Anna & Matt
Wedding Party
Natalie Norton
Maid of Honor
Friendship with Natalie has been one of the greatest joys in my life! From the moment I met her my freshman year, I wanted to be her friend, and I am grateful for the last 7 years! She has been with me throughout the "betters" and "worsts" that college, Michigan football, ministry, and life has brought. She is a wild and wonderful woman of God, and I have been in awe of how she chooses Him over and over again. Her tenacity and fervor for good food, even better coffee, and great delight in her people -- the way she is all in -- has truly made her my best friend! I would die for her no doubt. My love for her (and megabed), it's golden! #whatevenisacheeto
Ethan Pattison
Co-Best Man
When I first met Ethan, I thought he was Jesse. That's all I really knew about him for a while. But then Ethan and I became friends when both of us needed a friend the most. Our first summer in Ann Arbor together was a blast; we did life together, even when we were thousands of miles apart. From urinal pics to parkourse to creating a failed YouTube channel, we have adventured together through it all. Ethan's light-hearted spirit and his commitment to following the Lord well have truly blessed my life over these past few years of knowing one another. #2brokebois4lyf
Analissa Kelley
Bridesmaid
Analissa has been one of the greatest surprises and unexpected parts of moving to Kalamazoo to church plant. Getting to experience her zeal for life and shared love of shenanigans, alongside being co-workers (and then housemates), has undeniably made me know and love Jesus more. Getting lost in conversations about ministry and church and our jobs and so many of the other deep components of our lives has resulted in a deeply rich friendship. Thusly, it is only appropriate and right for her to be by my side!
Jesse Pattison
Co-Best Man
When I first met Jesse, I thought he was a sweet and caring guy who I had the honor of being in a small group with. Then I got to know him a little better, and I soon realized he was kind of a rascal who brings even the littlest of things to life through his humor. And then I got to know him even better and saw how deep down, he actually still is that same sweet and caring guy I thought I had met in the first place. Jesse has seen me through a lot of my ups and downs, and he has stuck with me through all of it. He was the first person I told that I might somehow be interested in dating this Anna Beck character because I trusted him to respond well and knew he would care for me well. Jesse has been steady, reliable, and trustworthy, and I am grateful to call him my friend.
Becky Bondy
Bridesmaid
There are not words enough to describe the impact that Becky has had on my life. The steady ways she loves the Lord, others, and myself in her strengths and in hardships gave me a clearer picture of what it means to follow Jesus. I know and have experienced the Gospel deeply because of Becky & the ways she invested in my life throughout my college years. What an immense joy to have her as a friend and to share an unceasing love for Asiago bagels!
Ryan Bondy
Groomsman
Ryan helped shape me to be the man I am today - a man who confidently proclaims love for musicals, games, and marvel. I appreciate the ways Ryan has challenged me to take ownership of my faith and how passionate he is about people truly having their lives transformed by the Gospel. I can always count on Ryan to shoot straight and give sound advice, and I'm glad we can enjoy life together.
Sara Brand
Bridesmaid
The first several times of meeting Sara involved me watching her daughter in the classroom during church, so I never would have imagine us church planting together and being friends! Over the last few years, it has been a grace to me to have Sara's presence in my life. From sharing of her wisdom and empathy and delicious brownies, Sara has loved me well and continually points me to Jesus. I more faithfully followed because of Sara, and I cannot understate what a gift her friendship has been to me.
Michael Helmich
Groomsman
Michael was left out of the aforementioned urinal pic with Ethan, but since then, we have become great friends! I wish I had reached out sooner so we could have had another couple of years of friendship; Michael and I share many laughs when we're together. Most of the time, we laugh about the dumbest things - Michael would probably win a competition in getting me to laugh with the fewest amount of words - but Michael also listens well to the thoughts and stories I've had to share. I look forward to many more laughs and many more stories!
Jericho Beck
Bridesmaid
No doubt one of the funniest people I know, it is a privilege to be Jericho's big sister! From our early days of her forcing me to watch Balto every single day of my life to the present days of exploring cities together, life with Jericho has been a wild ride. Even so, it has been a joy to a share a love of Subarus, good coffee, and Jesus together, to be friends and sisters. She doesn't pass me by - even with my incessant desire for Rookie's ice cream!!
Chandler Barense
Groomsman
I remember a few summers ago when I almost took engagement pictures for Chandler and his now wife. We barely knew each other, and I didn't think I would really be seeing him around much after that. Chandler and I have now been teamed up in ministry for a few years since then, and I have seen time and time again his huge heart for those who do not know Jesus to come and hear the Good News. It has been great to learn from Chandler and know I have someone else who can relate to the sport-management-to-ministry pipeline. I'm excited to celebrate the 2nd-biggest event of his year together (GO RAMS!!).
Brooklyn Symes
Bridesmaid
My unicorn! It's rare to meet a friend in college who has so many similarities in background and life experience as Brooklyn and I do, but I am thankful for the merging of our small groups in South Quad to bring us together! Even more importantly, the shared experience of living with 6 other people in a 5 bedroom, 1 bathroom house while participating in a leadership training program and working full-time with Mitchell (her brother) painting South Quad forged a friendship that will last forever. Brooklyn is a fierce friend who advocates so well for what people need and want, and it is a gift to have her by my side!
James "Gibby" Gibson
Groomsman
Gibby probably has the best name in this group of men; it’s either him or Shepherd. I owe a lot of the joys I’ve had in community the past year to Gibby’s (and Michael’s) welcoming presences. A year and a half ago, I didn't even know Gibby's real name was James, and now we've gone on multiple road trips together! Although he ignores half the things I say sometimes, Gibby is always empathetic and understanding when he does choose to listen XD. Gibby has always been easy-going, but he also isn't afraid to learn and challenge me in my faith as we follow Christ together. Big Gib has a big heart for God.
Bethany Beck
Bridesmaid
As the youngest Beck, Bethany outshines us all by being a loyal friend to people and animals alike. Catch us bonding over Marvel superheroes and Michigan football and reminiscing over that one time when she visited me in college & hung out with my "weird" friends (*insert laughing emoji*). Truly, Beth also shares the Beck girls' love of Subarus, coffee, and Jesus as well as adventure. Though she has been known to throw an "Ok, boomer" at me occasionally and despite me leaving home when she was 10, there's never been a dull moment when I am around her!
Shepherd Smith
Groomsman
Shepherd Smith is a cool guy. I mean that in all the ways: cool-headed, cool-looking, cool vibes. Shepherd has taught me how to value the quiet and how to rest well. He also somehow has the best memes when he is the most disconnected person from pop culture I can think of. I appreciate the ways Shep shows up and has invited me to be a part of his life. Pog.
Brooke Davis
Bridesmaid
Brooke Davis is legendary. I knew about her before I met her, and from knowing that Natalie and Brooke got along great, it was only a matter of time before Brooke and I became fast friends. Though our initial meeting included meeting *the* Campus Corgi, Reggie, it was not until our mutual choice to pursue a seminary degree in 2020 that we really found our spark. When Brooke and I finish our Master's degrees, it will certainly be because we had each other. From #SITAs, Bent Tree Coffee, flurries of texts and angst about homework, and McDonald's breakfast, we love to share our lives with one another. Fellow dreamer about church planting and ministry, Brooke is a dear friend who ferociously cares for her people, a real hype woman, and a wild woman of God!
Frank Scola
Groomsman
Frankie Fresh and I go way back. I have been friends with him the longest out of this group of men, so he has definitely seen me through the best of the times and the worst of times. If you thought Shepherd was a meme queen, just wait til you meet Frank the Dank. I love how Frank is unafraid to just be who he is; whether it's his love for Tobey Maguire or his desires for the church to truly live in a lifestyle of worship of Jesus, Frank wears his heart on his sleeve. I am grateful for his chaotic calming presence, and I hope to one day watch Spider-Man 3 together.