Our Wedding Party
We are so lucky to have such special and wonderful people to share this journey with us! Get to know our wedding party below, some of the people who have helped us get to where we are today!
Brittany Nelson Jones | Matron of Honor | Raleigh
Brittany and I have been best friends since 5th grade! I'll never forget when Brittany and her twin sister, Leslie, moved into our neighborhood. One of the neighbors told me there was "another" Brittany that I needed to meet. Turns out we started 5th grade and were in the same class sitting next to each other!! Brittany and I very quickly became "the Brittany's" spending our days playing Mall Madness and fishing at the neighborhood dock! Fast forward a few years and we got our licenses and took our first road trip together to Charleston (what were our parents thinking!?). Then we braved college together and, despite everyone's advice that we would hate one another if we lived together, Brit and I knew we were different. We survived 4 years of being roommates and a studying abroad experience in Australia together! There are so many memories that I wish I could share them all! We are now all grown up and living in different towns but are still pretty inseparable. Oh and what could be more ironic that we both married guys named, Ryan! Coincidence? I think not! Couldn't imagine a better friend to stand by my side when I say "I do"!
Lindsay Spiers Harkey | Matron of Honor | Wilmington
Lindsay and I met right out of college and became instant best friends when we were sharing a tiny postage stamp of an office! There wasn't much room, so we were forced to become instantly close, and I don't know what I would do without this girl! Lindsay has been my partner in crime during my professional career, and often times when we are in public together we get asked if we are sisters or even twins! She is my sister at heart for sure! Lindsay is my running/workout buddy, and we have completed 6 halves, 1 full marathon, and a triathlon together. Lindsay is always up for the next adventure no matter what crazy ideas we come up with, or if we have to complete a 10 mile run at 4:45 am in the dark because its the only time our schedules allow - we are in it together! We are also members of several volunteer organizations where we always jump in together to co-chair events and committees because truthfully, I don't think I could do it alone. Our skills and personalities just compliment each other and I'm so excited that she is going to be such an important part of my special day!
Catherine Price Barr | Bridesmaid | Charlotte
I am so lucky to call Katie my sister - ok well sister-in-law but it was the closest I could get to a real sister! I have known Katie since I was in middle school when she and my brother were just "best friends"! Before I could drive, Katie used to keep me while my parents went out of town. She even took me to my first "high school" party (sorry mom!). I've always admired and looked up to Katie. She is an amazing role model to have personally and from a relationship standpoint. Fast forward several years and she had my very first niece in May of 2014. So excited for Katie to be part of our special day!
Ashley Bookout | Bridesmaid | Nashville
Ashley is my little cousin who is 3 years younger than me. We grew up spending most summers together bouncing between East Tennessee and Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up, Ashley was truly the little sister I always wanted but couldn't wait to get rid of! She used to drive me crazy by following me around and "copying" everything I did. Turns out, this made us the best of friends! We would fight like sisters then make up! Ashley and I have always been close and find it really hard being over 9 hours away from each other. I'm so excited to be playing all grown up dress up with Ashley in the upcoming months!
Holly Clark Herndon | Bridesmaid | Virginia Beach
Where do I even begin with this sweet girl?! I met Holly through Ryan when Ryan and I first started dating. Holly is now married to one of Ryan's childhood best friends, Brad. Funny how these things work out?! Holly is sweet and caring and always a ball of energy! I absolutely love the time I get to spend with her! Holly was one of the first people to learn and celebrate our engagement since I planned to get together with them for drinks not knowing what was in store for me that evening! Also, I'll never forget on Holly's Unofficial Bachelorette party she convinced me to ride the mechanical bull at City Limits. So many great memories with Holly!
Alyssa Miller | Bridesmaid | Wrightsville Beach
I have known Alyssa since I was in college! I got to know her through Ashley Stapleton who knew Alyssa from living in New York. As soon as I graduated and was looking for a place to live, Ashley suggested Alyssa and the rest is history! Alyssa and I became fast friends, and I even give her credit for not only showing me my love of labs but also sending me the email when Riley was looking for a new home! Alyssa is one of my nearest and dearest friends who is always up for a great time and a good laugh! I'm so excited for her to be part of our special day!
Brittany Parish | Bridesmaid | Wilmington
Brittany and I got to know each other several Garden Parties ago when she was home from law school in Boston. Luckily she decided to move back to town and we haven't missed a Garden Party together since! Brittany is the kind of friend that is always up for an adventure whether it's shopping on a Saturday, laying on the beach, or champagne just because it's Tuesday - she's your girl! Brit keeps me laughing no matter what with her quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor. I'm so lucky to call her one of my best friends!
Ashley Stapleton | Bridesmaid | Charlotte
Ashley is such a special friend! We met our freshman year of college while she was visiting a friend in our dorm. A few study sessions, trips to the beach, and parties later Ashley became one of my best friends! Coincidentally, Ashley's family moved to the Charlotte area and were only a few minutes away from my parents. This made us inseparable the summer after freshman year! The remainder of my college career, Ash was one of my roommates after we spent an evening camping out in the rain to get into the apartment we really wanted. We share a love for slushies, carbs, and cheese! I cannot even begin to tell you how many fun times I've had with this girl! She moved to Charlotte for law school after we graduated but we still get together every chance we get!
Margaret Grace Barr | Flower girl | Charlotte
Maggie is our only niece and the child of Dustin and Katie. She just turned one in May of 2015 and decided to take her first steps on her birthday so she has plenty of time to practice walking down the aisle! Maggie is a bundle of joy, and we are so blessed that she is part of our family. Our only complaint is that she lives 4 hours away!
John Rhodenhiser, Jr. | Best Man | High Point
My Dad, quite obviously, has been there for me from the very beginning. Dad has molded me in to the man that I am today, and I hope that I can even come close to the example that he has been for me as a man, businessman, husband, and father. From one-on-one basketball games where he would inevitably beat me with a sky hook from 30 feet once I pulled close to hunting trips where he guided me through shooting my first buck to fishing trips offshore and on the beach to refinishing/installing hardwood floors in my first house, the memories we have made could fill up the entire internet. I am honored that the best man will be serving as my best man this December.
Dustin Barr | Groomsman | Charlotte
Dustin and I met a few months after I started dating Brittany. Aside from being glad to know that he served as the older brother, I was also glad he was there to serve as a role model for Brittany as she grew up, I am also pleased to see the example that Dustin and his wife Katie provide as a young married couple and as new parents. Dustin and I both enjoy playing golf. The difference between us is that he enjoys playing "good" golf. Of course, I like to attribute that to the fact he’s about seven feet taller than I am rather than the tens of thousands of extra hours he has spent on the links. I am looking forward to many rounds with my brother-in-law in the future.
Miles Gurley | Groomsman | High Point
Miles Gurley and I have been friends since early childhood. It would be safe to say that we were very competitive growing up. When I was a very small 10-year old point guard at the YMCA for the Deacons, in a game against the Bullets, somehow Miles and his brother Slade ended up tasked with both defending me. Needless to say it was a significant mismatch as they created quite the trap at halfcourt. Luckily, as we got older, we turned to tennis, where we were amazingly evenly matched. One summer, we probably played each other an average of three sets a day. At the end of that summer, we were obviously in the top two spots on the single’s ladder. Miles ended up winning by a hair, which (as a future lawyer would), I protested. That’s probably why his name is on the Martha Nell Tucker Sportsmanship trophy instead of mine. It is amazing how close of a bond such competition can create.
Brad Herndon | Groomsman | Virginia Beach
Brad Herndon and I have known each other for however many years Brad has been alive at this point. After Brad moved to Wilmington to attend UNCW, he urged me to move to town if an opportunity arose in the future. After several years, that day came, and I moved to Wrightsville Beach to be roommates with him in Channel Walk. The following years of river runs on his boat the Lady Bud, bicycle crashes on Salisbury Street, and trips to Jerry Allen’s and Lagerheads were memorable. Brad’s special talent to appear awake while actually being asleep in a loud bar will never be forgotten as it led to his nickname of Sleeps While Standing Up and probably also intrigued the young lady that he now calls his wife. As he was a brother I never had, it was my honor to stand with Brad at his wedding and to have him stand with me for mine.
John Mandulak | Groomsman | Fayetteville
John (aka Snake) and I met on either my first day as a freshman at UNC or at least some time that week. John had transferred in as a junior that fall, so he was that truly invaluable friend to have as a freshman – the go-to guy for certain refreshing beverages. John has an affinity for all things high-powered – whether it be cars or guns. John knows how to handle both – I remember fondly the Corvette he got at college graduation (and still has today). Our paths led us both to the law, and fortunately we get to see each other often since he lives and practices in Fayetteville. Speaking of, John is the perfect friend to have if you ever find yourself in Fayetteville – tall, intimidating, named Snake, and most certainly packing heat.
Jonathan McLamb | Groomsman | Wilmington
Jonathan McLamb (aka Benson) and I have been friends since shortly after my move to Wrightsville Beach in 2005. A common interest in Nascar racing and living the inexpensive High Life on Sundays at Lagerheads would lead to friendship and being roommates. Some would think that a lifelong Carolina fan and a lifelong State fan would lack some common ground, but that has not been the case. For years, he would take me to Carter-Finley when State hosted Carolina in football and I would take him to Kenan when Carolina would host the Wolfpack. That continued for several years until I realized that I was 0-for-my lifetime in Carter-Finley and politely declined to attend another loss in Raleigh, even if that meant missing the tailgate with his famous pigs in a blanket. Who knew a Tar Heel could count a Wolfpack man as one of his closest friends?
Frank Tortora | Groomsman | Raleigh
Frank Tortora (aka The Savage) and I have been friends since we both joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) in college at UNC-Chapel Hill. We have taught each other some valuable lessons over the years. When I was the chapter president, Frank was the vice-president. On occasions during that period where I thought we might have an incident at the fraternity house, I would think of Frank and how it would be important for him to learn the value of having a good VP once he was president, so I would disappear before any incidents occurred and leave him to deal with the mess. In turn, he used this same strategy during his term. In return, Frank taught me the finer points of interior design as our collective group would enjoy Robert Earl Keen and cases of PBR on Fridays and he would wallpaper his entire room at the house with PBR boxes. Your typical friendship for two North Carolina lawyers.
Daniel Turner | Groomsman | Fayetteville
Daniel and I have known each other since the early half of the 2000s, but our friendship really kicked off once I moved to Wrightsville Beach. For a stretch, we were doing everything we could to support the local economy whether by enjoying Wrightsville Beach Sweet Teas at Dockside or bringing our performance with juggling chainsaws to Jerry Allen’s. When the time came for me to buy a house and move off of the beach, it was handy to have my good friend as my real estate agent. The added bonus was that he not only would help me find a house but even help me pay for one…as a rent-paying roommate once I closed. The move to Monterey meant I was closer to Carolina Beach, and Daniel took it as his personal goal to introduce me to the finer points of CB – such as wearing t-shirts instead of polos, and preferably a t-shirt with holes in it. CB and WB may share a county, but they truly can be worlds apart. It is important to have a friend who is comfortable in both places.
Riley Barr | Ring Bearer | Wilmington
Brittany adopted Riley about 3 months after we started dating. Ryan was a bit hesitant at first but quickly grew to love this goofy, silly, ball chasing puppy! Riley brings so much joy to us each and every day, and we couldn't imagine our lives without him!