“Love recognizes no barriers”… -Maya Angelou
Wedding Party
Autumn Free
Bride
Autumn Free, the bride, hails originally from Paterson, NJ, and was raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She is the proud mother of Bridesmaid Vicktorea Free and the beloved daughter of Zeta and Bill Free.
Zeta Free
Mother of the Bride
Zeta Free is from Birmingham, Alabama is the mother of three, is proud to call the bride, Autumn Free, her youngest. She is recently retired and has been enjoying helping to wedding plan. She has been married to Bill Free, the bride’s father, for 49 years.
Bill Free
Father of the Bride
Bill is originally from Paterson, New Jersey, but has lived in Birmingham, Alabama for many years. There, he and his wife Zeta raised their three daughters, with Autumn, the bride, being the youngest. Bill is excited to walk his youngest daughter down the aisle and officially welcome his new son-in-law to the family.
Anaya Perry
Flower Girl
Anaya, a beautiful ballerina and cheerleading enthusiast, is the daughter of the bride’s best friend, Nia. Recently promoted to the first grade, she brings joy and energy to every occasion.
Nia Perry
Matron of Honor
Nia has been best friends with the bride since shortly after they met as freshmen at Alabama State University. They both pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and graduated side by side. Nia is also the proud mother of the couple’s flower girl, Anaya.
LeQuinta Wilkins
Matron of Honor
LeQuinta (Quita), the bride’s best friend, met her at Alabama State University while pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. They quickly built a close bond and have been besties for over two decades. Quita is also the mother of the bride’s godson, Brylan.
Vicktorea Free
Bridesmaid
Vicktorea, the bride’s daughter and forever baby girl, has shared in all of her mother’s most important milestones. It's only fitting that she stands by her side on this special day. If you close your eyes when they are both talking, you’ll surely confuse the two.
Rikiya Thomas
Bridesmaid
Rikiya and the bride met at Alabama State University, where they pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated together. Their friendship grew even closer after the bride relocated to Rikiya’s home state of Texas.
Adrienne Anderson
Bridesmaid
Adrienne and the bride have an inseparable bond. They became instant friends upon meeting during college orientation at Alabama State University and later served as Orientation Leaders together. Their friendship has remained strong for decades.
Kimberly Free
Bridesmaid
Kim is one of the bride’s sisters. Growing up, the bride was Kim’s shadow, and you never saw one without the other. Whenever they get together, there's sure to be lots of fun and laughter. Fun fact: Kim shares the same birthday as the Groom and bridesmaid Ernay, January 23.
Ernay Free
Bridesmaid
Ernay, the bride’s first cousin, has become an honorary Texan since Autumn relocated there. The two love to cut up together, do impromptu photo shoots, and explore. Fun fact: Ernay shares the same birthday as the Groom and bridesmaid Kim, January 23.
Deries Ruff
Groom
Deries is a native of Oroville, California, where he grew up with his mother, sister, and stepfather. His passion for sports led him to play basketball at Butte Community College. For over 20 years, he has called Texas home and loves living there, though he remains a diehard L.A. Rams fan and not a Cowboys supporter. Deries is also the proud father of Groomsman Donavin Phelan and Ring Bearer Devin Ruff.
Mary Simpson
Mother of the Groom
Mary, the mother of the groom, resides in Oroville, California. The groom is the youngest of her two children. Mary has ten siblings and is a loving grandmother to four grandchildren, including Devin, the ring bearer, and Donovan, one of the groomsmen.
Devin Ruff
Ring Bearer
Devin is the Groom’s youngest son and is 9 years old. He is in the 4th grade and enjoys gaming and playing sports.
Brylan Wilkins
Ring Bearer
Brylan is the bride’s godson and the son of her best friend, LeQuinta. He is in the 3rd grade and is passionate about soccer. Recently, he was accepted into the prestigious Ron Clark Academy, which admits only 30 students annually.
Shawn Wright
Best Man
Shawn resides in Fontana, California, and has been the groom’s close friend since childhood—a bond that’s lasted over 30 years. They spent their younger days fishing and playing sports together in their neighborhood and at school. Both Shawn and Deries share a love for the LA Rams and the LA Lakers.
Donavin Phelan
Groomsman
Donavin, the groom’s oldest son, recently graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The groom is very proud of him and thrilled to have him back in Texas.
Derrek Gordon
Groomsman
Derrek is the groom’s first cousin. They grew up together with fond memories of playing in their grandparent’s front yard and bartending their grandfather’s Christmas party.
Darryl Powell
Groomsman
Darryl is the groom’s close friend. They met at Butte Community College where they both played on the basketball team. They’ve now been friends for over 20 years.
Rod Welch
Groomsman
Rod lives in Los Banos, California and is the loving father of 5. He and the Groom have been close friends since Elementary school.
Sean Allen
Groomsman
Sean lives in Oroville, California. He is the groom’s close friend of over 30 years. Sean is an avid fisherman and sports fanatic.
Will Jones
Groomsman
Will and the groom have been friend’s since he was 15 years old when Will’s family relocated from Arkansas to Orville, CA. They are fishing and domino buddies.