Ashley & Vance
Bridal Party
Ashley
Bride
I am beyond blessed to be Vance's wife and I couldn't have prayed for a better man to walk through life with. Vance has shown me what love truly is and he gives me the courage to be the woman God called me to be. Vance's love for adventure inspires me to look beyond tradition, former expectations, and my own limits. I have no idea what life will bring us, but having him by my side makes me excited for this journey.
Vance
Groom
Finding Ashley has been the single greatest thing to ever happen to me. She has taught me compassion, empathy, happiness, and above all, love. God truly broke the mold making her. She makes me a better man and gives me the purpose in life I've always searched for. I love her with everything I have and I will spend every day, from this one to my last, earning the love she unconditionally shows me.
Colleen
Mother of the Bride
After 9 months, I met Colleen after she birthed me; it was love at first sight. I feel so blessed to have my mom with me as I turn the page in life's next chapter. <3 My mom has taught me to always "handle my business" and to speak up for myself. Fun memory: Going to NYC and getting my make up done for the first time in Macy's.
Richard
Father of the Bride
I am a Daddy's girl and so happy to walk down the aisle with him. He has taught me to have faith in God no matter what and how being a good person is the first step to becoming a great leader. Fun Memory: Putting wigs on our dogs and making home movies of them.
Jon
Father of the Groom
My oldest mentor, my pop has taught me everything from shooting to leadership. Tactics, handguns, military strategy and vulnerabilities of opposing forces. Perhaps he’s just trained me to kill, but the lessons are universal... I’m told. He’s always been there if I needed him. The best dad I could ask for.
Dani
Mother of the Groom
My mother is a sweet and accepting person especially as she has put up with raising me. We met at the end of 1988 before Thanksgiving and we spent the next 18 years inseparable. She always has a smile and is great at making candy. The best mom I could ask for.
Brittiany
Maid of Honor
In 2011, I met Brittiany on our first day of our internship at CENTCOM together. Brittiany is my very best friend b/c through thick or thin she has always been there for me! Brittiany never makes me feel judged or not special. And.....Brittiany introduced me to Vance :) Special Memory: Brittiany asked me to be her daughter’s Godmother on my birthday. I couldn’t adore Harper more and I love watching her grow. ❤️
Veronica
Bridesmaid
In 2015, I met Veronica met through a mutual friend and hit it off. Veronica has been a great source of encouragement over the years and has been along for life’s ups and downs. Fun Memory: Veronica held held my hand during my first tattoo, and I was so nervous that I left a puddle of sweat in her hand afterwards. Veronica didn't care and never loosened her grip while holding my hand no matter how gross it was. #truefriend
Amanda
Bridesmaid
I met Amanda met while working at CENTCOM. I love Amanda's free spirit and her willingness to understand other people's perspective. Amanda inspires me to be adventurous and take risks! Fun Memory: Making a music/dance video to "Fight Song" in Brittiany's living room while we jumped around like interpretative dancers. Brit has a video of this that I am still trying to find and destroy. (In all honesty, I have a lot of other funny memories but none of them are rated PG 13 or under) LOL
Krystle
Bridesmaid
In 2014, I met Krystle on the ISIS crisis team during the night shift. As single ladies working awful hours, we would go dancing and Krystle would teach me about organic foods and Indian culture. Krystle has taught me how to appreciate other cultures and how to barter with anyone about anything. Fun Memory: Going to see “Book of Mormon” on Broadway in NYC!
Rosie
Bridesmaid
I met Rosie in bible study in Tampa :) Rosie has taught me to take risks and learn to express my creativity and talents. Rosie is one of the most positive, encouraging, and strong people I have ever met. Funny memory: During Vance and I's first two months of dating, Rosie, Liz, and I convinced Vance to go to a "Beyonce Birthday Bash" at a club, and after liquid courage, he went to the floor and moved his body in such a way that it resembled a windmill caught in a tornado. Rosie quickly jumped in and kicked around on the dance floor with him, and within a few minutes the dance floor was full of people copying Vance's dance moves. However, it ended quickly when a fancy gentleman tried to do a dance off with Rosie and Vance and did a back flip which almost knocked Rosie out.
Liz
Bridesmaid
In 2017, Liz joined my team at CENTCOM and I quickly realized she is one of the funniest people ever! Liz inspires me to be physically active (even when I don’t want to be) and travel! Liz is one of those people that makes an average trip to the grocery store an adventure. Funny memory: We were at the starting line of a 5k with my boss and 100 other coworkers lined up behind us. Gracie (larger pup), as we were to take off with the herd, took it upon herself to release a monstrous mound of chocolate pudding the likes of which would make a T-Rex proud. As runners behind us would hurdle over the freshly baked poo pie, Gracie basked in the air of her proud achievement.
Harper
Flower Girl
Ms. Harper is my precious Goddaughter. <3 This little girl is the cutest flower girl the world has ever seen! She is two years old with a whole lot of sass! Harper is Brittiany and Jason's daughter :)
Landon
Ring Bearer
Landon has such a sweet spirit and fun personality. When he was a baby, I would call him "Petree" after my favorite dinosaur cartoon because he would make noises like Petree did. He is Brittiany and Jason's son :)
Liam
Ring Bearer
Liam is our ring bearer and is so full of life. Liam's love for music and the arts makes him very special. There are so many memories of him singing karaoke at family gatherings. He will bring some much fun energy to the wedding! He is Brittiany and Jason's son. :)
DJ
Ring Bearer
I met DJ when he was 4 years old. :) He is such a sweet heart and I have had the privilege of watching him grow up and becoming a smart and kind young man. He is Brittiany and Jason's son :)
Jason
Best Man
Jason is the result of New England mating with a Tolkien dwarf. A Bostonian powerhouse that goes down like a swig of back yard moonshine. I met this kid through Ashley’s Maid of Honor, Brittiany. A heart of gold and hairy knuckles has made this guy someone I can’t escape and my BFL.
Travis
Groomsman
Travis is somebody I can’t get rid of. I’d say it’s because he’s a great friend but it’s probably because he has too much leverage on me. We met in middle school, part of the island of misfit toys. He is always there to be the guy to go do stuff nobody else wants to do. I guess he’s not so bad.
Patton
Groomsman
I’ve known Patton the longest since I was a young kid. Several years older than me, I began mentoring Patton in golf and because he is such a great student, we were successful in several of our golf endeavors. In fact, I’ve mentored him so well, he’s spent the better part of the last decade returning the favor, shining light on my journey and becoming great friends.
Erik
Groomsman
I met Sanchez (Erik) in the Army while stationed in Alaska. We were in a team together and we quickly bonded through much of the shared misery we endured during the Boewe era. From chess during field exercises, Aikido on Saturdays, Moo Moo's tyranny, and nearly dying on questionable roads with little supervision, Sanchez was there through it all. Without Sanchez, would have surely lost my mind.
Sean
Groomsman
Mac (Sean) is another Army fella I found in Alaska clearly in need of my leadership and guidance. He came to me with little direction, a chaotic little whip. Could barely tie his combat boots, so precious, so innocent. With my firm hand, he developed the skills necessary to excel. It was touch and go for a while but Mac survived the Boewe era to become what he is today, an Army officer. You’re welcome.
Nick
Groomsman
The only guy I’ll ever split my lottery winnings with. Nick and I go back to the days of middle school. We spend countless evenings on the phone together debating philosophy and things of a sophisticated nature. Nick graciously serves as an invaluable bouncing board for my thoughts and crazy ideas. I was once told that a best friend is someone you almost die with... and I've nearly killed Nick and the rest of my groomsmen a handful of times on our adventures. Best of pals that makes us. Nick is a truly resilient and compassionate friend and quite often a voice of sound reasoning.