Stephanie & Chris
Wedding Party
Jake Schroeter
Officiant
Captain's Log, Stardate 4523.3. Deep Space Station K-7 has issued a priority one call. More than an emergency, it signals near or total disaster. We can only assume the Klingons have attacked the station. We're going in armed for battle. Captain's Log, Supplemental. Note commendation, Lt. Schroeter. His valor in the battle on DSS K-7 turned the tide in our favor. The Klingons baited us into a trap and lobbed grenades at our landing party. Schrotey, a Troyian, is quite skilled in the Troyian game of flikpik; similar to our sport of soccer. He kicked every grenade back at the Klingons, saving our lives, but sacrificing his legs in the process. Captain's Log. In lieu of commendation, Schrotey requested a trip back in time to save his legs. I acknowledged. The rest, as they say, is history.
Dylan Garsee
Officiant
Chris and I met Dylan while the three of us were working at Fresa's Chicken. We share his love for movies and TV, and are the founding members of The Movie Club. Dylan currently works in Austin's Tech scene, and is a rising star in our city's comedy and improv world.
Ben Horstman
Best Man
Ben (or Aben-Sur, as he was called on his home planet) recently crash landed on Earth during the Eta Aquarid meteor shower back in May of 2016. His spacecraft plopped down in the Brazos River north of Waco. A group of agrarian-based nondenominational Christians called "Homestead Heritage" found him washed up behind their riverside stables. They clothed him and taught him English (only speech, he hasn't yet learned to write) and put him to work behind their homemade ice cream counter. That's where I met him. He gave me a brief but enthralling summary of his life before Earth, which has nothing to do with my wedding so I'll spare you the details. I happened to be on my way to an MTG Commander event. Ben had never heard of such a game, so he tagged along. The rest, as they say, is history.
Margaret Greco
Maid of Honor
Margaret and I met in 4th grade shortly after my family moved to South Tampa. I invited her to my 11th birthday party and we instantly became close friends. Margaret is a lawyer currently killing it in Brooklyn, and will also be getting married in 2019 to her fiancé Eli!
Daniel Bray
Groomsman
Since 1991, Daniel has toured with the band Radiohead as their lead guitarist and keyboardist. I coincidentally met him very shortly afterward, during a vacation in Hawaii. We were both surfing alone at 5:00 am on a Tuesday when suddenly a group of territorial locals threatened to throw us out of their spot. I, a 4 year old brat at the time, refused to leave and offered a resolution - their best surfer vs. me on the most dangerous wave known to man; The 'A'ole Pilikia. Of course, being too young to participate in sanctioned surfing death matches, I needed someone to act as my champion. Lucky for me, Daniel obliged and out-surfed the opposing group's leader. The rest, as they say, is history. By the way, Radiohead's fourth album, Kid A, is a reference to me and The 'A'ole Pilikia.
Jessica Arizu
Bridesmaid
Jessica and I met in middle school and became friends at mutual friend's bowling party! Jessica is one of the funniest, best spirited people I know and I am so lucky to have her as a friend :) Jessica is saving lives as a PA in Raleigh, NC.
Bryce Bumgardner
Groomsman
"#74 in your programs, #1 in your hearts" Those were the words printed under Bryce Bumgardner in my player preview pamphlet. I was a first year scout for the South Harmon Institute of Technology's football team; the South Harmon Ibexes. I got stuck with the "mudtrails". We called 'em mudtrails because these high schools were so rinky dink that you typically had to drive down a backwoods mud trail to find one. Such was the case with Logan High School, smack dab in the teenage pregnancy capital of Ohio. To my genuine surprise, this particular mudtrail actually had a decent player. He had a lion's mane billowing out of his helmet. He had more get-up than a '76 Dodge Aspen. He had a give-em-hell attitude and a 4th grade education. I signed him on the spot. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ami Patel
Bridesmaid
Ami and I became close friends in high school and is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful people! She is currently living in Houston, working on medical case studies and going to school!
Louis Standridge
Groomsman
Sgt. Louis "Ice Man Lou" Standridge was one year into the Allied campaign against Italy during World War II. While traveling from Rome to Florence, one of the younger privates was adjusting his backpack when he accidentally unpinned a grenade. Louis noticed, tore off the backpack, and fell on it to protect the rest of the unit. The next thing he remembers is a cartoon sheep nurse checking his vitals. It was then he realized that his soul somehow transferred to Cool World - an animated purgatory within a comic book. Decades later, I found a copy of Cool World at a Half Price Books. Louis' character eerily seemed to speak directly to me. Turns out he needed help solving a murder mystery in Cool World, but also needed my help to leave and regain his life. The rest, as they say, is history.
Molli Standridge
Bridesmaid
I met Molli shortly after she started dating her now husband (and one of Chris's groomsmen) Louis! Molli is one of the most driven and thoughtful people I know. She and Louis have recently welcomed their beautiful baby Luci into the world! So happy to have her as a friend!
Ruben Rangel
Groomsman
I spent my 2nd summer break during college backpacking in Eternia. I hiked up Snake Mountain, toured the Royal Palace of Eternia, admired the Temple of Shokoti; you know, typical touristy stuff. One afternoon, I noticed some posters for a missing cat named Cringer. I thought nothing of it at the time, but later on while I was setting up camp in the Evergreen Forest, there was that cat! It was eating out of my Yeti cooler. I tried to shoo it away, but it turned into a giant Battle Cat thing. Then, this huge quasi-naked dude showed up and pointed his sword at me like I was the bad guy there. Thankfully, a high-pitched skeleton with magic and a cape also showed up, and he fought off that buff guy and his cat. I offered him a chopped beef sandwich and the rest, as they say, is history.
Meike Rossman
Bridesmaid
Meike and I became friends here in Austin, bonding over decorating a Christmas Yule Log cake. She is creative and sweet and an amazing Brewer. She works at a local Austin brewery, Blue Owl, creating some of the best beers! Meike is also planning her 2019 wedding to her fiancé (and one of Chris's groomsmen!) Ruben!
Norman Tran
Groomsman
Norman and I met during a production of Romeo + Juliet: A Hip Hopera. He played Mercutio, and I - the role of Tybalt. Things did not start off well between us -- we both auditioned for Romeo. Alas, that role eventually went to Gucci Mane, but that didn't stop us from hating each other. We were ultra competitive, which director Baz Lurhmann noticed. Baz used our antagonism, pitting us against each other in Mercutio's pivotal death rap battle. Rehearsals never turned out right, but something magical happened on opening night. I decided to fully embody my role; stabbing Norman for real. Mayhaps it was the shock of cold steel against his warm innards, but his ensuing death flow was truly inspired. We gained a newfound respect for each other that night. The rest, as they say, is history.
Luisa Isbell
Bridesmaid
Luisa and I met and became friends through the HB Plant Crew team. She is one of the best, funniest people I know and always makes me laugh! Makes sense that she is now doing improv in San Francisco!
Jesse Mandell-McClinton
Groomsman
The three of us sat in a beige, dimly lit waiting room on a beaten up pleather couch. Me, Jesse, and my best friend Jaleel White were up for a starring role in a new family show, codenamed "Normal Family Nerd Boy". The audition process was simple; dress nerdy, look straight into the camera, and deliver a signature catch phrase of our own design. Mine was simple; straightforward - "Did I do that?" Jesse went a little more dramatic - "'Twas I what done the deed!" Jaleel had nothing. He was hopeless. When he came out of the room, cigar and contract in hand, Jesse and I couldn't believe it! He looked me dead in the eye and nasally drawled, "Did IIIII do thaaaaat?" I was furious! Jesse, sensing my rage, turned to me and asked, "Wanna go get a Jucy Lucy?" The rest, as they say, is history.
Erica Glynn
Bridesmaid
Erica and I became friend in High School. She has the best sense of humor, is so fun to be around, and shares my love for eating amazing food. Erica is a Marketing ace in NYC and also makes a mean dumpling.
Ryan Bownds
Groomsman
Ryan and I grew up as childhood friends, despite our circumstances. I was the only son and heir to a wealthy British shipping magnate, and he - the son of our Irish housekeeper. We grew up in the British Camaroons in the 1930s. There were kilometres after kilometres of jungle nearby, which Ryan and I loved to explore. One fateful day, we came upon a troop of gorillas. A male gorilla mistook us for alpha competition. It bared its fangs and let out a primal roar! Ryan, conditioned to believe my life was worth more than his, pushed me aside and rose to challenge the great ape. Knowing he couldn't beat the alpha gorilla, Ryan bargained instead. Using hand gestures, Ryan offered himself as a surrogate child and human envoy of the troop. The ape accepted. The rest, as they say, is history.
Lauren Hendricks
Bridesmaid
Lauren and I met when we worked together at Easy Tiger Bake Shop, making breads and pastries! She is one of the most kind and thoughtful people, a true blue friend. Lauren is currently living in Dallas working as a coordinator for a non-profit.
Grant Baker
Groomsman
In the 1980s, I interned at a genetics research lab. Modeled after the movie Blade Runner, we were on the cutting edge of DNA replication. Many famous people came in requesting clones for healthy organ harvesting. The most interesting client we had was The Godfather of Fitness, Jack LaLanne. He requested a clone of himself that would grow naturally in a random family environment. It was to be a publicity stunt for LaLanne - on the clone's 25th birthday, LaLanne would compete against the clone to prove that he was so athletically fit he could defeat his younger self. Unfortunately, he died just prior to the clone's 25th birthday. I kept reports on the clone (Grant) till LaLanne's death; as an observer, a training partner, and ultimately as a friend. The rest, as they say, is history.
Megan Vandergenugten
Bridesmaid
Megan and I became close friends in middle school; she is one of the best bakers I know and I'll never forget hand rolling truffles with her for her wedding! Megan helped me get through my first job as a waitress and we also traveled Europe together :) Megan is currently taking the year off to garden, travel, and bake!