Andrea & Matthew
Wedding Party
Yasameen Sajady
Matron of Honor
Yasameen and Andrea have been friends for most of their 20s, which is a scary time. Their friendship grew out of youth and community work in the Twin Cities. Yasameen and Andrea have worked professionally together at two different locations, which grew their intense friendship. They also trained together for the Minnesota Vixens. Yasameen continues to challenge Andrea in all aspects of life. They share each other’s secrets, concerns, and many loves, including both of their never ending search for Jimmy Fallon, stand up or improv shows, and, of course, any body of water to jump in. You know that person you talk to all day every day? That's Yasameen and Andrea.
Terrie Arts
Bridesmaid
Terrie and Andrea have been friends for, well, 30 years! Terrie is Andrea's aunt and godmother. Terrie has always been the cool and hip aunt living in Madison. Andrea, throughout her whole life, has admired Terrie's character, style, work ethic, and accomplishments. As Andrea grew older and, somehow Terrie grew younger, they became friends. They both have been intentional of spending time together when near, and making time for the phone when they are apart. Andrea's respect and love for Terrie is abundant, and she continues to look up to her as one of her best friends. She will always take the compliment when the two are compared of being so similar. Terrie is a woman Andrea strives to be like.
Laura Arts
Bridesmaid
Laura is Andrea's older sister. The story is pretty typical of sibilings not agreeing and getting along when younger. However, Lo and Dre became quick friends in their 20s. Andrea would describe Lo as her "ride or die" or her country music, banjo pickin’, day drinking, party partner for life. Laura and Andrea were together when they met Matt the first time as an adult (ask later.) Andrea will always look up to Laura as her older sister. Laura was a stereotypical 90s "tomboy" which probably isn't too politically correct. Laura's love for the Bulls, Nike, Pogs, and playing rough with the boys was something Andrea continued to try to keep up with. Now, Andrea and Laura are doing life in Door County with each other, are still rough with the boys, but are finding other hobbies.
Rebekah Nargang
Bridesmaid
Baby sister, Rebekah is Andrea's forever lunch date. Rebekah and Andrea both have a deep love for take out, wine, and ABC's the Bachelor. "Beisha," as Andrea calls her, is one of her dearest friends and one that Andrea can always count on. Rebekah recently brought a beautiful gift into the world. Bodhi! Andrea's first nephew! Andrea has enjoyed spending time with Rebekah now as a mommy and loves playing tante Dre. Rebekah is the apple to Andrea's eye and someone Andrea will always feel protective over. Rebekah has been a huge help in the wedding process, since before Matt, it seems like she was planning this special day.
Abby Rose
Bridesmaid
Abby and Andrea have been friends since kindergarten. Their friendship continued through primary, middle, and high school which followed them to Minnesota as the both went to university in the Twin Cities metro. Andrea's memories of childhood will always somehow be connected to Abby, whether camp in Pembine or country time lemonade while working on homework. As little girls they always talked about their wedding day and future partners or current crushes, which there were a lot. Abby, no matter the distance or little time together, will always bring a sense of home to Andrea.
Alexa Hancock
Bridesmaid
Alexa and Andrea met in college, and the rest is history! They both played in an all woman bluegrass band, The Douglas Firs. Although the band did not get much further than their living room - they thought they were pretty great. Alexa was roommates post college and took many trips back to Appleton with Andrea. Amongst some of those trips they also traveled to Nashville, TN and Calgary, Alberta together. Andrea and Alexa both share a deep love for DMB, darts, John Mayer, classic rock, and Triple style beer. Alexa is the long lost sister of the Arts girls and continues to make as many appearances to Arts functions as possible, so naturally she will be standing with Andrea on the big day.
Denise Brown
Bridesmaid
Denise and Andrea started off as neighbors in south Minneapolis. Denise and Andrea became friends bonding over trips to Target, the Rosedale Mall, Barnes and Noble, and the movies. The Browns were truly great neighbors to Andrea from fun nights on the front stoop, dog sitting, or helping with the occasional lock out. Denise and Andrea became a quick duo for karaoke and dance partners at the 331. Andrea has always looked up to Denise as an older sister and never minded borrowing any of her clothes. Denise's energy, love, and excitement is contagious and what makes any room they are in 10x times louder with laughter. Denise is the sexy, doctor, momma that everyone should strive to be. Andrea has always been impressed with how well she can balance friends, marriage, family, and work.
Cathryn Stewart
Bridesmaid
Cathryn and Andrea met on the foot hills of the Blueridge Mountains in North Carolina in 2009. The crazy, goofy, obnoxious gods got together and created a confusing and amusing summer for these two friends. Cathryn and Andrea remained friends after camp and visited each other in Minnesota and Texas while in college. Post college, the outdoors continued to call both of their names as they shared a love for wilderness and back country camping. Countless outdoor memories are shared between the two, and something Andrea would not change for the world. Andrea has absolute confidence with Cathryn in the great outdoors and continues to admire Cathryn's mad fire starting skills.
Jennifer Griner
Bridesmaid
Jennifer and Andrea found each other as camp neighbors. Their rustic little Choctaw shacks were right next to each other which contributed to late night cat calling from each others porch and howling at the moon. Jennifer, although in LA, and Andrea, as Midwestern as can be; found each other's weirdness and love for the wild to be the glue to their friendship. Andrea, Jennifer, and Cathryn have become a little back country camping trio. They never fail to find something or do something crazy.
Ben Matuzak
Best Man
Ben and Matt met in seventh grade and became best buds in high school. They played football and wrestled together. Ben has been a roommate several times and a coworker as well. They've done a fair bit of ice fishing, hiking, random road trips, and plenty that we can't list here. He used to take Matt to the Twin Cities to visit Andrea when they first started dating. He's a smart and adventurous man whose friendship Matt is lucky to have.
Ryan McQuade
Groomsman
Ryan's mom was Matt's 4th grade teacher. Matt would occasionally get detention, and that's where he met Ryan and his brother Shane, who would hang out in their mother's classroom after school. Ryan and Matt wrestled together and perfected the arts of car dancing and sneaking snacks into movies. Plenty of days spent making 200 ft. downhill slip n' slides, ding dong ditching, scavenger hunting, sledding, going to Red Granite, and countless other fun activities. They've been roommates and coworkers as well. Ryan is also known as Little Bear.
Adam Jones
Groomsman
Matt met Adam (the one man wrecking crew) in middle school through wrestling. In high school they became good friends and hung out at all the camps and tournaments. At night they could usually be found together at Buffalo Wild Wings. They have been a part of way too many shenanigans to list, but have only had the cops called on them for kidnapping once! Adam and Matt cofounded Team Scotland in 2008. Adam is also the funniest person that Matt knows.
Chris Loofboro
Groomsman
Chris is a guy with a large beard and a huge heart. Chris and Matt met in high school and have remained close ever since. They both love to play with puppies, get off road, and be general rabble-rousers. Look out furniture, as Matt and Chris will start a wrestling match out of nowhere pretty much every time they meet. Chris is always willing to help out and is good time in any room.
Dan Kaiser
Groomsman
Dan and Matt met early in high school through football, wrestling, and their small engines class. They were quick friends who had matching energy (sorry teachers!) They learned to do a lot of things together and each of their parents became responsible for the other kid before long. They had many nights staying up way too late having bonfires or just cruising around looking for mischief. No amount of time or distance can interfere with their friendship.
Dan Wolf
Groomsman
Dan and Matt have been friends since the age of five. They were fast friends and grew up together. EAA, Six Flags, haunted houses, sleepovers, dances, bonfires, and tossing the pigskin in the street. Dan is constantly traveling across the country and around the world, but always seems to make time for Matt when he gets a chance to come back home. Packer games in the winter have become a yearly tradition. Dan has been a constant source of joy in Matt's life, and he really is as nice as he seems.
Ryan Oslund
Groomsman
It is probably a good thing that Ryan and Matt didn't meet until high school. They had an almost Stepbrothers moment when they knew they became best friends. They were a medal winning team at the DECA district competition. Ryan and Matt also wrestled and played football together. In their early twenties, they lived and worked together, and were generally together 23.5 hours a day. Ryan is a fun and intelligent friend who Matt likes to philosophize and let loose with.
Peter Thao
Groomsman
Matt and Peter met as freshmen on the football team. But their friendship took hold after high school, as traveling and music brought them together. They have driven across the country together and hope to add more states and countries to their list. Peter is a great listener who gives strong and assertive advice. His friendship has been a blessing in Matt's adult life.
Ryan Higgins
Groomsman
Ryan and Matt met each other while coaching wrestling. Ryan's high energy and fun attitude made for a great pair with Matt. They became roommates soon after, and had fun each and every day they lived together. Trips downtown, nights in the pool, wrestling for Team Scotland, off-roading in the Boss, throwing water balloons at cars, and so much more. Ryan is a very intelligent and grounded man who Matt is very pleased to have found.