Sarah and Dakota Wedding
Wedding Party
Kristi Finleon
Maid of Honor
Kristi Finleon and I first crossed paths through Alice Ellen Cotten, now Alice Reynolds. Our connection sparked during a college dinner celebrating Alice’s birthday. Kristi was refreshingly genuine—real and single (both single at the time)! Neither of us in a sorority, but that didn’t stop us from quickly becoming inseparable. We bonded over shared experiences, both eagerly on the lookout for our next date. We spent much time at Texas Tech University along Broadway Street, especially from Friday to Sunday. When we weren't at Chimy's, Bar PM, Cujos, or other restaurants and bars, we were at each other's apartments, indulging in endless girl talk. Some of our favorite spontaneous trips were to her family’s home in Round Rock, Texas, while she would visit mine in Corpus Christi, Texas. We spent countless hours hanging out with mutual friends from both high school and college, making memories along the way. Although we are now miles apart, we still enjoy each other's company. Kristi is my therapist when I need to vent and my hype girl when I need that extra push. I'm excited to have Kristi be a part of our special day. Love you!
Alice Reynolds
Matron of Honor
Alice Ellen, and I participated in Brownies and Girl Scouts together. We ran up and down the hallways of Wood River Elementary School, through Calallen Middle and High School, and eventually ended up at Texas Tech University together. We have many classic memories, but one in particular stands out, tied to a Kenny Chesney song. She was the first one to have a Caboodle box full of makeup, and we affectionately called her "Alice in the Palace." Alice has the most contagious laugh and is always there for her friends, no matter the circumstances. Summers growing up at the Cotten's pool and backyard were the places to be, filled with late-night conversations and slumber parties. We also enjoyed road trips to South Padre Island and the Frio River! Alice is now a beautiful mother of three, an accomplished business owner, and the wife to Zach! Thank you for being here and sharing this special day with us!
Caroline Bradford
Bridesmaid
Caroline and I met in junior high when she transferred from Rockport, Texas. Our group already knew about her because her older brothers were also transferring to our high school, and they were all great at sports. It was a big deal at the time! Her last name became well-known, and she quickly became like a sister to me. She was not only my best friend and neighbor but we served as co-captains of the varsity volleyball team together and, later, my college roommate. Wreck Em! I just happened to be on the same trip where she was crushing on this guy, who is now her husband, Stephen! I still remember taking their first photo together. I also had the honor of designing the first logo for her amazing concept, The Liney Moon, a Hill Country retreat/Wedding Venue and Airbnb that continues to be a successful business today. I've been fortunate to watch her family grow, and every time we see each other, we always pick up right where we left off. Caroline is the real deal, and I'm honored to have her here to share this special day!
Kara Thyen
Bridesmaid
Kara and I have been friends since kindergarten. We used to collect TY Beanie Babies and proudly wore our Brownies and Girl Scout uniforms to school as we roamed the hallways of Wood River Elementary. Throughout junior high and high school, we spent our days running back and forth between her house, Alice's, and our other group of friends, as all of our families lived across the street in our neighborhood. It was always a blast picking each other up on our golf carts during those long summer days! Later, I made many weekend trips to visit her and others in College Station, Texas. Our spring break trips to South Padre Island and the Frio River and reconnecting after college to celebrate her and Peter's wedding. She's now a wonderful mom to Calvin, and I'm so honored to have her in my life. I'm thrilled to have you visiting Charlotte; let's party like it's 1999!
Chelsea Schulze
Bridesmaid
Oh my goodness, Chelsea! Where do I begin? Chelsea has been an incredible support since day one, starting from our friendship in junior high and continuing through our inseparable high school years. Usually, her boyfriend was best friends with my boyfriend, had the exact date schedules, and sleepovers were at least until 2 am-3 am. The backyard high school hangouts were always so much fun at The Roecker household! Our first adventure post-high school was when we were roommates at Texas State University. To top it off, we filmed several fun lip-syncing and dancing videos on YouTube in our dorm room. We have shared so many experiences: hanging out with mutual friends, going on double dates, attending ranch trips, enjoying spring break vacations, and celebrating important life moments. I was also a part of her and Derek's wedding. I’ve loved seeing her create her mini-me's, Scarlet and Hazel, to become the best mom and wife. Chelsea makes everything fun, and I’m so glad she will be standing with us on our special day!
Kayla Rasmusson
Bridesmaid
My sister-in-law deserves a medal for living with my brother and attending PT school together. Just kidding! I met Kayla in 2018 when Dakota and I first started dating. She and Carl had just started dating as well. For some reason, the trip we planned to visit Texas Tech University coincided with Carl's planned trip for Kayla to meet every family member, including our grandparents. She passed with flying colors. That same trip also introduced us to our significant others. It was where Dakota had the worst Texas Tech hangover from a Dr. Pepper shooter at Chimy's and the first time Carl shared that he loved Kayla. So, to have a sister-in-law who can be thrown in and come out on top is a total winner, and I scored a great one. From helping plan their surprise engagement moment to the many family trips with Mark and Beth and becoming Mom and Dad's roommates for a bit, she's all in now. So, it's my turn to have you by our side as we throw you into more family shindigs. Love you!
Lily Brown
Bridesmaid
Lily is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. She has the sweetest heart and radiates sunshine! It was an honor to stand by her and Jarred as they exchanged vows and became husband and wife, marking the beginning of her new journey into the Brown family in November 2023. Since 2018, in the Canton and Waynesville areas, we've shared the joys of being moms to our fur babies (Mack, Nova, Bruiser & Brom) and enjoyed fun holiday shenanigans. Lily has a podcast with her best friend called BoldlyCreated, which aims to encourage women to find their identity in Christ daily. She's also excelling in her career as a speech-language pathology assistant, and I love seeing her succeed. I feel fortunate to have gained another sister-in-law and am honored to have her participate in the big day! #AnotherBrownInThisTown
Jarred Brown
Best Man
Jarred is my only brother and much younger brother by 9 years! I am not a "pick up the phone" kind of guy, but my brother is. He probably likes to talk to me just as much on the phone as our mother. He's a talker, but I do appreciate the check-in calls and when he has to ask me a million questions to get some sort of update out of me! Since we are almost a decade apart, I would automatically be the one to blame if he got into any trouble growing up! He was my first sports "fan," and he was always around, so I'm glad to have my #1 fan still. I wouldn't have it any other way, standing beside me on this special day. Love you!
Austin Putnam
Groomsman
I met Austin through some mutual friends at Western Carolina University, and we hit it off over our love for sports and superheroes. For the past 10 years, I’ve spent most weekends catching up with him or trying to schedule a hangout among our busy schedules! Austin is now a proud father to two amazing kiddos and married to his beautiful wife, Nicole. He’s the kind of guy who’d give you the shirt off his back—though maybe don’t ask him to do that during the wedding! Austin can make me laugh like no one else. He and Matt are my consistent buddies for our weekly gaming sessions. Honestly, nothing says being an adult like screaming at a computer screen from an office chair while catching up with the guys.
Matt Jackson
Groomsman
I met Matt through Austin when they were both working at Channel 9 News. One of the first times we hung out, I told one of the most poorly executed and timed jokes—it was truly tragic. Yet, somehow, that joke led to an immediate friendship. Unfortunately, Matt grew up in New York and believes that the Jets are a real football team. I can’t really criticize, considering our Panthers aren’t doing too well this year, but there’s always next season! Despite my bad jokes, his New Yorker attitude, and our different sports loyalties, Matt is a genuinely great guy. He’s the kind of person you can relax with; you can prop your feet up, enjoy a cold-cut sandwich and a beer, and spend the whole day lounging on the couch or hit the town!
Jacob Henderson
Groomsman
I first met Jacob through our mutual friend James, but I was already somewhat familiar with him from my past relationship with his girlfriend's best friend. That initial connection, while brief, laid the groundwork for what would become a lasting friendship between Jacob and me. Our bond truly solidified during an unforgettable weekend at Speedstreet, where we created some of the most exhilarating memories together—some of which I can vividly remember, while others remain a blur. From the laughter we shared to the unforgettable late-night adventures, those moments were pivotal in deepening our friendship. Throughout the ups and downs of my life, Jacob has been an unwavering source of support. He has stood by me during challenging times and has continuously encouraged me to pursue my passions. His belief in my potential has been a driving force behind my current career direction, helping to push me forward within my industry. I am grateful for his friendship and the significant impact he has had on my life.
James Justice
Groomsman
I first met James during our freshman year at Lenoir Rhyne University, where we both were on the football team. While we were dedicated to the sport, we often found ourselves sidetracked by our love for creativity and adventure. Instead of focusing solely on improving our game, we spent countless hours crafting silly country songs and sneaking out of our dorms for late-night escapades. It was during this time that I formed a close-knit friend group, affectionately known as the "Belmont Boys," most of whom are excited to celebrate with us on April 26, 2025. One memorable moment was during my first “date” with Sarah. I confided in James, telling him with a mix of excitement and certainty that I was going to marry her someday. Now, looking back, it's incredible to see that prediction come true! Throughout the years, James has been a guiding light not only for me but for many of our friends, always helping us navigate the twists and turns of life. His willingness to listen to our concerns and share thoughtful advice is unmatched, and he never hesitates to crack open a cold beer to celebrate or commiserate with us. His support and camaraderie have made a lasting impact on my life, and I’m grateful to have him by my side.
Carl Rasmusson
Groomsman
I guess I have to love Carl now that we’re brothers-in-law! In all seriousness, Carl is a fantastic brother to have. We were both born in 1991, the coolest year ever—the same year the World Wide Web came into existence. We share a love for zoning out while gaming (both sports and online), solving puzzles, building with Legos (okay, nerd-a-lert, but we don't care), and creating unique experiences with our families. Carl and I have similar interests, and they align without even needing to discuss them. Even though we don’t live in the same city or state, it’s always a fun time catching up and hanging out!