Nanci & Jay
Wedding Party
Phillip and Edith Washington
Parents of the Bride
The bride's parents have truly served as an example for her and she admires their ability to continue to provide love and guidance throughout her life. The father of the bride is preparing for the big day as best he can, as giving his baby girl away may be a little tough for him. He enjoys teasing her by asking if she plans to hyphenate her new last name in order to preserve the "Washington". The mother of the bride is busy practicing line dances as she proudly tells friends and family she doesn't plan to sit down. Her knees may say otherwise. Both parents think very highly of Jay and feel that their daughter is in the capable hands of someone who truly loves and respects her. The bride and groom are so pleased to have them take part in their day.
Larry and Stella Farrow
Parents of the Groom
The parents of the groom are very excited for the arrival of the wedding day! The groom is very close to his mom and the bride hopes that she has proven herself as a worthy caregiver, as the bar has been set high! Jay describes his mother as being "wedding-ready" and she has given him the best advice yet; "do what Nanci asks you to." Jay's father is also excited about the upcoming nuptials and is always excited to hear updates from the couple. The groom says that his father is very excited but tries to "play it cool." Like father, like son. Jay feels that his parents have been supportive, loving, and encouraging throughout his life, and as he steps into this new phase of life, he doubts that will change. The bride and groom can't wait to celebrate with them!
Cassidy Patterson
Ring Bearer
Cassidy, "Cass" or "C Peezy" as his uncle Jay calls him, is silly, sweet and serious when he needs to be. Always smiling and ready to play, "Cass" is full of energy and joy. He likes to follow his Uncle Jay around and help him wash the cars, and he enjoys teasing the bride- to-be by pretending he doesn't know her name until bribed. (Candy talks!) Cass is going to make an awesome ring bearer and the bride and groom welcome him into the wedding party.
Brooklynn Melvin
Flower Girl
Brooklynn is the daughter of Lionel and Jacquetta Melvin. Brooklynn is sweet and shy but enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She describes the groom as "Daddy's friend with the black and white beard" and enjoys playing with the bride who occasionally babysits. Brooklynn has a toy kitchen set/restaurant, at which the bride has dined many times. The service could be better, but Nanci believes in supporting black businesses. Jay and Nanci welcome Ms. Brooklynn into the wedding party.
Namani Alston
Flower Child
NaMani (Mani) is the niece of the groom and one of his favorite people. She enjoys playing and spending time with her Uncle Jay, and has him wrapped around her little fingers. She is known as "the boss," and although she is younger than many of her other family playmates, she is often the ring leader and chaos coordinator. Silly, bubbly, and a natural entertainer, she is sure to put on a show. The bride and groom welcome NaMani to the wedding party.
Kimaura Sessoms
Flower Child
Kimaura ("Shirley") is the cousin of the bride. She is the granddaughter of Nanci's late aunt, Sharon C. McPhaul. Kimaura is affectionately known as "Diva," as she has no problem showing you who is boss! Kimaura enjoys spending time with her family and playing with her older brother. Kimaura is friendly, but cautious, so if she gives you "the look," move out of her way! The bride and groom welcome her into the wedding party.
Melvin Baldwin
Groomsman
Melvin (Mel) is the best friend of the groom. He and Jay have a truly unique bond, and if you ever heard a conversation between the two of them, you wouldn't likely think that you were hearing two friends! Jay and Mel met through Jay's eldest brother, and the groom considers Mel to be one of his brothers. He has referred to the bride as "sis" for many years, and he has a host of names for her such as Phony Braxton and Anita Faker because of her short hair. Nanci and Jay are so happy to welcome Mel to into the wedding party.
Quenita Jackson
Matron of Honor
Quenita (Que) and the bride became friends years ago through the friendship of Jay and Quenita's husband Patrick. Quenita has proven herself to be a truly genuine and loyal friend; and is ALWAYS the same person no matter what the circumstance. She takes her Matron of Honor duties SERIOUSLY, and no matter what is going on, Nanci knows that a conversation with "Que' will make things better. The bride and groom welcome Que to the wedding party.
Nam Farrow
Best Man
Nam is the eldest of the groom's siblings, and is someone who has always looked out for his younger brothers. The groom recalls Nam showing him the way and helping him with his street smarts; which the groom admits wasn't always an area of strength for him. Jay is proud that his big brother, or "Big Bruh" as he calls him, has helped to show him the way and the bride and groom welcome him into the wedding party.
Tiona Washington
Maid of Honor
Tiona (Tee) is the one and only sister of the bride. The two are joined at the hip and have been since the day Nanci was born..literally! Tiona jokes that Nanci thinks that SHE is the older sister and not the other way around. Tiona has always been supportive of Nanci and Jay and considered Jay to be her brother-in-law long before anything was official; she even calls him "Bill" (Brother in Law). The bride and groom welcome Tiona into the wedding party.
Currie Farrow
Best Man
Currie is the older brother of the groom and is the person Jay calls the "brains of the family." Currie is another member of the Farrow Family that will tell it like it is, with his own brand of humor and sarcasm. The young kids call this "petty"; but the bride and groom love him no less. They can count on Currie for solid advice and encouragement. The groom considers his brother a solid sounding board and someone he looks up to even in adulthood. Nanci and Jay welcome Currie into the wedding party.
Kadesja Farrow
Bridesmaid
Kadesja (Dee) is the niece of the groom and has been a strong proponent of the couple ever since they began dating. Nanci recalls her vividly saying, "So when are y'all get married?!" throughout the years. If you want it straight with no chaser, Dee is your girl. Always good for a laugh and a story, the bride and groom can't wait to share their day with her. Nanci and Jay welcome Dee into the wedding party.
Phillip Washington II
Groomsman
Phillip (Phil) is the one and only brother of the bride. He takes his role as big brother very seriously and still does. He constantly pushes Nanci to be her best in every way (even when she really doesn't want to hear it). Phil can attest to Nanci's stubbornness and feistiness, as he recalls babysitting and Nanci defiantly saying "You ain't my daddy!" He tried, yall. Phil is excited to finally have another male in the family and is ready to step into his role as a brother-in-law. The bride and groom welcome Phil to the wedding party.
Aajah Washington
Bridesmaid
Aajah (Reebie-nickname from her Aunt Nanci) is the niece of the bride. She is one of the bride's favorite people on this Earth! Aajah and the bride have a truly unique and special bond, and have had one since the day Nanci found out Aajah was going to be born. Aajah is excited about gaining another uncle and said she "has to think about sharing her Aunt Nanci" with the nieces and nephews she will gain. The bride and groom welcome Aajah to the wedding party.
Lionel Melvin
Groomsman
Lionel is a friend of the groom, dating way back to their junior college basketball days. "Little Bruh" is how Jay affectionately refers to him, recalling how the two would leave in the middle of the night just to ride home to see their families. Lionel and Jay enjoy regular double date nights with their ladies, and the four have truly shared lots of memories, laughs, and CALABASH over the years! The bride and groom welcome Lionel into the wedding party.
Jacquetta Melvin
Bridesmaid
Jacquetta is a friend of the bride; introduced by her husband Lionel, who is a long-time friend and college classmate of the groom. Over the years, she has helped to prepare Nanci for wifehood by keeping it ALL the way real: "It's work, but it's worth it." Nanci has taken that advice to heart and is ready to put it to good use. Through laughs, tears, Martin quotes, and plenty of trap music singalongs, she has prepared Nanci to finally "Stomp with the big dawgs!" (Inside joke)
Nigel Blue
Best Man
Nigel is the first cousin of the groom and the two are very close; actually more like brothers. Jay and Nigel have shared many adventures in growing up together, including a few kiddie fights, playing baseball and too many others to name. Nigel teases Jay about being "GQ" and loves to tease the bride by calling her "Nanci Grace." When you see Nigel coming, you know humor will follow. The bride and groom very excited to have him as part of their special day.
Ashleigh Watts
Bridesmaid
Ashleigh "Watts" Watts is a long-time friend of the bride, and was with Nanci the night she and Jay met. Watts actually left the bride alone so she could exchange numbers with Jay. (She is the real MVP). Ashleigh is one of the sweetest and most hard working people on the planet; even though truly doesn't know what her friend does for a living. This has been an ongoing joke for years. She has been a supportive friend and a great shoulder for the bride to lean on over the years. The couple is excited to welcome her to the wedding party.
Andre Blackwell
Groomsman
Andre aka "Dre" bka "Cap" and the groom met in college and played basketball together. Jay considers Andre a genuine friend and solid leader; "he gets things done!" Despite not living in the same city or seeing each other often, Jay knows that he can always count on Andre to have his back. As the groom would say, "he's just a real stand up guy." The couple are excited to welcome Andre into the wedding party.
Patrick Jackson
Groomsman
Patrick "Pat" Jackson and Jay met when they both picked up side gigs at a bar downtown Raleigh some years ago. The bride actually discovered that the two were neighbors one day when she saw "his friend from work" going into the apartment next to theirs. The groom can always count on Pat to keep it "100" with him and is a solid listener and shoulder. The two friends also enjoy comparing and collecting sneakers. Pat was also instrumental in helping Jay plan his proposal, and the groom actually popped the question at Pat's house. The bride and groom welcome Pat into the wedding party.
Phylicia Barr
Bridesmaid
Phylicia (Phy) is a long-time friend of the bride. Nanci met Phylicia during college orientation the summer before starting NC State. Phylicia recalls the bride as being "very talkative...and still very talkative". Phylicia always has Nanci's back and is ready to step up and support her however she can. She shares many memories with the bride; like the time her car ran out of gas during rush hour traffic and Nanci and a few other friends helped push it to the shoulder of the road. ("E" really does mean empty) The couple is excited to welcome Phylicia to the wedding party.
Carrie Rhyns
Bridesmaid
Carrie "Young C" Rhyns is a long-time friend and college classmate of the bride. Carrie and Nanci were fast friends, despite Carrie being skeptical that Nanci's bangs were all natural upon meeting her. (The bride came to college with long hair.) Carrie resides in Maryland but if the bride needs her love and support she can count on her to be right there. Carrie did not know that Jay's first name was Larry for YEARS ,and was truly blown away by this revelation. So, whenever she sees the groom, her greeting is, "Hi Jay! (IF that's your real name)." Nanci and Jay welcome Carrie into the wedding party.
Shawn Starks
Usher
Shawn "Starks" aka "Brooklyn's Finest" is a good friend of the groom. Starks and Jay met through Jay's friend Melvin while playing in a basketball league. Jay jokes that if Starks isn't playing, then he isn't either. If there is such a thing as speaking it into existence, Stark is your guy. Some time after becoming a couple and meeting her, Starks began referring to Nanci as "Mrs. Farrow" despite that official title coming some time later. The bride and groom welcome Shawn "Starks" to participate in their special day.
Angel Tyre
Hostess
Angel "A Dub" Tyre is a friend of the bride and was one of the first people she met at college orientation. The bride recalls receiving regular calls from "this girl from Wilson..." over the summer. Angel has been an enthusiastic friend and cheerleader for many years; even outside of Nanci's relationship. When Nanci FaceTimed her to tell her she was engaged, Angel literally began screaming. Angel has been an extremely supportive friend thus far, and looks forward to continuing to support Nanci as she prepares for wifehood. The bride and groom welcome Angel to participate in their special day.