Ashley & Steven
Wedding Party
Jim Callaway
Co-Best Man
Jim has taught me a lot through the years. He and I have known each other since at least first grade Tiger Cubs (Cub Scouts), and went to college together at UGA. We've been to more Boy Scout summer camps than I can remember, and earned more merit badges than I can count. One of my favorite memories of Jim isn't really about Jim directly - it was playing Hearts with Amelia in Jim's dorm room at Russell Hall while Jim was relaxing at Uptown, and Amelia revealing her undying love for Jim. Amelia and I met at Dalton High School, which she attended after reaching the highest available grade at an elite local private school, focused on heritage. Knowing I had earned her trust as her senior-year prom date, I talked up Jim repeatedly until fate took its course - they soon began dating, and eventually married. Later in college, Jim, Flood, and I were housemates, where we learned how enthusiastically Amelia can clean, and good Jim is at screenwatching during Halo. On his way to becoming a doctor, Jim studied hard during college, and while we shared a house, I got to observe his diligence. I'm forever grateful for Jim showing me that to study, you have to read the textbooks. Ten years later in grad school, I remembered Jim reading textbooks, and used that tool to help obtain my Masters in Accountancy, which helped me earn the career I have today. Fun Facts: Ashley and I were there for Jim's first Uber ride. Jim loves Backstreet Boys, cookies, and Bleu cheese.
Josh Flood
Co-Best Man
Josh Flood and I have known each other since at least 1st grade, and he has been an inspiration to me since at least 4th grade, which reminds me of one of my earliest memories of Flood. We were in Ms. Brownlee's 4th grade "Enrichment" class, mid-year, when Ms. Chesser (RIP) knocked on the door in the middle of class and impatiently asked, "Is there a Joshua Flood here?" Flood raised his hand hesitantly and she assertively said, "Come with me, you're in 'Gifted' now," and proceeded to pluck him from the class to go join the other elites. Flood gathered his things and immediately left, and never looked back. There I was, left with a lasting inspiration to try harder to one day rejoin my friends. Later in life, he was my wingman in some early dates with Ashley, and helped provide inspiration to ask Ashley to marry me. Fun facts: One of the most practical people I've ever met, Flood has a very specific way he likes to cook his hot dogs. Speaking of food, my most memorable book report was a presentation in high school with Flood that featured Greek food and beverage. h/t Eazy-E
Rachel Swift
Matron of Honor
We met through a mutual friend our sophomore year at the University of Kentucky and immediately became close friends. Rachel is hilarious, loving, kind, and authentic - She has been there for me through some of the hardest times of my life and I'm so grateful to her for that. Feels like it was just yesterday we were coming home from Two Keys Tavern and immediately uploading our pictures onto Facebook from our Nikon Coolpix cameras! (hers was hot pink and mine was purple). A Favorite Memory: Going at least 2X's a week to our fav Mexican restaurant, Jalapeño's, in college and we always had our fav waiter, Marco (who has since opened his own restaurant in Lexington, Papi's) - "The Fajita Friends" he called us! One time I had been to this antique market I used to frequent earlier in the day and found some cute earrings that I brought to dinner to show Rachel. They were in a small brown paper sack and I accidentally ended up leaving them there. When I went back to get them later they had of course thrown them away when bussing the tables, but because we were the Fajita Friends they went and dug through the garbage and found them! As they were finding each earring (there were a few pairs...) cheers erupted from the staff! I still have the earrings to this day :) And fun fact: Took Steven to Jalapeño's years ago and he overheard the staff saying in the kitchen, "A Fajita Friend is here!" - this was maybe 10 years after college so we had made quite the impression!
Sarah Pendery
Maid of Honor
I first met Sarah in high school and we have been close ever since. Since attending UK together, we have traveled everywhere from Scotland, the Pacific Northwest and Midwest, to various cities and beaches over the past 20 years (!!!). Sarah is an amazing friend and one of my go to people for anything going on in my life, from the light and funny to the serious and difficult times. She is always up for an adventure and is all around one of the best people ever! A Favorite Memory: Sarah's family cabin in Bloomfield, KY is one of my favorite places in the world and we have spent countless weekends there over the years drinking wine and playing charades by the fire, drinking coffee (and more wine) and playing games on the back porch, kayaking on the river (once got lost in college....) and may sometimes make "scary/funny" videos that we find endlessly entertaining...(even Steven has made some appearances in some of them over the years!) And so many other memories and inside jokes that would make absolute zero sense to anyone reading this.....CQ at the 'Bees, Vietnam, Pit Mom, Smile!, fraternity posters, free puppies, and quote games that started in class at UK and still continue to this day in our cards to each other!
Max Bentley
Ring Bearer
Max is my 8 year-old nephew and I am so excited that as of August he is an official Decatur resident! Tim, Shana, and Max moved from Burlington, VT and when I asked over the phone if he would be the ring bearer in our wedding his response was "yeah, sure I'll bring the rings" :) Max brings the energy and fun wherever he goes and his part in our wedding will be one of the highlights of the day! A Favorite Memory: A few years ago when Tim, Shana, and Max landed in Atlanta Max decided that he was going to be "a cowboy all day" - And proceeded to sing the most catchy tune of "Just wanna be a cowboy all day!" throughout the duration of their visit. Now if I ever bring it up again Max's response is "Not this again!"
Shana Bentley
Bridesmaid
Shana is my amazing sister-in-law who is married to my brother Tim, and mom to Max, who is going to be the world's cutest ring bearer. The best wedding gift of all is that Tim, Shana, and Max just moved to Decatur from Burlington, VT this past August! Shana is creative, talented, hilarious, so fun and full of life. I will definitely be wearing some of her gorgeous handmade Firstborn Jewelry throughout the festivities! (www.firstbornjewelry.com) A Favorite Memory: Had so much fun on Shana's bachelorette to Montreal in 2012 (can't believe it has been 10 years!) - the night before we left and were in Stowe, VT we drank wine in a heated pool at Topnotch Resort ("Caitlin!") in a magical landscape. Then off to Montreal the next day for a day of shopping and then the most amazing dinner at le Bremner, which I see is sadly now closed :*(
Will Cunningham
Groomsman
The Cunningham - the one and only. I met Will during college, through our mutual friend Trammell Starr (both are from Rome, GA and went to school together at Darlington School), and Will introduced me to Stephen Taylor during a new year's trip to Biloxi. I've always admired Will's inquisitiveness, tenacity, and love for all things Mississippi - from Biloxi to Jackson and Starkville. Will believes I have never directly answered any question, ever. Will loves crafting hand-written correspondence, and I love receiving letters Will has penned to me. Among my most cherished letters includes a hand-drawn tomahawk Will drew and mailed to me. Fun facts: Will loves watching people play video games probably more than he enjoys playing them himself. And he loves a nice, piping hot cup of tea more than anyone else I know.
Trammell Starr
Groomsman
I met Trammell in college at UGA, probably through Josh Flood somehow. My first recollection of Trammell was of him in what I remember to be a brown, corduroy recliner, incredibly relaxed and comfortable - like a pat of butter on a warm English muffin. Not only does Trammell seek comfort - he provides it to his friends. Through the years, Trammell has always been a beacon of comfort - a friendly face who is always there to cheer me on. Fun facts: Trammell loves fishing, UGA, and spending long summer days at Lake Blue Ridge, often playing video games while Will cheers him on. My first picture on facebook with a friend is a picture with Trammell (at Paul's wedding).
Louisa Rayburn
Bridesmaid
Louisa is one of my very best friends in Atlanta and we met at Buckhead Church about 15 years ago (seriously can't believe it), we also met my other bridesmaid Chrissy there! We became close through being in the same small group for years and just being there for each other from everything from online dating (this is the same Louisa I talk about in our 'How we met' story!), to running our first half-marathon together, to walking 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day and going on the morning news to promote our concert fundraiser, to drinking picklebacks on her bachelorette! (oh wait, that was just me) A Favorite Memory: There's so many to choose from but one of the classics that is an ongoing joke to this day is when we were on our way to our annual girls' beach trip to Hilton Head a few summers ago, I was driving and Louisa was in the backseat and we were working on our Instacart list. We started naming snacky foods and dips and I rattled off the ingredients for an easy buffalo chicken dip: hot sauce, ranch, cream cheese, and canned chicken (I was obviously very concerned about my figure on this beach trip). There was a rare 5-10 second pause until Louisa yelled, "I can't! I'm sorry I can't! I can't!" I confusedly looked at her panicked expression in the rearview mirror when she said, "I can't do can chicken!" To which sparked a heated debate (yes of course I would PREFER shredded chicken) and I have since made her taste test buffalo chicken dips. (she always knows!)
Miller Rayburn
Flower Girl
Miller is my bridesmaid Louisa's sweet daughter and I am so excited she will be a flower girl in our wedding! It feels so special not only because Louisa is such a dear friend but as I shared in our "How we met" story I credit Louisa and Chad for basically introducing Steven and I by encouraging me to give eHarmony one more try! Thank you so much Miller for making our wedding day even more special and memorable - We love you! A Favorite Memory: This photo of Miller and George was taken years ago at Louisa's family lake house, a fun weekend filled with lounging on the lily pad float, relaxing on porch rocking chairs, and taking the boat out! Another favorite is how Miller calls me Ashley the Mermaid :)
Billy Holden
Groomsman
Where do I even begin?? Billy and I were born hours apart at the same hospital, and grew up on the same street until I was about 15 years old. He has two younger twin brothers, and if you didn't know any better, you might think Billy and I were fraternal twins for the first decade and a half of our lives. His mother Rosie - an absolute force to be reckoned with - helped raise me probably as much as my mom helped raise him, and helped make me who I am today. Fun facts: Billy's daughter Rosie, a flower girl, is named after his mom. Billy taught me how to ride a four-wheeler. When I was a kid I always had pegs on my bike so I could just be like, "hop on Billy, let's goooo!"
Rosie Holden
Flower Girl
Rosie is Billy's daughter, and her 6th birthday is our wedding day - 12/31. If she asks, tell her the party is for her. Happy birthday, Rosie!
Brittany White
Bridesmaid
I first met Brittany when she was freshman year roommates with one of my close friends from high school, Chelsea, at Transylvania University in Lexington. We became good friends when she transferred to UK (so glad she did!) and we have become even closer over the past 10 years. Brittany is fun-loving, thoughtful, wise, kind-hearted, and hilarious - Our girl's trips are my absolute fav times in the world. Brittany is one of my go to friends for anything serious or light hearted and ridiculous. We're frequently communicating through multiple mediums on a wide range of topics. You also do not want to face her in any game or competition because she will absolutely win! A Favorite Memory: Some of my fav girl's weekends were to Savannah, GA filled with karaoke and a ghost tour pub crawl (some of us took it more seriously than others, Sarah) and to Black Mountain, NC where we played Dutch Blitz at a brewery ("you girls gamblin?") and went on a pretty hike to a waterfall. Like Sarah, most of our memories will make zero sense to anyone else....Our endless hours making funny videos (so weird that no one else finds them nearly as entertaining as we do), werewolf (a charades classic from year's ago), Vietnam (a memorable, lowkey night out), the NYE in Atl when Josh pulled the fridge out in the middle of the night lol, her jungle theme bachelorette at Sarah's farm!
Sheena Stone
Bridesmaid
I met Sheena through our friend Allison when I first moved to Atlanta in 2008, we became best friends a few years later through Allison's wedding festivities' planning and walking and fundraising for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day that we did for 5 years in a row. Sheena has been an incredible friend over the years and I know I can always count on her for celebrating the fun times (like our surprise engagement!) or being there through the hard times. She is so smart, thoughtful, fun, and a truly incredible person and lifelong friend! A Favorite Memory: "Hey Steven, want to go for a walk?" I asked him one Saturday morning when we had first started dating, "Sure," he says. Little did he know it was one of Sheena and my brisk pace training walks from my condo in Buckhead to Piedmont Park... Sheena very on brand began asking Steven questions around what his career goals were on that walk. ("Who's getting in your way to the top?" lol) I also loved when Sheena and I walked along the beaches in San Diego for the 3-Day and took free beer shots from supporters - Steven joined us on the last day to cheer us on! (not walk :) My walks with Sheena look a little different now with her sweet, adorable boys Everett and Levi joining in their stroller while Beau is at daycare :)
Tyson Mills
Groomsman
Tyson and I were housemates in Athens after college, where Tyson graciously rented a room to me for a while. Over the years I've made a lot of memories with Tyson, and shared a lot of laughs. From tailgates to trips to the lake, Tyson always brings the party with him. An absolutely phenomenal human being. If you're not friends with Tyson yet, you will be soon. Fun facts: Tyson loves the band Journey, dirtbikes, and mozzarella sticks. Tyson makes pizza from scratch once a week (PIZZA NIIIIIGHT!). In Decatur, Tyson and I were almost neighbors once, until he moved away. <sadface.gif>
Stephen Taylor
Groomsman
John Stephen Taylor, a/k/a the Reverend Doctor Bighed Hansen. We first met in Biloxi on trip for new year's, introduced by Will Cunningham. A proud father of two kids, Bighed is an inspiration. A gentle giant, Bighed is ever perceptive, and always a reassuring force. His aura makes you feel like you knew each other from somewhere long ago in the past, and will be enjoying each other's company on a long ride somewhere into the future, as he nods in affirmation quietly, confidently, intently. Fun fact: He has been by my side during two burger eating contests - sadly I won neither.
Allison Cuzzort
Bridesmaid
When I accepted my first real job at a design agency in Atlanta in 2008, my then boss Dawn told my brother Tim (who also used to work at that agency) that there was an Account Manager named Allison who worked there who she thought that I would get along and be good friends with. I had moved to Atlanta from Lexington not knowing anybody, and Dawn was right on point and Allison quickly became one of my very best friends. Allison is always up for fun, quick to laugh, an amazingly thoughtful and supportive friend, and bubbles over with a zest for life that's contagious! At the agency we were referred to as "Ashlison" :) A few favorite memories: Going to see Britney Spear's Circus tour and late night 4th meals at the Varsity and the Majestic diner, seeing all the Twilight movies together, walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day (I never laughed so hard than the day Allison was hobbling through the downtown Taco Mac in her crooked pink crown with feathers flying and seeing people's reactions), and co-chairing (and surviving) Junior League committees together! And of course all of our photos together over the years with our heads popping around corners looking like conjoined twins :)
Tommy Binner
Groomsman
How do I know Tommy? We both met at UGA freshman year, but honestly I have no idea when we first met. As full of energy as he is tall, Tommy is a guy you don't forget. We've been to more tailgates and UGA games than I can remember. Watching UGA games with Tommy is probably one of my favorite things in life - this guy ALWAYS knows someone at the tailgate. Sadly due to COVID, I wasn't able to be there with him and the rest of our group in January to watch the Dawgs bring home the championship by decidedly beating Bama and their Heisman-winning quarterback 33-18, but undoubtedly his reaction to the victory would have been my favorite. Fun facts: If you need a group picture, he's the guy with the long reach. Tommy shares my love of rope hats. As much fun as we have cheering on the Dawgs, one of Tommy's favorite things is looking forward to the trip to Publix on Sunday afternoon when he gets home.
Meg Sewell
Bridesmaid
Louisa and Meg went to UGA together and I got to meet Meg through Louisa about 10 years ago! I immediately loved her and always had so much fun with her whenever we all hung out watching football or celebrating a birthday. She quickly became one of my very favorite people over the years through Louisa's bachelorette/wedding festivities, regular date nights with Steven and her husband Lee (who we affectionately call Riff Raff), and I got adopted into the group's "Hair Day" where we take the day to go to an amazing hairstylist at her home salon in Jefferson, GA. Meg is one of the most vivacious, fun-loving, thoughtful, and quick witted people you will ever meet - And her "single drop of blood" impression of Elizabeth Holmes is my fav thing in the world. I can't wait to one day retire with "Leg!" A Favorite Memory: Could pick so many from our nights out at one of our fav spots, The 57th Fighter Group, a restaurant and bar where freeform dancing happens among all ages and life stages. We've also done karaoke a few nights and once Meg and I were singing a beautiful duet of "Dancing in the Moonlight" with the whole restaurant invested, and even the cook in the back whipped his head around the corner!
Chrissy McDonald
Bridesmaid
I first met Chrissy at Buckhead Church almost 15 years ago where we joined the same small group (also where we met Louisa!). We laugh that so many ladies have come and gone from our small group over the years but the two of us always remained. Chrissy and her now husband Matt were among my first group of close friends when I moved to Atlanta over 15 years ago - As I shared in the "How we met" story, Chrissy also got a front row seat to my time online dating and was and will always be my go to online investigator! Chrissy is so thoughtful, warm-hearted, fun-loving, and an amazing confidant and friend ("this isn't diet!?") - I'm so grateful we joined the same small group all those years ago! A few favorite memories: Chrissy and I have spent many New Year's Eves together over the years, including my first new years in Atlanta (at our friend's Scott's apartment) and my first new year's with Steven we had dinner at New York Prime with Chrissy, Matt, and two other couples! Chrissy and I also spent many Thursday nights at our favorite spot, Souper Jenny, for wine, grilled cheese, and s'mores night! (when they randomly decided to end it there was fist banging on the windows)
Seth Caldwell
Groomsman
Seth and I met at UGA through Josh Styles or Purvish Patel, likely, but we got to be close friends during our fifth year at UGA (the victory lap). Back when Boar's Head sold burgers, Seth shared with me the key to his academic success - attending class regularly. I don't remember asking, but eventually Seth began coming by my house in the morning to pick me up on the way to class. Ultimately I credit Seth's attendance policy with my achievement of being named to the Dean's List my final semester in college. Hey, it's not where you start, it's where you finish. Fun facts: I was a witness on Seth's marriage certificate when he and Sarah got married in Jamaica (the source of the picture - can you believe it's been 12 years?). I spent 4 straight days in the hot tub, and totally forgot to have my suit pants hemmed before the trip (oops!).