Wedding Party
Mary Farmer
Bride
Monk-Converter | My Favorite | Wise Councilor | Basically Wonder Woman Mary is so wise, patient, kind, brave, gentle, diligent, intelligent, funny, and genuine. Her deep love of God is obvious because she is sensitive and selfless to everyone around her. She is passionate about hospitality, mentoring, and anything home-made. I cannot wait to be married to a woman who knows and loves God, who is quick to gently correct my mistakes or comfort me, and always brings joy and intention to our mutual projects. - James <3
James VanAntwerp
Groom
The String to Mary's Baloon | Master of Bread Baking | Speaks for the Trees James is one of the most kind, caring, and supportive people you will ever meet. As a true extrovert, loves to host people and will never shy away from a dinner party. Whenever he has the chance, he reaches out to the people around him invites them in, and makes them feel welcomed and loved. I am so excited to spend my life with a man who will encourage me, who strives to do the right thing in all circumstances, and who will constantly point me to Jesus. - Mary <3
Annalia Painter
Matron of Honor
Friend of the Bride | Go-To Walking Buddie *Fun fact: Mary consistently forgets that Annalia is a whole 4 years younger than her! Annalia is wise and thoughtful beyond her years - I almost always forget that she is a few years younger than I am. We first bonded on a GreenHouse spring break trip to Florida, and we have been incredibly close ever since. She is my go-to workout and walking buddy and she is a great confidant. I can always count on her for great conversations (that often end with us laughing until we cry) and gentle wisdom. Anna has been such an encouragement to me in all things - and I am honored to have her as my Matron of honor!
Noah Holkeboer
Best Man
Friend of the Groom | Settle-Down Vibes *Fun fact: Noah is getting married seven days before us! James is also his best man. I met Noah when I moved to a new middle school and we were put into the same homeroom. Noah brings joy and passion to everything he does and he is incredibly generous when it comes to sharing his life, time, and resources with his friends. He has been a reliable friend for over ten years and our relationship has only grown and matured in that time. Finding a friend who can make a four-hour phone call feel like twenty minutes is a rare blessing. It has been such a pleasure to grow together in our faith and relationships and I am very excited that we can walk through this next season of life together as well!
Owen Farmer
Bride's Attendant
Brother of the Bride | Most Likely to Succeed *Fun fact: In elementary school, people often asked us if we were twins. Owen is the oldest of my younger brothers. If you ask anyone who knows him, they will say he is an incredibly hard worker! He has a great wealth of knowledge and natural leadership skills, which have made him very successful. Over the years, he has become a great friend and a trusted advisor that I am glad to have in my corner. Going from sharing bedrooms in those first few years to living in different states will be an adjustment - but I am so glad I get to walk into this next stage of life with Owen cheering us on.
Meg VanAntwerp
Groom's Attendant
Sister of the Groom | Target Engineer *Fun Fact: Before Meg was born, I was very insistent that she ought to be named "Ice Skates". Meg is kind, honest, strong, and always the first to volunteer when someone needs a little help. She is a vocal advocate for what is right, even if she is speaking up alone, and has deep care for those who need her help. She always has an adventure planned, whether that means boarding school in South Africa, driving to California for spring break, or a summer in Europe. I have loved seeing her blaze her own path to adulthood and I'm so excited to see where it leads!
Maddi Conlin
Bride's Attendant
Friend of the Bride | Kid Whisperer *Fun fact: We knew each other for about a year before we became friends! Maddi is one of the best listeners I know! The first time we truly got to know each other was on a long car ride up north exchanging stories. We instantly clicked and she has been in my inner circle ever since. In every conversation we have had, she listens to what is on my heart and engages with me on a deeply personal level. She pursues Jesus with all that she has and reminds me of the truth often. She has been a wonderful example of a friend to me and I am so lucky to have her by my side.
John VanAntwerp
Groom's Attendant
Brother of the Groom | Aspiring Cowboy *Fun Fact: Even though he is six years younger than me, John is never afraid to challenge me to a wrestling match in the kitchen, mostly because he always wins. John is strong, determined, and very funny. As goofy as John is, he is also incredibly compassionate and inclusive. John loves kids and is training to be a police officer so that he can stand up for those who are being hurt. I have loved seeing John become more mature and thoughtful as he's grown up, and I am glad to have him standing to witness my wedding.
Isaac Farmer
Bride's Attendant
Brother of the Bride | Supurb Salesman *Fun Fact: Isaac once taught James the right way to polish shoes at 1 am in the Farmer Family kitchen. The lesson lasted a whole hour. Isaac is the second Farmer boy and undoubtedly the most neat of all the Farmer children. He is currently attending the Citadel, a highly intense military school in South Carolina. If you are thinking, "Wow, that is impressive," you are on the right track. Isaac is highly motivated, incredibly disciplined, and up for just about any obstacle that is thrown in his path. I am very happy to have him supporting me and James when we tie the knot.
Lydia Harrison
Groom's Attendant
Cousin of the Groom | VanAntwerp Family Playwright *Fun Fact: Lydia graduated from Hope College with three (3!) majors in Philosophy, Biblical Studies, and Classical Studies. She is now at Duke Divinity School for a Master of Divinity. Lydia is the oldest of the cousins and is a fountain of creativity, leadership, and thoughtful advice. I have lots of fond memories of playing board games, going on walks, building forts, and putting on plays in Grandma's basement with all the cousins, and it was often Lydia who instigated the adventure. She is gifted in teaching, advising, and thinking deeply about important questions, which makes her such a blessing to us. I am glad to have my oldest and wisest friend standing in support of my marriage.
Kelsey Priestley
Bride's Attendant
Friend of the Bride | My Day One <3 *Fun Fact: When I was a senior in High School, Kelsey went off to college. Since then, we have been living in different states - some may say it was my first experience with long-distance! I met Kelsey when she moved to town during my freshman year of High School, but we did not become close friends until I returned from my open heart surgery later that year. Kelsey has always been an incredible friend to me, and a great example of what it means to follow Jesus with great joy! (She even has a podcast about that exact thing - Abundant Joy!) I am so glad to have her support and encouragement from day one, but I am even more excited to be friends with her far beyond June 15th!
Justin "JT" Scott
Groom's Attendant
Friend of the Groom (and Bride) | Most Quotable * Fun Fact: Justin eats everything with tortilla chips, a quirk that has rubbed off on Mary. Mary met Justin through Greenhouse her freshman year but I met Justin when I moved into the Valleys (the house we lived in our senior year) and Justin is a close friend to both of us. He does what’s right even when no one else wants to and always finds a way to make you laugh if you're having a bad day. Justin is a good listener and careful with his words, such as when Mary was talking with him about how much she like his roommate who said he wants to be a monk. We have both missed him a lot while he has been working in Texas this past year and are looking forward to having him with us for our wedding.
Oliver Farmer
Bride's Attendant
Brother of the Bride | Largest Vocabulary **Fun Fact: Oliver is the only one of the Farmer's to be born in Florida rather than Michigan! Oliver is the youngest farmer sibling, which allows me to remember a lot from around the time he was born. Although I am only 5 years older than him, it was common that I would carry him around on my hip or feed him his bottle. Oliver is easily the most determined (or maybe stubborn?) Farmer sibling. When he has a goal, he does not stop working at it - a skill that has paid off in tennis, school, and various other areas of life. I am so glad to have him in my corner.
Abby Winters
Groom's Attendant
Friend of the Groom | Swedish Fish Enthusiast * Fun Fact: Abby has always been the safe and responsible friend, except that one time she was an accomplice in Noah and I's scheme to get through a locked door.... Abby and I met through swing dancing lessons and the improv comedy club in 8th grade. She is faithful, caring, and quick to forgive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Abby and I became much closer because even though she is an introvert, she gave me (an extrovert) some much needed social connection. She and her husband, Zach, have given us invaluable advice and support in our relationship and we are so grateful to have her standing for us at our wedding.
Helen VanAntwerp
Flower Girl
Sister of the Groom | Obstinate Arguer Helen is passionate, and creative and will always belabor the point. She loves all things books, animals, board games, and Disney movies. She would especially love to tell you a (horrible) joke.
Elizabeth VanAntwerp
Flower Girl
Sister of the Groom | The Favorite VanAntwerp (Subaguduf) Betsy is a peacemaker, and troublemaker, and manages to make friends everywhere she goes. Betsy loves animals, talking to strangers, and telling stories. She would love to show you how to do a cartwheel or teach you about her secret language.
Chris Augustat
Officiant
Chris is the Engagement Pastor and part of the teaching team at Fowlerville United Brethren Church where the Farmer Family has attended church since 2011. Over the years she has been a wonderful mentor to countless people - including Mary! It just made sense to ask her to do our pre-marital counseling and to marry us! We have loved talking with Chris in these past several months, and are so excited that she gets to participate in our ceremony in this special way!
