Michael & Kristine
Wedding Party
Robert Adams
Best Man
Robert is Michael's father and is serving as his best man. He has truly been Michael's best man during his life, as he is the man who has been there in Michael's life to support him during difficult times and to celebrate with him during good times (such as his wedding!). Robert also has served as a good example to Michael in how he treats people with respect, loves others, has a never give up attitude, and most importantly loves the God of the Bible. Michael is honored to have Robert officially be his Best Man as he gets married to Kristine. Robert looks forward to officially calling Kristine, "Daughter-in-Law."
Jam Browning
Matron of Honor
Jam is Kristine’s college best friend from the Philippines. They’ve known each other for 12 years and are inseparable. Jam is a dedicated SpEd teacher and is a loving wife to Joey. She has been with Kristine through her hardest and happiest seasons. In early October of last year, Jam and Kristine started going to church together at FBC-Columbia where Kristine met Michael through the Young Professionals ministry. Jam is like family and Kristine can’t imagine her wedding day without her. Fun fact: Kristine was Jam’s maid of honor for her wedding last year and this year, they swap roles!
Kaei Majors
Groomsman
Kaei Majors is Michael's pastor friend & member of Michael's Utah Family. During Michael's time in seminary, he was very interested in going on a mission trip to Utah. (Utah is a beautiful state but is a very spiritually lost place in the US). When Michael asked a fellow seminarian, whose dad was a pastor in the state, if she knew of anyone Michael could stay with in the Salt Lake City area, she connected him with Kaei. He, along with his family, gave Michael a free place to stay, but even more so, gave Michael friendship and mentorship. Before Michael and Kristine officially became a couple, Kristine had a phone conversation with Kaei to get his perspective on the type of man Michael is. Last April, Michael and Kristine took a trip together to Utah. As Kristine was contemplating whether she would want to serve alongside Michael in ministry in Utah, Kaei was there to help her process what a future life in ministry there may look like one day. Michael is happy and honored to have Kaei come all the way out from Utah to be a groomsman in his wedding in South Carolina.
April Adams
Bridesmaid
April is Michael’s only sister, so her and Kristine’s favorite past-time is pushing Michael’s buttons when they get the chance. She is First Baptist Columbia’s point person for all things social media and technology. April has been very warm and friendly from the moment Michael introduced Kristine to her. Anytime Kristine visits April’s house, she’s usually whipping up something delicious and homemade in her kitchen, tending to her garden growing all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and plants or taking good care of her kitty cat, Cleocatra. She is also incredibly giving and kind, and even if Michael doesn’t say it as much, she is an amazing sister. Kristine is so thrilled to be gaining a sister-in-law as cool, funny, and awesome like April!
Ryan Bayne
Groomsman
Ryan is one of Michael's good friends he met through the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at the University of South Carolina (USC). Michael's sister April was on staff at BCM and Michael had some involvement with BCM during that time. Ryan was one of the students there that Michael really connected with. Michael led a theology class/small group where Ryan was a regular attender. They also bonded over their enjoyment of the Gamecocks football team, Nascar racing, and other fun things. During Covid, Ryan was part of a small group that met with Michael to read the Bible, pray, and share life together. Last fall, Michael had the privilege of serving as a groomsman in Ryan's wedding. This coming fall Michael is happy and honored that Ryan will be serving as a groomsman in his wedding.
Julia Zamar
Bridesmaid
Julia, aka Justine, is Kristine’s first cousin. They’ve known each other almost their whole lives. Back in the Philippines, Kristine would spend her summers/school breaks in Dumaguete City where Julia and her would hang out, eating Potato Corner fries and singing covers of their favorite songs. They would talk about the future, their dreams, and prayers. Now that they’re older, they are witnessing each others’ dreams turn into realities and their prayers being answered. Julia currently resides in Upstate New York where she is a fabulous Medical Technologist by day and a sweet singer/pianist/artist by night. Kristine is so excited that Julia will be there supporting her and Michael on their big day.
Andy Knight
Groomsman
Andy Knight is a good friend from the church (Providence Baptist Church) Michael attended during his time in the Raleigh/Wake Forest, North Carolina area. One day Andy posted on Facebook that he wanted to memorize the book of Romans in the Bible and asked if anyone wanted to join him. Michael took Andy up on his offer. Although they didn't memorize the book of Romans together, it did lead to them becoming good friends. Early on as they were getting to know each other and hanging out, Michael mentioned how he was interested in visiting Utah (see Kaei Majors' bio). Andy got very excited and told Michael that he would go with him if he indeed went there. In 2011, Andy met Michael in Utah and was with him during his first mission trip to Utah. A few years later Michael had the honor of serving and being there with Andy at his wedding ceremony and is looking forward to having Andy serve as a groomsman and being with him as he says "I do" to Kristine in October.
Makenna Wilson
Bridesmaid
Makenna and Kristine became fast friends at First Baptist Church Columbia. Kristine and her both serve on the Praise team for Young Professionals Sunday School, and have a shared spiritual bond. Makenna is a sweet, gentle, and beautiful soul. She is one of the few people who intentionally reached out to make sure that a new comer like Kristine was welcomed at FBC-Columbia. Kristine is overjoyed that Makenna said yes to being her bridesmaid and is so excited that she will be standing next to her on the big day!
Daniel Noe
Groomsman
Daniel Noe is a good friend that Michael met at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) who hails from East Tennessee. They even lived in the same apartment during Michael's last semester attending SEBTS. Although Michael and Daniel certainly bonded over fun things such as football (they try to go to the annual South Carolina vs. Tennessee college football game together. This year it will be a week before the wedding...go gamecocks!!), professional wrestling (last year they went to Summerslam and Ric Flair's "Last Match" together in Nashville), but most importantly they bonded over their shared love and desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel has been a major support to Michael. During the month of June, Michael and Kristine traveled to Tennessee to hang out with Daniel and visit the Dollywood theme park. After the weekend together Daniel texted Michael (referring to Kristine), "You definitely got the right girl and I know God is going to bless your marriage indeed". Michael looks forward to having Daniel be with him as Michael says "I do" to that "right girl" aka Kristine.
Monica Pate
Bridesmaid
Monica is one of Kristine’s oldest friends. They’ve been college best friends since 2010 - 13 years in total! They also worked at the same Chinese Christian school together in the Philippines for a few years. One of Kristine’s favorite memories with Monica is when they both found out that they passed the 2014 National Licensure Exam for Teachers at the Manila Airport when they were on the way to Bangkok, Thailand for a girls trip. It was a wonderful celebratory adventure they will never forget. Monica is a dedicated SpEd teacher and is a talented businesswoman on the side. Kristine was also one of Monica’s bridesmaids when she got married to Andrew last year. She is so excited that Monica gets to do the same for her this time around for her wedding!
Billy Moody
Groomsman
Billy is one of Michael's good friends he met at his current church home, the First Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina. He is very good at hospitality and helping people get connected in FBC's Young Professional ministry. Billy is very good at being there for his friends. Billy has been very supportive of Michael in various ways in regards to Michael's pursuit of a good woman. Billy looks forward to continuing that support when Michael says "I do" to the good, Godly woman Michael wishes to marry, Kristine.
Emma Turner
Bridesmaid
Emma is the fiancé of Kristine’s cousin, Robert. Kristine thinks of Emma as family and whenever they hang out together, it’s always a good time! Kristine and Emma bond over Korean BBQ, thrift-shopping, photography, and so much more. They are kindred-spirits and Kristine is so happy to have Emma by her side as she marries the love of her life, Michael. (Ask Emma about her bridesmaid dress if you want to hear a really cool story!)
Bryan Mccaster
Groomsman
Brian is one of Michael's good friends he met during his time at Shandon Baptist Church. They have had some very long and fun conversations together. Once, Michael and Brian talked outside the parking lot at Shandon Baptist Church for so long, that Michael got a little sunburned! (But Brian didn't...for some reason). In the early days when Michael was trying to get to know Kristine, Michael was discouraged. The person he called to "vent" to was Brian McCaster. Brian told Michael that maybe it will be okay, and later that night Michael and Kristine had a 2 hour talk on the phone, and the rest, as they say, is history. In 2019, Michael received a very great honor from Brian. He got to be the best man in his wedding. Michael is happy and honored to have Brian serve as a groomsman in his wedding on October 7th.
Christina Castrodes
Bridesmaid
Tina is currently Kristine’s fellow colleague at Kershaw County School District and is also her neighbor in Camden. They both used to work at the same Christian school in the Philippines but their friendship had blossomed even more when Tina moved to the USA. The Lord allowed for Tina and her family (husband, Von and precious daughter, Sabine) to live in very close proximity to Kristine. They have been a source of comfort, safety, laughter, and even the occasional lumpia & pancit (Filipino egg rolls and noodles). Kristine is so happy to have Tina as her bridesmaid as she has become family to her!
Elliot Ward
Honorary Groomsman
Elliot Ward is Michael’s cute little baby cousin. He is the first-born son of Nik and Sara Ward. Baby Elliot will be 9 months old during the wedding and will be debuting as an honorary groomsman. He will not only be the youngest wedding guest but (for sure) the cutest and most dapper of all. Watch out for his very important role when he marches down the aisle!
Sabine Castrodes
Flower Girl
Sabine, aka “In-in”, is the only flower girl for Michael and Kristine’s wedding. She is a smart & spunky 7 year old and is so excited to be flower girl at the wedding. She has a wonderful fascination for all things airplanes, swimming, world maps, and so much more. She also loves all of her family and friends! Sabine is a wonderful addition to our very eclectic wedding party and will only add fun & cuteness to the bunch!