Wedding Party
Kelley Hoopes
Maid of Honor
Though initially insistent on returning Kristi to the hospital just days after she was born, Kelley soon warmed up to the idea of being a big sister when she discovered that she now had someone to read her favorite books and sing Britney Spears at the top of her lungs with. From elementary school talent shows to high school graduations and every adventure in between, Kelley has been right there by Kristi's side and can't wait to do the same at her wedding. Favorite Memory With Kristi? "Seeing Chris Stapleton at the Fillmore. Music has always been a passion we've shared, so getting to dance and sing along with one of our favorite country artists together meant the world to me."
Clayton Bolding
Best Man
The time between kindergarten and 1st grade marked the start of a 22 year-old friendship that is still as strong as ever. Drawn to Clayton's imaginative spirit and kind disposition, Tucker befriended Clayton and the two became as akin to brothers as friends could ever be with a shared love of video games and Japanese culture. Clayton is excited and honored to be Tucker's best man. Favorite Memory With Tucker? "There's so many that come to mind: driving around Memphis past midnight blasting music so loudly that we couldn't hear the trains rolling by right next to us, convincing those kids on the swim team that we were brothers, playing "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who on Expert on Rock Band for OVER AN HOUR."
Kinsey Fischer
Bridesmaid
Technically, Kinsey and Kristi are cousins, but they couldn't be more like sisters if they tried. Any member of the Hoopes-Fischer clan can attest that there was hardly ever a weekend that the two girls weren't together. (Days-long Mario Kart tournaments, blanket forts, and midnight bowls of Top Ramen were sleepover staples.) Though she now lives 2,200 miles away in Oregon and has (mostly) retired her Top Ramen habit, Kinsey is looking forward to being reunited with her "Cuzzo" this fall. Favorite Memory With Kristi? "Road trips galore, surfing at Huntington Beach, dining like queens at Roman Cucina, paying 50 cents to see the "thing in the box," donkeys in Oatman, "Move Shake Drop" choreography, camping at Cutty's, karaoke, and so much more. There's no way I can pick a favorite!"
Corbitt Huseth
Groomsman
Older by a few years and quite a bit taller, Corbitt has been a mentor and confidant for Tucker since childhood and is looking forward to standing beside his little brother at the altar. Favorite Memory With Tucker? "Going to The Boulevard to have a beer in celebration of him making the Dean's List his first semester at MTSU. We definitely had more than a singular beer and spent the night catching up on the time lost from him being in Mississippi and me being overseas. It had been quite a while since we'd spent time just the two of us, and it was good to finally do that after so many years apart."
Brooke Arnold
Bridesmaid
The first year of middle school can be tough, but it's not so bad when you happen to sit next to your future bestie in Mr. Kane's science class. After bonding over Justice Clothing and musical theater, Brooke invited Kristi over to her house to check out her vast Littlest Pet Shop collection and sip on raspberry fizzlers, and that sealed the best friendship. A recent graduate of TCU's acting program, Brooke is eager to make her debut at the altar alongside the leading lady in white. Favorite Memory With Kristi? "My 18th birthday. Kristi coordinated a surprise party with all of my friends, favorite foods, and activities. Her gift to me was a recording of “You Can’t Make Old Friends” and a bracelet with “Fate made us friends, God made us sisters” engraved on it. I still have it."
Lowegan Gregory
Groomsman
Unexpected roommates became unexpected friends in the spring of 2017 when Tucker's temporary crash on the couch for a few days turned into something more permanent. The two have lived with one another ever since and have a shared love of Kristi's cooking and anime. Lowegan can't wait to see two of his best friends finally married in the Smokies this fall. Favorite Memory With Tucker? "We were at the shooting range firing some rifles one afternoon and Tucker was hitting nearly every target. I wasn't doing so hot and he of course was giving me guff for it. While I was firing off a couple of rounds, one of the hot rifle casings landed in his pants and burnt his left buttcheek. Payback? I think so."
Laura Willems
Bridesmaid
Since the first day of Ms. Blevins' kindergarten class at Iron Horse Elementary, Laura and Kristi knew they would be friends for life. Birthday parties, sleepovers, Girl Scout excursions, and late-night trips for free pie at Village Inn are all fond moments that marked their childhood. Though bittersweet that they're all grown up now, Laura is so excited to be apart of this special moment in Kristi's life. Favorite Memory With Kristi? "In 4th grade, our class took a field trip to Castlewood Canyon State Park. After a couple hours of scaling cliffs, splashing around in the river, and climbing trees, we hopped up onto a boulder and had a Pizza and Treatza Lunchable. That memory of us sitting in the middle of a canyon eating a weird, cold chocolate pizza together always makes me smile."
Lee Nyberg
Groomsman
Friends since freshman year at Evangelical Christian School (ECS), Tucker and Lee met through Clayton and bonded over Halo lore. Favorite Memory With Tucker? "During free period in high school, Tucker and I used to go to the library and play chess. We were in the middle of an intense match and almost didn't notice that we were about to miss class until the second bell rang. Rather than finish the game, Tucker swept his arm across the board and sprinted out the door onto the campus lawn. In the final stretch, Tucker tripped over his satchel and ripped the knees on his khakis open on the concrete. Somehow, we managed to make it to class in one, semi-scuffed up piece!"
TayLavor "Tayla" Fugate
Bridesmaid
Who would've guessed that a last minute invitation to an open mic night at the MTSU Wesley Foundation would be the start of such a beautiful, Christ-centered friendship? Tayla and Kristi proudly served as President and Worship Coordinator respectively on the ministry's student council and loved every moment of growing in love and fellowship. Favorite Memory With Kristi? "It HAS to be the Wesley Confirmation Retreat in 2017. Kristi and I had been active in the ministry and both felt that we'd found our home away from home at the Wesley. We decided to make our commitment to ministry and community official together at that retreat by becoming members of the UMC. It's such a special part of my faith journey, and I am so blessed to have shared it with one of my very best friends."
Wil Ray
Groomsman
Also a mutual friend and former roommate of Clayton's, Wil and Tucker initially met during a Bible study at Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis and stayed close friends when Wil moved to Alabama for college. Favorite Memory With Tucker? "Our annual Friendsgiving celebration. Nothing better than sharing a delicious meal, swapping stories, and playing board games together."