Wedding Party

Ashton Clabo

Matron of Honor

Ashton and Taylor Raye go way back to their roots at Red Bank High. They met the first day of junior year when Ashton was the new girl on the block. Taylor Raye knew immediately they would be besties. After law school, Ashton moved back to Nashville and married her college sweetheart, Jacob. Taylor Raye caught the bouquet at their wedding and it only took five years for her to be the next one to get married! From high school, to college, and post grad life where they just live down the street from each other, Ashton has always had Taylor Raye's back!

Kyle Eaton

Best Man

A co-member of the 7425 downhill roof ski team, Kyle is a fellow Seaholm Maple and has been friends with James since their run-in's at church. James had the pleasure of serving as Kyle's best man at his wedding with his lovely wife, Angel, in 2019. A graduate of the University of Michigan and distinguished Naval Medic, Kyle and Angel recently welcomed their first born, Emmaline, into the world and recently settled back in Birmingham, Michigan. Kyle has a knack for being the calm headed friend in the group, which has been ideal for James with wedding planning. He was the first of James' friends to meet Taylor Raye- visiting him in the summer of 2016 a month after they started dating.

Scarlett Senn

Bridesmaid

Scarlett and Taylor Raye met during Spanish class during our sophomore year at UT. Scarlett was the professor's favorite, where Taylor Raye was his least favorite. Their friendship grew when they had almost every class together during junior year. They eventually became roommates for their senior year. Scarlett probably saw the worst of Taylor Raye's dating choices. Thankfully that changed! Scarlett is quite the world traveler. Since graduating college, she has lived all over the country and even lived in Japan for a few years. Even though Taylor Raye and Scarlett haven't lived in the same city since college, their friendship has stood the test of distance and time. Her two little boys, Bowman and Peter, are also the ring bearers!

Matt Gallinger

Groomsman

A Seaholm Maple and Co-Captain of the 2009 Water Polo Team with James, Matt "G" Gallinger is one of those friends who you can never have a 5 minute chat with, because there is so much to discuss. A lifelong Michigan State fan and alumnus, G has also been a faithful GM employee moving all across the country but recently moving back to the Motor City. His loyalty at work stretches into his personal life as a true family man, and his friendships across the country. We're honored to celebrate with him standing by.

Caroline Krentz

Bridesmaid

Caroline is the "older" young sister to James. To be quite honest, Caroline and James look nothing alike. So much so, that Taylor Raye ran into them at a bar the day after her first date with James and thought he was on a date with another girl. Taylor Raye only retaliated briefly by burning her forehead on a curling iron month later. PROMISE it was an accident! They've come a long way since then. Taylor Raye is an only child so she is thrilled to be gaining a sister!

John Krentz

Groomsman

While John and James knew each other at Denison, their friendship and brotherhood grew post-college where John started dating his younger sister, Caroline. Now happily married, John and Caroline live in Chicago where James and Taylor Raye visit as often as they can. John and James share their passion to be as "not bad" at golf as possible. His calmness and straightforward attitude has been a fantastic addition to the family. As family is very important to the happy couple, James and Taylor Raye are beyond thankful to celebrate their special day with "Superman" being in the wedding party.

Emily Held

Bridesmaid

Emily is the youngest of James's two sisters and she is the funniest and wittiest of the three by far. Emily will win anyone over by her baking skills. Her sugar cutout cookies rival Debby Daniels's cutouts (if ya know ya know). Emily's visit to Nashville was the decoy of the engagement weekend. Taylor Raye is very thankful that Emily ensured her nails were done and not letting her wear leggings and a t-shirt to the park. Taylor Raye can't wait to gain not one but two sisters!

Alex Wood

Groomsman

A Seaholm Maple and Co-Captain of the 2009 Water Polo Team with James and G, Alex has been not only a grade school pal to James, but also fellow students at Denison where they were fraternity brothers and roommates. Alex, and his lovely wife (and fellow Denisonian) Parker, have been great friends to James and Taylor Raye over the years and have recently moved back to Detroit from Denver. Alex is one of those friends who is always willing to listen to you and happy to provide some insight if asked. He's a thoughtful friend and we're thankful to know the Wood family for some time!

Heather Derrick

Bridesmaid

Heather is like a big sister to Taylor Raye. They met when both of their future fiancés were playing rec-league basketball in the summer of 2018. Of of the entire team, they were the only two significant others that showed up to the games. Heather was the true MVP by providing snacks to "Who Dis" before each game. Heather and her fiancé, Clinton, are fellow East Nashville neighbors. Whenever both couples are together they cannot stop laughing or watching Love & Basketball.

Kevin Naud

Groomsman

Another fellow Denisonian, Kevin and James have been friends since they met their freshman year in Granville Ohio. Having just grown up a half-hour away in Ann Arbor, James and Kevin have remained close since and James is a better person for it. Kevin and his lovely wife, Sarah, have been great friends to Taylor Raye and James since the couple met in DC. They had a memorable weekend in Nashville with the future Held's in 2017 and haven't looked back. Kevin and Sarah recently moved back to Detroit in the fun neighborhood of Corktown- not far from Michigan Central Station.

Katherine Hodge

Bridesmaid

Katherine and Taylor Raye met when they were both members of Youth Leadership Chattanooga in high school. During the kick off retreat in the woods, they shared a bunk bed in an open air cabin. Fun fact, it absolutely poured rain that entire weekend and all of their clothes and sleeping bags were completely drenched. Not being able to sleep, they stayed up all night talking. Their friendship quickly blossomed and they became suitemates their freshman year at UT. Who would've known a weekend of awful weather would turn into a beautiful lifelong friendship!

Kurt Pederson

Groomsman

Another Nashville pal, Kurt and James met through mutual friends which eventually turned into roommates from 2016-2019, most notably in East Nashville. Kurt has been an incredibly generous friend to James and Taylor Raye and have made many memories on Stainback Avenue with his lovely wife, Mackenzie. Now they live down the street in a home of their own - which led to them fostering James and Taylor Raye's eventual first pet - Maggie! Originally from Naperville, Illinois, Kurt went to college at the University of Dayton, not too far from Denison. He's always up for a good dad joke, game of darts, and meeting new friends. Ohio roots run deep in this wedding!

Meredith Clifton

Bridesmaid

Ashton introduced her to Taylor Raye in college and they frequently hung out with the same group friends. Even though they moved to the same city after college, they wouldn't reconnect their friendship until Ashton also moved to Nashville after law school. Meredith was with Taylor Raye at the UT/Alabama game two weeks before James proposed. Taylor Raye tried her best to get Meredith to spoil James's surprise, but like the good friend she is kept a stone cold face ;)

Casey Mabry

Groomsman

James and Casey have been pals in Nashville since they were random roommates in East Nashville, where Casey joined James & Kurt in the Stainback House. It was a perfect match through a popular Facebook group "Nashville Rooms for Rent," which can honestly have gone either way. Since then, Casey and his lovely fiancée, McLaine, have been close friends of James and Taylor Raye and are better people for their friendship. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi and an Ole Miss Grad, Casey did the engagement photography for the happy couple. We're so thankful that he shared his talent with us - capturing James' good side after many attempts.

Morgan Sowder

Bridesmaid

Morgan and Taylor Raye also met through Ashton whenever cookbook club started in the fall of 2020. They became quick besties over yummy food and conversations that lasted until 2 AM (yikes!) on a week night. Morgan's only flaw is that she is a Vanderbilt fan. In all honesty, Morgan is one of the most caring people and has a heart of gold! She is also very happy that doesn't have to remind James of "sin, sin, sin!" now that him and Taylor Raye are engaged!

Merritt Boardman

Groomsman

What is there to say about Merritt? In addition to being a fraternity brother and roommate at Denison, Merritt has been a great friend to James and Taylor Raye since they've met, including some fun trips to Nashville and Burlington, VT, where he resides proudly. You can always count on Merritt for a good laugh and someone in your corner. Merritt's (technically second, if you could Spring Break 2013) time to Chattanooga will be one to remember!

Victoria Dearman

Bridesmaid

Victoria and Taylor Raye go way back to their all star cheerleading days at United. If you know the world of all star cheerleading, you know you're traveling almost every weekend to competitions. During this time, Taylor Raye and Victoria's families became extremely close. Since both families are not originally from Tennessee, they have spent many holidays (specifically Thanksgiving) together for the past sixteen years. They have grown up together and consider each other family.

Luke Walocko

Groomsman

A Seaholm and University of Michigan graduate, Luke has been a close friend to James. His presence around a bonfire, or evening out with friends cannot be taken for granted. In addition to his distinguished service as a Naval Pilot, Luke also shares some unique experiences having lived in San Diego and Las Vegas respectfully. That said, Luke has always made time for James and Taylor Raye, and we're beyond thankful for his role on our special day.

Bowman Senn

Ring Bearer

Peter Senn

Ring Bearer