Maid of Honor
Meet my Maid of Honor, my younger sister Paige. Although we are only three years apart, we were complete polar opposites growing up. From my clothes mysteriously disappearing and reappearing on Paige at school, to now sharing an open closet policy, our relationship has evolved into one of the most significant in my life. As we transitioned into adulthood, Paige has become my closest friend and confidante. Her candidness, support, and the countless childhood memories we share have solidified a bond that I hold dear to my heart. From the start of Nathan and I, Paige has loved Nate as if he were her own big brother. Their bond is truly special, reminiscent of a big brother and little sister relationship. Nate is fiercely protective of Paige and has often turned to her for support during tough times, especially when it comes to me. Paige's genuine care and loyalty have made her an indispensable part of our lives. Throughout this wedding planning journey, Paige has been my rock. From dress shopping to every single text and phone call about wedding planning, I lean on her for everything. Her steadfast guidance and endless patience have made this process much more special for us. We are so grateful to have Paige by our side on this special day and always.
Best Man
Chris, my older brother and best man, has always been a cornerstone in my life. With a 13-year age gap, our relationship has had its ups and downs over the years. But, it has grown from childhood challenges to a profound, mutual respect and admiration. He's been my confidant, advisor, and safe haven through thick and thin. Whether opening his home to Bethany and I, guiding us in our careers, or helping us out in emergencies, Chris has always been there. From making sure we had a clean and safe bed after our apartment fire to offering us to stay with his family when our beach camping idea in Hawaii went awry. His support has been unwavering. In recent years, our bond has deepened even more, and having Chris by my side as my best man means the world to me. Chris has not only been a sound support for us, but has also been an incredible mentor. With all three of us having careers within the same organization, it has been comforting to know that both Bethany and I have him in this part of our lives. He met Bethany for coffee prior to her interview to help calm her nerves and provide some reassurance. Along with this support, Chris has provided a listening ear and advice for my own career. His support has been truly invaluable, and he has shown us that it is more important to be genuine to yourself and to focus on being who you want to be rather than who others think you are.
Bridesmaid
Andrea, one of my bridesmaids,is married to Chris, making her Nate's second sister and my soon-to-be sister.Andrea has been in Nathan's life since she and Chris began dating when Nathan was just 4 years old.Over the years, Andrea has been Nathan’s other sister, celebrating his triumphs and comforting him during life's challenges.Nate has always admired how Andrea brings the perfect energy to every situation and her ability to find the silver lining in any circumstance.Throughout wedding planning, Andrea's support has been unmatched.Her ability to make me feel celebrated, combined with her infectious positivity, has made this journey feel that much more special.From countless laughter-filled moments to belting out Taylor Swift together, Andrea's presence has brought immense joy to our lives.She is the listening ear I have heavily depended on, providing validation for all things wedding and continuing to encourage me to trust my vision.Along with wedding decisions she pulls through with life advice only an older sister's impact is capable of.She has also invited me and my sister to join her family for holidays and celebrations, embodying her "the more, the merrier" motto.She has shown us that family isn’t just about those who raised you, but also about the special people you meet in life who make every moment richer and more enjoyable.Andrea's influence and love has profoundly shaped us.We are incredibly grateful to have her by our side, not only on this special day but always.
Groomsman
Meet Tyler, one of my groomsmen and also Paige’s Fiance. Tyler isn’t just our soon-to-be brother-in-law; he’s the guy who’s treated us like family from the very start. Tyler has been by Paige's side through everything and has been a true inspiration. His devotion to Paige also extends to Bethany and me as well. Whenever we need help or just a kind word, Tyler is always there. We have built a strong friendship over the years, and I consider Tyler one of my closest friends and not just a brother-in-law but a true brother in every sense. It takes a special guy to embrace sisters like Paige and Bethany, and Tyler has done so with love, patience, and generosity. So much so that it solidified his and Bethany’s bond and she regularly calls him "Bro," and he calls her "Sis." When Bethany calls Paige, they know that it’s more like Bethany AND me calling Paige AND Tyler, as we both are always ready to chime in with support or just to back the other up. The four of us—Paige, Tyler, Bethany, and I—have become our own little family, creating new traditions and celebrating holidays together. Tyler’s presence has been a huge part of that, making every gathering more special and memorable. Having Tyler stand by us was a given as his kindness, support, and generosity have made a lasting impact on our own relationship. We feel incredibly lucky to have him in our lives.
Bridesmaid
You’ve heard of crazy cat ladies, but what about crazy dog, chicken, and goat ladies? Introducing Lisa, one of my bridesmaids, married to Clay, and also Nate's older sister. With 16 years between them, Nate has said it sometimes felt like he had two moms instead of just one. 6-year-old Nate may have also said “You aren’t my mom!” but today-Nate voices how incredibly thankful he is for this as he wouldn’t be the man he is today without her influence. For the past ten years, Lisa has also become my big sister. Having been the oldest sibling for most of my life, I recognized instantly the similarities in myself and Lisa. From day one, Lisa has been supportive and treated me like one of her own. Whether that means being a sister or a daughter, she has always been there in my corner too. Recently this past year I was involved in an accident in Nathan’s truck. She immediately jumped to action and lent us her vehicle without us even asking. Being the little siblings that we are, we only very recently have returned the borrowing of this vehicle. Just goes to show that having her as our oldest sister has been a gift. Her unwavering support and kindness have made a tremendous difference in our lives. She has shown us that when it comes to family, you should always show up. Showing up next to us on our wedding day means the world to us and we couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Groomsman
What more is there to say about Clay except that he is kind of a big Deal. All jokes aside he came into my family 20 years ago and has become a second brother to me. We have shared a lot of laughs over the years between harassing my sister and Bethany, that really bad game of golf we played in Hawaii (pretty sure one of us lost a ball each hole), or Bethany and I going to a comedy show with him and Lisa. Along with the laughs, Clay has never wavered in showing up for us. When Bethany wrecked my truck, I called Clay to see if he was able to help. When I told him what had happened he didn’t hesitate to ask where Bethany was, turn around, and go make sure she was safe. And when she dreamt of creating a small business, he was the first to cheer her on. His support, wisdom, and sense of humor have made a lasting impact on us both, and we are thrilled to have him by our side on our special day. Clay has taught us the importance of taking big risks, stepping out of our comfort zones, and having faith in ourselves as we embrace the next chapters in our lives.
Flower Girl
Ring Bearer