Christa & Laura
Wedding Party
Dean Pantages
Bridesman
Dean and I met December 1989 as I took away his only child status. Girls always talk about the bond and friendship of having a sister, but I wouldn’t trade my brothers for anything. From playing on his Little League team, to learning to ski together, music classes throughout high school and finally going to Pitt together, I was always trying to follow in his shadow. As adults, Dean and I have grown closer through our love of camping, outdoors, biking, and beers. Dean has given me the highest honor of becoming an aunt and I am forever grateful for that role.
Katie Hoaglund
Bridesmaid
My big sister! I have been a thorn in her side for 30+ years and, if you’d ask her, she would say that she wouldn’t have it any other way I'm sure of it. We made it past the hair pulling and scratching phase and have become close friends in our adulthood. We both love a good crime show, crockpot meal, and a song that hits you in your feels. Katie has a heart of gold and is one of the kindest people I know.
Claire Cookinham
Bridesmaid
Claire and I met as children at Abraham Lincoln Elementary. Claire was a year younger than me but we were always playing soccer together since we were five. We became closer throughout middle school and high school soccer and I began driving Claire to school every day. I will forever cherish all of our mix CDs, soccer seasons, and pool parties. Our friendship has only continued to grow since the first day we met. Claire is one of the most genuine, true, and honest people in my life. We have been throughout so many of life’s challenges and successes together and I am a better person because of her.
Tabby Swenson
Bridesmaid
I met Tabby on the school bus on the first day of third grade and even though I called her Tammy for the first couple of months, we soon became best friends. Tabby is a part of all my favorite memories from high school including playing sports year-round, Friday night football games, watching Grey's and Gilmore Girls, going to the Denison movie theater and everything in between. Together, we have been through it all and even though it has been 14 (?!) years since we have graduated from high school and we live 1,000 miles away from each other, Tab is still one of my very best friends. The Lorelai to my Rory.
Alex Jones
Bridesmaid
Alex and I met as 11 year olds at Beadling soccer practice with her wearing bright red soccer cleats. Our families travelled to endless soccer tournaments together making countless memories that will last a lifetime. When not playing soccer, we spent our weekends at Tygart Lake, where I hold the title of best boat tubing recovery. Our friendship has gotten to the point that we have been friends longer than we haven't. Alex and Jay's wedding was the first wedding I took Laura to as my date and I am so thankful Alex will now get to stand by both of our sides at our wedding.
Kayla Simon
Bridesmaid
Before classes started sophomore year at ISU, I ran into Kayla in the hallway of my new dorm and she invited me to come with her and her new friends to a frat party, obviously I happily obliged. That night, we danced until the sun came up and then went out for breakfast. To this day, it is one of my most favorite memories from college. We went on to live together for 3 years and after graduation we both ended up in the Baltimore area. There isn't anything that Kayla doesn't know about me because she makes me feel like I can share anything with her. Kayla has always been there to celebrate my highs and support me at my lows. It is hard to put into words how much she means to me. She is a gold friend.
Carissa Dane
Bridesmaid
I cannot remember how or when during middle school that Carissa and I became friends, but all of my memories have her in it. From school clubs, to our Thursday Nights together, Tappan Lake, DMB concerts, and Hidden Valley, she was always by my side. From high school, we went on to be Pitt Panthers and roommates. Our friendship has grown across the country as we continue to get to spend milestones and make new memories together. My favorite thing about Carissa is her devotion and love to the important people in her life.
Kara Goldsmith
Bridesmaid
We met in an ISU club called AfterDark - an alternative to drinking on Friday nights, Kara was looking to pad her resume and I needed something to keep me out of trouble. Ironically, one of the things that I love most about Kara is that she is absolutely down for anything - Taco Tuesday/Pint Night/Mug Night, tailgating, late night Walmart run, or getting tuna sandwiches at Subway. From day one, Kara and I just clicked and our friendship has always been easy. Though we live in different states now, our friendship continues to grow as we try to see each other as often as we can: birthdays, exploring new cities, concerts, football games, and 6 hour dinner dates when she is in town for work. When we do get together we just pick up right where we left off.
Stephanie Emma
Bridesmaid
Stephanie and I met in middle school and our friendship began with snowboarding. Stephanie taught me how to snowboard at 14 years old and we have never stopped snowboarding together since. After high school, we went to different schools but continued to visit each other at Pitt and USC and sneaking in concerts when we could. I do not remember a winter that does not include at least one trip to Hidden Valley for some runs but mostly beer. Stephanie has the most welcoming and kind spirit. She is down for anything and always puts a smile on my face.
Kat Nelson
Bridesmaid
Kat and I are a forced friendship success story. We were both meteorology students at ISU and interested in doing anything except learning meteorology. When we should have been listening to lectures, we would pass secrets in a yellow notebook - secrets that I would never tell anyone else. We were definitely the class clowns and would try to get our professors to laugh as much as possible; I truly think that a couple of them just gave us a passing grade so they wouldn't have to have us again. I am grateful for a lot of things in our friendship, but Kat introducing me to Brandi Carlile is a top two and every time I listen to BC, I think of her.
Jackie Fox
Bridesmaid
Jackie and I met in middle school and spent our high school days walking to her moms house or at musical practice after school. Jackie taught me my love for musical theater during our month long vacations to Myrtle Beach with her Dad. During grad school, I moved in with Jackie and her husband, Jordan, into their South Side home. She was the best landlord I ever had and helped create my love for good coffee, a crossword puzzle, and a strong cocktail. Jackie has seen me truly at my worst and my best with everything in between. She is a steadfast supporter and a friend who will always have your back.
Jess Kinzer Holmes
Bridesmaid
Jessica, Jeff (with two fs), Jess. Where to even start. I met Jess while working at Aertoek, which happened to be the only time in my adult life where I had to move desks because we were talking too much. After she left the company, I would take long lunch "meetings" with her while we watched Keeping Up with the Kardashians and ate chips (for legal reasons this is a joke). We are two peas in a pod and are always laughing when we are together; seriously, life is just so much more fun with her. She tells it like it is and doesn't judge, when I need an honest opinion - she is my girl. One of my favorite things about Jess is that she is down for anything, especially if it involves Bud Lights and chips and cheese.
Callie Hanau
Bridesmaid
Callie and I met when she moved to BPHS for public school freshman year. I do not remember meeting officially, I just remember doing all the things together. From musicals, to hanging at Jackie's house, to band trips together, we were always laughing and always making memories. I have loved watching our friendship grow through college, grad schools, new cities, and finding our persons. I love that every year she always make it a point to get home from my birthday (Christmas) which is so thoughtful of her! She is a true friend, honest, compassionate, and always there when I need her.
Whitney Jonah
Bridesmaid
I met Whitney when we were both working at Aerotek, but we really started to get close when I followed her to work at Northrop Grumman. We realized we had so much in common like our love for early 2000s emo music, red wine, camping, dogs, indie / folk music, hiking, and craft beers. Whitney is so easy going which makes her the perfect camping pal and weekend traveler; not to mention she is an absolute joy to be around. Whitney was integral when it came to designing Christa’s ring and had a helping hand in setting up the surprise engagement. I truly couldn’t have pulled either of them off without her help.
Adrienne Jantzi
Bridesmaid
Adrienne and I met at the start of sophomore year at Pitt. I was on the club soccer team and walking to try outs. I saw a girl (A) walking with a soccer bag and ball, introduced myself, and invited her to walk with us to try outs. I have said it before - thank God for soccer and all the wonderful women it has brought into my life. Adrienne became one of my closest friends during undergrad at Pitt, becoming roommates throughout grad school, and now lifelong friends. My favorite thing about A is she is the most generous person I know. She has supported me in countless ways over the years and I am forever grateful. Adrienne's second best quality is she is always down to play. Whether going for a run, hike, beer or road trip, she will always say yes and always have the best time.
Jay Jones
Bridesman
Kind. Patient. Loyal. Fun. Deep. are all words that come to mind when I think about Jay. There is no such thing as an "off topic" with him, and actually, my favorite memories are staying up until the wee hours of the morning discussing hot topics like politics and religion. Making friends as an adult is really hard and as I moved to a new city right as the pandemic hit, I thought it was going to be even harder. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong, Jay and his other half (Alex - Christa's bridesmaid) were our Quarantine Couple and it quickly became the highlight of my week to get to spend every Saturday with Jay. Our friendship blossomed while we played Mario Kart, board games, beer pong, had craft beer / whiskey tastings, etc. He really is top notch.
Steph Austin
Bridesmaid
Steph (Goose) and I met in 2012 in our first year of PT school. I can remember the two moments that solidified our friendship: the first was 'studying' in Posvar Hall over pizza where we talked more than studied. The second was the first time I saw Steph cry when we lost her sisters car who was traveling abroad. Steph was a constant through PT school and our friendship grew as we both moved to Virginia upon graduation. One of my favorite things about Steph is that we are always making new memories. Whether traveling to new cities, celebrating Pride, trying new beers, dogs, or hiking, I always am having fun with her. Recently, Steph, Adrienne, Laura and I all travelled to Asheville where I saw my first real life bear and drank every beer in the city.
Max Cookinham
Bridesman
In early 2017 Max and I found ourselves in an eerily similar situations: both living in Baltimore and long distance dating best friends who were living in Pittsburgh. We quickly bonded over that along with growing up in the Midwest and our shared love for whiskey, sports, and dogs. Max and I both ended up moving to Pittsburgh to be closer to our girls, which was great because it allowed us to spend more time together on double dates. When Max and I are together I always learn something new when and my face hurts from smiling so much. Max's top responsibility is to dance as hard at my wedding as I did at his.
Elara Pantages
Flower Girl
Christa met Elara when she was born on February 22nd, 2017. She is the oldest daughter of Christa's brother Dean. Laura met Elara shortly after we started dating in 2017. We love the weekends when Elara sleeps over at our house filled with baking, games, crafts, movies, and staying up late. Before her little sister was born, Christa affectionately called Elara "the best Pantages". We have loved watching her grow up and becoming the best big sister. We can not wait for many more sleep overs and forever being the cool aunts!