Wedding Party
Paige Adams
Matron of Honor
Paige and Rena met as random roommates during their time in college. Eventually Rena moved to Virginia Beach and Paige followed. They have been through many life stages together which has strengthened their bond. The shenanigans, laughter, and inside jokes run rampant when these two are together. Paige has become the joyful and comedic friend to match Rena's personality. Rena's involvement at River Oak Church brought Paige and her husband Barrett together while Paige's involvement brought Rena and Matthew together. Little did Paige know that her comment, "You and Matthew should fall in love so we can all be best friends forever" would eventually come true!
Sarah Schutz
Bridesmaid
Sarah and Rena met as random freshmen roommates in college. They quickly became friends despite being from rival states of Michigan and Ohio. They bonded over being busy STEM majors that were far away from home. They were roommates over the next four years which meant hundreds of late-night talks where Rena would usually be the one keeping Sarah up, and countless attempts at "new recipes" where both did not fully follow the directions. Sarah was a calm and encouraging presence in Rena's life during many long years of nursing school. Although much of their time together was spent studying, they both loved spending time hammocking, hiking, and hockey games. They continue to stay in touch by sharing funny stories about their "kids" aka their patients and students.
Halee Moriarty
Bridesmaid
Halee and Rena met in their college dorm when Rena accidentally took Halee's former and favorite room on the hall. They ended up as neighbors which lead to many long and hilarious conversations. Halee provided the honesty and truth in love which balanced Rena's personality. In addition, Halee became the host of meals each Sunday night that got coined "family dinner" as the friend group grew. Halee and her husband Paul have since hosted many homemade meals, game nights, and got the group interested in hockey. They continue to be wonderful friends and hosts anytime Rena and Matthew visit the Lynchburg area.
Erin Mannix
Bridesmaid
Erin is Matthew's older sister whom Rena met through church and further at the Mannix household. They hit off their friendship by bonding over the difficult task of being older sisters to wild younger brothers. Rena heard many honest stories of Matthew's crazy childhood and how he has grown into the man of God he is now. Although Matthew has matured since then, you can still find Erin and Rena exchanging concerned glances whenever Matthew does something strange.
Evelyn Mannix
Bridesmaid
Evelyn is Matthew's younger sister who became one of Rena's first friends in Virginia after meeting at church. They hit off their friendship quickly because of their love for the outdoors and being in community. They have enjoyed various activities together like walking in the woods, deep conversations, and pickleball nights. Rena has joined Evelyn on many random adventures including pickleball in the rain, paddleboarding, and fixing a dog's tail. After a year of friendship, Evelyn was the first person that Matthew and Rena confided in when they started dating. Evelyn has expressed her excitement for gaining another sister and Mannix girl.
Mycala Kiracofe
Bridesmaid
Mycala was one of the first girls to befriend Rena after they met at church. They hit it off well after discovering their mutual love for skiing which is rare in a city that barely snows. As their friendship grew, they found that they both enjoy road-tripping as long as it includes fun snacks and good music. These road-trips have included concerts, camping, and skiing, of course. Additionally, they both love sunset walks complete with a few pictures and many conversations. Mycala has become a sweet and steady friend that is always down for an adventure, big or small.
Carly Bartlett
Bridesmaid
Carly and Rena met when they became roommates in Virginia Beach. Carly quickly welcomed Rena, showed her around Virginia Beach, and provided a kind and adventurous presence. The two quickly bonded over being new nurses and fighting fleas in their old house. When Carly was pregnant and her husband Beau was deployed overseas, Rena served as the "stand-in husband." After their daughter Abi was born, Rena babysat, and the couples have been on double dates together. Carly has become like an older sister to Rena as she and her husband continue to support, encourage, and offer godly council.
Micah Mannix
Best Man
Micah is Matthew's first cousin, and closest friend. Despite living several hours away in Maryland, Matthew and Micah have continued to grow closer with each other as the decades have gone by. Everything from Christmas' at Grandma's house, biannual Outer Banks vacations, and more camping trips than they can count, Micah has been an enormous blessing in Matthew's life. Matthew and Micah share similar fashion tastes, music preferences, hobbies, and testimonies. But most importantly, Micah has been a godly brother, encouragement, and trusted friend during all of the ups and downs in Matthew's life. They still regularly meet halfway between their cities to go camping, stay up late playing Minecraft, and get lost on their bikes together. Matthew will also be Micah's Best Man at his wedding in a couple of months.
Adam Mannix
Groomsman
Adam is Matthew's younger brother. His comedic relief in any situation is unmatched... he takes after his brother in this way. Despite the age gap, Matthew and Adam have built quite the bond between each other. It would be hard not to when you share a room for so long. Matthew has been there for Adam in every step of his life, from riding a bike, starting high school, and becoming the young man he is now. Matthew and Adam share similar senses of humor, and enjoy wrestling in the living room, walking to 7-11 for candy, and watching Adventure Time together. Adam is continuing to mature into an incredible man of God, and Matthew looks forward to more sleepovers with his brother when he's married and living in his own home. There will always be space for Adam, even if they no longer share a bunk bed.
Andrew James
Groomsman
Not many people know Matthew as well as Andrew. Over the last 14 years Andrew has been Matthew's most loyal and trusted friend. They met through Boy Scouts when they were in 6th grade, and worked their way through the ranks to Eagle Scout together over several years. But their friendship didn't end after scouting. Matthew and Andrew are still closer than ever, in fact they still go camping, hiking, and exploring regularly, too. Not many people have gotten into as much trouble with Matthew as Andrew has either. Andrew has also been one of Matthew's most encouraging and godly brothers in Christ. The two of them have been there for each other through every difficult season of their teenage and young adults years. Andrew is one of the most important, influential, and special people in Matthew's life.
Evan Malek
Groomsman
Evan is the older of Rena's younger brothers, and the most likely person on the other line if you see Matthew chatting it up on the phone. Despite the distance between them two, Matthew and Evan have become quite buddies. Both are Eagle Scouts and share a love for adventure and the outdoors, but more importantly both enjoy having a new brother in each other to be honest and personal with.
Eli Malek
Groomsman
Eli is the youngest of Rena's brothers, and the first family member of Rena that Matthew met. Eli is currently attending Liberty University, so he is significantly closer to Matthew and Rena than the other Malek family members. Matthew is thankful for all the time he has been able to spend with Eli and enjoys weekend visits to Lynchburg to support him in his skiing competitions and hangout with their friends. The biggest thing the two of them have in common would likely be their love for sports, the RipStik, Tech Decks, Joyride candy, and annoying Rena!
Nate Potts
Groomsman
Matthew's friendship with Nate may have been the quickest friendship Matthew had ever made. Matthew recognized an artist on Nate's t-shirt one night on the boardwalk at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and they immediately connected on their similar tastes in music. Matthew and Nate instantly became close friends that summer, and fast forward to 2026, the two of them share an office together at Colony Tire, working alongside each other day in and day out. It's hard to imagine how different Matthew's life would be like if he had never befriended Nathaniel. Matthew and Nate have shared very similar experiences, major life moments, and more funny stories than you can count, over the last 6 years.
Barrett Adams
Groomsman
Matthew met Barrett through River Oak Church, where Barrett leads a number of bible study's Matthew attends. Barrett quickly went from a leader and mentor in Matthew's life, to a close friend. Matthew and Barrett have been present for a number of major life moments in each others lives over the last two years, and Barrett's house has become a second home to Matthew, and many others. The two of them also share a number of hobbies including camping (as Barrett is a fellow Eagle Scout), late night walks, puzzles, and endless joking around.
Caleb Waldrop
Officiant
Caleb was the leader of the young adult’s group at the church where Matthew and Rena met. He now humbly serves as one of the lead pastors at River Oak Church. In addition, he also leads Matthew and Rena in premarital counseling which they have enjoyed throughout their engagement.