Gabriella & James
Wedding Party
James Louis Parham
Groom
One thing you should know about him is that he is sarcastic and will use phrases from movies, which is pretty funny. James is the biggest goofball that you'll ever meet. He is also an extreme extrovert like me so sometimes we would fight about who gets to talk next. I thought it would take years to find a man like him but I found him and I get to marry him!! I am so grateful that we meet last year in May because that was one of the best years of my life. He has brought me closer to God, showed me what unconditional love is like, and made me a better person. I can not wait to marry him and to become his wife!! I love this man with all of my heart!!
Gabriella Sarti
Bride
My Bride to be can be described by one word. Amazing. No, seriously. She is the only person I know who can make a friend with a total stranger with one conversation. It is really amazing that she said yes to our first date when she could choose anyone she wants. She also gets away with ANYTHING. You just can't say no to her. Because of her I now own throw pillows for my couches. She is always optimistic and can do anything she puts her mind to; from making lasagna to rigging old surround sound speakers, to curing the world's diseases as a microbiologist. She loves the Lord and her faith in him has made mine stronger. Even though she is clearly out of my league, she has never made me feel that way. Next to Christ, she's the only one who I always know loves me. In other words, I love her!
Howard Parham
Best Man
Meet my Brother, my best friend, and now my Best Man Howard. Don't be fooled by the photo, he hates dressing up and posing for photos but that's what makes him awesome. Our lives have been an adventure that we have pretty much done together. From our days of stealing food out of the fridge as babies to late nights writing papers in college and now me giving him police escorts to work when he works nights (Why? Because we can), we have each other's backs. This guy will outwit anyone at a moment's notice and stands up for what's right. He also stands up for me. He has always been around to lend a helping hand and back me up when the going gets tough. So it's only fitting that he stands up with me as my Best Man.
Amaris Puerto
Maid of Honor
Amaris has been a great friend of mine for almost 9 years. She is the funniest and sassiest person ever. I have never met a person that is so organized and detail oriented like me. I love this girl to death and is always there for me. Amaris is not only my friend but is part of my family! We have shared some great memories with each other. When we were graduating high school she wrote in my senior letter that she will never forget me squeaking over Thor in a marvel movie. Also, Amaris had to clam me down because we were on a Ferris wheel and I was cursing like a sailor due to my fear of heights. She put up with me from cursing to squeaking nonstop but she loves me so much! She was made to my maid of honor! I would not ask anyone else to be my maid of honor!
Alvin Rhodes
Groomsman
This is the man with the plan and the Lord of the Land! (Inside joke) My step-dad, Alvin Rhodes is a blessing to my family and a role model in my life that came just in time. He is a talented preacher that always preaches the messages I need most. Some of his sermons include: "The importance of rotating your tires" "If you're broke, check your spending" and my personal favorite, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!" But no matter what he is always there to guide me when I need it and sometimes....Bail me out. He is easy going and his presence demands respect. He also has a glorious beard. I am honored to have this guy stand up with me as a groomsman.
Megan Lucente
Bridesmaid
Megan Lucente has been my friend for almost 10 years now. I love her so much that she's like family to me. I am so grateful that she came up to me in Biology class in high school to be her partner for a project. If it wasn't for her, I would not have to know the funniest, sweetest, loving person that I have ever meet. If I was ever down, Megan knew how to make me laugh. I would always laugh at Megan whenever she would scream if she got scared of something or was startled. Megan was the only person that I can go to get the most honest opinion from. When James proposed to me, I knew that I wanted Megan to be by my side as James and I said our vows.
Brian Matute
Groomsman
This is the coolest guy in the group and my closest cousin. He is a big time science man and when he and Gabriella get started talking about biology, only the sharpest minds can keep up. I guess I'm not that sharp because I have no idea what they're talking about. He and Clair are also best friends and it's not hard to see why. He is a good friend and you can always count on him. You can't not like him. He is the most interesting man in the world and the perfect fit for my groom party.
Clair Parham
Bridesmaid
Clair is the funniest and most chill person that I have ever meet. I am so grateful to have her as my bridesmaid and to have her as my sister in law. I feel like she is my sister even though we technical are not yet. She has been there for me and has helped me collect my thoughts. Clair looks and acts tough on the outside but is sweet on the inside.
Adam Zane Gray
Groomsman
Zane is the perfect definition of what a friend should be. Zane is loyal, caring, and a great mentor. When we met, I couldn't help but think that Zane was in a class of his own. I thought that people like him just didn't talk to people like me. But Zane sees no barriers, and was always too classy to make anyone feel second rate. He was a great mentor to me, giving me the tools I needed to succeed. When you work with Zane, however, It always gets better than just a professional relationship. Today, he is one of my dearest friends. He is always there for me when I need him. On my special day, he'll be there again. It is my honor to have him stand with me as a groomsman.
Suzie Rhodes
Bridesmaid
Suzie is a super sweet, loving, funny girl. She will go above and beyond for her loved ones. I remember when I first met her she welcomed me with a big hug and was so excited to meet me. She was so happy to have someone to do makeup with and have fun shopping for hours. When I hang out with her, we become total goofballs and take a lot of selfies. I am so excited that she is my bridesmaids and soon be my sister in law.
Sharan Ravishankar
Groomsman
Introducing the future Governor of SC and "The tallest Indian guy you'll ever meet"-his words not mine, Sharan. We've been roommates, classmates, worked in Student Government together, and even watched sports together. For some reason, he still wants to be friends with me. This is the type of friendship that just comes naturally. Its the kind of friendship that causes two people to stand across the busiest street in downtown Columbia and do a weird synchronized dance without any cues or indication and nailing it perfectly. Much like Zane, he is always there when I need him and I can't wait to have him stand up with me on the perhaps the best day of my life. Just get ready to see some strange stuff.
Patrice Mole
Bridesmaid
For those who have not met Patrice, you will instantly love her! She is the most positive person that I have ever met. When I first met her, I was drawn to her lovable personality and knew that I wanted her to be my friend. Also, I knew that I would want her at the altar with me and my other bridesmaids. Whenever we hang out together, the boys say that the world is going to explode due to our cuteness overload.
Anthony Sarti
Father of the Bride
One thing you need to know about Anthony Sarti is that he is very loud and talkative. The reason why he's like that is because he's Italian. He is a very funny and charismatic man and you will never forget him once you meet him. He is the best dad in the world and always has been there for his family and friends. I love my dad with all of my heart!!
Elizabeth Rhodes
Mother of the Groom
I always tried to be my mom's right-hand man in times when it was just her and us kids. I took this on freely, but mama always found a way to keep my childhood a childhood after all. While battling finances, earning an education, raising 3 other kids, and dealing with family drama on all fronts, she found a way to give me the best life she could. By God's grace, she broke countless chains to show me what a Godly woman should be like. I never saw another one like her until I met Gabriella. Growing up is bitter-sweet, but I know she wouldn't have it any other way.