The Wedding PartyThe Wedding Party
Sydney SmithSydney Smith
Maid of Honor
Sydney is the friend I met later in life but also the friend that gets me like no one else does. Sydney and I first met in October of my sophomore year at Clemson at a church bonfire. We didn't become the Tori & Sydney you all know (and love) until that spring semester. Let’s just say there were some forces working behind the scenes trying to keep us apart (clearly, their efforts were in vain, hehe). On a random Sunday after church, I asked Sydney to go to a Clemson baseball game with me and the rest is history. Syd and I have been pretty inseparable ever since that day. Someone we love once described Sydney as "champagne" and I can't think of a better way to describe her personality. She is bright, bubbly, and fun. She is the person you want beside you on all your very best days and the person you want in your corner during your darkest hour. She will make you laugh so hard your belly starts to hurt (much like too much champagne will do). Syd is human sunshine. She lights up every room she walks into and her laugh is contagious. I cannot say enough about the person and friend she is. Sydney Louise, thank you for knowing me and loving me. Thank you for how you always show up for me. Thank you for being my best friend, my platonic soulmate. I am so honored to have you as my Maid of Honor as I marry the love of my life. I don’t know how I got so lucky to find Syd... but I do know I wouldn’t want to do life, or this moment, without her right beside me.
Samuel SloanSamuel Sloan
Groomsman
Samantha CaffreySamantha Caffrey
Matron of Honor
I met Samantha during my very first week of high school, when I joined the Athletic Training Student program. She was the head Athletic Trainer and I was an awkward, brace-face 14-year-old, just looking for a place to belong. Pretty quickly, Samantha took me under her wing and taught me all there was to know about taping ankles, standing wide on the sideline, and navigating life in general. Over the years, Samantha has become one of the most important people in my life and one of my very best friends. High school was not always easy for me, but Samantha was the person who kept me grounded and sane through it all. She has been my biggest confidant, an outstanding role model, and my voice of reason. Any one who has been lucky enough to know Samantha, knows how truly special she is. Words simply cannot do justice to how much she means to me and my family. She has held me up during some of my lowest lows and kept me humble during some of my highest highs. Whether it's driving the gator under Friday night lights, searching for ice pops at CCMF, or being delirious in the streets of Belgium, I can always count on Samantha to match my crazy and support me no matter what. There is no one else in this world that I could imagine being my Matron of Honor on one of the most exciting days of my life. I truly would not be who I am today without her, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds for our friendship.
Chase RumensChase Rumens
Groomsman
Ashley GreeneAshley Greene
Best Woman
My Sissy. My first best friend. My role model. Ashley was 10 years old when I was born, and despite the age gap, we have been incredibly close for most of my life. It didn’t start out that way, though. According to Ash, she was perfectly happy as the only child in the house and started plotting my adoption before Mom was even out of her first trimester. And when I was finally born? She was far more interested in the plate of spaghetti the L&D nurses brought in than in meeting her new sister. But then, she held me for the first time and everything changed. She so naturally stepped into the role of big sister, protector. For as long as I can remember, Ashley has been my fiercest protector, my loudest cheerleader, and my truest friend. Through every high and every low, I’ve always known one thing for certain: I have my sister in my corner. And that has grounded me more times than I can count. But more than that, Ashley has been a constant in every season of my life. She has known me through every phase, every version, and every growing pain, and she has loved me through all of it without hesitation. She is the person I look to for guidance, for honesty, and for the kind of unwavering support that only a sister can give. Asking her to be my Best Woman was the easiest decision of my life and I cannot wait to marry my next best friend with my first best friend by my side.
Nikolas NovakNikolas Novak
Groomsman
Madison KramerMadison Kramer
Bridesmaid
My sweet Madi Loo Hoo. Let's talk about the invisible string theory for a second. Our parents had been friends for years and always talked about getting their girls together but between our busy schedules and one year age-gap, this well-talked about plan never came to fruition. Then came the Spring sports season of 2018 when Madi joined the athletic training program. Our sideline jokes and snack runs quickly became late-night bonding and basement sleepovers filled with laughter. She was the missing piece I didn't know my life was needing. Our parents were right all along. Madi and I were two peas in a pod and got so close, so quickly it was almost scary. There is nothing Madi wouldn't do for the people she loves. She has known so many versions of me over the years and has loved me through it all. Madi is the person you call to bail you out of any bad situation (although in our case a phone call is usually unnecessary because she is right beside me). Madi is fiercely loyal, endlessly supportive, and the kind of friend everyone hopes to have but few are lucky enough to find. Mads, you have been one of the most constant, steady presences in my life. I am so lucky that invisible string led me straight to you, and I am even luckier to have you standing by my side on my wedding day.
McKinley JonesMcKinley Jones
Groomsman
Chelsi BaileyChelsi Bailey
Bridesmaid
Chelsi May. My sunshine girl. We grew up down the street from each other and one of my favorite parts of growing up was getting to do it alongside her. Then one day she was brutally ripped away from me in the middle of the night (her family relocated to Florida for her Dad's job) and at 15 it felt like our lives were over, forever. Lucky for us, the distance only made us closer. The endless FaceTime calls, bi-annual flights, and constant life updates were worth it because here we are, over a decade later, as close as ever. I cannot imagine the person I would be if I hadn't had Chelsi by my side. I have never met a more dedicated friend, more empathetic soul, or more genuinely beautiful person. Her sense of humor is unmatched and she is always down for an adventure. Chelsi brings so much light into my life. No matter the distance, no matter the season, she has always been a constant. She has always been someone who shows up, loves deeply, and makes everything brighter just by being herself. Chelsi, I am so grateful we grew up side by side, and even more grateful that we never grew apart. I couldn’t imagine this day without my sunshine girl right there with me.
Dai Dai TabronDai Dai Tabron
Groomsman
Briana SingletonBriana Singleton
Bridesmaid
Bri is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We first met in fifth grade but that is not when the friendship started. In fact, we were arch nemeses circa 2012 (Bri and my elementary school BFF had a major crush on the same boy, so naturally, 10 year old girl code said we did not like Briana!) That all changed the summer before 6th grade. A mutual friend invited us both to a pool party with a group of girls getting ready to start at Riverside Middle. The rest is history. We became inseparable the rest of that summer and into middle school. Where B was, T was not far behind, and vice versa. Over the years, Bri and I have changed and so has our friendship, but one thing has stayed the same. Our mutual love and respect for one another has stood the test of time (and high school drama)! Bri has a heart of gold and being her friend has truly made me a better person. At 14 years old, we made a promise that no matter who the boy was, we would be in each other’s weddings. Now, over a decade later, we are making good on that promise and I could not be more honored to have Bri standing by my side.
Emmitt HallEmmitt Hall
Groomsman
Karrah RiceKarrah Rice
Bridesmaid
What started as a friend of a friend of a friend, quickly became one of my favorite people in the world. At Clemson, Karrah and I had had plenty of mutual friends, and we were always cordial in passing, but it wasn’t until one random night at Douthit that we really hit it off. Something that Karrah and I have in common is that we can be a closed book to strangers. Perhaps that is why it took us so long to finally get to know each other. In a crowded room, Karrah is the person I look to for peace. She is the friend that never drains my social battery and always gives more than she takes. She is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. She is intentional in the way she cares for people and thoughtful in everything she does. Karrah has a quiet strength about her that makes you feel safe, understood, and completely at ease just by being around her. She is steady, genuine, and the kind of person who shows up in all the ways that matter most. Karrah, I am so grateful for the friendship we have and for the calm, constant presence you bring into my life. I truly could not imagine this day without you standing by my side.
Dale HallDale Hall
Groomsman
RipleyRipley
Ring Bearer
Our very best boy. Our Ripper Butt. If you know me, you know Ripley is the most important thing in my life. My heart beat outside of my chest. I brought him home during one of the darkest times in my life, and in so many ways, he saved me. Then TJ came along and has been the perfect dad to Ripley every day since. Watching the two of them together is one of my favorite things in the world. So of course, it only makes sense for Ripley to have a role in our big day. He’ll be making his way down the aisle toward us as we say “I do”, and we’re just hoping he makes it there without losing the rings. Be prepared for the most handsome ring bearer this world has ever seen (and yes he will be wearing a tuxedo).
Kinsleigh MerrittKinsleigh Merritt
Flower Girl
David LittleDavid Little
Usher
My law school bestie! David is the friend I didn’t know I needed but that I am so lucky to have. The trauma bond that we have from 1L year is no joke, but somewhere between cold calls, stress spirals, and way too much time spent together, he became such an important part of my everyday life. He’s the one who listens to all my nonsense without judgment, always has the best advice when I need it most, and somehow knows exactly what to say to keep me grounded. At the same time, he’s also the first to hype me up and go along with whatever I’ve decided we’re doing next—even if that means willingly embarrassing himself at a Pilates class with me. He’s been there for every high, low, and chaotic in-between moment, and I truly don’t know what I would have done without him. I am so grateful for our friendship and couldn’t be more excited to have him be part of such a special day.
Aden HarringtonAden Harrington
Usher
Although Aden is technically my baby cousin, he has always felt more like a brother. Ever since Aden was born, we have had a special bond—growing up side by side, spending hours playing Super Mario Bros Galaxy, and finding our own little world in the middle of all the chaos. With such a small (but very crazy) family, we’ve always found a sense of peace in each other, and that’s something I’ve never taken for granted. We’ve been through every phase together—from cringey Halloween costumes to somehow surviving being college rivals (Go Tigers, always!). No matter what life looked like, Aden has always been someone who makes everything feel lighter, brighter, and better. Aden is one hell of a fighter and one of the most resilient people I know, and even though he’s four years younger than me, he has always been such an inspiration in my life. I’m so proud of the person he’s become and the strength he carries with him every day. I am so grateful for our bond and couldn’t be more excited to have him be a part of our day.
Shelby KromerShelby Kromer
Officiant