Wedding Party
Neal Lopez
Groom
Since I was young, I've always been a romantic. I never went on dates or even had many crushes, but I've always dreamed about what I hoped my future husband would be: a strong, protective provider who served God selflessly, laughed with abandon, and cherished me for who I am. Neal has surpassed my every expectation and dream beyond what I ever imagined. Neal makes me laugh and smile daily. He directs me to God while holding my hand through all of life's challenges. He balances my flaws with his discipline, relaxed attitude, formidable determination, firm independence, and unbridled ambition. Yet he also wins my affection through his goofy, compassionate, loyal, honest, selfless, genuine, and kindhearted nature. I know I've already listed so many words, but I cannot list enough to describe what a wonderful person he is. More amazingly, in each of these qualities, Neal gives absolutely everything. I am beyond blessed to have found, in the words of a band we have both come to love, someone who "sees the world the way I do." I yearn every day for the day we will be united under God in marriage, and I am counting down every moment until I get the honor of spending the rest of my life with Neal. I know without a doubt that with him, both of us will continue to shape the other into better followers of Christ. I wouldn't have anyone else; my every dream and prayer has been answered.
Lauren Shepherd
Bride
It is impossible for me to encapsulate Lauren's personality and beauty into words. While struggling at times to have a positive opinion of herself, she instead sees the good in others, lifting them up and being the most loving and understanding friend, sister, daughter, and soon-to-be wife she can be. All who know her can attest to her overwhelming kindness and empathy to everyone she knows, and her strong conscience against apathy and injustice. She loves musicals, capybaras, silly movies, anime, plushies, blankets, naps, arts n' crafts, reading, writing, nature walks - but above all she loves her family and being there for others. She will graduate with her Bachelor's in Nutrition and Dietetics and plans to attain her Master's and Dietician Certification in 2028. She feels called to help other men and women who have struggled with body dysmorphia and healthy living like she has, to improve both their health physically and emotionally. We plan to stay in Alexandria until then, when we will then follow God's guidance into whatever we should pursue next. We are so excited to honor God in our marriage, to be fruitful and multiply, and love each other each and everyday - until death do us part.
Sam Lopez
Best Man
My brother Sam (right) is 17 months older than me. We have lived together for almost our entire lives and therefore know each other more than just about anyone else does. Sam has a keen understanding of Christian apologetics, having been the President of a Christian apologetics club in college, and prides himself in his level headedness and consistent emotions. Sam recently married last October and is currently training to be a police officer in Kentucky. He also plans to be a father soon, but currently the closest thing he has to children are his wife's two cats Kiwi and Boo.
Patience Haggart
Maid of Honor
Patience and Lauren have been close friends for over a decade. When Lauren first moved to Pineville, Patience was one of the first people who reached out to form a relationship with her, and she has remained loving, loyal, and awesome ever since. The two have shared joys and challenges, tears and laughter, and countless life milestones together. One thing Lauren especially admires about her (besides her impressive love of Elvis Presley) is that she is one of the hardest workers Lauren has ever known. Patience has forged forward despite many challenges, and she has dedicated the fruits of her labor to Christ. Currently, Patience lives in Colorado where she attends Charis Bible College. Soon, she will be taking a mission trip to Budapest, Hungary where she will continue to spread her love and the gospel with everyone she encounters.
Jonathan Lewis
Groomsman
Jonathan and Neal have been friends since 8th grade, when he joined Neal's class in Classical Conversations. He has been one of Neal's most positive Christian influences, and he now works closely with his church and summer camp in East Tennessee, all the while taking seminary classes online. He is now married with a beautiful daughter, Elaina.
Ella Clancy
Bridesmaid
Ella and Lauren met in church and bonded almost instantly when Lauren moved to Pineville. Ever since, they have lived life alongside each other, encouraging one another and growing more mature in the faith. Ella is extremely driven, having participated in nearly every kind of club and extracurricular imaginable. Her dedication to her friends, however, is even greater. Ella has been able to carry her devotion to Louisiana Tech University, where she studies engineering and remains a steadfast supporter of her friends who attended with her and continuously demonstrates the love of Jesus to all.
Devon Dyess
Groomsman
Devon and Neal have known each other for nearly a decade, while never actually meeting in person before. They met on the game Tanki Online, where they both made YouTube videos (Neal was known as "thetankman_9000" and Devon as "Mr.Nibbles"), collaborating on numerous occasions and growing closer relationally beyond the video game itself. He is currently engaged just graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Analytics from the University of Kansas.
Hannah Swenson
Bridesmaid
Similar to Ella, Lauren befriended Hannah very soon after moving to Pineville, and the two quickly bonded over their shared love of reading and books. The main thing Lauren has always loved and treasured about Hannah is her relaxed and chill nature. Hannah has always been calm, easygoing, and relaxed, acting as a woman of stability in Lauren's life. Regardless of circumstance, Hannah faces life with a go-with-the-flow disposition and takes care of herself and those around her. She currently studies pyschology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Jimmy Shepherd
Groomsman
I didn't type the rest of these from the first person, but for him, I feel compelled to do so. My brother is an absolutely wonderful human being. Though we've definitely had our share of differences, I am absolutely honored to have grown up at Jimmy's side. He has transformed from a silly, slightly annoying little guy to a fiercely loyal, unwaveringly faithful, and incredibly gifted human with an unfathomably big heart. I am beyond overjoyed that he and Neal have bonded as much as they have, and am even more grateful that Neal has decided to include him in his groomsman party. I have missed him tremendously since going to college and will miss him even more when he leaves for college himself. I am so proud to be in the same family as him, and I know he will move on to do great and wonderful things. Note from Neal: He is incredible at editing and gaming, posting various gaming content for years @HT1YT on YouTube. He is also a talented musician and artist, releasing songs under the name "brain check." Find him anywhere you listen to music!
Rosie Jones
Bridesmaid
Rosie has always been the mother of the friend group. Mature, kindhearted, and grounded, Rosie exudes strength, grace, and compassion to everyone, especially her friends. She has a great love of coffee, going for runs outdoors, and the arts. She currently attends Louisiana Tech University, where she studies graphic design and helps Ella (her roommate) through the ups and downs of college. Lauren is especially inspired by Rosie's loyalty and love for Noah, Rosie's boyfriend of many, many years. She hopes to emulate the joy they find in each other and in God in her marriage.
Leiah, Navy, and Aria Lopez
Flower Girls
Leiah (11, top), Navy (9, bottom) and Aria (Sailor) Lopez (7, left) are Neal's nieces, or Phillip's daughters. They are beautiful, charismatic, charming young girls, all being homeschooled under their mother Cheyenne. They support their parents in every way they can, helping Phillip work or Cheyenne cook and clean. They are some of the most well behaved sweet children anyone will ever meet.
Alex Shepherd
Ring Bearer
This little guy is a Shepherd through and through. At ten years old, his main passions are pizza and video games. However, despite his little boy struggles, he has always been a sweet boy with a big heart who loves his family dearly. Lauren loves him very much and is very excited to include him in such a special day!
Felix Lopez
Father of the Groom
My father Felix is known more than anything else for his unfathomable work ethic, proven by decades of long hours. He immigrated from Cuba when he was 7, fleeing from Castro's communism. He has 4 kids, and I am the last one to get married, being the youngest. Felix now works in Tennessee, building houses and taking care of his land in order to have a place for any of his family to stay should they ever need it.
Jeremy Shepherd
Father of the Bride
The best word I can use to describe how I feel towards my Dad is admiration. Coming from a very difficult background, my Dad's only dream was to be a better husband and father than his own father was. I am proud to say that he has achieved that and so, so much more. My father has raised us with immense patience, gentleness, wisdom, discipline, and compassion. I have watched him work diligently, speak kindly, serve humbly, and overall live in a way that glorifies God day in and day out. I am proud to call him my Dad, and I am so blessed that he will be helping to join me and Neal in marriage on one of the happiest days of my life. I am also thankful that he has lent his awesome, successful business, Wayback's Arcade, for what I think will be an EPIC reception!
Bonnie Lopez
Mother of the Groom
My mother Bonnie is a loving, committed woman who has become the gold standard for what a wife and a mother should strive to be. She tutored/homeschooled her own and others' children for decades straight without faltering in her duties as a mother and a wife, cooking for everyone several times a day everyday, cleaning, organizing playdates and events, and a thousand other things most people aren't aware of. She now supports her husband in Tennessee and volunteers at the local Women's Resource Center.
Julie Shepherd
Mother of the Bride
More than anyone else I know, my mother has a servant's heart. In all aspects of life, including her job as a special education teacher, her role as a wife, and her devotion as a mother, my Mom has always given her all. Despite all of the many challenges she faces in each of these unique roles, she has always forged forward while also doing everything she can to support the ones she loves. I know that I can always be safe, genuine, and honest with her, and she will come to my aid with pure love and a desire to help. I have only grown closer and closer to her with age and time, and I am beyond thankful to have such a selfless, dedicated, and supportive woman in my life.
Andie Flint
Pianist
Andie Flint is a good friend of Neal and Lauren's from Cavalry Baptist Church, their church at college. She regularly plays on the worship band at church both on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings, playing piano, drums, guitar and bass - and even teaches music lessons on the side as well! She also is a co-lead of the Prayer Team at Cavalry with Neal, where they lead weekly prayer meetings with fellow students every Monday morning and encourage others in their prayer life. She has gone on several mission trips over the summer and truly has a heart on fire to spread the Gospel to all the nations. She plans to graduate from Louisiana Tech University in Human Development and Family Sciences. She will be playing the piano before the Ceremony begins, along with the beginning and/or end as needed.
Christina Simino
Violinist
Christina is someone we both met at Tech for different reasons. However, we both had the same opinions on her, and all of them were positive. She is overly friendly, bubbly, and kind to all she speaks to, making every person feel like they're her best friend. She currently lives in North Carolina, working as a systems engineer, after graduating from Louisiana Tech with Honors in Cyber Engineering. She currently attends Summit Church and spends her weekends staying in touch with friends and exploring her new environment. She will be playing "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, as the bride walks down the isle with her father.
Greta Lewis
Photographer
Greta is Jonathan's wife, and is truly a delight to be around. She and Jonathan married very quickly, highlighting their shared intrinsic desire to honor Christ in unity. They also have already had a child and plan to have many more, showing their want to be fruitful and multiply. Greta has done professional photography since 2019, specializing in couples, families, portraits and weddings. You see her work at https://www.instagram.com/gretalynnphoto/
YOU!!!
Videographer
We will record the ceremony with the church's equipment - but we invite you to record videos of moments at the reception! We will provide a link or QR code for you to upload or send them to us.
Phillip Lopez
Opening Officiant
My much older brother Phillip truly has a beautiful testimony, going from a student in military school and acting out in the worst ways to getting married, having 5 beautiful children, and becoming a deacon at his church in DeRidder Louisiana. He works for himself, building and selling houses in order to provide for his massive family on a single income. He has consistently held relationships together with friends and family and makes sure to spend time with his wife and children on a regular basis. Most recently, he was the flower man at his brother Sam's wedding (see above), showing off his truly unique personality. He has officiated several weddings already, but will be handing off the pulpit to Lauren's father Jeremy after opening the Ceremony.
Jeremy Shepherd
Officiant
As a pastor, Jeremy Shepherd has guided countless people into and through their faith. He has been in the ministry in some form for over two decades and graduated in 2009 with a Master's in Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has officiated numerous weddings, but this will without question be the best one!