Adam & Kelsey
Wedding Party
Erin Demek
Matron of Honor
AKA “Bear”-Kelsey’s big sister and best pal since birth. Kelsey has been trying to live up to the example of kindness, guts and fun that is Erin since she can remember. Erin has always been the kind of big sister that let her little sister tag along to concerts, taco bell runs, and soccer games since they were in middle school. When Kelsey was 10 years old, the Allen family moved into a new house and they each got their very own rooms. It wasn’t long before Kelsey started sleeping on the trundle bed in Bear’s room. And that’s where she slept every night until Bear graduated from high school. No one can make fun of Kelsey as expertly as Erin does or make her laugh nearly as hard. She is caring and genuine and the best gift giver around. Erin is a teacher in MI and mom to Archer and Hudson.
Phil Bunch
Best Man
Adam met Phil back at Erskine College in 2006. Although Phil had the worlds longest hair and Adam was scared of him at first, he is now Adam's closest friend. Adam and Phil sang in Choraleers together in college, and had many a deep talk on Phil's front porch while Phil was in seminary. Although they have not lived in the same city since college, their friendship has only strengthened and grown. Multiple trips to NYC together top as Adam’s favorite memories with Phil, especially the trip involving an infamous taco food truck and Adam posing on the ground of an NYC sidewalk to get a picture with a Les Miserables emblem. Phil is a model brother-in-Christ, and truly the most humble servant and genuine person Adam knows. Phil is the pastor at Fayetteville ARP Church in Fayetteville, TN.
Alyssa Allen
Bridesmaid
AKA “Alyssa Kaye” - Kelsey’s little sister via marriage to her brother, Shane. Alyssa and Kelsey share a love of Jesus and Spanish and a disinterest in watching TV. Kelsey met Alyssa for the first time on Alyssa’s birthday when she came to visit her in the hospital. And that’s pretty much the heart of Alyssa-setting herself aside for the love and care of those around her. She is competitive and fun and energizing to be around. She's the one at the Christmas bowling tournament with reindeer antlers on and a toddler on her shoulders throwing strikes. Alyssa is mother to 4 little ladies + a whole lot more who have come through her home via foster care. Alyssa loves people more than anything else and is an expert at caring for them.
Robert Andrews
Groomsman
Adam met Robert when he started attending Grace Church in 2014, and worked closely with Robert on the AV team for years. Robert has the beautiful singing voice of an angel and Adam loves to remind him of it all the time:-)Their friendship really started to grow when they became workout buddies (or sometimes procrastinating and either talking or eating at Hardee’s and never actually working out) and suffered together running on the Rail Trail! Robert is always there when Adam needs him, and patiently listens to Adam's endless processing-out-loud sessions. Robert is the best listener and encourager a friend could ever ask for. Robert works as the Worship Minister for Grace Church Spartanburg.
Kristina Harris
Bridesmaid
AKA "Tina" Kelsey and Tina met while working at the WIC office in Spartanburg and became friends sitting in each other’s offices and chatting about life. Staff could never tell the 5 ft 6 brunette girls with K names apart and the trend continued at community events where people would ask-“are y’all kin?”. Their friendship deepened when they and another friend did a bible study together. One study led to another and another and over 5 years later they still do bible study together. Tina is absurdly supportive and the kind of friend that will make you laugh at a scary doctor’s appt and pray over you when life feels weighty. She loves deeply and serves with a humble heart. Tina loves sea turtles and being the center of attention. She works for Clemson University’s SNAP Ed program.
Chris Davis
Groomsman
Adam has known Chris since elementary school, but they never actually became buds until Chris entered medical school at VCOM in 2013 where Adam was working. Adam was working in the admissions office and got to call Chris and tell him he got accepted! Once in med school, Adam and Chris reconnected, and quickly became close. It was Chris that got Adam to visit Grace Church, and Chris was an integral part of Adam’s growth in a tough season of growing and maturing. Adam cannot imagine his life without Chris, and is ecstatic that Chris is moving back to Spartanburg and will be here all the time again! Chris is a Physician at Parkside Family Medicine and Pediatrics.
Janeen Scott
Bridesmaid
AKA “Bops” – Janeen is Kelsey’s current roommate and friend since her earliest days in Spartanburg. They met in the parking lot of City View apartments where they lived at the time. Both hailing from the Midwest, they connected quickly on faith and a love for live music and the feeling of being outsiders. Janeen is thoughtful and compassionate and an avid supporter of her friends. She is a stellar listener and empathizer, with a fiercely loyal soul. In the time of COVID they have also become coworkers and co-chefs and co-workout buddies. But mostly they are both convinced that they are simultaneously getting weirder and more hilarious throughout the quarantine. Janeen is a developer for Fresh Water Systems in Greenville, SC and a musician with the singing voice of an angel.
Eric Dunton
Groomsman
Although Adam and Eric have only known each other for a little over a year, Eric became a close brother very fast. They met at Grace Church doing a book study. Over a summer when they both were going through a lot of change, they were instantly there for each other, and Eric quickly became a lifelong brother. Eric is one of the few people Adam feels most comfortable to be his silliest and most ridiculous self around. There's lots of laughter, stupid voices, and dumb jokes to be had when you get Adam and Eric together! Eric is the General Manager of Petroleum Carriers Inc. for Dearybury Oli & Gas Company.
Kate Sperry
Bridesmaid
AKA “Big Kate” - Kate and Kelsey became friends by being roommates. They share a love of staying in and being cozy. They also share a 3 decades long streak of living life as a 5 (that is to be the type of person who has mascara all over their eyelid or hair sticking up all day and not realizing it) when everyone else seems to be really pulling off adulthood. She is easy to love and a joy to be around. She was along for the ride in a hard season of life and a stabilizing, loving presence all throughout. There’s a line in a song by the Weepies that says “I hold so many people in my suitcase heart.” Kate is one for the suitcase, to carry with you for all your days. She is an OT in Connecticut where she lives with her husband and daughter Olivia.
Tyler Evans
Groomsman
Adam met Tyler at Erskine College when he was an orientation helper as a rising Junior, when Tyler was starting as a freshman. Adam's first interaction with Tyler was when Tyler fangirled at Adam after having seen him perform at a scholarship event. Adam was very flattered:-) They proceeded to play capture the flag...which Adam probably lost. Adam and Tyler became quick friends after that. A pivotal moment in their friendship was when they watched the musical RENT together in Adam's dorm room! On Tyler’s first date with his now wife, he took her to see one of Adam's shows...so obviously Adam takes credit for their marriage:-) Tyler and his wife Lauren are definitely Adam's biggest theatre fans, and rarely miss a show. Tyler is the Owner of several Venture X locations.
Casey Torrance
Bridesmaid
AKA “Adam’s big sister”- Kelsey’s soon-to-be-sister Casey is the kind of person that makes you feel like whatever happens, we’ll make the most of it. If she had a theme song it would be Mariah Carey’s “Hero”. (That’s a joke, but not really. If Kate and I are 5’s Casey is 10 for sure.) Kelsey is blessed to witness the love and laughter between Adam and Casey. Casey is fun and funny and thoughtful. She thinks of others always and has welcomed Kelsey in with open arms. Casey works for Bons Secours Wellness Arena in Marketing and lives in Lyman with her husband and son, Grady.
Dan Gross
Groomsman
Dan and Adam met at Grace Church, and quickly became close friends. Over the past 6 years, Dan has been a constant brother in Adam's life, speaking truth, carrying his burdens with him, and never ever ceasing in his love, support, encouragement and brotherhood. It's hard for Adam to talk about Dan without getting emotional! Dan and Adam have always related to each other as being very emotional and sensitive men--and they're dang proud of it! Dan is the brother Adam never had but always wanted, and now has! Dan works as an investigative journalist for The Greenville News.