Brandon & Brianna
Wedding Party
Learah Lockhart
Maid of Honor
Brianna and Learah's story began when a program called Prep for Prep changed their lives. They were 12 years old. Brianna was Brezzie from Brooklyn, and Learah was one of the Queens girls with the most consistently perfect high bun you have ever seen (Brianna has now mastered the high bun from the bobby pin saved in your "kitchen" method). Their friendship didn't really begin until they were advisors for Prep: from plotting how to attend summer bashments with Caribbean moms overlooking, to making their way thru Harvard's Finals Clubs and Tufts Spanish House. Learah has been a constant shoulder to lean on and voice of reason so it is only natural to have her by Brianna's side.
Brandon Allen-Santos
Best Man
Most people know Brandon Michael Jordan Allen-Santos, henceforth referred to as "Tos", as a well-groomed, tailor-fitted, Walmart brand Dwayne Johnson but the Tos that became one of Brandon's closest friends was the Tos from the thumbnail picture: over-sized t-shirt, jean shorts, and Jordans. At first Brandon's was skeptical of Tos who was described to him as essentially a lightskin version of him with an accent (same first name, same NY roots, and same affinity for Jordans), but after hanging out it was clear to see that the two were destined to be close. Over the last 13 years they have been there for each other through many highs and, more importantly, through many lows. Brandon is honored to have Tos at his side on his big day and there is no where else Tos would rather be.
Ebere Okparaeke
Bridesmaid
You will hear Ebere before you see her. Don't know what I mean? Well wait until the wedding day, you'll see. Brianna and Ebere met in college. Brianna remembers first meeting Ebere in Capen House. Her loud infectious laughter easily matched her personality, it was overwhelming at first to say the least. Their friendship would grow over time, starting just as each others hype girl on the dance floor to a friendship rooted in honesty, accountability and empowerment. While Ebere is quite possibly the silliest person Brianna knows, she's also one of the most brilliant both in mind and soul.
Juice White
Groomsman
Brandon and Juice's friendship is the embodiment of the saying "everything happens for a reason". They met the end of the summer of 2005 as they were unlikely roommates and even though they were strangers, it did not take long for them to be almost inseparable that year (shout out to the 212 monopoly - whattap Mallory!). Not only did Juice and Brandon have tons of things in common - taste in music, love for taking funny pictures, and an unhealthy obsession with sports - but also to their surprise their families lived within 10 mins from each other so they were able to grow even closer during the breaks from school. Brandon and Juice have built an incredibly strong friendship rooted in love, laughter, and discussing fantasy football 24/7/365.
Andrea Nortey
Bridesmaid
Andrea and Brianna's friendship began with a kidnapping. Brianna was having the worst overnight host experience at Wesleyan when someone yelled "Brezzie!" Brianna turned around and recognized Andrea, who she knew from Prep for Prep. They devised a plan to sneak back into Brianna's host room, get her stuff, and spend the rest of the weekend partying with Andrea. As fate would have it, they both wound up at Tufts anyway- Andrea a year above Brianna. Shortly after they became inseparable, a bond solidified when Delta officially made them sisters. Even when Andrea gets on Brianna's last nerves because Andrea fails to speak English when she's hungry or tired, making conversations impossible, their bond is undeniable. Tufts, Delta and now Medical School wouldn't be the same without her.
Dominic Turner
Groomsman
Brandon would not be the man he is today without Dominic. They have walked to hell and back and that forged a bond between the two of them that is as unique as it is unbreakable. To get some semblance of insight into how their friendship works just look up "The Odd Couple". At any given moment you can be subjected to an argument between the two of them that will end in both thinking they are right, but the second you try and come between them, you are in for the fight of your life. They are the perfect personification of yin and yang: seemingly opposite or contrary forces that are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent. For example, Brandon has hair on his head and can't grow any facial hair while Dominic has an immaculate beard and is as bald as Mr. Clean.
Rachel Gholston
Bridesmaid
Rachel was the girl with the fro, picked and rounded out, that was at every Delta program Brianna went to when they were both wide-eyed and interested in learning more. After sizing each other up, they became fast friends. When they were pledging together their friendship sky-rocketed. Brianna was the mediator between Dre and "Rachelle," quite literally stuck in the middle. Rachel was Brianna's backbone that year, and in the years that followed. If there was ever too many days in a week that had gone by Rachel would call and Brianna would answer first saying: "Can this be sent in a text?" but she knew Rachel was just checking in. She's perfect for that even if its a simple "you good?" She helps Brianna boil any problem down to the basics, even if that means putting others before her.
Jeffrey Haynes
Groomsman
Most of the groomsmen met Brandon in college but Jeffrey has the honorable distinction of having known Brandon since he was fresh out of 5th grade. They have been able to see each other grow from irresponsible, loud, and annoying kids to irresponsible, loud, and annoying kids trapped in adult looking bodies. Over the years there have been many meals slapped out of hands, tons of jokes thrown at each other, and countless examples of the unconditional love they both have for each other. The true measure of their relationship is the fact that every single conversation that Brandon has with his mother, she asks about how Jeffrey is because she knows how important he is to him. Jeffrey is the friend that we all need in our lives: the one to trip you as a joke and laugh all while picking you up.