Melinda & Graham
Wedding Party
Audrey Ballard
Maid of Honor
Audrey and I became fast friends when we were freshmen at Yale. Specifically, we bonded in the Silliman Entryway E stairwell, dancing to "Body Language" at approximately 2am. We went on to become roommates, president/artistic director of Groove Dance Company, and lifelong besties!
Alyssa Kerber
Bridesmaid
Alyssa, Graham and I all met in our medical school fraternity, Phi Chi. We relied on each other to make it through med school with so many good memories, like our class trip to Vegas to see Avicii, and our joint cosmic bowling birthday party!
Lauryn Werner
Bridesmaid
Lauryn and I have been close friends since high school, and have been through so many adventures together. I could've picked from so many slightly embarrassing photos from homecoming, NYE celebrations, and visits to Madison...but this powder puff picture was too good of a throwback to pass up!
Jennifer Hagen
Bridesmaid
Jennie is part of the med school Phi Chi family, and was also in OB/Gyn residency with me. We had the most fun senior/junior Regions gynecology block - operating together, getting into spats over liquid tylenol volumes, and (pre-COVID) sharing our 4pm buffalo chicken dip.
Tim Queck
Best Man
Tim and I met during swimming lessons at age 5 and were initially fierce rivals. We quickly became best friends through school, sports, and getting into trouble. Memories include our star roles as twin chipmunks in our 2nd grade play, legendary HS lunchroom ping pong partners, starting as freshmen on the HS varsity baseball team, matching up at WR/CB in college football, building a floating picnic table, and Tim attending my LSU residency interview dinner, posing as a current resident and befriending the surgery program director.
Jason Friedman
Groomsman
Jason and I met at Macalester College on the baseball team with little fanfare, as he was two years older and living off campus. Our friendship exploded through "Big Head Hockey" nights, and was solidified when I invited myself to stay with him for 10 days in NYC one summer. Jason left his east coast upbringing after finding his true calling: Saturdays on Sugar Lake. This is despite the fact he can't swim, and lost a bet where he wagered swimming lessons and still hasn't taken them.
Jeremy Schmidt
Groomsman
Jer and I met in late middle school through sports. We both joined the Maple Lake Lakers team in 2009 and formed a dominating pitcher/catcher duo and large Twitter following with the Lakers, ultimately leading to a state championship in 2012. It's hard to believe my Mom wouldn't let me go to your house because you were such a trouble maker, but after a few rounds of Mary's afternoon bingo at the old folks home you won her over and the rest is history!
Michael Kloeppner
Groomsman
Kleppy and I knew each other growing up, but became really good friends in high school through sports and spent many summers painting houses, wakeboarding and playing baseball. Whether it was camping at Manitoba's premier clothing optional campground Crocus Grove, road tripping to the college world series, or getting KO'ed by you on Halloween, there is never a dull moment!
Aria, Lily and Madison
Flower Girl
Melinda's nieces are ready to steal the show!
Sterling
Ring Bearer
Graham's nephew has no interest in rings. He will probably carry a toy truck down the aisle.