Courtney & Demetrius
Wedding Party
Cassandra Noel
Matron of Honor
Cassandra and I have been inseparable since I was 2 years old! She’s my older sister-cousin who was the best part of my childhood. She protected me from the monsters that lurked in the kitchen at night when I wanted a midnight snack. She consistently picked up my slack in doing chores, which kept me out of trouble. She has been my personal calculator my whole life because if you know me, then you know that math is not my ministry. Cassie is loyal, supportive, ambitious, and giving. She constantly challenges me to be better. She is discerning and dependable. She is patient with me and knows how to calm my anxieties. It’s only right that my first best friend, whom I lovingly call “Cassie”, would be my Matron of Honor!
Taylor Thierry
Maid of Honor
Taylor and I are cousins born within 2 months of one another and were college roommates at UTSA. Throughout our collegiate years, we completed each other so perfectly; she was the peanut butter to my jelly. My mom never had to worry about me in college, because she knew, right or wrong, Taylor would stick up for me and throw the first punch if necessary lol. Although I tower over her in stature, she is very protective of me and is very observant as to how others treat me. She’s like a chihuahua, small and adorable, but will tear your ankles up if you pose a threat to those she loves. We’ve shared so many great memories over the years and have a lifetime to go. Without a doubt Taylor is my Maid of Honor because I know she’s got my 6…3, 9, and 12!
Mia Agnew
Bridesmaid
Mia and I met my freshman year of college. I tagged alongside my cousin/roommate, Taylor, to her Calculus study group. I was very introverted and hadn’t made any friends of my own yet, so I’d follow Taylor around campus like a lost duckling! Taylor introduced me to her group, most notably Mia. In our conversation we learned that we went to high school in the same district, we knew a lot of the same people, and that our parents lived in the same neighborhood! They say every extrovert needs an introverted best friend, so that was the very day that Mia adopted me! She then joined the ranks of Taylor in looking out for me and introducing me to all of my new friends. This past summer I stood at Mia’s side as her bridesmaid and this coming summer she will stand at mine as my bridesmaid.
Jada Semien
Bridesmaid
Jada and I are cousins and spent a ton of time together growing up. In the summers you’d definitely find me at her house for weeks at a time playing in makeup, frolicking with her horses, going to trail rides, shopping any chance we got, concocting edible facials, attempting to fry hen wings under the assumption it was chicken, and continually scheming our next adventure! We were constantly exchanging witty banter and cooking up juvenile acts of rebellion in Pig Latin, foreign to adult ears…or so we thought. She is definitely my partner in crime and has always had a top spot on my bridesmaids list!
Sydney Hayes
Bridesmaid
Sydney is my younger cousin who has been more like a little sister to me since moving to Texas. She has spent much of her childhood running behind Jada and I and wanting to partake in our teenage shenanigans! A few years ago, Sydney and I decided to give modeling a try after being scouted at her brother’s wedding. We have been each other’s cheerleaders every step of the way! I’ve had the pleasure of accompanying her on photo shoots, perfecting our walks and posing, and going to castings together. If Sydney weren’t right there alongside me to try something new, I don’t think I would have had the courage to do so on my own. Naturally, she should yet again be at my side as my bridesmaid.
Brent Bechtel
Best Man
Brent and I met while I was in middle school. We lived on the same street and became instant friends riding bikes, hosting multiple neighborhood halo tournaments, going paintball, obsessing over each other’s fish tanks, and getting into lots of trouble together. Even after moving, we continued to link up on the weekends for boat rides with Brent’s dad, Mr. Bruce! Mama Jean, Brent’s mom, loved me like her own children and included me in a lot of family adventures. Over the years we’ve traveled together, lived together, and partied together. We’re always learning from one another and humiliating one another with plenty of offensive jokes; my white brother from another mother.
Devin Boyd
Groomsman
I’ve known Devin since we attended head start back in the early 90’s and he was rocking silver teeth. We both grew up on the Northside of La Porte, one block away from each other. We played football in high school and graduated together. After my time in the military, we made up for lost time going out almost every weekend. Now we enjoy going fishing and have a cigar or two. I can always depend on Devin to show up and be down for anything. He’s dependable, consistent, real, and laid back. Whatever I need, Devin pulls up…with whiskey and hookah in his trunk ready.
Nicholas Baker
Groomsman
Nick is one of the cousins I was closest to growing up. We started and finished high school together. Our family knows that whenever we’re together, we’re clowning and cracking jokes the whole time. Nick has got to be one of the pickiest eaters I’ve ever met! Every time we link up, it’s at Cyclone Anaya’s and he orders the same thing every single time, a strawberry margarita and beef enchiladas. As predictable as his dietary habits are, so is his loyalty. Nick is one of my day ones and I can always count on him to lighten the mood and provide comedic relief.
Jon Baker
Groomsman
Jon is one of my older cousins whom I greatly respect and revere. He is my go to for any and all spiritual and biblical advice. I can call him for anything and after the conversation I feel 1000 times better. He’s a great sounding board and a dependable confidante. Courtney and I enjoy attending church and exploring the best cuisine Houston has to offer with Jon and his lovely wife, Safiya.
Eric Rubit
Groomsman
Eric is the cool older brother I’ve always wanted. We met waiting tables at El Toro and immediately vibed being the only black waiters at the restaurant. After I joined the military, he would regularly call/text me to make sure I was still alive and healthy. He would also let me know if he had spoken with my grandma and would keep an eye on her and her wellbeing. When I would come home on leave he was the one to pick me up from the airport and introduce me to new all the new music I’d missed while on deployments. Eric is a solid friend and always hooks a brother up at wherever he’s working!
Olivia Thierry
Flower Girl
Olivia aka Livy Lou is my kind and tough 9 year old God daughter. She is intelligent, gentle, nurturing, but a feisty and capable sparring partner with her older brother, Logan. She’s the perfect mix of sweet and spice. 50% prim and proper and 50% “Built Ford Tough”! She doesn’t cower in the face of a challenge and can sing every lyric of Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open” word for word. I’ve never met a little girl with such impeccable music tastes.
Honor Rideau
Flower Girl
Honor is 11 years old and is the oldest of 4 girls. She is creative, a trickster, a self-proclaimed gymnast, and and an all around girly girl. She is better known as “Honnie” or “Doodle Noodle”. Honnie is the ring leader of her sister circus and is their fabulous hype queen. She is goofy and loves to prank her sisters. If there’s mischief to be achieved, she’s the girl for the job!
Alana Rideau
Flower Girl
Alana is the second oldest of 4 girls and is 10 years old. She is sweet, caring, helpful, and athletic. She is lovingly referred to as “Lala” or “Loopsy Poopsy”. Lala is the “Goody Two Shoes” of her sisters and keeps them in line. She is the most docile child, but if anyone messes with her sisters, she might uppercut you.
Aria Rideau
Flower Girl
Aria is the third oldest of 4 girls and is 8 years old. She loves to sing, dance, and preform routines for anyone willing to watch. She’s got charisma for days and a huge personality. She is also known as “Bebe” because when she was first born, her sisters referred to her as their “baybay sister”. Bebe is brutally honest and isn’t afraid to give you her unsolicited opinion!
Harlow Rideau
Flower Girl
Harlow is the youngest of 4 girls and is 4 years old. She is the epitome of a sour patch kid; sour then sweet. Harlow dances to the beat of her own drum. She enjoys watching YouTube videos of other kids playing with toys. She loves riding her scooter, going to Nana and Papa’s house, and playing with her sisters. She is affectionately called “Lolo”, “Lolobug”, or most notably “Harwoah”. Lolo has yet to master phonics, so the letter “L” is not in her vocabulary at this present time. Because Harlow learned her first name first, her last name second, and her middle name third, she names herself in chronological order; Harwoah Weedo Miwan (Harlow Milan Rideau). You cannot argue with her on this, she’s confident she knows her own name.
Shanquila Sylve
Hostess
Shanqulia, or Quila, to those who love her most, is mother to 80% of the Flower Girl Gang. Quila and I clicked from the first time PJ brought her home to meet the family. Our friendship began the moment we teamed up to play taboo and dominated the game and obliterated our opponents. She’ll forever be my game night partner. Quila is always there to listen and give you practical advice. She is trustworthy and easy to talk to about absolutely anything without passing judgment. Quila is also my foodie buddy who enjoys trying different cuisines and eclectic dishes because the rest of the family can be annoyingly picky lol.
Ashley Thierry
Hostess
Ashley is my older cousin whose house I’d love going to as a child. She had the best Barbie dream house that was the envy of every 90’s little girl. Ashley, Cassie, and I would hang out in Ashley’s room playing in each other’s hair, race each other on Mario Kart (Nintendo 64), and make doll clothes out of old socks. Cassie and I felt so cool listening to the happenings of Ashley and her high school friends. She taught me how to drive at 12 years old in the parking lot of Winn Dixie and that is forever etched in my brain as one of the highlights of my childhood. I am so loved by her she even inked my name on her body so I knew it was real lol. Ashley is one of the most generous, selfless people I know. We go all the way back since my birth and the pleasure has been all mine.
Desmond Sims
Host
Desmond is my younger cousin and also the little brother I never wanted lol. I used to give him such a hard time when he was kid, but we’ve grown to be very close over the years. Desmond always wanted to hang out with me when he was little, but I would ignore him and it would only make him want to be around me even more. I appreciate the man Desmond has grown to be. We can relate to so much both being a big brother to our younger sisters and the oldest child. We learn from each other and vent to each other when we need someone to listen. Desmond is always the life of party and stays ready to have a good time all while killing it in law school.