The Barn at Sanderlin Horse Farm

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

On December 30th, 2021, a seemingly uneventful day, Brandy was thrilled to learn that her boss was closing the office early due to the impending holiday. As she was mentally debating how she would spend her extra hours, her coworker, Amy, invited her over to the house of their coworker and mutual friend, David Miller ("DM"), to watch some of the college football bowl games. The last thing Brandy wanted to do on an early day off was to get home at the normal time or later, but Amy was persistent and even threw in "there may be a single guy there." Brandy finally relented and agreed to go, but for no more than a half hour. Once at David Miller's house, Brandy was introduced to some of his friends--Mike Weaver and David Dodds--and found an empty seat cattycorner from David Dodds. They initially made small talk about some of the bowl games on TV, but soon began to discover that they had quite a bit in common. For example, both had studied Psychology in school and had been teachers. The conversation was natural and the banter came easily. By the time they were each ready to depart, it was clear that there was something between them. David, with a little encouragement from Amy, extended a specific invitation for Brandy to join them all at his house the next day (New Year's Eve) for an oyster roast and fireworks. Brandy doesn't eat oysters, but she is a sucker for fireworks... On New Year's Eve, Brandy joined DM over at David Dodds' home. While en route, DM informed Brandy that David had a cool house and a lot of projects...Brandy was expecting a dozen half-completed tasks and lumber and sawdust everywhere. Instead, they drove up to a tidy home in the country, with grow boxes and a sauna--quite unlike anything Brandy expected. Although David sat at a distance throughout the day as they all watched football in his garage, he graciously waited on her throughout the evening. At one point, the crowd had thinned and only David, Brandy, and their friend Marianne remained. Marianne slyly began delving into who David was by asking him questions about himself, allowing Brandy a glimpse into the man she was already beginning to like. During one topic, upon hearing David's answer and seeing what he was all about, Brandy thought to herself, "I could fall in love with this man." His rendition of "Brandy" by Looking Glass and accompanying dance moves sealed the deal. Well, that and his request just after their private fireworks show to take her on a proper date. Before she left that evening, Brandy and David had exchanged phone numbers and made plans to spend New Year's Day together. On New Year's Day, they spent more time with their friends and colleagues, watching football and enjoying another delicious spread. And, once everyone else left, Brandy and David spent hours in deep conversation, discovering who the other person was. By the end of that night, Brandy thought, "I could marry this man," and she soon shared this thought with friends and family. Over the next several months, Brandy and David were inseparable. They traveled together, enjoyed great food (mostly prepared by David), spent time with friends and family, learned where each other was raised, attended church together, became each other's closest friends, supported each other through difficult moments, shared in many joys, and began to create a new family with David's daughter, Abigail. This completely unexpected gift was just what each of them needed, and they knew that God had led them throughout their lives to this point, to find each other. On November 25th, 2022, David took Brandy to her favorite place. Just before sunset, nearly alone on the beach save for a few older couples on their evening strolls, David asked Brandy to marry him. David was so unlike what Brandy had once imagined for her future husband, but so much more than she'd hoped and prayed for. For a checklist-maker, trained over-analyzer, well-known indecisive person, one might expect that Brandy might have mentally reviewed a pros/cons list before answering. But there was no coin flip to help decide, no list made, no friend phoned. There was only the answer "yes," and it was said confidently and naturally, for it was obvious that they were a match made in heaven. And, now, they welcome you to join in the next chapter in their story, as they become husband and wife...

Our Story

Photos

Rachael and Brandy met early on in graduate school at American International College in Springfield, MA, and instantly became friends. They marveled over how a Rhode Island Yankee and a Southern Belle were both drawn to this small, private school to study the criminal mind. Over the past 12 years, they've celebrated victories and milestones; cheered each other (and their favorite sports teams) on; comforted each other during difficult moments; traveled hundreds of miles together and to be together; become part of each other's family; and have become the best of friends. They are true soul sisters. Brandy is honored to have Rachael stand by her side on her wedding day. 

Rachael Alves Kaufman

Betsy and Brandy have been friends since before they could talk. They grew up together at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and were part of an inseparable trio that grew together, sang together, and loved each other deeply for decades. They have countless memories of VBS, GA's lock-ins, mission trips, youth group meetings, and singing and worshipping while they attended church together. Even after graduating and going their separate ways, they've remained close friends, always sharing in each other's joys and supporting each other in the hard times. Brandy is honored to have such an encouraging, sweet friend by her side on her special day. 

Betsy McCarty Hair

Megan and Brandy were two small-town Southern girls who were blessed to end up in the USC Honors College together as Freshmen. From their first semester, they had tons in common and enjoyed navigating college life together. Although they weren't roommates their Freshmen or Sophomore years, they spent their last two years of college as roommates, and have countless memories of T-Rex fights, special birthday treats, Gamecock sporting events, late-night food runs, Thursday night TV specials, inside jokes, hugs during hard times, and realizing over and over how much it means to have such  loyal friends. They have remained close as they pursued their graduate degrees and careers despite the miles between them, reunited again as roommates for a brief time, and still are the best of friends nearly 18 years later. Brandy knew she couldn't get marrried without Meggy by her side. 

Megan Hyman

Like Betsy, Kimberly grew up with Brandy at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. In fact, she's the third member of their sisterhood trio. Kimberly has always been the take-charge one in their group, and Brandy and Betsy both have appreciated her decisiveness, especially when it comes to where they will reunite on their girl nights. Kimberly and Brandy (along with Betsy) once sang, "Friends are Friends Forever," and that describes their bond. With faith in God and encouragement from each other throughout life, the friendship that began in nursery and Sunday School flourishes now, despite their busy schedules and life challenges. Kimberly's strength, encouragement, and determination have kept them close over the years, and Brandy is overjoyed to have the support of Kimberly on her wedding day.

Kimberly Ussery Kanagy

Shawna and Brandy met in early elementary school, and by the third grade they were already best friends. That friendship continued throughout middle and high school, where they shared so many happy and hysterical times. While college took them in separate directions for a bit of time, their friendship remained. They have shared in happy moments, comforted each other during sad times, have been part of each other's family, and have remained true friends over the nearly three decades they've known each other. Shawna and her husband Chris even gave Brandy a new little best friend in their sweet, spunky, smart daughter Kenzie. It's an honor for Brandy to have her sweet childhood friend Shawna stand by her side on her special day.  

Shawna Smith McClary

Jennifer is Brandy's cousin and her oldest friend. As kids, the two were inseparable. Being close in age, they were more like sisters than cousins and often pretended to be two famous sisters--the Olsen Twins. They like to think that, in the end, they turned out more successful. Although they're no longer doling out Smarties pills through their drive-thru pharmacy, conducting cheer practice together, having Shania Twain karaoke shows, attending regular Gamecock sporting events, or hanging out as college roommates, they still treasure every time they are together and have the biggest laughs. Though their family ties first connected them, their love and support have kept them close. As children, Jennifer and Brandy often dreamed of growing up and getting married and having their future families grow together, and it's heartwarming to know that this dream is becoming a reality. Brandy is honored to have her very oldest friend by her side as David and Abigail become part of her family. 

Jennifer Whittle Waring

Abigail is David's daughter and a true joy for Brandy. Although Brandy never expected to be a "step-mother," it has been the best challenge and honor to step into this role. Abigail and Brandy have formed a special bond and truly enjoy each other's company. Throughout David and Brandy's relationship, it has been important to them to make sure Abigail is included and loved. It is an honor to have Abigail be flower girl in our wedding. 

Abigail Dodds

Mog is Brandy's Great Aunt, but has always been like a bonus grandmother for her. They have shared so many memories together over the decades--trips, family dinners, stories told while porch-sittin', wisdom shared in the outdoors, and more. While Brandy no longer has her grandmothers to share in her special day, she has the incredible fortune of having Mog still be a part of her life. What a joy that is! Mog is such a treasure to all who know her, and she is especially beloved by David and Abigail. When David and Brandy began wedding planning, they thought it would be the most wonderful treat to have Mog share in Flower Girl duties with Abigail. We can't wait to see the two of them in action!

Margaret "Mog" Rountree

David and Weave have worked together several years and grown close over the years. They especially enjoy getting together for good meals and sports. Other than David Miller, Mike was the first friend of David's that Brandy met. The Weaver family has become a second family for David, and David is honored to have Mike stand with him on this day. 

Mike Weaver

Better known as one half of "The Daves," Dave Andrews is a longtime friend of David and his former college roommate. The two shared many memorable times both in Iowa and abroad. It'll be nice to have the duo together again. 

Dave Andrews

Mike is a friend of David's from the Marines. They served alongside each other in Iraq and were trusted companions. David is honored to have Doc by his side once again. 

Mike "Doc" Fulton

David and Woody became friends through Mike Weaver. Woody has the biggest heart, has a great voice, and is a good friend to David, Abigail, and now Brandy. David is happy to have the support of Woody. 

A.E. "Woody" Harrington

David and Toby have been friends since childhood. They grew up together in Iowa, road-tripped together, and remained the best of friends (right down to their music playlists) despite the time and physical distance between them. Last year, they got to really reconnect again during a hog roasting for Toby and his wife Mollie's harvest party. Nothing says "friendship" quite like a couple Mississippi River farm boys and pig's blood! David and Brandy couldn't get married without Toby (and Mollie). 

Tobin Krell

Tyler is Brandy's brother and David's soon-to-be brother-in-law. Tyler and Brandy have grown to be the best of friends over the course of their lives, and Brandy is excited that David and Tyler are forming their own friendship. It means so much that Tyler likes and respects the man marrying his sister and that he will be standing in support of Brandy and David on their wedding day. 

Tyler Sanderlin

Brittany is Brandy's friend of several years and soon-to-be sister-in-law. She is engaged to Tyler. Brittany and Brandy have enjoyed many special moments, some serious conversations, and tons of laughs over the years. Brandy is grateful to have Brittany be a part of her and David's special day by welcoming the guests and assisting the younger attendants in their duties. 

Brittany Collins

Kenzie is Brandy's friend and the daughter of Shawna McClary. She's smart, sassy, and sloth-obsessed. Kenzie and fellow attendant Lucy will be greeting guests and handing out programs. 

Kenzie McClary

Lucy is Brandy's sweet cousin and the daughter of Jennifer Waring. Lucy has a friendly personality and will join Kenzie in greeting wedding guests and handing out programs.

Lucy Waring

Wedding Party

Wedding Information

Travel + Accommodations

With Augusta, Georgia being the "Home of the Masters," it's only appropriate to include Topgolf as an activity! Topgolf is truly fun for all ages and for golfers and non-golfers alike. Topgolf also has a pretty delicious food selection on its menu.

Topgolf

Enjoy America's pastime and one of David and Brandy's favorite sports while you're in town! The Augusta Greenjackets Minor League Baseball team (and Atlanta Braves affiliate) will be hosting the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers during the weekend of David and Brandy's wedding.

Augusta GreenJackets

If you're looking for fun that will make you feel like a kid again, check out Dave and Buster's!

Dave & Buster's

If you've got some time and want to get out in nature, the Savannah Rapids Pavilion area is nice. You can go on a nature walk, have a picnic, or even rent kayaks to take down the waterway.

Brandy & David

Brandy & David

Travel + Accommodations

Where in the world is Appling, GA?

Are there airports nearby?

Where should I stay while I am traveling from out of town?