Shayla & Rian
Wedding Party
Tiona
Maid of Honor
My baby, my button, mamma! Words cannot describe what you mean to me. I love you so much. You know that there is no one in this world I would go harder for. I’d slap a heifer for you. From the day you were born, I knew I had to protect you and help guide you as you grow. Hopefully I set some good examples. From changing your diapers, to cussing you out for falling asleep brushing your teeth, to driving you all over God's creation, to moving into this next chapter of growing up together, I’ll always be here loving you and supporting you on your journey. You have become such a genuine and beautiful woman inside and out, and I’m grateful that I’ve been here to see it all. Thank you for taking on the responsibility and task of working with the difficult person I can be (especially being pregnant lol) and standing by me as my maid of honor. I know you’re kind of grown now, but you’ll always be my baby…at least until your face grows up. I got you for life boo!
Raunte'
Best Man
THE BEST MAN AKA Taye Taye AKA My brother from the same mother AKA my little big brother!! Words can’t express how much love I got for you. We’ve got way too many memories for me to write out. You’ve been there for my lowest of lows and highest of highs. You were there on 11/17/88 when I was born, and you were the one who gave me my middle name (Alexander). You were the one who stood up to your childhood girlfriend and told her not to pick on your little brother and that you were the only one who could do that haha. I love watching you as a husband and father because that’s true love at its finest. From following you when I was little, borrowing your clothes, and playing jump the chairs. To now adulthood and you being my best friend, business partner, and the man, I can count on to always have my back through thick and thin. I’ve always looked up to you and watched you pave the road for me to follow throughout these 33 years of life. We’ve been through so much and I couldn’t ask for a better person then you to be my best man. Batman and Superman until the wheels fall off!!
Sara
Bridesmaid
Sah, you are my oldest friend. We’ve been in each other’s lives for almost 20 years at this point and your friendship has always been special to me. Out of everyone, I always felt like you were the one who knew me the most. You sat with me outside as we planned our lives away, and even indulged with me when I thought I was psychic. You’ve even held my hand through some of the toughest moments in my life. Without the survival of our friendship, I might have never met the man of my dreams. You and Chris played a pivotal role in the development of who we have become today. For that, we are forever grateful. There are so many memories we share together, and I can’t believe we are finally sharing our memories of weddings together this year. Thank you for standing by me.
Raphael
Groomsman
We’ve been friends since the 10th grade, so you know we got stories for days!! From making moves in that old school Mercedes (Shhhh… don’t tell nobody ** in my Pops voice**) to driving up to New Jersey for your tryouts with the Jets. You were the friend Shay said I couldn’t go out in the streets with because she knew what single Raph was on. Well, that was before you met your beautiful wife haha. My parents even call you one of their adopted sons. My pops doesn’t just let anybody in his house but for Raphael the doors are always open. Now look at us, we are fathers, you’re a husband and I’m a soon to be husband, and still brothers from another mother. Raph you already knew what it was when I told you I was getting married. I say this all to say I couldn’t complete my wedding day without Mr. Amey by my side. From high school to adulthood, we la familia for life.
Maria
Bridesmaid
Riiii! Where do I start? You and me have always had that kind of bond that can go the distance. I honestly don’t even remember how you came into my life, but since I’ve let you in, you have always been my biggest cheerleader. Supporting me (even when I’m wrong lol), and ready to cut anybody who hurt me or got in the way of my happiness. You’ve always been the friend that’s ready to go on sight. Your bold and unapologetically you and I love you for that. It has made me smile seeing how far you’ve come since those middle school, hot headed, irrational days lol. Now you’re a bomb mother, a hype auntie, and one of the sappiest loving friends I could ever ask for. From hard as nails to soft as cotton, I love you and can’t wait to continue to see you grow. Try not to cry all your make-up off and make me cry all my make-up off on the big day!
Shelton
Groomsman
Sheltonious is what I call him! You’re not only my business partner but my brother for life. We crossed paths during our high school years through AAU basketball. I remember this guy hacking the mess out of me at Freedom High School during an AAU tournament. I swear I was ready to fight. Fast forward a few years and we were cruising up to New Jersey on a 3-city tour supporting our brother Raph in his pursuit to make an NFL football team. Fast forward some more years and we are partnering up with New Life and pursuing our MBA together. I can say we’ve been in the trenches together. Throughout all this, you have truly become family to me. I appreciate all we have been through, and I thank you for standing next to me as I begin the next chapter in my life. “I Am My Brothers Keeper”
Shannon
Bridesmaid
Ahhhhh! Nannon! Man oh man. You know, you’re one of those people that I also can’t remember how we became friends friends. I think it might have sparked in that one Spanish class in high school. Then we had that one friend (whose name we shall not mention) that really brought us into the fold. At least that’s how I think it happened lol. You have always been one of my most dependable friends. Although your Scorpio personality ducks you off in the cut sometimes…when I call you’re always there. Being supportive, lending an ear, and being the most non-judgmental person I could ask for. You have been one of my biggest secret keepers, and for that, I could never thank you enough. Seeing you grow into a great mother and multi-faceted entrepreneur over the years has been everything, and I can’t wait to see what else the world has in store for you. Thanks for listening to all of my rants, never judging me, and making it to this milestone in my life to stand by me. Your friendship means everything.
Chris
Groomsman
The man, the myth, the legend! I first got to say thank you brodie. If it wasn’t for our friendship, I would have never met my beautiful wife to be. It was your house I was heading to when I first saw her in 711. I remember asking you, “who’s that?” and your response was, “that’s Sara’s best friend”. The rest was history. When it comes to me and you, and our friendship, we got some stories to tell. When we first met, we instantly clicked, and you instantly became one of my brothers. I remember making CNU moves and sleeping on your couch in Melrose. Definitely some good times I must say brodie. Thanks for standing next to me as I embark on this next chapter with my beautiful bride.
Kayla
Bridesmaid
The Kayla Shayla show has never been produced, but IT IS THE GREATEST SHOW COMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU! For anyone who has come into contact with you, they know you are such a beam of light. You are honestly one of the only reasons I made it through this medical school journey, and probably one of the strongest factors in helping me hold my relationship together. If it had not been for you coming up to me on the plane landing in St. Martin for the first time, I probably would’ve turned right around and went home that same semester with no friends and no degree. From the similarities in our names, to attending the same undergrad at the same university at the same time and not knowing, to being inseparable…God knew what he was doing when he brought you into my life. You have helped me grow mentally, physically (when I had the strength to run with you in the mornings lol), and spiritually. That is something that I cherish so much, and all of the reasons why you have acquired such a large space in my heart. I love you Dr. Sweeten, you always make my life a little sweeter and brighter. So on a day like this, I am so glad I’ll have my ray of sunshine by my side.
DeVon
Groomsman
My Guy!!! The Godfather to my children!! You have no choice but to be by my side on my wedding day. You were the little brother I wish I had. Just like my actual brother, you have seen me at my lowest and at my highest. We got that friendship to where if we didn’t talk for a year and then I hit you up, it would be like we never skipped a beat. I remember the first time I met you we were at a party and the whole party was trying to come at you and I told you I got you. That still holds true to this day, and I know that goes vice versa. I remember you telling me you were nice at cutting hair and I told you I’d let you cut my hair but if you jack me up, we are throwing hands. You definitely were nice which is why you became my barber all throughout college. I could go on and on with all the memories, but I’ll just sum it up by saying, we ride together, we die together, brothers for life. Thanks for being the true definition of a friend and brother.
Christen
Bridesmaid
Girl, girl, girl. We have some stories to tell! You’re the friend that I have had the most adventures with. So much so that Rian says he would be worried if I left the country with you. He thinks we might get into some trouble and make some wild decisions lol. But even with as wild as things can get, you are the best at creating a vibe, a look, a memory, and that’s why I love you. From high school cheer, to the scar on my chin from us refusing to retire, to the fashion consultant/stylist/designer that I actually pay now….the sky is the limit. I know you haven’t even scratched the surface of who you’re going to be in this world, and I can’t wait to bear witness. Thank you for choosing to stand by me because lord knows I need my stylist that can fix any look in any bathroom in any venue (inside joke lol).
Craig "CT"
Groomsman
Out of all my groomsmen, I’ve known you the shortest, but we’ve built a friendship that is for life. You are one of my bride’s oldest and dearest friends, so I knew you’d be protective an ask me on New Years my intentions for your friend. I still stand by what I said that night. I hope that I have shown you that I love her and will cherish her as long as we both shall live. I’m happy to say you got not only a friend for life but also a brother for life. I want to say thank you bro for not only being a great friend to Shay but also standing by my side as one of my groomsmen as we embark on this new chapter in our lives. Here is to many more years of us holding purses, playing video games, and taking shots while our women go into the bathroom and take pictures while simultaneously changing up their different outfit looks.
Nnenna
Bridesmaid
Nnenna! I love you friend. I’m glad you passed that interview back in 2019 that Kayla put you through to join our friendship lol. Honestly, when you came into my life, I didn’t know how much you would grow to mean to me. You have been an invaluable part of me since we met. You’ve guided me spiritually, understood parts of me that no one else could (cause their birthday isn’t basically the same day as mine lol), and lifted me up in ways that you probably didn’t even know I needed. To have you by my side means the world to me. Having someone who looks out for what you need, and prays for you without question is rare. You are probably one of my strongest prayer warriors. I have watched you blossom into an independent, strong, beautiful woman and I can’t wait to continue to see where you’ll go and where we will end up together. On a day that is monumental for my hubby and I, we will need all of your strong faith and prayers. So I couldn’t thank you more for being there for us on our special day.
Madisyn and Mason
Junior Bride and Junior Groom
Madisyn: Boo Boo!! Daddy and Shay love you!! Your cuddles are so infectious, and your smile lights up the room. You are the sweetest most caring little girl we know, and we love how great of a big sister you are even though at times you can take advantage of your big sister status with Mason, but we know Marlee will be the exception. We are excited that you get to be a part of our special day and we can’t wait to see how beautiful you look in your special dress. Mason: Mase Mase!! You are super smart, quirky, and tell some of the best knock knock jokes around. Your so cool every kid in school wants to be your friend. You are the best little brother, and we know Marlee will be lucky to have you as her loving protective older brother. We know you’ll bring all the swag on our special day, and we can’t wait to see how handsome you’ll look in your special suit. Daddy and Shay love you!!
Micah
Ring Bearer
Micah: Nephew!! Uncle Ri and Auntie Shay can’t wait to see you do your thang with one of the most important jobs of the day! Honestly, the job was yours the day you became my one and only most handsome nephew. You’re just a bundle of joy so I know you understand the job assignment and will bring all the cuteness to this special day. We love you and can’t wait to see you walking down the aisle with our precious cargo.