Wedding Party
Rayanne Burnett
Maid of Honor
I was not given a biological sister, but Rayanne has been my built in bestie since 2000. Looking back on the last 23 years, there has not been one stage of life we haven’t walked through together—the good and the bad. We have weathered storms and gone through dark seasons but when we came out on the other side we were still holding hands. She holds my heart and I holds hers, and we know that is a sacred gift. From our moms making us wear matching outfits, to now accidentally twinning 95% of the time. From rhinestones, to muck boots you can count on it we will always have a good time. We share so many sweet memories, milestones, and inside jokes to count. To all the times we laugh until we cry, or pee our pants. Where there is one, you most likely will find the other. To the one friend I will never have to worry about losing, my perfect, beautiful baby sis. I could not be more thankful for Rayanne, and to have her standing beside me on my wedding day. I hope everyone has someone like Rayanne in their life.
Brooke Harris
Matron of Honor
I think some people are placed in your life for a reason. I truly wonder how I got so lucky to deserve a life long best friend like Brooke. From high school besties, to long distance friendship while I was living in Roanoke, Brooke and I never missed a beat. Now that we are older we may have to plan to hang out a month in advance, but I could write a book about how special Brooke is to me. She has the purest heart that I have ever known, and everyone she meets feels her spirit the second they meet her and hear her laugh. She radiates positive energy and smiles as she walks through any door. The most beautiful soul. Brooke knows me to my core: she just knows when something is wrong, always the first to lend a helping hand, and my biggest hype man when my confidence lags. We understand each other’s odd sense of humor, and love for sarcasm. The one that no matter where we go can get us free drinks, can make me laugh til I cry or laugh when I’m crying, and knows what imma say before I even say it. No words could ever describe how much I love & am thankful for our friendship all these years. I stood by Brooke on her big day, and I could not imagine it any other way. Brooke also doubles as my hair goddess, and bestie!! #BookWithBrooke. #chad #greenbean #codered #stacheytephens.
Jordan Burnett
Bridesmaid
Jordan has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, literally. Jordan is the sister I never had. My voice of reason, shoulder to cry on, and keeper of my secrets. I look up to Jordan in so many ways: she’s the most caring, intentional and honest mother, teacher, and friend. I am also forever thankful Jordan brought two angels into this world, Caroline and Colton, that call me “Rah Rah." Josh and Jordan are also our travel buddies: from endless amounts of trips to Myrtle, country concert road trips, Oak Island, Nashville, Charleston, Savannah, and soon to be Tampa & BARBADOS (: As they will also be joining us on our Honeymoon!! I could not be more blessed to have Jordan in my life, especially standing by me on our wedding day.
Sarah Bennett
Bridesmaid
Sarah is my soul sister. Never in my life have I just randomly met someone, and instantly clicked with them like I did Sarah. From the moment we met, I knew we would be friends forever. When I think of our friendship, I think of laughter. And by laughter, I mean, drink-comes-out-of-your-nose and deep-in-your-belly-snorting-laughs. Sarah and I share a love for many things: a fun time, western fashion, cow print, gold jewelry, turquoise, Michelob Ultras, country concerts, and helping people improve their quality of life through rehabilitation. Sarah recently graduated from PTA school & is starting her career this year. I could not be more proud of her, and cannot wait to watch her thrive as a therapist. I could not imagine my wedding without Sarah next to me.
Kaci Maydian
Bridesmaid
Kaci and I initially met during College Orientation, where I lured her into coming to a welcome party. We instantly hit it off. Kaci has always been my one call away. We always have a good time— from tearing up the dance floor, all the country concerts, Trader Joe’s runs, shopping trips, and our shared love for traveling every chance we get from beaches to the mountains. Now, I have had privilege to watch her become the best mom to the sweetest nugget I get to spoil rotten, baby Reid. Kaci has been there through the oh so good, and oh so bad over the last 6 years. I could not do life without her, especially when I text her at midnight with nurse questions to make sure im not dying!!!! Thankfully I am a match maker, and I get to have her right down the road now. I am so blessed to have Kaci standing beside me on on my wedding day.
Lauren Raye French
Bridesmaid
Most people know Lauren Raye as Austin's cousin, but she is really his big sister. When I first met her, I was pretty much terrified. I knew how protective she is over him. Thankfully, I had nothing to be afraid of after all. I guess she ended up liking me LOL. Even though Austin is younger, I think he is more protective over her. No suspicious vehicles in the drive way get past that boy, EVER. Poor LR. Austin is her precious baby, partner in crime, number one fan, bff, worst critic, but she loves him more than anything in the world. Letting another girl into his life im sure was hard, but I’m thankful that she accepted me into the fam. I am so thankful to have Lauren Raye in my life. She had the best advice, and always tells it like it is. I can always count on her that we are going to have big fun (: So here’s to more fun, family functions, and mimosas FOREVER sis. I could not imagine you not being apart of our special day.
Alexa Barley
Bridesmaid
Alexa & I have celebrated our birthdays together ever since the day we were born. My mom was going into labor with me, and as Judy came to see Pam, she also went into labor & blessed me with a little beautiful blonde bestie forever! Yes... we were Famous. And yes, we even made the newspaper LOL Even from day one we have been polar opposites, but together we balance each other out. I would not have wanted to eat endless pizza rolls, nacho cheese Doritos, drink Dr.P out the 2 liter , play guitar hero, Just Dance to the queen Tina Turner, get attacked by Sassy & Judy beat her off of me with a broom stick, slice my leg off playing hide n go seek (chunk is still missing out of my leg to this day)! I thank Alexa for bringing out the tomboy in me, making me play in mud, and make me tough. It is incredible to say that after 26 years, we have never had a dull moment. Our friendship has developed just as much as we have with age. I am so stinking proud of her, DR. Barley. Despite the great challenges we have both experienced, our friendship has never faltered. Alexa has been my bestie for almost 3 decades, and honestly that makes me feel very old. Balexa I love you & am honored to have you by my side on my wedding day.
Annmarie Davis
Bridesmaid
I will forever be thankful God sent me Annmarie because I was tired of being ganged up on my the boys before she came along... Being about 10 years older than her, I was so excited because she was my own real life baby doll!! As she got older, she's more like the little sister I never had more than my cousin. Having a best friend so early in life is an indescribable blessing. We were making memories before we could even remember we made them. For every big milestone in my life Annmarie was there cheering me on, my biggest fan. We have learned we cannot sit next to each other at any family function or serious event, ever. She has grown into a beautiful little lady more and more every day. She makes life so much fun. I can't wait to have her beside me on my wedding day.
Madison Trainor
Bridesmaid
Madison and I have pretty much been friends our whole lives thanks to our moms. We shared a love for dance, where we spent the majority of our memories together. Madison has the most contagious laugh and I can always count on her that we will have a good time. She is the best example of a friend who is always there, no matter when the last time we talked, or what city we are living in. We got to briefly live in Roanoke together, oh how fun! You can catch Madison on the dance floor on the wedding day, where she will be the life of the party :) We have been through so many stages of life together. She’s now rocking out her nursing career in Raleigh. I could not imagine my wedding day without Madison.
Alexis Dameron
Bridesmaid
Alexis, the girl who moved into my old college dorm that Facebook messaged me over summer break to tell me she had my mail. Who would of ever thought she would become one of my best friends?? Or that would we be planning our weddings together. She was my saving grace when I was living in Roanoke. Between the parties in the Park, clay st nightmares, wine festivals, st patties days, El Rods, country concerts, bargain shopping sprees, and being the best accountability gym partner. I am so proud of how hardworking she is, and the sky is the limit. When she sets her mind To something, she is going to do it. I am so grateful to have Alexis stay by me on my wedding day.
Rick Carter
Best Man
Better known to me as pops. Not only is Rick my dad but he’s also been my best friend ever since I was born. He’s always been my go to for any kind of advice I may need, or any question I may have. Even if he doesn’t know the answer, he seems to always know the right words to lead me in the right direction to figure it out. He is always the first call I make when I shoot a deer, turkey, or catch a big fish. He’s the most hardworking and honest man I know. He has taught me everything from how to shoot a gun, how to catch a fish (even though I out-fish him pretty much every time now lol), how to throw a baseball, swing a bat, how to drive a tractor, and to turn a wrench. But most of all, he’s taught me what it takes to become a real man, a great husband, and how to provide for myself and a family. He is by far the greatest man I know. I’m super lucky and blessed to have him as a dad, mentor, teacher, and now my best man. If I can be half the man and husband he is one day, Mariah will be one lucky woman.
Michael Douglas
Groomsman
Michael went with me on vacation randomly when I was like 16 and he’s been my right hand man ever since. I wasn’t given a little brother growing up, but I have proudly called him my little brother ever since. For years we were inseparable, and if you saw one of us the other wasn’t far behind. We’ve been there for each other for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We have had way to many wild crazy times and even a few sad times together. I’ve never met somebody I just clicked with like I did when Michael and I started hanging out which is why we are so close. We’ve done a pile of hunting together. We both share the same love for hunting with a shotgun for whatever it is. It’s always been an argument as to who can shoot better, and even has gotten heated at times. We ain’t gone get into who’s better lol, all I can say is you don’t want to be an animal running or flying by if we both have a shotgun in hand. Michael has been my main man for 10 years now, and our families even count both of us as sons/grandkids. Sometimes I wonder if mom don’t like him more than she likes me. It wouldn’t be my wedding without my lil bro beside me. I’m proud to still call him my brother and have him celebrate my big day with him right by my side.
Josh Burnett
Groomsman
I always knew who Josh was because Jordan and Lauren Raye were best friends. When Mariah and I got together, I got to know him real well because he is basically her big brother. We hit it off from the start. Since then, he’s become one of my closest friends. He is by far the most positive guy I’ve ever met and never lets anything or anyone bring down a good time. He’s an extremely hard worker, great father, and the most loyal truthful friend I could ever ask for. Besides my dad, Josh was the only person that knew I was even going to purpose until just a couple days before. Without him, I couldn’t have pulled off everything halfway as smoothly. Because that’s who he is, Josh will do whatever he can to help you out at the drop of a hat. I couldn’t be anymore thankful Mariah has a “big brother” like him. I am extremely blessed to have him stand beside me on our big day.
Jerry (BoBo) Trammell
Groomsman
I met Bobo from him being Michael’s uncle. Along with becoming very good friends, he always made it feel like he was my uncle too. He took me under his wing showing me countless tips and tricks about hunting, and even a few about life. He eventually included me in his and Michael’s opening day family hunting tradition. Without him I doubt I would have the level of passion for bow hunting and archery that I do today. For that, I will always be grateful. He’s also the one that got me back into predator hunting, and we have sure had some adventures to say the least doing that together. He may be the old guy in our friend group, but he’s without a doubt still the biggest kid at heart lol. I’m thankful to have somebody like Bobo in my life to look up to, and know that without a doubt he’s got my back on whatever I may need. I am blessed to have him beside me to celebrate our day.
Holt Cassada
Groomsman
I’ve known who Holt was far a very long time because my papa and his dad worked together and were friends but I had never met him. So for years I would hear stories from my papa about how many turkeys Holt killed, or how big of fish he caught. Well finally several years ago we went fishing together, and we have been tight ever since. On like the 3rd time we ever hung out, I played matchmaker and hooked him up with his now wife Sarah. There is no doubt there is no other person like him. Holt is a man of few words, real soft spoken, and he is going to tell you like it is not thinking twice about it. He will give you the shirt off of his back if you need it. He has always been there to help me with anything I need no matter how stupid, or hard it is going to be. He will be there no questions asked, and will definitely be 30 minutes early. And let me tell you, that dude can make literally anything and will refuse to go buy just about anything because he will make whatever it is his self and call you stupid for buying it lol. I was lucky enough to be apart of his wedding a couple of years ago. Now, I’m even luckier he’s stuck with me all this time and still one of my best friends. I couldn’t be happier to have him stand beside me on my big day.
Wesley Francis
Groomsman
I’ve known and been very close with Wes ever since I can remember. We lived close together and hunted in the same hunting club. When I was growing up, he took me everywhere with him it seemed like. I went all over the place watching his ball games. Up until I could drive, he would take me hunting everyday my dad was working. We sure have killed some deer together. He used to stop in and play catch in the yard with me, or take me to the batting cage to hit balls for hours. He has always been like a big brother to me growing up. I just looked up to him like he was the coolest dude ever. Now as we are older I still look up to him now at the way he is with his son, his outlook on land, how to improve the quality of a farm, or maintaining land the way it ought to be. We may have drifted apart just a touch as we’ve both gotten older, but he’s had such a huge impact on my life. I know he is one person that will always be there for me. I couldn’t be luckier than to have had him in my corner all these years and to stand beside me on my big day.
Thomas Rogers
Groomsman
Thomas and I have been friends ever since he was a little chap. We grew up right down the road from each other, and our families have always been friends. We’ve done it all growing up from hunting, riding dirt bikes, playing the wii, playing paintball. We did a little of everything. As we’ve grown up, we’ve stayed pretty tight and still do a lot together. We hunt together alot more now than we ever have just because now we hunt a lot more animals now than we used to lol. But if you know Thomas, trust me when I say he did not get his shooting skills from me….. But in all seriousness, he has always been there for me when I needed him for whatever it may be. He’s always a good time. Even though you probably won’t see him on the dance floor, you can bet he’s going to be the life of the party around the bar area. He may be right much younger than me, but he’s without a doubt been by my side thick and thin longer than anyone. And for that, I couldn’t have my wedding without him by my side.
Walker Morris
Groomsman
Walker and I have been friends since high school. We played ball against each other growing up, and then run around with the same bunch of people when we started driving. But we were never that close until here in the last year or two where he’s become one of my closest, and most dependable friends. We’ve done a lot together in the last couple years mostly involving hunting like everybody else on this list but it’s just what I do what can I say. From several years of lake hunting traditions, some very unsuccessful frustrating turkey hunts, and some very good duck hunts. When I killed the biggest buck of my life this year, Walk had been up for about 30 hours from working nights just like I had been. When I called him, he was there to help me no questions asked with the celebratory beer. He even stayed out until midnight caping him out with me. He’s also always going to have a wild time whatever he does you can bet on that. I am super thankful to have him as one of my best friends, and to be up there with me on my big day.
DC Douglas
Groomsman/Flower Man
Ohhh boy DC… It feels weird David Cole is old enough to be a groomsman and not still a lil chap like he was when he became a big Part of my life. He is Michael’s little brother. As close as me and Michael are, I proudly adopted DC as my “baby bro”. I’ve been around to watch him grow from the little chap we bullied and beat up. Now, he can probably take both of us at the same time. DC went with us everywhere and did everything with us and it drove Michael crazy. His momma and dad would make us take him because he was still a lil kid, but everybody loved him everywhere we went. He would always be singing, dancing, and telling jokes. That’s just who he is, and hasn’t changed. He is still the life of the party. You can best bet where ever you go he’s going to be the best dancing white boy at any place. I’m proud to have been there for him all these years and watch him turn into the smart, dedicated, and hardworking man he is today. He will always be proud to call him my lil baby bro. And especially to have him with me as I celebrate my big day
Austin Pearson
Groomsman/Flower Man
Austin and I have gotten really close since Mariah and I got together. I’ve always known him since Mariah’s family and my dad have always been close. When we started dating, austin always would hangout with Mariah so that meant he was always with us. But we have gotten really tight since, and hangout a lot together without her now. I think she’s kinda jealous honestly lol. But we play a lot of golf together mainly, we do some hunting, and just random stuff. Austin is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met, and he will literally do anything for anybody. He is also a wild time. You can bet you’re going to be laughing if he is around because he’s always got something slick and funny to say. I’m blessed Mariah gave me another life long friend when we got together. I’m super thankful for our friendship, and to have him celebrating our big day with us.
Caroline Burnett
Flower Girl
Caroline in fact has Austin & Mariah wrapped around her little finger. She’s 100% Mariah’s mini bestie who’s always down for car jam sesh & a dance party! Rah Rah & Awesome love her so so much. She is such blessing in our lives. We find ourselves wishing Caroline could stay this little, but quickly change our minds because each year she gets older has brought more fun. We can’t wait to see her grow even more each day. She has a spark that is irreplaceable and shines so bright. We will always be here to be her biggest fans. God knew we needed her, and we are the luckiest to have her as the sweetest flower girl.
Colton Burnett
Ring Bearer
Colton aka “THE CAT” is the funniest, oh so silly, most wide open, but sweetest little boy. He is in deed Austin’s favorite, and he would rather hang out with Colton than Mariah most days. Seriously lol We are so grateful to be apart of his life. God knew we needed Colton in our lives especially for the extra entertainment & sweet hugs. Rah Rah & Awesome love this boy so much! We can’t wait to watch him steal the show as he walks down the isle as our Ring Security!