Wedding Party
Eden Hilliard
Maid of Honor
Eden is my best friend and little sister. A few years ago, I never would have guessed that Eden would be one of my bridesmaids, let alone my Maid of Honor, but life and age have a funny way of changing things! Eden and I are very similar in a lot of ways, but drastically different in other ways. The Jo March to my Beth March. When we would argue as kids my mom would tell us that our siblings are the only people that will always be our friends. As I have seen friends come and go and relationships come and go, one thing I know to be true is that my sister is always there for me. Eden is kind, fiercely loyal, and an amazing friend and human being. I am so honored to have her be my Maid of Honor and cannot wait to return the favor for her someday.
Jared Shaw
Best Man
Jared and I met in high school but became best friends during freshman year at OU. Being in the Pride of Oklahoma brought us together, but late-night talks that had us laugh, think, and bond created a friendship that became unbreakable. We were roommates in college for a year, then roommates again for two years after. He got a front row seat to watch Auburn and I grow together from the very beginning of our relationship. From the early days when I would come home to complain about how I thought she hated me, to meeting her when she came to the house to meet my dog, to now during our engagement. There are few people who know each other as well as Jared and I do, and I'm extremely lucky and thankful to have him as my best man.
Hannah Baker
Bridesmaid
Hannah and I met our freshman year of high school in dance class. I started at a brand-new school for high school, and Hannah was one of my first friends there. Hannah and I have a unique language that does not make sense to anyone else. Jacob can attest to this because when the three of us are together he is constantly confused. We very close all throughout high school, and somehow their friendship got even stronger with distance. Hannah lives in Texas, but I will never stop trying to get her to move to OKC!
Christopher Merrill
Groomsman
My brother, and more importantly, one of the closest friends I have ever had. Chris was also my roommate, albeit much earlier in life, but we shared many late-night talks and laughs. Our sense of humor was always weird, but the same. Alongside regular sibling quarrels, Chris, my sister Skylar, and I have so many memories of crazy games and made-up scenarios that I wouldn't trade the world for. My inner child comes out alive and well when we're together, and I am thankful for every second of it.
Kelsey Mcfall
Bridesmaid
Kelsey will always reserve my spot in my life as my big sister! We met in 2014 through theatre in our hometown and were legitimately inseparable from the day we became friends. One of my favorite things about my relationship with Kelsey is that she knows my family almost as well as she knows me. She literally watched my siblings grow up, and when I needed big sister advice, Kelsey was and still is my first call. Kelsey graduated high school in 2016 and moved to New York City for college, and she is currently still located in NYC. I am so thankful that while we may not be physically close, we have still remained best friends.
Zach Heiple
Groomsman
A friendship that began the day we met in high school at 14 years old. He is my spontaneous road trip buddy, we are both obsessed with the same snacks and are both probably wishing we were either stargazing or hiking right now. The things we have in common are endless, including our personalities. It's very easy to spend too much time together and to create an unbreakable bond with someone who wants to do the exact same things as you every day. I am just waiting for the day that he moves back from San Diego to Oklahoma!
Madison Woods
Bridesmaid
Madison was my college roommate and is one of my closest friends! College was difficult for me at some points, so I am so thankful I had Madison to lean on in those moments. In a way, Madison was our matchmaker as well! Madison is the reason I got plugged in at St. Luke's (our church), and that is where Jacob and I met! Not only is Madison one of the strongest and most loyal people I know, but she is also an incredibly talented singer and performer! I am so thankful for her friendship, and the friendship of her husband Zack! They are both a huge blessing in our lives.
Evan Hensley
Groomsman
Evan is also one of my very close friends that I met while in the Pride of Oklahoma. Evan, Jared, Drew, Zack and I recount so many experiences and memories from what we call "the good old days" from the Pride. Nowadays, Evan and I share similar interests and hobbies like the tv shows we love, games we play, and we both are the artists of our friend group; me as the musician and him as the writer. I am thankful to have his friendship in my life, and even more thankful to have him as one of my groomsmen.
Carson Hilliard
Bridesman
Carson is my little brother and one of my closest friends for life. In a lot of ways, Carson has always been the opposite of me. He is calm, quiet, reflective, and witty, while I am not calm, not quiet, not very reflective, and not very witty. Unfortunately for me, I honestly have to say Carson is the funniest person I know, but fortunately for me I will say I make him laugh about 65% of the time I try to. However, Carson and I have become more alike with age. Carson is intentional, kind, and grounded. He is an amazing brother and man, and I am so thankful to have him as my brother and bridesman.
Drew Harris
Groomsman
As a surprise to none, Drew is another one of my close friends that I met while in the Pride of Oklahoma. Drew is the namesake of our friend group, "The Drew Crew." Like Jared, Drew and his wife Lexi had a front row seat in watching Auburn and I grow as a couple. When Auburn and I were "just friends," and "not dating" we ran into them at Perets, which is now where we are going to have our wedding reception. Since then, we have loved double dating with them and look forward to many double dates in the future!
