Wedding Party
Michon Ames
Matron of Honor
Jaclyn and her oldest sister Michon have the rarest, precious gift of calling each other not only sisters but best friends. United by their mutual love for romantasy series, culinary adventures, and same sense of humor, these two are often found laughing uncontrollably to the point of snorting. With a 12-year age gap, Jaclyn jokingly refers to Michon as her "cool mom". Michon has been a true staple in Jaclyn's life always offering a hand to hold, shoulder to cry on, and funny pictures and videos of Jaclyn's niece Sophie which is always sure to brighten your day. Jaclyn is so excited to have Michon right by her side on the most special day of her life!
Luke Hoffman
Best Man
Luke is Zach's oldest and closest friend. You can always find these two on the golf course, talking about their latest and greatest bourbon find, and when they are not at the golf course, they are planning their next golf round. In fact, Luke holds the title of not only 'Best Man' but also 'Match Maker' as he set Jaclyn and Zach up on their first date! Zach told Luke over a game of golf after Jaclyn and Zach's first date, "If I marry this girl, you will be my Best Man." Over two and a half years later, Luke is Zach's Best Man at our wedding. Luke, his wife Dani, Jaclyn and Zach have since become the closest of friends, always having a blast no matter if they are out on the town or spending quiet, but fun, night in. Zach is so excited to share this great day with his best friend by his side and can't believe just a few short years ago Luke was telling him about a girl from work that Zach needed to meet.
Madelyn Miller
Maid of Honor
Have we mentioned how rare it is for sisters to also be best friends? Jaclyn must have won the lottery because she has two! Maddie is Jaclyn's second oldest sister, partner in crime, closest confident, and personal stylist all in one. Maddie is the life of Jaclyn's family gatherings, always devising the best games, activities, and countless inside jokes. Some of Jaclyn's fondest memories revolve around games Maddie created with her remarkable imagination and love for fun. Since childhood, Jaclyn has looked up to Maddie as a role model, admiring her impeccable sense of style, unparalleled charm, and sharp wit. Jaclyn cannot wait to have Maddie as her Maid of Honor!
Josh Panek
Groomsman
Josh, Zach's older brother by only 18 months, has been Zach's built in best friend, mentor, and teammate since the beginning. Bonding over their love of Star Wars, football, and DnD these two will never be found that far apart. They even were each other's first post-college roommates sharing an apartment together. You can always count on Josh to call at any hour, any day - he will always be there, and not to mention baking the best box brownies. Since entering the family, Jaclyn and Josh are close as siblings already and Jaclyn cannot wait to officially gain the brother she never had but always wanted.
Molly Schaubroeck
Bridesmaid
Besties since preschool, Molly and Jaclyn hold the record for longest friendship. Molly has been and always will be the center of all of Jaclyn's most fond memories of childhood. Every birthday party, graduation, summer camp, and school play, Molly was there. Even with over 1,000 miles distance between them now, every time these two get together it is like no time has passed and they are in middle school again. Jaclyn is blessed to have had a front-row seat in witnessing Molly become the woman she is today. During slumber parties, Molly and Jaclyn would talk about their dream weddings and how they could not wait to be by each other's sides and Jaclyn is filled with emotions to now make those dreams a reality with Molly next to her as she marries the love of her life.
Josh Lemke
Groomsman
Zach and Josh (nickname "Lemke") met their freshman year of college at the University of St. Thomas. Not only was Josh another of Zach’s teammates but was also one of his roommates. Josh and Zach bonded over their love of sports, music, writing, videos games, and faith and love of God. They can often be found sipping whiskey, having way too deep philosophical conversations that are going absolutely nowhere, or having a heated debate over who drafted a better fantasy football team. Zach is honored to have man like Josh stand with him on this exciting day.
Tsola Bell
Bridesmaid
Best friends since high school, Tsola and Jaclyn are close as can be. Their sister-like bond began to take off when they were both on the cheerleading team at Rosemount High School. Jaclyn has always looked up Tsola and will always see her as her "forever cheerleading captain" due to Tsola's unwavering dependability, mentorship, life coaching, empathy, and selfless nature. Tsola is the kind of friend everyone hopes for, and Jaclyn feels incredibly blessed to have had her by her side all these years. They used to stay up late, talking about their dreams and futures. Now, it's a true full-circle blessing that they both are a part of each other's wedding days, as Tsola too recently celebrated her marriage with Jaclyn also in her wedding.
Jalen Frye
Groomsman
Jalen and Zach have been friends since their 8th grade year at Mahtomedi. With their similar outlandish humor they share, they became inseparable in their youth. As they got older, they pushed each other to grow by spending nights at the local high school field training and only getting into mischief once the work was done. The memories of posting hours of homemade comedy sketches to their Snapchat stories, playing backyard football games, and laughing 'til their stomachs hurt brought them closer over all these years. And although they haven’t shared a school since 8th grade, no matter the time or place everything always picks up right where they left it.
Morgan Maher
Bridesmaid
When Jaclyn thinks back to her college years at Iowa State, the very first person she thinks of is Morgan. Morgan and Jaclyn became friends through their sorority, Delta Zeta. Bonding over nights in the DZ parking lot in the car jamming Taylor Swift, Morgan and Jaclyn soon became the best of friends doing anything and everything together and even became roommates in college. Trader Joes runs, nights out at Mother's Pub, sorority dances, and late nights with a glass of boxed wine, Morgan made everything so much more fun. Jaclyn is happy to report that their Taylor Swift jam sessions came full circle with their recent 9th row concert seats at the TS Eras Tour last year. Jaclyn cannot wait to have Morgan in her bridal crew for the wedding day as she is sure to bring all the fun, best playlist, and ultimate dance moves.
Will Walker
Groomsman
High School rivals turned college teammates, Will and Zach have known each other on and of the football field for a long time. However, their true friendship took sophomore year at the University of St. Thomas where they bonded over the grind of being Defensive Scout Team all stars. Whether they are screaming at the Gopher’s punter for not flipping the field, laughing around bonfire, or going on an early morning McDonalds run after a tequila night, these two are always having fun. Zach is so grateful to have Will as his teammate now on his wedding day!
Grace Schmidt
Bridesmaid
Besties since high school, Grace and Jaclyn are as close as close can be. Even being states apart, these two are the definition of "long lost twins" as Grace and Jaclyn are almost the same exact person. Get these two together at Punch Pizza with a class of Rosé for 1 hour and they will solve all world problems -- we are serious. Grace and Jaclyn share a friendship that people pray for. They laugh together, cry together, and everything in between. Jaclyn feels incredibly fortunate to have Grace as a friend—someone who would drop everything, go anywhere, and do anything for the people she loves. Jaclyn can't believe how lucky she is to have someone as dear to her heart as her Gracie. Watch out on the dance floor for Grace's killer dance moves on the wedding day, everyone! You will not want to miss it!
Eric Dunn
Groomsman
Eric came into Zach’s life as Zach’s older brother’s friend. That relationship rapidly developed into their own friendship as they connected over their mutual love of all things fantasy, Star Wars, storytelling, video games, and the concocting craft cocktails. Furthermore, with Eric being the old man of the groomsmen party, he has always been a resource and soundboard that Zach can go to on the subjects of life, storytelling, or the canonical history of any fictional universe of that day's topic of discussion. Zach is stoked to have his Eric at his side as he begins to write this next chapter in his life.
Brooke Smith
Bridesmaid
Meeting through their mutual friend, Morgan, Brooke and Jaclyn clicked in college almost instantly. Bonding over their love of having fun, same sense of humor, and hilarious stories that they vow to never tell anyone, Brooke and Jaclyn together are guaranteed to be the life of the party. Whether it is a quiet night in, or out on the town, these two always find some way to get into some trouble. With the biggest heart imaginable and her always judgement-free policy, Brooke is the first friend Jaclyn can go to for anything. Brooke would tear the world apart for Jaclyn and Jaclyn for Brooke which is the type of friendship everyone wishes for. Jaclyn cannot imagine her wedding without Brooke by her side and is so excited to make it a reality with Brooke as her bridesmaid!
Jeff Ames
Groomsman
Jeff, to no one’s surprise, came into Zach’s life through Jaclyn. As the husband to Jaclyn’s oldest sister Michon, and Jaclyn’s “landlord” when Zach came into the picture, it was inevitable. However, Zach and Jeff kicked off their friendship almost instantly. They connected over bingeable TV shows, competitive video games, and their mutual love of Lebanese garlic sauce and red wine. Throughout every extremely extrovert-filled Joseph gathering, Jeff and Zach always find refuge together. Jaclyn loves her "first brother" and adores witnessing the bond that Zach and Jeff now share with Zach now soon entering the family.
Sydney Panek
Bridesmaid
Zach's younger sister and soon to be Jaclyn's! Jaclyn never had a younger sister and is beyond excited to officially gain one by joining the Panek family. Sydney is everyone's favorite person, always bringing life and warmth into every room and conversation. One of Jaclyn's favorite memories is rooming with Sydney during the 2024 Panek Family Vacation. Staying up for hours watching movies, sharing stories over a glass of wine, and laughing to no end. This is when Jaclyn didn't just feel like an addition to the family, but a true member. We are so excited to have Sydney a part of our big day and can't wait to have her be the life of the party!
Jared St. Arnauld
Groomsman
Again…another teammate…Jared and Zach met freshman year of college through St. Thomas football. Although Jared is a Wisconsin sports fan through and through, Zach didn’t allow that extreme fault to get in the way of all the other good qualities Jared has as a friend. Jared and Zach forged their friendship through the grind of ice fishing in frigid January temperatures, their deep-rooted love of country music, and the idea that they would make better coaches than anyone currently coaching in major college football. Jared has been a friend Zach can call on with anything, especially when there is a good time to be had.
Hattie Stenberg
Bridesmaid
Hattie and Jaclyn were attached at the hip in college and were lucky enough to even be roommates their senior year. Jaclyn is positive she has never laughed harder or had more fun than with anyone but Hattie. Unforgettable memories ranging from dressing up as KISS for their senior Halloween costume, to backseat dancing and endless DZ party buses, Hattie and Jaclyn are double trouble. Always organizing get togethers and yearly girls trips, Hattie brings people together and makes moments that last which is something Jaclyn has always admired about her. Without Hattie, college never would have been the same and Jaclyn is so honored to have her by her side when she marries Zach.
Greg Bogdanski III
Groomsman
You guessed it…another one of Zach’s college football teammates! Greg and Zach’s brotherhood comes in many forms, “Polish Bros”, “Finance Bros”, “Grilling Bros”, and the list goes on. Even now with him being halfway across the country, Greg has always been the guy Zach can call up anytime to talk work, family, life goals, and everything in between knowing he genuinely cares. From the daily 6AM football lifts to late night bonfire convos over beers, these two are blessed to be able to say that they make each other better men because of their friendship. Zach is grateful to have a friend like Greg be there with him on the biggest day of his life.
Alyssa Brascia
Bridesmaid
Jaclyn's ultimate hype woman and fashion icon, Alyssa is Jaclyn's dearest friend from college and senior year roommate. When Jaclyn thinks of absolute perfection it is Alyssa. With a heart of pure gold and a wardrobe not even Vogue themselves could ever top, Alyssa is the friend everyone aspires to be. Every fond college memory and lifelong story has Alyssa in it ranging from nights out in Sips Basement Bar, to performing Disney dance routines in the apt. 306 living room...and kitchen...and dining room..., and morning coffee debriefs. Alyssa never fails to warm your heart with a call out of the blue to catch up like time never passed or make you feel like you are the most special person in the world. Jaclyn's wedding day would not be complete without Alyssa.
Matt Hoffman
Groomsman
Matt, or “Matty Ice” as he is known in some circles, is the heartbeat of the groomsmen party. Matt was around a lot being the best man’s older brother and this was a blessing in disguise to Zach. They connected over their similar sense of humor, good vibes on the golf course, and love of Minnesota sports. Matt quickly became a resource for Zach on faith, life, and fun. Zach is forever grateful Matt came into his life and is incredibly honored he will be at his side on the big day.
Sophie Ames
Flower Girl