Although we may not have a traditional wedding with our entire wedding party present by our sides on the cruise, we still feel it’s important to let our closest friends know we would not be the people we are today or be where we are at today without them. And perhaps with a cruise some wedding party members may have low maintenance roles 🙂
And thats right, I am the bride I get to pick all my favorite pictures of my entourage, muahahahaha!
The Brides Entourage
Virginia Pinto– Madame of Honor
I have had the pleasure of knowing this gal since kindergarten! Knowing someone that long is really a unique experience, watching our friendship grow and change over the years as been awesome. Virginia and her amazing parents were such a huge part of my teenage years, countless sleepovers, parties, and silly times at her house. It was like a 2nd home to me and they def kept me out of trouble, with the exception of secret plans to kiss boys. Virginia has really seen me grow and mature into the woman I am today, and believe it or not that woman wants to get married to a boy! What?!
Thank you Virginia for always coming to visit and making time for me! Looking forward to many more years of great memories together.
I love how you have never once made me feel like I couldn’t be my weird, silly self around you 🙂 It is an honor to have you as a best friend and an honor to call you my maid of honor 🙂 I love you!!!!
Ashley Schwartau–Maid of Genuineness
Ah, my sister of another mister. We hit it right off the bat freshman year of college, earliest memory of wanting to show her and tell her all about my life through a scrapbook Virginia and Beverly had made for my 18th birthday. Our friendship grew closer when she was studying abroad in Paris as our lives were kind paralleling in some situations. And then we grew even closer still once I moved to Nashville. It has gotten to the point where we have known each other long enough and spend a lot of time together that it started to feel more like a sisterly relationship. And I really think of all the people in the world, if one had to be stuck being around me all day long without killing each other, I would pick you.
You and your wonderful family have also always accepted and embraced my weird, quirky self! I feel in knowing you all I have become more confident in myself and have learned how to express myself much better. Its refreshing to be able to be unfiltered.
Like Virginia, I could go on and on about our wonderful memories and how much I love you. You two are very similar….I totally have a thing for event planning, ambitious, red headed, silly, intelligent, type A, awesome ladies!
Thank you for your amazing friendship, I love you!
Justin Bonnema–Made of Wisdom
When I first met Justin he didn’t say much, but when he did speak it I knew it came from the heart. I think he is picky and a really careful decision maker, so I always take Justins words, opinions, and suggestions very seriously. When Justin suggested I move to Nashville, the idea really clicked. When I had the Justin seal of approval on Arthur, I knew I had found a good man 🙂
In addition to being so wise, Justin is just always so fun to have around. Quick to craft a delicious cocktail and so easy to talk to, even just a small gathering feels like a party.
I also deeply admire his ability to keep us anxious folks calm. You are an amazing husband and a fantastic friend. I cannot image my life with out my Justin and Ashley 🙂
Johnny Fravel–Made of Blood
No one knows what I am made of better than this guy! I love my little brother so much, even though he is not so little! We are only 13 months apart, which made growing up together pretty much feel like being twins. I would not be sane today without him, with all the instability of our childhood situation, he was always there and he was always what felt like a home to me.
I love that even as adults we can still joke and be silly with each other and also still joke and reminisce about our past.
My brother is one of the most honest, kind hearted, and gentle souls I have ever met. He just his a really really good person, doesn’t even have to work on it! I think this makes him the perfect father! I have truly enjoyed watching him mature even more once he became a father, the loving connection I see he has with Zavier just melts my heart!
Like I always say, Love you the most little broski!!!!!
Mary Bennet–Maid of Yes
Mary is a social butterfly! She is most happy to be going out or making plans with friends. I love that any time I ask Mary to join me some where, unless she has plans, she always says yes! I tried tapping into my inner Mary when Arthur and I first started dating. Once I started saying yes to Arthur, it just couldn’t stop! And there I was saying yes to the cherry ring pop I always dreamed of being proposed to with.
In addition to admiring Marys outgoing, fun loving nature, I also love how incredibly generous and helpful she can be. I leaned on her quite a bit as a well metro teacher. Any workshop she went to without me, I could always expect a copy of all the goodies without even asking! Need a mincemeat pie? Done. Want cupcakes at your white trash birthday party? Done. Need a custom fit cosplay outfit? Done.
She always goes above and beyond for her friends and family, how lucky we all are to have you 🙂
Liz Wh’oods–Maid of Ignition
This delightful southern gal is always a hoot! Even when she goes MIA from a party ;-p Liz is so easy to talk to, we could talk for hours! I feel so grateful to Liz because without her, I may not have met Arthur! So thank you Liz (and your parents) for being born and having a 30th birthday party! You and HG were the link in our two amazing circles of friends and I just cannot thank you enough for inviting Arthur and I to your party, he and I hit it off immediately. Thank you for cheer leading us along the way!
The Grooms Squad
So I have decided to organize my squad based on who will be making an appearance in Alaska and who won’t.
David Hobbs– A Not-So-Best Man
I met Dave at a random poker game and almost instantly start giving him a hard time about being a Marine. After discovering that I lived just minutes away from him (and Alicia) our friendship quickly developed with me coming over to visit all the time. I know he has back no matter what and will continue to give each other a hard time.
Alicia Hobbs– Because no squad is complete without her
Other than Tina, Alicia is the most optimistic person I have ever met and has certainly made my life better having her in it.
Abigail Scott– Can’t forget the little sister
With a 9 year age gap, our relationship certainly hasn’t been the standard sibling one but it’s a good one none-the-less.
Not making appearances but certainly not forgotten
Joel McGrath– Always my battle
Joel and I met in college as fraternity brothers, then for some reason he joined the Army and told me I should look into it. He’s been there for me for over 10 years now.
Matt Rogers– The token nerd/Jedi
While we technically went to high school with each other, we didn’t really become friends until we started attending trivia on a regular basis and Matt moved in with the Hobbs. We have since bonded over our mutual nerd-ness (though for some reason he likes Star Wars)