Natalie & Josh
Wedding Party
Natalie Shelton
Bride
Yep. That's me. You're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation. Nine bridesmaids. NINE. Lifelong friends, man...I'm blessed.
Carly Cowan
Maid of Honor
Carly and I have been friends since we were TWELVE. YEARS. OLD. We've been there for each other through painful losses, awkward phases, bad haircuts, heartache...and we've gotten through it all by dusting off each other's shoulders and laughing along the way. She's another Shelton sister. I know how unique it is to carry a friendship from middle school to forever and I'm forever grateful for this journey we have had. She is the Romy to my Michele and the Rachel to my Phoebe. My guess as to what Carly's favorite thing about me is most likely my magical way of being sensitive while giving wise advice. Wow, thank you, Carl.
Sagan Burney
Matron of Honor
Sagan and I met when we both made the 2010 UALR Dance Team. I remember seeing this beautiful girl who was also an amazing dancer and thought, "I have to hate her." Unfortunately, she foiled my plans to be jealous when I realized just how amazing of a person she was. I would call Sagan before I would call 911 for help. And I've literally done that. Sagan is the one who calms me down when my mind is spinning. She brings peace to all situations. We've caused so much trouble and have had so much fun together. I think Sagan's favorite thing about me is how I light up the room without words or gestures. Just my presence. Sagan. That is so thoughtful.
Aimee Stockton
Bridesmaid
I've known Aimee since high school (but heard rumors about her in middle school ;) ). Aimee and I can communicate with just a look. One of my safe spaces is the comfort of Aimee's stylish home where her 75 pound adorable dog Louie (mine and Josh's former foster dog) will be sure to greet me with a body slam and lots of kisses. Fortunately, Aimee doesn't greet me the same way her son does. She is someone I can always depend on. She always orders me a Diet Coke when we go out before I show up at the restaurant. She has my back and I'll forever be grateful for her friendship. Aimee's favorite thing about me is most likely my charitable heart. Someone bring me a tissue.
Betsy Robb
Bridesmaid
Betsy and I met in high school. When I say we talk every single day, I mean it. She is the reason I even started working in animal welfare and why I began viewing municipal shelters the way we should all view them. She's the person I call when I need to make an extravagant plan to rescue a dog or if I'm having a breakdown over crate-training a foster and need to send them to Camp Betsy. She has given me more support than I deserve and has believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself. Betsy's favorite thing about me is probably my perfect and not basic taste in literature, art, and movies. Wow, Betsy. Didn't see that one coming. Thank you!
Haley Shelton
Bridesmaid
Haley is my older sister. I have had the deepest of belly laughs with her. My youth wasn't shaped by the cool kid parties, alcohol, and football games. My youth (and Nostalgia Central) was made up of all the amazing bands and artists my sister brought to Little Rock as a promoter, the nights spent at the venues she was working, and me getting to ride that gravy train. If not for these nights, I think my teens and early twenties would just have been one panic attack after another and feeling less than what I should have felt like. Also, this started my love for good music. I'm so proud to be her sister. Hmmmm...Haley's favorite thing about me is how I've always been wise beyond my years. You're right, Hay. I hate to admit it...but you're right.
Hannah Shelton
Bridesmaid
Hannah is my younger sister and the reason I carry all of this middle child rage. Other than that, she's pretty cool. The older we get, the closer we get. She's my "little" sister who I can call on for advice. She helps me organize my messy thoughts and delivers the toughest love in the softest way. Most of the time (hehe). I can honestly say she's someone I always hope to impress and get respect from. I love watching her make a name for herself in this world. I think Hannah's favorite thing about me is how I'm so popular and nice. That's a heavy load to carry, but I hope I'm showing you how to do it with grace, JoyHannah.
Jackie Prescott
Bridesmaid
Our lifelong friendship began when Jackie and I met in 2008. Jackie is a constant. She has literally been by my side at my lowest points and has pulled me out of some of the darkest places. When she's not jumping out of other dark places and scaring the daylights out of me, she and I can be found laughing hysterically at something together. She is someone I can also sit in complete silence with. That's rare and I treasure this part of our friendship so much. In 2021 we took a trip to New Mexico together. My heart bursts when I think of one of my favorite people colliding with my favorite and most sacred place. I think Jackie's favorite thing about me is how humble I am. Like how I never brag about my pore-less skin and how I'm aging backwards. I'm literally blushing right now, Jack.
Julianne Smith Unger
Bridesmaid
I met Julianne at my former job. I remember thinking "Um, another gorgeous blonde trotting into my life? THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE" *looks in mirror*. Alas, here we are, a gaggle of silly geese. I love how Julianne and I can be on the phone and go from maniacal laughing to crying about how beautiful life is in one conversation. With a dash of Real Housewives quotes. Julianne's pizazz and gratitude are quite contagious and she is the cheerleader everyone needs in their lives. I think Julianne's favorite thing about me is my zest for life and go-getter spirit. I'm truly touched by this, Ju. Thank you.
Sarah Beth Terry
Bridesmaid
SB and I literally danced our way into each other's hearts. We met in 2009 when I stumbled onto the Arkansas Twisters Sirens Dance Team and then the UALR Dance Team the following year. Some of my most special and favorite memories are with this blonde haired, blue eyed gal. I want to claim SB as my friend and my friend only, you can't have her. I've never been afraid to be myself around her. I'm thankful for her judgment free talks. Sarah Beth and her husband Cole are some of mine and Josh's favorite people to hang out with. Probably Sarah Beth's favorite thing about me is how my humor and laughter could end wars. LOL, SB!! THANK YOU.
Connor Shelton
Best Boy
The only good decision I ever made after drinking was thinking I was capable of nursing this shutdown, abused, and feral hound dog I saw named Connor. When I started taking care of Connor, I feared he would die on me. I told him I was scared of this world, too and if he learned how to "dog", then I would learn how to "human". We've been learning and growing with each other ever since. Connor may not be the life of the party, but he is the life of MY party and the light of my life.
Daisy Shelton
Best Girl
Daisy. Okay. Where do I begin? Well, my life began when this six week old most adorable puppy entered the scene. Do I think Daisy hung the moon and stars? No. I know she did. She is my soulmate (not Josh), best friend (not Josh), love of my life (not Josh). She gives emotional support in the most aggressive manner and you should consider yourself lucky if you've been blessed by her presence. We are one soul in two bodies.
Margot Rowland
Best Girl
Margot came along with Josh and boy, did she sweeten this deal. There is so much anxiety and FOMO wrapped into that basset shaped body. She is constantly sticking that long nose in my face to make sure I notice her. Her hilarious antics make life brighter and better. I'm so lucky to have added her to my exclusive pack.
Josh Rowland
Groom
With so much drama in the L R C, kinda hard bein' R O W L A N D
Emilie Rowland
Best Woman
This is my sister, she's known me longer than anyone in the wedding party. When they brought me home from the hospital as a baby, she gave the ok to let me in the house. We've hated each other, we've loved each other, but we've always been there. She's always given me the confidence to be myself. Without her, I would definitely not be as cool as I am today.
Brady Redman
Groomsman
I was nine years old when Brady made his appearance in our family. From the dorky spectacled blonde kid playing video games in the background to the big country bearded man in the back of the canoe he'll always be my little brother.
Shaun Steele
Groomsman
This is the only groomsman I've fist fought. Shaun sat behind me in 6th grade and the rest is history. We've marched in band together, snuck countless freezing smokes while "walking the dogs", dabbled in performance enhancing drugs prior to chess club, made hundreds of frantic telephone calls to each other, coordinated sneaking out of the house before the days of cell phones, among other probably illegal things. These days we mostly spend our time together hacking around a golf course. We've been closer to siblings than friends for most of my life, he's been there through it all.
Mike Renick
Groomsman
We bonded over our shared love of music and the Razorbacks soon after I moved to Little Rock. We've been to countless concerts and games together over the years, in multiple states. We've had many deep late night conversations on 40 West heading back to Little Rock, just trying to stay awake and maybe figure out the universe while doing so. Mike is Yoda I call when it hits the fan.
Brandon Jeffs
Groomsman
One of the kindest, wisest souls I've ever met. And I can say things like that about him because I suspect deep down he's part patchouli-stinking hippy. We met and became fast friends more than a decade ago, bonding over shared literary and musical tastes, and probably a bit of philosophy. And of course he's funny all my friends are funny, get with it.
Christophe Block
Groomsman
This is the only groomsman I've seen naked more than I've seen myself naked. If you know Christophe you know what I mean. We met working in the emergency department and became friends over shared love of running and riding bikes. My life would be much more boring without him, as he's motivated me to get outside my comfort zone and has literally pushed me up mountains. Never a dull moment with this one. He's the most one-of-a-kind dude I know.
Patrick Howser
Groomsman
Met this dude at work in the emergency department when I asked him what he wanted to listen to. He said his favorite band was Sublime and I knew he had potential. Found out we both rode bikes and he took me out and almost killed me. He hasn't been able to get rid of me since. Patrick and his wife came out of Utah and he paced me the last 30 miles of a 100 mile trail race, which only a true friend will do. I know it was torture to walk/march 30 miles but I wouldn't have been able to finish without him. He grows an ok mustache.
Jordan Muroch
Groomsman
Our first discussion was about a triathlon and it's how we cemented our friendship. Jordan is a solid dude with a great heart and great drive to do better in life, which are attributes you want to be around. He's easy to get along with, I'm tough to get along with, which may be why it's so easy to be friends. This man is made for a mustache.