Allison & Chris
Wedding Party
Sarah Wright
Maid of Honor
Sarah and I had a pretty typical sister relationship growing up. She wanted to get as far away from me as possible while she was in high school, and I just wanted to hang out with her and her friends and be “the cool little sister.” But that didn’t happen until we were well out of school. 😅 We fought like enemies, but loved each other fiercely. When I got older, we started getting a lot closer. I believe her giving me the best niece in the world is what started the beginning of a truly beautiful sister/sister bond. I can’t imagine life without my sis! What she’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: I’m looking most forward to watching my sister, my first best friend walk down the aisle to the man that is going to love her unconditionally, forever... because SHE DESERVES IT!!!
Kathryn Hirsh
Bridesmaid
Kathryn has been my A1 since Day 1. She was the first friend I made when Mom and Dad moved us to Georgia (second grade, I think?). We rode on the same bus together, and she only lived a mile away. It wasn’t long before we started having sleepovers at each other’s house almost every weekend. We’ve bonded over our obsession of chapstick, sang karaoke in her bedroom as loud as possible, and got sick from gummy “burgers.” Kathryn and I have shared each other’s deepest, darkest moments together, and also have had some of the most lighthearted, amazing times together. What she’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: I’m most looking forward to seeing Allison and Chris getting to experience that magical day together.
Christina Phillips
Bridesmaid
Christina and I go way back, too. Third or fourth grade, I’d say. We grew up in the same “circle,” and had many of the same birthday and slumber parties to attend. We’ve always had fun together. We’ve grown closer as we’ve gotten older - both of us experiencing big moments like our babies being born, and experiencing the small moments, too - baking Christmas cookies at her old apartment and having tons and tons of coffee dates. What she’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: I'm most looking forward to helping my bestie enjoy one of the happiest days of her life!
Ashley Williamson
Bridesmaid
Ashley and I have known each other forever, too. She made me watch scary movies when I was a wimp (I’m not quite as wimpy anymore, Ashley!), attended many of each other’s birthday parties together, and witnessed Ray peeing in the potted plant in our third grade gifted class. She’s the one that answers my scary questions like “does this sentence cause for a colon or semi-colon?” and “how do you rebuild a fireplace?” and “Omg! Is there a tornado coming?!” Ashley always has the answers - or knows just where to find them. What she’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: I'm looking forward to spending a wonderful day celebrating with my BFFs! And maybe getting to eat some food too.
Leanna Wellik
Bridesmaid
Leanna was just a TINY bit younger than I, but that didn’t stop us from having the most amazing times in high school! I was soooo excited when she joined the marching band and became a beast on the cymbals! We quickly bonded over music, chocolate covered espresso beans, green beans, and her niece locking us up in a bathroom. It’s been a little over a year since I was her bridesmaid, and I couldn’t be more happy that now she is mine! What she’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: I'm most looking forward to seeing my friend, who has never been happier, marry the man who has brought her so much joy!
Mr. Robins
Best Man
Mr. Robins and I are a lot alike in our spirits and in our upbringings. Mr. Robins and I met in a Men’s Bible Study Group at Hope Church on a Thursday evening. The first time I heard him speak in that meeting I knew he was a man after God’s heart and favor. Let me tell you the type of man and friend Mr. Robins is. This man has driven me (more than once) upstate to pick up my two boys, Colton and Joseph, who live 6 hours away when my personal vehicle was needed elsewhere. This man of God encourages me and sharpens me with Godly counsel and The Word of God so that I can detect and defeat the evil enemy’s attacks. Mr. Robins, in my eyes, is like a modern day apostle Paul. And when Mr. Robins and I grow and go through this gift and blessing called life together, I try my very best to stay close to him and learn from him like the scribe Timothy did alongside the great apostle Paul. Truly truly I tell you, I’m grateful to have Mr. Robins stand by my side as my Best Man. From Mr. Robins: Can you stand the rain? Yes you can, with God in the middle.
Russell Swinger
Groomsman
Russell and I became instant best friends after a Relay for Life event held in Milledgeville, Ga in the fall of 2005 while we were in high school. He is an amazing drummer and is also very artistic with drawings. Russell is someone I’m very fortunate and blessed to call my best friend. Growing up we went to a lot of concerts, took a couple of road trips, and played a lot of ultimate frisbee and Halo on Xbox game consoles. What he’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: We expect to see angels flying through along with the flying monkeys and aliens. It will be almost as glorious as the sight of my brother Chris and his new beautiful bride Allison levitating in love and ecstasy as they kiss after the “I do’s.”
Will Swinger
Groomsman
Will Swinger is the younger brother to Russ, so we became friends naturally over time. Will and I would hang out together with our mutual friend, Michael Collins, who lived right up the road from the Swingers’ residence back in the day. Will has been there for me when I needed him the most. I believe everyone on earth should have a friend like Will. He’s a great man who possesses great morals for everyone to emulate. Will can also play the hell out of a guitar! What he’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: I’m most looking forward to all the good laughs guaranteed to be had with everyone.
Gary Swinger
Groomsman
Gary Swinger - Aka Mr. G - is the father to Russell and Will Swinger. Mr. G is like a father to me. Whenever Will, Russ, Mr. G, and I get together it’s always a fun and interesting time. I can always count on Mr. G for a good laugh, wisdom, or a cool story from his past life experiences. Mr. G is a man that needs little to no introduction. He has a heart of gold and is a phenomenal harmonica player. What he’s most looking forward to on the wedding day: Looking forward to witnessing this fine young couple begin a new life together!!!
James Snow
Groomsman
James is my big brother and the first person I considered to be a friend since I moved to Warner Robins, Ga. Our friendship began at a car dealership a couple of years ago. I felt like I had the entire weight of the world on my shoulders the day I walked into that dealership. Issues with my car, job, kids, the list goes on... and I personally felt like my issues were going to continue through that day because I assumed whoever was going to sell me a car was going to try to rip me off with the vehicle I was trying to purchase. Then James introduced himself to me.. and later said to me “I’m not here to sell you a car; I’m here to serve you.” I was very impressed with his response, because he showed me right then and there that he valued me as a customer more than money or financial gain from a car sell. James has accomplished a great deal of many amazing things in his life; he’d be more than happy to tell you at the wedding. Not only is he a fantastic salesman at a dealership, but he is also the Team Leader over the salvation team at Hope Church and serves under the Growth Track team as well. Friends like James are hard to come by. But if you were to ever meet someone with a passion to serve and a heart of gold like James, stay close to him and cherish him. Invite him to your wedding and remind him that he’s the man!!