Wedding Party
Ali Hogart
Bride
Raised in the Butte/Anaconda area, Ali grew up very close to her family. She fell in love with music at a young age and has recently accepted a job as a k-8 music teacher in Deer Lodge, MT. She met Matt in middle school where they quickly became friends due to their participation in many of the same activities. It wasn't until Ali's senior that they finally decided to date. Ali later went on to study music at MSU and Matt joined her a year later.
Matt Bowdish
Groom
Matt spent his early childhood in Spokane, WA and moved to Anaconda, MT in 2nd grade. He soon fell in with wrestling and was state champion during 8th grade and sophomore year. He began his musical career in 5th grade and that is where he spent the majority of his time with Ali. The couple were in many activities together throughout high school but music truly brought them together. When Matt attended college at MSU, he joined the Spirit of the West Marching Band and other music ensembles with Ali while he earned his degree in Liberal Studies. Following their move to Deer Lodge, MT after the wedding, Matt hopes to begin a career in Law Enforcement.
Katie Davey
Maid of Honor
Katie has been one of my best friends from the very beginning! As cousins, we grew up together and spent many weekends and summers getting into trouble. We usually ended up breaking something but boy did we have fun! As we grew older, we didn't have as much time to spend together, but when we find the time, it's like we have never been apart! Katie becoming a mom has been on of the most amazing things I have watched her do and I am so proud of her. Both Katie and I are getting married this summer and its amazing to go through this journey together. I am so incredibly grateful that she will be part of our wedding and that we will be together through all of our milestones of life!
Adam Maes
Man of Honor
In 4th grade, I met one of my best friends in the entire world. At the time, I didn't realize how much of an impact Adam would make in my life. He is one of those people who always has my back but isn't afraid to tell me harsh realities. We grew up together and he drove me home from school practically every day of high school until I got my own car our senior year. We spent many hours driving around Anaconda singing to the radio. Adam has pushed me to become the person I am today and I thank him for that! I am so happy that he is a part of our big day!
Aubree Anderson
Bridesmaid
Although Aubree came into my life a little later as a step sister, she has truly become my sister! We are as different as night and day but we have had a lot of fun together! I remember the first night we spent together sleeping on the living room floor at my dad's watching movies and how we just clicked as friends. I am so happy to have my sister standing by my side on our big day!
Alyssa Patterson
Bridesmaid
Matt's little sister, Alyssa, has become my little sister over the years! When Matt and I first starting dating, Alyssa was 7 years old and I knew she was going to grow into the amazing, sassy, and compassionate young woman she is today! We are so glad that she is going to be our side on our wedding day and we can't wait to watch her grow up and follow her dreams!
Emilia Hitchcock
Bridesmaid
I met Emilia after she became friends with Matt in the trombone section of the Spirit of the West Marching Band, but I no idea that she was going to became an such an important person in my life. Throughout college, she has been an amazing friend and we have had many girls nights and double dates! She has been a huge support system for me throughout college and I know she will continue to fulfill that role as we move into the next stages of our lives! Both Matt and I are so thrilled to have you standing with us on our big day!
Sarah Newton
Bridesmaid
Sarah and I began working together our sophomore year of college as managers of the Spirit of the West Marching Band. We soon became close friends and, along with our boyfriends, we traveled to Europe and had the time of our lives! Sarah and I also spent three summers together working for Upward Bound and she is one of the greatest co workers I have ever had. Over the years, Sarah has become one of my greatest friends and when the time came to choose bridesmaids she was an obvious choice. I am so excited to have her at my side on our big day!
Reema Najjar
Bridesmaid
Reema and I became friends during high school. We had a mutual love of music and she soon convinced me to join golf team (I wasn't very good). We went to the same college, where we continued to hang out and we had fairly regular lunch dates. Unfortunately, life is hectic and our time together became became shorter and less frequent but Reema has always been one of my biggest supporters in my life and I hope she knows that I am one of hers! I am so excited for all she has going as she moves forward planning her wedding and getting her law degree! I am so proud of her and excited to have her by my side on our big day!
Nola Davey
Flower Girl
Nola is the brides little cousin and this little cutie came into our lives like a sassy little fireball! She is growing into such an independent little girl and I can't wait to watch her grow up and make us so proud! I am excited to have her as a part of our special day!
William Robinson
Ring Bearer
William is the son of one of the couple's close friends, Alissa. We have been lucky to spend time with William over the years and he is one of the sweetest little guys we know! We are so excited to have him and his mom as a part of our big day!
Brian Perkins
Best Man
Brian and I first met in the Spirit of the West, but our friendship really grew when we spent countless hours together while Ali and Sarah worked for the band. We have since been through at least four moves, summers with time spent on each other’s couch, hours upon hours of video and board games, woodshop projects, and, of course, years of playing in and serving the band. Besides Ali, Brian is my closest friend.
Mikaela Monday
Best Woman
I met Mikaela when registering for classes the summer before freshman year at MSU. I met her parents while she was signing up for chemistry, and they insisted that we exchange phone numbers so we could get in touch once I moved to Bozeman. When we did, we discovered that we are so similar, we might as well be twins. We helped each other with the transition to college. I was very happy when Ali hit it off with Mikaela about as well as I did, and we’ve spent quite a bit of time together over the years. It was only natural that Mikaela was the one I took with me to help pick out Ali’s rings (I think we did a great job)!
Jake Patterson
Groomsman
My little brother is and always has been incredibly important to me. Watching him grow up has been a wonderful experience, made even better by our shared interests in music and video games (although I haven’t yet been successful in getting him off consoles and onto a PC). Jake’s fifth birthday was one of the first events that Ali and I celebrated together with my family after we started dating, and he has continued to be an important part of our lives. Jake is incredibly intelligent and kind, and I am so proud of who he is and all he will accomplish.
Jacob Rankin
Groomsman
Jacob is another of my best friends that I met in the Spirit of the West. We met as fellow low brass players, but we really became close after he started dating Emilia, who played with me in the trombone section. We have shared tons of time in band, playing video games, and just hanging out. I know I can always count on him, whether I need help moving, working, or just someone to talk to and play games with.
Drew Burkenpas
Groomsman
Drew and I started spending a lot of time together while we were serving the bands as managers and member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the band service organization. We have always worked well together, and he has been a huge supporter for me over the years and through our innumerable long days and nights at Howard Hall as well as our many prop-building projects. Drew and his family have always been so wonderful to me, especially when I have been unable to travel home for holidays, even welcoming me into their home for Thanksgiving.
Geoff Dierenfeldt
Groomsman
Geoff is my oldest friend. We rode the bus to school together starting in the second grade, and we have had plenty of “Halo nights,” playing video games and drinking Mountain Dew until the sun came up, taking a two- or three-hour nap, and playing again into the evening. It was Geoff’s birthday party where I was having so much fun that I waited to go to the hospital after breaking my nose until after the party was over. We didn’t get to see each other much for a while when he was going to school in Minnesota, but since he’s been back, we’ve been able to spend more time together, and Geoff has been around to haul me home at the end of some of my worst nights.
Jake Hogart
Usher
Jake is Ali's cousin. They grew up together only couple years apart. He used to boss Ali and Katie around pretty good and would always make them play hide and seek. The couple is very excited to have him as a part of their big day!
Jackson Anderson
Usher
Jackson is another one of Ali's cousins. Jackson was born when Ali was 10 years old and she fell in love with him along with the rest of the family. She has truly enjoyed watching him grow in to the young man that he is today! The couple is so excited to have him as part of their big day!
Shawn Hansen
Officiant
Shawn is Ali's uncle and was the couple's band director for many years. He helped instill our love of music and was the obvious choice for our officiant.