Abby & Matthew
Wedding Party
Kathryn Barber
Matron of Honor
Kathryn and I met during sorority recruitment freshman year, which takes place the week before classes start at Mizzou. She complimented my shoes which led to a fast friendship. It wasn't long before we became pretty inseparable - doing all our "pomping hours" together, tailgating, hanging in each others dorm rooms, and exploring our new campus and town. By second semester we moved in together in Jones hall, then sophomore year moved into the "4 man" at DG. We've traveled to spring breaks and later weekend getaways, I was her Maid of Honor a few years ago, and I was honored to have her as mine last August! Photo - Our Wedding 8.3.2020
Danielle Farinella
Bridesmaid
Dani and I met a few days after I moved from Toronto to Lake Saint Louis, summer 1998. We were both swimming at the beach. I had on massive goggles and a polka dot swimsuit and was swimming looking for sea shells (clams). I swam into her, and she still quotes me, "Pardon me, this lake is quite dirty; I can't see a thing!" Our elementary school, turned middle school friendship evolved throughout high school (during which we gave our parents a few grays) and college (after I convinced her to transfer to Mizzou from Loyola); but I've loved our adult friendship - many weddings, weekend visits and travels, most recently Hawaii together - just as much. I was one of Dani's bridesmaids a few years ago, and can't wait to have her by my side for our big day! Photo - Oahu 2019
Katie Long
Bridesmaid
Katie and I first hung out during med school orientation. I didn't have her number, so I sent her a (now infamous) email asking her to get a pedicure. It was Sunday and all salons were closed, so we got pedicures at the Walmart nail place - that created quite a bond. We were inseparable for those 4 years. From meeting new friends and exploring new hangouts, to tailgates, Netflix Sundays, studying for Step 1, deciding our specialities, our month exploring Europe, and Katie getting voted "best roommate" at our Med School Grammy's, she helped make med school some of my favorite years. We've stayed close with calls and visits, and I can't wait to be her Maid of Honor this April! Photo - Katie saying "yes" to her dress the morning of our engagement
Brittney Mueller
Bridesmaid
Brittney and I met during recruitment, but one of our first hang outs I remember is when I shamelessly invited myself along with her and her parents to Shakespeare's after a football game. We spent nearly every weekend together that year then moved into the "4 man" sophomore year where she loved every minute of my lamp shining near her pillow and my Gumby's pizza boxes on the floor ;) My favorite memories with Brittney include football weekends with our parents, STL adventures, a Nashville half marathon, her Dallas visits, spring breaks, Jamaica, and getting to experience her meeting Corey and eventually being a bridesmaid in their wedding, and watching her become a mom to Maddox, Sutton, and Palmer! I'm so excited to now have her there for me on our day. Photo - Mizzou game 2016
Brent Vanderkam
Best Man
BFF's since 2007. Many deployments together and still checking in on a daily basis. Photo - VA Beach last November just before my move to Dallas
Matthew Roy Peek
Groomsman
High school football friends. Made him do my homework (why I had to join the military). Still travel buds and fellow Texans now. Photo - Jackson Hole 2019
Brandon Pollard
Groomsman
He had a ski boat so we became friends. Stayed friends to compete on who can vacation better. Photo - Hawaii 2019
Nick Culver
Officiant & Groomsman
Big Bro Bro. Only person I trust to marry me and Abby. Photo - Christmas 2019, just before I proposed