Heather Mishelle & Zachary Michael
Wedding Party
Mishayla
Matron of Honor
My name is Mishayla Brito and I am Heather’s older sister. My husband Bryan and I have a beautiful 18 month old daughter named Aubriella. I am a Pre-K teacher in Springdale and have been teaching lower elementary/Pre-K for 9 years now! I am so beyond excited for Heather and Zach and am blessed to be a part of their special day! 🤍
Carlisle
Best Man
Zachary Michael Defir… where do I even begin? Yep, I knew Zach back in his ponytail worship leader days. Luckily for us, I was willing to look past that. And look at us now. I can honestly say that I’ve never known anyone with a better taste in friends. He, on the other hand, actually didn’t even want to spend time with me until he watched me fall down some stairs. He’s kept me around ever since. In all seriousness, Zach and I met at church back when we both lived in Memphis. We grew up staying up late and shooting nerf guns at each other and compiling an extensive list of inside jokes we have together. Since he left me to join the military, we’ve had to do long-distance. So you can imagine my surprise when he told me he’d met someone. Despite that, I’d take a bullet to the shoulder for this man. As for Heather, she seems nice.
Sophia Kate
Groomswoman
Hey everyone, I'm Zach's youngest sister, Sophia Kate. Zach is literally the most amazing big brother a girl could ask for. He's so smart, and really is a great role model. Everyday im so grateful to have him in my life. Zach has always been there for me, and when he didn't have his phone while he was in the military, he would write me notes, and I still have it up in my room. He is truly one of a kind, and I'm so proud of him, and so happy for him for this next chapter of his life. I’m so grateful for Heather, from the first day I met her, I knew that this day would come. She is such a kind soul and she is genuinely a sister to me, and always will be. I love hanging out with Heather because we always are laughing and just really having a great time together. Especially when we are poking fun at Zach. I'm so happy to call her my sister, and a part of my family. I'm so happy they found each other, God knew they'd be perfect for each other.
Isabella
Groomswoman
Hi friends! I’m Bella, Zach’s sister and a groomswoman! I am so grateful to have grown up alongside Zach, and to see him become the man he is today, someone so cool, intelligent and kind. He is such a role model for me. I also can’t thank him enough for his help kickstarting my first musical project, our band, “Flash Cards and Dirty Things” when I was five and he was twelve. We never sold a record, but we went platinum in our house. I’m also very lucky to have found a sister in Heather. From our shared obsession with strawberries to our shared usage of words such as “slay” and “diva,” she immediately felt like family, and I was so excited to get to know her. She is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and I’m so happy Zach found someone so special to share the rest of his life with. I’m over the moon for them both!!
Gracie
Bridesmaid
My name is Gracie Freeman and I met Heather in 2018 through our sorority at Belmont University! I live in Nashville, Tennessee with my three cats and just like Heather, I work in the clinical research industry. After years and years of us talking and dreaming about Heather’s wedding, I couldn’t be more excited and honored to stand with Heather and celebrate her marriage to her perfect person!
Jordan
Groomsman
I first met Zach back in high school. And he’s been one of my best friends ever since. We met Heather a few years later in college, and she instantly fit right in. Seeing their relationship develop and the love that Heather and Zach share, truly brings me so much joy. And I can’t wait to see what this next season of their life brings.
Hannah
Bridesmaid
My name is Hannah and I’m a photographer living in Nashville, TN! Heather and I met through our ex boyfriends and became awkward acquaintances for about a year. Then I invited myself on her solo Europe trip and we’ve been best friends ever since! I’m so honored to be standing next to her on her special day!
Everett
Groomsman
I had no choice in meeting Zach, it was dictated by fate. We met in 2021 in the Army, it was coincidence that we reported to the same unit at the same time. From that point on each new step in the Army we took, the Army had us take it together. From attending the same schools, to learning the same language to now working a wall apart. I’ll be forever grateful God put us in the same room at the same time, Zach is my best friend and one of the truest, kindest souls I’ve ever met. Zach has made me a better man in every way with his influence, and I feel honored to be one of his groomsmen on Heather’s big day.
Abbi
Bridesmaid
I am Abbi, long-time friend of the bride! I am an ex-teacher currently enjoying unemployed life with my fiancé, Joel!! Heather and I were enemies turned BFFs. When we decided we no longer hated each other, we enjoyed late nights on Skype, sleepovers, and One Direction!! We've talked about this day since forever and I can't wait to celebrate my lovely & hilarious friend in October!!!!!!!!
Josiah
Groomsman
Zach was a childhood friend of my wife, Savannah. Through social media, he knew that I was in the Military. I first talked to him when he called me out of the blue to ask about a career in the Army. Even though I didn’t know him yet, I had a feeling I’d love the guy. I’ll admit—my sales pitch came with a hidden agenda: I was hoping he’d pick a job that would land him in the same town as me. We ended up living in North Carolina together for about 4 years and became great friends during the summer of 2020. Since then, we’ve grown, changed, and gone through ups and downs together. I’m incredibly thankful to see him and Heather together, and I’m honored to be a part of their wedding celebration!
Rylie
Bridesmaid
My name is Rylie and I am a long-time friend of the bride! I am currently an attorney at a law firm in Northwest Arkansas. To be honest, I don’t really remember meeting Heather—it feels like she’s always been in my life!!! We met at church sometime in our childhood, but became close in junior high, and then inseparable in high school. Dream team forever!!!! I just can’t wait to stand by one of my very best friends on her special day 🥹
Monroe
Groomsman
I’ve had the honor of knowing Zach since we were both middle school aged boys. He became a part of my friend group and quickly became a core part of my friends. I met Heather in college, and we quickly bonded over SpongeBob quotes. I’m very thankful to have these two in my life, and I’m so excited to see them continue to grow with each.
Victoria
Bridesmaid
hey i’m victoria! i’m a bentonville native who really loves matcha and blueberries. i’ve known heather for over a decade now- that makes me feel so old. we met at youth group and the rest is history. i cannot wait to stand by her side on her wedding day!
Jake
Groomsman
Zach and I met on a hot July day in the wonderful country of Afghanistan in 2019! After 270 straight days together playing approximately 7,584 games of pool and watching countless 3 am football games on the TV, I knew we would be friends for life! I’m so happy for him and Heather and honored to be a part of their special day!
Gentry
Bridesmaid
Though Heather and I both grew up in Bentonville, Arkansas, it wasn’t until I moved to Nashville in the fall of 2022 that we truly connected. From our very first few hangouts, I knew I’d found a lifelong friend in Heather. Whether we’re crafting a charcuterie board, watching Barbie movies, or simply catching up over a good drink and an even better yap, being with Heather always feels like home. She’s warm, witty, and wise — and I cherish every conversation, every laugh, and every moment we’ve shared since becoming fast friends. I couldn’t be more honored to stand beside her on such a special day. 🤍
Ellye
Bridesmaid
My name is Ellye and I am so excited to be a part of Heather’s big day! I am a mom to (soon to be) two sweet little girls. I live in Nashville, TN and attended Belmont for both my undergrad and master degrees. I met Heather at Belmont in our sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and we clicked as soon as we met. We have been good friends ever since then. I can’t wait to celebrate Heather and Zach on what will be the best day ever!