Michelle & Zachary
Wedding Party
Michelle Traylor
Bride
Michelle Traylor was born on January 5, 1993, in Dayton Ohio. She grew up in her family home in Huber heights Ohio, where her father still resides. She played varsity tennis all throughout high school and has always had a love for photography and the arts. She moved to Asheville NC in October 2017, where she began her path in recovery from alcoholism. She has been on her healing journey ever since and obtained her 200 hour yoga teacher training certification in Rishikesh, India in June of 2019. Michelle currently works as an accredited dog trainer and she adopted her first dog (Lily) at the age of 18 and her second dog (Zoey) at the age of 22. Her and Zack adopted their third dog (Ollie) in Jan 2021. Her fur babies are her children and have been by her side through many ups and downs.
Zachary Sweat
Groom
Zack was born on August 8, 1994 in Atlanta Georgia where he grew up as an only child with his mother and father. He attended Chattahoochee high school and had a passion for extreme sports including: skateboarding, motocross, snowboarding, wilderness backpacking and camping. Zack moved to Asheville on his journey in recovery in 2016. Asheville is where he found his love and passion for mountain biking. He spends most of his time at the dirt jumps and flowing down the pro lines. He also has a love for animals and has welcomed Lily and Zoey in as his own fur children.
Corrine Weiss
Maid of Honor
Corrine is Michelle’s oldest niece. They are only 3.5 years apart and grew up as sisters. Corrine literally called Michelle sissy until she was about 12 years old. They wanted to have a sleepover every night and would hide from the parents because they didn’t want to be separated. When they became teens Michelle would take Corrine to Kings island all the time. They would have so much fun they would literally fall asleep in the car in the parking lot. They also shared a mutual love of Skyline Chili and would eat there together frequently. Corrine went to school In Charleston SC and now lives in Charlotte, only 2 hours from Michelle. She is the mother of Alaska (grand niece).
Ashley Emrick
Matron of Honor
Ashley is Michelle’s cousin and they’re only 6 months apart. They both grew up together as sisters and have a very special, unbreakable bond. Ashley and Michelle have shared many smiles, laughs, tears and fights together, just as sisters would. They have continued a close relationship into adulthood and Michelle couldn’t imagine having anyone else be her Matron of Honor on such a special day.
Kelly Hood
Maid of Honor
Kelly and Michelle met through PetSmart and instantly bonded through their love of animals and 1993 birth year. They had the type of instant connection where you feel like you’ve known the person your whole life because you have so much in common. They both have very playful & fun energy and always have a good time together. You can always find them laughing at an inside joke, bashing snacks together in the clock in room or tagging each other in ridiculous fish memes.
Brice Gano (Max)
Best Man
Zack and Brice (Max) have been friends since they were about 5 years old. They lived in the same neighborhood and went to the same school together. They were basically brothers from different mothers. They were two peas in a pod, building and blowing (rocket) things up. They both did a lot of dirt biking and riding around on their gas powered scooters together. They have remained very good friends throughout the years and Zack still thinks of Brice as a brother to him. Zack couldn't imagine anyone else as his best man on his special day.
Amber Rose Magdalena
Officiant
Amber and Michelle met in December 2017. Amber was Michelle’s first sponsor in AA. What started out as a sponsor, sponsee relationship quickly bloomed into a beautiful friendship. They have remained close during the years of their relationship and Michelle views it more as a sisterhood. Amber is over nine years sober herself and has played a huge part in Michelle’s recovery. She has been an inspiring mentor and role model for Michelle and has always been a huge support system in Michelle’s sobriety. Amber is a feminine empowerment coach and part of the rose lineage. She is a true leader when it comes to women empowerment and the rising feminine. Michelle and Zack couldn’t imagine a better fit to officiate the ceremony on their spiritual day.
Sydney Kondas
Day of Coordinator
Sydney and Michelle have been friends since they were in diapers. They’ve shared so many special memories together and still share a very special bond to this day. Michelle chose Syd as the day of coordinator because she has been one of Michelle’s most trustworthy and loyal friends she’s ever known. Michelle is so excited to have her life long best friend be such an essential role on her special day.
Levanna Neal-McVey
Mother of the Bride
Levanna is the mother of Michelle (bride) and Angie (Michelle’s older sister). Michelle and her mom have always had a very close relationship. Even though they live far apart now, they still talk on a weekly basis and have become even closer in recent years. Michelle and her mom have been through some ups and downs in life but her mom has always been her rock and her biggest supporter. Levanna has a passion for animals just like her daughter and has three pug mixes that she completely adores! She also has a very creative side making beautiful artificial flower arrangements and loves working on interior design projects. Her energy and motivation in life is truly an inspiration.
Ellen Sweat
Mother of the Groom
Ellen is the mother of Zachary. Zack has always been a mommas boy and simply adores everything about his mom. Zack is so grateful that he has become closer to her in the recent years and looks forward to all the many years they will cherish together. Ellen is a very kind hearted and compassionate woman who has a very creative side when it comes to knitting. She does an amazing job at creating unique clothing items from custom fitting socks all the way to gorgeous shawls. Her creations are beautiful, just like her.
Michael Traylor
Father of the Bride
Mike is the father of Michelle. Him and Michelle started having a very close relationship in her pre teen years when she started playing tennis. It was a sport they bonded over and have a passion for. Mike also used to take Michelle fishing when she was little and to Kings Island where he taught her not to fear roller coasters. They used to have late nights eating at Frisch’s big boy, playing tennis under the lights at Ark Van Atta and watching all the Alien & Predator movies on laser disc. Michelle has always looked up to her father as a role model and still does to this very day. They may not be close in distance but they always are at heart. Michelle gets her goofiness from her dad and her late night munchies!
Keith Sweat
Father of the Groom
Keith Sweat is Zachary's wonderful father. They have always shared a very close bond. Zack has fun memories going snowboarding in Snowbird with his dad when he was a kid. His dad has always been a big inspiration in his life and he still looks up to him to this day.
Angie Mckeever
Bridesmaid
Angie is Michelle’s older sister. They are 13 years apart but they have a very close relationship and special sisterly bond. The two always have a good time together that usually includes a lot of belly laughing. When Michelle started hitting adulthood, they really started having a very close relationship. Angie is the mother to Michelle’s beautiful nieces and nephew and she is also the grandmother to Michelle’s wonderful little grandniece.
Alaska Turner
Flower Child
Alaska is Michelle’s adorable Grand Niece! Michelle had the honor of becoming a grand aunt on Jan 5,2020, on her 27th birthday. Alaska came at 11:57pm with only 3 minutes to spare and became the best birthday gift a girl could ask for!
Alexa Donahue
Bridesmaid
Alexa is Michelle’s youngest niece. Michelle was about 14 when Alexa was born and they have always had a very close relationship. When Alexa was about 3 she told Michelle that she was her best friend ever. Now that Alexa is a teenager herself, she has started coming to visit Michelle in the summer, where they spend the week hiking, canoeing, shopping and adventuring to different cool places in the Asheville area. There’s always a lot of laughs and hugs when they’re together and everyone says that they are a lot alike personality wise. Michelle is very proud of Alexa for always being herself.
Vicki Davis
Bridesmaid
Vicki is Mike’s (Michelle’s dad) long time girlfriend. They have been together now for several years and Vicki has been there for Michelle during some very hard times. She makes Michelle’s dad very happy and they are a perfect pair together. She also plays tennis, does sign language and ballroom dancing. She has a passion for shoes and dogs! She’s been a huge inspiration and support to Michelle for many years.
Sara Jay
Bridesmaid
Sara aka Sarabear has been Michelle’s friend for over 10 years now! They met in 10th grade geometry class. It was a new school for Michelle so it was a hard transition but Sara and her clicked very quickly. They eventually lived in their very first apartment together when they were 18. They loved to party together back in the day but also were the type of friends who loved doing pretty much anything together. Sometimes they would just go for rides listening to music or driving down scary roads. Since Michelle moved, they still maintain a close relationship and visit each other often.
Jaydon Donahue
Groomsman
Jaydon is Michelle's nephew. He is the son of her sister Angie. Michelle spent a lot of time with Jaydon when he was a little kid. Now that they have gotten older, they aren't as close but Jaydon got to come spend time over the summer in the amazing blue ridge mountains where they did a lot of hiking and he got to mountain bike for the first time with Zack! Michelle holds a very special place in her heart for Jaydon and is very proud of the man he is becoming.
John McVey
Groomsman
John is Michelle's wonderful stepfather. He came into Michelle's life during her teenage rebel years and as the years have gone on, their relationship has gotten a lot closer. John is one of the best people you will ever meet. He's a hard worker and has a huge heart. He is the type of guy who will give someone the shirt off his back and he has been a big inspiration in Michelle's life.
Sam Adams
Groomsman
Sam is Zack’s middle cousin on his dads side of the family. Him and his wife Tammy have two beautiful children together. Zack remembers Sam playing the bass guitar when he was little and that has helped inspire his love for music.
Aaron Adams
Groomsman
Aaron is Zack’s youngest cousin on his dads side of the family. Aaron married his beautiful wife Blair in the summer of 2018 where Zack and Michelle attended in Ohio. Zack and Michelle are excited to have them join their special day as well. Zack and his cousin used to play a lot of sonic the hedgehog on the Sega Dreamcast back in the day.
Matt Mee
Groomsman
Matt is one of Michelle and Zack’s closest friends. Him and Michelle met in February of 2017. Matt has been an amazing friend to Michelle and became very close to Zack as well. Matt is a one of a kind person and is basically the God parent of Lily & Zoey (the dogs). Him and Michelle have very fond memories of going to shows together and Matt has made many trips to the Asheville area, spending time hiking, biking and snowboarding. He is like a big brother to Michelle and we couldn’t imagine our big day without him!
Richie McKeever
Groomsman
Richie is Michelle's incredible brother-in-law. He is the husband of her sister Angie. Richie is one of the funniest guys you will ever meet. He has an incredible soul and personality and is a dance teacher. Not only does he teach dance but he teaches dance to kids with special needs as well, giving them a purpose and fun in their lives. He is very passionate about what he does and he is a one of a kind with a super loving heart!
Peter Saba
Groomsman
Peter is one of Zack's best friends and they go way back. They always have a fun time together, whether it be skating, biking or having deep conversations. They've been friends since the high school years and still hold a very strong connection to this day. Peter is a very knowledgeable and bright individual.
Pa
Grandfather of the Bride
Pa is Michelle's last remaining grand parent. He is the father of Michelle's mother. Pa and Michelle share a very special bond. He used to always take Michelle fishing, to buffets and to Sunday school when she was a little girl. One of her favorite places to go with him was Carriage Hill where he would buy Michelle sour candies and they would take walks out in nature. When she was just a little girl he would ask her, "where are we at Michelle?" and she would answer "we right here Pa, we right here." Michelle has a very special love for her grandpa and cherishes him more than he will ever know.
Pop
Grandfather of the Groom
Pop was Zack’s wonderful grandfather. He unfortunately passed on 12/14/22. Zack has a very special place in his heart for his grandpa. Even though they are far apart, he thinks about him on a daily basis and loves him very much. He has very special memories, one being riding the lawnmower around with him in his backyard. Zack will cherish those memories forever. Pop was a very genuine and kind loving man and Zack is still inspired by him and will forever look up to him.