Wedding Party
Kelly Duffy
Matron of Honor
Kelly (Kleh) and I have known each other since fourth grade. From elementary school, to calculus club, to living in Spain, to college roomies -- we know way too much about each other. My favorite memories with Kelly include crashing bikes in Paris, roaming the streets of Lagos at 5 am, running through rain storms and, of course, life in Chapel Ridge.
Lorin Van Zandt
Matron of Honor
One year in Hinton James provided enough memories for a life time. Thankfully, we had two more years of living together after that. We got to be friends through cheerleading at Mt. Tabor and calculus club, of course. We experienced the ups and downs of college dorm life and somehow became best friends after years of living in a 10 x 15 room :) Lorin has yet to forgive me for the day I got mad at her and threw cereal behind the microwave. I'm hoping that having her as my matron of honor will help heal those wounds. P.S. -- She is a good cook, but I cropped out what we were cooking in her picture. I'm sure she'd be happy to explain why.
Corinne Burns
Bridesmaid
If I wrote down every memory I have with Corinne, I would run out of space on the Internet. Corinne was my first friend when I moved to NC in 1992. OMG that was 17 years ago. We grew up watching Saved by the Bell and playing capture the flag and four squares. We went to the same schools from middle school to college, and have stayed best friends even though she moved to the other end of the world.
Blair Ruddock
Bridesmaid
I think the story of meeting Blair is probably the funniest of all the bridesmaids. We needed a fourth roommate and a friend from my Spanish class said his girlfriend was looking for a place to live. So, Kelly and I (and maybe Lorin, I can't remember) had a blind date with Blair and her then-boyfriend. We convinced her we were normal and she moved in with us. Unfortunately, that relationship did not work out. To this day, no one knows why. We thought they were perfect for each other. or something. Anywho, Blair was always up and studying as I would fall into the apartment around 3 a.m. everynight in the post-21 days. She also kept and insanely clean room that smelled like cucumber melons.
Hayley Fischer
Bridesmaid
Hayley and I met in college as we were walking to Campus Crusade. With no fear of moving to quickly, we moved in with each other for the final 1.5 years of college. Hayley and I have a fatal attraction that forces us to share a kiss whenever we see each other. I have 7 months to get over that. Hayley has traveled all over the world and probably saved 10 million lives in underprivileged countries. Next stop: Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Leigh Pipkin
Bridesmaid
Leigh is the only non-North Carolina friend to make the cut for the wedding party. Fortunately, she moved to NC in August so she fulfilled the bridesmaid requirements. Leigh and I met through church in Atlanta and became best of friends due to our love of running, drinking wine and enjoying all that Hotlanta has to offer. About a year into our blossoming relationship, she moved to Michigan. Eventually, Leigh caught up with the times and got text messaging, and our relationship has stayed strong ever since. My prediction is that all of the single men will fall in love with Leigh at the wedding, so, I'm throwing my bouquet to you.
Richard Boykin
Best Man
Richie B. is Jay's best man. I have never met him so I stole this picture from Facebook. I know that he lives in New York in a town with a long name. UPDATE: My sources tell me that Jay and Richard once got in a fight over basketball. Jay threw the ball at Richard, who returned the gesture with a slap. Jay then proceeded to hit him in the face -- repeatedly. My sources tell me that Richard got the last laugh because Jay broke his hand in the act and had to wear a bright purple cast on his hand for a few weeks.
Mike VanBeneden
Best Man
Jay lives in Mike's house. Mike won a really big tv by purchasing a ton of clothes every single day. I'm not sure what all the contest involved, but I know Jay and I had to go to the store and say something 10 times so he could get points. I predict that Mike will catch the garter.
Robert Cooper
Groomsman
Cooper is Jay's friend from the golden days of Georgia State. He probably knows a lot of things I don't need to know. Cooper used to live in the bustling metropolis of Lexington, North Carolina. Out of everyone in the bridal party, he is the only one who can say he used to live in the county seat of Davidson County. Go Cooper! Oh, and in the same way that the "Carlton dance" jokes are getting old, there is no need to reference "Hanging with Mr. Cooper." He's heard it.
Nate Amarose
Groomsman
Nate is the source of all of Jay's music. Nate drives a motorcycle and is moving to San Francisco. While we will all miss him, Atlanta's carbon footprint will improve drastically with the end of his fire parties.
Stephen
Groomsman
Stephen is Jay's fashionable brother. He is the only one of Jay's five brothers who was born in Jamaica. Stephen goes to school in Atlanta and works in Macon. He has spiderweb tattoos all over his arms.
Akeem
Groomsman
Akeem is Jay's younger brother. He is in school in Macon. Akeem likes to work out, if you could not tell, and he also is quite the pool shark.
Kyle Van Zandt
Groomsman
Kyle is the latest member of the wedding party. He is married to my matron of honor. Can you guess which one? He is a teacher/surfer in Wilmington, and once was Rene Zellweger's favorite barista. Jay and Kyle met at Kelly's wedding, and quickly developed a friendship beyond what's required of the the "you're my best friend's husband" courtesy rules. Kyle and Lorin (just gave away the answer to my question) are the only married duo in the bridal party ... so far! Men, check out your options! (Kelly is married, so rule her out).
