Wedding Party
Mati Barron
Bride
The future Mrs. Best!
Jackson Best
Groom
The lucky groom!
Laraeli Barron
Maid of Honor
I met Laraeli 22 years ago when she was born and I've been obsessed ever since! 😆 Anyone who knows me knows me and my little sister are partners in crime. It was a no-brainer to name her maid of honor. (And day of dance floor coordinator) Laraeli has been a big Jackson Best fan for a while, and me and her have always appreciated his sense of humor together. She's my best friend, go to girl, and always pushes me to be a better follower of Jesus. She's been nothing but incredible throughout my relationship with Jackson, and has done so much to make these moments feel so special!! It's so sweet that we're able to celebrate all things "wedding" together because she's getting married on November 6th of this year! 💍✨🩷 (Pray for our parents!! 😅)
Malik Robinson
Best Man
Malik's been my best friend for a decade now. We met playing basketball at the YMCA and grew closer in High School basketball. Malik was an awesome basketball player but became a way better friend. Malik has been right by my side through so many different life events and I wouldn't be the same person without him. He always believed in me and saw something "special". He would show up to my SIUE basketball games just to watch me sit on the bench and always a listening ear when I needed it. Malik inspired me to stick to my convictions and point me to Jesus when I needed it the most.
Alyssa Barron
Bridesmaid
Alyssa became an official Barron sister when she married my little brother Caeden last year! It was so fun to celebrate their engagement and marriage together. She's been an amazing sport when it comes to handling all of our Barron family antics. Especially the sisters!! Alyssa has been here since the beginning of my relationship with Jackson, so it makes it extra sweet to have her stand by us as we get married!
Cory Gannar
Best Man
I met Cory in 2021 while volunteering at our college ministry. Fate would have it that a year later we started co-leading a small group together. Since, Cory has inspired me to be more humble, less controlling, and more compassionate as a leader. Cory is an extremely caring person who is one of the most fun people to be around. Co-leading a small group with Cory has been one of the biggest blessings in my life and I'm proud to call him one of my best friends.
Chloe Crow
Bridesmaid
I met Chloe in 2020 at our church's college ministry, and we immediately became best friends! We've been through so many life seasons together, her getting engaged, married, and having her baby girl Lilah, and now we get to celebrate my marriage! Chloe has spent many years praying for me and my future husband. She is the BEST encourager and celebrator for us in this season. It's been so sweet to have her cheering me and Jackson on!
Joey Best
Groomsman
I guess I met Joey whenever I was born! I think joey really defined what it meant to be a good older brother. Joey was kind, loving, hardworking, and somehow put up with my crazy antics. Watching how hard joey worked was a big inspiration for me to become a gym rat. I always looked forward to whenever Joey would come home from college and have some of the best memories of going on family vacations.
Ella Gannar
Bridesmaid
Ella is one of my best friends, and wife of Jackson's best man Cory! We individually met Cory and Ella, but as my relationship with Jackson blossomed, so did my sweet friendship with Ella. She's been so encouraging during our time together and it's been amazing to have a couple that is one or two stages of life ahead of us to remind us to enjoy everything and take it one step at a time. Ella is an inspiring example of following God's call on your life and taking care of others, and it's so wonderful to have a couple like Cory and Ella to do life with. They truly are the BEST friends to us, and have showed up for us more times than I can count. 🩷
Michael Matas
Groomsman
I met Matas in 2020 while we were teammates at SIUE. We immediately clicked and have remained close since. We would bond over our faith, basketball, and love for working hard. Matas is an extremely hard working, compassionate man who tries to be nice and giving to everyone around him. He inspires others to be more kind and generous. He also makes it a point to travel from Toronto to Edwardsville to get to see me once a year. He is an amazing friend.
Caeden Barron
Groomsman
Caeden is truly a one of a kind human being. I met Caeden in 2023 whenever he invited me to a hangout at our college ministry. I had no idea I would soon start dating his sister and join the family! Caeden always tries to make things entertaining and pours his heart out in his ministry. He's been always welcoming to me and has shown me an enormous amount of support. It's an honor to have Caeden by my side as a groomsman!
Ben Bequette
Groomsman
I've always said that Ben is the nicest guy I've ever met! I became friends with Ben in 2017 and I quickly realized just how nice he was when he would intentionally let me win in Catan even though we hardly knew each other lol. Ben is extremely unselfish and always puts the needs of others before his. He goes out of his way to help strangers and tries to make peace with others around him. He also has an extreme work ethic. He gives it his all in everything he does. Ben's been by my side through a lot of hard times and I am very glad to have had his friendship through the years.
Zach Doornink
Groomsman
I became friends with Big Door during our freshman season of basketball in High School. We always remained close over the years where we shared lots of memories of playing basketball at the YMCA, hang outs, and attending the same high school and college ministry. Every time I get together with Zach we always share old memories of high school basketball and share a good laugh. Zach was always a guy who was there for me when I really needed it and has inspired me to continue pursuing my faith in Jesus. He's been a really great friend of mine and I'm glad to have him by my side for the big day.
Chase Gulledge
Groomsman
Chase was one of my first friends that I made in High School. He became one of my best friends in 2013 when we always cracked jokes together in math class. I have some of the best memories with Chase. I will always be thankful that Chase was the reason that I got back into church when Chase invited me to his student ministry at Metro. Our friendship from that point forward became more than just jokes and became one where we would challenge each other to be more like Christ. At points in my college life I had strayed away from my walk with Jesus and Chase inspired me to get back into Church everytime I walked away. Chase is a friend who has shown up for me in the most difficult points in my life and I'm glad to have him my my side!