Wedding Party
Rachel Browning
Maid of Honor
If you know me, there's a high chance you also know Rachel. She has been by my side since we were 3 months old. She has been there for me for every step of my life, from the first day of kindergarten to starting college at Texas Tech together. I cannot imagine a life without her, and won't have to, as she is dating Chad's brother, Zack.
Zack Bates
Best Man
Zack is my older brother, and growing up, I pretty much followed him everywhere; whether it was sports, the outdoors, or just hanging out with his friends. That trend continued into college when I followed him to Texas Tech, where we overlapped during my freshman year and his senior year. Zack has always been someone I’ve looked up to and, more often than not, kept me from making a few questionable decisions along the way.
Logan Olsen
Maid of Honor
Logan and I are convinced we set my dad and her mom up, but they will never admit it. I couldn't have wished for a better sister. From the day we met at the apartments in Grapevine, we have been best friends. Logan tried to always include her annoying younger sister in things, even though I would throw a fit and tell on her if she didn't. Since we have gotten older and don't share walls or a bed, she has always been the one I know I can go to and complain about anything and everything.
Troy Bates
Groomsman
Troy is my oldest brother and currently lives in Mexico, where he works as a hunting and fishing guide, which honestly explains a lot. We’ve spent a lot of time fishing together over the years, and there are very few occasions where I’ve managed to catch as many, or more, fish than he has. Troy is always the life of the party and never needs much convincing to have a good time.
Courtney McLean
Bridesmaid
Courtney and I met in High School Geometry class, where we definitely talked way too much and got ourselves in trouble. She has been my voice of reason in many situations, but also my bad influence in the best way. Courtney and I are getting to share this wedding planning experience as she gets married just one month before me.
James Belcoff
Groomsman
I met James back in 4th grade, and we’ve been friends ever since. From little league baseball to countless games of basketball and football through middle school, we’ve pretty much done it all together. We both ended up at Texas Tech, where we were roommates for two years — and, of course, teammates again — as James played a huge role in our 3rd place intramural softball run.
Meredith Conrad
Bridesmaid
Meredith and I have known each other since fourth grade, when I thought she was stealing Rachel from me, hehe. Little did I know how amazing a person she is. Mere will give anyone the shirt off her back when they need it (she even let me borrow the dress I wore when Chad proposed). She is everyone's go-to when they need help or advice with anything and she always has an answer.
Braden Monaghan
Groomsman
Braden and I first became friends in Mrs. Stockard’s Wildlife class back in high school. Braden has a great sense of humor, so we might not have gotten a whole lot done in that class, but we definitely had a good time. From working summer jobs at the lake to somehow ending up as coworkers at Fidelity, we have created many memories. And at this point, I’m starting to think he’s just following me around.
Brooke Naiper
Bridesmaid
If you know Brooke, you know she's one of the biggest sports fans ever. Unfortunately, she is an Arkansas Razorback, but her bubbly, happy-go-lucky personality makes up for her poor choice of football teams. If you ever spend time with me and Brooke, you will get to experience how much fun we have together and how we can literally talk about anything and everything.
Matthew Garza
Groomsman
I first met Matthew — AKA Garza — freshman year of high school, but we really became friends sophomore year while playing on the baseball team. He was a bit better than me and eventually took his game to Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis. Off the field, Garza’s the kind of guy who goes with the flow, is always up for a good time.
Kaylee Weaver
Bridesmaid
Kaylee and I met in college, where we shared the same huge friend group. After most of our college friends left, Kaylee and I always stayed close. Some nights it would just be Chad, her, and me hanging out playing games and talking for hours on end, having the best time. She always makes sure that everyone feels special and is having a great time; her personality makes anyone she meets immediately love her. Kaylee is also the best mom ever, and watch out for her daughter, Kinsley, who is going to make the cutest flower girl.
Ethan Love
Groomsman
I met Ethan — AKA Love — in Kindergarten, and we’ve been friends ever since. We played baseball together and were key players on the 7th grade “C” basketball team. As Senior Class President in high school and now a digital content producer on the news, Love has always been outgoing and knows how to keep anyone he talks to entertained.
Hope Lowden
Bridesmaid
Hope and I were in the same 5th-grade class. I definitely missed my chance to become friends with her, as she's the sweetest and most caring friend you could have. She and I became good friends in high school when we both worked at Sonic together, and have made countless memories together since. Hope is typically a girl of few words, until you can get her to break out of her shell, and then you truly get to see her infectious personality. Hope and I also get to share this amazing chapter in our lives as she's getting married just a few months before me.
Preston Jones
Groomsman
Preston — AKA Pdawg — and I met in middle school and spent a lot of time playing baseball and football together. In high school, we were among the inaugural members of our school’s fishing team, although we didn’t exactly excel at the catching part. We roomed together during our first year at Texas Tech. At 6’7”, Preston is hard to miss — and he’ll almost certainly be the first one with a beer in his hand.