Wedding Party
Kate Giddens
Bride
Kate grew up on a cattle farm in southern Georgia. She graduated and played softball at the University of Illinois. She works as a support team lead for an agriculture technology company based out of Lafayette, Indiana.
Tanner Brown
Groom
Tanner is from Homer, Illinois. He is a certified arborist for the City of Urbana and has a passion for Atlanta Braves baseball.
Mrs. Adrian Giddens
Mother of the Bride
Mrs. Giddens is the most wholesome woman you will ever meet. Doing for others way more than she does for herself. Her laugh lights up a room and she has always been a fearless protector over Kate. Kate couldn’t ask for a better mom to look after her and her older sister Emily.
Mr. Tim Giddens
Father of the Bride
Mr. Giddens is the salt of the earth kind of man. He respects hard work and dedication and has pushed Kate to become the woman she is today.
Mrs. Anita Brown
Mother of the Groom
Mrs. Brown is energetic, compassionate, and extremely loving toward her boys. She and Tanner enjoy bantering back and forth. However, “Nita” is always Tanner’s first call for both advice and for sharing good news. He is lucky to have such a great woman in his life as his mother.
Mr. Stu Brown
Father of the Groom
Mr. Brown is one of a kind. He is always up for telling stories, even if you might not want to hear them. 😉 He is strong willed and passionate about what he believes in and isn’t afraid to help take on any project Tanner and Kate might throw his way. The couple is beyond blessed to have a man like Stu in their life.
Emily Sanders
Matron of Honor
Emily is the sister of the bride. She being the overachiever of the two siblings- by pursuing her dreams of becoming a nurse practitioner. 👩🏽⚕️ The sisters are very different, not just in looks (Kate being her dad’s twin and Emily looking more like their mother), but in personality as well (Kate being more of a fly by the seat of her pants kind of gal and Emily always having an itinerary in hand). However, through the wedding planning process the girls found out that they were more in-sync than they ever imagined-sometimes even picking out the exact same things. Kate is so happy she has had her older, wiser sister to lean on throughout this process in addition to every other obstacle headed her way in the future.
Koby Brown
Best Man
Koby is Tanner’s brother that is closest in age. They are actually Irish twins, not even a full year apart. He has been Tanner’s best friend and role model since 1993. They might give each other a hard time, but Tanner couldn’t imagine his big day without his Best Man by his side.
Morgan McDade
Maid of Honor
Kate and Morgan have known each other since they were in pre-k together at John Milledge Academy. From age 4 to 18- they attended the same school, in the same grade. Although they are very different in likes and interests (Morgan a former cheerleader and Kate a former ball player), they have always been attached at the hip and complement each other quite well. The two girls bond over their shared stubbornness and strength. With that said, they truly have a bond that can’t be broken- even by distance. As soon as they reunite, they pick up exactly where they left off- laughing and smiling the whole way through. Kate couldn’t imagine going through her special day without Morgan by her side. 💕
Dylan Brown
Groomsman
Dylan is Tanner’s oldest brother. They enjoy talking sports and hanging out with one another. Dylan made Tanner an Uncle 4 years ago, which is one of his favorite titles yet. Tanner is more than proud to have Dylan stand up for him.
Myla Stacy
Bridesmaid
Kate and Myla met a few years back through mutual friends. However, in these past 2 years, their friendship has truly blossomed into something special. Myla, in addition to her family, has taken Kate in and treated her like family due to hers being so far away. The two girls enjoy playing slow pitch softball together, going on double dates, spilling the latest tea, as well as spending their weekends in the water at the lake/pool. If you see them out together, you would think they are sisters by the way they like to pick on one another- but it is all in clean fun. They no longer ride 4-wheelers with eachother, but that is a story for another time. 😜 Kate is so excited that Myla is standing up for her on her special day. ☀️
Keaten Kalk
Groomsman
Keaten and Tanner went to the same school growing up. He is always there when Tanner calls and is up for any challenge the couple seems to throw at him.
Siena Sandoval
Bridesmaid
Softball brought Siena and Kate together. They were teammates at the University of Illinois and eventually became roommates there as well. The two girls hit it off over inner-squad, dogs, and good food. Since then, they never looked back. Kate is so happy to have Siena there for her on her B1G day! 💍
Ed McComas
Groomsman
Ed and Tanner grew up in the same school system. Ed, just a “few” years older than Tanner. 😉 They knew of one another, but didn’t officially meet until after high school at a local tavern. They hit it off immediately and always have the best stories to tell. Tanner is happy to have Ed by his side.
Jenny Dillard
Bridesmaid
Kate and Jenny met at a birthday party in middle school. They hung out a few times here and there shortly after. Then, Jenny transferred to JMA- where Kate went to school. With the two of them being in the same class, they got to know each other very well and realized that they had a lot in common. From then on out, they were stuck like glue. From playing sports, to riding horses, to Kate’s first job, the two girls did everything together. Kate quickly became apart of Jenny’s family, with her mom allowing Kate spend the night at their house all the time. The girls have since moved away from their hometown, and are far apart, but when they are together- it is like time hasn’t passed a day between the two. Kate couldn’t imagine getting married without having her dancing partner by her side. 💃🏽💃🏽
Austin Skinner
Groomsman
Tanner and Austin met in grade school. Even back then, he was the life of the party. Tanner couldn’t imagine throwing his biggest shindig yet without having Austin there to see it through.
Lizzie Garmon
Bridesmaid
Kate and Lizzie met about 4 years ago through their significant others. Tanner and Wes had grown up together, from a very young age, and remained close through the years. One day, the two boys were hanging out- and that’s when Kate and Lizzie were introduced. In that moment, the girls hit it off. They share many similar life experiences and connected on that as well as their shared love for COWS. 🐄 Kate is so happy to have Lizzie in her life to lean on, especially on the day she is walking down the aisle! 👰🏽♀️♥️
Shay Fitzsimmons
Groomsman
Tanner and Shay met in grade school. Shay moved away from the Homer area and the two lost touch for awhile. A few years after high school, they reconnected and have been good friends ever since.
Mallory Brown
Bridesmaid
Mallory is Kate’s future sister in-law. She married Tanner’s brother, Koby, in 2021 with Tanner being their Best Man!🤵🏽♂️ Kate and Mallory met for the first time when Kate accompanied Tanner to a Brown family function in 2018. According to Mallory, the family knew even then that they would be planning for this day. Kate can’t wait to join Mallory as a member of the family!
Jared Wyant
Groomsman
Tanner and Jared have been friends since pre-school, where they met from being in the same class. From then on, the two boys have been inseparable.
Destiny Newlin
Bridesmaid
Kate and Destiny met working together on the University of Illinois Dairy Cattle Research Unit. Both on the 4am shift, they got to know each other quite well. The two girls bonded over shared struggles in the day to day and could be found deliriously laughing at one another 24/7. The two girls stayed in touch, even after Kate moved on to pursue another opportunity. Kate is so glad Destiny said yes to being there for her on one of the most important days of her life. 🧡💙
Brandton Baxter
Groomsman
Tanner and Brandton met in the 1st grade when the school system combined districts. They’ve been pals ever since.
Jordan Giddens
Usher
Jordan is Kate’s cousin. If you haven’t met him, you are in for a treat because he is one funny guy.
Evan Wilson
Usher
Evan is the younger brother of Brandton. Tanner has known Evan from a very young age, however, have recently been brought closer together through his friendship with Brandton.
Andy Giddens
Usher
Andy is Kate’s long distant “cousin.” They were friends throughout high school and have remained in touch ever since.
Pastor Brett Smith
Officiant
Pastor Brett and Kate met during her college tenure. She attended many of his sermons at University Baptist Church. She also played on the church’s slow pitch softball team. Kate is thrilled that Pastor Brett will be marrying her to the man of her dreams.
Millie Baxter
Flower Girl
Millie is the daughter of Brandton and Briana. She is beautiful both inside and out. Kate and Tanner are more than grateful that she will be a guest of honor as their flower girl.
Bennett Brown
Ring Bearer
Bennett is Tanner’s oldest nephew and the light of he and Kate’s life. They enjoy acting like dinosaurs and eating candy. 🦖🍫
Aubrey Brown
Flower Girl
Aubrey is Tanner’s one and only niece. Her smile lights up a room and the couple is extremely excited to have her in their wedding. 💕
Logan Brown
Honorary Ring Bearer
Logan is Tanner’s newest nephew. He will be a little too small to walk down the aisle. Nonetheless, Kate and Tanner would like to honor him on their special day regardless. 👶🏽💙