While weddings are a wonderful tome to celebrate family they can also be a very special time to celebrate with friends and we were very lucky to have wonderful friends who not only were there to support us on our big day but support us in life. During our portrait time before the ceremony we had enough time for me to take some nice pictures with each bridesmaid but some goofy ones too and if I’m being perfectly honest I kinda like the goofy ones better.
MOH / Sorority Sister- Carrie
Carrie and I met through the alumnae group for Gamma Phi Beta and we hit it off right away. We have a ton in common and when there’s something I really want to do that Shaun has no interested in she’s usually the first person I think of. My favorite thing about Carrie though is that I see so many women claim that being a wife and especially a mother changes their lifestyle and they no longer have things in common with their single friends; well Carrie is a stay at home mom to two kids and until a few months ago I was a single professional but guess what, we’re besties!
Bridesmaid / Sister – Mary
I’ve known Mary since a few hours after she was born ; ) With eight years between us it’s only recently as she’s become all grown up that we’ve gotten to a point where we actually have thing in common although we’ve been stealing each others clothes for years now. Being my sister means Mary is allowed to call me out on BS like no one else is although our goofy picture is mostly a joke, she’s even admitted I was not too much of a bridezilla.
Bridesman / Master of Beauty – Rodney
Rodney and I met through a fun social organization in Memphis and hit it off right away. Rodney has amazing style and is one of the few people I know that is more sarcastic than I am. In addition to looking fabulous himself Rodney was in charge of everyone’s hair and makeup on the big day and has been keeping my hair beautifully highlighted for years now. I am ridiculously excited for Rodney because now he gets to plan his own dream wedding to a great guy!
Bridesmaid – Ryan
Ryan is one of the first adult friends I made in Memphis and she is one of the most kind and loving people I know. Through job changes, bad breakups and life mistakes Ryan has remained a true and constant friend so of course I couldn’t imagine my wedding day without her by my side. Now that I’m a little older and a lot wiser we get to spend our time together bonding over our love of dogs and wine.
Bridesmaid – Ranee
Ranee and I started out at as co-workers and became fast friends. I obviously love her to death, I mean look how tiny and gorgeous she is – it takes a lot of love to let someone who looks like that stand next to you and make you look like a giant on your wedding day. Our goofy picture I one of my top 10 photos from the day and involves an inside joke.
Readers / Sorority Sisters – Tina and Casey
Beyond the bridesmaids there were two other fabulous ladies involved in the wedding. Tina and Casey are both Gamma Phis I’ve know since college. Tina was one of the first Gamma Phis I met when I attended Gamma Phi’s open house recruitment event and as grown ups we get to chat about her fabulous sense of style and our mutual obsession over Mindy Kailing. Casey joined the year after me and has become the glue that holds a lot of the ladies from our chapter together by fostering ways for us to connect long distance all while being a super overachiever at work, an amazing wife and mom – seriously, I don’t think she sleeps. Thanks to Casey and her fabulous planning skills I get to see them both, and other fabulous ladies, for our annual beach retreat which is a throw back to a tradition our chapter had in college.
On the grooms side we had wonderful bridal party members as well:
Best Man Ruben – A college friend of Shaun’s
Groomsman Jason – Shaun’s brother
Groomswoman Krysta – Groom’s sister from another mister
Groomsman Vince – Groom’s brother from another mother (Krysta and Vince are brother and sister and their family is like a 2nd family to Shaun)
Groomsman Terry – husband to MOH Carrie, together they are one of our best “couple friends”
Groomsman James – bromantic relationship that started the same day Shan and I met
Usher Daniel – Yelp Elite Superstar (fun fact: Daniel and I had mutual friends in high school and I even went with him to an MUS dance)
The Entire Bridal Party
All of these people helped make our day very special and we are so grateful for all of them!