Wedding Party

Hannah Neal

Matron of Honor

Mrs. Neal used to be Hannah Harrison when I met her at Texas A&M 3 years ago. The sweetest study abroad trip to Italy made us roommates. Little did we know then what the Lord had in store for this wonderful friendship. Hannah is an amazing friend that has always been there, whether around the corner as Lakeridge neighbors or long distance friends in Fort Worth and College Station. I am beyond thankful for Hannah - truly a forever friend and the best Kinder teacher I know!

Clayton Merrill

Best Man

My first friend. My first enemy. If you've had the privilege of knowing Clayton, then you know he is the guy to give you the shirt off his back—but maybe not the hat off his head—without hesitation. Clayton gets excited for BBQ and Aggie football but loves our family and friends even more. He's seen me at my worst, been with me at my best, and I couldn't imagine marrying Abi without anyone else next to me. Also, I apologize for slicing your toe with mom's fabric cutter when we were younger.

Katelynn Shepperd

Bridesmaid

I’ve known my sweet Katelynn for two years now! We met as DC Kid’s ministry interns, and quickly became the best of friends! Katelynn is one of the nicest people I have ever met and always keeps me laughing. She is the epitome of the life of the party! I can count on her for anything. She might be little, but this girl is tough! And I would never challenge her to a game of pool (my money is on her every time).

Jason Bensmiller

Groomsman

Jason has been my domestic partner—I mean roommate—for all four years of college. When I think back to our time on a group project back at Sloan Creek Middle School, I would've never imagined how God would use Jason as a friend, teammate, study partner, and brother in my life. Mr. Bensmiller loves airplanes, making goulash downstairs, discussing the Bible, and making sure everybody knows about that time I got ramen stuck in the dorm room drain.

Becca Watt

Bridesmaid

Becca and I met the summer after seventh grade in our little Florida suburb. We named ourselves “twins” in middle school because you couldn’t have one without the other! Our numerous sleepovers, concerts, late night talks, and theme park visits don’t even begin to cover the list of memories we have together. When I moved back to Texas in 2015, Becca was one of the first to come and visit! This friendship wouldn’t let distance or time take away from our bond. Becca is as true as it comes. After all, 10 years is a long time!

Aaron Bankes

Groomsman

Aaron and I go way back to fifth grade football; that team stunk. Let's just say we've overcome some adversity together. He was my friend when I had no other friends. I've mostly blocked middle school out of my brain, but I know we spent a lot of high school eating Panda Express and wandering around Cabela's. Wait, we still do that today. Aaron has been that kind of friend that you look back on with so much appreciation for how you've both grown up together.

Heather Baldi

Bridesmaid

Have you ever had a friend who just gets it? Without having to say a word, one look and they know exactly what you're thinking? Well that's my friend Heather! We met on the day of her baptism in the spring of 2019, later became community group besties, and have seen each other at least once a week since! Heather has always been my go-to girl for advice, a nice cold drink, or supplying the best games for game night (she seriously has so many!). She's not afraid to keep it real, love deep, and protect relentlessly. Heather constantly pushes me to be known and free, and I can't thank her enough for that.

Ben Priday

Groomsman

If you ever get to meet Ben, he's probably talking about the economy, baking bread, or corralling his dog, Augi, who conveniently looks like Scooby-Doo. But Ben is no Shaggy. Dr. Priday is a Renaissance man to a T. A group of us younger guys met "Uncle Ben" through Declaration Church while he was at A&M getting his PhD. Now he's on to bigger and better things in D.C. after a brief stint in Austin. Ben has taught me what it looks like to grow in knowledge and wisdom, approach issues from a multitude of sides, and where to find the best pupusas in town.

Lauren Kinney

Bridesmaid

My friend Lauren is such a rockstar! She is a published author (go buy Unshakeable on Amazon!), a Baylor grad, a lover of all things spontaneous, and dominant at Ticket to Ride. She is genuine, kind, and will drop whatever she’s doing to help out a friend. If she’s not working like the boss babe she is, you can probably find her on a flight to Nashville (let’s go back soon!). Lauren and I met through her boyfriend Will, who just so happens to be one of Brandon’s great high school friends. I am so thankful for this friendship. She is simply the best!

Will Nopper

Groomsman

Will Nopper's nickname during freshman year baseball was the "Crime Stopper." He was really good then, but after some setbacks on JV we found ourselves bonding on the bench, alternating keeping the scorebook. Some call it being controversial, but Will walks with boldness and confidence that can only be attributed to the Gospel growing deep roots in his heart and mind. Will knows everything about Star Wars, Microsoft Excel, and how to make somebody else feel like the most important person in the room.

Jenna Bailey

Bridesmaid

Jenna is one of my closest friends from high school! I have always loved Jenna, her family, her servant heart for helping others, especially kids, and her fun-loving attitude towards life. If you've ever been around her for more than five seconds, you'll hear her talk about her sweet dog Ben, her sweet boyfriend Cole, or her love for UCF, where she just graduated with a Masters degree in Social Work. Her laugh is contagious, her love is infectious, and she throws the best surprise parties. Ask her about the one she threw for me back in the day! I still get teary thinking about it. This friend has seen me through a lot. We've laughed, cried, and traveled together. She's one of the greatest pals around!

Kyle Kohleffel

Groomsman

I met Kyle during freshman year of college, and if I had to put money on it, he was probably sweaty from the rec center. A few months later, he was blending smoothies in the kitchen and staying up way too late studying. Kyle taught me how to breathe properly when weight-lifting, how to strum a few ukulele chords, and how to better love and serve those around me. It was a sad day when Kyle moved out; I admit, it got noticeably quieter. But he's off to bigger and better things now as a new husband and middle school science teacher!

Taylor Jones

Bridesmaid

Taylor and I survived COVID quarantine, daycares being shut down until further notice, and the whole tumultuous year of 2020 together. That’s pretty much all you need to know about the strength of our relationship. Taylor graciously opened her home to me in January 2020 when I needed a place to stay during student teaching and she needed an extra hand with her almost two-year-old while her husband was deployed for the next 11 months. Looking back, that year seems like a whirlwind; the home cooked meals & Chick-fil-A runs, trips to the barn and the beach, watching Clayton grow up, the laughs, and the tears have brought us together as family. I wouldn’t change it for the world. Her love and care for Brandon and me is overwhelming to think about, and there aren’t enough words to thank her.

Jack Grooms

Groomsman

If our house in College Station ever had a mom, it was Jack. In fact, we bought a hat for him that said so. Over the two-and-a-half years of knowing him, Jack showed me what it looked like to be a better student, chef, and follower of Christ. Mr. Grooms is perhaps the most industrious person I've ever met, whether that's building a racecar (a convenient palindrome), pursuing His righteousness, or telling me which towels I'm allowed to use. Also, Tang Cake Drive's most eligible bachelor.

Clayton Jones

Ring Bearer