Please explore our wedding details
Wedding Party
Lilyan Starkey
Matron of Honor
Lily and I met back in my competitive twirling era! But, it wasn't until we were feature twirlers at Marshall together that we became especially close. Lily and I are opposites in many ways, but I think that is why we get along so well together! She is often the organized, cool, calm, collected one, who needs prep, and I can admire that most about her! She keeps me level headed with my crazy ideas! Despite the distance (we both are constantly moving around) and the packed schedules we always find a way to be present in each other's lives. Our virtual coffee dates and couple month catch ups are the best! Our love of baton twirling may have helped us meet, but how we make each other's lives better is what adhered us like glue!
Payton Lucas
Best Man
Payton is my younger brother, and as such I’ve known him his entire life. Growing up we didn’t always have access to other children to play with, but we always had each other. We caught bugs together, rode bikes together, played Gundam together, and beat video games together. I’ve always respected his work ethic, confidence, and demeanor, and I am proud to have him there with me on my big day.
Catherine Hughes
Bridesmaid
Catherine and I met in High school! Way back when, ya know?! They had just started a new program within Eastern where incoming freshman and seniors took an aptitude test. They were then paired with their perfect match! I guess Eastern at least did one thing right! Although the aptitude tests may have helped us meet each other, our love of the arts, spunky personalities, and loyalty to our friendship has kept us together all of these years! Catherine, or senior buddy, has always seen me for who I am and lifted me up through my ongoing insecurities. I always love catching up with my Senior Buddy and playing with her kitties if they let me!
Emily Lewis
Bridesmaid
Emily and I met at Marshall. The first day we met seems like a blurb because I have had so many experiences with Emily where I am just laughing uncontrollably. I really can't remember a time where Emily and I weren't laughing about nonsense. Does that make us really fun or really dumb.........yes. Anywho, Emily and I have had the chance to bond over a wide variety of things in both of our lives, such as dance, performing arts, and now athletic training. Emily has been through a lot in her life, as many of us have. But, one thing I admire most about Emily is that she uses her life experiences to inspire/help others and to continuously improve the quality of what she surrounds herself in daily. There isn't anyone I would want to have a projector movie, dance battle, sleep over in a dorm room as adults, zoomies party with than Emily! And you should think about having one yourself........with Emily.......and if you want to invite me.......fine........I'll think about it(;
Shane Stevens
Best Man
I met Shane in 2011 at a summer marching band percussion camp, and I hated his guts. I mean, nobody is that nice, not for real anyway. But he was convinced we were friends and wouldn’t leave it alone, and as anyone who knows Shane will be able to tell you, he has a way of winning people over. But more than his infectious personality, Shane has made sacrifices simply because it would help me. He was there for me when I was at my absolute lowest and had nowhere else to turn. He’s a good man and a good friend
Christine Ortega
Bridesmaid
Christine and I became friends, I think in a more non-traditional sense. I was her preceptor and she was my intern at Bluecoats. We essentially bonded over someone not doing their job correctly......but then the rest was history! Christine is another one that I am always laughing with! At Bluecoats if you ain't laughin', you ain't livin'. Also, if you ain't shakin' up your coffee like a genie in the bottle it probably tastes like trash. Just sayin'. Christine is an amazing mom, someone I would get separated from in class, and an even better friend!Despite the distance in the off season, we make it a point to check in on each other and make sure we feel seen! Even if it takes us five days in between texts!
Baily Turner
Bridesmaid
Baily and I met at Marshall where we twirled together! Although baton helped us meet, I would say we bonded more over Baily's positive personality, willingness to help accomplish a goal, and her bravery to stand up for what is right. I have always known Baily to work hard and to encourage others success as much as her own! We may go some time without chatting and there is a lot of miles between us, but we seem to always show up for each other when we need it and I think that is what makes our friendship great!
Josh Steinle
Groomsman
I met Steinle on the school bus in 2006, as we rode the same bus home. I didn’t really have many friends, and he was sitting by himself with a cool device called an “MP3 player” that he offered to share with me. From then on, we would sit together on the bus and listen to Akon through shared headphones. We joined show choir together, performed in talent shows, wrote comedy sketches, invented “man talk,” and even lived together in college. He spent so much time at my house he became family, and I am honored to have him stand beside me on my wedding day.
Britney Robbins
Bridesmaid
Britney and I have known each other.........well, since she was born. She's my sister! It wasn't until our adult years that we started becoming close. You know, bonding over adult turmoil, making fun of each other, etc. There are a lot of miles in between us, but we always find a way to facetime and catch up on the missed making fun of, I mean, bonding time. Her son is really lucky to have an aunt like me.
Jillian Freeman
Bridesmaid
Jillian and I met as a student to baton teacher duo at the beginning of my college career. Little did we know we were in for a life long friendship! Jillian and I are alike in many ways, especially twirling styles! We always know how to share a good laugh, laugh at each other, and pick up where we left off if we haven't chatted or twirled in a while! She's constantly indulging herself in new experiences, so there is often a lot to catch up on. I am so proud and so grateful to be her coach!
Joe Bias
Groomsman
My first interaction with Joe was in 2015 when I went to work under him for the Cabell Midland marching band. I had been warned that he was difficult to work with and was not exactly a people person, though I found neither of those to be true. Joe has been nothing but a man of character for as long as I’ve known him. He’s possibly the smartest person I know, an excellent boss, an inspiring leader, and a wonderful friend.
Emma Korstanje
Bridesmaid
Emma was my very first baton student at Marshall way back when! She was once much shorter than me.......but that certainly did not last long! Emma and I have spent a lot of our Friendship learning each other's quirks, learning styles, when we can laugh at each other, etc. Through that, I feel it has made our friendship stronger and I wouldn't trade her for anything! Despite my crazy antics, moving around, and weird teaching style she has stuck with me this long and I am grateful! She makes me proud!
Brianna Cutler
Bridesmaid
Bri and I met during our Red Lobster days! I thought she may have not liked me, and I also may have told her that one day when we bonded in a booth over how we both knew her now husband. She had talked about him for weeks, but I never put two and two together......But, it was so not true! We began hanging out together and going on walkies with our pups. Bri always knows how to make a great time even better and her laugh is crazy infectious! Her sincerity towards others is out of this world and her bravery to try new things is inspiring! We are constantly hyping each other up on social media and will catch up with long phone calls from time to time! I admire how adventurous she is and I often want to be like her!
Seth Knievel
Groomsman
I got to know Seth at my master’s program in 2020. I knew nothing about graduate school or my area of study, so I was nervous about being there. But Seth made it a point to reach out to me and offer his support in any way he could, and that really helped me to develop a sense of myself in the program. In the summer of 2022, we drove from Syracuse, New York to Austin, Texas, together and it was the highlight of my summer. I’ve enjoyed getting to celebrate Seth’s successes and am honored that he was willing to participate in mine.
Melanie Goulding
Bridesmaid
Mel and I met during a molding portion of my life! She was the coach for the acrobatics and tumbling team at Glennville State where I was attending my externship at the end of my Master's. She respected me, trusted my opinion, and followed guidelines I gave for her athletes with no if ands or buts! A new experience for me when comparing to previous coach interactions. From there, we were able to bond over life on away trips and started hanging out outside of work. Sadly our hangouts were cut short when the pandemic hit, but that didn't our friendship by any means. We've been able to cheer each other on over social media and catch up where we can, amongst our busy lives! Mel indulges herself in life, the truth, and her well being! I admire these things most about her!
Mary Cunningham
Bridesmaid
Mary and I met in the marching band at Marshall! What I remember most about her then is her spunk and kindness. Something so welcoming when being thrown into a new place, "college"! I would say our friendship grew with like friend groups, how fun Mary is, and bonding over flamingo poses at band practice! Some of my favorite memories in band are dancing and taking pictures with Mary in the stands. Mary has a way of just always making you feel so welcome. Like many of my other bridesmaids, there is a lot of distance and life between us, but we always find a way to catch up with each other!
Andy Knipp
Groomsman
I met Andy in 2015, where we both worked at a mental health facility in direct care. Andy wanted to save my soul, and I like to argue, so naturally our acquaintance took off from there. But amidst our arguments and debates I came to respect and admire Andy for his intelligence, wit, and moral intuition. Over time we stopped arguing apologetics and hermeneutics and turned to important topics, like battle rap and socialism. I’ve had the privilege of watching him develop his musical career and can only hope that he remembers me when he’s too popular to know me.