Wedding Party
Sam Knight
Best Man
He's my brother. As many of you may know, Sam and I are so much more than brothers. Growing up we were each others strongest lifelines and that only continued as we have grown. I think Sam would agree that without each other we would be nothing.
Jo Gannuscio
Maid of Honor
Jo and I met in 2019 and I immediately knew I wanted to be friends with her. She is loving and kind to everyone she meets and so welcoming. Entering a new friend group is always scary but she made me feel like I had a best friend in the first 5 minutes. I've always had a harder time connecting to girls and she was so easy to talk to, we shared multiple interests, and I have always felt safe and cared about in her presence. She got me a job when I needed it most, she moved heaven and earth to be there for our proposal, she has seen me at some of my worst and my best. She is one of the few people in my life that even if my social battery is 100% drained I feel comfortable with her and will make plans with her. It doesn't matter if I have good news, bad news, drama, or if I am just bored and want someone to chat with - I could talk to her for hours. I miss working together with our daily coffee runs and avoiding work together by having "meetings" in her office. Not only is Jo one of my best friends, she's known Jesse for over 15 years - They went to the same elementary school and her mom was Jesse's 6th grade teacher. Jordan was there for Jesse when he moved away from his mom for the first time and they bonded over learning how to adult together. We can't imagine a life without her in it!
Dom Linford
Groomsman
Dom and I became friends in 8th grade but Dom went to a different school for 9th grade - First day of 10th grade I walked into math and sure enough Dom was transferred to Highland and sitting in the seat right next to me. He became one of my closest friends that year and throughout high school. We have so many fun memories like calling each other out of school, long boarding, pulling pranks, snowboarding and climbing buildings together. Dom and his family always took me in like I was one of their own. I had the opportunity to be a part of his wedding and am grateful to be able to have him as part of mine.
MJ Smith
Bridesmaid
I met MJ my freshman year of college. We lived in an apartment with 6 girls and we clicked on day 1. I watched in awe as MJ was unpacking box after box of Theater Memorabilia, Vinyl records, dance costumes, and oh so much winter gear(shes a Minnesota girlie). She watched as I unboxed many similar items and my thin little rain jackets since I had moved from Portland, Oregon. She laughed and told me I needed a real winter coat! I will never forget the million times I watched her do the "Cell Block Tango" from Chicago, her amazing (but very loud) shower singing-scratch that-anywhere singing, and walking into my room every day the second she got home - laying on my bed and starting with "Oh my god Hailee do I have a story for you". She worked at the testing center at our university.. She truly had the best stories! Her constant energy is what really drew me to her and I am so happy to have her in my line and in my life.
Cole Burgess
Groomsman
I have known Cole for over 15 years. I first met him at Uintah Elementary, and continued friendship through middle school but we didn't see each other after that until after high school. A spot opened up in the house he lived in, along with Dom and a few other friends, and they offered it to me. This was my first time truly moving out on my own and these boys were a great bunch to move in with. Cole is so easy to get along with and truly selfless. Cole is dating Jo and as her and Hailee have gotten closer over the years so have Cole and I. I'll never be able to play the board game "Sorry" without hearing his silly little voice in my head, or hop on SnowRunner without sending him a party invite.
Kennedy Lynn
Bridesmaid
At this point Kennedy is a sister! I met Ken at some point in middle school through Guard. She was a year younger than me so it took a little longer for us to become friends but I am so glad that we did! Kennedy travelled to Utah with me to dance in Stadium of Fire for 3 years in a row, the last year was even while I was in college and she was still finishing high school - what a commitment! Stadium of Fire is really where we grew close, she would come stay with me and my sister and post performance we would go swimming and explore Utah together. My senior year of high school I got really sick with mono and Kennedy was by my side every single day. Even if I slept for hours on end she would be there to make sure I had a friend when I woke up. She was there for my first ever date, we wandered Portland together, she always let me drive, she helped me cultivate some of my cringiest text messages, she flew me to Oregon so I could watch her graduate. I hope that I've been at least half as good of a friend to her as she has been to me over the years.
Kail Barrus
Groomsman
Kail and I have been together through thick and thin. Over the past 7 years of knowing Kail the adventures we've been on and memories we have made are countless. Days spent climbing, snowboarding, or just hanging out at the house are filled with laughter. We even had the opportunity to attend our first NFL game together to cheer on his Chiefs. Hailee - Kail and I met a few months before he met Jesse. A moment that really made me realize I wanted him as a friend was a handful of months later - I was driving to his house from Provo to SLC and about halfway it started POURING rain! I had very recently been in a pretty rough car crash and when this rain started, so did my anxiety, and I had immediate tears. I wanted to hangout with my friends but I couldn't get my self to drive any further. I texted Kail saying I couldn't come anymore and that I'd see him another day - he immediately called me and within seconds of me answering he could tell I had been crying. He didn't say a single word about me not coming over, just told me to breathe. He continued to walk me through breathing exercises for about 5 minutes until I was calm again didn't care about anything else or the people that he was hanging out with he put all focus on me to make sure I was okay. I am so grateful for him and our friendship that has grown over the years.
Meg Driscoll
Bridesmaid
Meg and I met when she was living with one of my best friends Kail (now her fiancé). Meg has always been such a positive light in my life. She is always willing to play any games I request and puts 110% into every single one of them! She is always making sure everyone feels like they belong and matter. I am so happy that she and Kail ended up together and I get to call her my friend. She hits the boys for me when they're being mean, she calms me down when I'm feeling stressed about school, work or drama. She is so supportive and has always lent a listening ear when I need it and provided advice when I ask for it. I love how much effort she puts into her friends and family. I also love to see how great of a dog mom she has become to Ruby Doo. Every so often she and Kail let Ruby have sleepovers at our house, and I am SO appreciative- especially when I know that Meg has a hard time sleeping without her. I just love Meg to pieces.
Brock Wood
Groomsman
Brock and I met in 2013 when I tagged along with a friend that was going to help Brock answer a girl to a dance. It was crazy how fast the 2 of us clicked and after that it was rare for us to not hangout 5+ days of the week, sometimes even on Sundays. I soon brought Dom into the friendship and the 3 of us were inseperable. Some of our adventures include crawling through underground tunnels, late night burrito runs, and even moving accross the country to be salesmen in Pennsylvania. Hailee - It is so refreshing to see the bond that Jesse and Brock have, Sometimes they can go months with only exchanging a handful of texts and when they're together again it is like no time has passed. Especially if you get Brock, Dom and Jesse in a room together- there are some horrifying teenage boy stories but they are so fun to listen to and hear all the boys laugh their heads off. Brock has always been in Jesse's corner and vice-versa. I met Brock before I met Jesse, and from the first interaction he has always been so inviting, kind and just all around great energy.
Bailey Pasiminio
Bridesmaid
Oh Bailey.. When I signed my lease my freshman year of college I was told to use a tinder-like website to find my roommate. I sat there and scrolled through picture and bio after picture and bio and eventually found Bailey. Bailey and I chatted forever and decided out of the other hundreds of girls that we were perfect for each other. We were inseparable our freshman year. We did double dates together, we went to concerts and dances together, late night runs to the grocery store, movie nights, crying over stupid boys, spring break in her hometown and across California together. She has always been a role model to me - so focused on work, school, her friends, and her family. We were true opposites in some ways - she was clean, I.... definitely am not. She can be quiet and shy in new places, I.... definitely was not. But I think that's why we blended so well together. I will never forget her (and MJ) tolerating me singing "Santa Fe" around 400 times on our road trip to California and finally on the 401st time yelling "HAILEE CAN WE PLEASE LISTEN TO SOMETHING ELSE". She has made a huge impact on who I am today and I am so happy to have her be a part of my wedding day.
Connor Burke
Groomsman
Connor is the younger brother I never had. We met when he was working with Hailee, right after he had just moved to Utah. Overtime our friendship grew and eventually Hailee and I got to enjoy Connor as a roommate. Sundays spent watching football, nights mutually complaining about canyon traffic to the ski resorts, and taking him out on his 21st birthday are only some of the many memories I cherish with Connor. Connor also played a huge part in our engagement with a last minute decision to come down to scenic with us, bringing along the second side by side. Hailee here! When Connor started at Backcountry I was his manager, he was the perfect employee ... for a while ;). My favorite memory of Connor was on his first day. I went over "standards" with him and how to fold properly and made a big point in greeting every customer that walked in the door. While he was folding a woman walked in.. Eeek! His first customer!! He walked straight up to her and said "Welcome to Backcountry, my name is Connor, let me know if you need any help!" as he walked away I giggled at him, he was concerned he did something wrong, I told him no he did great but the woman he just spoke to was actually our CEO, I wish everyone could have seen the immediate flush of his face! Connor has such positive fun energy and like Jesse, he's the little brother I never had.
Erika Pixton
Bridesmaid
Chase Lokken
Groomsman
Chase came into my life in 2018 and immediately our friendship sparked. Chase is very into projects as am I and we have done some fun ones together. Chase taught me how to weld when we were building his bumper for his truck, plasma cutting when we were building out Kails van, and helping me replace parts on my own truck. Hailee - Chase is such a good friend! I have never known someone that could talk on the phone as long as he can but I wouldn't trade some of those conversations we've had over the years for anything. Especially when 90% of them are spent telling me dad jokes and random facts on history, geography, planes, trains, and automobiles. Kail and Chase were such a great team in my first few years of being friends with them - They would do everything they could to make sure I was okay then make me laugh through the tears until there were none. Chase introduced me to the idea that Die Hard is actually a Christmas movie and now I can't go a single holiday season without watching it.
Emma Buckle
Bridesmaid
Emma is my longest friend - I have known her since I was 3 years old and I always wanted to spend every minute possible with her growing up. I remember hiding in her wardrobe when I would hear my mom walk through the front door and Emma pretending like she didn't know where I was just so I would get to stay at her house a little longer... It rarely worked, our moms are smart ;). She has always been so cool to me. She was musically inclined from birth- I would sit and listen to her play whatever instrument she was learning at the time for hours, she always made the yummiest looking mud pies, and picked the best purple clovers to eat, we'd ride in the back of her parents Volvo and she'd tell me stories about the little mice living in the compartment and we'd have to feed tickets into the little slot so they could have "money" for their pizza parties. As we grew up she just got cooler and cooler, she was always a major fan of the beatles and old music, she wore the coolest clothes, played instruments I'd never heard of, and she was never afraid to be 100% true to herself - something I still have yet to master. I'm so lucky that even though I moved away from her, twice, I can still call her my friend and get to share so many memories together.
(Jacob) Bowcutt
Groomsman
Since we met, it's so easy to just hangout and not even realize how much time has gone by. As they say, "time flies when you're having fun" and with Bowcutt, it's always fun. From riding dirt bikes, watching football, and all the way to driving tractors, we have some great memories. Even working on cars, which many know is never fun always seems to be more bearable with Bowcutt. He will always be there for you, no matter the circumstances. But overall, the best thing about Bowcutt is that you'll never catch him without a pair of sunglasses. Hailee- I wouldn't want to ride scooters downtown, get serenaded by random homeless men outside of coffee shops, or relentless tease each other with anyone else. Since the day we met Bowcutt has accepted my craziness- 6 years of banter and many more to come. A long with all the jokes, Bowcutt is a very caring individual and I'm so happy that he is in our wedding party! Also... Thank you to Bowcutt for putting his two beautiful pets Koda and Kit Kat in my life.
Tessa Gjording
Bridesmaid
Tessa is an absolute rock in my life. I met her the same night as Jo in 2019 but didn't really start getting close with her until a few years later. I wish I could go back in time to be friends with her sooner. She is unapologetically herself and such a supportive and caring friend. Every time I see her even if it's only been 24 hours I immediately feel the need to hug her - she just melts away all my worries and anxiety without ever having to say anything. She lets me use her paint supplies to draw wild pictures, teaches me how to adult and be human, provides great advice, and really truly makes me feel important. She calls me out when I need it most but also is a shoulder to cry on. She puts so much love and effort into everything she does and amazes me with her work-ethic. Along with all the sappy reason I love her, she is absolutely hilarious and fun, I can always count on her to make me laugh so hard I cry, sing with her at the top of our lungs, get just as, if not more, competitive as me in games. She will always be first priority in my double camping chair (sorry Jess).
Oscar David
Junior Groomsman
Oscar has always held a special place in Jesse’s heart—more like a little brother than a cousin. From matching outfits to cheering Jesse on at rugby games, he’s been Jesse’s mini-me from the very beginning. Watching him grow up has been such a joy, and having him stand with us on this day feels so right. Hailee also had the fun of getting to know Oscar a little outside of family gatherings while working at his school, and it’s been so sweet to see how kind, funny, and thoughtful he is in every setting. She loved getting to supervise his grades recess last year, watching him be an absolute rock star in whatever he chose to play that day whether it was Four Square, Kickball, Football, or showing off his Rubik’s cube skills! She tried her hardest to not embarrass him at school but the few moments he’d give her a slight smile and a quick wave in the hallway always made her day. Oscar means so much to us. He’s someone who might be quiet in a crowd, but once he’s comfortable, his sense of humor and quick wit shine through—and it’s absolutely hilarious. We feel lucky to get to be part of the inner circle sometimes and see that side of him. Whether we’re talking video games, joking around, or just hanging out, he always brings something special to the moment. We’re so excited to have Oscar as our Junior Groomsman and couldn’t imagine the day without him!
Ruby David
Junior Bridesmaid
From the moment she was born (seriously - Jesse was one of the first in the family to meet her!), Ruby has brought so much light, laughter, and love into the world. Watching her grow up has been one of the most beautiful things—we can hardly believe that the bright, confident, and hilarious young woman she is today is the same little girl we’ve watched grow up. Over the years, she and Hailee have built a beautiful bond. Hailee has loved their girl time and all the tea they’ve spilled (mostly Ruby - Hailee’s life is boring in comparison to a teenager). Hailee will never forget the time Ruby patiently let her spend over an hour trying (and mostly failing) to give her a hair wrap—she sat there like a champ though, she’s the real MVP Jesse is so proud of the young woman she’s becoming—funny, fearless, and unapologetically herself. He lights up whenever he talks about her, whether it’s bragging about how cool and funny his cousin is, remembering how she used to crack him up as a little kid or sharing how amazed he is by her confidence and heart today. We’ve shared so many sweet, silly, and memorable adventures—from forgotten s’mores on a camping trip (still so sorry!) to spontaneous laughs and deep talks—and every one of those moments means the world to us. We are so proud of the amazing person she is becoming. Her courage, her humor, her kindness… She inspires us more than she knows. Having her stand beside us on this day means everything. We love her beyond words.
Quinn Hamilton
Bubble Boy
Hailee - Quinn is and will always be a brother to me. He and I initially bonded over music and ukulele's, Dr. Mario battles, and going out to have fun running around downtown. He sat for hours with me teaching me how to play Super Smash Brothers, and now I'm good enough to occasionally beat him, although it's rare. Quinn and I had been friends for a while through the group but when Kail and Chase moved to Oregon for a winter season is really where I bonded with him. We would have game nights, movie nights, city nights, and everything in between. If I ever needed to just scream out some punk songs he would pick me up and we would cruise state street from downtown to Draper screaming until we had no voices. I know that I will always have a friend in Quinn. He also added in the amazing Whitney a few years ago so we always have a four-pack for mario party, mario kart, gang beasts, monopoly and super smash.
Conner Neas
Bubble Boy
Neas is a one of a kind individual and we love him for it. Hailee first met him when they started working at Backcountry together. They were both hired as "gearheads" to open the Park City store, Hailee would walk in half asleep with a cup of coffee every morning, Neas would walk in with a Bang and two 5 hour energies. Hailee knew immediately that she wanted to be friends with him outside of work and she knew Jesse would love him too. There was a day at Backcountry that we had a running shoe company come in to teach us about their product and told us day of they wanted to run with all the employees from the store to the olympic park to try out the shoes. It was an 80 degree day, Hailee was wearing all black and jeans, has temperamental asthma and she is NOT a runner. Neas walked side by side with Hailee, he says it was because he just didn't want to run, but no matter the reason - I will appreciate that he was there with me. He's always down to go to a baseball game with us, we went to Taco Fest at the state fair park, a Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg concert, and countless memories with him and Burke together at our house.