Wedding Party

Val Tracey

Officiant

How do you know Kevin and Viv? I had the greatest pleasure of meeting Viv at a church service one Sunday. I quickly realized how deep and fun-loving she is and knew I had found a true kindred spirit. I officially met Kevin at a dinner not too long after they had started dating, but I knew before we met that I loved him for Viv. The way she spoke about their relationship (and about her own identity, autonomy, joy, and affirmation in the relationship), I knew he was a rare soul, the kind of person who brings kindness and support where he goes and matches Viv's joie de vivre. What a treasure! What's your favorite plant? My favorite plant is any plant that is forgiving enough to thrive under my not-so-green thumb. Current front runners are Myrtle, monstera, and Tomatoes. In the wild, I go nuts when I see a birch tree grove with orange-pink leaves. (I realize that like 6 plants and I'm not sorry) What is your favorite winter meal? My favorite winter meal is pasta. Any pasta. All pasta. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? I switched medication recently and it has mercifully allowed my gut to tolerate spicier dishes, so I have been using gochujang for the first time and I am LIVING. Tell us a weird fact you happen to know for no reason. Mrs. Freshley's Honey Buns are vegan.

Cathie Spells

Mother of the Bride

How do you know Viv and Kevin? I am Viv's mother and Kevin’s soon-to-be mother-in-law. What's your favorite plant? My favorite flowers are sunflowers and tulips. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? This month, I ate rabbit. If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? The ice cream I would create would be - Nutty Death by Chocolate. It would be chocolate with dark chocolate chips. Milk chocolate chips. White chocolate chips, caramel syrup, and chocolate syrup. With pecans almond macadamia nuts and peanuts. What is your favorite travel story? My favorite travel story is when Viv and I took our road trip to Boston pulling the U-Haul. We shared the driving it was a great bonding and learning experience.

Lori Anderson

Mother of the Groom

How do you know Kevin and Viv? Kevin is my son and Viv is his lovely fiancee. What’s your favorite plant? My favorite plant is tulips. If you could join any band, which band would you join? And what would your role be? I would join Aerosmith and I would be the tambourine player. (Like Piglet!) If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? I would invent "Mint Mocha" ice cream that is mint-based with coffee swirls and chocolate chunks in it. What is your favorite travel story? Stopping at Port Orleans French Quarter for lunch and then asking if Kevin and Jenny wanted to go swimming in the pool and then surprised them by telling them we were staying there.

Sharon Williams

Step-Mother of the Bride

How do you know Viv and Kevin? Viv is my stepdaughter and on a trip to Boston, I met Kevin. What's your favorite plant? My favorite plant is a Lilly. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? Last time of trying something for the first time was our 2023 Christmas cruise. If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? My ice cream would have devil food cake mix, vanilla cream, and pecans. I would call this flavor Turtle Dove. What is your favorite travel story? My favorite travel story is Secrets of Sulfur Springs.

Charles Williams

Father of the Bride

How do you know Viv and Kevin? Well, Viv aka Ashley, is my babygurl. She stole my heart ❤️. Kevin is the man who makes her happy. What's your favorite plant? Colocasia ( Elephant Ear) When was the last time you tried something for the first time? Went on a cruise and now love them. If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? Pecans, strawberries, and chocolate ice cream called Strawberry Nut Swirl What is your favorite travel story? Picking up my car in Reno, Nevada after being stationed in Guam. Drove cross country, from Reno to New York. Many memorable stops along the way and meeting many nice people.

Mark Anderson

Father of the Groom

How do you know Kevin and Viv? Kevin is my son and Viv is his future bride. What’s your favorite plant? My favorite plant is corn. If you could join any band, which band would you join? And what would your role be? I would join Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and be the lighting man. If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? I would invent "Giving You the Raspberry" and it would be vanilla ice cream with raspberries and chocolate chunks in it. What is your favorite travel story? Decorating the inside of the van and picking Kevin and Jenny up from school to surprise them with a trip to Disney.

Wayne Spells

Step-Father of Bride

How do you know Viv and Kevin? Viv is my beautiful stepdaughter and she introduced Kevin to me last thanksgiving. What's your favorite plant? My favorite plant is the Ivy. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? 5th April If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? My Ice-cream ingredient would be varies type of peaches… Name, Georgia on my mind What is your favorite travel story? Favorite travel story our family trip to Coco Beach florida as a kid.

Emily Horjus

Maid of Honor

How do you know Kevin and Viv? I met Viv through our former church community, and Kevin through Viv. What's your favorite plant? Jade plant/bonsai tree Would you rather sail or van life around the world? If it's a small sailboat, van. If it's a larger ship, sail!! When do you feel the most courageous? When I'm with others! Friends and family give me the courage to try new things and fight for what's right. If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? Mango tango--mango, pineapple, and strawberry sherbert swirled. Preferably available as mochi ice cream bites.

Nick Jira

Best Man

How do you know Kevin and Viv? I met Kevin for the first time in 5th grade when I started my first year at St. Thomas. I was in the same desk group as Kevin on my first day and I remember telling my mom that I thought he and I could be good friends. We continued school together through high school and did a ton of activities together like Track and field, hiking, video games, fishing, eating too much fast food and just hanging out. A lot of which we have continued to do through college to now. I only met Viv briefly, but I cannot wait to get to know her better. What’s your favorite plant? Delphiniums. They are my favorite flower and I grow them in my garden. What is your favorite winter meal? Sausage and Peppers What was your last Netflix binge? Currently working through One Piece 🏴‍☠️ Only 500 episodes in so far. If you invented an ice cream flavor, what ingredients would it have, and what would it be called? There are not enough ice creams with dark chocolate. If I were to invent an ice cream, it would be Stewart's Death By Chocolate except with bigger and more dark chocolate chunks. It would be called Dark and Chunky.

Hannah Elder

Bridesmaid

How do you know Viv and Kevin? I met Viv through work and grad school, but I know Viv because we were constant companions during the first year of the pandemic. And because we were roommates when Viv met Kevin, I tried really hard not to listen to their first (virtual) date, which happened at our kitchen table. They were very cute. What's your favorite plant? My favorite type of plant is a lupine, while my favorite individual plant is a spider plant that's been in my family for 35+ years. If you could add an additional holiday to the calendar, what would it be and when? I would create the holiday Escape From March, where we have a day off in March and celebrate by either: a) complaining about March or, b) going somewhere warm and sunny where we can pretend it's not March. Tell us a weird fact you happen to know for no reason. We don't actually know how homing pigeons navigate back home. What are the top three items on your bucket list? Go to Iceland Live in the UK Tour the stacks at the Library of Congress

Aubrey Foulk

Groomswoman

How do you know Kevin and Viv? Kevin and I met during a fisheries ecology internship in Alabama. After he was stuck with me for a week or so on a research boat in the middle of the ocean, he decided I might be ok to hang out with, and we quickly became adventure buddies after that! I met Viv a few years later after I had moved to Boston for school – our first introduction she and Kev cooked me an AMAZING meal, which is surely unsurprising to anyone who knows them! What’s your favorite plant? I love all plants, but if I had to pick, probably daylilies, as my grandma always had a garden full of them! What is your favorite travel story? One highlight has definitely been my time spent in Hawaii – where I had the opportunity to hike a volcano and take a night scuba dive with manta rays in the same day! What are the top three items on your bucket list? Take a unique hike on every continent, snorkel and scuba dive an Indo-pacific reef, and see the northern lights – although I can semi-check this last one off as, although only visible with my phone, I got a once-in-a-lifetime viewing in Alabama last year during the geomagnetic solar storm! Would you rather sail or van life around the world? As an aspiring marine scientist, my lifestyle and passions sway me to say sailing, although experience with the realities of travel logistics and the fact that I’m prone to seasickness probably lends van life as the smarter option.

Rachael Nance

Bridesmaid

How do you know Viv and Kevin? I met Viv in college in her freshman year; we were in choir together, dance class together, and pretty much did everything together, bonding over Shakespeare and music. I met Kevin at our monthly book club, and he has been a delightful addition to our group. What's your favorite plant? Easier to say what isn't. But if I had to keep any of my plants over all the rest, I'd keep my peace lily. And my satsuma trees. Would you rather read the end of every book or always forget a story’s ending? This is an easy one; I would always rather forget. I've read at least one book for the second time almost halfway through before realizing it was a reread...and I wasn't mad about it. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? I took a roller derby class and learned how to skate very fast and...how to fall down. What is your go-to karaoke song? Dog days are over, Florence and the Machine

Ben Nance

Groomsman

How do you know Viv and Kevin? I have known Viv since way back in her ULM days. Best Friends ever since. Viv brought Kevin into my life through our monthly video calls; he's a lot of fun and I'm so happy they found each other! What's your favorite plant? My favorite plant is lettuce because no burger is complete without it. My favorite plant I wouldn't eat is a Dandelion. What was your last Netflix binge? My last TV Binge was "Monarch: Legacy of Monster". It's a Godzilla TV show that I thought was better than it ought to be. What is your favorite travel story? My favorite travel story is "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac. If you could join any band, which band would you join? And what would your role be? If I could join any band, I would join Pearl Jam, but I'd have to do PR or something administrative. I can't sing or play any instruments. I could probably figure out a tambourine or triangle or something though.

Jenny Anderson

Bridesmaid

How do I know Kevin & Viv: Kevin is my older brother and Viv is my soon-to-be sister! My favorite plant: Hydrangea My favorite winter meal: Swedish meatballs If I invented an ice cream flavor: The Brown Swiss (named after the cow breed): dark chocolate ice cream with chocolate fudge and brownie chunks The best prank I’ve experienced: Uncle Leo is one of the pranksters in the family—he tied a fake snake to a fishing pole and reeled the snake across the sidewalk to scare our mom!

Joe Miller

Groomsman

How do you know Kevin and Viv? from high school What’s your favorite plant? silver oak Tell us a weird fact you happen to know for no reason. Male bees are suicidal. What is the best prank you’ve experienced or planned? Someone switched out the propane tank on my forklift with an empty one. If you could add a holiday to the calendar, what would it be and when? National Hot Wings Day. It would be every day if it made them free.

Casey Nance

Flower Girl

What is your favorite plant? Green one Which cartoon character do you wish you could meet? Cars What's the bravest thing you've ever done? Umm. I want more bluey Mommy.

Bonsai

Flower Girl