Shirlynn Brownell and Cedric Fortson's Wedding Website

Joycelyne "Meuna" Peak

Matron of Honor

Best Friend! This story starts in 2nd grade in DeKalb County. My "clique" didn't like hers. Then 3rd grade happened. Walked in and saw her in homeroom and noticed she was wearing tinted lip gloss. Only the elite girls' moms let them wear tinted lip gloss so I knew she couldn't be THAT bad. One day we got in trouble and had to miss recess (which was fine since no one picked us for their teams anyway), and have been inseparable since. Through all of life's phases: getting our licenses together, Friday nights at Golden Glide, 3-way phone-calls, falling out with any "third member" we tried to add, Glenwood Days, lots of bff/sister fights, etc., Meuna has been the definition of staying "ten toes down" since we were 8. I can't think of anyone I would rather have by my side as my Matron of Honor.

Denell A. Davis

Maid of Honor

Denell is my cousin and I really don't remember how we met. I just remember her showing up at my parents' house one summer like every other child in the family, and here we are lol! My "Snapped" marathon partner, in the trenches passing the same $20 back and forth until pay day partner before we got "good jobs", nail painting buddy, singing Beyonce together in the car until our tears turned to laughter, the creative to my analytical, and the best secret keeper in the universe (no, really. Denell is a vault), no one is more loyal than you. Also. Everyone thinks you're so sweet, but you've mastered nasty-nice lol! I am so honored to have you as my Maid of Honor.

Tenezee Johnson

Bridesmaid

Tenezee is another cousin, my "favorite cousin" to be exact, and I've known her the longest (since I was 4) out of all my bridesmaids. You know those "when your favorite cousin arrives at the family function" memes? That was our childhood in a nutshell. There was hardly a time growing up that you saw me and didn't see Tenezee. We were a package deal. Thank you for always cleaning up for me, letting me cry and not judging, and introducing me to Nickelodeon. My favorite thing about you is I get to be my best and worst self with you always. It does me no good to wear a mask or pretend because you know me so well. It's been such a joy having you by my side through all of my major life moments, and I can't wait for you to stand with me as I say "I do."

Ebonee Jordan

Bridesmaid

Ebonee is my college best friend, and I don't know how I would've made it through without her. We've watched each other blossom into womanhood together, and it has been such a blessing. In fact, it was the birth of her daughter that led to Ced and I meeting. God had a special plan for this friendship all along. From going natural together (like three different times), to late Athens and Atlanta nights, the stories we could tell are endless. Thank you for staying on the phone with me for hooouuurrs, having one of the biggest hearts I've ever encountered, fully trusting that I'd always figure things out, being the responsible one (just grown), and for always being mad for me ;) You are an amazing friend, and I'm lucky I get to walk down the aisle and see you standing there.

Tiffany Henderson

Bridesmaid

Tiffany is my high-school bff, and the original Puerto-Rican princess. In 9th grade we discovered we were both from the Bronx and we've been inseparable since (but we’re still Southern belles). You’re always my voice of reason. You’re also the most dramatic person I know and it's a good thing I'm not a crier b/c you are emotional enough for both of us :) But that's one of the things I love about you: you remind me to feel and take things in. You've always provided me a safe space to just be me. From our teenage sleepovers, to our young adulthood prayers, constant laughter, late nights out, and sitting at Juniors eating cheesecake laughing and crying for hours, some of my favorite and most important memories include you. I cannot wait until you're a famous actress so that I can be rich :)

Melinda Sims

Bridesmaid

Melinda is another one of my best friends from college/my spiritual sister. All good Atlanta stories start at Waffle House, so of course that's where we met. But we are both know-it-all's so it took us a bit to warm up to one another :). We've supported each other through so many of life's phases, and have constantly served as each other's mirror as we've navigated womanhood. Thank you for praying endlessly with me, being emotionally awkward with me, sitting on FaceTime with me as we both completely ignore each other and do w/e it is we were doing prior to getting on the phone, for being my reading buddy, and for psychoanalyzing people with me. PS-I finally forgive you for spilling water all over my laptop the night before my Spanish final exam.

Stephanie Williams

Bridesmaid

Stephanie is another cousin-sister I grew up with. My favorite memory with Stephanie is how she'd stomp her feet when someone made her upset :) Stephanie you are always so genuine and one of my biggest supporters since we were younger. There is literally nothing you wouldn't do for those you love, and I've enjoyed watching God bless you as a result. Thank you for always having my back, always being willing to lend a helping hand, and always prioritizing family above all-else. We laugh together, get on each other's nerves together, and pray for each other. You are the definition of what a bridesmaid is made of: sassy, supportive, puurty, and selfless. Thank you for agreeing to stand by me on my wedding day. As long as you promise not to stomp your feet when walking down the aisle! ;)

Precious Nicol

Bridesmaid

Precious and I are first cousins (our mothers are sisters), so that makes us sisters. I am so glad God led you down to Georgia to stay with us. Having you around, I never worry about my parents because I know you love them just as much as I do. Thank you for being a great sister, for always being there when I need you, and for laughing with me when I'm being my usual crazy self. You are the definition of beautiful from the inside out and I have truly enjoyed growing up with and creating memories with you. I know how much you hate the phone, so thank you for being responsive throughout this whole wedding planning process. I can't wait to share my special day with you.

Emma Mahn

Bridesmaid

Emma is my cousin-sister. The first time we met at ~11 years old, we got into a fight. Then she came to live with us and I couldn’t believe my parents moved the enemy in! But the "enemy" became one of my best friends and I’m glad we got to grow up together. From getting our hair done every other Friday, to her convincing me to try out for bball even though I didn't have an athletic bone in my body, to her convincing me to try out for track and me discovering I liked it, Emma was one of the best live-in cousins ever. Thank you for getting in trouble with me, always making me laugh, and for being a great "big sister." I am so proud of the woman you've become. Your wedding was one of my absolute faves, and I hope mine can be the same for you. I won't make y'all wear BAPS hairstyles though ;)

Tomah Gboyah

Bridesmaid

Tomah is my first cousin and I am so excited to have her as a bridesmaid. I will always remember Tomah as being our grandma's baby. Tomah is one of the funniest people I know and has always found a way to make everyone around her smile whether they wanted to or not. True to the personality of the women in our family, she's resilient, and just a little crazy ;). Thank you for being a bridesmaid and standing by my side on my special day, sis!

Randi Mason

Bridesmaid

Randi is one of my best friends and I cannot wait to put her in a color other than black on my wedding day :) Randi and I met years ago through work, and bonded over our shared zodiac sign (what's better than a Libra?), and our inability to make any decisions as a result. She's the only friend I've stood in two states at the same time with and if that doesn't warrant her being a bridesmaid then I don't know what does. But seriously, Randi would give the shirt off of her back for her friends, she has a way of assuring you everything will be ok, she's my sounding board professionally and personally, and she always wants the best for those around her. Thank you for listening to my crazy ideas and never judging. I am so thrilled that I get to share my special day with you.

Tarloh Brapoh

Bridesmaid

Tarloh is (another) cousin-sister. Our favorite shared memory is me taking a chicken bone out of her hand when we were toddlers because I wanted it instead (only child syndrome). Tarloh, thank you for laughing with me, being another daughter to my mom when I’m not around, and for always always being so generous with everything you have. Nothing is too good for you to do for others, you have a heart of gold, and I’m so blessed I get to have you stand with me on my wedding day!

Lauvinia King

Junior Bridesmaid

Lauvinia is my little cousin (there’s a lot of nepotism going on in this wedding). She’s the sweetest child you ever did meet. Smart, the youngest of four, but certainly holds her own, helpful, responsible, and an overall joy to be around. I can’t wait to have her with me on my wedding day.

Maddison Brownell

Junior Bridesmaid

No one takes big sister duties more seriously than my Maddi, so of course she’ll make a great junior bridesmaid. She’s smart, intuitive, responsible, and she’s always eager to lend a helping hand. Did I mention she’s my first niece? Of course she gets to be in the wedding!

Alayna Brownell

Flower Girl

The engagement party was Alayna’s trial period at flower girl and as you all can see, she passed with flying colors. She got juice wasted with us beforehand, and played her role as money collector for Aunty afterward. What else do you need from your flower girl?!