Jane & Alex
Wedding Party
Grace Petr
Maid of Honor
Most of you know by now, but Grace and I are a package deal. She's my baby sis of three years, my "arch enemy," my fashion consultant (thanks to the Gen Z in her), my number one confidant, and the best dog auntie around. One of the things I look forward to the most with Grace is Christmas Eve. We usually have a sleepover in my room and she wears her Grinch Pajamas while I wear her Guitar Hero Pajamas. We finish each other's sentences, make each other bomb meals, and laugh until we can't anymore. I love her dearly and am so lucky to have her by my side not only on wedding day but every other day.
Megan Conway
Bridesmaid
I am so incredibly lucky to call Megan my sister-in-law! What a gal! I've known Megan since I started dating Alex in 2015 (she was dating and is now married to the wonderful Jimmy Conway). We clicked instantly and I'd say our bond solidified over an incredible trip to the PNW with Alex and Jimmy a year later. Megan is an environmentalist queen, tip top dog aunt to Gussie, and a Chicago food scene expert. She is one of the most thoughtful, fun-loving and hilarious people I know!!
Lauren Jokisch
Bridesmaid
I met Lauren in woodshop class in 7th grade at Longfellow Middle School and I tried way too hard to be her friend by forcing several highly niche inside jokes upon her. Luckily we share the same sense of humor and it worked!!! She was also a fan of Danny Phantom, which didn't hurt. We became closer throughout high school and (barely) survived our freshman year at UW-Madison (no thanks to the Wisconsin v. Nebraska game freshman year). We roomed together for a few years, which brought countless adventures, laughs and wonderful memories. When I'm with Lauren I don't stop laughing - it's actually exhausting. Lauren's a kickbutt ICU nurse, fashionista, and 12/10 friend. <3
Molly Callahan
Bridesmaid
Molly! Such an important person and loyal friend to me. I met Molly in a college chemistry class when we were sophomores - those classes were packed but her colorful, groovy laptop stickers caught my attention and I told myself, "I have to become friends with the cool girl in my discussion." Before I knew it, we were traveling to Cozumel together (that trip was complicated by one missed flight sprinkled with a dash of foodborne illness), and doing essentially everything else together thereafter. Molly and I have been best friends since then, and we were lucky enough to live in Boston at the same time for a couple of years. Molly is one of the most caring, bubbly, + generous people I have ever met. She's also a TWIN mom to the cutest babies on the planet.
Catie Strigenz
Bridesmaid
I am SO glad that Catie and I found each other back in high school. We started our friendship as a couple of gals goofing off at Cross Country practice and hitting up concerts together on the weekends. I also basically followed her to Chicago when she moved there and I treasure every one of our memories in the Windy City (except the time she made me try Malort liquor, a Chicago "delicacy"). Catie has always felt like a sister to me. She is hilarious, insightful, caring, adventurous and gives the best advice. I haven't been able to see Catie in a few years because she's doing her thing in Australia, so I am SOOOO jazzed to finally see her again and reunite for wedding weekend. I will try my very best to get her to cancel her flight home to Melbourne.
Alana Stramowski
Bridesmaid
Alana is my oldest and one of my absolute dearest friends!! I've known her since the Barbie Jeep and Limited Too days. We've been through so many life stages (good, bad, awkward phase, UV blue phase, etc.) together, and she's always had my back 1000%. As we've grown up, gone off to different colleges, moved around to different places, changed careers, and started lives with our SOs, our friendship has been an absolute constant in my life. We get each other on a deep level and can talk about things for hours and hours (our current mutual obsession is Euphoria). I am so grateful for that, and I cannot wait for all the fun times to come!! I love Alana!
Mike Rouse
Best Man
Mike and I became fast friends at the University of Wisconsin, where we bonded over a love of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and a million other nerdy things. We both moved to Chicago after graduation and seized that opportunity to continue our many inside jokes (to the endless exasperation of Jane and Mike's wife, Kali) and build our friendship. If the movie Road House was an analogy for our lives (if you've seen the movie: it's definitely not, don't worry), Mike is the Sam Elliott to my Patrick Swayze (it's my wedding, just go with it). I'm so lucky to have this guy in my life!
Jimmy Conway
Officiant
As a practicing member of the Church of The Dude, I can't think of a more perfect person to officiate this joyous event. I suppose it also helps that Jimmy has known me for my entire life and had a front row seat for the early days of mine and Jane's relationship while we all lived in Chicago. Jimmy has been such a great role model for me for as long as I can remember, and I'm so excited (and a little scared) to hear what stories he will bring to the ceremony!
Nick Mannebach
Groomsman
From Mrs. Thaker's 4K classroom, to the (very cramped) Sellery Dorms at the University of Wisconsin, to the hallowed halls of The Machine Shop, Nick and I have faced it all together. Fierce adversaries in debates and games of FIFA or NBA2K alike, we certainly keep each other on our toes. Nick is one of my oldest and best friends (and a hell of a dancer), and I'm so glad he can play such a big role on mine and Jane's big day!
Marc Drake
Groomsman
Marc is the true epitome of how a "work husband" can become a lifelong friend if you force him to hang out with you enough. Our mutual love of Jeopardy (and mutual desire to not actually be working) bonded us, and we haven't looked back since. I can always count on Marc to either come up with or help me execute a bizarre (or perhaps slightly half-baked) idea (see: us deciding to have a full meal of jerk chicken and rice while waiting for our ACTUAL lunch reservation during a vacation in Montreal). He's one of my absolute favorite people in the world, and I'm so grateful to know him!
Nick Schiltz
Groomsman
While Nick has cycled through many nicknames in our 10+ year friendship ("Schiltz, Schlitz, Schmitz, Schwyz...I could go on), one thing has remained constant: he is the most loyal and kindhearted person I know. Whether that took the form of getting in the face of an opposing basketball player after a hard foul, or staying up until the wee hours of the morning to talk about life, I've always known without a doubt that Nick is there for me. He's a true friend, and I'm so glad we've stayed so close after all these years!
Nick “Red” Hennen
Groomsman
After being very unilaterally nicknamed "Red" by Jane and Alex's mutual friend, Sean, the first weekend of college, Nick found it in his heart to still hang out with us. I'm eternally grateful he did, because Red is one of the kindest, funniest, most goodnatured people I've ever met, and one of our go-to Gus sitters. I consider Gus an excellent judge of character, and he absolutely FLIPS OUT anytime he sees Uncle Red, so I think that really speaks for itself.
Josh Frischmon
Groomsman
Josh, Best Man Nick, and I went out together our first night of college, where we promptly took a wrong turn immediately upon leaving our dorm and walked over 2 miles in the wrong direction. That evening set the tone for years of fun and countless memories. Josh is hands down the best (and most zealous) hugger I know, and he's an awesome friend as well. This guy is the best!
August “Gus” Conway Petr
Ring “Bear”
As most of you know, our world revolves around this sweet and snuggly boy. Gussie is assuming the responsibility of bringing the rings down the aisle (with a little bit of help). This day just wouldn’t be complete with our best buddy by our side!