Wedding Party

Jessica

Maid of Honor

For a long time now, I’ve thought of Jessica as both my sister and my friend.  We attended the same preschool, and our moms began arranging play dates for us when I was 4 and she was 3.  We became fast friends, and today, many (if not most) of my childhood memories involve Jessica.  Living in the same neighborhood allowed us to bike to each other’s houses, take long walks on summer nights with our families, sled down the hill in my yard after snowstorms, and enjoy frequent sleepovers.  Jessica and I, along with our families, stayed close throughout middle and high school and then continued our friendship at Cedarville University.  Post-college, despite living in different cities, Jessica has served as my partner-in-crime and confidante.  She cheered me through my self-doubt in graduate school and constantly pointed me toward the peace and grace of Christ. 

I’ve chosen Jessica as my maid of honor not only because she is my “sister,” but also because she has walked closely with me throughout my relationship with Jon.  She has patiently listened to me process the intricacies of our relationship, offered much Godly counsel, prayed for us faithfully, and affirmed our relationship with warmth and excitement.  I am so blessed to call Jessica family, and I know our friendship will grow for the rest of our lives!

Arika

Bridesmaid 

As “old-school” members of Grove Avenue Baptist Church, Arika and I go way back.  We began to bond in sixth grade when we entered the youth group together, and we grew closer and closer as time passed.  We survived the “fat years” of middle school, as we call them—an era we are convinced was more awkward for us than for others.  We also survived the drama and tumult of high school.  We spent many nights sleeping over at each other’s houses or embarking on “Friday Fun Day” adventures.   I’m thrilled that our friendship has grown stronger with time, despite attending college and graduate school in different states.  Arika’s humor and breathless sense of adventure enliven every memory we share.  Also, she is fiercely loyal to her friends, a quality of hers that I appreciate so much.

Meghan

Bridesmaid

Meghan started attending our church at a young age, and she and Arika and I became an inseparable trio in middle school.  Meghan and I took many of the same classes, and we share fond memories of making a “cell cookie” for biology together, passing notes in Driver’s Ed., and gabbing through a Thoreau-inspired “day of solitude” for English class (don’t tell).  I have always admired Meghan’s intelligence, her ambition, and her street smarts.  I am emotional and analytical while Meghan is logical and practical, so she has added much-needed balance to my life.  I am so grateful for her loyalty to our friendship and her unconditional affection for me, even during my blondest moments!

Katelyn

Bridesmaid

Katelyn moved to Richmond in ninth grade, and we developed a close friendship through youth group and French class.  Kate and I bring out a crazy, quirky humor in each other that is often incomprehensible to those around us.  I laugh harder with her than almost anyone, and at the same time, trust her with serious matters of the heart.  Katelyn’s stories of her years as an MK in Africa opened my eyes to a world much bigger than my own as a high school student, and she continues to challenge me to notice and care for people outside of my familiar circles.  We see each other rarely now that she lives in Tennessee, but when together, we always pick up right where we left off.

Elizabeth

Bridesmaid

Elizabeth is one of the first people I met at Cedarville University, and we remained close throughout college and beyond.  We lived on the same hall each year at CU, and I even spent three months hanging out with her (and Jenny) in Beijing, China after graduation!  Elizabeth is one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever met.  Chats with Elizabeth in the dorms or over coffee or now on Skype are incredibly refreshing—she asks complex and meaningful questions, and she has the knack of making me (and everyone she befriends) feel known and valued.   I can’t wait to see Elizabeth at the wedding this summer.  Her years in China have made visits far too infrequent!

Leslie

Bridesmaid

Leslie and I bonded the summer after our freshman year of college, during a 5-week trip to Australia as part of a music and drama ministry team.  (*Cheesy alert*)  We found that not only did our voices harmonize well together, but our personalities were harmonious, too.   ;-)  Leslie is delightfully quick-witted, and her snarky sense of humor complements my own.  She also loves travel, music, literature, and art—interests we share and enjoy discussing together.  Leslie is one of the few people in the world whom I trust to edit my writing, which should tell you something.  I’m so excited and grateful that Leslie is flying all the way from her home in England for my wedding this summer!

Jenny

Bridesmaid

I met Jenny during our sophomore year of college; she transferred to Cedarville and ended up on my hall.  We had an easy chemistry and seemed to “get” each other right away.  The foundation of my friendship with Jenny may very well be our mutual amusement at each other’s expense.  Our quirks entertain each other endlessly, but what I love about Jenny is that we can tease each other in one breath and edify each other in the next.  Furthermore, I admire Jenny’s ability to fill so many roles with excellence.  I desire to emulate her as a teacher, a wife, and a follower of Christ.  Jenny is another friend that I can’t wait to reunite with at my wedding.  Wisconsin is much too far away!

Katie

Bridesmaid

Back when we were just acquaintances, I asked Katie if she’d be interested in rooming together for our junior year of college.  Little did I know what a wonderful decision I was making.  Katie is a generous and thoughtful friend, and I thoroughly enjoy her sassy New York brusqueness.   When we’re together (and we’ve traveled to see each other at least once a year since graduation), we love to drink coffee, explore new places, and sing and dance without shame to our favorite songs.  Katie inspires me to teach with creativity and passion and to love Jon devotedly like she loves her husband Chris. 

Katie deserves an extra shout-out, since her wedding introduced me to my almost-husband.  J  I will never be able to repay her for that favor!  Jon’s closeness with Chris and my closeness with Katie will necessitate many visits and vacations together in years to come.  In case you didn’t know, Katie generously designed this website and my save-the-dates!  Didn’t she do a beautiful job?

Sara

Bridesmaid

I feel privileged and excited to call Sara my sister-in-law in a few short months!  Sara, along with the rest of the Manchesters, has graciously welcomed me into her family.  From the beginning, Sara’s kindness and hospitality made me feel right at home.  She is a driven, intelligent woman with a servant’s heart, and she is a phenomenal cook.  One of my favorite memories with Sara was traveling to Hatteras to visit Jon and cook him a birthday dinner together.  She’s a patient teacher in the kitchen!   Also, I’m happy to report that in Sara, I have found an enthusiastic partner in antagonizing Jon.  ;-) 

Jess

Bridesmaid

When I left for graduate school, I was determined not to add yet another friend to my long list of bridesmaids.  However, after just a few months of knowing Jess, she became the clear exception to my rule.  Jess and I lived together during my second year at Wake Forest, and after she moved in, what had previously felt like a house transformed into a home I couldn’t wait to return to after classes.  Jess and I share a passion for language and literature, and we both love to explore the intersection of art and faith, but we also enjoy being utterly silly together.  I admire Jess’ sharp mind, her pursuit of Christ, and her compassion for people. 

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Chris

Best Man

I have known Chris since our sophomore year at Cedarville.  We were both in ROTC together, and even though he went through to commission as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, and I did not, we remained fast friends and eventually roommates by the time college was through. We did many things together, from playing pool when we should have been doing homework to trips to Civil War battlefields over our summer break from school. And after graduation, we remained in touch, keeping up with each other’s lives.  In 2009, when Chris asked me to be one of his groomsmen at his wedding, I had no idea how much that decision would impact my future.  It was during the rehearsal that I met Kaitlin Dunnevant for the first time.  Chris and his bride Katie has paired us up based on how we would look together height-wise, little knowing that they were pairing up a future bride and groom.

Chris has been such a steady friend and a faithful brother in Christ.  His encouragement during school was always welcome, especially when I had crazy amounts of work to finish or just needed a friend to talk to.  And that encouragement did not end after school.  He has constantly cheered for me and urged me on after graduation as well and been a source of advice as I prepare for marriage.  I am honored to have Chris as my best man…though I have a feeling that I am going to get some pay back for all that I put him through in the days leading up to his wedding.

Marc

Groomsman

What can I say about this guy that does not go for pages?  I have known Marc since he was smaller than me (oh how things have changed), and I could not ask for a better brother.  As brothers, we have our similarities and our differences. For example, Marc is a great artist, and I can barely draw a stick figure.  We both share a love of history, but in very different areas of study.  Marc will never be carded to get into a bar, but I probably will until the day I die.

Growing up together can be hard at times, but I am glad that as we have grown, we have grown closer and gone beyond brotherhood, becoming great friends too. Marc is always able to make me laugh with a goofy quip from a movie or his sardonic wit.  He is exceedingly bright, and I think he will go far one day in his chosen field of public history.  He is a hard worker, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. 

Patrick

Groomsman

I remember the day that I first Kaitlin’s brother.  Right away I was struck by Patrick’s intelligence, his erudition, and his musical talent.  He was very friendly to this strange guy who had come to visit his sister from North Carolina, and right away I felt very comfortable around Patrick.  But above all of this, he loves his sister immensely. As Kaitlin and I have dated, it was always very evident how much these two care about each other. Through the good times and the hard, these two give each other support, comfort and encouragement.  I am very glad that I will be joining the Dunnevant clan and gaining another brother.

Kevin

Groomsman

Everybody has that one friend who is totally crazy.  For me, that is Kevin.  We met my first summer working at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  You could not have paired up two people who were more different to be roommates, but we became fast friends.  Kevin is a bundle of energy, and he loves a good laugh.  His efforts to make me feel as uncomfortable as possible were always hysterical, and T2 was a lively place to be.  We did many things together: playing pranks, dressing up as a dynamic superhero duo, Doctor Insomniac and Captain Narcolepsy, for one of the many ‘Hood parties, and exploring the Outer Banks together over the two years that we were both there. Even though we are very different in many ways, that is what has made our friendship so great. Kevin has taught me a great deal about friendship, and I am glad to call him my friend!

Paul

Groomsman

I met Paul during my first-ever Dunnevant Beach Week in 2009. Right away, Paul and I got along. It is very easy to be intimidated when first meeting your new girlfriend’s family, but Paul was very friendly and put me at ease with his humor and laughter.  We both love a good pun, and if one of us starts, it normally snowballs once we get on a roll.  Paul is easygoing and funny, he loves his family, and he has treated me as one of the family since the first day.  He has been a great friend, and I am so glad that he can be a part of our wedding!

Ryan

Groomsman

Ryan is an awesome young man.  I met Kaitlin’s cousin Ryan during Dunnevant Beach Week 2009.  Ryan is passionate about many things, but two in particular: sports and Jesus.  You name the sport, and Ryan can talk about it at great length (just don’t mention Tottenham Hotspur).  But more than sports, he loves his Savior and spreading the Gospel.  Ryan was involved in overseas mission trips during high school, and he worked with disadvantaged youth at a summer camp during this first summer break.  His passion for missions is inspiring, and I have seen Ryan grow into an exceptional man.  I am proud to have him as one of my groomsmen!

Isaac

Groomsman

The youngest of the crew, Isaac is one of Kaitlin’s cousins on her mother’s side. If there is one word to describe Isaac, it is mature.  Isaac is mature beyond his years—an awesome young man who cares immensely about his friends and family.  I can always count on Isaac to get a pick-up game of either football or baseball going anytime the White family gets together, and we have a blast. And on July 12, I will not be surprised if I hear the phrase “Jon did it!” at some point during the reception.