Anna and I first met in middle school when we were both chosen to go on a student ambassador trip to Hawaii—a once-in-a-lifetime experience that sparked a lifelong friendship. Anna runs on coffee and kindness (but mostly coffee). She’s also known for her honesty, loyalty, and being the one who tells it like it is. One of my favorite memories? Telling everyone on the way to Anna’s bachelorette trip that Graham was “the one”—three years before our first date. Having Anna by my side on this day was a no-brainer. Even though she lives more than 500 miles away, Anna is truly like a big sister to me. Anna is a gift, a constant, and a forever friend.

Joey is one of my oldest and closest friends. We go way back to our high school football days, where we bonded over big hits and post-game celebrations. Our friendship really took off in college when we became roommates—our dorm quickly turned into the go-to spot for late-night laughs and plenty of unforgettable moments. From the field to the chaos of college life, Joey has always been my loyal wingman. He’s got a killer sense of humor and somehow always knows how to turn any moment into a good time. I’m lucky to have him by my side—not just on the big day, but through all the years that got us here.

I met Sidney around the same time I met Graham—which makes sense, since she’s his sister. From the very beginning, I had her saved in my phone as “Sister Sidney Sipes,” not realizing how true that would eventually become. Sidney and I share a love for volleyball, and we spent many weekends hanging out and grabbing coffee together. She’s also big into running, adores her dog Nemo, and usually has a good book in hand. I’m so excited to officially call her my sister and to have her standing by my side on such a special day.

Zach, is my bride’s brother, but he’s also been a good friend of mine since high school. We played football together back in the day, and our families always took beach trips—so we’ve got years of memories, from sunburns to bonfire nights in the backyard. It means a lot to have him standing by my side—not just as family, but as a longtime friend with a brotherly bond that’s only gotten stronger over the years.

Annie and I go all the way back to middle school. She was the soccer star back then—and still is—but she also dabbled in a little volleyball with me. From the start, Annie has always been one of the most loyal and nonjudgmental friends I’ve ever had. She’s also the kindest and most thoughtful person I know—the kind of friend who just gets you and shows up when it matters most. These days, she’s still chasing the soccer ball, fueled by her love of coffee and her passion for traveling the world. I’m beyond thankful to have her standing by my side as I say “I do.”

Jeremy’s been one of my closest friends since we met on a middle school band trip. Over the years, we’ve made a lot of great memories—from beach weekends and mountain getaways to loud concerts and late-night laughs. He’s got that laid-back energy and always knows how to keep things fun, which is exactly why I’m stoked to have him by my side on the big day.

Taylor and I met during my senior year of college when we ended up as roommates. Funny enough, we didn’t talk much for the first six months—then we realized we grew up just 10 minutes apart! Taylor is always smiling and always so encouraging. While we may not bond over coffee, we definitely bond over our love for sushi and trying new spots around Raleigh. She’s such a special friend, and I’m so grateful for the friendship we’ve built and the memories still to come. I couldn’t imagine this day without her.

Chase, a buddy I met in high school. After graduation, I started working at his parents’ restaurant, and later he took it over. We’ve had some wild nights at the bar after hours and spent tons of time tearing up the disc golf course. He’s here to bring his fun-loving spirit and keep the good times rolling on my big day!

Calvin is the adorable son of my Matron of Honor, and I couldn’t be more excited to have him as the ring bearer. With his bright blue eyes and sweet little smile, he’s already stealing hearts! Calvin loves practicing his golf swing with his dad and takes yard work very seriously—especially when it comes to leaf blowing and mowing the lawn. He’s the cutest little helper, and I just know he’s going to shine walking down the aisle!

Ellie, the sweetest daughter of my college volleyball teammate and best friend, is full of energy and loves to light up the dance floor with her moves. You can often find her hanging out at the volleyball gym with her mom, spreading joy with her infectious personality.