The Ladies
Brandi Lee: Maid of Honor
I've known Brandi since 2001. I met her during rush for my sorority when she came over to introduce herself while I was talking to someone else. Brandi took me under her wing and became my Big Sister when I pledged Delta Gamma. We kept in touch after college, but we became really close when she moved to Atlanta in 2006. She's always up for anything and is someone I know I can always count on. She shares my love of trying new restaurants, cooking good food, the beach, Georgia Bulldogs, a fun night out with the girls, too many trips to the mall, and, recently, couples game night.
Ellen Henderson: Bridesmaid
I've known Ellen since 2001 as well. Ellen has been my roommate, Georgia football-viewing companion, partner in crime, roadtrip buddy, dinner party guest and host, pledge sister...the list could go on forever. Ellen has been one of my closest friends throughout college and in the time I've lived in Atlanta. She helped me get on my feet when I moved here both times always offering whatever support or advice she could provide. She always makes me laugh whether it's a crossword puzzle she made up or a "thought for the day". I always know we're meant to be friends when we sit in a movie theater cracking up when nobody else is laughing.
Kelly Jones: Bridesmaid
Kelly is my "Great Great Grand Big Sister" from Delta Gamma. She hates this title because it makes her feel old. Kelly is two years older than me and truly is like an older sister to me. Whatever I'm going through at the time, she's probably experienced a similar situation a year or two before me and is ready to listen and offer a positive but honest perspective. Kelly's bubbly personality always makes her a lot of fun to be around. I owe Kelly a big thank you for all she did in getting me acquainted with the city when I moved to Atlanta in 2004 and for suffering through the countless hours and trips to Bed Bath and Beyond she had to accompany me on.
Jennifer Bray: Bridesmaid
Jenn and I met in 2004 when we moved to Winston Salem, NC to go through BB&T's Leadership Development Program. We often wonder how we had to move to another state to meet when we both attended UGA from 2000 to 2004, were both Finance majors, and even had the same GPA. Regardless, I'm so thankful we finally met because Jenn and I learned to be "grown ups" together. We both moved to Atlanta to work for BB&T after LDP. We explored happy hours, nightlife, Corporate Spring Break, getting addicted to Food Network, and, most important, how hard it was to pay all the bills and lead our young professional lifestyle. I know we've both grown up a lot in the past four years, and we couldn't have had a better time doing it.
Lori Singer: Bridesmaid
Lori and I met during MBA Orientation Week in August 2007. I came home and told Christien there was a girl in my class I thought I had a lot in common with that could be a great friend, but I was pretty sure she hated me. Now, I tell Lori I'm glad she didn't hate me, and she tells me she's glad I was nice. Lori and I bonded over how hard it is to quit your job and commit to two years of no social life and no paycheck. We spent the majority of our time together last year since our lives revolved around group work. We found we worked well together because although we both had a strong drive for achievement so we cut back on sleep, the number of days we worked out each week, and seeing our friends outside of school, we knew that sometimes it was more important to watch an episode of The Hills than discuss supply and demand curves.
Caitlyn Louviere: Bridesmaid
Caitlyn is Christien's younger sister. She's a sophomore at LSU and wants to go to Med School. Well before Christien and I got engaged, he used to joke that Caitlyn and I acted like sisters. I love to act silly or playfully bicker with her. Caitlyn always makes me laugh whether it's because she calls me "Monkey", she's doing an impersonation, or Christien and I are laughing at a silly video she posted on Facebook. I have never had a real sister, and I couldn't ask for a better younger sister.
Chenae Watermeier: Bridesmaid
Chenae is Christien's older sister. I'm so excited that I will have both a younger sister and an older sister when Christien and I get married. Chenae is the type of person I hope I can be when I have a family one day. She has two great kids, a strong marriage, a job she's very successful at, she keeps in shape, and she's always there for everyone in her family. She does apologize in advance for the way she'll have to spoil our children one day as payback for how Christien acted when he was younger, but I'm still grateful to have her around.
Sara Watermeier: Flower Girl
Sara is Christien's niece. As much as Sara likes me, she was not excited about our engagement until I asked her to be a flower girl. She perked right up when we started talking about wearing a pretty dress. Everytime she sees me she makes sure we haven't gotten married yet without her. Christien and I both adore her and are very happy she will be there with us to wear her pretty dress.
The Men
Ben Louviere: Best Man
There are few certain things that I've come across in my life. One certain thing is the unbreakable friendship my father and I have cultivated. Trying to articulate the "SUPAH" relationship I have with my father is like him trying to enunciate...well...anything. I have looked to him on so many occasions for advice, help or just a sounding board. Our relationship has been, and continues to be, one of the greatest pleasures of my life.
For the purpose of the wedding he is the "Best Man." To me, he will always be the "Greatest."
Cole Louviere: Groomsman
Cole is my deal-making, gentle giant, LSU graduate, National Champion of a brother. I'm not sure there is any way to really describe him. Cole is an exceptional person and a very loyal brother. He is a person that could have a good time in a morgue while selling the person in the coffin life insurance.
Doug Danna: Groomsman
Doug and I have been friends since 8th grade homeroom. We never had a class together until our senior year of high school; but we cultivated a strong relationship through club and high school soccer. We are two totally different personalities, but our brains seem to function in the same manner. We once went on a week vacation and decided to count how many times in a week we thought or said the same thing. I think we ended up with 1,783 in 7 days. After 15 years, our friendship is still rolling right along.
Paul Haines: Groomsman
Paul and I met in a business writing course at LSU during our junior year. We were the only two people that seemed to enjoy the class. After talking, we quickly discovered that we both grew up in very enterprising households and shared a passion for the life of an entrepreneur. In the past five years, together we have experienced some great highs and lows, and we keep helping one another through those times.
Ian Campbell: Groomsman
Ian and I both began our lives in Atlanta around the same time. He taught me about beer and pool, and I taught him about women. I'm not sure either of us really knows anymore than we did before we met; but it is fun to pretend sometimes. He has been a great friend and sounding board for me over the past 3 years. I recently stood in his wedding as his Best Man, and it was one of the greatest honors of my life.
Chris Watermeier: Groomsman
Chris is my brother-in-law. Thomas Jefferson said, "Anything worth having is worth fighting for." Well, that is Chris and I in a nutshell. Someone also said, "It's not how you start. It's how you finish." I'm not sure why things started off so rocky, and it really doesn't matter. I'm happy to have him in my life. He has given me lots of advice when it comes to the advanced features of "The Woman"...including: keeping my mouth shut at times, wedding planning, keeping my mouth shut, being married, keeping my mouth shut, keeping my ego in check (ironic to me too) and keeping my mouth shut. Thanks Chris!!
Victor Platt: Groomsman
Victor is Heather's younger brother. He is very intelligent and an amazing cook. He claims he can do gumbo better than New Orleans, so I'm anxious to see that in action. Until then, I can always rely on him for fantastic wine recommendations and food pairings. He's currently working his degree in Culinary Arts at Augusta Tech; but I'm anxious to get him to Atlanta, so I can see his skills really blossom.
Alex Watermeier: Ring Bearer
Alex is my amazing Godson and little man. He is quite the athlete and avid LSU fan. He is so cool to me because he always wears his heart on his sleeve and works 100% towards whatever he trying to accomplish. I'm anxious to continue watching his talents cultivate and grow.
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