Bridal Party
Tricia Ratliff
Amanda's Matron of Honor
Sister • Built-in Best Friend • Life Guru If you've known Amanda for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard her talk about Tricia: her sister and her original ride-or-die since the 5th grade. She’s been there for every cringey haircut, questionable life choice, and dramatic over analysis that they both participate in. She's Amanda's life guru, her unpaid therapist (with a touch of judgment), and the keeper of way too many embarrassing stories, which she tells too freely and often. They are both type A, overly anxious, and obsessed with fantasy books, which means they regularly spiral together and then calmly make a spreadsheet about it. When she met Laura, Tricia immediately asked, “What are your intentions with my sister?”. Laura obviously provided a good enough answer (or we likely wouldn't be here today), but it really showcased the role Tricia has in Amanda's life. Tricia is typically the first person Amanda calls when something amazing or terrible has happened because her pride and/or wisdom means the world. They weren't really kids who dreamed about or planned their weddings, but they did always know it would be the two of them standing next to each other on the big day. Also, shoutout to her husband Austin, who was third-wheeled by Amanda for years and never once complained. Be sure to ask her about Amanda’s most embarrassing phase. She’s got stories locked and loaded.
Daria Arsto
Bridesmaid
Little Sister • Horror Queen • Resident Fashion Icon Daria is Laura's younger sister, but their bond runs deep. They’ve spent a lifetime navigating the same family dynamics, playing video games in their older brother’s room, holding cousin sleepovers, and playing house (where Laura was probably in charge and Daria just wanted to use her imagination). Daria is the more free-spirited of the two — a little reserved at first, but once you know her, she’s bursting with creativity, humor, and kindness. She is easy to be around, but always brings a level of fun that this old crowd needs to have around. She’s a dancer, a color guard alum, and the fashionista of the family, but don’t let the style fool you. Daria loves horror. She works at a haunted house in the fall, watches scary movies for fun, and delights in terrorizing Amanda with her creepy costumes and makeup. She’s smart, stylish, and endlessly beloved and we’re so glad to have her standing by our side. Be sure to ask her about her best Laura story or the next upcoming horror film being released.
Rachel Wolfe
Bridesmaid
Disaster Readiness Officer • Swiftie-in-Chief • Human Weighted Blanket Rachel was technically Laura's college roommate for just one semester, but if you listen to the stories, you’d assume they shared a dorm for four years and maybe also a childhood. Their friendship has that “decade-deep” kind of closeness, even though it started in a matter of months. Thankfully, Laura made sure Amanda got looped into the magic, and now Rachel is a real friend to both of them, with or without the college connection. Rachel is the kind of person who shows up fully and makes sure you’re fed, hydrated, emotionally supported, and possibly wrapped in a blanket. She’s the pair's favorite anxious planner, prepared for every possible scenario, naturally clued in to every incoming storm, and absolutely chronically online (in the most charming way). She has the best laugh, the softest heart, and has kept Laura alive on multiple trips with nothing but sheer determination. She’s also Amanda’s best Taylor Swift friend and their go-to dinner guest, movie buddy, and emotional support human. Everyone deserves a Rachel -Laura and Amanda are just lucky enough to have the original. Be sure to ask her about what emergency item she probably has in her bag… or which Taylor Swift lyric best fits your emotional state.
Allie Clark
Bridesmaid
Best Friend • Moral Compass • Playlist Curator Allie and Amanda met as freshmen at Texas A&M and have been inseparable ever since (shoutout to Camp Woosnam)! From on-campus shenanigans and college roomie nights to long-distance friendship when Amanda moved in with Laura, Allie has always been the calm to Amanda’s chaos, the steady voice of reason to every anxious plea, and the person who never misses a call. Soon into their friendship, Allie once stayed up all night at the library while Amanda wrote a paper. Really this showed that alone, Amanda probably would have finished it faster, but with Allie, it was a much more enjoyable ride. She’s been a designated driver more times than we can count, played tennis with Arsto before our love story began, and somehow still manages to be fully present in this wedding while planning her own for February. Allie is loyal, brilliant, and has let Amanda live out every birthday demand and now bridezilla dream with nothing but love (and maybe a tiny eye roll). She may be the quietest in the room, but she'll also be the first person to have a genuine conversation with you. Nothing is better than having Allie in our lives and a part of our story. Be sure to ask her about her sport opinions or how many diet cokes she has had that day.
Riley Welch
Bridesmaid
Gummy Cluster Co-Conspirator • Voice of Reason • Writer Extraordinaire Riley came into our lives through Allie and thank goodness she did. She’s grounded, wise, and always game for whatever wild plan we cook up (even when she should say no). She’s also planning her own wedding and still somehow manages to be one of the most thoughtful and generous people we know in this season. Whether we’re scheming getaway trips or plotting grocery store raids for Nerds Gummy Clusters, Riley is there with a smirk and the support we need to pull it off. Fitting into our group means a lot of comfort with couch-bed weekends, take-out food, and reality TV marathons, which Riley has become an integral part of (even if it means watching a show twice and providing needed commentary). She makes Allie happier, makes us all better, and is now officially part of our forever circle. Be sure to ask her about the worst paper she has ever graded or how her wedding went in February!
Wittley Ziehr
Officiant and Bridesmaid
Astronaut • Chaos Agent • Best Bad Influence Amanda and Wittley met through Fish Camp during Amanda’s senior year of college, and life has been louder, funnier, and a little more dangerous ever since. Wittley is the best bad influence anyone could ask for. The kind of friend whose stories are too legendary to print. She and Amanda co-founded a blog called Questions Big and Small in 2016 (some of you may be fans already). She and Laura instantly clicked, leaving Amanda in the third-wheel position and honestly? She’s fine with it. It is refreshing to have someone a part of our story who has the same significance to both of us. We have our own individual friendships with Wittley, but also a dynamic that works best when the three of us are attached at the hip. Wittley will also be officiating the ceremony, which guarantees it’ll be heartfelt, hilarious, and at least mildly roast-y. Be sure to ask her about the blog… or any of the many legally gray stories she won’t be sharing at the ceremony.
Emily Arkin
Bridesmaid
Support Queen • Storytelling Icon • Wittley Whisperer Technically, we met Emily through Wittley, but the real origin story probably starts with Amanda hijacking Wittley’s dating app and messaging Emily herself. (You’re welcome, everyone.) From that moment on, it was clear Emily was something special. Emily is thoughtful, bold, and so wildly supportive it feels like a superpower. She’s the kind of person who cheers for your dreams, holds you accountable to your worth, and somehow manages to be part therapist, part career coach, part style consultant and 100% real. She’s not a “yes man,” but she will make sure you feel like your best self walking into any room. She makes Wittley happier (and maybe a tiny bit less of a bad influence), and together, they fit into our lives and chosen family like puzzle pieces we didn’t know we were missing. Emily is funny, brilliant, deeply kind and if you haven’t heard her tell a story yet, just wait. It’s an art form. Be sure to ask her about her most recent chaotic dog story (she and Wittley share Stella and Otis who are beloved in our home) or just have her read you the ingredients off of any label. If Emily is telling it, its gonna be good.
Ericka Contreras
Bridesmaid
Joint Bride Bestie • Yap Partner • Certified Powerhouse Ericka is one of those rare friends who instantly becomes part of the foundation. She and Jacqueline met Laura and Amanda through the HTX Sapphics group in 2022 and have been double dating ever since. From ice cream dates to long walks and half-marathon training, everything this group does has a healthy dose of nonstop chatter. Ericka is, hands down, the hardest worker we know. She sets her sights on something and somehow gets it done before we've even made a to-do list. Alongside her incredible fiancée Jacqueline, Ericka has become a bit of a blueprint for us. Couple goals in motion. They got engaged before us, bought a house before us... but we’re technically getting married first, so we’re calling it a tie. More than anything, Ericka has helped make Houston feel like home. We’re so grateful for her steady friendship, her joyful spirit, and the way she has shown up equally for both of us since day one. Be sure to ask her how she manages to juggle 10 goals at once and still make it look easy
Jacqueline Tran
Bridesmaid
Wisdom Giver • Hurricane Hero • Biceps Enthusiast Jacqueline is one of those rare people who makes you feel grounded the moment you meet her, which we did through the HTX Sapphics group where she became a fast friend and a forever one. She's the one we go to when we need sage advice, clarity, or just someone to say, “You’ve got this,” and genuinely mean it. Honestly, we can’t think of a single thing we could ask her that she wouldn’t say yes to, including letting us move into her house when a hurricane knocked our power out. (Best emergency landlords ever.) Jacqueline has walked us through credit card points, high yield savings accounts, and held our hands as we went through the process of buying our first home. She probably thinks those things are small contributions, but we know we are better because we have her. She and Ericka have made an immeasurable impact on our lives and on our time in Houston. Their friendship has made this city feel more like home and more like community. For that, we’re endlessly grateful. Through all the ice cream double dates, yap sessions, and private debriefs, our lives are better and abs are stronger due to all the giggling. Also, Jacqueline is the fittest person we know. We recommend you ask her to flex at least once during the wedding weekend. It’s worth it.