Kari & Joseph
Wedding Party
BJ
Best Man
My big brother, my hero. He is a few years older than me and yes, we know he looks like the younger brother. He is quick witted, highly intelligent and handsome. He took me to my first (of 24) 3rd Eye Blind concerts I’ve been to and is the guy that introduces a lot of people to really cool and sometimes obscure new music. Do not challenge him to a game of guessing songs in the first couple seconds, he’ll whoop you! He’s married to my badass sister in law, Karie, and a father to 2 beautiful girls, my nieces Claire and Sienna. Fun fact, he only has one kidney because he’s freaking awesome and gave one to his daughter. He is such a genuine and humble guy, and I’m more than honored to have him by my side as my best man.
Justin
Groomsman
We met about 34 years ago and would do all the cool boy things way back then. We dug a huge fort on someone else’s property, rode bikes, went fishing, played every sport and just became best buds through our childhood. I know mom will never forget when he drove me home from open gym one night even though he didn’t yet have his license because I had collided with another kid and split my head open and had to go to the emergency room. We were roommates after high school and would tailgate at MSU football games, host some crazy parties and camp on the beach or hang at family’s cottage in Traverse City. The stories could go on and on. When I moved to Texas so did he and we even sold homes for the same company. He’s always been there if I needed anything. Now he lives just outside of Nashville with his wife Ashley and their 3 boys and it’s so exciting to have him stand up with me while I marry the love of my life.
Jason
Groomsman
I pretty much knew the day would come where this guy and I would be in suits together at Kari and my wedding ever since we all first hung out and went to brunch and the Orlando City soccer game. I had just met him but after we had a few pickle backs and sang some Slim Shady in the truck, I was sure we’d be in this together for the long haul. You see he is Kari’s sister Jessica’s fiancé and the father of our ring bearer and adorable nephew Jalen. He has become a great friend through family gatherings, trips, boat days and he is by far the best bartender in Orlando. My soon to be brother in law, thank you for standing with the boys and I as we officially become family.
Mike
Groomsman
This guy is the life of the party! We’ve become good friends because our better halves are besties. He’s a pool shark so don’t let him hustle you, even if he says he hasn’t played in forever. He is a firefighter/medic out there keeping the streets of Sanford safe. He and Becca’s son Luke turns 1 before the wedding and he’s one proud papa for sure! We’re very fortunate to have this guy by our side as we say “I do.”
J.R.
Groomsman
This “powerful” man has been such a great friend to us in the past few years. He introduced me to 4 wheeling at Hog Waller and shrimpin’ at Mosquito Lagoon. Always willing to go out of his way to help with anything and is a heck of a good time! As a Lineman, he’s a hard working son of a gun but no matter how tired he is from his 80 hour work weeks he always shows up for the people in his life and we’re grateful to have him in our wedding!
Christian
Groomsman
The most positive guy I’ve ever met, he’s an elite player in The Nashville Real Estate game. He and I worked together for years and became great friends. He and his wife Christina have 3 kiddos and we share a passion for wake surfing and leading people. He has had a tremendous impact on my life and the lives of the people he leads in his business as well. I always enjoy our conversations about sales and am very grateful to have him with us on our special day.
Tanner
Groomsman
Not only is he one of our neighbors, he’s one of our very best friends. We’ve traveled to St. Kitts and Nevis, The Dominican Republic and The White Mountains together. He and his wife Elizabeth have two adorable and sweet daughters. We dragged him to a Taylor Swift concert with us and he loved every second of it (not). He is the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back (or come rescue you on the side of I-4 with all the tools to change the tire on your fiancée’s lifted Jeep). We are blessed to have him as a great friend and to have him in our wedding.
Jordan
Groomsman
I met Jordan shortly after meeting Kari because he’s married to the matron of honor. We’ve traveled in Q-Suites on our way to South Africa on what I think was one of the best double dates ever! We’ve done triple dates with The Blackmans to The White Mountains and St Kitts and Nevis and they’ve taught us how to do this on points! Get ready to sign up for a Chase Sapphire card if you run into this handsome fella at our event. He’s the king of figuring out how to maximize points to use while traveling the world. He just became a father to Macklin and he’s a HUGE Florida Gators fan!
Jessica
Maid of Honor
Jessica, Jess, Jessie... she goes by many names, but sister is my personal fav. We even get asked if we’re twins. Growing up with each other wasn't always easy but as we got older and became best friends, doing almost everything together, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I can't imagine what life would be without having the best sister ever by my side! Especially because I ask for her advice on pretty much everything. She loves her fiancé, Jason, her son (our adorable nephew) Jalen, her cat, Simba AKA Timbers and many different genres of music. She introduced me to the EDM/basshead world and what fun adventures we have had with that! She holds a managerial position at a local bank, which I am so proud of her for, and continues to excel in both her professional career and in motherhood. She will be sure to bring the good vibes to the dance floor!
Cassie
Matron of Honor
My sister from another mister and childhood bestie!! 27 years and going strong, we have been together through so many phases of life, and it just continues to get better. Growing up her parents were my 2nd set of parents and would always take me on their boat trips with the boat club. We think our teachers knew not to have us in the same classes because I think we only ever had 1 together lol. Cassie and her husband, Jordan, have traveled the world together. Ask them anything about traveling via credit card point redemption! Chase Sapphire Preferred, anyone?! Hawaii, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis just to name a few that Joe and I have had the pleasure of joining them! They are both physical therapists and have an adorable son, Macklin. I am so grateful for this forever friendship and honestly don't know who I would be had I not grown up with such an incredible person. I look forward to sharing all future phases of life together and partying it up for wedding festivities!
Lindsay
Bridesmaid
Joe's awesome sister and my soon to be sis-in-law! Lindsay is so much fun to be around, I know for sure she’ll be out there bustin’ some moves! She is an incredible mother to Brezlyn (flower girl) and Layne (ring bearer). She listens to a variety of music - give this girl the aux in the car and she knows what she’s doing! We've been to multiple concerts now and I look forward to whichever one we get to experience together next. Some people thought we looked like sisters before officially being sisters so... it was just meant to be 🥰 I'm so excited that we get to officially call each other sisters soon and that we will get to continue our fun adventures as family forever and ever.
Becca
Bridesmaid
Juicy Fruit Becca!! There is never a dull moment when time is spent with this girl. Who knows, she may even shove you into a basketball game machine 😆 She's the ultimate hype girl and an amazing friend. When I say you can't NOT have fun with her... I mean it! She has a sweet little boy, Luke, with her pretty cool husband, Mike and they are just the cutest little family ever with their dog Waylon. Although we met later in life, it has been one of those friendships that feels like we've known each other forever & I love that. Having been through highs and lows together she has been a guiding light and a helping hand through it all. Love forever 💕
Lindsey
Bridesmaid
Lindsey has become such an incredible friend over the past 6 years! She is always there for her loved ones no matter what she finds a way. She will officially be an RN by the time of our wedding, and I am so proud of her for that! She loves her husband, Joseph, and their adorable Golden Retriever, Winston. She introduced me to four wheeling and was there to help with my face when I got into my four-wheeling accident. Maybe that helped her decision to go into nursing haha! Lindsey is a fellow coffee and Chick-fil-a lover, just like me. She was actually the first friend to meet Joe because she went with us to see Sam Hunt at the Strawberry Festival, which was our 2nd date 🥰 We have had so many good times together and I know will continue to do so!
Sarah
Bridesmaid
Sarah is a take no crap type of gal. As a police officer she kind of has to be! It's great having a friend like her because she'll just tell it to you straight and even her facial impressions will let you know how she's feeling lol! As tough as she may seem, she's an absolute sweetheart and loves with her whole heart. She will do whatever she can to help those closest to her ❤️ She has a crazy little man, Barrett, and a house full of pets with her boyfriend, Tyler. This includes their newest addition, a 100lb mastiff puppy named Coba. She has a lot of really cool tattoos that make great conversation pieces! I like to call her tattoo arm “the Chipotle bag” 😆 If you hear her or Becca call me "Karl" I'm sure they would love to tell you the story behind that haha!
Elizabeth
Bridesmaid
Elizabeth and I have actually known each other since elementary school but we really dove in deep with our friendship on a road trip to Destin for Cassie's bachelorette trip. We actually got so caught up in conversation that we ended up in Georgia for a minute after missing our turn for the panhandle LOL. Cassie had been trying to get us together for a while, she must have known we were soulmates. This girl would go to the ends of the earth to help a friend. She has the kindest heart and has passed that on to her two beautiful daughters, Aubrey and Emma. She has helped keep me in shape for the wedding by joining in on the Pilates adventure. We are blessed to have this sweet family in our same neighborhood and to call them our friends. Bella Vista Homies for life 😎
Claire
Junior Bridesmaid
Claire is our sweet, loving niece 💕 She has a heart of gold and always sees the good in people. She's also a superhero for all the things she has been through in her life, including having received her dad's donor kidney!! Claire is a lover of animals, sweets, skiing the slopes in the Michigan winters and listening to good music. She'll be driving soon so everyone on the roads better watch out! This girl is incredible, and we are so happy to have her stand by our side on this special day. We can't wait to celebrate!
Chelsea
Heavenly Bridesmaid
09/15/93 - 03/05/25 Chelsea truly was an angel amongst us during her time here. She was SO excited to be a part of our special day. Helping me with as much as she could with planning things - she was always thinking of everyone else and how she could help. This may sound crazy to some, awesome to others, but on Sunday 6/1 she actually visited me in a dream! I was dreaming of the wedding rehearsal and just as I was about to rehearse walking down the aisle, I was handed a picture. As I was walking, I looked down and it was a photo of Chelsea and me. When I got to the end of the aisle where everyone was rehearsing where they would stand, I looked over and there she was!! Chelsea, looking as beautiful as ever, was standing right there in line as a bridesmaid. **BIG EMOTIONS** I truly believe this was a message sent from her to let me know she will absolutely still be there standing by my side, just as she would have been in her physical form. I love you, Chelsea.
Brezlyn
Flower Girl
This sweet and sassy blue-eyed girl is our youngest niece. She loves swimming, playing with her big brother and smothering and loving on her dog, Steel. She’s probably going to throw the flower basket on the ground and just run all around, but she’ll be super cute doing it.
Sienna
Flower Girl
This hilarious and adorable little girl is our niece. We love her quirky personality! She loves playing video games with her dad and gymnastics. When she comes to visit us in Florida, we get a kick out of watching her dive for toys in the pool. Fun fact, she does not like cheese.
Layne
Ring Bearer
Our nephew, Layne is a sweet young boy. He loves fishing and baseball and helping his dad with chores outside. He roots for The Detroit Lions and Michigan State! Go Green!!! He is a great big brother to his little sister and will charm the ladies on the dance floor.
Jalen
Ring Bearer
Jalen is one of our adorable nephews and is full of spunky personality! He LOVES trucks and dancing to music 🕺 he is such a sweet boy and will capture your heart within seconds. Jalen is a meat and potatoes type of man, so you gotta sneak the veggies 😆 he’ll be one of the cutest ring bearers you’ve ever seen!
