Olivia & Cody
Wedding Party
Elsa Oates
Maid of Honor
Elsa and Olivia were made by the same parents. Elsa is strong, intelligent and loving, and Olivia is in awe of her. Fiesty little Elsa would do anything to protect her sorta-wimply older sister, and Olivia would always involve Elsa in any of her theatrical productions; and in defacement of her parents clothes or plant-life (always for reasons of creative crafting). Elsa is a parent (along with her late husband Ken) to the best nephews anyone could wish for, Jeremy and Justin. She has a degree in aviation technology, and is currently in nursing school.
Lauren Slusher
Bridesmaid
Olivia met photographer Lauren over a decade ago, at a photo conference. Lauren was not only fun, kind and talented, but she also turned out to love midnight karaoke sessions and impromptu photoshoots, sealing the friendship immediately. The two lived in New York and Toronto when they met, but in a heart-lifting turn of events, both now call Austin home. Lauren is Olivia's number one Austin pal and confidante, and possesses an assured calmness tinged with a sly smile of possibly-impending mischief. She is now a mom to the sweetest little angel, Gibson (Gibby!), and wife to Chad Wood.
Andra Zommers
Bridesmaid and MC
Eminently practical yet up for any last-minute adventure, Andra is a true Renaissance woman. Friends for going on 15 years, Andra and Olivia have enjoyed frequent crazy dance-offs (with or without music), have done full bathroom renos with Andra at the helm, have adventured in Europe, and surely have many more adventures to go. Along with Jennie and Nicole, this tight-knit Canadian quad see each other several times a year. Off boats and on, Andra is a professional hydrographer for the Canadian government; she also runs kick-ass Latvian cultural events.
Jennie McDowell
Bridesmaid
Jennie is so easy to be friends with, and one of the most universally likable people you will ever meet. She and Olivia share a love of environmental responsibility and good wine. Jennie is currently the Manager of the Sustainable Transportation Program for the City of Guelph, and manages $2 million worth of infrastructure projects (like, whoa). She and her four-year-old daughter Théa can often be seen biking around town with Jennie's partner Andrew and his little one. Jennie is so incredibly well-rounded, she'd make you feel bad about yourself if she wasn't so darn genuine and wonderful.
Nicole Visschedyk
Bridesmaid
Whenever you need cheering up, Olivia's Canadian friend Nicole is always ready with tea and chocolate chips (Olivia has witnessed Nicole pull a bag of chocolate out of thin air). Nicole is a sponsored cyclist, hence the need for calories, and she is racing around Armenia upon writing of this bio. As roommates in Canada, the girls survived life with a homocidal kitten named Butterfat, many themed house parties, and Airbnb trips. She's also the Manager of Policy, Planning and Oversight for the Ontario government, so she's one smart (chocolate chip) cookie. Both Nicole and her bike love visiting Austin.
Gretchen Rees
Bridesmaid
Gretchen and Olivia were set up on a friend date in Austin, a year before Olivia even made the move there. They share a mutual friend, who Gretchen had gone to school with in Bolivia and who Olivia knew in Guelph, Ontario. Realizing that Olivia didn't know a soul in Austin, mutual-friend Jane passed along Gretchen's number, and the rest is history. From that first cocktail date, to their current hiking outings, dinner parties and games nights, Olivia has treasured Gretchen's insight, and her ability to embody true empathy while retaining a wry and delightful sense of humor, As a therapist, Gretchen is indeed a wonderful conversationalist, and Olivia will always be thankful to their mutual friend for suggesting they meet.
Brennan Courtney
Bridesmaid
Undeniably sweet and unassumingly wild (see: table dancing), Brennan is the fiancé of groomsman Neil and mama to flowergirl Violet. Their country home in Elgin is the glowing hearth of many a magical friends' gathering, and Brennan is a remarkable chef, herbalist and nutritional healer. Nothing ruffles this calm woman, and Olivia always feels peaceful in her presence. Brennan and Neil have the a remarkable ability to parent two children and retain a very active social life, of which Cody and Olivia are both blessed to be part!
Violet Courtney
Flower Girl
Violet is a cosmic whirl, a spritely wonder, and an unfazed nature girl. Her multifaceted interests range from collecting insects and naming dinosaurs, to a love of unfettered adornment, whether sparkly eyeliner or mud. Violet loves hanging out, being pushed *realllly* high, and hates going to bed. She dearly loves all animals, and has a special bond with Pip. Olivia and Cody had the pleasure of babysitting her for 3 days while Brennan and Neil were birthing their son. They didn't want to give her back, but are always eager to see her as much as possible.
Neil Lord
Groomsman
Neil is always encouraging, always challenging, but never boring. Cody holds Neil in the highest regard as one one of the most influential people in his life. Neil enticed Cody to come to Austin, solidifying himself as the connecting fiber for many friendships. The life of the party, the idea man, sometimes... the enabler. A most committed artist and explorer of the abstract, following paths to the next cosmic experience including his newfound journey as a father to baby Neville, and husband-to-be to his fiancé Brennan (also a bridesmaid). Neil is a professional musician whose projects include Future Museums, Single Lash, etc, etc.
Rob Lord-Biggers
Groomsman
A Hegelian man of letters, Rob has known Cody since their music-making (abnoxious performance art) high-school days. A key member of one of the most influential families in Cody’s life and crucially responsible for any aspect of extraversion Cody exhibits. Rob is currently working in Afghanistan, adopting all the street cats and visiting all the spas on his days off with his amazing husband Managi.
Myles Hartman
Groomsman
Cody and his cousin Myles were raised together, and along with Myles’ brothers Sterling and Maxwell, spent countless hours in the country exploring their rural backyard. It was not uncommon for Cody’s uncle Larry to come home to 4 screaming naked boys covered in mud trouncing around the front yard. Myles has traveled around the world working in such far-flung places as northern Canada, tracking bird migration patterns, to Tanzania, Africa, teaching with the Peace Corp. Myles is now living in Kansas City with his wonderful fiancé Jasmine and will be celebrating their marriage this year as well!
Sharp Woolston
Groomsman
Sharp is Cody’s closest and longest friend since junior high school. They started a most offensive noise band with fellow groomsman Rob and played anywhere it was allowable. Sharp and Cody spent much of high school burning CDs to play at their coffeeshop job, and camping literally every weekend. Sharp has always been capable of inspiring Cody, with his quick wit and steadfast honesty. He now spends his time being a wonderful father to Ribbon, continuing his sonic explorations, and non-ironically liking sports.
Jeremy and Justin Oates
Ringbearers
Jeremy and Justin, Olivia's Canadian nephews, will be bearing all the rings and dancing all the dances. Although two years older and bigger than the "little kids" they are in this photo, they are still Olivia's darling nephews. Jeremy is a capable and helpful young man of 12, with his aunt's entrepreneurial drive and love of working, and his younger brother, 9-yr old Justin, can throw down dance moves no adult can pull off ("flossing" anyone?).
Christine (and husband Rob)
Mother of the Bride
Olivia's mom Christine would tell her daughter, before dropping her off at school, to "remember to be silly." Olivia may not have needed much reminding, but her mom's zest for life and innate creativity helped shaped Olivia to value an outside-the-box mentality. On nights where the girls were left with a babysitter, she'd pre-record her invented stories on cassette tape for the babysitter to play at bedtime, knowing that made-up stories are always the best. Christine has a Master's degree in Divinity, and spent much of her life counseling at-risk youth. As well as being clever, fun, and a great storyteller, she and her husband Rob are playful and dedicated Granny and Grampsie to Elsa's boys.
Tammye Trout
Mother of the Groom
Tammye is a Southern belle with a heart of gold. One of the most hospitable people you will ever meet, Tammye and her Yorkie pup Jackson will always make you feel at home. Tammye has lived in what seems like *most* of the US states, and loves to travel. A caring sister, friend, and mother, Tammye always looks for an opportunity to be generous, and facilitates the most relaxing environment possible. She is now living in Branson, MO continuing her quest to spread joy.
Ian (and wife Joey)
Father of the Bride
It's highly unlikely that Ian and Joey will leave the party early. As a Karaoke DJ and director of plays, Ian's love of the arts is the reason Olivia picked up a camera. Before retirement, Ian jet-setted around the world, working in the nuclear medical field, resulting in the girls growing up in 3 countries. Ian is married to the lovely Joey, and the two play racket sports on a near-daily basis, take active ski trips that would tire a 3-year-old, and absolutely live life to the fullest. All of Olivia's four amazing parents are good friends with each other, which makes family get togethers enormous fun. Ian is also a masterful home-brewer, instinctive engineer, and the most interesting and loving dad a girl could want.
Tommy Johnson
Father of the Groom
All of the tall tales Tommy tells are true. Tommy has been an auctioneer, rodeo announcer (after he broke too many bones to still ride broncs), and went to war...twice. Tommy taught Cody how to drive a tractor when Cody was 6, and how to come within an inch of death and laugh it off. A minimalist at heart with deep conviction and unrelenting kindness and honesty. He is now retired (by his standards) and spends his time in the country woodworking, renovating, and being a good friend to everyone in his rural Arkansas community.
Nicolas Nadeau
Officiant
If you don't know Nick yet, you will. The tall front-man of Austin band Single-Lash knew both Cody and Olivia separately, before they even gave each other a second look. A talented musician and painter, Nick's formidable presence and quick wit hides the fact that he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Nick is Mooshi's unofficial godfather, talented artist and painter.