!