Tara & Murilo
Wedding Party
Kendra Arvon
Maid of Honor
"KEEENDRA" and Tara were next door neighbors from their toddler years all the way through college! Every brunette needs a blonde best friend, right?! Not only do they share a love of Mexican food and so many of the same hilarious memories (hitting the lock button instead of the window button, "I wanna cry, but I just don't feel that bad", AYE must be your Grandma!), but they also share the same birthday! Shoutout to October 6th, best day of the year!
Ruan Miranda
Best Man
Ruan let Murilo borrow a PlayStation2 basketball game in the 2nd grade, to which Murilo has yet to return. Murilo then invited Ruan to play on his travel soccer team, which allowed both their love for the game and their friendship to flourish over the next 20 years.
Leah Holdren
Bridesmaid
Leah and Tara met in 1997 at the OG Beckley Gymnastics. If we think back, we can all hear Turk cheering at MAX VOLUME for the two during meets! Following very decorated adolescent gymnastics careers, Leah and Tara grew up together sharing cheerleading, show choir, softball, spirit weeks, and theater classes. Weekend trips back and forth between WVU and Marshall, as well as summers spent hiking back in WV kept them close throughout (and after) their college years. Leah is the great friend everyone needs in their life; low maintenance, easy-going, and ALWAYS down for an adventure!
Francisco Fernandes
Groomsman
Murilo and Francisco become friends because of their love for the game of futebol. Both originally from Brazil, they spent countless summers training together and forming the brotherly bond they still share today.
Brittany Prestridge
Bridesmaid
Brittany & Tara met while cleaning the bathrooms as lifeguards at the Beckley FOP Pool back in 2006 (#StartedFromTheBottom)! Since then they've shared countless laughs from TeamDean, tubing on the lake, LOM PHOM, fake tattoos, weekends at Marshall, all the boy drama, a trip to Mexico, learning to line dance nauseous, & snowmobiling through the NH mountains! 1738 for lyfe.
Kyle Lambert
Groomsman
Kyle is the tallest of the Brothers of the bride. Despite him not agreeing early on, Tara and Kyle have been the best friends since age 2. Some of their fondest memories come from snowboarding & igloo building back in Jamescrest, Kyle losing at Tony Hawk Underground, "WAVE RACE" and add-on, countless duet karaoke sessions to Brittany Spears' She's So Lucky, insanity total body makeover, epic breakfasts, & last but not least "There's a surprise under there!" Shoutout to the "DOY" sound Tara used to make with her fist as a child (Kyle's absolute favorite)!! Kyle is the epitome of comedy and a spitting image of our Dad. Who knew getting drowned in pool basketball our entire lives would lead to a bond of this MAGNITUDE?
Gini Croaff
Bridesmaid
Gini and Tara met in 2009 through mutual friends at Marshall University. The pair quickly bonded over countless re-runs of Jackie and Debra, dorm room hangouts, tanning, & trips to the dollar store to find their favorite childhood snack, Dunkeroos! Not only do Tara and Gini share some of the very best memories from Spring Break 2011, but they also share a love for cats <3 Let it be known that without Gini, Tara's procrastination would've definitely prevented graduation! Thanks a million, Jackie!!
Ryan Lambert
Groomsman
Ryan is the shorter one of Bride's Brothers, but holds the family title for best storyteller! Though their mutual love for good Bourbon sometimes leads to an unhealthy 6+ hours at Bleacher Bar, it also brings them together like Coach K and Duke Basketball! For as long as Tara can remember, Ryan's always set some sort of example as the oldest kid in the family; sometimes good, sometimes bad (lol), but never without a life lesson. Some of the most IMPORTANT lessons include: How to drive with your knees, Jerry-rigging101, and how to properly dance to Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire #MUDT! Ryan is a “WISEGUY” in both the senses of the word; his humor is wicked smaht & he’s Tara’s go-to for ALL things MAN. From contracting to cars and everything in between, biggest Bro (thankfully) always has the answer!
Amanda Gibson
Bridesmaid
Amanda and Tara met as ER scribes at St Mary's Medical Center during college in 2010. Their impeccable sarcasm and love for Louie & Ramonas, The Inn Between, and Jockey Club not only gave Tara really severe GERD, but also gave them fast friendship! Throughout Amanda’s med school adventure, multiple moves, and several weekend visits, the two have remained close friends who always pick up right where they left off!