Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

West Baton Rouge Presbyterian Church

Ceremony

Gabriel's House of Events

Reception

Our Wedding

Our journey began on a chilly, Saturday morning on March 4, 2017 at Parkview Baptist highschool. I looked like I had just walked out of the woods and a circus at the same time. I was wearing my bright red shoes (for some reason I wore red all the time in highschool) and my camo hunting jacket. When they always say to take a girl swimming on the first date, essentially Lauren did that because she had just come from swim practice. Being as friendly as she is, she saw me get out of my truck and came up to me to ask me if I was here for the ACT prep course and if I could help her find the room. I was, so I told her I knew where I was going because I went to school there. In all honesty it was the blind leading the blind because I didn’t read the details on where to go since I didn’t really want to be there anyway. We eventually found the room. When we got to the room we soon came to find out that it was just us two and one other guy at this prep course. Naturally during our breaks we talked to each other, but I didn’t think too much of it. At the end of the course, I had begun to develop an attraction towards her but was too shy to ask for her number and I thought I probably wouldn’t see her ever again anyway. Well once again Lauren with her bubbly personality, asked for both me and the other guy’s snap chats. We continued to talk to each other after the course, and that is where the Lord began his work. We ended up seeing each other on three different occasions at random and in public all within about a month or so. On these occasions we had really good conversations that did not involve the gloominess of an ACT Prep course. This led me to inviting Lauren to my end of the school year party where she met my family. After the party my parents asked if I was interested in her, which I was at that point. My parents had gotten a chance to talk to her at the party and became really fond of her. They told me I should strongly consider pursuing a date with her. So I put on my big boy pants and asked her on a date to go see a rerun of E.T. at the Perkins Rowe theater. This just so happened to be on my younger brother Jacob’s birthday, September 17th, 2017. We then began dating and have shared many memories throughout the rest of highschool and college while never attending the same school. Looking back, the Lord definitely planned for us to be together from the start. The long distance encouraged us to keep Jesus as the center of our relationship even when it got tough. We made sure to cherish the time we got to spend with each other and this grew our relationship stronger than I could ever have imagined. On September 17th, 2022 both our lives would change. On an early Saturday morning at a Shreveport runway, I took her to ride in a hot air balloon on our 5th year dating anniversary. Before we took off I pulled out a ring and asked this incredible woman and my highschool sweetheart to marry me!

Aaron 

There are three main reasons Aaron and I have gotten to where we are today. The first being the Lord. Honestly without God there were so many challenges in our relationship that could never have been overcome. God's ability to work all things together for our good is evident in our story and will continue to be for the rest of our lives. The second reason is the ACT. I am pretty sure I have never hated anything more in my life, but my biggest challenge in high school produced one of the greatest blessing in my life today. When Aaron talked about how I asked for both boys' snapchats on the very last day of ACT prep he did not know it then, but I immediately deleted the other boy's contact because I only cared about Aaron's. I instantly thought Aaron was cute despite his fashion choices. I mean who wouldn't? He was tall, blonde and tan, but I had also never dated anyone before and was about to head off to college in a year's time. I was not really looking to date Aaron, I just thought he was cute and I wanted to be his friend. That is where the third reason comes in, my mom. As Aaron and I got to know each other better, I just was not quite sure about having a boyfriend before heading to college. I was truly trying to friend zone him but he never really gave me the chance. Two months after our first date I woke up one morning to a text from him that said "Happy two month anniversary!" I ran to my mom and showed her the phone saying, "Ummm Mom did you know that I have had a boyfriend for two months now?" Aaron did ask me on our "first date" but he never officially asked me to be his girlfriend. Which worked out in his favor, because I honestly might have said no. My mom encouraged me to continue dating him, and she was our biggest supporter. She would sponsor a lot of our dates because she really wanted me to gain experience dating before I went off to college. Little did we both know she would be right about him. As time went on, I fell in love with him as our friendship grew. Through every major life change, God showed up and helped us adjust. It is by his grace and mercy that we were able to adapt and grow together from age seventeen to now twenty-three. I told Aaron that he may have gotten away with not asking me to be his girlfriend, but that was not going to work the same way if he ever wanted to ask me to be his wife. So he completely outdid himself when he proposed. That day was perfect, a total surprise and I felt so intentionally loved and cherished by him. I can not wait to feel that way for the rest of my life because it has always been a blessing to be loved by him.

LAUREN

"And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good" Romans 8:28

Our Story

Photos

Harrison is my brother who shares the same love for the wild adventures of life. He has a free spirit, loves to try new things and a passion for Jesus. He’s in mechanical engineering at Tech and just spent the summer as a white water raft guide in California! 

Harrison Dougherty

Meet Emma, she's my best friend, cousin, and personal travel agent all in one! When we were little, I always made Emma pretend to be a prince and I was the princess. She set the bar really high for Aaron. Emma has always had the ability to light up any room and she is the hardest worker I know.  Ask her about plants, France, wine or books :)

Emma Cockrum

Jacob is my brother who takes life just as it is and goes with the flow. He loves playing guitar and we enjoy working out together. This past summer we had the wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord together in Columbia! He just started this fall at LA Tech in mechanical engineering.

Jacob Dougherty

This is Zoe, my biggest cheerleader and soul mate. Fun fact, we were in the same kindergarten class but did not become close friends until middle school. Zoe has constantly loved and supported me through every season of life. I am always grateful for her joy and DJ skills.

Zoe Lea

Jacob is one of my soon to be brother-in-laws, and I couldn’t be more excited! From the very beginning of Lauren and I's relationship, Jacob used to suggest that I was going to be more excited about us becoming brother-in-laws than getting married to his sister.  We enjoy going to the Pearl River swamp to fish, hunt, and boat. Oh and we love to convincing people to not join us in Chemical Engineering!

Jacob Michelli

Amanda is loyal, genuine and kind. We met my very first week of college at MC, and I do not think I would have graduated college without her. She basically scheduled every class for me and was the best study buddy ever. She is currently getting her masters at MC to become a Physician Assistant. I may or may not have decided to become a PA because of her guidance ;) 

Amanda Matthews

“Maaaaaatttt” is my soon to be brother in law. About six years ago, when I entered the Michelli household, Matt was just a boy, and I have enjoyed being there as he continues to grown up to be a man. He loves to swim and make people laugh with his corny jokes. We used to have fights over who Lauren loved more. He may tell you at the wedding that he doesn’t love me, but it because he’s just jealous that I’m taking his sister. 

Matthew Michelli 

This is MB, the big sister and role model God knew I needed. She is wise, humble and encouraging. It just so happens that in each new chapter of life, MB had just walked through the transition and was there to help guide me through. She's the greatest gift Chenoa Social Tribe ever gave me! I tell everyone who has the privilege of knowing her, that I want to be just like her when I grow up.

Mary Beth Worbington 

Garrison is hands down one of my best friends. We met on a beach trip the summer before our freshman year of college. He has taught me so much over the years of our friendship, like how to be humble, patient, and bold in my faith. We led a guys bible study together for a little over two years, and I have got him hooked on camping through our many mountain man trips during college.

Garrison Wade

Meet Maddi Grace, she is joy and laughter, with just a slight amount of chaos. I have never met anyone with as much love for life as her, and she makes me a better person because of it. She's always down for an adventure and is the best sixth grade teacher you will ever meet (but if you tell her that she will most definitely deny it). Ask her the most outrageous thing a middle schooler has told her this month or about her summer dog sitting in Hawaii!!

Maddi Stennett 

Ben is one of my best friends through college. We also met at the beach trip before freshman year and have been best friends since. Everyone has “those” stories of stupidity from college…. well Ben is in about 90% of mine and this pretty much sums up our friendship. We share a passion for going out to the mountains any chance we get!

Ben Grice

Last but certainly not least is KL! God knew exactly what He was doing when he orchestrated our friendship in PA school. When we first became friends it felt like I had known her for a lifetime. I could not have survived without her, and I can't wait until we are neighbors in New Mexico one day ;)

Kristin Lonsberry

Miles and I have been friends since freshman year of college. We were in the same dorm our first year and we really bonded by talking through projects and ideas with each other. He taught me a lot about not being afraid to take risks. He and his wife Claire are some of the most hospitable people I know. They opened a room in their house for Lauren after she graduated from MC and we enjoyed many grill out nights through college!

Miles Harris

Arison is a super intentional friend that always puts others above himself and genuinely believes that he can learn something from anyone. He has a joyful, free spirit and we have shared many fun times together especially on the mountain man trips.

Arison Coker

Jake is one of those friends who is hilariously sarcastic. You can always count on him to put a smile on your face and bring joy to any conversation. He is my hippie, granola friend and I love being in the wilderness with im.

Jake Grice

Everyone meet Evan Gautreaux Michelli! He is Lauren’s little cousin and is sure to be the life of the party!! Watch out for his awesome dance moves 🕺🏼

Evan Gautreaux

Wedding Party

Q + A

Travel

Topgolf

At Perkins Rowe you can find a bookstore, yummy restaurants, movie theater and of course shopping!

Perkins Rowe

Redstick Social is a restaurant and bowling alley all in one! It is located in a very cool little strip called The Electric Depot on Government Street.

Aaron & Lauren

Aaron & Lauren

Things to Do

Topgolf

Perkins Rowe

Red Stick Social