Beth (aka Betty to the Bride). Matron of Honor. The Bride’s sister and 1st best friend. My ride-or-die, stand by your side, call for anything no matter how dumb, silly, or ridiculous. She has the "other side" to almost all of life's stories. She's the keeper of the memories. The one person who always “gets it”. We’re not aggressive, we’re passionate, and it’s a way of life. If we had it our way, we’d be boating, floating, and spending time on the water everyday. You can usually find us laughing hysterically over something you wouldn’t think is that funny, I’ll be the one cackling and she’ll be laugh-crying. Don’t mind us!

Alexis - Alex - Lex - Lexi - the list could go on! I call her my FL sister and feel beyond blessed to be a part of her family! Our many similarities include our Midwest roots, love of the water/boating, matching pink toolboxes, our love for travel, college gameday, anything fun and all things aesthetically pleasing. She is my random hour-long phone calls, the “I’ll bring Chick-fil-A over” bestie, our group style guru, the person who packed my suitcase & got me on the plane when my mother passed away, she is the mother to the babies who first called me “Aunt Panda”, the person who I know will always be there to share in love, laughter, and the inevitable tears. As she would say, “we’re evenly yoked” as besties. Alex is the true definition of a friend turned family and life wouldn’t be the same not having her by my side!

Like her older sister, she’s a woman of many names. Kelley to some, Brickley to me! As luck would have it, I inherited a little sister when Alexis and I became besties! Brick is our Copperhead Road boot-scootin’, Wop Dancin’, bourbon sippin’, always laughing bestie! She’s fiercely loyal and always thoughtful. She’s our resident vet and the first call when the group has a sick pet. She’s made some questionable decisions, like going out with me for college football rivals’ weekend, meeting and falling in love with my “brother” Jon… but then again, some “mistakes” turn into the most beautiful of lives! I couldn’t be more thankful for our growing sisterhood and blessed for all the fun we’ve had and will continue to have for years to come!

Amy – bestie & sister from another mister. The Bride’s DDP loving, bravo-binging, late night crafting, call anytime friend. She blessed me with two beautiful God babies, I love them with all my heart and could not be more thankful! She’s the friend to call in life’s most serious and most absolutely ridiculous moments. Amy’s my favorite middle-class date night partner in crime. The person I call when I want to go to the movies, shop at the Discount Dillard’s, build something, or talk about everything or literally nothing. She’s the friend that never wants you to be anyone except exactly who you are. She is the person who constantly cheers for you, helps dust you off when you’ve been knocked down, and will always have your back! Friends and family beware, once the music drops and the champagne flows, this little lady will get the party started, and her stud of a hubby will be right by her side! (Hey, Coop!)

Elizabeth – Liz – Lizzie – we have a trend here folks! Lots of names for this group of bachelorette babes! It doesn’t matter which one you call my dear friend Lizzie by, as long as you’re joining us in the fun! Liz, the news reporter of the group, is always looking out for the groups best interest. She is our health adviser, safety first protector, trendy, “it-girl”! She has the kindest heart and the most beautifully free spirit. Liz is a part of nearly all my best Jax Beach memories. Like me, she’s a social butterfly, and when our powers combine, our friends circle multiplies! You can typically find us “getting the party started”, ensuring everyone is having fun, no matter what it is we’re doing! From singing “row your boat” in their backyard canoe, JAX beach bars shenanigans, laughing so hard we could p**, countless girls trips, countless nights just sitting and talking, tracking each other on find friends, and always supporting each other through some of life’s best and worst moments, Liz has always been a best friend I could count on. I am so thankful to have her standing by my side every day, but especially on my wedding day.

Chloe - my childhood best friend - the one who has seen me in nearly every stage of my life and still continues to love my like a sister. Through all of our numerous moves, long school and work hours, and our constant "on the go" ways, we have consistently kept in touch no matter the distance or time. While the 90s & 2000s have numerous stories likely to leave you laughing, crying, or maybe shocked that we survived, we will always remember the PITT Journey Karaoke days ("chug"), reenacting Grease 2 "Cool Rider", Spudic's hot tub parties (and all the others), eat'n'park trips, Momma G picking us up from Southside & providing numerous life lessons on the drive home, and the jobs, friends, and boyfriends that have come and gone... and many days that felt like they were the best or worst days we'd ever live... all of them we knew that when we were at our highest of highs or lowest of lows the other would always be there by our side, even if its a phone call or facetime from afar. Chloe claims she'll be my most ill-prepared bridesmaid, but she's far from it. Our friendship has proved the test of time and the years have solidified that we are truly family.

We started sorority rush as strangers & ended on stage getting bids to AXiD together. Little did we know that we would be building a true lifelong sisterhood. Julia is my go to phone call when I need a shoulder to cry on or a bold "talkin' true". The #1 friend I know will tell me exactly how it is, in the kindest, and most helpful way possible. Life has thrown us many curveballs over the past 20 years, but our sisterhood has never wavered. Julia is also the friend who starts the night keeping the group in line and ends it as the wildest animal in the pack. She'll tell you she's a mom of 3 and then drink you under the table. Expect cherry bombs, epic dance moves, and late night pizza. This mom always has and always will know how to bring the fun! She's my confidant, my challenger, my cheerleader, and now my bridesmaid and I could not be more blessed to call her my sister!

Elyse – or “elsey javer” as our BC3 professor would have called her – is my best friend since high-school, turned sister and Florida Resident. We’ve been on a journey over the years -- HS/College football player BF days, working at Hollywood Tans, PLS/QSL Happy Hours, Momma G on the infamous Southside Drop-Off & Pick-Up tours, skipping class for Eat’n’Park grilled cheese & side salads – the days of CD breadcrumb trails and “I can’t feel my foot” – to becoming friends with each other’s sisters, cousins, families, and friends of friends. During all of life’s celebrations and heartbreak for the past 20+ years, we’ve been by each other’s side. When my mom passed away, Elyse instantly showed up to help in any way she could. Her parents supported her when she helped me drive back to Florida, while she lived with me for weeks to help me get back on my feet, and while I learned how to get through grief. By God’s grace (and probably some nudging by Momma G in heaven too), Elyse met and quickly fell for her husband Jay during that trip. God had a plan that she was meant to be closer nearby, and it wasn’t long after her return to PA that she moved to Florida officially and her relationship with Jay began. We’ve been incredibly blessed to stand by each other through love, and loss, and new life with the birth of her son, Maverick. Our families all bonded from the start. Elyse is the groups resident nurse, and like our attorney, vet, news reporter, and PR experts, we’re hoping not to need her services during our NOLA bachelorette bash -- but we’re thankful to know we’ll have her there just in case! 😊

Cortney - my favorite Persian princess! The night we met, I knew instantly we would be best friends. Cort is not only smart, gorgeous, and determined, she is steadfast, kind, and the true empath of the group. Cortney is the friend that can read you like a book and is the first to reach out to offer encouragement, congratulations, or any sort of support needed. This beautiful overachiever is also my favorite dance partner and I'm looking forward to watching her let loose! She is our group attorney, and while we will plead the fifth on ever using her services previously, we pray we won't end up in a "one call" situation with her standing right by our side in NOLA! ;)

At a whopping 4'11" tall, Adrea, AKA Tyke, AKA Little Bear, has been standing by my side since 2004. She may be little, but she is fierce! We have been through all of life's ups and downs together for nearly 20 years. If the walls of the AXiD house - or as Bryson would say, if the fraternity house walls - could talk, we'd have some explainin' to do! There's not a KSU, HYCO, or Cleveland memory worth recalling that she isn't a part of. From DU telephone polls, drives home from University St, BINGO, Fainting Goats, cow tipping, Spring Break '08, more girls trips than we can count, and beyond, it's hard to say that anyone has had as much fun as we have. She's the best friend a girl could ever ask for and I couldn't be more thrilled that she's standing by my side yet again.

This little lady is Aunt Panda & Uncle Bry’s newest niece! Born 7/11 on Uncle Bry’s birthday, our sweet Ellie girl is already lighting up our life! She’ll be joining her mommy, the MOH, and her daddy, Blair, as well as her big brother, Brooks, for all the wedding week fun! ♥️

Aunt Panda’s favorite “pumpkin girl” & Alex’s baby girl! Not only did Andi and I bond from the start, but she’s also birthday twins with Uncle Bry & Baby Ellie! 7/11 is a big day with this squad! We love our little Andi girl and couldn’t imagine the wedding without her! ♥️

Chloe is my first god daughter and we had the most special bond from the start! She’s joining her mommy Amy & brother Caleb in the wedding party fun! Chloe has been my little travel companion over the years visiting family in Macon, GA, on staycations in JAX and even house/dog sitting at Aunt Alex’s house while they were on vacation. We’ve enjoyed countless shopping sprees, ice cream and chick-fil-a trips, pool days and more. It’s such a joy to get to watch Chloe grow up to the little lady that she is today! ♥️

My father. I’ve had people I’ve looked up to in various organizations I’ve been apart of, but I only have one hero, my Pop. Quick fact: We’re shipmates because we both served in the United States Navy, but we both were also cast members at Walt Disney World. I was driving rafts on Tom Sawyer Island before my naval career, and he drove the boats on the Sassagoula River from Disney Springs after his retirement from 32 years of service. He’s always told me, “ You’re more like me than I’d like to admit” our career paths are no exception. That’s why he’s my Best Man

If the walls of the Pi Kappa Phi house in Troy, Alabama could talk, man. The wedding would have to be a week long if we had to tell all the stories (the ones that we remember) One of the first of my pledge brothers I met, from then on it became a semester of hell raisin’ and non stop fun to be accepted into Pi Kapp. Anytime we used to post a picture of ourselves on social media the comments read like, “Please stay safe” or “I wonder what happened” Cheers brother!

I met Creek in Pensacola, Florida during follow on training for our jobs after boot camp. We wound up getting stationed at the same command in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He always said, “Hawaii was a phase” because of the late nights lasting until 10am the NEXT day and the adventure we had there. Once again, the Navy/deployment stories we have to tell would last a week.

Jonathan Brooks’ real brother and another one of my pledge brothers. The sharp dressed, quick witted, voice of reason between the three of us on a night on the town in Troy. His leadership and hard work led him to be pledge class president and hold several positions in student body organizations. He worked hard to maintain a good representation of the Greek life system while the rest of us slightly tarnished it with our antics. However, this fella was still a riot and a lot of fun to hang with and I’m proud to have him stand up with me as well. OYDEN

It’s a “small world after all” that we’re both back in Florida and only live two hours apart. Drew worked with me at Disney. Being a Disney cast member is not even as close to as fun as you think it would be, but our after work shenanigans at Jelly Rolls dueling piano bar and the House of Blues made it a little more bearable. We both wound up in aviation. I fix the aircraft for the Navy, and he serves up cocktails in them for Delta. #2am

Jon might as well be Mandy’s younger brother. When we were introduced I could tell that she’s apart of their family and they’re very protective of her. He made sure I knew that as well, which I can appreciate because someone has to look after her while I’m deployed. Jon’s also a true give you the shirt off his back kind of guy and it’s a privilege to call him a new friend in my short time living in Jacksonville. I look forward to all the many more family trips to the beach and pretending we’re good at golf once we save up for TPC Sawgrass.

The matron of honors’ husband. I complete the circle of men married to the infamous “Gordish Girls”. I met Beth, Blair, and Wyatt very early on in our relationship whilst celebrating America’s independence, and Mandy and I dominated in trivia and still do today. I knew I had to make a good first impression and I think I was able to do that just by being able to keep up with Blair and Wyatt quoting movies and putting down Miller Lights. I’m excited to be a part of the family and be the fun uncle to Brooks and Ellie. Hopefully we can all catch a Steelers game one day and as always, maintain our title of trivia champs!

Brooks is Aunt Panda & Uncle Bry’s nephew and God son. He loves being a new big brother, all sports (and already knows his favorite teams & players - be on the lookout to catch his practice golf swings), going to SBUX with Aunt Panda for cookies, and playing outside! He bonded with Uncle Bry at the beach and loves to say “Hi Uncle Bry” on FaceTime! He’s joining his mommy, daddy, and baby sister Ellie for the wedding party fun!

This star athlete is joining the wedding party as our oldest Ring Bearer! Aunt Panda and Uncle Bry love watching “Little Ray” play baseball and football! Seeing his hard work and determination makes us so proud! He’s also a very talented artist and we have a fridge full of all his drawings. He would even color pictures and draw artwork and ask that it was sent to Bry while he was deployed. We love watching Raymond grow up and so thankful he’s joining his mommy, Alex, and sister, Andi, in our wedding day!

Caleb joins our wedding party with his mommy, Amy, and big sister, Chloe! He’s Amanda’s God son and the sweetest little man! He is so smart and curious. On our last excursion, we toured one of the Navy ships and Caleb blew us away with his thoughtful questions and interest in the ship. Caleb is constantly smiling and giggling and delights everyone he is around! We couldn’t imagine our wedding without this little cutie by our side!

Nick is another founding father of our Jacksonville Book Club chapter. Book Club meaning we play golf with a few Good Boy Vodkas. You’ll never find a better grill boss this side of Florida and can’t wait to have many more Book Club meetings and Thanksgiving BBQ’s

Blair Varner’s younger brother. Again, quoting movies and Miller Light brought the family together and it’s been great getting to know everyone and become a part of this family. He made us all look bad at golf during the bachelor party but we’ll practice to get to his skill set. Many more movies to quote and Millers to run through!

Johnson & Johnson: A Family Company. Any relation? No. We just happen to be in the navy, in the same command, in the same shop, with the same rank. Outsiders won’t understand how rare that is. But what our leadership knows for certain that if a job needs to be completed the right way, they call Johnson & Johnson.