Groomsman
Matt and Jeff have been friends since the early days of high school. Along with this brother Aaron, Matt often worked at Ray Farms holding various jobs such as lead tobacco stick dropper and harvester, hay wagon chaser, and tractor detailer. One of Jeff’s fondest memories of Matt came in the hayfield on a 100˚ day when Matt ran down the road chasing the tractor and hay wagon in fear of getting left in the field while wearing jeans and work boots. After Matt’s excessive jog, he was unable to lift a bale of hay and became the subject of ridicule from the rest of the crew which included groomsmen Ken Gibbs, Tyson Martin, and Matt Hurm. Jeff and Matt remained close through college and have traveled to many places (Puerto Rico, Mexico, San Francisco, and Boston) together since. If one sees Matt nodding off to sleep on wedding day, save the spare 5-hour energy! Jeff once saw Matt chug 3 bottles in 5 minutes only to then sleep 10+ hours. Matt and his wife Tara have two kids and live in Rockport, IN.
Groomsman
Jeff’s earliest memory of Gibbs came in 2nd grade when Ken moved to Rockport from Florida. The two became closer friends in middle school as Gibbs became interested in farm work. Although leery at first, Bob finally allowed Gibbs to become a tractor driver and employed him for several summers through high school and college. In the summer of 2004, Gibbs became the first lost time accident in Ray Farm history as he fell out of the hay barn and breaking a wrist. Gibbs has been a constant at the farm whether it be working, riding horses, fixing up demolition derby cars, or participating in random card matches. On the farm, Gibbs gained a passion for agriculture that led to his degree in ag and his career with ADM and its associated grain terminals. Gibbs and his wife Kim have three daughters, two goats, and a few chickens and live in Rockport, IN.
Groomsman
Jeff’s earliest interaction with Matt came in 1993 as the two were on the all-star baseball team together. With Matt going to private school, their early interactions were limited to the sports calendar. Once getting to high school, the public and private grade schools merged and the two became quite close. Jeff and Matt spent most weekends bouncing around Owensboro and Evansville with Benton, Gibbs, and Tyson. Matt and Jeff both attended Purdue, lived on the same floor within the same dorm, and later shared an apartment with Tim Sarver and Jon Williams for three years. After graduating from Purdue, Matt moved to Madison, WI which was convenient for visits once Jeff moved to Chicago. These visits led to the introduction to Matt’s friend Phil and former intern boss, Ben (Phil and Ben would later hire Jeff at Nabisco which launched Jeff's career). Jeff, Matt, and Ben teamed up in 2012 to win the Ragnar Relay Race, a 198 mile running event that stretches between Madison & Chicago. Matt is known for his indecisiveness and his classic phrase “mom said somethin’ about…” before saying something factual or family oriented. Matt and his wife Breanna have two kids and live in Richland, IN.
Groomsman
Jeff met Stuart somewhere in the 2007-2008 era on the Diversey, Clark, and Broadway Street corner. Stu was walking with Jamie (fellow groomsman) as they all crossed paths at the intersection and as Jeff remembers it, Stu nearly was run over by a biker while he stood in the bike lane. Stu and Jeff became closer post 2009 when Jamie and Jeff became downtown roommates as he visited frequently and at one point, lived a few months on Jeff & Jamie’s floor in-between projects. One of the funnier memories of Stu came on the wee hours of a work night when Jeff awoke to find Stu bleaching the white condo carpet after spilling a glass of red wine all over it. Stuart has spent time living around the country as a location scout in the TV and movie industry. Stu and his wife Colleen live in Wheaton, IL and were the couple used in Jeff's cover story the night of the proposal at Elske.
Groomsman
Michael and Jeff met in 2012 after friends met at a small business social in Chicago. After meeting, the two were at various events and parties together with the most memorable one coming on a Lake Michigan boat cruise filled with an eclectic crowd and far too much alcohol for some. Through the years, Michael and wife Sammy have made numerous trips to Indiana so their son Preston could experience farm life. While there, they also enjoy a wine slushie or two at the local Pepper's Ridge Winery. Known for his love of monkey bread (sticky buns) and St. Jeffy’s Day (Michael's interpretation of Jeff's love for Chicago's St. Patrick's Day), Michael is a personal trainer with a podcast and a licensed officiant. He’s also a self-marketer and would be rather upset if this was written without mentioning www.michaelmoodyfitness.com. Michael and his wife Sammy are currently on sabbatical but promise they’ll be back in Chicago in 2023.
Groomsman
An artist, neat freak, and one of the few in the world that only write in cursive, Jeff has known Jamie since sixth grade but the two did not become close until after their Purdue days. Once Jeff moved to Chicago, they would often cross paths at the Purdue bar (Durkin's at the time) on game day and vent about the usual Purdue loss. When mutual high school classmate Kyle failed to find work during the 2008-09 financial debacle and was forced to leave Chicago, Jamie called Jeff looking for a roommate to fill Kyle’s shoes. Jeff moved into the open room at the Bernardin in 2009 and lived with Jamie until Jeff gave him away to his then girlfriend (now wife) Karen (with a “K”) in 2016. Jamie was the reason Jeff got into marathons by setting the example in 2009 and 2010 while living together. Jamie and his uncle George ran the Chicago Marathon with Jeff in 2012 (Jeff's first marathon). Since then, Jeff and Jamie have run the Chicago Marathon together in 2014 and 2016 (with Tyson) and the Boston Marathon in 2019. Jamie and his wife Karen live with their dog Cali in Lombard, IL
Groomsman
Tyson and Jeff date back to the early days of elementary school. The two of them were constantly involved in the playground games of football, basketball or whatever the “in” sport was at the time. The two played on the middle and high school basketball and baseball teams (along with fellow groomsman Matt Hurm) with the baseball team winning an improbable sectional in the state tournament. Tyson and Jeff were known for their impeccable high school acting which led to them to starring in two successful sporting tutorial films (Deer Hunting and Weight Lifting). Since 2012, Tyson and Jeff have made several ski trips to Breckenridge, CO with the old high school crew and in 2016, they ran the first 17 miles of the Chicago Marathon together before getting separated. Tyson and his wife Whitney have two kids and live in Evansville, IN.
Groomsman
Brent married into the Ray family in 2010 meeting Erin as he wrapped up a military assignment post 9/11. Once joining in the family, Brent immediately became “dad” to Erin’s Maltese, Maggie. In addition to Maggie, Brent established great relationships with Uncle Walter and Aunt Betty prior to their deaths in 2018 and 2019. Brent has an undisclosed love for marathoning as he forcefully attended Jeff’s races in Boston, NYC, and London. In September, he will once again travel as a supporter to Berlin to watch a 3+ hour run but will be rewarded with a trip to Oktoberfest for his hard work afterwards. Brent is the proud dad of ring bearers Brylan and Cadem and flower girl, Maemi.
Groomsman - Brother of the Bride
Junior Groomsman - Nephew of the Bride
Happy Jack
Ring Bearer
Brylan made Jeff an uncle for the first time in 2011. Brylan is a busybody that enjoys gardening, planting trees and collecting coins. He also has a passion for monitoring the precious metal market and for this, is often described as “11 going on 90.” Brylan loves to spend time with Uncle Jeff during peak planting and harvest seasons often asking questions and studying Uncle Jeff’s moves in hopes of one day driving a tractor or combine by himself. Brylan also loves to play board games and dominoes with anyone he can. He looks forward to “game night” and loved playing the game of Spit with Caryn the first time they met. This is Brylan’s first wedding and although he isn’t happy about dressing up, we know he will have a blast!
Ring Bearer
Cadem is the cuddler and lover of the three Meadors kids as he always greets you with a hug and if your lap is open, will most likely sit and chill for comfort. Cadem amazes Uncle Jeff with his bravery often doing things around the farm that his older brother and little sister will not do. Although not interested in driving the big tractors on the farm, Uncle Jeff has taught Cadem how to drive the little ones in the hay field. He often brings his lunchbox full of snacks to the field to share and at times, brings a pillow so he can nap while inside the cab. Cadem loves playing Pokemon and board games and instantly meshed with Caryn in making signs and crafts together when meeting in October. This is Cadem’s first wedding and he cannot wait to handle the rings!
Matron of Honor - Sister-in-law of the Bride
Matron of Honor & "Family Friend"
Maid of Honor - Niece of the Bride
Flower Girl
Maemi is the baby of the Ray family having turned 6 in March. She is an energetic little girl and has always had a special bond with Uncle Jeff. During Covid days, there were times she was his shadow throughout the day following him wherever he went. Maemi and Uncle Jeff often make up silly songs in silly voices to crack one another up. Maemi met Caryn in October and became an instant Caryn fan when Caryn equipped her with pom poms for the marathon. Although hesitant to accept the role of flower girl, she finally agreed after a day of dress shopping with her mom (Erin) and Grammy (Pam).
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Sister of the Groom
Jeff doesn’t remember the day he met Erin but has been told that he was very excited to be a brother and welcomed his little sister home. Jeff and Erin have been close throughout time and invented many games as kids. They were often playing in the woods, riding the go kart & four-wheeler, or doing whatever the day brought. Erin is the real runner of the Ray family setting a number of records and advancing in the state tournament in high school but has turned into a proud supporter of Jeff’s marathoning in recent years. She has attended all 4 of Jeff’s World Major marathons. In 2019, she caught the marathon bug herself. That year, Jeff ran alongside Erin through the streets of Chicago. It was a great achievement and a special moment to share as their hearts were heavy with the loss of Aunt Betty days earlier. In 2021, Erin gave the Chicago Marathon another go. Jeff, seven days removed from the London marathon, again jogged alongside as they crossed the finish line together. Erin’s excitement for both marathoning and its associated atmosphere rubbed off on Caryn as they met for the first time en route to London. On that trip, Erin taught Caryn what it was like to bounce around a city to support a marathoner while also getting your own workout in such as sprinting 30 flights of subway steps along the way. Erin is the proud mom of ring bearers Brylan (11) and Cadem (9), and flower girl Maemi (6). She and Brent have been married 12 years and live in Chrisney, IN.
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Bridesmaid
Would-Be-Bridesmaid
Due with twins in August 👶🏼👶🏼