Chandler & Joseph
Wedding Party
Arianna Richard
Maid of Honor
Just like couples have soulmates, friends have soulmates too. Arianna is mine. She knows me better than most, can make me laugh and smile at ANY moment, and pushes me to be my best. Ari has been there during the best and worst times. When I felt alone and broken, she was there. When I was on cloud nine and thriving, she was there. I could type a novel about Ari, but since I only have 800 characters, I'll leave it to this. No matter where we are on the planet, whether we're in the same room, or on separate continents, we will always be there for each other. Distance, time, and the trials of life don't have a chance at separating us two. She's my very best friend forever, and I'm the luckiest bride to have a friend like her right beside me when I marry my other best friend. Love you, shpoon!
James LaRoux
Best Man
You could say James and I were an unlikely pairing of friends... After a surprise in my TXST dorm contract forced me into on-campus housing a year longer than anticipated, suddenly I was to be assigned a potluck roommate who would be an incoming freshman (something I wasn't). I remember telling myself, "It's only for a year. You can do anything for a year." Turns out, James and I were a perfect match, which became apparent as we almost instantly started having a lot of fun and the deepest introspective conversations. We've been on a plethora of adventures together since, and I can honestly say I've never had a more thoughtful, perceptive friend. Nobody is a better listener than James, and nobody can make me laugh like he can with his unique mix of intillect and wit.
Lauren Bennett
Bridesmaid
Lauren and I met in Sunday school when we were in 3rd or 4th grade, and she was the only reason I actually looked forward to it every week! We went to her house for our first playdate, and by the time that was over, we had emptied a whole bottle of shaving cream into her mom's bathroom and got an ab workout from laughing. We've clearly been a dynamic duo since the beginning.. I'm surprised her mom ever let us hang out again, but thankfully she did, and we've been best friends ever since. She's my sparkly cupcake mouse and she is fierce, stronger than you can imagine, and the best friend. I struck gold by having her in my life for so long. When we were young, we would joke that fate brought us together because we met in a church...and I still believe it!
Bradley Graham
Groomsman
Brad's probably the most outgoing, hospitable, fun person I've ever met. My first impression was that this was one cool dude. Turns out, he and I share a lot of values and gelled almost instantly as freshmen in the same dorm. Nobody gets me out of my comfort zone like Brad. Many of my greatest memories & accomplishments can be attributed to Brad having encouraged me to do something I probably would've skipped if it weren't for him. For example, he influenced me to go get some free BBQ at a Sigma Chi rush event (something I wasn't interested in at all), resulting in us getting bids & completing pledgeship together. The bond forged through this shared experience is something I'll always cherish. Being around Brad's intense loyalty, humility, & "say yes" attitude has made me a better person.
Rebecca Prater
Bridesmaid
It all started with a cupcake at Sigma Phi Lambda recruitment. The minute I met this girl I loved her energy, but when I saw how she ate a cupcake like a sandwich (by putting part of the bottom on top of the icing), I knew we were meant to be Big/Little. She is gorgeous, genuine, kind-hearted, and so passionate about things she loves. I will always treasure living so close to her, our Taco Bell runs/binges, and all the countless times we laughed until we cried. I love her to pieces and am so glad to have her with me on the big day!
Dominick Reed
Groomsman
I'll never forget that Dom was the first person to talk to me at TXST. From his room across the hall, he poked his head out & invited me to check out a song that he was producing. I just so happened to also be super into music production at the time. The rest is history. Fast forward several years from that moment & we'd been through some of the craziest, exciting, challenging experiences together. Much of my personal growth is thanks to Dom. I love nothing more than when we're passionate about something & put our heads together. Nobody gracefully finesses an opportunity like Dom. I've always admired his charisma & ability to handle stress with a smile. He's one of the few people who I know would truly be there for me, and I'm honored to call him one of my best friends.
Madison Gunkel
Bridesmaid
I have spent more time in the car with this girl than any other human on the planet. Madi and I met through our major and Phi Lamb, and we were randomly chosen to fulfill our student teaching in a town 1.5 hours away from Stillwater. That means 3 hours of driving...every...day. I wouldn't have wanted to be in the car with anyone else. Madi has the sweetest heart, and we had such a fun time roadtripping for a semester. I'm so lucky to have her by my side on my wedding day!
Gerrit Choate
Groomsman
Truthfully, when Chandler & I started dating, I quickly realized that Gerrit's friendship & respect aren't easily earned. It took some time before he started to open up. This is a guy who keeps his inner circle small & protects those in it with fierce loyalty & thoughtfullness. Feels pretty dang good to be on the other side! He's one of the hardest workers I've known. I respect the hell out of his perseverance, having watched him overcome obstacles that would've crushed most. His grind often inspires me, & I have no doubt he's destined for success. Watching him play football has been one of the coolest things I've experienced in the last couple of years. I'm honored to have this goofy lug by my side on my big day, & can't wait for all the fun, wild stuff we'll do together in the future.
Tre Hall
Bridesman
It all started with yogurt cheerios. Tre and I had been locker buddies for years in middle school before we ever really talked to each other. One day someone offered me yogurt cheerios during a break, and when they walked away he looks at me and says, "Yogurt Cheerios? That's white people sh*t." We both laughed and the rest is history. Tre is a hard working, dedicated person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting and music, and has landed major roles on shows such as Criminal Minds, Ten Days in the Valley, and Lethal Weapon (just to name a few). On top of all that, he's an incredible friend who has been there for me since the beginning. I'm so excited to have my cupcake standing with me on my wedding day!