Anna Kate & Preston
Wedding Party
Lauren Tenpenny
Maid of Honor
Lauren prides herself on being Anna Kate’s very first best friend. The two have lived a lot of life together over the past twenty-one years! They accompanied each other through the dark ages of middle school fashion, bravely allowed the other to drive them to school while they were learning how to drive, and forced each other to attend every social event hand-in-hand. Lauren also prides herself for being present the very first night AK and Preston started dating. Lauren took it upon herself to pull AK into the bathroom of the L&N STEM Academy to let out a proper scream after Preston popped the question. She has waited her whole life to stand next to Anna on her wedding day, so this is kind of a big deal.
Kendyl Nicely
Bridesmaid
Kendyl is the younger sister to the groom, Preston. Therefore, one could say she has known him all her life. She considers him to be a great bother—-I mean brother. As the only sister to two brothers, she is excited to gain a sister-in-law. She first met Anna Kate while touring STEM for the first time in 2014. Preston made sure to introduce her to Anna Kate that day out of all his friends, calling her his good friend. Now, she considers herself lucky to call Anna her good friend as well.
Emma Blackburn
Bridesmaid
Emma is the very first cousin, enneagram twin, and co-coffee connoisseur of Anna Kate. She might even argue that she’s Anna Kate and Lauren’s “extra” sister. She couldn’t be more excited about Anna Kate and Preston’s big day. Emma, Anna Kate, and Lauren have been practicing their weddings from the time Lauren could walk, so it’s surreal that it’s finally Anna Kate’s actual time to walk the aisle to join her dream guy in marriage. She is excited to gain Preston as another cousin, and is looking forward to watching the many adventures that Anna Kate and Preston embark on in their love story.
Lily McKee
Bridesmaid
Anna Kate & Lily met on a warm September day after being placed in a small group together their first year of college. They quickly became friends & have been growing closer ever since that day. They have taken cross-country road trips, slept in the same tent/small cabin room/full size bed, met each other’s families, & have now lived together for 2+ years. They have celebrated together in joyous times, wept together in the most difficult times of each other’s lives, & go over the mundane of every day. So basically, they were each other’s first husband (sorry Preston) In all seriousness, Lily would truly not be the person she is today without Anna Kate. She is one of her greatest blessings. May God be praised every single day for bringing them together as lifelong friends & loyal sisters!
Abigail Frazier
Bridesmaid
Abigail has had the glorious pleasure of calling Anna Kate a best friend for almost 5 yrs now! It all started when they were anonymously paired to be in a core group. She believes it was the Lord knowing just how sweet & important this friendship would be. Now, she has also been able to share a home with AK for 2 yrs, traveled the country with her, had lots of movie nights, had many deep conversations full of tears & laughs, & has shared a friendship that will continue to grow & strengthen each other. Abigail had heard about Preston for over 2 yrs...she built an idea of him to be this outgoing, intentional, & incredibly kind man. When she finally met him, he exceeded all of her expectations! Goodness, she loves these two so much and cannot wait for this sweet marriage to begin!
Brittany Lockwood
Bridesmaid
Brittany has been friends with both Anna Kate and Preston for about two years! Anna Kate had the distinct pleasure of living across the hall from Brittany in Chattanooga, where they both attended college. They joyfully bonded over shared taste in music, pizza toppings, and acts of service. Brittany has taken it upon herself to take charge of Anna Kate’s movie education, and is incredibly grateful to now have Preston’s lifelong assistance. Brittany would describe Anna Kate as an evergreen friend. Evergreen trees are always green; they have leaves in all four seasons. Much like these wonderful trees, Anna Kate is always a friend. Brittany is so excited to stand next to Anna Kate and Preston on this day, and all of the ones to come.
Emma Gibson
Bridesmaid
AK & Beanie have been close friends for about 2 years now. They met in a fateful roommate situation where complete strangers became bridesmaids & go-to sistah’s. AK has selflessly pursued Emma in a Christ like manner for years with notes, gifts, & quality time. She would also have a lot less laughter and support without Emma’s challenging and non conventional antics as well. They shared the experience of living together, running a half marathon together, and watching each other grow up and see God’s goodness in each others lives. It’s been one of the biggest gifts to Emma to this day to be able to stand next to such a beautiful, gentle, driven young lady on her special day. Emma believes AK and P-weezy deserve the world and will never stop influencing people with their wisdom and kindness.
Grayson Northern
Best Man
Grayson and Preston initially met in their freshman dorm, although they did not hit it off until the following year. The two shared a mutual friend who went on to become Grayson’s wife. The three of them commonly referred to themselves as “the squad,” as they spent many nights each week studying together. Whether they were trying to camp on the Bluffs or getting cheesecake for no reason, they always find ways to enjoy the moment. Grayson and Preston have always found comfort in solid counseling together through difficult times. Grayson sees how God has used Preston and Anna to complement each other and is honored to stand beside the two on their special day!
Isaiah Nicely
Groomsman
Preston Nicely is my brother. Tiffany nicely is our mother. We are best bros. And sometimes he takes my clothes. Preston Nicely is an amazing dude. And his fiancée is never rude. He is old and getting wed. This is all that needs to be said. Isaiah is the brother of the groom Preston. He first met Anna Kate at the STEM llama race and thought she was pretty cool. The more he got to know her the more awesome he realized she was. Preston has taught Isaiah a lot of lessons in life and although they are different that doesn’t mean that those lessons count any less. Isaiah thinks that Anna Kate is an amazing person and that Preston is a great brother and an even better man.
Daniel Sylwestrowicz
Groomsman
Daniel and Preston got to know each other during a third floor dinner outing to Canes. They soon started attending TRECS workout classes together and by the end of the school year became close friends, attending the same church family group. Throughout their college years Daniel and Preston spent countless hours discussing not only fitness and running but also the daily blessings and struggles in their walk with the Lord. Daniel met Anna Kate during a group trip to the Cummins Falls State park at the end of their sophomore year. He could instantly tell that Preston and Anna had a unique bond that would eventually lead them to marriage. Daniel is excited to maintain his friendship with Preston and Anna Kate as they start their new chapter of life together.
Joey Swann
Groomsman
Joey and Preston have been friends since the beginning of college, only living a few doors apart freshman year. Preston has sought out Joey’s academic counsel since day one being in many of the same classes from general chemistry all the way up to their final semester in chemical engineering. From the late night studies, to the post-exam lunches, to the Washington D.C trip, our friendship has only grown in love and laughter since the beginning. Joey is very grateful for Preston and Anna Kate. Joey’s family has also been very close with the Tenpenny family for three generations (!), which makes it very special to be able to stand with both Preston and Anna Kate on their special day.
Dinesh Velu
Groomsman
Dinesh and Preston have been close friends from the beginning of college, meeting each other during their 2nd week of classes. After seeing each other’s passion for medicine and engineering, their friendship was bound to grow infinitesimally. In 4 years, Dinesh and Preston have camped at Max Patch, spent late nights together studying, and along the way shared many laughing moments (both with and at each other). They’ve been there for each other during their darkest and brightest moments, and their experiences continue to intertwine their appreciation for one another. Dinesh met Anna Kate during the summer of freshman year and knew she was the perfect soulmate for his best friend. He has seen the love Preston has for Anna Kate and is EXCITED to stand beside them on this special day!
Hunter Beckham
Groomsman
Preston and Hunter met at a rafting trip with the BCM in 2017. Over time, Hunter began sitting with Preston in their punishing engineering courses. Through the toil of classes, snack breaks, and all nighters, Hunter and Preston began a friendship full of laughs (both with and at each other), game nights, food runs, and many other activities. Preston and Hunter have become brothers despite their short time of knowing each other - going through both good and bad times together. Both come with solid beliefs, intellect, and personality that look to make their relationship last for years to come. Hunter has also met Anna Kate and has seen how perfect she is for Preston. Hunter will always be an active friend for the couple, and he is extremely excited to be a part of their special day.
John Hill
Groomsman
Preston and John’s friendship grew slowly and organically from their first meeting. They met each other through mere academic proximity but quickly became ardent friends, finding mutual ground in their approach to life outside the classroom. John and Preston’s fellowship is marked with the sharing of the more regimental moments in each other’s day: walking to class and research. However, gardens grow in the same way; so imperceivably slow from start to finish, yet after a time one remembers the barren soil and marvels at the fruits of its life. Of course, this is true for all that Preston does, not only in friendships, but with the whole of his life. It is what some call Faith, specifically that kind of Faith which continuously reminds us of what we ought to do and why we ought to do it.
Richard Vuong
Groomsman
One day, Richard demanded that Preston be his roommate for the rest of college, kicking off one of the many defining memories in their relationship. Their shared passion for medicine and close-knit friend group brought them closer together since then. This relationship would eventually include Dinesh, who became the third pillar in an outstanding group of men. Those three would go on to spend sleepless nights studying for class and reflecting on their lives’ directions. Richard is confident that Preston will pursue his marriage with the same determination and commitment that he brings to every aspect of his life. Preston is lucky to have Anna Kate, and Anna Kate is lucky to have Preston. Of course, Richard is lucky to know both of them and is ecstatic to be a part of this wonderful wedding
Clay Hudgins
Groomsman
Clay and Preston met their freshman year living in the same dorm. Between debate nights, Panda-Caine’s runs, and Engineering classes they ended up getting to know each other. Clay’s friendship with Preston began to truly develop sophomore year as they began to spend time hanging out at the BCM and TNT (Thursday nights Together) and outside of classes. Despite Clay and Preston’s busy schedules, the two have managed to create a lot of memories through: late night conversations, adventures to Chattanooga, game night goofiness, and laughter at Clay’s amazing puns. Clay looks forward to cheering on Preston and Anna and continuing to build his relationship with them.