Wedding Party
Jarred Gilker
Best Man & Oldest Brother
Growing up, Jarred was nine years older than me, so we weren’t especially close at first. He was 18 when I was still a snot-nosed little kid. Our relationship really changed in early 2015, when I had an internship in Connecticut and would drive down to New York City most weekends to crash on his couch. Jarred was working weekends as a bartender, and I’d sit at his bar drinking for free until he got off work, then we’d head wherever wouldn’t ID me. That’s when we truly became best friends. Not long after, Jarred left the Northeast and moved back to Arkansas to be my roommate during my junior and senior years of college, which brought us even closer. Since then, we’ve bonded over a shared love of sports, beer, and music, and I’m grateful we’ve been able to experience living in the Northeast and this stage of life together.
Bailey Wise
Matron of Honor
Bailey and I met in 2018 when I was visiting Harrison in New York. At the time, she was dating one of Harrison’s coworkers, who is now her husband (Hi, Brian!), and we became friends through that connection. I really got to know Bailey on a ski trip to Banff. Nothing bonds you like mountain freak outs (aka: crying at the top of a difficult run). Shortly after Harrison and I moved to the city, Brian and Bailey ended up just five minutes from us. Having her so close by has been one of the greatest gifts. Bailey always keeps me laughing over countless wine nights, Sunday dinners, and a little bit of bonding over trash television. Bailey is the glue to our East Village family: fiercely loyal, independent, and a true go-getter. She has been by my side through navigating life in New York City and all the beautiful chaos of life in our mid-twenties to early-thirties.
Zachary Gilker
Groomsman & Older Brother
Zachary and I have always been similar in a lot of ways. Growing up, people constantly compared us, especially saying I looked like him, which was always a nice confidence boost! Much like Jarred, we weren’t especially close at first. He was seven years older and, understandably, way too cool to be hanging out with a ten-year-old. We truly grew closer during his wedding trip in Italy, fourteen straight days together in Europe with me planning all the stops and logistics as his personal tour guide and with Zach ordering me around lovelying made this possible. Since then, our adult friendship has continued to grow thanks to our shared love of the Arkansas Razorbacks, our mutual enjoyment of making others laugh, and a well-poured pint of creamy Guinness.
Cathleen Lowe
Bridesmaid
Cathleen is my longest best friend. We met at summer camp before junior high.. our moms instantly decided we would be friends. I was not totally convinced at first. Cathleen only wanted to go fishing during free time, while I preferred just about any water sport available. When I finally agreed to go to the pond, I quickly realized her interest was not actually in fishing but in a very cute camp counselor. From that moment on, I knew we had more in common than I thought. We later served on yearbook staff together and joined the same sorority in college. Now she is a powerhouse lawyer in Austin, Texas. To me, she will always be my camp cabin soulmate.
Sheldon Gilker
Groomsman & Older Brother
Sheldon was my first best friend! As my closest sibling in age, we were always doing everything together growing up. After sharing a room from birth through high school, we played many of the same sports and competed side by side, with Sheldon acting as a mentor to me through high school and college. I followed Sheldon to the University of Arkansas, where we joined the same fraternity and became double brothers. Along the way, we’ve shared some of my favorite experiences, including traveling through Canada together in my Ford Taurus, exploring mainland China together, and now living as neighbors in NYC. I’m forever grateful for Sheldon’s zest for life and his genuine love for the people around him and for new experiences.
Lindsey Kirby
Bridesmaid
Lindsey is my second longest best friend, introduced to me by Cathleen shortly after we met. Lindsey and I bonded in marching band, where we proudly battled it out for last chair, just skating by for our fine arts credit. The three of us, all only children, quickly formed our own little sisterhood in junior high. Now Lindsey lives in Sydney, Australia, working as a nurse in clinical trials and doing incredible work. The fact that she traveled all the way here to celebrate with us means more than I can say. Some friendships truly stand the test of time and distance.
Zakary Galligan
Groomsman
Zakary is my first and longest best friend who I wasn’t born with. Growing up, we looked so much alike that we used to switch seats in kindergarten and our teacher never noticed. We were inseparable and would spend most weekends together at each other's houses, exploring Shadow Lake and Fort Smith, playing basketball together, or going to proms together (Prairie Grove 2012). We then both went to the University of Arkansas where we were roommates and studied engineering together. These days, Zakary is slightly taller than myself and has way more gray hair than I do. We’ve stayed close over the years by seeing each other whenever possible over the holidays, through our annual trips to do Ironmans, to holiday trips to NYC. I’m forever thankful to have a guy like Zak by my side through all these years and proud to call him a brother!
Brenna Douglas
Bridesmaid
Although Brenna and I briefly met in college, our real friendship began when Harrison and I lived in Memphis. Many of you know this story. When we moved, all of my clothes burned up in a car fire and I was starting a new job the next week. Brenna gathered her friends and showed up with three huge bins of clothes and a gift card to help me rebuild my wardrobe. That act of kindness marked the beginning of one of the most meaningful friendships of my life. Memphis would not have been the same without Brenna or the countless game nights with her and her husband, Tyler. They now have a beautiful baby boy, John Bear, who I get to play auntie to. Brenna is a makeup aficionado and an absolute boss accountant. Proof that you can absolutely have beauty and brains.
Parker Galligan
Officiant & Groomsman
Parker, or Pak, is Zak’s little brother and somehow became the little brother to many of the older Gilker siblings as well. Growing up, Parker was always hanging out with Zak and me as we explored Shadow Lake. Like Zak, he went to the University of Arkansas to study engineering, and we became close friends through sharing the same major and many of the same friends. Unlike Zak, Parker shared a lot of my sporting interests, so we spent plenty of time playing basketball and running together. During COVID, Parker, Zak and I decided Zak decided to start an annual triathlon trip as an excuse to see each other and explore new areas. That idea quickly turned into five triathlons (1 full Ironman with Juanse!) and a full marathon that we’ve both completed. Parker is one of Katie and I's closest friends as he was also our roommate in Puerto Rico. We love his humor, kind heart, and the way he floats through life in only the way he can! I’m incredibly thankful for Parker’s friendship, his laughter, and his willingness to serve as our officiant!
Reagan Gilker
Bridesmaid and Sister-in-Law
Reagan is the sister closest in age to Harrison, and we truly became close during a visit to Memphis while Harrison was working night shifts at the Klondike factory. We had a girls day, and she won me over instantly with her kindness, open heart, and goofy sense of humor. She can also make a truly elite cheese board. Over the years we have shared so many mini adventures. We explored Rome together during Zach’s wedding trip, celebrated her bachelorette in Asheville, visited her and Chris’s home in Charlotte, and ran our first half marathons together in Philadelphia. She was such a steady support during training and always is in life. Reagan and Chris also have the sweetest dog, Koda, who I am mildly obsessed with.
Morgan Gilker
Bridesmaid and Sister-In-Law
Morgan is one of my future sisters in law and is married to Jarred, Harrison’s oldest brother. The second I met Morgan, I knew we were going to be good friends. We have the exact same taste in restaurants, vibes, and activities. She is easily the most stylish person I know, an incredible chef and hostess, and the proud mom of two perfect cats, Hedwig and Nellie. Visiting her upstate has become one of my favorite ways to escape the city and truly relax. Morgan and Jarred are moving to Minneapolis this spring, which I am absolutely devastated about, but I know distance will not change how close we are.
Arden, Eileen, Eve, & Allie
Sister-In-Laws
And to the rest of Harrison’s incredible sisters, Arden, Eileen, Eve, and my other sister in law Allie. You are truly the best sisters a girl could ask for. Fun, loyal, kind, and wonderfully silly. You welcomed me with open arms from day one. I feel so lucky not only to be marrying into this family, but to be gaining sisters who mean so much to me. You are each so special and so dear to my heart.