Cody & Brenna
Wedding Party
Landry Brockel
Best Man
I've known Landry as long as he's been alive. Admittedly during his first few years I wasn't sure what the hype was all about. But as he grew up, I started to see the appeal. My parents had given me a smaller human to terrorize and manipulate, like the time I convinced him "Checker Day" was a national holiday during which he was supposed to go trick-or-treating in August and bring me candy. It totally worked, by the way. There's no one else on the planet I'd trust as much as Landry to be my Best Man. He's funny, kind, and I can always count on him to be there for me. We've been through a lot together and I'm excited to take this next step with him by my side. He's a brother, a friend, a lifeline, and quietly one of the funniest people I know.
Katie Berst
Maid of Honor
Katie was the first friend I made in high school — in geometry class. We bonded over volleyball, and over the years we keep discovering new shared passions. She introduced me to the soundtracks of two of my favorite musicals — Rent and Wicked — and we've added a ton of favorites since then. We're even going to Hamilton in New York in May! (Cue freakout.) Since graduating, we've managed to stay in touch while I went to Missoula for college and she stayed to go to Rocky — and then after I graduated and moved around once a year and she attended law school in Idaho. Since we've come back together, we've only grown closer. I couldn't imagine having a better person to talk me down when I'm overwhelmed or to help me make the endless decisions required of a wedding. What would I do without you?
Matt Monson
Groomsman
Matt's one of my oldest friends. I met him on the bus to a summer camp and we became fast buddies. Our personalities just clicked. We bonded over a lot of things, but none more so than music. Our shared passion for music would eventually lead us to starting a basement band in high school. And while Edgewise was never destined for superstardom, those countless hours we spent trying to write (admittedly terrible) songs are some of my favorite memories. Ask him how Shania Twain is one of his biggest influences. I was honored to be a groomsman in Matt's wedding and there was never any doubt I wanted him in mine. He and his wife Hannah are two of my most loyal friends. Their influence in my life is greatly appreciated and they bless me with their friendship (even if they are Cowboys fans).
Alyssa Small
Bridesmaid
As the joke goes: Alyssa and I are the same person, two years apart. We met in Girl Scouts in grade school with our mothers as co-leaders. We both took band and the high school newspaper. Then we both attended the University of Montana, both English and Journalism majors, and worked for the college paper. After a few years in the workforce, we ended up at the Gazette together as coworkers and our friendship blossomed. Shared love of books, writing, musicals, singing at the top of our lungs, Dr. Who, and obscure (and not so obscure) Youtube shows bound us together enough that we tried at being roommates — and managed to part as friends. Win. I am so excited to have Alyssa standing next to me on the big day. She knew Cody and I were end game long before I was ready to admit it. Thank you!
Cam Wiest
Groomsman
Cam. Camden. Camdone. We didn't become friends until college but Cam and I hit it off right away. He's got a great sense of humor and a bigger sense of adventure. In 2008, Cam, two of our friends and I decided to take off for Denver to catch the Warped Tour. Because why not? So much about that trip was memorable. Getting lost in the shadier parts of Denver to crowdsurfing and ultimately missing our chance to meet Katy Perry. (This was pre-I Kissed a Girl. She was a nobody.) Our biggest souvenirs from this trip were horrendous sunburns, but it was worth it. Cam's the kind of guy that can spout off Ken Griffey Jr.'s lifetime WAR, break down the latest trends in urban planning and convince you in 15 minutes that we'll be colonizing Mars in the next 20 years. The man contains multitudes.
Sarah Robertson
Bridesmaid
Sarah was my first and best friend I made in college. We met when my parents abandoned me (i.e.: left me alone on the first weekend for a few hours) and Sarah decided to be social and say hi to the girl across the hall. We bonded quickly over our love of geeky things, reading, writing and crappy roommates. We fixed that last part sophomore year when we moved in together, and lasted through graduation. We have been through a ton over the last many years. And although she's moved away to Portland where she lives a much bigger life than Montana can provide, we've stayed in touch through the wonder of the Internet. I'm so excited that she's making the trek all the way back to be a part of my wedding party!