Wedding Party
Alex Luty
Groomsman
Dan and Luty played on the same soccer team growing up. Luty still makes the occasional appearance on their men’s team—always a treat when he does. Over the years, they’ve bonded over their shared love of snowboarding, video games, and face masks (as pictured). Luty is a total goofball, often without even realizing it. He’s not usually the loudest voice in the room (especially after a few drinks), yet somehow he’s always making people laugh. He’s incredibly laid-back, easy to be around, and effortlessly lovable—the exact kind of good-energy presence you want around in the big moments. He’s also quietly thoughtful. Luty has a gift for remembering details about people and always following up the next time he sees you. He is never trying to be the center of attention, but everyone gravitates toward him anyway. Dan has shared countless memories with Luty, including several snowboarding trips. Their annual boys’ trip to Banff every February is one of the highlights of Dan's year. Dan loves that Luty is constantly doing something hilarious that he genuinely believes is completely normal (just ask him how many oats he bought that one time). Like Dan, Luty is also a huge animal lover—the kind of guy who finds a mouse in his garage and puts out a water dish instead of a trap. And with his partner, Carly, he runs a small zoo at home with two dogs and a cat, never a dull moment. Dan feels very lucky to have someone so genuine, thoughtful, and fun by his side on the big day!
Amanda Shular
Bridesmaid
Best friends for years, Char credits Amanda for providing endless laughs. She is the most perfectly put-together yet goofy person Char has ever met. She can strike a model pose one minute and send you a photo with six chins the next, it’s truly a gift. Amanda is effortlessly funny in an honest, real way. Sometimes Char isn’t even sure Amanda realizes how funny she is. What Char does know is that Amanda always gives honest and supportive feedback (an important bridesmaid quality). Char often says Amanda is the person who prepares her for everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her realness and vulnerability make her so relatable. Amanda is humble, generous, and beautiful inside and out. She somehow built an incredibly successful Pilates business pretty much overnight. Between her business, working full-time, and becoming a mom to their friend group’s first baby girl (sweet Siena!), Amanda is STILL the ultimate host. Even weeks after welcoming Siena, she hosted pasta night. One of Char’s favourite summer activities is sitting in Amanda’s yard, a prosecco marg in hand, Maverick running around, and endless laughter with the girls. It’s perfection. Also a great travel buddy, from road trips to adventures in Vietnam. Amanda is easy to talk to, impossible not to laugh with, and always genuinely interested in your life, she always remembers the details (okay maybe except birthdays). Char is SO grateful for Amanda and knows she will bring all the goofiness and fun to the big day.
Bray Gregoraschuk
Bridesmaid
Char and Bray met on the Grade 10 volleyball team and became best friends instantly. If you know Bray, you know she’s the easiest person in the world to get along with and if you don’t know her, you definitely will by the end of the weekend. She’s everyone’s biggest hype girl, endlessly loyal, and truly one of the best humans. She’s also the person Char would call if she ever needed to hide a body (hypothetically, of course). In high school, they were inseparable, spending countless afternoons at Bray’s house making music videos (Char is sincerely hoping those never resurface, but confidence is low). Bray has the most contagious laugh, and when they’re together they mostly just laugh back and forth without saying much. It’s probably very annoying for Dan and Bray’s FIANCÉ, Braden, but Bray and Char don’t really care. In case you missed that, Bray also got engaged this year and, since they do everything together, Char got engaged a week later. A combined wedding was seriously considered. Their friendship has gone international. They met up in Australia and had an absolute riot. Bray is also Char’s only friend who has been to St. Adolphe (Char’s fave place in the world), where they spent a summer laughing nonstop. Bray is one of those rare people who makes everything fun, celebrates people SO hard, and shows up when it matters. Char feels very lucky to have had her by her side all these years. There have been SO many good times, apologies in advance for all the inside jokes.
Chris Knauer
Groomsman
Dan met Chris growing up playing soccer, and they also lived together for a few years as adults. Chris is genuinely one of the funniest, most positive and most authentic people you’ll ever meet, and living with him was probably the most fun Dan has ever had living with anyone (Char isn’t even mad about it—knowing Chris, she gets it). He’s the kind of person whose absence is always felt. Gatherings are never quite the same without him. Even before Chris and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their first child (Freddie, the happiest little guy!), Chris was already dubbed “cargo dad.” He’s always the one organizing trips for the group, from backcountry hikes to ski trips to full-on camping convoys. And, somehow, he is always prepared for anything. If you forgot something or suddenly need a cold beer, Chris has you covered. After all, this is the guy who brought a full generator camping so everyone could watch a playoff game in the middle of the forest. Chris genuinely just wants everyone to have the best time, and it’s impossible not to when he's around. Chris and Sarah’s backyard is one of Dan’s favourite hangout spots, whether it’s a summer night around the fire or a low-key garage hang, Dan never wants to leave and Chris always makes time for one more beer. Chris’s thoughtfulness, reliability, and desire to make sure everyone around him is having a good time are exactly why Dan knows he’ll be an incredible groomsman and is honoured to have him (and his jokes) close by on the big day.
Conor Kelly
Groomsman
Con—also known as “Good Guy Con” to Dan (and many others)—is another one of Dan’s soccer friends. Like Dan, Con is still incredibly committed to their men’s team, and Dan loves getting to see him on a weekly basis. But, soccer is far from the only thing Con is committed to, he’s also an exceptionally loyal and supportive friend. Over the years, Con has helped Dan (and Char) move several times. He doesn’t just help—he shows up with a truck from work, moving boxes, and zero complaints. Con is steady, reliable, and always a great friend. These are the same qualities that make him a perfect groomsman—someone Dan can 100% rely on, no matter what. Con also has a wicked sense of humour. His one-liners are perfectly timed, and getting a laugh out of him honestly feels like a personal achievement. He’s easygoing and laid-back, someone you can talk to about anything, He's always dependable (and always on time). Super easy to be around, Con and Dan share countless interests—mostly just about every sport. Con is also known for being incredibly fair. If you need an honest judgment, he’s your guy, and everyone knows that whatever Con says goes. He and his partner, Christina, are exceptional hosts, often having the friend group over to watch the big games and, of course, their annual NYE party for Con’s birthday. Dan can’t wait to have Con standing beside him on his wedding day. He’s loyal and funny, exactly the kind of person you want there for life's big moments.
Evan Gallant
Best Man
Dan and Ev are two peas in a pod. Both acreage kids who grew up down the road from each other, they’ve been best friends for as long as they can remember. It’s also largely thanks to Ev’s natural ability to bring people together that Dan met many of his closest friends. From childhood to boys’ trips to living together, they’ve had PLENTY of good times. In fact, Ev has probably spent more total hours with Dan over the years than Char has in ten years of dating him, but that’s still up for debate. Ev is the kind of person who makes everyone feel included and welcome. He’s the first to start a conversation with a new face or notice an old friend walk into the room. Either way, he never hesitates to come over with a hug. He cares deeply about his people, always checking in and keeping tabs on everyone. Thoughtful and loyal, and just as good at taking a joke as he is at delivering one, Ev keeps the energy positive in any situation. Ev is also creative and a great planner. He always goes above and beyond for special events. If you need proof, ask him about the birthday card he made for Dan. Dan can't wait to see how Ev tops that for the wedding. Knowing Ev, it will be even funnier, more thoughtful, and somehow more…hairy. Their friendship is incredibly low maintenance. No matter how much time passes, they pick up right where they left off. Ev is generous, kind, and always good for several laughs. Dan is so happy that his best bud agreed to become his best man.
Mike Martyna
Groomsman
Mike has been one of Dan’s closest friends for years. They met while attending the UofA and stayed close even after Mike headed to Calgary for med school and then California for his fellowship. Now that Mike is nearby for good, Dan gets to have his buddy back. They play sports together, attend sports games together (Go Elks!), and watch sports together (even at 6 AM). On top of sharing Dan’s love for sports, Mike is an incredible listener and knows his friends exceptionally well. He’s non-judgmental and his advice is always perfectly tailored. For Dan, Mike strikes the ideal balance of humour and compassion. Dan deeply admires, respects, and trusts him. Mike is highly accomplished and intelligent, yet humble and down to earth. Mike and his wife Britt are some of Dan and Char’s favourite people to hang out with. From improv shows and comedy festivals to sporting events and laughs around their fire pit, there have been countless good times. They’re also amazing travel buddies. One of the best trips so far was their East Coast adventure, highlighted by Mike’s unbelievable catch during a beach football game. That trip also made it clear why Dan loves Char so much—she’s essentially the female version of Mike, one of Dan’s favourite people. On top of everything else, Mike (and Char, by logic) is generous, thoughtful, and genuinely hilarious. He’s easy to be around and loved by everyone who knows him. Dan couldn’t imagine a taller groomsman or friend. Mike is truly one of a kind.
Nolan Shaw
Groomsman
Nol is another longtime friend of Dan’s. But, that's not all he has going on for him, he also works at CIBC as a Director. In fact, Nol played a major role in helping Dan start his career in banking. From offering guidance and encouragement to sharing his own experience, Nol has always been generous with his time and advice. Dan is incredibly grateful for his support and truly trusts and respects him, admiring the success he has found in the banking world. Whether it’s Montreal for an F1 race, the mountains, or camping, Dan and Nol have taken several trips together. Nol is another core member of the Annual Boys Trip, where they’ve had many beauty days on the slopes and well-earned beers. He is very funny, easy to talk to, and always brings either a good laugh or a thoughtful perspective. Since Nol also lives downtown, Dan gets to spend a lot of time with him. Whether running into each other at the gym or carpooling to slo-pitch, it’s great having him close by. Speaking of slo-pitch, Nol is as tough as they come. As the designated pitcher, he’s been hit by the ball more than once and still never hesitates to step back onto the mound. The Cudas and Dan are both lucky to have him. One of the best things about Nol is that he always shows up for his friends. Whether helping on moving day, meeting up for a patio beer, or offering trusted career advice, Nol is someone Dan can count on without question. Dan is pumped to have Nol in the wedding party. Beep Boop.
Sarah Goudie
Maid of Honor
Sarah and Char (Sare and Mar) have been best friends literally forever. Char truly has no memory of life without Sarah. Growing up, they spent summers biking between each other’s houses (or to Petro for slurpees) every day. They called each other so often that when one needed to phone home, the other would dial because it was faster. Char still has the Kents’ number memorized. From sleepovers, to Sarah teaching Char to drive standard, to getting puppies just weeks apart (Toby and Murph—also besties), to countless trips, to meeting Sarah’s first child this year (love you, Emmer!), they’ve made SO many amazing memories together. Sarah has always been a second sister to Char, and the Kents truly feel like a second family. Char also credits Sarah (and the Kents) for fostering her love of the mountains. Even as adulthood took Sarah to different cities, their bond has stayed just as strong. Every hangout feels effortless. They’ve moved through every stage of life together. Char knows she can count on Sarah for anything and tell her anything without judgment. Sarah gives the best advice, and even though she’s busy being an incredible mom, doctor, and wife, she always makes time to be a best friend. She is the ONLY person Char trusts to vet ski runs—Char will only ski a black if Sarah confirms it’s an easy one. Char knows not everyone gets to experience a friendship like this, and she feels incredibly grateful to have had Sarah by her side her whole life and now on her big day!
Sarah Macklem
Bridesmaid
Char met Sarah through Sarah’s husband, Glen, who is also one of Char’s lifelong friends. The first time they met, Sarah made quite the impression. It didn’t take long for Sarah and Char to become best friends, and now they talk almost daily. It certainly helps that Glen and Dan are also close friends. When the four of them hang out it's always an absolute blast. And now with the addition of Sarah and Glen's son (silly Jimmy), hangouts are even more fun and more cute. If Sarah is one thing, it’s HILARIOUS. She has a quick wit that even gives Dan a run for his money (an energy Char clearly loves). Beyond the jokes, one of Char’s favourite things about Sarah is her outlook on life. She is endlessly supportive, grateful, and positive. Incredibly compassionate and empathetic, Sarah will genuinely tear up when she’s happy for someone else. She’s fiercely competitive (an Ironwoman), yet never forgets to cheer on her friends along the way. Sarah is truly down for anything—run a marathon, binge Love Island on the couch, grab a pint, or go for brunch and a latte—she’s in. She rarely turns down a hangout, even when Jimmy was almost ready to arrive. Sarah has a unique perspective that makes everyone around her more appreciative and grateful. When you are with her, you feel completely comfortable being exactly who you are. Sarah is an absolute blessing in human form. Her laughter and positivity are contagious, which Char knows she will need nearby when the wedding nerves set in.
Taylor Pitman
Bridesmaid
Before they met, Char distinctly remembers hearing about “Taylor, the figure skater” and taking the bus to West Ed to watch her practice after school. She was in awe of Tay doing crazy tricks in the middle of the mall like no big deal. Even though that may seem a little creepy, they eventually became best friends, but truly ever since they first met Tay has been an inspiration to Char. Skating is far from Tay’s only talent. She’s an amazing photographer, a music connoisseur, and always doing something cool. If you need travel inspo, Tay is your gal. She’s always off on an adventure. In fact, Tay was just hiking in Patagonia (a dream!). When she’s not exploring the world, she’s probably doing a fitness competition (a Hyrox queen) or catching up with one of her zillion friends. Tay has a gift for connecting with people. Even though she’s the coolest person, she’s also super down to earth. She’s easy to talk to, and you never feel awkward around her. In high school, Tay’s parents’ house was the hangout spot because it always felt so welcoming (with the best snacks). Char would often just let herself in, even to Tay’s surprise (right Tay?). That same cozy vibe carries into Tay’s current place, where Char (and all the girls) feel so comfortable just hanging out. Taylor is the friend you can sit in silence with or have deep life chats with. It’s no surprise she’s so loved. Char knows Tay could easily be in a thousand wedding parties, so she is beyond grateful to have her in hers.