Wedding Party
Ryan Smith (RRS aka Big Bro)
Best Man
How We Met: He was brought home as a gift to me as a sibling and a second son and blessing to my parents. We are 4 1/2 years apart in age with the exception of spending 5 years apart in age more than 4. When my folks weren’t around I made sure to do my big brother diligence by taking care of Desmond - from when he first learned to walk until college. Once Desmond attended University Of North Texas (UNT) , I watched Desmond go through real life trials and tribulations that transformed him into the man you see before you today . Life changed our roles from me being big brother and always taking care of him, to us taking care of each other and in some cases, having to be my big brother . My love and respect for him exceeded through the roof with flying colors. With the tremendous exception of my first cousin Brandon Besses , we would always spend time together at my grandmothers house (Bam-Bam) being involved in countless activities. During our time together, I too have heard of Alexis , Brandon’s childhood friend from middle school who we grew up to lovingly know her as Starr , as she shines bright like one. No one would’ve ever guessed that the two would actually cross paths in life but The Lord clearly knew this was Desmond’s wife all these years. Favorite Memories: Too many to count and the list still goes on Fun Fact: I currently am a truck driver with a CDL but have a great knowledge for automotive technology . Started having a strong interest for cars since I was 12
Gabrielle Davis-Wiggins
Matron of Honor
How We Met - We met Freshman year of HS on the cheer team and instantly clicked. From Freshman to Senior year we were always on the same page, and our friendship has only grown stronger since. I've always loved her energy and vibrant personality. She lights up every room she walks into even today. Favorite Memory - After so many years of friendship, one of my favorite memories is going to our first concert together after HS in 2014 (Trey Songz vs Chris Brown). It was such a fun and unforgettable experience that will always be remebered. Fun Fact - I am a stay-at home mom, wife, and I'm currently a nursing student.
Brandon Besses
Best Man
How we met: Des is my cousin and we met so early in life neither of us has any recollection of it! We’re only two months apart so there’s tons and tons of baby pictures of us two together after we were born. From there, we spent our whole childhood growing up together and getting to see each other all the time throughout the years. Des is the literal definition of my Day 1. Favorite Memory of Me and You: Our birthdays growing up are very fond memories. Desmond’s birthday always fell during NBA All-Star weekend, and every year I’d go to his house and we’d do some activity, hoop outside for hours, and then watch the Saturday night competitions on the big screen! Desmond also spent many of my birthdays with me, and one of my favorite specific memories is that he joined me on my 16th birthday when we got to see LeBron (the goat) in the American Airlines Center when he was on the Miami Heat. Another one is me, Desmond, and Ryan playing Bam Bam and Daddy Ron’s next door neighbors in 3 v 3 basketball. We’ve never played a more competitive game with so much passion, but sadly we lost the game. We spent the next 4-5 summers hoping those 3 would show up again so we could get our rematch, but unfortunately we never got it. It’s still our most infamous story full of hypotheticals and “what ifs”. Fun Fact about myself: Taco Bell’s Baja Blast is my undisputed favorite drink, burgers are my favorite food, and I’ve never enjoyed rollercoasters.
Alexandria Campbell
Maid of Honor
How We Met - Me and Alexis met at Kenneth Davis Elementary, and have been sisters for about 25 years and counting! Favorite Memory - Although there are numerous favorable memories throughout the years, my favorite is when we got to play volleyball together in middle school one year (bet y'all didn't know Lex was a baller too)! Fun Fact - I have a diverse sense of humor & enjoy doing impersonations.
Dameon Henderson
Groomsman
How we met: We met through Starr I think it was a party or get together either way that night you grilled me cause you found out I was talking to Briel and you and Briel had that brother sister bond going strong early so I told you like a man I’m tryna make her mine and every since then you been my homie and we been solid since then. My Favorite memory: Bruh when you & I helped your bro move out his place and I messed up my knee days before we had to help and yall took pity on me and told me I could stay outside with the stuff on the truck and since we was in oakcliff I went to my car grabbed my gun and protected the furniture like the crippled security guard I was lol but we got it done and nobody messed with the stuff! Fun fact: Des won’t admit it but I’m dangerous on that pool table and I’m an Olympian when it comes to sleeping nobody can out sleep me.
Briel Green
Bridesmaid
Me & Starr have been friends for almost two decades. Although I've always referred to her as my 'little sister' she has truly been one of the most impactful people in my life. She's guided me down my journey of faith, she's always lent an ear to my venting (even when it was pure foolishness lol) and has always given heart felt advice. I love her dearly and I will continue to cherish the wise, funny, generous, brilliant 'little sister' God has given me through her. I can't wait to experience more life together! Fun Fact - I have two daughters and we all love to create new crafty things.
Glenn Walker (G$)
Groomsman
How we met - Me and Desmond met around our sophomore year of high school. During this point of time we both had a box fade and staff would often call me Desmond despite us looking completely different. Eventually through our mutual friend Deaundrae we began hanging out and partying together often comparing our Laker gear. Favorite memory - This is very tough to choose but on my 26th birthday we were in New Orleans and saw some… very chaotic situations unfolding on bourbon street. That whole afternoon we saw people making some wild life choices to get those beads. Fun Fact - I am consistently creating and deleting new playlists for different occasions. If they don’t satisfy me though they must go.
Amari Gambrell-Chia
Bridesmaid
How We Met - I met Starr in the 6th grade because our lockers were close to one another and Starr was always dressed SUPER cute. From there we cheered from middle school to all of HS together and have been besties ever since. Favorite Memory - One of many of my favorite memories with Starr is when she invited me to a Social Dallas event they host every fall for women. I was going through quite a few heavy things at the time and without hesitation Starr hugged me, comforted me, and reassured me that "it's okay girl" during the program when I needed it most. Fun Fact - I have over 70 Kirby plushies.
Deaundrae Shaw (Drae)
Groomsman
How we met : Desmond and I met in English our freshman year of high school. We had a class with each other every year . Teachers probably had us separated from each other every single time. All things considered, we may have been a tad disruptive. My favorite memory: One of my favorite memories would have to be back when Desmond and I were supposed to be cooking for a party and had a bunch of burgers and hotdogs to grill. When the guests were arriving, we still could not get the grill to fire up at all. Not to mention, it was beginning to rain. As the party began, we bagged up all of the raw and fled to his apartment. When I tell you ,we fired up a George Foreman grill and began to cook over two dozen burgers . Finished those up and grilled up the dogs. Next thing you know ,we are fleeing back to the party with foil pans full of what the inebriated crave. What was surely a disaster, ended up being devoured. The party was fun if you know how we used to get down. But what I remember most , is laughing together while the ol George was sizzling . Fun fact: I’m single, childless, and can cook a mean short rib ragú.
Lexus Barnes
Bridesmaid
How We Met - Starr and I met in 2007 when I moved to Mansfield in 6th grade. Yes, over 20 years of friendship turned sisterhood! She was so full of love, light, and laughter which is the biggest way to my heart because I am extremely goofy and love to be happy. So you can imagine how easy it was to become and stay friends all this time. Us having similar names just put the cherry on top, especially for two preteens. Favorite Memory - There's so many memories I can't even pin point them all but I do remember the constant feelings of safety and trustworthiness within our friendship. Fun Fact - I'm a mother of 6 and I'm just waiting for her to join me in motherhood because she will be an amazing one!
Brandon Shaw (B.)
Groomsman
How we met - We met at In Da Kitchen Studios where we recorded the first mixtape, Choices EP available now on SoundCloud. During the recording session we all quickly formed a bond that sent us on all kinds of adventures throughout the years. Favorite memory - Once Desmond had tickets to the Mavs game and invited me. I had never been to a Mavs game before and never thought that when I went I would be as close as we were. We lost by two to the Clippers, but I gained aa memory that would last forever. Fun fact - I am a huge Super Mario fan to the point I have a whole room with Mario memorabilia.
Codesia Carson
Bridesmaid
How We Met - Lex and I have been friends since 2014 in college! I remember her spirit being so sweet, her faith being so strong, but there also being such genuine authenticity about her! Those things still reign true today! Favorite Memory - There are so many memories that have to stay just between us! Ha! But I will say my favorite memories include our college convos at her apartment. We would talk about all of the things we were going through and have some of the best laughs EVER! Fun Fact - I'm a chiropractor! So when I say I've got your back, I mean it!