Wedding Party
Alexis Pearson
Matron of Honor
I met Alexis in 1st grade when our classes traded swaps with each other. We then realized we lived 5 houses down from each other, and have been inseparable since. I even got her to follow me to The University of Arkansas! She has been with me through everything and more and I love her dearly.
Chase Rogers
Best Man
Chase and Michelle met in the summer of 2012 at their freshman orientation at the University of North Texas. The two knew they were destined to be besties for the resties when in the final day of the College of Music orientation... all new orients were required to "pass off" their level of proficiency in piano. Without hesitation, Michelle raised her hand in front of at least 50 newly accepted musicians to ask the question "What if you don't know the first thing about playing the piano?" To everyone's relief... there was an opt out of the "pass off" and accept your fate as a beginning pianist.... and it was in that line of signatures that Chase validated every single ounce of shame that Michelle had by saying "OMG! I'm so happy you asked that... because girlllllll...... same!" Next thing you know, move-ins happen at Honors Hall, and Michelle and Chase end up taking the same elevator to floors 3 and 4... on the way up, Chase broke the silence by elating "OMG! I know you from orientation!!! Let's hang out!" And from that day on, Chase and Michelle have been BFFs. Helping each other along the way of self discovery, growth, and overall improvement. Chase is one of Michelle's longest and closest friends, and because of this connection, he will be escorting Michelle down the aisle on her grand entrance to the ceremony.
Chelsea Herndon
Maid of Honor
Chelsea and I met the only way 5th grade girls meet: Softball. I have been catching what she throws at me for 20 years and counting. We conquered high school softball together, and we even managed to live in Florida together after college. She's been through it all, caught me when I needed her most, and has never left my side.
Patrice Brown
Matron of Honor
You're not seeing double. They're identical twins. Patrice and Michelle go way, way back. All the way back to embryo stage and then through puberty, college, and now the early adult life. "The twins" as they were once coined by friends, family, sporting opponents, acquaintances, and far more; were inseparable all the way through their high school graduation. They started in the same kindergarten class... went a few years of intentional separation to avoid co-dependency... and then through participation in all of the same extra curricular activities... shared a once again, identical schedule their senior year of high school. When it was time to go their separate ways, Michelle and Patrice decided to go to different schools; Patrice stayed in Arkansas, while Michelle moved south to Texas. Even the separation of a state border couldn't keep them apart... so much so, that both Michelle and Patrice made regular trips to each others' universities... and never managed to leave back home on the intended departure date. These extensions were later referred to as "bonus days" by Patrice's, now husband, Zach Brown. Through it all, Patrice has protected, supported, covered for, and so many other big-sister duties for Michelle. Naturally, she is the only selection for Michelle's Matron of Honor.
Mary Flores
Bridesmaid
In 2013, I met my, now, sister-in-law. I drove to visit my brother at Auburn and wound up picking him up from a bar. That's when Mary came sprinting around the corner and hugged me. There were so many visits between all of us throughout the rest of college and beyond. Our never ending rivalry between Auburn and Arkansas, holidays, and family dinners are always my favorite. Even despite the ups and downs- we've never waivered from loving each other as sisters.
Tina Tate
Bridesmaid
Tina is the second oldest sister of Michelle. She was a dedicated babysitter through Michelle's childhood-- and not without resentment or teenage angst :) It was a standing joke around Christmas time to pull out the handmade ornament that Michelle's 1st grade art class created.... the ornament was a cut-out of Michelle's face taken with a very old disposable camera... later developed and placed on an angel's body. If irony was in a textbook, Tina would've put a picture of this Christmas ornament as the definition. It's true... Michelle was the stereotypical, difficult, dare I say "devil" little sister... so the sheer humor of seeing that picture on an angel's body has lasted in the family as a running joke for over 20 years, now. Thankfully, after Michelle matured a bit and went to college, she and Tina were able to connect on a less annoying basis. There have been several road trips up to Iowa and now down to Texas to see each other over the years. One of the fondest memories that Michelle and Sarah have with Tina is traveling to Iowa to attend the Iowa State Fair (a national institution). Sarah was able to try some of the best sweet corn, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cold beer there... and we already have return trips booked next year!
Raquel (Rocky) Colmery
Bridesmaid
Say hello to my lil cousin! Fun fact: she was the first person I texted from Florida telling her I was bisexual. There were so many texts back and forth of her calming my worst fears and loving me everyday just the same as before. We may not get to see each other as often as we like, but texts, calls, dinner dates, and holidays are always something I look forward to, and never ending catch-up fests. She's been through it all with me, even introducing me to my favorite influencers (Shannon Beveridge)!
Elizabeth Chennikkara
Bridesmaid
Liz is Michelle's oldest sister, who went away to college early on in Michelle's childhood. For this reason, a lot of the early connections between the two were made through family events and college visits. After Liz graduated from Iowa State, she moved to Chicago-- to Michelle... this kind of move was something that only happened in movies... but through visiting Liz, she developed a deep adoration for the city itself. After Michelle went to college, there was a clear opportunity to bond as adults... and not just as the big/little sister they were before. Michelle made a few solo trips to Chicago to visit the Chennikkara family, and actually managed to land a job at the same company that Liz's husband, Michelle's brother-in-law, Hansen, worked at. As Michelle started and grew her career in CDW.. there were ample amounts of business trips that brought her out to Chicago-- which then allowed her to extend and stay with Liz and her family. 2019, in fact, was a year that Michelle stayed for at least 1 week per month.. every month of the year (with February perhaps being the only exception). In these trips and stays, Michelle was able to watch her nieces and nephew grow in their schooling, extra curricular activities, and even karaoke (since there was a weekly sing along in the living room whenever Michelle was in town). Since the pandemic, Liz and her family have relocated to Arizona-- and Michelle hopes to continue extended work trips for the foreseeable future.
Amanda Sloper
Bridesmaid
First of all, it's not Amanda, it's SLOPER! Slope and I have known each other since the Rec soccer days- where we were arch nemesis on the field, but besties off of it. We got closer in middle school and then even closer in high school. When she moved far away from me (PHX) I made it known I had to visit her, at minimum, once a year. Even thought the visits aren't as frequent as they were, they always seem to bring me back to our younger days like nothing has changed. I know she will pick up my call at 3am or even make a spontaneous trip to The Great Canyon if I asked.
Chelsi Solis
Bridesmaid
Chelsi and Michelle met through a kickball league 2017. In fact, this kickball league played for nearly half a season before they actually exchanged numbers to hang out outside of the parking lot following the games. One fateful night, however, they finally swapped numbers and decided to go to Shakertins, an Austin Ranch bar, with the rest of the kickball team. Eventually these hang outs became a regular thing to where Chelsi extended an invite to come hang out at her house, because she also has a pool! The next 5 years were full of new adventures for the 2 of them: they discovered and bonded over similar careers in IT, they discovered a love/hate relationship with Christmas cookies, they both became adamant "festival people" to the point that there was an EventBright link shared at least once a week on social media between the two of them... but most of all they became great friends through personal successes and struggles. Chelsi is also one of the 4 lake ladies that attend bi-annual lake trips including pontoon boating, wine tasting, board games, and even a little pumpkin carving; so naturally, Michelle asked her to stand by her side on her wedding day.
Kaylin Grant
Bridesmaid
I call Kaylin my little cousin, even though she's only 3 months younger than I am-- and despite the fact that we basically grew up together. We've been through asthma attacks, begging our parents for sleepovers, dance parties in the cars, heartbreaks, and she even decided to move to Florida near me. She's been there for me since day one, and has been one of my biggest supporters ever since.
Katie Lingar
Bridesmaid
Katie and Michelle also met through a kickball league, but due to the busy season of an accountant; they didn't become true friends until the summer following that season. Once they started hanging out more and more in the same social circles, Katie and Michelle realized that they actually shared a lot more in common than the same friend group. One cloudy morning, Michelle invited Katie, Katie's husband Tyler, and Chelsi to go disc golfing. If any of them had been before, it had been a while... but they all showed up with smiles on their faces ready to chase some plastic frisbees around an overgrown field. Since that day, weekend disc golfing has become a standing tradition for Katie and Michelle. Katie also invited Michelle to the inaugural Lake Ladies weekend, and a tradition of board games, wine tasting, and pumpkin carving was born. Outside of friendly events over the years, Katie has also been a reliable voice of reason for Michelle. Leading up to the proposal, Katie is one of the people that Michelle confided in for planning and timing of that night. There were a few moments of stress for Michelle when she left Sarah in the hotel room to get ready... Katie was ready and willing to step up to calm the storm and ensure that the staff at the venue was aligned according to the plan. So, it's no question that Michelle has a steady, friendly, voice of reason standing beside her on her wedding day.
Stephanie Gordon
Bridesmaid
Some people come into your lives for a reason, she is one. We have only known each other for 2 and half years, but it feels like forever. She's one of the first friends I tell my life drama and happy moments too. I may text her too much, but she always answers. We have to see each other at least once or twice a week or we go crazy. She gave me V, basically my child, a year ago, and I love him like my own. He's usually invited to girl time and I love it.
Caroline Sibley
Bridesmaid
Crispy Caroline! A nickname fondly coined after the discovery of Caroline's dietary preference of extremely crispy (nearly burnt)... well... anything, but especially bacon. Caroline and Michelle were introduced at the ever famous, inaugural lake ladies weekend. Caroline was initially a coworker of Katie's but through several lake ladies trips, weekend brunches, fancy teas, and many more activities; she and Michelle have grown to become great friends. A little known fact about Caroline is that she has a Grade-A Snapchat filter selection. Michelle and Caroline stay in touch regularly over said app, and there's never a moment that Caroline's choice of filters won't make Michelle at least smile if not full-on belly laugh--even on some of the worst days. In addition to being able to make Michelle laugh, Caroline has been there since Michelle and Sarah's first date. In fact, only 5 days after the first date, there was the 2nd annual Lake Ladies trip that allowed Michelle to spill all of the details about this new girl that she was seeing. Caroline has been an ally and cheerleader for the relationship from the beginning, and a natural fit for the role of a bridesmaid for Michelle.
Emilee Dutton
Flower Girl
I met this loud, great sense of humor, LGBTQ community girl at work, and enough said. She is basically my twin. She loves Fletcher as much as me, going to bars, and drinking wine on the couch with me. Sometimes we even walk 2 miles downtown and get tattoos together when are significant others are out of town. She will do anything with me at anytime and it's exactly what I need in my life.