Wedding Party

Wes Faulkner

Groom

Wes is from West Tennessee and moved to Nashville to work for Vanderbilt. Wes is a flight nurse practitioner for Vanderbilt Lifeflight out of Cookeville, TN. Wes loves to travel and plan vacations, especially the honeymoon! Wes can also do almost anything from building shelves to amateur electric work. Rachel, Kado, and Sunday would be lost without him.

Rachel Hollinger-Janzen

Bride

Rachel grew up in West Africa and came to Tennessee via Indiana and Michigan. Rachel is a flight nurse for Vanderbilt Lifeflight in Paris, TN. Rachel is currently in school at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville working towards her nurse practitioner and doctor of nursing practice degrees. Rachel loves running, all animals besides snakes, and being outdoors, preferrably with Wes and Kado, their dog.

Kado

Ring Bearer

Kado is Wes and Rachel’s dog. Rachel and Chelsea, the maid of honor, got Kado from the Humane Society when he was just 8 weeks old. Kado is so excited about the wedding and can’t wait to party!

Raye Nell Dyer

Officiant

Raye Nell is originally from Texas and was the chaplain at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital for 21 years before retiring in 2018. After volunteering with LifeFlight for 15 years, a month after she retired from VCH, she joined LifeFlight as the Flight Chaplain. She considers it an honor and a highlight of her life to support the LifeFlight family. She is inspired by the work they all do and loves creating sacred space for crew and staff in both professional and personal life events. Some of her favorite things are: her family in Texas, her dog Bayley, living in Nashville, good bourbon, British TV shows, and anything that makes her laugh! She is honored to be invited to officiate at Rachel and Wes’s wedding and is looking forward to celebrating those two darling people in high fashion!

JP Robertson

Usher

James Patrick Robertson is 12 years old and in 7th grade. He plays percussion in band and is an offensive guard on his middle school football team. He is a member of Jr. Beta club and the Gifted program as well. He loves gaming and spending time with friends. He thinks his Uncle Wes and Aunt Rachel are the best!

Clara Robertson

Flower Girl

Clara Violet Robertson is 6 years old and in first grade. She loves all things animals, swimming, dancing, playing outside, and especially loves her uncle Wes and Aunt Rachel.

Evelyn O'Brien

Flower Girl

Evelyn met Auntie Rachel on day of life zero and was pretty sure she was her second mom for a long time. Now that she can walk and talk, Evelyn is obsessed with Auntie Rachel's doggy Kah-doh. Evelyn also adores wearing her soon to be Uncle Wes's hats, even though they're way too big and cover her eyes. Evelyn is very excited about the prospect of being able to throw things (flowers) at people (guests) and not get in trouble.

Chelsea Riley

Matron of Honor

Chelsea and Rachel met in nursing school, a whole week after school actually started. At first, Chelsea was wary of this way too cute, blonde, fit, fast running bombshell. However, that didn't last long after Rachel whipped out a crossword instead of listening to boring critical thinking lectures. From then on Rachel and Chelsea were inseparable, crushing the NYT crossword daily, carpooling to and from clinical sites, running together (which consisted of Rachel walking fast and Chelsea dying), and eventually becoming the best roommates and lesbian dog moms. Chelsea is overjoyed to be able to spend time with her bestie on her best day!

Natalie Zink

Bridesmaid

I have known Rachel since 2016 when she was my ER Preceptor while in paramedic school, and she has the scar from a bad practice IV to prove it. We gravitated towards each other when we noticed that no one else seemed to speak our language, that language of course being wickedly sharp wit, strange voices, and dog impersonations. A magical friendship followed…restaurants finally wisening up and leaving the entire pot of coffee on the table, radio reports from the ambulance beginning with “Hello this is dog”, and a stranger approaching us just to tell us we “reek of bestie”. We have been huge champions for one another’s professional lives, and now we get an amazing opportunity to celebrate Rachel’s personal life. I’m excited to welcome Wes into this rodeo; I’ve never seen her happier. Do say a prayer that Wes is able to provide the amount of coffee that Rachel will require in her lifetime.

Jerica Janzen

Bridesmaid

I’m Jerica, married to Femi (Rachel’s brother) and a couple months ago we had a baby girl, Genesis! I enjoy playing piano, singing, spending time with family/friends and saying yes to last minute adventures. I have loved getting to know Rachel the past 5 years. She’s always up for an adventure and makes the most of every situation. Her positive outlook on life will naturally rub onto you. You can’t help but be happy around her!

Mimi Browne

Bridesmaid

I’m Rachel’s older sister so I have known her for her whole life. Some of my favourite childhood memories of Rachel are of playing Barbies, Polly Pockets, my Little Pony and paper dolls together. Some of our worst fights were about borrowing each other’s clothes when we were in high school/middle school. We call each other Poots and I can’t remember why. At the wedding you’ll find me on the dance floor unless I’m taking care of my two little kids.

Bethany Worley

Bridesmaid

I am Bethany Worley and the Director of Clinical Operations at TriStar Summit Medical Center. Wes and I became friends during our dreaded nursing school days at UT Martin. Nursing has always come natural to Wes, and he’s truly one of the smartest and best nurses I know. His caring heart, quick wit, and entertaining sense of humor makes him an even better friend. I learned his jokester ways very quickly after he convinced one of our classmates that we were meeting for Clinicals at 403 Sausage Link Way. From that day forward, I never asked him for directions or any advice on school work again. As we finished nursing school and moved on to different journeys in life, Wes and I have maintained our friendship through adulthood. He and Rachel welcomed me with open arms as I moved back to Tennessee in 2020. Rachel is the perfect match for Wes’s wit and sense of humor and watching their relationship grow has been amazing. They are both incredibly generous humans, and I am extremely grateful for their friendship. I can’t wait to celebrate you both on your big day!

Annina Ott

Wedding Planner/Bridesmaid

Rachel and I started off as roommates (although it's a loose word since she never actually slept a night in the house) and I thought she was cool pretty much immediately. From deep chats about life, wine nights, boat days, brunches, and adventures, my life is simply better with Rachel in it. Rachel is an all-around good human that is dedicated and driven, has a good natured spirit that makes me laugh, and a high quality friend. I am so looking forward to a straight up celebration of the love of her and Wes!

Matt Simms

Groomsman

Micah Miller

Groomsman

Wes and I met as pledge brothers in 2006 and became roommates in college. The man would not refill an ice tray but was always up for a day of wakeboarding on the lake. Our days as college age Pikes soon came to end yet Wes has remained an important person in my life. He was a groomsmen in my wedding in 2019 and I’m honored to stand with him this fall. 

Kevin Whitten

Groomsman

My name is Kevin Whitten, my wife Amber and I have been married almost 12 years. We have two boys together Reece (9) and Mason (5). I graduated UTM in 2008 with a Turfgrass and Golf Course Management degree. We moved to San Antonio and North Dallas for almost 12 years while I worked for The PGA Tour and TPC Network of clubs. We are now back in Martin where I own a landscape management company Fifty Shades of Green. I look forward to meeting everyone and celebrating this part of Wes’ life as we’ve been friends for 30 years.

Jason Reed

Groomsman

I am one of Wes’s work mates and we initially met and fell head over heels for each other in the Adult ED. Our man crush is very strong and I am kind of jealous of Rachel, but they are very happy and I am excited for the big day. Wes is a stud, hard worker, and definitely knows how to have a great time. Whether it’s the lake, work, or life; I am glad to have a guy like Wes at my side. Rachel is also amazing and she is very lucky to have Wes as her boy toy.

Femi Janzen

Groomsman

I am Rachel’s younger brother, Femi. I enjoy being active, playing sports, woodworking, meeting new people and having a good time. I admire Rachel’s hard work ethic, fearlessness and always striving to better herself and wanting to help anyone in need. I’m lucky to have her as a sister & Wes is lucky to have her as his bride!