Wedding Party
Taryn Golling
Bride
My future wife is a sweet, precious, princess angel. She is single-handedly the kindest, most thoughtful person I have ever met. She is a marvelous friend to so so so many different friends in so so so many different locations and is always putting others before herself, myself included. I think we would drive people nuts with the sheer amount of things we do, places we go, and activities we plan but I also think that's what makes us a 1000% match for each other. She's always down for cards, darts, cornhole, backyard golf, late-night ice cream runs, spur of the moment trips, hanging out with friends, planning parties, trips to target because we are bored, new DDD restaraunts, and so many countless other adventures. I can't wait for the next crazy adventure and the many more to come!
Caleb James
Groom
My future husband can sing, he can dance, he is good at sports, he is super smart, he works hard, he makes everyone laugh, and most importantly, he cares deeply for the people in his life. I fell in love with Caleb going to trivia on Tuesdays with my KC crew, watching football on Thursday nights, and eating and drinking our way through Kansas City. We love many of the same things, making and eating food, playing all sorts of games, going to Silver Dollar City, and have many separate interests, such as, fantasy football/baseball, and the royal family. Caleb is the most fun person I have ever met, and always goes along with my plans. We complement each other perfectly, in a way that surprises us daily. I am SO excited to be Mrs. James!
Tara Newsom
Maid of Honor
Taryn and Tara met at the monkey bars in 3rd grade and have been best friends ever since. People used to ask if they were twins, and were surprised to hear there was no relation. They have gone through every aspect of life together, including a long awkward phase. Some of their best memories include living in Spain together, planning Tara and Kyle's wedding, and going on trips all around the world. Tara likes to say that Taryn keeps her young, but Taryn just wants to be like Tara when she grows up. Even though Tara is married, she refuses to be called the "matron" of honor. Tara knew Caleb and Taryn were going to get married before they even did. She is the best friend, wife, and mom!
Mitchell Hackman
Best Man
Caleb and Mitch have been best friends for over a decade. Some of their best memories include Rock Band in Mitch's basement, tromboning in the Boonville Silver Pirate Marching Band, academic Bowl, and many Kansas City adventures. They've bonded over their love of music, baseball, trivia, James Bond, and until recently their failure with the ladies. Just to be clear, the failures have only ceased on Caleb's end, Mitch is still very single and a doctor with good dental hygiene and a good credit score. This will be Mitch's first appearance in Caleb and Taryn's wedding and is very excited for his debut.
Chloe Colson
Bridesmaid
Chloe is Taryn's littlest sister. A full 9 years younger, Taryn has always been like a second mom figure to Chloe. One summer, she lived with Taryn in Kansas City and they spent many days by the pool together. Chloe and Taryn share many of the same tastes, like Dr. pepper, taco bell, and Doritos. Most of their conversations revolve around food. You can catch Chloe making a tik tok in the corner or falling asleep in an inappropriate napping spot.
Andrew Winders
Groomsman
Andrew is Caleb's fraternity father in Phi Mu Alpha. They were also roommates together in a terrible, run-down, 200-year-old, house in Warrensburg for a year of college. Caleb is a groomsman in Andrew's wedding and over the years, they have become really close spending countless hours jamming, playing slow-pitch softball, playing mediocre golf, searching for golf balls out of play, killing spider-crickets, talking baseball, and playing fantasy sports.
Bella Colson
Bridesmaid
Bella is Taryn's middle sister. A few years apart, they were able to spend a year of high school and college together. Although opposite in many ways, they share a love of being a big sister to their precious baby Chlo Chlo and loving on all our friends and family. Bella is extremely talented at braiding and whenever they are together Taryn makes her do her hair for hours on end.
Daniel Akin
Groomsman
Danny was Caleb's roommate for two years at UCM while Caleb was in grad school. They met a few years prior to becoming roommates at UCM through their fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha. Phi Mu Alpha is a music fraternity, so they've bonded over their love of music, sports, Papa John's, and many a Warrensburg shenanigan. Caleb and Danny were great roommates, never afraid to help the other one after knee surgery or tell the other to wait a minute before you take a bite of that pizza straight out of the oven.
Jessi Moore
Bridesmaid
Jessi and Taryn met in college while founding Alpha Sigma Alpha at Boise State University. They bonded over their mutual obsession of Boise State, love of headbands, and nannying job. They traveled as consultants together for ASA a year after college and then both pursued higher education degrees in different states. Jessi brings the SoCal flare to the group and will be one of the best dancers out on the dance floor.
Topher Hockaday
Groomsman
Christopher Hockaday, as the government knows him, is truly one of the world's greatest friends. Caleb and Topher met at UCM as members of the same new member class of Phi Mu Alpha. Topher's vibrant personality and openness to host quickly made his house the spot for their group of friends. That mixed with Caleb's inability to do nothing or not have plans, meant they spent many a night making fires, watching terrible movies, sneaking into their buddies apartment, or making up games.
Christina Britz
Bridesmaid
Christina (lovingly nicknamed Keena) met Taryn at Boise State while founding Alpha Sigma Alpha. They were roommates for two years in college until they graduated and moved their separate ways. Keena has been the fashionista, artist, and sounding board for many decisions in Taryn's life since college. Keena is getting married to Tamim, her high school sweetheart, in the spring of 2021 as well and they have been having the best time wedding planning together.
Forrest Hage
Groomsman
Caleb and Forrest became friends in High School and quickly became close as members of both the band and chamber choir. They both went to UCM and majored in Music and spent even more time together in classes, concert choir, playing Madden, and attempting to impress girls by jamming in Forrest's dorm. After college, their time together has become more difficult with Forrest's stations in the Army including South Korea and Texas, but their love of music, football, grilled meats, and Snapchats of Forrest's dog keep them close.
Aubrey Cala
Bridesmaid
Aubrey and Taryn met as consultants for Alpha Sigma Alpha. They refer to themselves as each other's favorite "forced friend" and despite never living in the same state, they have remained best friends for the last 5 years. They have watched every single episode of Scandal together, whether they are in the same room, or miles away via texting. Aubrey and her husband Mark live in Arkansas where they both work at the University of Arkansas. WOO PIG SOOIE. (ew)
Brad Hefley
Groomsman
Caleb and Brad met as teachers at Frontier School of Innovation; Caleb's first job out of grad school. Caleb and Brad spent many an hour avoiding job responsibilities in Brad's office. They bonded quickly over their love of sports, fantasy football, Madden, and shooting hoops for "Professional Development." Brad really embraced the role of Caleb's wingman and was one of the biggest Taryn supporters from the start. Brad also played college football at Arkansas. WOO PIG SOOIE. (ew)
Miranda Burt
Bridesmaid
Miranda and Taryn met at Alpha Phi Omega. They became friends when Taryn brought Miranda a post it note with the details of trivia that night and awkwardly asked her if she wanted to come. She came and the rest is history! Miranda and Taryn bond over their love of planning any and everything. They are known to plan a party for ANYTHING and are always making their friends dress up and celebrate. Taryn coordinated Nick and Miranda's wedding in 2018 and Miranda will be doing the same thing for Caleb and Taryn's.
Nick Burt
Groomsman
Nick and Caleb met through Taryn's friendship with Nick's wife Miranda. They quickly bonded over their love of sports, trivia, yard games, BBQ, and their better-halves being best friends and spending all their time together. Nick has always been willing to do anything, anytime, no matter what he has going on or how early he has to work in the morning. He is always there to let Caleb know how the Penguins are doing in the standings and to talk about the most recent news in the NFL. Nick and Miranda also adopted the most adorable puppy, which is a plus.
Kris Howard
Officiant
Kris unbeknownst to him, brought us together 3 years ago. Kris and Taryn were members of the same cohort in grad school at the University of Central Missouri and Kris and Caleb were co-workers and close friends during their time at UCM. Kris' love of hosting people and bringing people together sparked Caleb and Taryn's first meeting and it's only fitting he is the one to help them tie the knot.