Emma Kate Bentley Gottel

Maid of Honor

Emma Kate and Meredith have been friends for what seems like a lifetime. They both met while attending Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina, where they had classes together all through middle and high school. Yet their friendship really begun in Ms. Lehmon's 6th grade English class. Emma Kate will tell you how it started with "Pop Tart crumbs" she was mistakenly blamed for while Meredith will say it was bonding over the code names they chose for her most recent crush. Stapler, tape dispenser, pencil sharpener... and several others. Throughout the years, after high school graduation, they have remained friends no matter the distance or the time in between seeing each other. Even through Emma Kate's gap year and Meredith's Disney College Program, they remained ever so close. Fun fact! Since the year 2017, Emma Kate has remained the longest standing President of the "Jack Haddock Fan Club" while Meredith has only ever been promoted to secretary. If you or anyone you know wishes to join this elite club supporting Mr. Jack, all inquiries must be submitted through Emma Kate with a formal application

Emma Kate is a Charlotte native yet currently resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina with her boyfriend Eli. She graduated from Cannon School in 2018 alongside Meredith, having committed to attend the University of Wilmington. However, both her and her older sister, Daelyn, decided to prolong the start of her undergraduate degree and embark on a once in a lifetime journey together. They spent 6 months backpacking in Peru then an additional 6 months training to be certified dive masters in South Africa. After returning to the states from this adventure, Emma Kate attended UNCW obtaining a Bachelor's of Science in Recreational Therapy. She is currently enrolled at Presbyterian College in Columbia, South Carolina where she is in an accelerated program to receive both her Masters and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. She will graduate from this program on May 2nd of this year. So please, if you get the chance to chat with her at the wedding, we ask you address her correctly - Dr. Bentley is well deserved!