Savannah & Jaris
Wedding Party
William Overton
Father of the Bride
From Daddy with love..." And who told you I was lactose intolerant?"
Jayne Kennedy-Overton
Mother of the Bride
A blessing from Mom: "When you were just a little luminous star that made my life, you’d wrap your hands around my face and fill it with butterfly kisses. And you’d study my eyes and whisper, “I so poud o’ you!” And that was all I needed... I was hooked on a life filled with YOU! So as you step into your next journey, I’m returning the love, “I'm so proud of YOU!!!” Throughout your life there is no way you could have blessed me with anything more than what our twin spirits share. And now we’ve come to a parting of the ways where I have to step aside and watch your journey branch into more opportunities to find other faces to plant those tender kisses as you and Jaris grow your family in love. May you be blessed in God, knowing that he has your back as I always have... and always will."
Jeanna Woodhouse
Matron of Honor
Jeanna is one of Savannah's best friends since they first took a photography class together in high school. Jeanna has always been one of the first people Savannah calls when life gets good or crazy. They share a love of cooking, Broadway show-tunes, dancing, Hulu/Prime accounts, good books, private Facebook photo albums (detailing a great time spent in their early 20's) and gossip. In 2017, Jeanna gave birth to the adorable Genevieve Beatrice and gave Savannah the immense honor of being her Godmother. Jeanna moved away first, got married first, had a baby first and is walking Savannah through each and every step of life and saving her tons of money, because Savannah expects a Google Doc of all the notes from parenting class when and if Baby Williams is on the way!
Sofie Stiefel
Maid of Honor
Savannah and Sofie have known each other since the fourth grade at Lincoln Elementary in Santa Monica, CA. They became fast friends with their boisterous and incessant laughter (sorry BJ), love of Wild Pair shoes, basketball and all things inappropriate. Sofie and Savannah have traveled to Catalina and Mexico and have a shared love of searching for hidden dragons and playing pranks. They share clothes (mostly Savannah stealing from Sofie) and are now both dog Mommies, with Savannah now being Dog Mommy to Simba. For several years if you saw one, you saw the other. Some of Savannah's biggest life moments, Sofie was right there. You can guarantee lots of laughs and tears to come!
Cheyenne Overton
Bridesmaid
Cheyenne is Savannah's older sister by three years and mother to the amazing Junior Groomsmen, Kingyari. Cheyenne and Savannah share a love of good food, funny jokes and entreprenuership. If you think Savannah works all the time, you should see Cheyenne! Savannah has fond memories of riding around LA in Cheyenne's Ford Bronco listening to Lil Kim (explicit - sorry Daddy, Cheyenne's fault) or running for their lives from a Moose on the family farm in Maine. Cheyenne has always been a role model for Savannah and she's so excited to see Cheyenne and King turn it up on the dance floor to Montell Jordan's hit record, "This is How we Do it"!
Kopper Overton
Bridesmaid
Kopper is Savannah's first younger sister. Since Kopper aka KopTop aka Koppertone aka Choppa aka Kopps (Jaris), was born, Savannah has done whatever it takes to put a smile on Kopper's face and will do anything to make her laugh. Kopper's great fashion sense and clever diction always has Savannah running back to her for advice or approval. Savannah is usually ridiculous or over emotional and Kopper has a majestic way of bringing her peace and focus. Fun fact, and she'll kill Savannah for writing this, but whatever she's getting married: if you ever find yourself down and out, give Kopper a ring, ask her to say "It's so fluffy!" and your mood and day will instantly improve! Savannah calls Kopper her person and it'll be a toss up as to who is crying more on wedding day!
Zaïre Overton
Bridesmaid
Zaire is Savannah's youngest sister and although they are 10 years apart they are practically the same person. However, where Zaire is clean and orderly, Savannah thrives in organized chaos. Where Savannah is often wildly entertained by the grotesque, Zaire would rather not. However, ever since Zaire was born, Savannah weaned her, taught her, played with her, stole her food, advised her, tickled her tummy and still to this day will cuddle her at bedtime. Their mutual love of soccer, travel and Zaire's allowance for Savannah to not know any lyrics to a single song keeps their sister-ship strong even though Savannah has lived far away for a significant part of Zaire's life. With Zaire back in DC there's sure to be lots of celebrating all wedding weekend long!
Lexi Guiner-da Silva
Bridesmaid
Lexi and Savannah have been best friends since they were six years old. They lived next door to one another for about 6-7 years in Playa del Rey where the community was the best neighborhood in the world. They shared birthdays, Rosh Hashanah, Kwanzaa and Easter together every year! Living in multicultural neighborhood growing up taught them both the value of love, respect, identity and dignity. Lexi and Savannah's life journey has been ironically so similar - they literally have almost the same life in very similar (but different) ways. What happens to one, happens (or will happen) to the other. Lexi cries almost as much as Savannah, so expect tears over here too! Savannah is also so excited for Lexi to finally meet her 10 year old nephew, Kingyari!
Cortney Freshwater
Bridesmaid
Savannah met Cortney through Jeanna. When Cortney moved out to LA from Chicago, she moved in with Jeanna. For almost two years from Thursday- Saturday, if you saw one of them you saw the other. From nights at "The Parlor" to women wine nights, and an unforgettable dinner date at Bossa Nova, where they talked about life that had a lasting impression on Savannah, Savannah and Cortney know have to have a good time. Savannah considers Cortney her woman-person: always insightful, always driven, always smiling and always giving! Their mutual love of sunshine, romance, Rolls Royce luxury vehicles and family bring them close. Recently married herself, Cortney will walk through the entire wedding planning process with Sav (thanks in advance, Cortney!)
Jaime Riccio
Bridesmaid
Jaime basically helped Savannah get through grad school. They met the very first day of Teacher's Assistant Training at Syracuse where they were both going to get their master's in Media Studies. Along with Nikki (Hi my love!) they shared many, many, many, high fat, high carb, all snacks and sugar Girls Nights on the Lake discussing work, school, family, friends, love and life. When Savannah left LA she left her family and closest friends. Jaime was the perfect solution and has become one of Savannah's dearest friends. They share a love of fitness, ice cream, gross and foul humor and tearing down walls in education and the workplace. Savannah was truly honored to serve as one of Jaime's bridesmaids when she married Brian and could not be happier that Jaime is returning the favor.
Lyneise Williams
Bridesmaid
Lyneise is one of Jaris' younger sisters and has created such a special bond with Savannah. Savannah is so happy to be gaining more sisters and loves that Lyneise has been so excited about Jaris and Savannah's marriage. Lyneise and Savannah share a love for cooking, margaritas (which still have never been made together with Ms. Williams' machine), education, youth development and proving Jaris wrong! Lyneise's son, Lathan is also one of the ring bearers and loves Auntie Savannah and her belly very much. Savannah will never forget the bathroom conversation in Nashville during Savannah's 30th birthday celebrations and is so happy that Jaris finally proposed (3 years later!).
Lynn Johnson
Mother of the Groom
A blessing from Mom: "Congratulations on your engagement! Continued blessings for your future in love."
Antuane Williams
Best Man
Jaris' older brother. The best man who will keep Jaris on track and make sure his feet are warm at all times. Supplemental responsibility is to make sure Jaris gets there on time.
Cory Boone
Groomsman
Cory and Jaris met each other in 2010 at Syracuse University as the only two black men in their department. Cory has been one of Jaris' best friends since the day they met. Cory is the best dancer Jaris knows and reps for all the Nupes out there! If you see Cory at the reception ask him to tell you one of the many hilarious stories about him and Jaris.
Christopher Overton
Groomsman
Childhood friend of Jaris' who he is still very close with. Both of their mothers worked together and Christopher and Jaris went to the same high school and played football together.
Jordan Pegues
Groomsman
Jaris' cousin who went to private school and assisted Jaris with the logistics of proposing to Savannah. If you see him at the reception please inquire what "I'm going crazy style," means.
Rhyan Pegues
Groomsman
Jaris' other cousin who also went to private school and is a U.S. Army Veteran. When you get a chance please ask him about his political views.
Kentrale Tate
Groomsman
One of Jaris' closest childhood friends and college roommate who helped shaped who Jaris is today. If Jaris' Mom was ever cooking, somehow Tate would find his way to their meal.
Roberto West
Groomsman
"Rob Money", Jaris' good friend who lives in Las Vegas. Jaris met Rob through groomsmen, Cory who will end up being a lifetime friend and responsible for Jaris' Vegas rights of passages.
Nathan Williams
Groomsman
Another one of Jaris childhood friends who he went to high school and played sports with. Nate is not bashful and will say something hilarious to someone before the night is over. Jaris apologizes in advance if someone gets offended, haha. If you see Nate at the reception, ask him about "Churchill Park."