Ansley & Ian
Wedding Party
Ashlyn Wilkins
Matron of Honor
"Ansley and I have been close our entire lives - either due to the fact that our mom forced us to dress identical until we were 12 or due to us always being there for each other. Either way, we've always been best friends. I'll forever be thankful for the special bond we share and thankful that we've only grown closer as we've gotten older. Plus, I know those first 6 minutes without me were the toughest in Ansley's life, so I've made sure to never let that happen again."
Cody Gregory
Best Man
"We've known each since high school. Afterwords, your dedication to succeeding kept you busy non-stop. I remember you coming home after a Reinhardt football practice, and I asked how you liked it. You told me it sucked but that it was something you had to do. If that wasn't enough, I remember you coming home reeking of beans and bragging to me how you could create the ultimate burrito. You had gained these sweet new skills from your job at Chipotle. You always stayed dedicated and seldom complained, always making light of difficult situations, and managing to not only succeed in your goals but surpass all expectations. If this man is capable of flourishing in everything he puts his mind to including academics, athletics and work, I can only imagine what he has planned for this marriage."
Alaina Harrison
Matron of Honor
"As Ansley's older sister, I've literally known her for her entire life. She is, by far, the goofiest of the four original Avera kids and gives us plenty to tease about. For example, once, the fan in the living room was up too high and messing up her homework pages and she exclaimed, "the wind is blowing too hard!" But Ansley is also fiercely loyal and quick to defend those she loves. I'm thankful that she has my back and I hope she knows I have hers as well. ❤️"
Schuyler Martin
Best Man
"We originally met when we were 6 and played on the same football team. ROLL TIDE!!! We would never share the field in the same jersey again. THAT IS UNTIL COLLEGE ARRIVED! We were roommates freshman, sophomore, and junior year, and we are always functioning on the same wavelength. We can always joke around and think about the insane experiences of playing football together and cringing at the sound of the alarm that woke us up freshman year football camp. He is most definitely a brother to me, and I am STOKED to be standing at his side on the big day."
Brooke Avera
Matron of Honor
"I have gotten the pleasure of knowing Ansley since she was a middle school camper. Since then, she has become a sister in law and I have grown to love her like my blood sister. I look forward to the big day!"
Jeffrey Schumacher II
Groomsman
"I have quite literally known Ian his whole life. As his older brother, I got to be there every step of the way growing up. We have our differences and similarities, but we can both agree that the Tolkien Trilogy is the greatest of all time. I'm happy for both him and Ansley and can't wait to be with him as he starts this new chapter of life."
Taylor Ragan
Bridesmaid
"Ansley and I have been friends since freshman year of high school, and I can’t quite remember when it happened (maybe volleyball tryouts, lacrosse, or foundations class), but I know I wouldn’t change it for the world. She moved from Columbus just two years after we became friends, but that hasn’t changed how close we are. She’s the person I go to when I need to talk, and we always pick up right where we left off whenever we get to see each other. Ansley is a lifelong friend, and I’m so excited to be a part of her special day!"
Kyle Schumacher
Groomsman
"Well he's my brother, and I've known him for my whole life, which he has transpired to becoming my hero in a way. I look up to him, and he was the one guided me down my own path even though it isn't the same as his own. I love him and am glad to see him continue to live a good life."
Millie Johnson
Bridesmaid
"Summer camp brought us together. Nothing will tear us apart!!!!!!!! ... no hold on i can do better ... Friendship built from s'mores, goofy pictures, family dinners, and a lot of laughter. We met at summer camp in 2015, and we've been close ever since!"
Aaron Avera
Groomsman
"It was September 18, 1996. I felt in my inner being that someone important, probably my future brother in law, was born. Fast forward to November 10, 2017 and I learned news that the prophecy was in the process of becoming fullfilled. I met Ian for the first time with my family over Pho. I would say from that moment I knew he would be the one for Ansley and would become a brother to me. I have enjoyed getting to know Ian over the years. Sharing our love for Reinhardt, football and food. I look forward to July 25, 2020 when the prophecy is complete!"
Melanie Gerdes
Bridesmaid
"Ansley and I met when I first toured Reinhardt. We ran cross country and track together at Reinhardt and bonded over both being twins, Moe's Mondays, and our love for Chaco's!"
Greg Harrison
Groomsman
"Ian and I met at an Avera family gathering at Six Flags a few years ago. After getting over my initial hesitation that this giant blonde viking might crush me accidentally, I knew immediately that we would be friends. We are tight like only brother-in-law’s who have married into a WILD family can be. We’ve created an entire language of meaningful glances for when our mutual-in-laws are getting buck wild once AGAIN. I'm thankful for this giant of a human being, and hope to shamelessly use him for my own personal defense when the inevitable zombie apocalypse comes for us all."
Abby Snelson
Bridesmaid
"Ansley and I met at Reinhardt University when our eyes met across a crowded room at campus worship. Since then we have been through it all on mission trips, vacations and even toughed it out as roommates in Canton's worst apartment complex. She's my sister from another mister, my complaining buddy and the smartest person I know."
Jordan Wilkins
Groomsman
"So when I first met Ian, I was amazed at the imposing mountain in front of me. However, I've come to learn of how kind and funny he is. Ian and I have bonded over our shared love of football and video games (even though I think he's slowly being indoctrinated in the the Avera Alabama fandom... Go Dawgs). I'm so excited to be able to call Ian a brother, as I already call him a friend."
Addison Harrison
Flower Girl
Ansley's sweet niece is so excited to be helping with the wedding!
Owen Harrison
Ring Bearer
We are so stoked to have Ansley's nephew help us with the ceremony!
Sawyer Harrison
Flower Girl
Addison may need to help Sawyer down the aisle, but we are so happy to have a second flower girl!