Chynna & Benjamin
Wedding Party
Jordan Blevins
Maid of Honor
Jordan is four years younger than me, but that didn't stop us from inventing games together (one of which included portal hula hoops and an entirely made-up language). When my mom was expecting, I would not allow the baby to be anything less than my best friend, and argued with my dad demanding that I have a sister. Jordan can be as sweet as the treats she so skillfully bakes but she'll always be the tough little sister that protects me (when she's not beating me up). It is appropriate that her other passion and job is working with various aquatic life, as she often has the mouth of a sailor. She is the trifecta of intelligent, hilarious and beautiful. I have no doubt that with her entrepreneurial drive, Jordan will one day run a successful bakery of her dreams!
Nick Stecchi
Best Man
It all started in first grade when Nick traded me his Darth Vader action figure. We've been best friends ever since, but he has been more like a brother in all actuality. I've never shared so many hobbies, passions and interests with someone; painting, skateboarding, comic books, video games, music, humor, food, shows, tattoos, outer space, and more than I can list. We've gotten busted together in High School and he has watched me fall out of a 40 foot tree. But amidst the crazy times, we always found ourselves smiling impishly at the hijynx. Nick's goofy and outspoken but agreeable nature, paired with biceps bigger than my head make this firefighter one of the most interesting and well rounded dudes I know.
Cheyanne Blevins
Maid of Honor
Before vlogging was mainstream, Cheyanne would make daily videos of her fascinating 5 year old life, updating her "followers". These, and videos of Chey Chey wearing one of my bras stuffed with socks singing and dancing are a testament to her individuality and silly nature, even from a young age. She was often referred to as my little twin, but really her devotion to her passions and hobbies far exceed something I could accomplish in 15 years of living. I've been to countless volleyball games where Cheyanne has proven her competence and ferocity on the court. I have so much unconditional love for this girl and she always returns that love.
Devin McCarthy
Best Man
Devin is your classic cool guy big brother; rides dirt bikes, surfs, skis, plays guitar, drums, travels the world, and pilots the biggest planes known to man. I love that he set the bar so high, it gave me amazing things to strive for, and only resulted in a few serious wounds and one knee surgery. Sometime around after I grew a foot taller than Devin he stopped using his Kung Fu on me, and we became really close. Our sense of humor is nearly identical, and our frequent communication is such a staple in my day now. He is the person who has come out to Portland to visit me the most and it never feels long enough. I can picture it now: us as old guys jamming on guitars to blink 182 songs together in the year 2060!
Jessica Macbrough
Bridesmaid
Jessica is the friend that will water and encourage you to blossom into your best self! She has challenged me since high school to have fun and try new things. She is extremely resourceful and diverse, most likely due to her passion within political science as she loves to work in the legal field. Not only has Jessica made me feel physically beautiful (she is a skilled makeup artist) but also beautiful internally. She takes your doubts and fears and turns them into something you treasure and can be proud of. Her soul is as alluring as her voice because she is also an amazing singer! She is what I would define as gold; rare, beautiful, and worth everything!
Alex Owen
Groomsman
When Alex and I first became friends, we were inseparable! We had the exact same aspirations to be pro skateboarders in a world famous punk rock band. The dream was never realized but the days of trying were some of the most fun times of my life. He works super hard and plays just as hard. Alex has always had a passion for history, and is a knowledge seeker of widely ranging topics; it’s no wonder that we can always get into deep conversation with no effort.
Kayla Moore
Bridesmaid
This tried and true friendship all began when we met in middle school, but our approach was as sweet and simple as kindergarteners. When we had to choose locker buddies on the first day of gym class, I asked this stranger if she wanted to share a space and be friends! And with no hesitation she agreed “yeah!” Kayla is a true versatile artist, has a beautiful open mind and is a dedicated athlete! She is the only person I know to have a true passion for running. Running is torture for me but I would run until my legs fell off for Kayla!
Ben Vachon
Groomsman
Ben struck me as an unique guy, when he always had such sincerely kind things to say to me and the other musicians in high school, despite being a freakishly talented musician himself. Music was just a part of our friendship though. The first winter of being friends I remember sitting in my car talking for hours, sledding, and making thousands of grilled cheeses and pancakes. Later we’d travel the east coast, I would visit BV at his college, and even later lived together in Portland; establishing the “Hunk House” for many more to come. I’ll always cherish the bond we’ve made, and the adventures Ben enthusiastically took with me. Practice, patience, friendship, loyalty, family, and seeing the hidden magic in life, these are the things I’ve learned from the guy whom I share a name with.
Tiara Stahlbaum
Bridesmaid
Tiara is the most graceful person I know, probably due to her years of ballet and riding horses! We were dorm-mates and in the beginning it was like we never saw each other. One night our doors were open and we said hello and then it turned into a 3 hour conversation! We are perfect opposites but have many similar passions. She was my first friend to know of mine and Benjamin's relationship and she knew he was the one for me. Tiara is very creative, keeps me organized, and takes care of me (vodka and dancing don't mix by the way)! She lives a bit a way but even though there is physical distance, our hearts will forever be close.
Joe O'conner
Groomsman
Joe and I first bonded over music in high school, and that shared passion has taken us down a long and winding road; literally. Twice, we and the band drove down the East coast, funding our trip on the spot with our CD sales! Our crowning achievement as a band was a concept album that Joe and I co-wrote, and recorded at a studio on Cape Cod. We've lived together more than once since both moving to Portland, and shared so many fond memories outside the realm of music. Joe is a witty, handsome, freakishly talented guy. If there is an acoustic guitar in his hands the whole room is always singing along, he is a unique treasure to our friend group.
Tylor Knutson
Bridesmaid
Tylor is the full package! You could find her killing it at any computer/video game or cheering her friends and teams on (she is a crazy amazing cheerleader). She rode through her engineering degree passionately as she does with her horses! Tylor transferred to my High School, and we sat next to each other on her 1st couple days and BOOM, life long friendship. I remember we got stuck in the rain in her pick-up truck in the middle of traffic! Watching her solve that mechanical problem so quickly was mesmerizing! But that is the essence of Tylor, she truly cares for her things and for her people.
Ryan Motte
Groomsman
Ryan and I have been best friends since birth. For 18 years we literally lived across the street from each other, and spent all of our time hanging out. We played endlessly at our cranberry bogs, went on early morning longboard adventures and road trips, spent hot summers in the yard and pool, started a band and won talent shows, then went on to record albums and travel the east coast selling them. We were there for each other for all of the ups and downs of adolescence, and both found true love thereafter. His commitment to his wife Sarah inspired me in a big way; he was the first to find out about my idea to propose. Ryan’s black belt in karate has always made me feel protected, but I know this guy would go to extremes to look out for his friends regardless of that fact.
Lauren Rice
Bridesmaid
If it were at all possible, Lauren would and should be standing on both sides, because she is every bit there for me as she is for Benjamin. We all met at Young Art, and if you have not heard of the grueling stories, just know that if you make it through that together, you basically have an everlasting bond together. She was there from the sneaky beginning days ;) and will be there to the end. Her loyalty and work ethic go beyond anyone I know. Her voice is honey to the ears and her art is candy to the eyes. She is considerate, generous and we so are lucky to have her and could not imagine life without Lauren.
Carson Famme
Officiant
There is no doubt in our minds that Carson is the perfect person to marry us. When we were all together and talking about big stuff like marriage, we thought Carson said it best; “it doesnt really matter how long you’ve been together, when you’re with the right person and it feels right then you just know”. We all met at Young Art so he’s an OG when it comes to our relationship. He is so saavy when it comes to our modern world of technology but also old fashioned in the sense that when something breaks it’s not actually broken it just needs some elbow grease and love. We have been through some pretty tough tribulations together but he has been there for us in every excitingly life changing instance. He has been there for it all and will be there for the rest of it.