Amanda & Michael
Wedding Party
Amanda Rose
Bride
Amanda is ten years Mike’s junior! She loves to read and travel throughout the state. Water is good for her soul- even as a baby, water would bring her calm and it still does now. She enjoys spending time with her close group of girlfriends. She also disagrees with Shakespeare- A Rose by any other name WOULDN’T smell as sweet, in her opinion, so she’s keeping her last name! Amanda lives in Winston Salem, NC with Mike and their two dogs- Marley and Madeline.
Mike Blankenship
Groom
Mike B. is the trainwreck which has drawn you together today- What will happen? Will he dress as a dinosaur at his own wedding? How can somebody make you so happy and so infuriated at the same time? Mike is the divider in the lives of most who know him - there are "the good old days" before you met him - then there is the time you have suffered under his yoke. To know him is to feel a lack of understanding, yet somehow be okay with that. As he would tell you, don't worry about it. Go fast. Take chances. Listen to Slayer. Mike lives in Winston Salem with Amanda and their two dogs, Madeline and Marley.
Kristen Trexler
Wedding Planner
Kristen Trexler is an event planning genius! Having planned many a wedding, Kristen continues using her event planning expertise at Novant, her church, and for her nieces' birthdays.
Sara Brooks
Officiant
Sara is pulling double duty as their officiant as well as Amanda’s Matron of Honor! Amanda performed the ceremony for Sara’s wedding so Sara is returning the favor! Hopefully she doesn’t get as nervous as Amanda was!
Sara Brooks
Matron of Honor
Sara is pulling double duty as Amanda’s matron of honor as well as their officiant! Sara was Amanda’s boss many moons ago. Friendship blossomed after Amanda loudly asked what box Sara’s hair color came from over the headset at work. For everyone to hear. Sara must have forgiven her because she and Amanda lived together for three years in Charlotte. They have been best friends for fifteen years. Sara is married to Michael and they live in Charlotte, NC with their two cats, Murphy and Lizzie.
Nicole Fries
Matron of Honor
Opposites attract! Nicole and Amanda have been best friends for twenty three years and have disagreed on nearly everything for just as long. No matter how differently they see things, they’ve maintained a life long friendship that’s seen parental divorces and remarriages, break ups, expulsions from college, moving away, deaths, marriages!!!!, new jobs and entrepreneurship, the birth of two beautiful baby girls, and so much more. Nicole is married to Tyson and they have two daughters, Lola and Avery. They live in Gold Hill, NC.
Justin Rose
Man of Honor
Justin is Amanda’s younger brother (15 months apart!) and the father to her niece, Kahlyn, and nephew, Tyler. Amanda knew her big day would absolutely include her brother- the person who’s been there for her through all of life’s events. Justin is married to Jen and they have two children, Kahlyn and Tyler. They live in China Grove, NC.
Dave Blankenship
Best Man
Dave is Mike's older brother and his oldest role-model. He is always happy to listen to his (sometimes annoying) younger brother, offering an open ear and focus when asked. He has always been the bigger man, showing Mike a calm and steady way forward when Mike would be a disagreeable little s... brother. He can offer comfort when needed, while respecting Mike's boundaries and autonomy. He shows up to see Mike try things, always offering support. He always has Mike's back. Best big brother anybody could ask for. Dave lives in Clemmons.
Bobby Roberts
Best Man
Bobby has been Mike's best friend since childhood - Mike literally can't remember life before Bobby! They grew up together, living with 2 shared homes and 4 shared parents. They've been through everything together; good, bad, and ugly. Mike knows he can always depend on Bobby, any time, place, or situation. Bobby lives in Winston-Salem with his wife Layla, their adorable son Bo, and their wieners Hana and Kuma.
Jenny Pruitt
Best Woman
Jenny is Mike's best friend and his most frequent partner in crime. Always down to feed into and enable one another's (possibly poor, possibly dangerous, almost always fun) ideas, they've been close and into everything for 19 years. Jenny is always present for Mike, from the small stuff (2 am Wa Ho after a gig) to holding his hands while he's getting stitched back together (it's cool, they're just teeth!) Nobody understands just how good we are, Tater! Jenny lives in Winston Salem with her girlfriend, Candice, their two dogs, Kona and Witt, and cat, Phoebe.
Linda Raby
Mother of the Bride
Mother to both Amanda and Justin, Linda now enjoys Grammy-hood. Kahlyn and Tyler Rose and Eva Ramirez have dutifully replaced any and all pictures of Justin and Amanda at her home. Linda works in the environmental and infrastructure industry and actually introduced Amanda to the company she works for today. Linda is married to Tony and they live in Winston Salem.
Toby Rose
Father of the Bride
There’s a good chance he’ll have a flat pencil in his hat on the wedding day, too. Toby is a carpenter by trade. He’s built many a house and church and doctor's office. Amanda’s most proud of the furniture he’s built her that lives in her home. Pieces that have withstood several moves and several pets. Toby is the father of Amanda and Justin and a Papa to two grandchildren, Kahlyn and Tyler (pictured here!). He lives in Salisbury, NC.
Tony Raby
Father of the Bride
Tony has been Amanda’s stepfather for nearly 20 years! He brought with him children of his own and gave Amanda the sister she always wished for. Tony took Amanda for her driver’s license test and didn’t laugh at her when she failed the first time! That’s fatherly love. Tony is married to Linda. He is the father of Nick and Jeremiah Raby and Lauren Ramirez. He is Grampy to Kahlyn and Tyler Rose, Miller Raby, and Eva Ramirez. He lives in Winston Salem.
Gail Kovach
Mother of the Bride
Gail is a very special person in Amanda’s life. While Gail never married into Amanda’s family, she is family. Always there with a helping hand and a warm hug. Gail is Gigi to Kahlyn and Tyler Rose. She lives in Salisbury, NC with her three dogs, Bella, Charlie, and Brandi.
Herb Blankenship
Father of the Groom
Herb is father to Dave and Mike. He is an avid golfer, and a great fan of a good cigar, scotch, coffee, and book (though probably only, like, 2 of those at a time!) He is a role model to Mike in myriad ways. If Mike can be half the man his father is, that's twice the man he ever thought he'd be. Herb lives in Sunset Beach with Linda, his wife of 51 years.
Linda Blankenship
Mother of the Groom
Linda is mother to Dave and Mike. She enjoys reading, knitting, quilting, gardening, Slayer, jazz, and learning new things. She never ceases to amaze Mike with her ability to learn, and seemingly master, new skills in very short order. It's not uncommon to point out something lovely in her home and have her sheepishly respond "Oh! Well, thank you, I actually made/painted/knitted/invented/machined/grew that." Linda lives in Sunset Beach with Herb, her husband of 51 years.
Lola Fries
Flower Girl
Lola is the daughter of Matron of Honor, Nicole Fries and her husband, Tyson. She is Avery’s older sister. Lola is the spitting image of her father. She loves dress up and baking and playing in the dirt and going to the track to see her daddy race.
Avery Fries
Flower Girl
Avery is the daughter of Matron of Honor, Nicole Fries and her husband, Tyson. Lola is her older sister. Avery is the spitting image of her mother. She is spunky and sassy and loves to snuggle with her momma.
Eva Ramirez
Flower Girl
Eva, known as Eva Steva to Amanda, is daughter to Lauren and Gil Ramirez. She is Amanda’s niece. She has the vocabulary of a college alum at only four years old! Eva loves to read and wants to be a dentist when she grows up.
Callie Jo Shirley
Flower Girl
Callie Jo was born to Keri and Chandler Shirley in January of 2017 with a congenital heart defect that took her life two days later. While not here physically, she is an honorary flower girl. Her sister, Kate, will throw flowers for her.
Kate Shirley
Flower Girl
Kate is the youngest daughter of Keri and Chandler Shirley. Callie is her older sister. She is the apple of their eyes and will break hearts with those blue eyes and dark brown hair. Kate will throw flowers for both she and her sister.
Sarah McKinney
Flower Girl
Sara is the daughter of one of Amanda’s oldest friends, Genna McKinney. Sarah is a very enthusiastic child who loves to play. She is very sensitive to those around her- knowing when someone is hurt and in need of a hug or extra love.
Isla Campbell
Flower Girl
Isla is the daughter of Amanda’s cousin, Lindsay Campbell and her husband Tim. She is Simon’s younger sister. Isla is full of witty one-liners who loves gymnastics, singing, makeup, jewelry, and high heels. She’s always up for something new and exciting and is only interested in having fun.
Kahlyn Rose
Honor Attendant
Kahlyn is the daughter of Justin and Jennifer Rose. She is Amanda’s niece. Tyler is her younger brother. Kahlyn loves basketball and is growing to love collecting shoes like her Dad. She is extremely smart and talented. She has grown into a beautiful young lady.
Tyler Rose
Ring Bearer
Tyler is the son of Justin and Jennifer Rose. He is Amanda’s nephew. He is Kahlyn’s younger brother. He loves baseball, soccer, and golf. He’s a whiz at YouTube Kids and can be shy. He’s got a big heart, like his dad, and so much energy.
Bo Roberts
Ring Bearer
Bo is the son of best man, Bobby Roberts, and his wife Layla.
Simon Campbell
Ring Bearer
Simon is the son of Amanda’s cousin, Lindsay Campbell and her husband Tim. He’s the older brother of Isla. Simon is a perpetual jokester who loves baseball, Star Wars, LEGOS, pizza, fishing, and driving his sister bananas. He gives the best hugs and has a big, kind heart.
Mac Sisk
Ring Bearer
Mac is the son of Erika and Kyle Sisk, friends of Amanda. He’s got his momma’s brilliant facial expressions and does not recommend the crayons at Hare and the Hound. He loves tractors and lawn mowers, his sister Lillian, his two dogs Lulu and Gertie, and books.