Taylor & Jared
Wedding Party
Reilly Jerding
Person of Honor
My sib! Reilly is my built-in best friend who I have literally known since I was 18 months old! My mom used to dress us in matching outfits and everyone thought that we were twins...and now everyone thinks that they are the older one...lol. We grew up doing all of the same stuff--from ballet to theatre to digital art. We were even in the same class my senior year of high school and it was SO MUCH FUN. Our poor teacher lol. I'm so so proud of Reilly and I'm so grateful to have a sibling who is so loving and protective of me. I love that Reilly and I can literally tell each other anything and that we seek to understand and love each other even when we have differing opinions. Reilly is SO important to me and I'm so glad that they will be standing right next to me when I tie the knot!
Jacob Villarreal
Best Man
One good thing about having a brother so close to you is that it makes deciding who your Best Man will be much easier. Jacob and I grew up together only three years apart in age, so we went through everything at almost the same time, but lucky for me, I went second. I got to see how he did it all before I ever tried; I did orchestra and Latin club, attended UT, and even started dating my co-chair in Ignite after he did it all first. I was pretty privileged in that rite, and even more so since the example that I was following was from one of the wisest, strongest, most devoted people I know. I'm so fortunate to have a number of godly men in my life, but I'm beyond blessed to have grown up with one of them as well. I'm so excited to have him stand next to me when Taylor and I say "I do."
Caitlin Silvus
Maid of Honor
My bestie for the restie! We met freshman year of college when we came home from our first night of Bible study and realized we lived right across the hall from each other. We did not really get along (at all lol) at first, but then we both went through some pretty big life struggles and grew sooooo close. Caitlin is truly my sister from another mister. She has taught me so much about who Jesus is and who I am as his daughter. We have both changed so much throughout our friendship and we've gone through many highs and lows, but the Lord continues to bring us back together and shows us how to love each other deeper. I'm so thankful to the Lord for my bunk buddy and dear friend, and I'm so excited to have her by my side as I get married (and at my bachelorette party hehe).
Carlos Monge
Groomsman
Carlos is one of those people who just absolutely won't give up on you. We first met when I was a junior in high school, and he began to co-lead my Sunday morning small group with Tony (who was a seasoned small group leader at our church). I wasn't very big on change, so I was a little hesitant at first to get close with him. Despite my efforts, Carlos continued to seek me out and make time to get to know me, and eventually, I caved. I can't thank God enough for the friend and brother that he provided in Carlos. He has led me by example to love people fiercely and seek God's glory above all else. I was able to see him through into marriage as his Best Man, and now I am thrilled to have him see me through as well.
Jackie Luna
Bridesmaid
My gal!!!! Jackie was my roommate freshman and sophomore year of college and the first person to take me to a church in Austin through which I eventually met Jesus! Her friendship means so much to me--we have literally been through the good, the bad, and the ugly together. She has literally seen me at my very worst and forgiven me and loved me despite my mistakes. She is someone who I can literally tell anything under the sun to. I love our long walks and Chik-fil-a runs and our happy hour Sangria chats. She is one of the most honest and loyal people I have ever met in my life and the best co-cat mom ever. Jackie is so thoughtful and never fails to make me feel loved and celebrated, and I'm so glad to have my forever sister by my side while I get married!
Hudson Hopper
Groomsman
I first met Hudson as a camper in Ignite. He wasn't in the same camp as me or anything, but he just hung around us, and if I'm being totally honest...I thought he was a tool. But I got to know him a little better since we lived in the same dorm, and eventually I came to realize that he wasn't a tool, he was a HUGE tool. Just kidding. For the past few years living with Hudson, we've had many conversations that have majorly challenged us to push our faith in God as far as it can go. We've been able to walk together through some really difficult points in our lives, and through those times, we've seen each other become more like the men God has called us to be. I'm honored to have Hudson on my side.
Alaina Ruckman
Bridesmaid
Literally my sister!!! I know I've said this for everyone...but it's true!! We met when she was a camper in the camp that I co-led with Jared, Caitlin, and our friend James (shoutout Home Alone!). Alaina and I stayed up until like 4 a.m. on the last night of camp talking about life and God. I didn't think we would hang out very much after that, but then on the first week of school she called me and asked me to drive her to an appointment. She ended up having to go every week, so we got to know each other pretty well, and eventually started reading the Bible together! Alaina is not only the first person I ever discipled, but also one of my very best friends, and I'm so excited to have her by my side at my wedding!
Charles Goode
Groomsman
I met Charlie at Ignite as a camper, but we actually didn't talk much freshman year. I would've considered him one of my acquaintances at most, but I had no reason to think I would get to know him at all. The following year, however, things worked out so that he and I shared a room together, and it was then that we grew close as brothers. From our love of late 90's post-grunge music, to our inexplicable obsession with Little Caesar's, it has always been the little things that have brought us together and bonded us. I can't exactly articulate what Charlie's friendship means to me, but I think that's part of the reason I value it so highly. I was lucky enough to stand with him at his wedding, and it's my privilege to have him standing with me at mine.
Ashlyn Stavinoha
Bridesmaid
Y'all I freaking LOVE Ashlyn!!! She was one of my first college friends from my missional community and she's one of the most hilarious people I have EVER met!!! But my most treasured time with Ashlyn is probably when she, Caitlin, and I were all COVID lockdown roomies last summer. We literally bonded so much through the struggles of quarantine, Whole30, and a moth infestation (don't ask lol). Ashlyn has literally challenged me SO much to see things from the Lord's perspective and has also taught me so much about what it means to host others and find truest joy in the Lord. I love this lady so much and I'm so thankful she is going to be walking down the aisle with me!!!
Josh Sanders
Groomsman
Josh (or "Brother Josh" as I like to call him) kind of came out of nowhere for me. I don't exactly remember formally meeting him, but I can confidently say that over the past couple of years, his friendship has been such a blessing in my life. He has shown me so much of God's heart and love for people, and so many of the interactions I've had with Josh have left me loving God more. He's one of the wisest guys I know, and I'm so stoked to have him be a part of this day with us.
Sanja Stojcic
Bridesmaid
SANJA!!! (If you know anything about me and Sanja's relationship, then you read that in an Australian accent.) I also met Sanja through my missional community, when I dropped my hydroflask trying to shake her hand in the hallway...and then proceeded to get her taken out in the game of "Assassins" we were playing with Ignite. It's crazy to think that she is now one of my closest friends and my dear protein smoothie and pomegranate soda loving roommate. Sanja so fiercely chases after the Lord and loving people who are often pushed to the margins of society. She pushes me so much to serve God, the church, and the people around me. I truly love her more than she loves Star Wars!!! Which trust me, that's a whole lot!! I'm so grateful to have her by my side on me and Jared's big day!
Grant Shurtz
Groomsman
I firmly believe that everyone needs a friend like Grant in their life. I met Grant my freshman year while randomly hanging out with some friends from Ignite, and God just continued to put him in my path over and over again. I was soon placed in his camp as a counselor, and we ended up living together for three years after that. We don't exactly see eye to eye on everything, but I think that's part of the reason I've grown so much in college. My time with Grant has challenged me to see life and faith in whole new ways, and I've grown to love God more because of that. I'm so grateful that he'll be with me as Taylor and I start our new life.
Kristen Tucker
Bridesmaid
My girl!!! Kristen and I were ~acquaintances~ in high school (shoutout to Mrs. Brummet's freshman year Spanish class), but didn't get close until she joined my missional community my sophomore year of college. I am literally soooo glad that God put us back on each other's paths! Kristen is one of the most kind, caring, considerate, and wild people I have ever met! Jesus truly shines through her in the way she cares for her friends by asking them questions and truly listening to them. I love how Kristen is never afraid of being her authentic self, even if that means yelling at an opposing team's third string lineman (hehe). She is such an iconic woman and I am so thankful she is in my life and will be by my side as I get married!
Swethal Athyala
Groomsman
Swethal and I have somehow remained friends since high school, despite living in different cities. We met freshman year, but didn't really get to know each other until senior year when we had like four classes together plus lunch. Some of my fondest memories were spent with Swethal, like Tender Tuesdays, Frisbee Fridays, throwing a party in three classes in one day, and going downtown after our AP Test. Swethal was there for a lot, and even though we haven't gotten to see as much of each other since high school, God has been faithful to keep us close and maintain our bond. I'm beyond pumped to have this guy at my table.
Kendall Wrubel
Bridesmaid
K hecking W! Kendall has been one of my best friends since we officially started hanging out in 7th grade at HEB Camp. We both were soooo awkward and literally had no friends, but we bonded over a love for Miranda Sings and old British 60's music. It is so amazing to me that God has kept this friendship growing even though Kendall (formerly KP) and I have both changed so much. I love how she is so boldly herself and is so open to meeting new people and sharing her life with them. Kendall joined my missional community on Zoom for a semester and it was amazing to get to introduce her to my college community and to get to see them all mesh so well! I truly treasure Kendall's friendship and I am so pumped that she will be walking down the aisle with me!
Ben Clark
Groomsman
I really gotta thank my mom for Ben. He and I met through Facebook our freshman year of college. His mom had posted that he needed a roommate, and my mom had responded to her, and he's been a vital part of our roommate dynamic ever since. Ben is somehow quiet and reserved, while also bold and whimsical. The way he always seems to place everyone else's needs before his own without even saying a word has really helped me understand how Jesus loves his people, and how he calls us to love others. And while Ben doesn't say much, when he does, it's almost always to bring just a little more joy into people's lives. From his constant puns to his various musical instruments, Ben never fails to lighten the mood. Just like my college experience, my wedding party would be incomplete without Ben.