we are so excited to celebrate with you!

Wedding Party

Aliya

Matron of Honor

I’m so excited to introduce you to my bestest friend, Aliya. We became friends back in the summer of 2018, and from the start, we bonded over so many things—multiple basketball camps, parties we probably shouldn’t have been at, small-town festivals, and, of course, coffee. Aliya has always been my 'do nothing friend'—we’d spend hours just sitting in my bed, watching YouTube videos or scrolling through TikToks, laughing until we couldn’t breathe. I’ve always admired Aliya, so much so that we’ve ended up working almost all of the same jobs together over the years (because who else would I trust to work with me?!). And let’s not forget our 'best friend accents'—I don’t think we’ll ever shake them. Honestly, we’ve made a lot of questionable decisions together, but they’re memories I wouldn’t trade for anything. One of my favorite traditions with Aliya is our Tuesday dates. For the past three years, we’ve spent almost every Tuesday together—grabbing iced coffee, having lunch, hitting up a quick shopping trip, and, of course, laughing so much that we almost forget to breathe. Those afternoons have meant the world to me, and I will always cherish every single one.

Lisa

Bridesmaid

Funny enough, I actually owe meeting Lisa to Reese! We first crossed paths in 2019, at a typical Shelby County graduation party (I know, the start of many great things, right?). From that moment on, I knew Lisa was going to be one of the most important people in my life. Lisa has this incredible ability to show up when you least expect it but need it the most. She’s always there for the big moments, but also for those quiet times when you just need a friend. And, let’s be real, she’s one of the most creative people I’ve ever met—especially when it comes to behind the camera. Seriously, she can make me look like a professional model in every single photo she takes. I don’t know how she does it, but I’m forever grateful for it. We’ve shared many unforgettable moments together, from drinking way too many White Claws when we were far too young (don’t judge, okay?) to our Ohio State football games and wild weekends in Columbus, which… yeah, we probably shouldn’t get into too many details about that! But through it all, Lisa has been one of the most loyal and fun friends I could ever ask for.

Nicole

Bridesmaid

I’m so excited to introduce you to my incredible bridesmaid, Nikki. She’s truly like the big sister I never had. From giving me dating advice—though, let’s be honest, sometimes questionable dating advice—to being brutally honest about when my hair and makeup looked less than perfect, Nikki’s always been there to tell me what I needed to hear, not just what I wanted to hear. And as we’ve both grown, I’m so proud of how far we’ve come together. One of my favorite memories with Nikki takes me back to a weekend in Cincinnati, where we ended up getting kicked out of the Hard Rock Casino in typical Nikki fashion. But Somehow Derek and Steven managed to stay and gamble all night long while the rest of us… well, not so much. Nikki has also made my late Wednesday nights at the salon so much more fun, and she’s taught me so much about the hair industry. I can’t thank her enough for all the knowledge she’s shared, and most importantly, for being there for me through everything—whether I needed a good laugh or a good reality check.

Lolah

Bridesmaid

Next, I want to introduce you to someone who brings so much energy and fun into my life—Lolah. Just like with Lisa, Lolah was introduced to me through Reese, and from the start, I could tell she was someone special. I remember watching Lolah make TikToks and hearing her talk about sneaking out of windows, and I thought, 'Wow, she’s wild... and I like it!' She’s got this fearless, outgoing personality that just draws you in, and over the years, I’ve learned she’s also one of the most loyal and caring friends you could ask for. One of my favorite things to do with Lolah is doing her hair—because when I’m working on her hair, we get a solid two or three hours to just sit, talk, and catch up on life. It’s like a little slice of time for us to have some good old-fashioned salon talk, and those are some of my best memories. We’ve definitely come a long way since those TikTok days, but I’m so grateful for how much our friendship has grown, and I’m thrilled to have her by my side.

Grace

Bridesmaid

Freshman year I remember going to soccer conditioning in early August, and Grace and another upperclassman asked if I wanted to hang out with them after practice. I said yes, but honestly, I was terrified! At that point in my life, I had known Grace for years, but she was seriously intimidating. But from that first day, I just knew Grace would somehow always be around, and I’m so glad she has been. Grace and I have had our fair share of near-death experiences together (all of them while she was driving, not me, thank goodness!), and she’s been a true ride-or-die. Grace was the goalie for our soccer team, and I always knew that, even if I got beat on defense, she had my back and would save the day. She’s loud, she’s funny, and she’s ultimately one of the greatest friends I’ve had. Grace, I’m so thankful for your friendship, your loyalty, and your ability to make me laugh no matter what. I’m beyond excited to have you by my side today and to celebrate this incredible day together.

Reese

Bridesmaid

We first met in 2018 on a double date, and I distinctly remember us messaging before we even met, trying to figure out which 'Pura Vida' bracelets would go best with our outfits. Yes, we were that coordinated. But honestly, after that first day, I just knew Reese would be a lifelong friend. From the very beginning, Reese and her family welcomed me in like one of their own. And let’s be honest, that upstairs bedroom at her house basically became my bedroom too (sorry, Kevin & Sara!). We’ve shared so many memories, but one thing that stands out is how much I treasure our quiet nights in. God knows, Reese wouldn’t dare be up past 10 p.m., even on the weekends! Those nights were some of my favorite memories, just hanging out, talking about everything and nothing, and laughing until we couldn’t breathe. Reese, I’m so grateful for your friendship, your warmth, and all of the laughter we’ve shared. You’ve been such a big part of my life, and I’m honored to have you standing by my side today.

Kirsten

Bridesmaid

Now, I want to introduce you to my amazing sister-in-law and dear friend, Kirsten. I met Kirsten when Derek and I first started dating, and he had told me so much about his brother Drew and his wife, Kirsten—and honestly, it sounded like we were either going to be best friends or worst enemies, given both of our bold, straight-forward personalities. Thankfully, we hit it off and quickly became friends, and I am so grateful for that! Kirsten and I love to laugh and joke together, especially when Derek ends up being our target. There’s something about teaming up against him that just makes everything even more fun. And I have to admit, Kirsten is also the reason why every time I look at a bottle of peanut butter whiskey, I almost gag. Long story, but let's just say... never again. One of the things I’m most thankful for, though, is the beautiful family she’s created. Her kids call me 'Aunt Kinley,' and my heart just melts every time. Kirsten has shown me what being a mother is all about—her love, her patience, and the way she always puts her family first. I can’t wait to ask her for all the advice when I’m ready to take that next step in life.