Live Wire Athens

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

We met in college while playing for the UGA Women's Rugby team and began dating in 2016. Little did we know the decision to join this dedicated, close-knit team would result in the strongest bonds of friendship we could ask for, and finding our forever person!

A Rugby Love Story

We were celebrating my birthday the weekend Jazz proposed. On January 15, 2022 after a graffiti class on the beltline, she asked if I wanted to take a look at the other art. We rounded a corner and spray painted in huge letters on the wall was the question. Our awesome instructor had been in on it for months, and painted the question in a hidden location before we showed up for class.

The Proposal

Our Story

Photos

I met Elise in the 3rd grade and she took pity on me as the lame new kid. I don't remember the first time we ever talked or hung out... But I do remember that in the 4th grade I had a falling out with another friend because he said it seemed like I would rather be hanging out with my "big lesbian friend". Turns out he knew a few things we didn't! Since then, Elise has been my easiest and most high-maintenance friend. We lived together during college and somehow are still besties to this day. I cannot imagine my life or who I would be without Elise. We are two halves of the same lunchbox orange (always hers, of course), a pair of thick dish-washing gloves, nostrils of the same picked nose. I am honored to be a part of her wedding but then again... she picked me out in the first place!

Logan House

I met Elise in the 6th grade. I don’t remember the very moment we met per se, but I do remember the first thing I ever heard her say. It was an icebreaker for band class, she was telling everyone how she had an extensive vocabulary because she had spent a day reading the dictionary out of boredom. It’s now 13 years later and I’m now one of the Maids of honor. Over the years not only has Elise shown to be all the cheesy things people say about their best friends like kind, generous and reliable but you may also know her through other admirable traits. Like her impeccable timing for out-of-pocket comments, or her hysterical t-shirts. My personal favorite Elise trait however is her devotion to being authentic. She taught me what it looked like to confidently navigate my life without caring what others thought. It may sound corny, but I am forever grateful to have met her so many years ago and to now be able to share such a special day with her and Jazz.

Giannia Vasquez

Elise and I have been friends since elementary school, living only a short walk away from each other in the same neighborhood. We rode the same bus, and became close friends rather quickly. Since then, we continued to grow up together, only attending different schools after graduating high school. Despite the many hurdles and changes life brings, our friendship has remained intact seemingly naturally, evolving alongside us. It's created a friendship that's uniquely meaningful and important to me.  And now, I get to see her through this exciting new chapter. 


Abby Vanderwolf

Elise and I met when we both were selected to serve as Georgia 4-H camp counselors. The next 3 summers she was always there for me regardless of what the obstacle was. As luck would have it we would both be in the Warnell School of Forestry at UGA as well. If I ever needed to call on someone, she always came running. I'm so happy for her and Jazz and can't express in words what an amazing person she is. 

Robbie Thomas

Me and Jazz met in the 10th grade for field day. We both linked onto someone so that we wouldn't be by ourselves. Those 2 people kind of knew each other and when I met her I was thinking "why is this girl who looks like Ellen DeGeneres (during her sweater around her shoulders phase) following me? I hope she don't think we are going to be friends". Meanwhile, she was thinking the same thing, minus the Ellen part. Days after, we both were still hanging out around school and everyone would ask if we were friends and we would look at each other and say "nope". One day someone asked and we looked at each other and was like mhmmmmm I guess. Then Jazz became... a hot commodity. And everyone used to ask if we were dating because we hung out all the time. We were just like "no, dang ya'll ever heard of best friends?". Been best friends ever since.

Denesha Williams

Jazz is one of my best friends. One lucky day in 2015, Jazz decided to join the UGA Women's Rugby team. The rest is history after that. I claimed Jazz as my rookie, and what started as a little big sis relationship quickly became one of my most genuine friendships. Two of my favorite things about Jazz are her sense of humor and how big her heart is. She made up this hilarious story about my glasses being knocked off my face by something inappropriate that I won't mention here. The funny thing is everyone on our team believed her, and the joke is still floating around today. There's so much I could say about how giving, loving, and trustworthy Jazz is. It's even harder to put those thoughts into words. There wouldn't be enough space to share all the amazing things Jazz has done for me. I am so happy that Jazz and Elise found each other. Elise is full of surprises in the best way. They bring the best out of each other. It has been amazing watching their love blossom and grow. I am just happy to be a part of their once-in-a-lifetime love.

Nakia Lee

I met the brides while playing on the UGA Women's Rugby team. Jazz and I were an unstoppable duo on the pitch, but I honestly have no recollection on how our friendship started. It wasn't existent and then it just was! Next thing you know, we were roommates doing roommate things. Like spending countless hours playing catch in the living room while gossiping about the newest drama or waiting for each other to come home so we can nap on the couches together (Jazz always gave me the big couch ❤). And then on that fateful night under the dim light of the lava lamp, Elise came into our world. Thank goodness she stayed because she killed the roaches and built my love for the outdoors. I can't wait to celebrate you two!

Joe Tam

After getting introduced to rugby and experiencing my first hit on the pitch from the one and only Jazzmon Smith... I knew I had to stay. While we don;'t share blood, she sure did make me bleed that day. She helped me find a sense of family away from home, especially when I needed it the most. I will forever be grateful for the friendship that we have and how it continues to grow. I don't know if she truly understands the positive impact that she has had on my life. I aspire to have a relationship as beautiful as Jazz and Elise's. I am constantly admiring the love that they have for each other, and I'm happy to be a part of their union. 

Letetia McCallum

Wedding Party

Q + A

Travel

Athens is a fun college town with lots of activities and great places to eat! Here are a few of our favorites:

This is a board game cafe that allows you to play unlimited board games from their huge game library for a small entrance fee of $7 per person per day. With a great variety of 2-12 player games, we have enjoyed many dates as well as group outings here!

The Rook & Pawn

An upscale Asian-fusion restaurant, this is our favorite place for a nicer date night. The dishes are served small-plate style, and are all flavorful and beautifully presented. The atmosphere and drinks are great, too! Our favorites are the espresso martini, the crispy wings, the braised duck noodles and the whole fish. Make reservations ahead of time!

Puma Yu's

This place has some of the best Mediterranean food you will have. Our top recommendations are the shish kabob and gyro sandwiches, and the fresh baklava. Jazz enjoyed working here for several years as an undergrad. Casual, delicious dining at a great price.

Elise & Jazzmon

Elise & Jazzmon

Things to Do in Athens, GA

The Rook & Pawn

Puma Yu's

Mediterranean Grill