Kaitlyn & Josiah
Wedding Party
Ashley DePaola
Maid of Honor
My friendship with Ashley started in November of 2019, when Josiah’s brother Zane brought her to meet the family for the first time at a family dinner! Within minutes of meeting Ashley, I totally approved. Soon after the dinner, we shared a bedroom on a family Thanksgiving trip to the mountains where we shared stories and bragged about our loves for hours. It was on that trip that we naturally became friends! Some of my favorite memories with Ashley have been made on double dates, on Burkhardt family vacations, on trips to the beach, during chats around the bonfire, while planning our weddings at the same time, while having girl talks that the boys constantly try to interrupt, kayaking, and during sleepovers where we get carried away and talk until four in the morning (oops)! I am thrilled that Ashley will be a Burkhardt come next year… but before then, I am ecstatic for her to be my maid of honor!
Anna Starling
Maid of Honor
Anna Starling, my childhood best friend and sister that I never had! Anna and I go way back to preschool. Anna and I have made so many memories together it’s hard to pick my favorites, but a few that would top the list include the sticky note words of encouragement trend, family Christmas trips from Max & Noel (our elves on the shelves), playing teacher in our imaginary classroom, our Aruba trip, our spontaneous beach trips for the day, performing on the SCT stage together, volunteering together, growing in our faith together, and serving as leaders together. Anyone that knows me well knows that I served as the president of numerous clubs my junior and senior year of high school. Anna was my right hand through it all! She knew what I needed done before I even had the opportunity to ask her. Anna also never missed a pageant I was in and was very supportive of me. Anna is now killing it as a fourth grade teacher! I’m so proud to call her a friend and I couldn’t image saying yes to the love of my life without her by my side!
Taylor French
Bridesmaid
Taylor French has been a favorite cousin of mine for as long as I can remember! Our families have always been close and visit one another often. We have lunch together on Sundays and we go on family vacations together. Over the years, my favorite memories with Taylor include having the honor of being a bridesmaid in her beautiful wedding in November of 2020 and attending holiday family gatherings. Taylor is a ray of sunshine and always seems to make my stressful days less stressful and bad days better! I will forever cherish saying our childhood blessing together at Mema’s for Sunday lunch even twenty years later… “Come to Jesus, be our guest, let this food to us be blessed, amen!” Taylor and her husband Forrest are so much fun to be around, so we look forward to having them help us celebrate!
Erin Burkhardt
Bridesmaid
Erin Burkhardt, my soon to be sister in law! I met Erin before I ever met Josiah. Erin was the stage manager whenever I performed in Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Cape Fear Regional Theater at the beginning of 2017. My favorite memories with Erin include rooming together in the yurt during the family camping trip, playing board games, supporting Josiah from the sidelines at soccer games, going on the adventure to get the chickens, supporting Josiah in his military endeavors, and there are many more. There is never a dull moment when Josiah and Erin are together, therefore there are a countless number of memories! I’m thankful that Josiah has such a kind, supportive, and caring sister. Family is extremely important to us, so we are thrilled Erin said yes to being a bridesmaid!
Madison, Emily, & Chloe B.
Junior Bridesmaids & Flower Girl
The Burkhardt girls are my soon to be nieces! They are the three daughters of Jaron & Jordan Burkhardt. We are excited to have Madison and Emily as our junior bridesmaids and Chloe as our flower girl! Over the past three years I have had the honor of watching them grow and develop into the beautiful, kind hearted, and intelligent girls they are. My favorite memory with Madison was jumping the waves at the beach together and watching her do tricks in the water. Emily reminds me the most of myself as a child. She loves to bake and host fashion shows, both of which I enjoy being a part of. Lastly, my most recent favorite memory with Chloe was while sitting on the front porch waiting for Josiah to return from a fire call. I had a great conversation with Chloe! She shared many stories and we shared many laughs while we were impatiently awaiting Josiah’s arrival. With all three girls, I enjoy spending time together on our yearly beach vacation, going crab hunting with flashlights, FaceTiming with them, and spending holidays together. I have yet to visit their hometown of Campbellsville, Kentucky, however I look forward to the day that I get to. The big day wouldn’t be complete without the Burkhardt girls!
Chase Hadley
Best Man
Chase and I have been best friends for a while now. From when we first started hanging out, we found that our similar sense of humor, political views, and dread for modern society really meshed well! Lol From running shooting drills and hunting coyotes after midnight to cards and video games, guys' nights with Chase and the boys are one of the highlights of my month. Although, with our schedules they have become all too rare. Hopefully as life slows and things settle, they will become more often like the old days.
Jaron Burkhardt
Groomsman
Jaron is my oldest brother and the sibling I see the least, yet somehow I would say we are the most similar of our family. Not only in appearance and demeanor, but also in personality and hobbies. Jaron and I are both headstrong and outdoorsy. One of our favorite things to do together are our annual Kentucky Whitetail hunts when we visit for Thanksgiving. Jaron has been a role model of mine and always supported me when I was growing up. He is still one of my role models, but he is now mostly a brother and friend.
Zach Burkhardt
Groomsman
Zach is my second oldest brother and the middle child. Although he suffers from MCS (Middle Child Syndrome), we don’t let it block our brotherhood. Zach has been the most like a big brother figure as I have grown up. Always there to lend a helping hand and brotherly advice, whether I wanted it or not. Lol Though Zach is busy with lame dad stuff and what not, he is always invited to game nights. My favorite memories are the looks Zach, Zane, Erin, and I share at family dinners and when we all spontaneously start laughing due to a joke we all want to make but mom would slap us for saying.
Zane Burkhardt
Groomsman
Zane is the closest sibling to me in age and very much a friend, rather than just a brother. While we do have disputes, we hang out, get food, watch comedies, or share jokes on a daily basis. Zane is a great brother and a great person to talk to. He always provides great emotional help and is a person to get advice from. I’m very glad to have him by my side as a groomsmen.
Shelton Burkart
Groomsman
Shelton is the oldest of our friend group but also the most beautiful if you ask me. Although Zane and Shelton are best friends, Shelton is a close friend to all of us. From swinging by the house to play 2K or helping me pick up my couch when all of the other guys are out of town, Shelton is always a close friend and just a call away. He’s also the only one who will play FIFA with me. We love going to support Shelton in his many productions and Zane and I enjoy making commentary as well as trying to get him to break character.
Preston Floyd
Groomsman
Preston is my man. He may doubt himself often, but he is a very strong, caring, and talented friend. Preston living a little further away often means he can’t make it to some guys' nights and sometimes he has to leave early, but the time I get with him is valued greatly. I hope he finds his dream job soon and is able to be around more often. I’m honored to call him a friend.
Jayce Burkhardt
Ring Bearer
Jayce is my little buddy. He is the oldest of Zach and Celina‘s children. From running around with him after church on Sunday, to letting him ride around the yard in the bed of my truck, to wrestling in the den, when spending time with Jayce, there is no shortage of fun and enjoyment. The cutest part is his little giggle when you tickle him. I can’t wait till he continues to grow up and be my little bro for hunting, fishing, and basic dude stuff. He’ll guard those rings with his life!