Yesha & Tim
Wedding Party
Sudesh Banaji
Father of the Bride
The son of late Ranganath and late Jyotsna Banaji. Purnima and Sudesh Immigrated from India in 1993 and lived in Tennessee until 1999, then moving to Arkansas with Yesha and Yajur, where they have lived ever since. Sudesh and Yesha share the same social personality and sense of humor. He is her go-to person to ask about practical questions, and the reason she always wants to learn more about the stock market, news, and other "real world" things.
John Westbrooks
Father of the Groom
Son of Betty and the late Jim Westbrooks, John has been Tennessean all his life, though he pulls for the Crimson Tide on Saturdays. He shares his love of the great outdoors with Tim, ever since the first time he took him hunting as a 10 year old boy. He also has introduced Tim to orthopaedics at a young age by having him work at Prestige Sales. Through building lockers, assembling racking systems, and most recently building a backyard porch, he has always taught his sons how to be self sufficient and hardworking.
Purnima Banaji
Mother of the Bride
The daughter of Usha Rani (or as we all know her, "Didima") and the late Pabithra Sarkar. Purnima is Yesha's "angel", and the sweetest soul she knows. She is the hardest working person you will ever met- jumping from working 8 hour days to coming home and cooking for the entire family. She is the reason Yesha knows how to utilize different spices and learned how to cook, and also the reason Yesha loves to cook! Purnima is a true angel and is always looking out for your best interest. She has an adorable sense-of-humor, and loves hugs from the people she loves the most. If you ever need any fashion advice, Purnima is your gal!
Joanne Westbrooks
Mother of the Groom
Daughter of the late Helen and Michael Lory, Joanne was born in the small town of Sylva, North Carolina, but she spent the majority of her youth in Chattanooga. Later she went to UT Knoxville, a town she and Tim share a love for. When Tim and James were boys, she taught them her motto "Work hard, play hard." Even up throughout their adulthood, they always know they can call her for advice and that they can tell her "the good, the bad, and the ugly." Growing up with four sisters, raising two boys was no small task. She is extremely happy to have Yesha and Kate in her life now.
Ami Patel
Maid of Honor
Best friends with the bride since freshman year of college and roommates for the first two years. They would fool every new friend into thinking they were sisters. Soon enough, that's exactly what they became- sisters. Ami is extremely thoughtful and will pick up the phone (almost) always. You can win your way to her heart with donuts and big hugs.
James Westbrooks
Best Man
Brother of the groom, and truly his best man, James and Tim have been close friends since they were young boys. Wrestling was a sport they both shared a passion for, and from the time they were Mighty Warriors until Tim's Senior year at McCallie they were always teammates. Even though they haven't lived in the same city since that year, they still find time to keep in touch so that when they do see each other, it's like nothing has changed.
Vivian Vong
Maid of Honor
Best friends with the bride for 15 years, and counting! She is intuitive and loves being out in nature. Vivian and Yesha are like the sisters that don't always agree on everything, but being opposites is a strength for these two. They used to be attached at the hip all through middle and high school, and even if they haven't lived in the same state ever since, they still are! But make her some Matcha or Chai tea and you'll probably be her best friend, too
Brad McCurry
Groomsman
A random roommate during football camp who ended up becoming one of Tim's best high school friends. Whether it was salt water fishing on his Grandfather's "Misty Blue Too" or jug fishing off Lake Norman in an old pontoon boat, they have always found a way to have a great time together.
Caroline Cazayoux
Bridesmaid
The bride's best friend in dental school since the first year. She has a way of always calming you down but also is so quirky that she knows just cracks you up! She will go to lengths of research to find the perfect things to do/eat/travel. But warning: don't ask her any questions while she is studying or being productive. She will drop what she's doing for you.
Hayden Cronan
Groomsman
One of Tim's best friends since 6th grade, Hayden and the rest of the Cronan family are always ready to have a good time. Whether it's at a backyard cookout or a weekend at Bonnaroo, Hayden always welcomes everyone and is the life of the party.
Juliana Fitzgerald
Bridesmaid
The bride's dental school best friend and the sweetest person you will ever meet. It must be all of the Kind bars we had during our lunches together! She has the most beautiful view on the world and the most objective point of view no matter the situation... but don't get us started on reality TV because we will never stop
Tyler Ragsdale
Groomsman
An acquaintance in college who later became Tim's best friend from medical school, Tyler and Tim shared a lot of great times in Memphis; however, the best memory was a five day hiking trip in the Smoky Mountains. It rained the entire time and the fog blocked all views, but their spirits were not dampened!
Kerry Moon
Bridesmaid
The bride's roommate for the first two years of dental school. Since then, the bride's down-for-anything and most free-spirited confidant. The two may not live together since dental school, but their relationship has grown nothing but stronger since. She has a very care-free and confident personality, yet is extremely aware and caring of the people she holds closest. But don't challenge her to a dance-off. You'll lose
Eliot Berz
Groomsman
One of Tim's best friends since middle school, Eliot and Tim enjoy all the same activities. They've shared countless successes and failures while hunting together, but they always have a great time getting out and trying. Aside from his dad and Uncle Steve, no one has taught Tim as much about wildlife and conservation as Eliot.
Sophia Son
Bridesmaid
One of the reasons the bride was so well settled-in to college, and made her college experience so memorable! She's always down for a drink or a Facetime call (and in recent COVID situations, maybe both). She believes in being up-front and honest when approaching her friendships, but is also (surprisingly) very funny when you get to know her. But don't you dare make fun of Fauci. Yes, her dog's name is Fauci.
Andrew Hill
Groomsman
Andrew is one of Tim's best friends from college and was his roommate for three years. Living in the house together was a mess and many would consider the living conditions uninhabitable, but that was one of the best years of college. When they later moved off campus, they continued to host parties, one of which was so good that Jalen Hurd and the rest of the University of Tennessee football team crashed it!
Jenny Son
Bridesmaid
The bride's best friend from boarding school, ASMSA (Arkansas School for Math Science, and the Arts). At first, the two didn't seem to hit it off (far from it, actually) but once they had the chance to actually hang out, their friendship blossomed over the next 9 years (and counting!)! Jenny can be a little airhead-y sometimes, but she is actually the the smartest person I know! She will travel near or far to hang out for a weekend. But is very bad at texting.
Tanner Hancock
Groomsman
One of Tim's best college friends. Tim has always loved live music performances, but Tanner expanded his musical palate by introducing him to several different bands that most people haven't heard of. Tanner probably has the strangest sense of humor you will ever see, but he sure knows how to keep a group entertained!
Megi Aliaj
Bridesmaid
The bride's Kappa Delta little, roommate, and study buddy in college. A reason for the bride's successful college experience. She seems quiet at first, but she knows exactly how to make you laugh! She always knew the right things to say in times of stress during our college years, and she was an absolute go-to in the bride's times of need. Megi has a big heart and you can expect nothing less than a forever bond if you get the opportunity to be this girl's friend.
Hunt Jennings
Groomsman
One of Tim's best friends who he met in middle school while learning to kayak. They grew up learning on the Ocoee River but have also travelled throughout the country for different outdoor trips. In adulthood Tim has forgotten much of his kayaking knowledge, but Hunt has been able to keep Tim alive on his most recent trips!
Yajur Banaji
Honorary Groomsman
Yajur is the Brother of the Bride. He has the brightest smile of anyone you know, and his laughter can light up the entire room. Also, one impressive fact is that he never stops growing taller and taller every time you see him! Yajur just graduated high school in 2020, which was a great honor for our family. With Yesha and Yajur both being born in Tennessee, the Westbrooks family feels like a perfect fit!