Christelle & Jonathan
Wedding Party
Sara Naya Kidibu
Maid of Honor
Bride’s description: kind | intelligent | humble | funny I only got one sister, through the years, she has been my best friend and I’m thankful for the unbreakable bond that we have. There is no one on this plant who knows or loves me as deep as she does. Excited to embark new waters with you.
Brandi Marsh
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: patient | tender | servant Christelle and I lived together for a total of 2 and 1/2 years. My favorite memories are the “had to be there moments” the nights we stayed up laughing, crying and praying our hearts out. The night that the cops came and we (maybe just me) offered bananas cause it was a false alarm, the night that she named me her “wall buddy” and all the days spent with our sweet Delaney (senior pup) girl until her last breath. The memories of saying “good morning” and “good night” the sincere “how was your day?” and rejoicing together or being sad together depending on the answer. Every memory that made our friendship blossom has become my favorite with this woman. She will forever hold a place in my heart as my friend and as my wall buddy.
Chelsea Blanford
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Kindhearted | bubbly| hipster My favorite memory with Christelle is the time when her and I lived together for City Project and we played hide and go seek in the dark with our host family!
Princess Moon
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Beautiful | gem | bold The Lord used Christelle in my life to be a practical, gentle yet REAL reminder of my worth because of His sacrifice for me. I remember sitting in the parking lot of my sophomore dorm, talking to Christelle about disappointment due to romantic relationships and her gently yet unwaveringly telling me, “Princess, have you forgotten, you are a diamond among coal!!!!! That mess you’re dealing with is COAL DUST trying to get on! But you’re a Diamond! You’re worth the value of Christ’s Blood! Don’t forget that! Don’t settle! Wait for a man who will honor you as the DIAMOND you are!” As well as her often reminding me, if we faced any unpleasant or ratchet encounter from someone, that, “that was the sin Christ died for!”
Rachel Smedley
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Audacious | wise | tender We were both part of the first City Project mission trip at Mercy Hill. Doing intense life with people for 8 weeks creates an unbreakable bond. It does not matter if we are in the same town or oceans apart, we are sisters and the love I have for you surpasses oceans.
Kristen Schleich
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Loving | authentic | truth seeker After a long and hard week of school, Christelle drove all the way to my house one Sunday afternoon with enough groceries to feed the 5,000 to prepare and cook 3 meals for me for the entire week. She cooked, stayed and talked, and then put all the food in containers and washed my dishes.
Vania Claiborne
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Relentless | passionate | faithful Christelle approached me out of the blue. I had not met her before. Out of her mouth flew “I think we are going to be good friends.” I thought she was weird, and I actively avoided her. 5 years and a Community Group, mission trip, coworkers, and roommates situation later...I guess she was right.”
Victoria Morris
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Confident | noble | willing One of my favorite memories with Christelle is the first time we ever hung out. We were so open and honest almost immediately. We talked about the good, the bad and the very bad. I knew instantly that we would be not only friends, but sisters.
Christina Grace
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Valued | Honorable | Good Christelle and I happened to study abroad in France in 2016 at the same time. I was intimidated to talk with this native French speaker but one day she just invited me to check out a church she had found there. This semester abroad was where our friendship started and also where my relationship with Jesus truly started, all thanks to her invite. She dunked me during my baptism at Mercy Hill the next year. :) There's no one else I would rather eat waffles in Belgium, drink beers in Germany and sing worship songs in French with.
Rilee Blackwell
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Faithful | providing | virtuous My favorite memory: Christelle, Jon, Stephen, and I made a BOLD decision to spend a weekend at Biltmore, celebrating Christelle and Stephen’s birthdays. Even though it was cold and rainy, it was the sweetest weekend celebrating two of my favorite people! Not only did we eat yummy food and take cute pictures, we had a great time, probably too good a time, tasting some Biltmore wine. Our server gave us WAY too much wine than a wine tasting allotted for, and I don’t have any complaints about it 🤷🏽♀️
Mercy Woods
Bridesmaid
Brides description: Go getter | Strong | Powerful Christelle and I met because while she was overseas, people at MH (our church) thought I was her, so when she got back, I said, “Hey, I think everyone thinks I’m you” and she said “Yeah, but hey, I’m the real Christelle”. After that, we got to know one another, and we would often either get work done together or we would just sit at my house or her house tea/coffee in hand talking about our lives and all we had in common. She is my African SISTA, and she pushes me to be a better woman. We hold each other accountable, and the Holy Spirit has given us a deep love for the Gospel and each other.
Karley Smith
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Joy | fearless | dependable My favorite memory with christelle is probably when she was living at my house and we watched a scary movie and she was so scared she made me sleep in her room that night.
Jessica Tilson
Bridesmaid
Bride’s description: Strong | servent | kind My favorite memory of Christelle and I is when one Saturday she convinced me to go “look” for dog and by the end of it she almost had me convinced to adopt a puppy. But it turned out Kylo wasn’t a fan... RIP Kirby😂
Austin Griffin
Best Man
Austin has been one of my best friends since 6th grade. He has been everything from a classmate, teammate, rival, to a brother in Christ to me. I couldn't imagine not having him beside me on my special day,
Avery Jackson
Groomsman
Avery is someone that I have known for a long time but blossomed into a great friend since high school. We go together like two peas in a pod. We have a passion for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA and can always find ways to make each other life. He has also be apart of some of my worst pictures I have taken with my camera and some of the best one.
Nick Riggins
Groomsman
Nick will be one person that will really be "From the Cradle to the Grave". Being my first cousin and one of my closest, we grew up with each other even though we lived in different states. When ever I would go to Georgia, I would HAVE to go see Nick or go hangout with him. We have stayed close throughout the years and I can't wait for him to make the trip on up to North Carolina on my special day.
Jared Thomas
Groomsman
Jared knows that I love him like a brother but when we first met I thought he was the absolute worst. I'm so glad that I didn't go with my first instinct. Jared has been an amazing brother to me throughout our years of college and the little time we have had being adults. He was one of the first people to hear about my interest in Christelle Kidibu so it's only appropriate that he's there the day that Christelle Kidibu becomes Christelle Martin.
Ryan Purzycki
Groomsman
My man Ryan has been a great friend to me over the past 5 years. Although I'm sad that he has left Greensboro for Asheville, I am so excited to not only have him in my wedding but also to be apart of his wedding. Ryan is one of the guys that if you want a captivating story while we are mingling on December 21, go to him and you will not be let down.
Billy Terhune
Groomsman
Billy came in my life in 2015 as a cool guy and he turned out to be my roommate even for a year. In the year that we lived together, Billy taught me 3 big lessons about life: 1. It is fully possible to do dishes every night, even if you cook every night. 2. Never Skip Leg Day and 3. Brothers will be Brothers forever (Well as long as you help plan the parties according to Jared)
Patrick Anderson
Groomsman
Pat is genuinely one of the nicest guys I have ever met; unless you talk junk about the LA Rams or Wake Forest, then can get a little aggressive. On a real note though, Pat was another one of the guys who continually loved me no matter what season I was in. He was one of the first guys I met at UNCG and I didn't expect him to be one of my closest but I sure am happy that it worked out that way.
Jaron Jamison
Groomsman
I've known Jaron for 2 years now and when I first met him, he was moving into a house filled with Me, Patrick, Austin, Ryan, and Avery and he was taking the place of Jared. He had big shoes to fill and boy did he fill them. He brought a gentler side to the house but he was a breath of fresh air because he was so ready to help us grow in our relationship in Christ; whether we were ready for it or not. Jaron was so great to keep people in check so I gotta have him beside to keep me in check.
Jake Kennedy
Groomsman
Jake is like Conner. We have all known each other since 4th grade and it's been a long time since 2006. Jake has always been an encouraging soul. He was one of the main reasons I got interested in music. Probably because I was the "manager" of his band Kelwyn Lane in 8th grade. But on a real note, Jake has been a great friend to have and I am so happy I got to reconnect with him after college so I am excited to have him stand beside me on that big day.
CJ Sheppard
Groomsman
CJ has been a great role model to as we have been coworkers and friends over the past couple of years. The friendship started the year of 2014 when he was a intern at my high school and member at the church I was attending. He has been a leader to me and showed me the ropes around what it is like to work in the school system. He has been a friend I know I can lean on in times where I need to vent and just talk. Also one of the few people in the world that I feel at home with when talking about Baskeyball. Although we don’t see each as often as either one of us would like to, we pick back up just where we left off at. CJ is a life long friend and I look forward to having him stand next to me on that great day.
Connor Leonard
Groomsman
First time I felt the connection between me and Conner was when we found both of our love for the Boston Red Sox and David "Big Papi" Ortiz on 4th grade. Since then, I have been able to enjoy Elementary School, Middle School, and High School with Big Cat. Although I was sad at the time that I couldn't go to App State with him when he went to play Baseball, I am happy that I got to see him in his natural environment on the diamond. I remember when he first started dating his wife in high school and though I didn't get to make it to his wedding, I hoping we can redeem that day with him being there on my big day.
James Farrell
Groomsman
James came into my life in 2016. One night in New York locked in our brotherhood. We came back to our hostel after a long day of evangelizing through the streets of New York. Right before we got back, I stopped at a corner store and chugged a Arizona tea. Found out that was terrible idea at 4 in morning when I woke up to a bed full of pee. As i tried to hurry and clean it up before anyone woke up, James wakes up in the bed and asks me what I'm doing and I just told him. I thought he was going to clown me but he goes "hey how can I help." and even gave me some change to wash it. Until this day, only a select few people knew (that was until now). At that moment, I knew James was going to be a brother to me and he has lived up to the hype. Excited to have him next to me on my special day
The Cooke Boys
Ring bearers: (Camden & Corban) broomsman: Chenaniah
Camden is the most imaginative three year old that we’ve ever met. This kid is full of surprises, dance moves and fun. Corban is our favorite book worm. This kid amazes us because he’s just so smart. We really enjoy his cooking. Chenaniah is the bravest nine year old we know. This guy encourages us to try new things. He can also make the best fudge in the whole Triad. The boys descriptions of Us: Jonathan Cambo- fun Corbs-nice and calm Chenaniah- gentle teddy bear Christelle Chen- fancy Cambo- she’s great Corbs- very pretty- her hair
Hadassah
Flower Girl
Hadassah and I met when I was a nursing student. I baby sat her for about a year and a half so that her mom could go to community group. I remember the first day I ever spent time with her, she did not say a single word to me. I left that day feeling like I had finally met my match with A kid who didn’t like me. Little did I know this girl was telling her mom about how much fun she was having! I’m excited to have such a sweet, bubbly face as a flower girl.
Salem
Flower Girl
Salem is one of the funniest and sweetest girl that we know. She has a love for dogs! Her dog Lottie is the sister of our dog Thor. We have gotten to love and know Salem this past year and are so excited for her to be a part of our big day!