Wedding Party

Ariana Elise Milner

Bride

“I don’t even know where to start. She is just so amazing and everything I could ever want in a partner. Every aspect of her is just so perfect to me in every single way. She is an amazing soul so rich with love and happiness. I love her giggle and the cute little dimples that pop out when she smiles. I look forward to all the adventures we will have together. She always takes things head on and doesn’t falter for one moment always pushing towards her goal. Ari is brilliant in her academics graduating from LSU and working on her Masters at ULL. She loves the outdoors. We love going on spontaneous trips. She is such a talented and creative artist working on little DIY projects. She is a woman of God, spreading his love with her every action. She would do anything to help someone in need. She has volunteered to help young students with reading and homework, to helping in an inpatient psychiatric facility. In her free time away from her academics she enjoys cooking, watching TV, singing and dancing in her apartment, or hanging out with friends. She has always had such a caring, warm, and comforting presence with her. She is absolutely, 100%, undoubtedly the woman I want to make my other half! These past 6 years have been the best of my life and she has been right there right by my side every step of the way. I can’t wait to say I do at the altar and have the honor of being called her husband!!” -The groom, Evan Duran 🤍

Evan Elijah Duran

Groom

"Everyone who's ever met him knows that Evan is the most kind-hearted and gentle-spirited person in existence. He will lend a helping hand to anyone, whether he's changing tires for random strangers on the side of the road, to mowing his Mom's lawn on a Saturday morning. Evan is a laid-back and happy-go-lucky type of guy. In all the time we've been together, I can hardly ever remember him having a bad day. He's also the hardest worker I've ever met. Whenever he does have that rare break from work, he usually spends that time with his adoring friends, family, or fiance. Still, you'll never hear him complain. His favorite color is blue; he loves animals (and they love him); his favorite musical artist is Jon Bellion; his favorite food is Ramen noodles; and he likes to play video games, go to concerts, be outside, and have spontaneous adventures. But, Evan is more than just a big goofy bundle of love and joy (even though that's a huge part of what makes him amazing). He's also super intelligent, and can fix just about any problem or solve any puzzle you throw at him. He's an amazing cook, a great dancer (as you all will learn), and an extremely talented soccer player. He spreads Jesus' love every day through his caring attitude, his super-contagious smile, and his positive outlook on life. All of that being said, I consider myself the luckiest girl in the universe to get to spend the rest of my life with such a truly wonderful person." - Written with love by Ari🤍

Teresa Milner

Mother of the Bride

It has been such a gift watching Ari grow into a beautiful, Christ-centered woman. She has always had a love of life and a joyous attitude. She has always known what she wants, and she goes after it with all that she's got. This, of course, included her selection of a life partner. I can remember her coming home from high school so excited about a boy she wanted to go to "The Drop." The Drop was the first school dance of the year and it was her first date. They have been inseparable ever since. To say that there's is a love story straight out of a storybook is a little cliche, but anyone who knows them will agree. They adore each other and I can't wait to witness their ceremony with our family and friends. May God bless them and may they continue to grow together in love.

Scott Milner

Father of the Bride

Ariana, your mother and I were given an art project. This project would be shared with many others but would be housed mostly every night with your mother and me. We were asked to mold you into a growing art project that would one day take a life of its own and grow without needing our sculpting. We were asked to share you with older parents and family to ensure your success not only in this world but the next. You were shared with caregivers, teachers, neighbors, and friends. All who’s job as to add personal touches to our final project “You”. It’s not that we are finished but you will accept and reject the touches from others now that you have taken a life of your own. Please always remember that all of us did this out of love and compassion to see our creation go to love and help sculpt others with love and kindness.

Stefani Brinegar

Mother of the Groom

My name is Stefani and I am the one who was blessed with this precious soul as my son. I have seen him grow through struggle and triumph as a little boy, teenager, and young man. I have seen his kind heart with his love for his family and those who are close to him. He is patient and counsels his friends when they are struggling. I have never seen a love like his for Ari. I know that their love is a lasting love that will transcend all that the world will challenge them with. I pray that he will always remember that I love him "more than I has arms" and that I will forever be his biggest fan and cheering him on from the sidelines no matter how many miles are between us. Being your mother has been the greatest gift of all. You are my greatest life's work. I look forward to watching you dedicate yourself to loving Ariana. I am so excited to see all that you two build together. I am also so excited that our two families get to experience this life together as well.

Emogene Stringer

Maid of Honor

I met Ariana when we were both in eighth grade. We had the same earth science and Ari was very outgoing and complemented my Doctor Who binder. At the time I had just started at Live Oak and had not met many people. She showed me what a true friend was and we continued to hang out after that. She became like a sister to me as we grew up together from that point. We both met our soulmates the same year and started dating them two days apart. We got to experience our huge life events around the same times and it has been the best experience of my life. She is the best person I know. Some of my favorite memories are fighting to pay for snacks and lunches. She was the maid of honor in my wedding. I am ecstatic to be able to help her through her wedding.

Mariano Miranda

Best Man

Hello, my name is Mariano! The very first time I met Evan was in middle school during our soccer days. We played throughout high school, but we actually weren't close friends. Our journey truly started when we got our first apartment together. I had asked Evan to be my roommate because he was calm, chill, etc... kind of a man! From there on out it has been absolute history! Mr. Evan & I have known each other for close to 10 years but, we've been best friends for about 4 years now! One of my favorite moments with E is this time we went on a hike w/ friends. We had let an old classmate lead us through the trails and we ended up taking a wrong turn and got lost for about an hour in the summer heat. My man E was taking it hard drenched in sweat and getting exhausted. Also, our Jinya dates and gaming have been very memorable. It's hard to choose a single gaming moment because as cheesy as it sounds, it has never been a dull gaming moment with my brother. A fun fact about Evan if you didn't know: #1 He is in fact a Ninja, you will never ever hear this man coming! #2 An absolute beast at any video game he touches! #3 He gives the best hugs. So if you see him HUG HIM! In all honesty I am very excited about everything. I am beyond happy to see my best friend marry the love of his life. Alayna and I are so excited to see what the future holds for our friends!

Bailey Hennesy

Matron of Honor

Hi I’m Bailey. I’ve known Ari since she was about 3 years old and since then, we’ve shared a bond like no other. We met as neighbors and time and love transformed us into sisters. My favorite memories with Ari are spending summers and weekends together as kids and continuing our adventures into adulthood. We’ve shared holidays, vacations, birthdays, graduations, and all things in between throughout our 20 or so years of knowing each other. I am looking forward to sharing in the experiences with family at the wedding, and fighting back tears as my baby sister makes her way down the aisle. I am honored to have been selected to stand by her side on one of her most important days and I can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with Ariana and Evan.

Noah Cloud

Groomsman

Hey I’m Noah. I met Evan through the soccer team at our high school and working at The Pizza Place later on. We have been friends for 8 years. It is really hard to pick one exact fun memory with Evan. I would just say having Evan as a friend it’s like always getting to belly laugh and making a good situation better. He has always been a man of his word and has taught me that there are levels to patience. I look forward to most on your wedding day to see you all suited up next to Ari knowing you will remember this moment for all of your days. It’s special to be a part of that.

Katelynn Benge

Bridesmaid

Hi everyone! My name is Katelynn and I am so happy to be a part of Ari and Evan’s big day! It has been so fun to watch their excitement and anticipation for this next chapter of their lives as they plan. A little about me: I am from Shreveport, Louisiana and met Ari in grad school at UL! The first thing Ari ever said to me was “I have a pet frog,” and I thought “This girl’s kind of weird… we’re gonna be friends.” Since then, I have enjoyed Ari’s friendship for its simplicity and wholesomeness. My favorite memories are all of our days spent giggling and baking when we should have been working on our theses. Evan would inevitably call Ari during our baking sessions and I would become victim to their sickly sweet conversations. Truthfully, I cannot think of a more loving relationship than the one that they have. I am most excited for the getting ready part of the day and spending time with my pookie (Ari) before she becomes a missus! Can’t wait to see ya’ll there!

James Sullivan

Groomsman

I am James, I met Evan many moons ago, we were in the Boy Scouts together and a few years apart in age. Most moments I spend with Evan are memorable, so choosing a favorite one is kind of difficult. One that is a favorite is when we were on a trip with the Boy Scouts. You can receive a Polar Bear badge, you earn this if you sleep in below 32°. There was one trip that dropped below freezing almost every night, but you can only get the badge once so Evan said we needed to get a badge for every night of that trip. Another memory I cherish is when Evan and I frequently play video games together. He is capable of being the best at every game we pick up. This is memorable to me because he often chooses to forgo winning to mess with everyone else, which in turn makes a more fun and entertaining night of gaming. Oddly enough he will still end up being the best out of us even if he isn’t trying. I am also privileged to get to experience Evan’s cooking, he makes some macaroni that is to die for! Recently on a trip he brought his Nintendo Switch and he, Noah and I played Super Smash Bros in the backseat of the car the whole ride, this completely made us forget we were three large men in the back of a car cramped together, it is an experience I will not soon forget. I am extremely grateful to have been chosen to be apart of this celebration between him and Ari. I can’t wait to witness my friend marry the love of his life. Love you pal!

Vee Duran

Bridesmaid

Why hello! I’m Vee! I met Ari through Evan. We have a lot of the same interests and aesthetics, so we really bonded over arts and crafts and room decor. Ari & I have been friends for about 6 years or so! My favorite memory would have to be when we were playing some kind of game at Ari’s dining table, and she said something really funny as I was taking a sip of my drink which made me spit it out with a lot of force. I’m most excited to dance and be in a wedding for the first time! I’m so honored to be one of Ari’s bridesmaids! I can’t wait to see these high school sweethearts that have grown before my eyes tie the knot!

Alex Duran

Groomsman

Annalyse Batte

Bridesmaid

Hi, I'm Annalyse! I met Ari when I was in about 3rd grade thorugh our school/church. Ari and I instantly became best friends, her family became mine, and I believe it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. The past 10 years have been such a joy with Ari, with so many amazing memories, but nothing will compare to the 3 months we loved together. My favorite memory from that time was spending our entire day in the kitchen, always baking something new and almost always following with a movie night. Living with my best friend was a blessing and I will always miss getting ready together every single morning. I am over the moon Ari has found her other half, and I am blessed to have watched this couple grow together into the best versions of themselves. I'm most excited for the morning of the wedding day, to share such an exciting experience with Ari as she gets ready to be the most beautiful bride. So ecstatic for this journey with our future Mrs!

Ryan Chatelain

Usher

Arwen Brinegar

Flower Girl

Owen Brinegar

Ring Bearer

Pastor Frank Mons

Officiant