Maid of Honor
Payton was my first best friend. Born less than 13 months apart, we were bound (forced) to be best friends. We played on the same teams, fought over the same guys (look at me now!), and even started working at the same company. Perhaps the only thing she didn’t copy me on was playing volleyball (the real sport) at Cal Poly. Most likely because she can’t physically fight people in volleyball, but still counts. Although we didn't go to the same school, I am glad we are both back in Dallas and living in the same apartment complex! Fun fact, she is one day closer in age to Matt than I am.
Best Man
Andrew, my younger brother, was my first best friend and is 1/3 of the Culver siblings. Unfortunately for him, he drew the short-end of the stick in the height department, but he’s likely the smarter of the two Culver brothers. We share a profound love for sports and I can always expect a text from him making sure I saw the latest news. He may have more useless facts than I do (hard to do), and he’ll happily give you insights into the current college sports season. He’s still trying to figure out how to beat me in Catan, I plan on keeping him in the younger brother department there for awhile.
Maid of Honor
And then Brayden was born when I was 2 1/2 and I had another best friend. My absolute favorite memory with Brayden is when she decommitted from UAB to come join me at Cal Poly. We even got to play on the same beach volleyball pairs team… until everyone realized she developed back pain from “carrying” the team. Since graduating, she also moved back home to Dallas and we now run the courts at the local adult league.
Groomsman
Andrew, also known as Sandy, is a great friend and someone that shares a love for the grill. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone with a bad thing to say about Sandy, he seems to become friends with everyone he meets. Sandy is an avid outdoorsman, he gives our friend group some grit and credibility as the only true hunter. Although he’d likely choose to wear a bolo tie down the aisle, we’ll hopefully get ahold of him before the wedding and have him on the same page as everyone else.
Bridesmaid
I met Brooke during my junior year of high school when we played for the same club volleyball team. I was new to the team and with her being a setter, I knew I needed to make sure we were friends. Turns out, she’s a pretty cool person too. Although I was unsuccessful in getting her to transfer to Cal Poly, we both moved back to Dallas after college and became roomies. We are two peas in a pod… we love working out, spicy margs, and trying to make desserts out of cauliflower. We tried to become Instagram influencers together, but sadly @Whole2Friends didn’t really take off. Unfortunately, I don’t think Matt’s stuff is going to fit into our apartment when we get married. Wonder where he will live?!
Groomsman
Cole is another college roommate, although I’ve arguably spent enough time with him in Tahoe to call him a post-college roommate as well. We quickly became good friends after meeting and often get asked by strangers if we’re brothers. I’m not sure why Cole still agrees to watch Niners games with me, but I’m thankful he puts up with, and often joins in, on my superstitions. I’ll always be grateful for the advice Cole is willing to share, and I’m especially grateful for our mutual love of Eatzi’s sandwiches. One day I’ll beat Cole in 18, but that day is likely in the distant future.
Bridesmaid
Courtney was my first best friend in Texas. We moved from Colorado my freshman year and if it weren’t for Courtney taking me under her wing, I would most definitely have been eating alone at lunch. My first day of volleyball practice, I showed up in tie dye spandex, a tie dye shirt, and tie dye socks and believe it or not, she was the only person that wanted to talk to me (probably felt bad). Luckily she gave me a chance (and a black pair of spandex) and we became inseparable. We were the twin towers that didn’t go anywhere without each other. Although I also failed at getting Courtney to transfer to Cal Poly, we both now live close to each other in Dallas.
Groomsman
Connor, also known as Chest, was my saving grace during Covid. My longtime workout partner, we bent the social distancing rules and worked out together every day. Connor was lucky enough to get his first taste of Dallas during “Snowvid”, he understandably might be a little hesitant to come back. Any questions about Tequila should be directed to Connor, he’ll give you an answer whether he’s right or wrong.
Bridesmaid
Maddie, otherwise known as Kub/my right hand woman, was the first person I met on the Cal Poly volleyball team. She was kind enough to let me and two other freshmen live in her living room for two months of Double Days. I most definitely overstayed my welcome but am forever grateful as it made us very close. She was the person I looked up to most on the team (and she was a setter 😊). In our prime, you could catch us drinking Patron and dancing on the tables at Martsons (which I expect the same behavior out of her at my wedding). Not only is she the greatest friend, but she is also my unofficial wedding planner.
Groomsman
Greg is all but a biological brother to me, and the groomsman I’ve known the longest. We met by chance at a Chinese restaurant in our hometown of 2,000 people, while both picking up food with our moms. A few weeks later he joined my club soccer team and we’ve been inseparable since. From spilling a smoothie on the carpet my first time at his house, to ultimately living together in college, I’ve shared most of my memorable life experiences with Greg. I look up to him in many ways, but please call him out if you see him on his tippy toes looking up to me in pictures at the wedding.
Bridesmaid
Rayann is Matt’s younger and only sister and a twin to Andrew, Matt's brother and best man. Ray was the icing on the cake…not only was Matt amazing but so was his family. When I first met Ray, I knew we were going to get along great because she had a One Direction cutout in her room. We became so close, that I am pretty sure I talked to her more than I talked to Matt. Our real claim to fame was our 300+ Snapchat streak. Although we no longer have our impressive streak, I can’t wait to have another sister!
Groomsman
I’m gaining a second brother in Mitchell, and hopefully relieving him from a life of only sisters. The first time I met Mitch, we ran a beep test with the Gruenewald family, and I knew I’d get along well with him. We had a true bonding moment when playing Quiplash and I’ve enjoyed attending our many Old Dominion concerts together. Mitch is currently a cadet at the Air Force academy, so please be sure to thank him for his service.
Bridesmaid
Shannon and I were both recruited the same year at Cal Poly. And believe it or not, she was a setter! Our friendship really blossomed on the beach court as we brought home the first-ever beach volleyball win in Cal Poly history (I suspect we will be Hall of Famers). Not only were we basically the Misty May/Kerri Walsh duo on the CP beach team, we were also roommates for three years (shoutout Mustang Village, Hope House, and the Hot House). We knew how to throw killer house parties (especially the Easter brunch that I wasn’t able to attend) and make a mean 3 pm cocktail. Lastly and most notably, Shannon was the reason Matt and I started dating. I told her I was a little nervous to date my freshman best friend but she pushed me to go for it. For that, I am forever grateful.
Groomsman
Ryan, also personally known as Big-J, was also a college roommate and the calming voice of reason my friend group desperately needed. Ryan thoroughly weighs all factors before a decision is made, and once used a spreadsheet to determine the volume of beer needed for a weekend at the lake. Ryan’s claim to fame is that he doesn’t get brain freezes, we’ll put this to the test with spicy margs in Texas.
Bridesmaid
We are the Taylors (jazz hands)! How can you not be best friends with someone that shares the same name as you? And is a setter? (last one I swear!) We were both recruits at Cal Poly and even though she was a year younger than me, we played against each other in club volleyball during high school. Good thing we both aren’t super competitive, so I am sure she is okay with me telling you that my team won 😊 And if we didn’t, I don’t remember. She also might be the one person who sweats just as much as me (and yes it’s a competition).
Groomsman
Ryan was a good friend and teammate of mine during our club soccer years, and eventually another roommate of mine at Cal Poly. It was tough asking him to be a groomsman, knowing that I’d let a better looking man walk down the same aisle as me. Nonetheless, I’ve shared a lot of highs and lows with Ryan and I’ll forever be in debt to him for taking on the resident barber role in college. If we’re lucky we’ll see an appearance by “Ronnie” on the dance floor, one of Ryan’s many alter-egos.