Adelyn & Braeden
Wedding Party
Erika Gresh
Maid of Honor
I sat down next to a fellow swimmer that I didn't know during a swim meet for Blacksburg High School during my junior year and started telling her about all the scars on my body... the rest is history, haha. Seriously though, Erika has been a fierce friend for 6 years and has put up with all my shenanigans since that day. One of them being the time I decided to see if I could jump to her (while she was in the water) from a high dock and I landed right on her and we both thought we needed to go to the hospital. Through it all the sillyness and laughter, Erika and I have formed an invaluable relationship built upon our love for ice-cream and Jesus Christ. She is servant-hearted, fun, and hard working. I am so excited to have her be my maid of honor on such a special day.
Collin Wallace
Best Man
My best friend and brother since birth, Collin has been my favorite (and only) big brother for over 21 years. He is my biggest role model, leading in servant-heartedness, gentleness, ambition, and adventure. Collin is the reason that I decided to play baseball and run cross country in high school, then make the leap to running collegiately. From iconic home videos and basement wrestling matches with our best friend Jacob Hensley in middle school to playing disc golf and ping pong baseball in the yard today, Collin has always made life fun. Though I beat him to getting engaged (by a few months!) and married, he has consistently led the way for me. Also, he has continued our childhood tradition of scooping me ice cream every night I'm home, so how could he not be my best man?
Emily Hewett
Bridesmaid
Emily was the first friend I met in college that felt like home to me. You know those people? She is determined, consistent, thoughtful, honest, and loves Jesus with her whole heart. Emily and I have been friends since freshman year and even got to live together sophomore year! Although, some of my favorite memories with Emily are in Europe where we galavanted across seven countries in the summer of 2019 for a study abroad trip. Emily gets me. She is my cheerleader and supports me for who I am. She helped me one semester start selling my artwork at college and even let me flourish at TJMAXX and pick out a whole new wardrobe for her when she wanted a change. She is humble, kind, and so intentional. I couldn't enjoy this day without her by my side!
Wyatt Saxton
Groomsman
A man of integrity, exploration, and lots of turkey calls, Wyatt is truly one of a kind. After logging hundreds of miles running with him and hours more in the dining hall and throwing frisbee, I have probably spent more time in Marietta with Wyatt than anyone else. He brings a childlike enthusiasm to everything that he does which is balanced uniquely with unrivaled maturity and depth. Skilled in most every area you might think of, Wyatt is a remarkable outdoorsman, insightful writer and scientist, and thoughtful encourager. He is a loyal friend that cares deeply for others, listens well, and keeps life exciting. From swimming across the Ohio River with Van to embarking on a 20 mile run with me, Wyatt is an adventurous soul who is also refreshingly down-to-earth.
Kate Barthelmes
Bridesmaid
Kate is the friend that brings you food when you didn't even realize you were hungry. Through the craziness of my undergraduate degree, Kate probably supplied half the caffeine and food I consumed. So we can all thank her for getting me where I am today, haha. But in all seriousness, I would not be the woman I am today without Kate Bart! She has been there in my weakest moments and has shown love to me that is similar to that of Jesus Christ. We have been in the valleys together and have fought for one another to trust Christ through it all. She is funny, joyful, loyal, and always down for an adventure. She loves HARD and has been someone who has molded me in a way that has prepared me for this next journey of marriage. I love me some Kate Bart!
Brandon Hardman
Groomsman
A brother in Christ, fellow disc golfer and runner, and the second redhead in the bridal party, Brandon is like a brother to me in a lot of ways. We met at Cru Fall Retreat our sophomore year, which proved to be the answer to prayers of finding more community with fellow believers at college. Brandon is a great listener, an insightful counselor, an intentional encourager, and servant-hearted friend passionate about loving others and learning constantly. The lunches we shared every Wednesday last semester were one of the most influential and refreshing moments in my spiritual and emotional life, and frequent check-ins have helped Brandon become one of my closest friends who knows the most about me. A kind, funny, and genuine person, you will likely find Brandon as someone hard not to like.
Emma Grimes
Bridesmaid
Consistent, loyal, thoughtful, and deep. Emma listens well, asks good questions, and draws it all back to Christ. She also can definitely slay everyone in Spikeball but thats neither here nor there, haha. Emma is the Middle School director for the church I have been attending the past four years while at CNU. She was one of the first friends I made at Peninsula Community Chapel and has been in my life, pointing me to Jesus, since. Braeden and I interned at PCC last summer alongside Emma (and Kate Bart!) and were encouraged in our relationship by her and her husband, Stephen. Braeden and I love them so much we actually will live be living in their apartment complex so we could be their neighbors after the wedding, haha. Y'all down for Wahoo tournaments every night?
Alex Bailey
Groomsman
It is difficult to put into words who Alex Bailey is to me. While we became friends in eighth grade as energetic baseball players, I have had the pleasure over the years of watching the Lord continually form Alex into a genuine disciple who takes Jesus's embodiment of loving God and neighbor to heart. Kindness, justice, opportunity, truth, and compassion matter to Alex, as well as bringing laughter and smiles to all he comes into contact with. We have shared countless multi-hour conversations, endless laughs, and some of the most unique experiences I could ever imagine. Alex is great at getting me out of my comfort zone, yet also provides the refreshing comfort of a solid friend, always reminding those who know him that we have an advocate in Jesus. Alex is a gift to all who know him.
Sidney Noble
Bridesmaid
Sister-in-law and dear friend! Sidney is fun, deep, and authentic. She has pursued friendship with me ever since her and Sam started dating and has been the best sister I could have asked for. Sidney helped me decorate the apartment Braeden and I will share, plan a wedding, and has answered all the questions I've had with such patience. Her and Sam got married in April of 2020 and so she has been quick to let me know tips and tricks about planning a wedding. She is kind, thoughtful, and has left me wondering how my brother managed to trick her to marry him (haha, just kidding Sam). I am thankful for the life she brings to our family and I have found such a sweet friend in her. I couldn't do this day without her!
Van Knipp
Groomsman
Full of class, humor, kindness, and fun, Van will change your bad day to a good one as quickly as he changes his hairstyle. As one half of the entire Marietta College XC team our freshman year, Van became the first best friend and running partner I gained at school. Passionate about math, pull-ups, rock climbing, Shamrock shakes, Yahtzee, shaving his legs, and taking care of homeless guinea pigs, this man has as many facets to his legend as he has names. Van is an intentional friend, a faithful caretaker, a selfless helper, and an advocate for adventure. His witty personality and authenticity make him someone to confide in and laugh with, and he and Wyatt's taste for extracurricular shenanigans ensure that no day is boring. Ask him if his feet hurt--they probably do.