Best Man
During the Billings years, Shay and Ian both found themselves in need of a roommate who didn’t suck. Nik came to the rescue and introduced them to each other and after a night of unsupervised debauchery, they became fast friends and decided to get an apartment on the westside together. Ian looks back on those years as some of the best years of his life. Stemming from their years living together, Ian helped Shay through traumatic life events like arrow-related surgeries and proofreading term papers. Shay, in turn, returned the support by educating Ian about tectonic shifts as well as making sure Ian didn’t starve. After their careers took them to different parts of the country, the two still remained close, and Ian always made it a point to visit Shay whenever the opportunity arose. It was actually on one of these trips that Shay took a picture of Ian that would eventually lead to Maria and Ian’s first date. His carefree honesty, humble nature and culinary mastery are just a few of the reasons why Ian is proud to have Shay as his best man.
Matron of Honor
Rachel and Maria both grew up in Cincinnati, OH but lived on opposite sides of the city. They did not meet and become friends until after college when they began to work together as RN's on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Cincinnati Children's. They quickly became friends due to their similar passion for their jobs, their love of fur babies, good food and adventure. They became roommates along with Rachel's dog and cat and Maria's two dogs. They referred to their house as the Lawndale zoo, where they lived happily in wonderful chaos for 2 years. During this time Maria discovered Rachel's amazing baking skills, and Rachel's ability to keep her sane and grounded. Rachel is a genuine, caring friend who has been such a blessing to Maria through her ability to listen, understand and calm Maria. Rachel helped Maria get ready and pumped up before her first date with Ian and will be there to help her get ready before she walks down the isle to marry him. Rachel also happens to be a tremendous planner and is definitely the organized one in their friendship which makes her the perfect person to be Maria’s matron of honor. Even though they no longer live together, in their spare time they enjoy visiting Grady Veterinary Hospital's emergency room with their fur babies, going on adventures and doing life together.
Groomsman
Rob and Ian met over 27 years ago on August 28th, 1995. That was the day Ian was born. Ian doesn’t remember much of the day, he was going through quite a lot at the time, but a true bond would eventually be forged. Rob would dare Ian to pee on things, and Ian discovered how electricity worked the hard way. Normal guy stuff. Since that fateful day, the two brothers have shared endless talks filled with advice, celebrations and maybe a few too many of Rob’s signature bear hugs. There isn’t anyone that Ian looks to more for support and advice than his older brother. Rob’s support has been quintessential to Ian’s successes in life and he couldn’t ask for a better big brother.
Bridesmaid
Maria met Lesa on her journey to deepen and strengthen her faith which started with going to Crossroads. Maria joined a small group that met once a week and this is where she met Lesa. Lesa was her first friend in the group and they began to talk before and after group and attend church on Sunday's together. They learned that they both enjoyed coffee, walking, hiking and being in nature and used this time to learn more about each other, their beliefs and their past. God used this time to create a lasting friendship that encouraged life, peace, love and healing. Ian always jokes that Maria is a different, more positive and understanding person after hanging out with Lesa, which is 100% true. Lesa brings out the best in Maria and reminds her what her purpose is and that the past doesn't define her. Lesa is a true gift from God and Maria is so thankful that she is in her life, not to mention Maria and Ian's dogs absolutely love Aunt Lesa. No one else makes them cry pure joy when they walk through the door like Aunt Lesa.
Groomsman
During the college years in Billings, Ian and Nik began their friendship as Resident Assistants together in the freshman dorms. They quickly realized that the people they were policing were having much more fun, and promptly didn’t continue the profession into the following years. Insert thousands of stand-up comedy quotes, copious karaoke sessions and a dash of general tomfoolery, and the years in Billings flew by as these two tore up the nightlife. Nik’s ability to light up a room, brighten anyone’s day with a joke or a smile, and spread positivity wherever he goes are what makes him one of the most genuine people Ian has ever met. Also his wife is pretty cool too.
Bridesmaid
GraceAnne is Maria's younger sister by 10 years. Maria can still remember the day Grace was born and trying to fight all of the nurses for making her cry. Maria now understands that this was all necessary being a nurse herself, but at the time she did not. Growing up with GraceAnne as a little sister meant there was never a dull moment. GraceAnne always found a way to entertain everyone whether she was singing "Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear" until she turned blue, hiding all of the car keys in her pet hospital and locking the doors, or requesting that the family attend her "Crickey's" funeral, Grace found a way to make you laugh. When Maria now describes her to anyone the first thing she says is, "She is just so cool," and she genuinely means that. GraceAnne and Maria have a special relationship that involves giving each other advice, being honest about the hard stuff in life and reminding one another of their worth and value. GraceAnne also has a special role of giving Ian sh** and receiving it back from him; it's a beautiful relationship.
Groomsman
During his adventures in Bozeman as a flight instructor, Ian had the privilege to meet Zach. They immediately became fast friends as Ian helped Zach achieve his Private Pilot License as well as his Instrument rating. In kind, Zach took Ian golfing and introduced him to many of Bozeman’s best watering holes. His enthusiasm for life, and the A-10 Warthog, are what make Zach the life of the party and one of the strongest personalities in the room. Also, the puggle, Nelly, is in love with Zach; so hands off ladies.
Bridesmaid
Cecelia is Maria's longest friend who is loyal, loving, and like a big sister. Cecelia and Maria met in middle school during Friday night youth group but became close in high school when they both made the competitive show choir team, "Show Cards." They spent every weekend together during competition season and continued to spend time outside of competition season cultivating a life long friendship. They remained friends during college, and into adult hood and continue to live life together by celebrating Cecelia's marriage to Ben, the welcoming of their son Noah, and the family’s move to Chapel Hill for Neurosurgery Residency! God knew Maria would need Cecelia so he blessed her with a friend who not only understood her and her situations, but could give her personal advice, guidance and encouragement. Cecelia keeps Maria grounded also and reminds her who she is when she forgets and always guides her back to the truth.
Groomsman
Ian and Ben met in Polson back during Tiger Scouts. They attended school together all the way through high school until Ian moved away for college. Whenever Ian would come back to Polson however, he would always make a point of spending at least one evening hanging out with Ben. Many a party was had on Ben’s boat which was the centerpiece for the majority of the 4th of July festivities over the years. Through all of this jubilation, Ben has proven to be one of the truest and most loyal friends for Ian.
Bridesmaid
Maria and Hannah met through Cecelia who is now Hannah's sister-in-law. Hannah and Maria went to high school together but never hung out (which Maria really regrets now). They became close when Cecelia started to bring Hannah around to girls nights and Maria realized how awesome she was. They continued to get to know one another during Cecelia's wedding season and became the single ladies of Cecelia's bridal party. This automatically created a bond between them and they began to share their stories with one another. They realized that they both could use each other during that season of their life to encourage one another and prepare each other for their future when they too would find Mr. Right. After many terrible dates, laughs about awkward times and tears they both began relationships that led to their Mr. Right, and they couldn't be more excited and proud of how far they both have come. Maria had the honor of being one of Hannah's bridesmaid in her wedding and can't wait for Hannah to be part of her big day.
Officiant
Jacob is the younger brother of Maria and officiating the wedding. Jacob and Maria are not only siblings but best friends and have always supported one another, encouraged one another and been each others biggest cheerleaders. No matter where life has taken them they always find a way to stay close and continue to share life. Jacob is an associate pastor in New Mexico where he lives with his beautiful wife Aleesha and three children. Ian and Maria couldn't be more thankful to have him as their officiant, their brother and friend.
Bridesmaid
Kaitlyn is Maria's cousin and life long friend. Growing up Maria always looked up to her older cousin and looked forward to sleep overs at Grandma and Grandpas, fun family vacations and spending time together at family gatherings. Maria and Kaitlyn share lots of memories together including when they learned how to wrap a towel on their heads after a shower, how fun it is to take really pretty pictures in Grandma’s gardens with fun costumes and how to make really cool CDs from limewire. They also enjoyed being boy crazy together and chasing boys on vacations and staying up late to chat with boys on AOL. While they no longer chase boys or take pretty pictures in Grandma’s gardens, Maria and Kaitlyn continue to grow together and now get to enjoy adult life including Kaitlyn and Eric’s two adorable children! Maria had the pleasure of being Kaitlyn’s maid of honor a few years ago and now gets to enjoy Kaitlyn being a bridesmaid on her big day.
Ring Bearer
Brantley is the nephew of "Tia Ria" and "Uncle Ian" and son of Jacob and Aleesha Pierce. Maria and Ian adore this fellow and can't wait to have him at their wedding. Some of their favorite memories of Brantley include the FaceTime call of his first shave, the picture of him sleeping with the bike that Uncle Ian picked out for Christmas and going to the Cincinnati Reds baseball game.
Flower Girl
Tinley is the niece of "Tia Ria" and Uncle Ian and is the daughter of Jacob and Aleesha Pierce. Maria has a soft spot for this girl because she loves to eat, shop and demands the attention of the room. Maria can't wait to not only have this spunky gem be her flower girl but she can't wait to grow old with her and eat all the food.
Ring Bearer
Oakley Pierce is the nephew of Maria and Ian and has not yet chosen what he will call them. He is also the son of Jacob and Aleesha Pierce. Oakley will be crafting his walking skills for Maria and Ian's wedding and will be adding his laid back, big brown eyes and sweet personality to the bridal party.
Flower Girl
Oaklyn is the niece of Uncle "EEE EEE" and Auntie Ria and the daughter of Rob and Ashton Ricketts. Oaklyn will also be perfecting her walking skills at Ian and Maria's wedding and will add more beautiful spunky ginger to the bridal party. One of Maria and Ian's favorite memories of Oaklyn is attending her baptism and gifting Oaklyn with her first of many claw machine toys won by her Uncle "EEE EEE."