James & Laurel Ann
Wedding Party
Chersten Reed
Matron of Honor
Chersten has been friends with the Bride for almost 15 years. They met on the bus when Laurel locked herself out of her house with all her school stuff AND her Colorguard practice flags. Chersten's dad has rued the day ever since.
Eric Steiner
Best Man
Eric and James met years ago ultimately thanks to Eric's sister Anna. They bonded over their shared tastes in music and Mexican food, and have remained close friends over the years and, for a short time, were even roommates.
Lauren Head
Bridesmaid
Lauren lives in Montana with her mustachioed cat Maggie. Laurel lived in Montana, briefly, but she and Lauren have hardly gone a day without talking ever since. They met when they both worked at an insurance company in MT and are, coincidentally, both from North Georgia.
Jon Nash
Groomsman
Jon and James have been friends since they attended high school together. Jon now lives in TN.
Caitlyn Keller
Bridesmaid
Caitlyn and Laurel attended Kennesaw State University together during undergrad and met during a poetry workshop class. Four years later, Laurel and Caitlyn have co-directed children's theatre shows for Pumphouse Junior, participated in a playwriting critique group and ongoing D&D session, and have been roommates.
Ryan Licht
Groomsman
James and his work-wife Ryan met when both were hired on at The Weather Channel in 2014. Both are camera operators and spend their days trapped in the robo cave discussing Star Wars and many other nerdy things. Their bromance was swift, but it is enduring.
Sara Gibson
Bridesmaid
Sara and Laurel met after Sara started dating Ian, Laurel's friend (and wedding Stage Manager). She is pictured here with her sweet puppy Elphie. Sara and Laurel are bridesmaids for one another, after the last few years bonding over a love of reading, HP, and puppies. Laurel was happy to stand up with Sara at her wedding to Ian in March 2019.
Devin Wheeler
Groomsman
Devin and James work together at The Weather Channel but, more surprisingly, he also attended elementary school with the bride! Devin is a camera operator for TWC with Ryan and James.
Meghan O'Connell
Bridesmaid
Meghan is the groom's sister, but also the bride's friend. They share a love of Disney and Harry Potter. (Meghan's favorite ride is Haunted Mansion, while Laurel prefers Cinderella's carousel; Meghan is a Gryffindor, while Laurel is a Slytherin.)
Ben Rice
Groomsman
Ben is one of James' oldest friends, having even attended family vacations with James' family. They were once roommates until Ben married his awesome wife Nichole. Ben is now a local Chorus and Orchestra Director.
Allie Lowe
Bridesmaid
Allie Beth is the older of the bride's two sisters. She is preparing to attend Kennesaw State University (#hootyhoo)! Laurel and Allie share a love of singing and writing, and Allie is also an artist.
Jack Clemons
Groomsman
Jack has been friends with both the bride and groom for a few years, ever since Laurel walked up to him at an indoor shooting range and said, "Yeah, we're friends now." (Thanks, Eric.) To be fair, though, it's really more like being family at this point.
Emily Lowe
Junior Bridesmaid
Emily is the youngest of Laurel's two sisters, and attends Model High School. Emily is an accomplished cheerleader and pageant contestant.
Bonnie Reed
Flower Girl
Bonnie is Laurel and James' "niece" and Chersten's 4-year-old daughter. She is the sunshine to her "Aunt Lolly," who is excited to see her run and jump down the aisle. She's pictured here on the teacups, which is her favorite ride... ever.
Will Brooks
Officiant
Will is one of Laurel's closest friends, having met back in 2010 at the Legion Theatre, when Will auditioned for the first show Laurel assistant directed. Since then, they've worked together on many shows -- onstage, backstage, and administratively. One thing is clear: They work well together, but Will is Laurel's onstage Kryptonite and she cannot keep a straight face. Here's hoping she doesn't laugh during her vows.
Ian Gibson
Stage Manager
Ian and Laurel have been friends since he moved to Georgia and auditioned for Pumphouse Players. Laurel cast him in her first solo directing gig, as Ralph Parker in A Christmas Story. Though Laurel had definitely overcommitted, Ian was one of the saving graces, and they've been close ever since, spending hours watching musicals (like RENT). Laurel will have the honor of standing up in his wedding to Sara in 03/2019.