Wedding Party
Taryn Borelli
Bride
Taryn met James the second day of her freshman year of college. They were walking with a group on their way to a pep rally. She remembers thinking he was crazy but she also remembers daydreaming about their future lives together while they were at the pep rally! Taryn grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and went to Shawnee Mission North High School. She then got her masters degree in Landscape Architecture from K-State and now works for DLR Group. She enjoys bubble tea, vinyl records, and learning to roller skate in their apartment.
James Lightner
Groom
James met Taryn at the beginning of his sophomore year in college on the way to a pep rally. They ended up sitting together and talking the whole time. Taryn and James bonded over the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" and started dating later that semester in December. James grew up in Olathe Kansas and attended Olathe North High School (Go Eagles!) before going to K-State for a degree in electrical engineering. He recently celebrated 7 years at Garmin as a Design Engineer in the aviation displays department. He is a percussionist at heart, loves to collect old Pokemon cards, and playing video games with his friends.
Paige Smith
Matron of Honor
The eldest of three sisters, Paige is known for her sage guidance and advice given throughout Taryn's life. She and her husband, Elliot, just welcomed their lovely baby girl, Lily in February! They share their St. Louis home with their sassy dog, Sadie. Paige has a PhD in Sociology from Duke University and now works as a healthcare data analyst. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and running. She has completed many marathons and half marathons!
Spencer Buff
Best Man
James and Spencer (AKA "Buff") first met on the kindergarten playground and have been best friends ever since. Whether it be 6th grade Mathletes, church youth group, or band they have always had each other. After high school, both James and Spencer decided to go to Kansas State University to study engineering (and also play a few intermural sports). They lived together all 4 years until James graduated. Spencer and James still like to keep in touch with their inner child and collect Pokemon cards, watch anime and play DND together.
Miranda Sand
Matron of Honor
The middle of three sisters, Miranda fits the stereotypical peace-maker role of the middle child. Miranda and her husband, George, have an inquisitive 2-year-old son, Rafa, and just welcomed an adorable baby girl, Chloe, in February! The Sand family live in their San Diego home with their disgruntled dog, Finny. Miranda is an occupational therapist and in her free time enjoys taking her family to parks, beaches, and the San Diego Zoo!
Evan Lanning
Groomsman
James first met Evan (AKA "Eva") in the K-State dorms, and they instantly became friends. They spent countless nights together playing Minecraft, Smash TV, and watching their favorite shows. After college, Evan and his girlfriend, Beth, moved back to Denver where James visited frequently. Evan and Beth recently moved to Kansas City and frequently hang out with James and Taryn, especially at their favorite Korean and Vietnamese restaurants!
Lindsey Lightner
Bridesmaid
As James' older sister, Lindsey is the reason James has a brown belt in taekwondo. He had to learn how to defend himself or else Lindsey could beat up him! Lindsey has a tiny home in northern Idaho and a van that she renovated into a home. Lindsey lives with her spazzy cat, Ozzy, who knows tricks like sit, stand, and come! Lindsey enjoys DIY projects, traveling, and the great outdoors.
John Shaver
Groomsman
James and John (AKA "Wes") both studied electrical engineering at Kansas State University and lived in the same dorm hallway. They had several classes together (those who suffer together, stay together). When they weren't studying with each other, you could find them at their favorite bar, Porters. After college, John and James lived together for 2 years and loved to talk to each other about anything and everything. Now they love going on motorcycle rides, working on cars, sitting around bonfires and going to the Lake of the Ozarks together.
Haley Daniel
Bridesmaid
Haley and Taryn met when they were just 4 years old. Taryn was told there was another little girl moving in next door, and cried when she found out she wasn't moving into her own house! They've stayed friends ever since, taking Irish dance lessons and traveling to Spain and Italy together. And Taryn was the maid of honor at Haley's wedding 2 years ago! Haley and her husband, Mitchell, have two children, Mavery and Jackson and live in Merriam, KS. They also have a sweet dog, Clyde!
Sam Rozell
Groomsman
Sam was James' lab partner for the very first class at Kansas State, where they instantly became inseparable and sat next to each other for every class. They both joined the college's "E-Club" where they worked tirelessly on crazy inventions, notably a plasma generator, lightning generator, turbo laptop cooler, lazer maze, and more. Eventually Sam became president of E-Club and James became Vice President. Sam is responsible for James' career in aviation electronics, because he got James a local aviation manufacturing job in Manhattan, where James scrubbed circuit boards for $8/hour and Sam assembled throttle-quadrants. Sam and his wife Laura live in San Diego near Taryn's sister, and Taryn and James try to visit as much as they can.
Mavery Daniel
Flower Girl
Mavery is the daughter of Haley and Mitchell Daniel. She be three in January and is a great big sister to her little brother, Jackson.
Raphael Sand
Ring Bearer
Raphael (Rafa) is the son of Miranda and George Sand and is Taryn's nephew. He is 2 years old and enjoys playing in his backyard and on the beach. And he's a big brother to his little sister, Chloe!