Sarah & Tanner
The Wedding Party
Jonah Murphy
Flower Girl
Jonah Murphy, age 5, is the sweet and spunky daughter of the bride’s lifelong friend, Karyssa Fleming. She loves board games, puzzles, and cooking shows. Her favorite book is How The Grinch Stole Christmas and she wants to be a librarian when she grows up. Karyssa and Sarah met in middle school and became fast friends. They stuck together through their emo phases, and, as a result, are soul sisters to this day. Karyssa is also the official hair stylist of the bride.
Claire Lafferty
Maid of Honor
Sarah & Claire are roommates and close friends. They met through a mutual friend while pursuing their undergraduate studies at Asbury, but really became friends when Sarah moved back to the Lexington area and they ended up at the same game night. They enjoy sister Saturdays and hanging out with their pets (a dog, Francine, and cat, Jackson, who are also best friends).
Bailey Lake
Bridesmaid
Bailey was roommates with Sarah's friend (and bridesmaid!), Mandy (Smith) Sharp. The three of them lived on the same dorm hall (shout out to Gamma Gamma - Second Glide!) During their freshman year, Sarah and Bailey connected and have been close ever since. Together, they've survived late-night study sessions and runs to Sonic, being caught in a riptide in red-flag conditions at Tybee Island, and the graduate program in Library Science that they're both pursuing. Bailey and Sarah will each graduate with a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Kentucky this summer.
Mandy Sharp
Bridesmaid
Mandy and Sarah met during their freshman year of high school at the tiny, Southern Baptist private school they both attended in Louisville, Kentucky. They became casual friends during their freshman year, but it seems like every year they grew closer. By senior year they were very good buddies and both were excited that they would be seeing each other's faces at Asbury University the following year. They lived on the same dorm hall for three years and then in the same 8-person apartment during their final year at AU. Sarah had the privilege of standing beside Mandy on her wedding day a few years ago. In addition to being in the bridal party, Mandy is a wonderful baker! She made the cake for the wedding through her company, Love + Butter Co.
Christiana Underwood
Bridesmaid
Christiana is the groom's sister and Sarah's future sister-in-law! Christiana always has a kind word to say about everyone. If you talk with her, you will come away encouraged and equipped with a story or two that just might help you handle whatever life has to throw at you. Sarah is so excited to have Christiana for a sister and is honored to have her standing by her side on her wedding day.
Taylor Underwood
Best Man
Having entered the world 15 months ahead of Tanner, Taylor has always been Tanner's older brother. They both spent much of their lives under the same roof learning the ropes of life, wrestling in the dining room, shooting absurd films, and being homeschooled together. Throughout the years, though physically separated by jobs, undergraduate, and graduate school, the two have remained close, continuing to process and discuss the developments that life brings as they enter each new phase. The choice for best man was obvious to Tanner, who is honored to give the title to Taylor.
Matt Wentz
Groomsman
Tanner and Matt met at the University of Kentucky English graduate school through a mentorship program designed to help new graduate students like Matt transition smoothly into PhD life. Throughout the last few years, the initial weekly check-ins and discussions of program eccentricities turned into regular conversation about the meaning of life, the strange subgenres of metal, and the shared (and also often strange) experience of teaching college freshmen. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been an unexpected obstacle, Matt and Tanner continue their tradition of beer and politics as Matt nears the end of his coursework at UKY.
Brad Cockrel
Groomsman
Brad and Tanner met when Tanner's family moved to a new ministry in Ottawa, IL. Being one of Tanner's earliest friends there, Brad quickly became a close friend and regular part of Tanner's life throughout junior high, high school, and undergraduate school. And being equally perplexed by what it means to be alive, Brad and Tanner shared many formative conversations about the Bible, apologetics, romance, and the various eccentricities of video games (of which they've played a lot in each other's presences). Tanner had the privilege of standing beside Brad during his own wedding several years ago and is now honored to ask Brad to do the same for his own wedding.
Ian Franciskovich
Groomsman
Ian and Tanner met through a Bible study put on by a local youth pastor in Ottawa, IL nearly fifteen years ago, though without any idea that they would eventually be good friends. As part of a close knit group of church friends, Ian and Tanner have shared many youth retreats, late night trips to McDonalds, and hundreds of hours on online first person shooters and role playing games. Brought together by a shared love of good food and drink, anime, classical music, and philosophy, Tanner is likewise honored to ask his friend Ian to stand beside him as a groomsman.
Mark Gaspar
Groomsman
Mark and Tanner met over fifteen years ago at a tiny Bible study for four and have been good friends ever since. Having shared many youth retreats and subsequent Bible studies, as well as having worked together both in retail and at a nursing home, Mark and Tanner have shared many life experiences. Whether it has been talks about adult life till 4:00 AM, midnight tennis, hours of tabletop games, or long hikes through the woods, Mark has played an important role in Tanner’s life, and he is honored to ask Mark to stand by his side as a groomsman.