Chase + Jaylen
Wedding Party
Ryan Lane
Best Man
There are two people they have to thank for bringing them together—Ryan and Chloe! And while Ryan may be notoriously late and occasionally unreliable, we truly couldn’t have started our story without him. If you’ve read our story on the first page, you know that a friend helped Chase land his job at Nekter. That friend? Ryan. Just a few days after Chase and Jaylen first met, Ryan invited Jaylen to hang out—but only after interrogating her about whether she had a crush on Chase. Confused but curious, Jaylen agreed to dinner… only to be ambushed when Ryan showed up with Chase in tow. From that day on, the three of them became inseparable. Over the years, they’ve shared countless memories—from late nights in college apartments to dinners and deep conversations in their adult homes. Ryan is the one who always brings the laughter, keeps things light, and reminds everyone not to take life too seriously.
Chloe Carlisle
Maid of Honor
As mentioned, Chloe was another key player in this love story. After being ambushed by Chase at that infamous dinner, Jaylen immediately called in backup—Chloe—because she was way too nervous to face it alone! Chloe quickly became a constant in all of Jaylen and Chase’s early moments, especially since Jaylen rarely had the courage to be alone with Chase. Though Jaylen and Chloe had met a few years earlier, they had fallen out of touch. Despite countless attempts to reconnect, plans kept falling through—until one day, after another canceled attempt, Chloe showed up at Jaylen’s door. Rumor has it... they never really left each other’s side after that. In fact, Chloe moved in just three months later, and the two were roommates for the next two years. Even now, with a long-distance friendship, nothing has changed. Time zones and miles don’t stand a chance against their bond.
Andrew Eckhart
Groomsman
Although Chase hasn’t known Andrew as long as some of his other friends, you’d never guess it—you’d think they’d been buddies since childhood. One of Chase’s fondest memories with Andrew is from when they went to a Charlotte FC game while Chase was living there. The game was great, but the real highlight came afterward, as they rode scooters through the city. At one point, a police officer tried to flag Andrew down—and Andrew, in true fashion, completely ignored him and kept riding. Chase can always count on Andrew’s commitment to their friendship, whether it’s catching up with a call after work or making the effort to visit each other. And a fair warning to anyone riding with Andrew over the wedding weekend: keep your hands clear of the windows—he has a bit of a reputation for rolling up fingers.
Paityn Kostecki
Bridesmaid
"Everyone find a partner!" the captain shouted. As a freshman and new to the team, Jaylen quickly turned to Paityn and asked if she wanted to pepper—and from that moment on, they were inseparable. From weekends traveling the Midwest for volleyball tournaments to late-night giggle sessions in Paityn’s bed, their friendship grew stronger with every passing day. In 2018, they even made a legendary appearance as the Cheetah Girls—so iconic that people recognized them as “the Cheetahs” for the rest of the year! Paityn quickly became like a big sister to Jaylen—always ready to protect her, but never afraid to keep her grounded and tell it like it is. *Paityn was also the friend to tell Jaylen she was going to fall in love with Chase
Isaiah Fudge
Groomsman
Isaiah is the second of the four Fudge siblings—and has proudly taken on the role of the ultimate third wheel to Jaylen and Chase. From surviving the Great Wisconsin Float Trip, to off-roading through the jungles of Cozumel, to staying up all night hitting the casino in international waters, the trio has shared plenty of unforgettable adventures. Isaiah brings humor, heart, and just the right amount of chaos. Every now and then, he and the other Fudge siblings along big sister like to team up and give Chase a hard time—because what are siblings for? In many ways, Isaiah is the “adult little brother” Chase never knew he needed—but now wouldn’t trade for anything.
Caroline McGinnis
Bridesmaid
As Jaylen’s longest-standing friend, Caroline has truly seen it all. Their story began on Halloween night in 2007, and from that moment on, they were inseparable. Together, they navigated all of life’s firsts—side by side, full of laughter, love, and a little mischief. Whether they were devouring pizza, french fries, and skillet cookies in the San Elijo Square or cruising through Southern California in search of their next adventure, Caroline and Jaylen made memories that shaped them both. As the oldest sibling in her family, Jaylen always cherished their friendship deeply—Caroline, just three weeks older, felt like the big sister she never had.
Ryan Gilbert
Groomsman
It’s probably fair to say that Ryan may not be everyone’s cup of tea—he’s been known to do some wild things and occasionally make people a little uncomfortable. But Chase has known him for a long time and proudly considers him one of his closest friends. If there’s one thing Chase can say with confidence: no one can run a joke into the ground quite like Ryan. Some of Chase’s favorite memories are of hanging out in Ryan’s room, blasting Tyga, Rick Ross, and G-Eazy while playing Mario. So if you suddenly hear a suspicious amount of those artists on aux… someone might want to check if Ryan hijacked the playlist. Chase has plenty to thank Ryan for, but above all, he’s especially grateful that Ryan invited him to his dad’s wedding—a moment that meant a lot and cemented their bond even more.
Bailey Rzewuski
Bridesmaid
One of the many reasons Lawrence, Kansas is the best city on earth is because it gave Jaylen some of her dearest friendships. It all started on the steps of the Kansas Union, just before the school year began, as Jaylen and Bailey waited for the campus bus to take them back to their dorms. In true Jaylen fashion, she simply asked Bailey to be her friend—and the rest is history. From that moment on, their college years were filled with unforgettable memories: late nights in their college home laughing until they cried, devouring Wheel Pizza, dancing at the Jayhawk Café, and soaking in live music on Tuesdays! Forever soul sisters!
Jacob Spencer
Groomsman
Chase has known Jacob since high school, and some of his favorite memories from that time include grabbing slices at Original Pizza and catching movies at the theater—classic troublemaker behavior, according to Chase. Over the years, their bond has only grown stronger, and Chase is confident they’ll be lifelong friends. While Jacob is often serious and sarcastic, he definitely has a rowdy side—one Chase (and everyone else) hopes makes an appearance at the wedding. Some of Chase’s most cherished memories are of the two of them playing video games together growing up; and when Chase picked gaming back up as an adult, it just didn’t feel quite the same without Jacob by his side.
Emily Valdez
Bridesmaid
Missing her college friends—and Chase—Jaylen knew she had to make new connections fast if New Jersey was ever going to feel like home. So, she turned to BumbleBFF. Shortly after joining, she matched with Emily... but Emily never responded, and the conversation expired (cue sad music). But as fate would have it, Jaylen matched with another girl who eventually introduced her to Emily—and the rest is history. Emily instantly made New Jersey feel like home, teaching Jaylen how to act (and drive!) like a true Jersey girl. Together, they spent countless nights binge-watching Cold Case, devouring vodka pizza, and making memories at the Jersey Shore. Jaylen is forever grateful for BumbleBFF—and is patiently awaiting her brand sponsorship!
Dean Wilcox
Groomsman
Chase has also known Dean since high school, but their friendship truly came to life after graduation. Since then, they’ve shared countless memories—late nights in Westport and Power & Light, endless Chiefs games, unforgettable (and often chaotic) magic tricks, and more than a few humbling (yet hilarious) misadventures with the ladies. Dean is the kind of friend everyone hopes to have—generous to a fault, effortlessly reliable, and always ready with a drink in hand. Chase can’t recall a time Dean didn’t insist on covering the tab, usually flashing a grin and saying, “All debts are paid in heaven.”
Lauren Weintraub
Bridesmaid
Within just 48 hours of meeting, Jaylen knew she and Lauren were destined to be best friends. So certain, in fact, that she turned to Lauren on the way to the bathroom and confidently declared, “I think we’re going to be best friends.” Over the next 14 months, that prediction came true as they bonded while navigating a demanding training program in New Jersey. Despite the challenges, they made incredible memories—weekly sleepovers, concerts, and spontaneous adventures in New York City. Today, Lauren lives in Los Angeles, but distance has never kept these two apart. From coast to coast, they've continued traveling the country together, keeping their slumber party tradition alive every step of the way.
Andrew Dismukes
Officiant
Last, but certainly not least, is Andrew—someone who holds a very special place in our story. Jaylen was introduced to Andrew through a former coworker from her New Jersey days. When she and Chase decided to move to Nashville, Andrew played a key role in helping them choose their first neighborhood—and he's been involved in every move since! Shortly after moving in across the street from him, the three sat down for lunch. There was a bit of nervousness about whether they’d all click, but to everyone’s surprise, Chase and Andrew discovered they were fraternity brothers—and nothing bonds people quite like that! Over the years, the three of them have shared countless meals, Sunday mornings at church, and deep conversations over a good bottle of red. Their friendship has only grown deeper with time, and Jaylen and Chase couldn't imagine anyone more meaningful to officiate their wedding. Andrew’s love and support for them both is truly one of a kind. And a friendly reminder, if you find yourself describing Andrew by the color of his hair, please do not use the 'hard R' (;
