Tessa & Darren
Wedding Party
Greg Vallin
Father of the Bride
Tessa's dad, Greg, will do the honor of walking her down the aisle accompanied by the couples' dog Martin. There are never enough words to express the deep gratitude and love that Tessa has for her father. Ever since she was a little girl she has always looked up to him and aspired to be as kind, honest, and supportive as he is. He is fiercely protective of Tessa and always wants the best for her. When Darren asked for Tessa's hand in marriage he was sure to make sure that Darren understood what marriage means and show him just how protective he is of his daughter. Greg gave his blessing without hesitation and has grown closer to Darren as time has passed.
Kris Vallin
Mother of the Bride
Kris, the mother of the bride has done nothing shy of a miracle in raising all three of her children to be the kind, compassionate, and intelligent adults that they are today. Words fall short when attempting to express the level of love and gratitude that Tessa has for her mom. Kris has been a guiding light in Tessa's life and always encourages her to do what is best for herself. She was an easy yes when Darren asked for Tessa's hand in marriage and can't wait to see how the rest of their lives shape up.
Patrice Scott
Mother of the Groom
Patti, the mother of the groom, is one of the most loving people in the world and has done an exceptional job of raising an amazing man. Patti has been Darren's number one cheerleader and a stable rock for him throughout his life. Darren and Patti have an extremely close relationship and always have each others backs. Their relationship has proven that, just like Patti, Darren is good to the core. Patti has been the strongest most wonderful influence on both the bride and the groom, and there are not enough ways for the couple to share their gratitude and love for her and all that she has done. Patti will be walking Darren down the isle.
In Loving Memory of Kent Scott
Father of the Groom
On this cherished day, we remember the ones who are no longer with us in person but are always here in spirit and heart.
Cassidy Vallin
Maid of Honor
Cassidy is a bright light in everyone's lives, as the sister of the bride she has been present throughout many stages of the couples' relationship, even when she was not in the same state. Cassidy is a professional Circus Performer and has been in various states over the last two years performing for thousands of people in lead and ensemble roles. Tessa and Darren are so excited to have her standing with them on this momentous day.
Bridger Vallin
Ring Bearer
Bridger is Tessa's older brother. He has been one of the biggest and most involved people in the brides life since she was a sophomore in college. They have a unique relationship that took time to grow into a blossoming friendship in addition to being siblings. Bridger has continually shown up for Tessa over the years and now has become close friends with Darren as well. He is a smart, kind, supportive brother and will be the couples ring bearer accompanied by the couples dog Leonardo.
Carrie Jeffers
Bridesmaid
Carrie and Tessa met in 2021 through a mutual friend. Immediately after meeting they both knew that this was a friendship that would last a life time. Carrie is the most kind and supportive friend and has always been there for Tessa even through some of the most difficult times in Tessa's life. Carrie is one of a kind and loves spend time with her husband and two dogs, Bubba and Bauer.
Bethel Lindsley
Bridesmaid
Bethel has been an integral part of Tessa's life for the last 10 years. The two met through their shared love of the circus arts and partner work. They have performed together all over and have kept their bond strong throughout the years. Bethel is the owner of local contemporary circus company named Circus Foundry and has provided Tessa and Cassidy with many performance opportunities as core cast members. Bethel is courageous, compassionate, and continually in pursuit of the next big opportunity for not only herself, but her company and over a dozen local performers.
Andrew Hill
Bridesman
Andrew has been one of Tessa's closest friends for the past 10 years. Like others in her bridal party, Andrew and Tessa met through their shared love of circus arts and performing. While Andrew was living in Colorado Andrew and Tessa performed in numerous productions together and grew closer over the years. Andrew some what recently moved to Chicago to pursue a career in physical therapy. Though no longer in the same state Tessa and Andrew have remained close and supported each other as their careers have evolved and grown. Andrew is one of a kind and both the bride and the groom can not wait for everyone to meet him.
Marissa Vallin
Bridesmaid
Marissa and Tessa became friends shortly after Marissa started to date Bridger, Tessa's brother. She has been an extraordinary girlfriend, fiancé and wife to Bridger and an extraordinary friend. Marissa kindly invited Tessa to live with her in a challenging time in Tessa's life and has been a close loyal and kind friend ever since. Marissa is incredibly smart and works for Lockheed Martin as an engineer. She has grown immensely in the time that the bride and groom have known her and can not wait to have her stand with them.
Nathan Brown
Best Man
Darren and Nathan first met in 2014 while working together at the Apple Store. They started to become friends shortly after Nathan invited Darren to a weekly "Martini Night" after their work shift. They discovered they had a mutual adoration of music, comedy, philosophy, and live sports that deepened their friendship very quickly. Since then, Nathan has been present in Darren's life in an extremely consistent basis, with their amassed text word count rivaling the length of War and Peace. Nathan has also been a large presence in Tessa and Darren's relationship and a wonderful friend to Tessa individually, as well. Nathan has an incredibly large heart and Darren is extremely lucky to have him as one of his closest friends.
Tim Anderson
Groomsman
Tim and Darren first met in Junior High in a band class in small town Ohio. After Darren was demoted from 1st chair in trumpet down to 13th in a matter of weeks, he moved sections to his truer calling as a percussionist, alongside Tim. They truly began to get closer during Freshman year of high school, with many a night spent playing Magic: the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons. Since then, their friendship has endured even though they live thousands of miles apart and they've somehow managed to meet in person on some kind of trip at least every couple of years. Tim's friendship has and will always mean so much to Darren as it's truly a beacon of life-long friendship.
Matthew Butler
Groomsman
Matt and Darren first met on Craigslist.. No, seriously.. Matt and Darren both responded to the same Craigslist ad, which was a posting from a new homeowner seeking roommates for his first house. Matt and Darren lived together for four years and shared an incredible amount of laughs during that time. They both knew that their living arrangement wouldn't last forever but their friendship would. Matt is one of the kindest people that Darren has ever met and he's so incredibly grateful to have such a loving and kind friend coincidentally drop into his life. He and Darren have grown as close as family and there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other.
Brett Cordova
Groomsman
Brett and Darren first met when Darren responded to Brett's Craigslist ad looking for roommates in 2015 (refer to: Matthew Butler's entry).. Brett, Matt, and Darren all lived together for four years and shared an overwhelming amount of great times filled with belly laughs, Halo, and Taco Bell. Throughout that time, Brett and Darren have grown as close as family, with each being in the others' weddings, as well. Brett has been an incredible voice of reason to Darren during times of difficulty in his life and is a friend who always truly wants the best for him and furthermore pushes him to be his best. Darren is incredibly grateful to have fallen in with such a wonderful friend and values their friendship more than words can fully express.
Justin Vann
Groomsman
Justin and Darren first met in 2008 while working at Best Buy in Fresno, California. Coming from small town Ohio, Fresno was a bit of a culture shock for Darren to put it lightly.. Justin helped Darren adjust and, frankly, survive his time in Fresno. While Justin and Darren came from very different points of origin, they saw a lot of each other in themselves and bonded over shared 'nerd culture'. They had plenty of all nighters watching anime together and playing video games. More than anything, however, the word that can most easily describe their friendship is "loyalty". While Justin now lives in Nashville and Darren in Denver, no matter how much time has passed nor how many miles are between them, Justin and Darren always pick up the phone for one another. A true "ride or die", Darren is incredibly fortunate to be able to call Justin one of his closest friends.