Haley & Matthew
Wedding Party
Mackenzie Welch
Maid of Honor
I met Mackie back in 1999 at Shawnee Mission Hospital, I was 4 and wearing a super cool "I'm the big sister" shirt. Mackie and I have always been close, our favorite thing to do together is anything, but then Mackie will beat me at it. It's awesome. The only thing I have won at is I have given her two black eyes and she has given me none! Ha! I am so excited to have her as my MOH. Planning with her has been a blast because she knows what I am thinking before I do. I am very lucky!!
Caleb Fitzgerald
Best Man
Caleb has been my best friend for the past five years and has done more than enough to be my best man. He was my first friend into college, we made it official through Instagram DMs. Many of our greatest stories (failures) came from the collaboration of our brilliant minds. I’ve shared many wonderful (horrible) moments with this guy. Caleb has seen me from my highest to my lowest, and has loved me all the more. He has walked through life with me on many types of days, but I can’t wait to have him next to me on the biggest one yet.
Joy Gossett
Bridesmaid
Joy is who I make the most memories with. She and I met each other while I was trying to watch Making A Murderer and she walked in, without knowing me, and tried to ruin the ending. And luckily, things just got better from there. Joy and I have done ministry together, been roommates, lots of road trips, and a few bike rides. She is my friend who feels like home. Joy has jumped in with both feet in helping Mackie be a MOH for the first time, which is no shock to anyone who knows her. I am over the moon to have her in my life and standing with me on our wedding day!
Steven Akins
Groomsman
Steven Akins is my buddy that Haley and I made through the Perkins Young Life team, and even briefly coworkers at one time (it was something). He is currently training for piloting in the Air Force. He consistently has been a voice of reason and encouragement in both Haley and I’s lives. His friendship has helped me grow as man and as a leader in life. He is the definition of iron sharpening iron, and a true friend to all who know him. He’s also flying fighter jets in northwest Texas, if you see a plane you should wave. 👋
Samara Hubbard
Bridesmaid
Samara is my Colorado girl and my newest friend of the group! We have been roommates a short eight months and we decided we would be friends forever. Samara and I spend 80% of our time together with Kyle the dog, the other 20% we are sleeping or at work. She is funny, adventurous, and extremely supportive in everything. Well, I assume everything since she has been supportive through teaching me how to boulder (thanks friend!). Our friendship and sharing life together has made me exponentially cooler. I am so happy to have her in my life and by my side!
Bailey Grimes
Groomsman
Bailey is the sweetest man I will most likely ever know. He is the definition of gentle masculinity (literally the manliest one of us). He has taught me the value of loving everyone and what a life dying to yourself looks like. I was afraid I might have corrupted him by introducing Redds Hard Cider over the years, but I think he‘s okay now. We had the privilege of being roommates in the Living Stone, and all the highs and lows of life in those two years. I was honored to be with him at his own marriage last year, and I am so deeply honored that he will be here at mine.
Blair Gossett
Bridesmaid
I met Blair when Joy and I picked her up for an event on campus. During that first hang out Blair bit it hard on the stairs in front of the Union at Oklahoma State. I won't say that at that moment I decided to be her friend, but it helped. When I think of Blair I think of laughing very hard. Now that I am thinking about it, I'm not sure that we're all that funny, but we always laugh just out of joy of being together. If you don't have a friend like that, you should. Everyone needs a Blair.
Walker Rose
Groomsman
Walker Rose. Man what a guy. He introduced Haley and I (look at the story on the home page), and he has been a dear friend to both of us over the years. Walker was the heart and soul of the Living Stone, and he is ridiculously funny, wise and caring. He’s also a complete cowboy (Arkansas redneck). He taught me what unconditional grace and forgiveness looks like for men chasing God and their dreams. He’s the one who showed me that we all need a place to belong and people to walk through life with. Walker and his wife, Shelby, currently live in Knoxville, where he gets to lead and care for the college students there. I am blessed beyond measure to know him, it is an absolute honor to have him at our wedding.
Suzanna Lintner
Bridesmaid
Suzy girl and I met doing Young Life together at Oklahoma State. Suz is another friend that I couldn't tell you what made us close. We just were and are. Suz is the greatest listener and so, so good at inviting others into her life in a genuine way. She has taught me a lot about loving life in the moment and where you're at. From sitting in the sun to belting a song while wearing a cape in our living room, Suz is a light. I get so excited thinking about becoming a wife with her standing next to me!
Bryce Nyguen
Groomsman
Bryce is the strongest man I know. He appears to some as a mutant ninja turtle, I argue he aspires to be one, but he is a warrior. He fights for the growth of himself and the people he loves, he finds no rest until he has done a hard days work. I shared many roadtrips and experiences with him at the Living Stone, he is my first pick of copilot for any drive of 5+ hours. I love the men that we have become since knowing each other, and I can’t wait to see where we continue to go. Bryce is heading to Dallas to work in ministry and pursue his future career sharing Jesus. He will be the muscle and wisdom on my big day.
Olivia Oppermann
Bridesmaid
My little. Olivia and I met during her recruitment week at the Alpha Chi house. I was a Sophmore recruiting new members and I knew I wanted her right away. I remember staying up late the night before talking with other members and hoping she would be at Alpha Chi on bid day. And she was! Thinking we were strangers four years ago is crazy considering all of the highs and lows we have been able to share. I can always come to her and know I will get no judgement and sympathy. She is just the type of person I would hope anyone would have stand by their side on their wedding day.
Chas Carroll
Groomsman
He is the definition of a gentlemen. Chas and I spent many times together at Young Life, being bunk buddies at camp and slaving away together at the journalism building. We even recorded a mix-tape together once. He helped establish Perkins-Tryon YL with Haley, and makes large impacts wherever he goes. He is a fierce friend and will always go too far with his love and care. Chas currently lives in Tulsa, and he works doing what he does best, sharing life and giving direction to the lost.
Lyndsay Hilton
Bridesmaid
Lyndsay is a for life friend. I want to say that our friendship started out super smooth. But in reality, I am pretty sure I just started calling her my best friend and hoped that it would stick. Through busy college lives, Lyndsay has always pursued our friendship. We have fought and come out the other side closer, and to me that means the world. She really has a gift to get to the deep stuff, if I need someone to listen and help me sort it all out, Lyndsay is my first call. What a great friend I have in her. We are so happy to have Lyndsay to stand with us and to support us through marriage!
John Petrach
Groomsman
Talk about an attractive guitar man. John and I met on a drive through the night to Colorado for a work week with Young Life. We became close during the week and the hours on the road. When we continued our friendship, we got invested in this idea of brotherhood and community, it somehow led to drinking beer, eating donuts and talking Jesus. We did this every week for two years. John has been a constant encouragement and a lover to all who know him. He is a sweet person and when you see him smile (I know you will), it gives you peace and warmth.
Mary Grace Parks
Bridesmaid
Mary Grace is a gem. She has known me since the week before I started college. She was the cool, older recruitment counselor and I was the dweeb soon-to-be college freshman. As I was joining Young Life Mary always made sure I had someone to sit with and felt like I had a place. Mary just does that, she never makes people feel like there is not room for them at her table. That is a gift. I am looking forward to a life of being at a table with her!
Robert Snyder
Groomsman
Seattle Bob Rob. Robert currently overseas in China as an English teacher, where he gets to develop relationships with the students and make a big difference at the university. He is the best tour guide for any airport and trip abroad, especially when it comes to delicious food (except for his oyster chasers). Haley and I are very privileged to call Rob a dear friend, and we are incredibly blessed to have him back for our wedding. He is a sweet adventurer, and cares deeply for all who know him. We are so lucky to have him August 9th.
Lauren Anson
Bridesmaid
Lauren is my soon to be sister in law! Lauren and I first met through Matt. I know most people who ask their groom's sisters to be in the wedding are just doing it to be nice. But I would have asked Lauren either way. Lauren and I became friends through her freshman year, I was a senior so most of the time Lauren would come over she would study and I would avoid my last few assignments. Lauren is a fantastic person to have in your life, she will remind you to take nothing too seriously and make everything an adventure. I am so glad that marrying Matt means adding another sister like Lauren!
Davis James
Groomsman
Our Colorado friend. I had the great opportunity to do the Dale House Project with Davis this past year. We have shared many laughs, tears (mainly in Fortnite), but true brotherly love for Haley and I both. Davis was the first friend I made when I moved, and we (he) had the pleasure of being roommates this past year. We share a Costco membership, which alone shows the depth of our friendship. Davis currently works for the Dale House today as a transition specialist, and he’s incredible at loving the least of least. I’m honored to have him with us and to share the experience of Haley and I getting married.