Philip & Sarah
Wedding Party
Sarah Arnold-Simondet
Bride
Met: 2016 I'm very excited to be married to Philip! One of my favorite memories of Philip is filming a music video for his song, Pictures of Us Sad, when we first started dating. Philip asked me to play the part of his ex-girlfriend for the music video. We took a bunch of photos of fake moments in our relationship and printed some real photos I had taken of us together. I got to start pictures of myself on fire, and the whole experience was a sign of weird fun to come. We've always been supportive of each other, even it means setting ourselves on fire! See the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kdi3uMTc_8
Philip Simondet
Groom
Met: 2016 Normally I hate making decisions. When Sarah and I first started dating we used to let fate make decisions for us by posing a question and then interpreting the answer from the next song that played on random shuffle. In this way, Amanda Palmer's songs are largely responsible for moving our relationship forward. Marrying Sarah, though, was the easiest decision to make. I didn't even have to ask any musicians for their advice. I'm so luck to have found someone that is such a great partner, someone who truly makes me happy (no easy task), and someone who will shamelessly plug my music on our wedding website. <------------------
Patricia Arnold
Mother of the Bride
The thought of trying to pick a favorite memory baffles my mind. My first thought goes back to the day Sarah was born, then through the various stages of her life. No moment seems more precious than the next. So, I will not classify this as my favorite moment, but one of the many moments that have touched my life. For a couple of years Sarah’s father and brothers would go on a Father and Sons camping trip. This would leave Sarah and I to our own adventures. We would do various Mother and Daughter activities. The one Sarah loved to do the most was go buy Bagel Bites. This would lead to watching movies and eating in the big bed. Some of those movies would later become staples for other events in our lives.
Karen Romain-Simondet
Mother of the Groom
Philip has always been a super sweet, very shy person, who loves to perform. When Philip was in kindergarten he asked if he could play a song on the piano for the class. His teacher was surprised that he would ask to be in the spotlight but quickly agreed. She was expecting something along the lines of chopsticks, but Philip played a more difficult piece with much enthusiasm and impressive timing. He had been taking piano lessons for just a year. Afterwards, with a big grin on his face, he took a bow and walked to his seat. Then there was the 5th grade talent show. Philip nailed the auditioned to be the host and introduce each of the acts. He came up with his own introductions and had the audience laughing throughout. His dad and I looked at each other and thought, “who is that kid?”
Dean Arnold
Father of the Bride
One of my fondest memories of Sarah is sky diving. She came out of the plane at 1300 feet with a blood curdling scream that could clearly be heard on the ground. Pretty impressive from a quarter mile away. After a graceful landing that ended in a nasty face plant, she rolled over (laughing), and asked when we would go again.
Kevin Simondet
Father of the Groom
God only knows how Philip was able to take a road trip around most of the U.S. and make it home again. Let me explain about our earliest memories of camping with young children. The last thing before bed was a trip to the bathrooms with the hopes of keeping sleeping bags dry for the following night. Monitoring little ones in a public bathroom (using the pot, washing their hands or brushing their teeth), there was always one who was anxious to go back to the tent before the others. Often Philip would dart out the door and race off in the total opposite direction of our tent. Picture yourself in a crowded campground with others settling in for the night chasing and yelling after your toddler with another child in tow and hopefully one waiting in the public restroom stall for you to return.
Katie Guzzi
Maid of Honor
Met: In College I have so many memories with Sarah, we’ve been partners in crime since day one. We met working on Wild Party in college and I was CONVINCED she was older than me. (We were both freshman.) I then remember at some point later we ran into each other again in the Memorial Union and she gave me the BIGGEST hug, said something along the lines of us now being friends and planned a time for us to hangout. And thus began our lifelong friendship. Sarah is such a kind and wonderful person and has such an infectious energy about her that you just can’t help but feel like the most important person in the room when you’re with her. We’ve been through so much together and she’s always been there for me, so I am very excited to be there for her on her big day.
Mara Simondet
Best Woman
Met: In College Philip once lived in a van. While this is scary to some, I liked it. (We are both a little weird.) In 2007 he drove to Mississippi to surprise me, Timm and others who were there on a mission trip. During this short trip I learned a lot about Philip: You can ask him to help with anything - especially the most dangerous jobs at a construction site. Philip can entertain everyone - his songs were our main source of relaxation and enjoyment. Philip is adorable - One night he "hosted" a group of us in his van. When we arrived he had arranged crackers and cheese on a paper plate and served a some beers from his van's cooler. We made countless memories over the next 14 years, but this one epitomizes Philip: loyal, spontaneous, nomadic, helpful, reckless, entertaining, and adorable.
Seth Eberle
Bridesman
Met: In College Sarah has been there for me through many transitions, and, as you can tell, has helped turn me into a master of disguise. Can you even spot us in the wall? Sarah has been a constant in my life and in theatre making throughout transitions, but the memory that sticks out to me the most is when I was transitioning out of college and into the real world. Sarah helped me find who I was and took me under her wing and showed me how to loosen up! I remember growing a mint plant and having a party in her apartment with mojitos from the mint that helped me transition into real life. Our relationship has continued to be around theatre and plants, and I am glad to be there in her transition into married life with Philip.
William Roberts
Groomsman
Met: Doing Improv The first time I saw Philip play music was in a basement bar in Northeast Minneapolis. He’s one of the only songwriters who immediately established a really deep emotional connection with me, and after that night I schemed to try to make music with him. Philip doesn’t push you to listen to him, but if you do, he reaches out and touches your heart. We once drove to Fargo and back and exchanged maybe 10 words between us. We didn’t need more.
Bekah Fornes
Bridesmaid
Met: In College In our first semester of college, shortly after we had all become friends, Sarah, Katie and I found ourselves in an empty design studio. Having stayed there so long already, and with none of us feeling like returning to our separate dorm rooms, we decided to occupy our time by playing with the wheeled office chairs. It was completely ridiculous and wonderful, which is probably the best way to sum up my friendship Sarah.
Martin Hemme
Groomsman
Met: College Philip and I have been good friends for about fifteen years, since college. In our 20s, we spent our time chilling at open mic nights at the Chatterbox Pub, hanging out, and playing Risk until the sun came up. One of the things I most appreciate about Philip is his unique sense of humor. He can make us laugh during our game nights, improv shows, and the annual garage concerts. This is what makes him a great friend and person.
Brittany Poppe
Bridesmaid
Met: In Middle School It’s extremely difficult to choose my favorite memory with Sarah because we really have so many, but I would have to say that my favorite memory is how we met - both loathing 6th grade gym class. I was the “new kid” on the first day of school and really did not know how to go about finding my tribe. I saw Sarah sitting on the bleachers while we were waiting to start class and mustered up the bravery to talk to her. We both discussed our woes about physical education. This conversation paved the way for many phone calls, MSN chats, sleepovers, bowling get togethers, musical performances, and countless other memories that I will cherish forever.
Michaela Pytlik
Bridesmaid
Met: In High School Sarah and I have made many memories over the last decade, but my favorites are always us just driving around at night, with no end place in mind. We would drive and have fun talking and getting junk food from whatever gas station we passed, jamming to musicals and crappy radio.
Abbey Immer
Bridesmaid
Met: In High School Where to even begin? I have so many wonderful memories with Sarah..... but pictured here is our signature dance. Sarah and I spent many hours cruising around in the "Sarah-mobile." We would sing, talk, laugh, and cry. I wouldn't trade those moments for the world. One day we were singing one of our favorites, Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" and started to do this silly dance which turned into our signature move. From prom to sleepovers, rehearsals to breakups, we would do this dance. Years later, and hundreds of miles apart and I am still lucky enough to have Sarah in my life. She is truly one of a kind and I couldn't ask for a better friend. I love you lady and I'll be "starting the fire" the entire wedding. So get ready.
Meghan Hanna
Bridesmaid
Met: In Middle School It was very difficult to pick a favorite memory with Sarah, but one that stands out happened not long after we graduated from high school. I had had a very bad day and called Sarah to talk about it. Soon after, she showed up at my door and took me out for ice cream. We watched Star Wars in her basement, and then spent hours sitting in her car talking about life while listening to Weezer. Sarah has always been there for me, through good times and bad. I'm so honored to have her in my life, and to be standing with her on her wedding day.
Linda Burkhardsmeier
Honor Attendant
Met: Aunt of Bride
Michael Arnold
Usher
Brother of Bride
Nate Simondet
Usher
Brother of Groom
Peter Jiskra
Usher
Cousin of Bride
Avery Nice-Bourrillion
Usher
Nephew of Groom