The Howard Wedding
Wedding Party
SaraKlein
Matron of Honor
Sara and Courtney met in the 1st Grade at Ridge Meadows Elementary. As part of Girl Scout troop 3405 led by Sara's mom, their friendship continued to grow. Sara and Courtney's families also have a lot in common as their younger brothers are the same age and they grew up a few streets apart. Over the years, Sara's ability to plan fun activities/trips (in great detail!) has kept them connected. Sara moved back to St. Louis in 2021 and Courtney couldn't be more excited to spend time with her. With 27 years of friendship, Sara definitely deserves to be right by Courtney's side on the big day!
BenHoward
Best Man
Ben is Jake's younger brother. Ben and Jake have always shared a love for food and sports, especially football. Jake is so proud of Ben and the man he has become. Ben "of Kirkwood" recently purchased a house in 2022, where he resides with his girlfriend Abby and their "son", Loki - a French Bulldog he adores. While Ben's job takes him across the country for periods of time, Jake enjoys hanging out with Ben, whether it is watching the big game or grabbing dinner. After years of wrestling and brotherly antics with Ben, Jake is honored that his "little" brother will stand by his side as he gets married.
AmyReagan
Bridesmaid
Amy and Courtney met while doing competitive gymnastics at Olympiad Ellisville around the age of 10. While they never attended school together, they spent countless hours after school at gymnastics practice. It was a running joke that they would make the perfect gymnast together as Amy excelled at Beam and Floor, where Courtney rocked the vault and bars. In high school, they traded their leotards in for coaching positions at Olympiad. After college, Amy lived with Courtney for a few years before she married her husband Kenny. While Gymnastics gave Courtney a lot of life skills, she is most grateful for the friendship it gave her with Amy!
SamHoward
Groomsman
Sam is Jake's youngest brother, but arguably the most mature of the three Howard siblings. While Jake could walk into a bar and be satisfied with ordering a Natural Light 40 oz., Sam would be exploring the craft whiskey flight options with the bartender. Jake appreciates Sam's wealth of knowledge on just about any topic (just be sure to fact check him occasionally). Sam has an incredible talent for art. His latest commission being a drawing of Jake's first house that he gifted to Jake after he moved in with Courtney. Sam currently lives in Springfield, Missouri with his girlfriend, Nicole. Jake couldn't be more honored to have Sam by his side on his big day.
AshleyKwater
Bridesmaid
Ashley is Courtney's friend from Eureka High School. With Sara's lineup of events in play, it wasn't long before Ashley and Courtney became close friends. Ashley attended Truman State for college. Since it was only a quick car ride to Columbia/Kirksville, they spent many fun weekends together. Courtney and Ashley both moved back to Saint Louis in 2012, where they have enjoyed running the occasional 5K on Sundays and spent time catching up on life. Ashley's sincerity in their friendship is something Courtney cherishes, as Ashley always finds a way to be a supportive friend. She will make a wonderful bridesmaid!
MattRich
Groomsman
Matt Rich (not just Matt) is Jake's friend from Oakville High School. Jake and Matt Rich have countless memories that they share from their high school days - their short-lived, but Jim Beam Fire filled Johnson's Shut-in trips, playing corkball at Blades Elementary, and helping themselves to any unmonitored apartment complex pool in the Mehlville/Oakville area, to name a few. As young adults, they find themselves bonding over their love of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and newly issued FASB pronouncements as any responsible CPAs would. Jake appreciates Matt's sense of humor and cherishes his friendship over the years.
Katherine Macchi
Bridesmaid
Katherine is Courtney's friend from Eureka High School. While they became friends junior year as part of the same friend group, Katherine and Courtney really bonded once they were in college (even though Katherine was a KU Jayhawk and lived in a different state!). They were able to continue their friendship with memorable college trips to each other's campuses and phone calls to hear life updates. Katherine has always put in effort to make their long distance friendship work because of her caring nature and ability to pick up where things left off. Katherine currently lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband Zach, and 3 kids, which has allowed for some great ski trips with friends over the years! Courtney is grateful for Katherine making the trip back to St. Louis to be part of the wedding party as a Bridesmaid!
BrandonBodker
Groomsman
Brandon is Jake's friend from Truman State University, where they met spring semester of their freshman year through Sigma Phi Epsilon. Brandon and Jake spent countless nights losing brain cells in the once standing Sig Ep house, which has since been replaced with a black mold-free, safe and secure structure. Jake appreciates Brandon's taste in classic country music. Before meeting Brandon, Jake wondered if there were any other guys his age that enjoyed the likes of George Jones, John Prine, and Merle Haggard to name a few. After college, Jake enjoyed bringing the brotherhood back to Saint Louis through weekly tennis matches and dinners at the former Cousin Hugo's. Jake certainly misses Brandon's comradery after moving to South Carolina but is thrilled he will be back for the big day!
KatieRoberts
Bridesmaid
Katie is Courtney's friend from Eureka High School. Katie and Courtney met junior year and clicked instantly. After high school, Katie attended Westminster College, which was awesome for a quick weeknight dinner together since Fulton was so close. Katie's career took her to Arizona and California over the years, which allowed for some fun trips to Scottsdale and Napa Valley. Katie has recently moved back to the Saint Louis area with her sweet baby, Lily, and husband, Nico - just in time to partake in all the wedding festivities! Katie's bubbly personality is something that has added so much positivity to Courtney's life. Courtney cherishes their fun-loving friendship and looks forward to having Katie by her side on the big day!
NickPadgitt
Groomsman
Nick is Courtney's younger brother. With their age in common, Jake has really enjoyed getting to know Nick over the past few years and will certainly enjoy his companionship as a brother-in-law. Nick and the rest of the Padgitt family's enthusiasm and passion for trout fishing has rubbed off on Jake. This has resulted in many fun-filled trips to Bennett Spring State Park together catching Jake's definition of a "Lunker" (a 12" stocked rainbow trout that will bite the first hook it sees). Nick has also reinvigorated Jake's love for pickleball, a game that Jake and Nick will enjoy into retirement. Nick has an extremely likable and friendly personality that made Jake feel welcomed into the Padgitt family from the day they met - ironically, for the first time, at Bennett Spring!
EmmaDillender
Flower Girl
Emma is Courtney's Second Cousin and is often mistaken as Courtney's daughter when together because of their common features. Emma is a sweet seven year old who means the world to Courtney and Jake. They have enjoyed seeing Emma grow up into such a loving, smart girl and couldn't be happier that she accepted her position as Flower Girl to walk down the aisle with her younger sister, Maggie!
MaggieDillender
Flower Girl
Maggie is Courtney's Second Cousin and is as girly as they come. At 5 years old, she lives for dresses, which makes her role as Flower Girl so fitting! During Courtney and Jake's engagement weekend, Maggie was found wearing one of her dress up rings from morning to night to match Courtney - so cute! Courtney and Jake are so excited to have Maggie walk down the aisle alongside her older sister, Emma!