Marie & XanderMarie & Xander
Wedding PartyWedding Party
MiriahMiriah
Maid of Honor
Miriah and I met in PT school back in the summer of 2019. She and I quickly grew to become best friends— bonding over working out, music, travel, and a mutual love of chicken wings. We always joke how we’re twin flames and that we had to have known each other in a past life. She is one of the most thoughtful, authentic, creative, and FUN individuals I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She has a way of making me feel loved, understood, and has helped me navigate so many stages of life with her amazing advice and companionship. I truly don’t know where I’d be without her :-) She currently resides in Atlanta as a pediatric/pelvic floor physical therapist, and is an avid pottery maker and runner.
SophiaSophia
Bridesmaid
Sophia and I met wayyy back in 2010! After moving from Baltimore to Atlanta as an angsty 15-year-old, she made me feel seen and included as a new attendee of Lakeside High School. We quickly became close pals, spending many hours on the softball field together. We’ve travelled across the world with one another, visiting places like Argentina, Jamaica, and the Amalfi Coast together. Sophia has been a loyal friend over the past 16 years and we have supported each other through many of life’s stages, despite being in different states much of those 16 years! Sophia has always been one of the most driven, empathetic, SOCIAL (ask her how many weddings she’s been in!!!), and caring individuals I’ve ever met. She currently lives in Washington DC where she works for corporate CVS, and spends much time traveling and exploring the world!
KylieKylie
Bridesmaid
Kylie and I have known each other for about 14 years. We actually met in high school during my senior year where we played on the same travel softball team together. We then both attended and played softball at Berry College where we really became close friends. Kylie and I have been teammates, roommates, and travel buddies over the course of our friendship. We’ve studied abroad in Paris, spent many hours on charter buses, and road tripped from Atlanta to Denver (and back) together. If Kylie is around, you can pretty much guarantee there will be wine, a good time, and lots of giggles. Kylie is one of the most consistent and supportive people I’ve ever known, and I know that if I need her, she’ll be there no matter what. She currently lives in Charlotte where she practices as a physical therapist. She’s a diehard Indiana fan and enjoys spending her time at concerts, sporting events, and wineries.
SavannaSavanna
Bridesmaid
Savanna and I met back in August of 2013 when she lived across the hall from me in our freshman dorms at Berry College. She was also on the Berry softball team, so we spent many hours on the softball field together, which usually entailed me laughing at her clever puns. Anyone in my life who hasn’t yet met Savanna… shes the type of person you really can’t adequately describe. She is the perfect mix of witty, intelligent, laid back, and downright hilarious. She’s responsible for many many laughs I’ve had over the course of the past 13 years. Although she’s been busy getting her Masters and PhD, we’ve managed to support one another and continue to spend quality time together. She is currently completing her Post-Doc in Bainbridge, GA at the Jones Center. If she’s not collecting dirt for data, you can probably find her hiking, running, or eating walnuts from Northern CA.
RachelRachel
Bridesmaid
Rachel and I met back in 2013 as two freshmen on the Berry softball team. We quickly bonded over our love of BagelBites and Ed Sheeran songs. Despite moving away from each other after college, we have kept a very meaningful friendship. We’re the type of friends that get together after not seeing each other for (literally) years and can pick up exactly where we have left off. No Rachel + Marie phone call is short of an hour and she has supported me through all of life’s ups and downs. She is one of the sweetest, most loving, and thoughtful individuals I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Rachel lives in Southern Pines, NC with her perfect lab Blue. She works as a nurse and is often found jet setting for her role!
NicholeNichole
Bridesmaid
Nichole and I have been friends for the past 5 years after meeting at a CrossFit gym in Atlanta. We have always maintained a close friendship despite both leading busy lives! She’s authentic, strong-willed, and honest in all the best ways. She’s always been a couple life stages ahead of me and gives the best advice. She’s one of the most well spoken, carefree, brave women I know and I love the times we spend together. We can often be found chatting for hours over sushi and red wine. I look up to her so very much and greatly value her opinions and outlook on life. Not to mention she is an incredible mother to two little ones. I feel honored to witness such a strong female do all the things well… motherhood, marriage, and her career. She, her husband, and their two kiddos currently live in Atlanta.
KatieKatie
Bridesmaid
Katie was officially inducted in the Collop family back in Sept 2025 after falling in love and marrying my big brother, Paul. Lucky for me, my brother chose very well and I love having her as my sister. I would describe Katie as being very kind, sweet, fun… and fierce (she is part Italian after all) when warranted (which is the perfect recipe for a partner for my brother!!!). She had 8 cats, a dog, and a Paul in her ownership at one point in time. She’s always willing to save an animal, has an incredible eye for design, and makes a mean cheesecake. Katie has fit very well into the ultra competitive Collop family and we now couldn’t imagine our lives without her! Her and Paul live and work as chemists in Charlotte, with (now only) 2 cats, and their dog, Shiloh.
AudreyAudrey
Bridesmaid
Audrey and I met within a few months of Xander and I dating as she was living with her big brother, Xander, for a short stint. I remember when Xander first described his sister to me… telling me how keen, intelligent, and sweet she is. She’s six years younger than Xander, so I would often hear stories about how adorable of a toddler she was and how much Xander loved making his baby sister giggle. As I have gotten to know Audrey more over the course of the last year, she has proven to be an incredible person with a wonderful future ahead. She has never been anything but kind to me and I am looking forward to adding another sister into my life. She is currently finishing up her undergraduate degree in communications and lives in Chattanooga.
MichaelMichael
Best Man
Michael, aka Dad, has been around since day one, and for some reason, I can’t seem to get rid of him. After earning his medical doctorate from Loma Linda University, he began his residency in Hinsdale, Illinois, where I was born two years later. After a short time in Newport, Tennessee, we landed in a small town outside Chattanooga called Ooltewah in 2003, where we have been ever since. In efforts to avoid being long-winded, I will attempt the difficult task to summarize a man I hold in high esteem. Michael is rightfully respected among colleagues, patients, family and friends, but through humility is quick to deter admiration. He chooses to lead by example, creating opportunities to learn life lessons through transparency of his own missteps. Most importantly, he stands loyally with his friends and family no matter what the cost.
BenBen
Groomsman
Ben, more commonly referred to as “Smitty”, is originally from Alpharetta, GA. After serving time in the Army as a Logistics Specialist, he and his wife Julie decided to plant roots in Chattanooga. Smitty and I met as coworkers at Garrison Logistics and grew closer through shared interests in golf, Formula 1 Racing, and Georgia Football. In September 2025, Ben and Julie welcomed their first-born, Sam, into the world. If you are in search of a good story, ask Smitty why we call him “The Unluckiest Man Alive.”
DaltonDalton
Groomsman
What began as a mutual understanding and respect for hard work at our job, grew into an unlikely friendship that is difficult to put into words. Not dissimilar to Smitty, Dalton and I also met at Garrison but found common ground over shared mindsets. He was there the night that Marie and I first met, which also happened to be the night when he met his girlfriend (and Marie’s former college softball teammate), Kassie. In his free time, he can be found tinkering with engines, sharpening his golf-game, or playing guitar. If you happen to be a Florida Gator fan and are looking for someone to commiserate with, he’s your guy.
SethSeth
Groomsman
There are few men fortunate enough to have shared childhood, adolescence, and adulthood with a close friend. Seth and I have essentially shared a life together as we met in 2003 in kindergarten (he was the first person I spoke to) then subsequently spent the next 13 years in school together before graduating from Collegedale Academy in 2016. Over the past two decades, we’ve shared many highs and lows and have archived countless stories. From camping in torrential downpours to night-skiing through winter storms, Seth always exemplified that suffering is served best with a healthy side of humor.
HershelHershel
Groomsman
Hershel and I met back in 2017 and immediately hit it off. Years later, we’ve travelled from Austin to Jacksonville predominately in the name of Georgia Football. For those that groan at my Georgia Football allegiance, you have Hershel to blame. His wife Lara graduated from the University of Georgia with her PharmD in 2023, and while she was in school, we felt it was imperative to frequent Athens to show our support, which predominantly consisted of time spent at 9D’s Bar and Pauley’s. Hershel is a full-time father to Max and owner of 316 Land Clearing. The world rarely presents a tree nor a piece of machinery that he cannot only correctly identify but also provide details on. His equanimity makes Hershel a natural friend to everyone he meets and his generosity toward loved ones is unmatched.
StevenSteven
Groomsman
Although it may not appear this way, Steven is in fact my LITTLE brother. He is currently studying at Chattanooga State to complete general education courses while searching for further degree paths. Born in August of 2008, he has never known a world without iPhones, social media, and on-demand streaming platforms. This consistently shapes our conversations surrounding current events and the ever-turning tides of AI. Steven is a deep thinker with a big heart for family and friends. In his spare time, he can be found reading philosophy books or making your Chick-fil-A sandwiches.
PaulPaul
Groomsman
Paul is Marie’s older brother and only sibling; my initial impression of Paul was through Marie’s accounts of their childhood together… you can imagine the perspective of the little sister. Needless to say, from manning the pizza oven to throwing the football on family vacations — Paul and I always find a way to have a good time. He lives in Charlotte with his wife, Katie and currently works at Eli Lilly as a chemist in their quality control department. Paul can be found playing a round of golf, managing up to four fantasy football teams at once, and cheering on his alma mater, the ECU Pirates. His caring demeanor is evident, and he’s consistently treated me with kindness and respect.
