Matron of Honor
Emily and Anna first met in the 3rd grade and have been best friends ever since, no matter how far apart they have lived from each other. They have had so many adventures together over the years to the Outer Banks, Denver, Seattle, and around Virginia and D.C. Emily can always be counted on for a hug, a laugh, honest advice, constant love and support, planning most social events, and making sure photos are taken to properly document every occasion. She is responsible for most of the photos documenting Anna's adult life.
Best Man
Michael is Matt's older brother and the best man. He had a huge influence on Matt growing up, as anyone with older siblings knows. The younger brother always wants to be with and do whatever the older brother is doing. This got Matt involved in sports at a very young age and shaped a lot of his life. Michael lives with his wife Erin and two boys Hudson and Aiden in Rock Hill, SC. Being a far distance away, it is always a highlight to travel south to see them and play with the nephews.
Bridesmaid
Before becoming her sister-in-law, Annie and Anna played soccer against each other in college. In fact, Annie was always the one Anna was tasked with marking during set pieces. Annie joined the Young family when she married Anna's brother Colin in 2014. She is always there to listen, give advice, and always has a delicious recipe recommendation when Anna needs one. She is a kick-ass mompreneur and creative artist who will some day be tasked with designing Anna's dream home.
Groomsman
Josh is Matt's younger brother. Growing up in separate states they greatly enjoyed time catching up, talking about what music they were listening to, and what songs each had learned on the guitar recently. Josh is a Duke graduate and now resides in Ann Arbor, MI.
Bridesmaid
Brooke's marriage to Anna's brother Brett was one of the few positive highlights to come out of 2020 (apart from Matt's proposal of course!). Anna could not be happier with her new sister-in-law. Brooke is thoughtful, caring, kind, smart, fluent in multiple languages, and is a fantastic and creative baker. Anna and Matt can't wait to hit the dance floor at Brett and Brooke's wedding celebration in October 2021.
Groomsman
Brandon is a long time friend of Matt's dating back to ninth grade when he and his family moved from Tennessee to Cheraw, SC. He was a quiet (which for those who know him now don't believe), lanky red head who pronounced 'pocket' oddly, but him and Matt hit it off nonetheless. Matt and Brandon have played sports together and competed in any and everything you can bet on from chipping golf balls to fantasy football.
Bridesmaid
Anna first met Keri at a Halloween party in college, a fitting start to what would become a special friendship. Keri and Anna lived together in college for two years and after college for one year. Study sessions to Disney music, runs through Colonial Williamsburg, and trips to Cold Stone while singing Mariah Carey in the car were a frequent occurrence. These days Anna and Keri typically walk instead of run and drink coffee instead of eating ice cream. Keri is a superwoman who recently completed her dissertation and was awarded her Doctorate in Epidemiology while also raising two young children.
Groomsman
Ryan is Matt's college teammate and roommate of four years while at Newberry College. After speaking on the phone for five minutes (you bring this and I'll bring that), Matt and Ryan met on move in day and hit it off immediately. They went on to live together all four years of college and for one summer while playing in the Shenandoah wood bat league. One cannot count the shenanigans they have gotten into, though they came out the other end relatively unscathed with some great memories and stories to tell (or not tell).
Bridesmaid
Anna's first trip down the aisle as a bridesmaid was at her cousin Sara's wedding in upstate New York. Sara is kind, fun, smart, has an amazing laugh, and is mom to three beautiful girls. As a pediatrician, Sara will most likely be the recipient of frequent calls from Anna with questions should she and Matt have kids.
Groomsman
Bryce is one of Matt's post-college friends whom he met when Bryce started dating his now wife, and the officiant of our wedding, Stephanie (one of Matt's best friends from college). Matt and Bryce have enjoyed many great times over the past decade from tailgating, grilling out, and watching a game, to taking a crazy trip to Vegas and co-creating games like Vaaaaannnnnggggguuuuunnnnddddyyyyy!!!!! Matt has also had the pleasure to spend time with Bryce's family, which is one of the most open and loving families that one feels instantly welcomed into and a part of.
Bridesmaid
Anna's cousin Carly was born five days before her so pretty much every baby picture contains the two of them together (Carly in her cute girl clothes from her older sister Sara and Anna with hand-me-down boy clothes from her brothers). Anna has a lifetime of fun memories with Carly as they grew up together. These days Carly is an amazing mom to two beautiful girls and is an elementary school teacher.
Groomsman
Chris is an ex-roommate whom Matt met through work after moving to the D.C. area. Chris and his now wife Kaitlin's friendships played a huge role in cultivating the friend group that Matt got woven into after moving to Northern Virginia. Chris is a great one to have a drink with, contemplate life's idiosyncrasies with, or suffer with through a marathon in a freezing monsoon. Matt has not yet accomplished his goal of making Chris wear his first pair of jeans.
Groomsman
Jeremy is an ex-roommate of several years whom Matt met through another groomsman, Chris Hernley. Whether going to a Nat's game, eating wings, grilling way more meat than we can eat, or modifying Mario and Luigi Halloween costumes; Jeremy is always up for a good time. Hopefully the wedding koozies can stand up to the lofty standard that Jeremy has set with his many koozie creations for the many events and occasions over the past decade.
Groomsman
Jacob is Matt's friend from Northern Virginia (originally from Kansas). They share an affinity for good bourbon, poker, and any great cuisine. Jacob is a Puma athletic gear aficionado and a really solid board game competitor. Matt and Jacob have played golf more times than one could count, including a rainy/soggy mess of seven rounds in the pouring rain one weekend at Luray Caverns.