Wedding Party

Gayle Doud

Bride

Jeff Lesser

Groom

Gabrielle Doud

Maid of Honor

Growing up 2 years and 1 day apart, Gayle and Gabrielle shared a lot as sisters: a bedroom, birthday parties, and many (many) matching outfits. Sharing childhood on the farm was/is their most favorite memory as it offered endless options for adventure and creativity. Countless hours were spent in their playhouse, jumping on the trampoline, and chasing cousins on the big hay bales. As they grew, their personalities became more distinct and quite different, but they continued to share a likeness for school, sports, music, 4-H, and especially, time with their family. Gabrielle followed Gayle's footsteps by joining Alpha Phi at UNI, but has forged her own path into her passion for sharing the power of books with those young and old. She lives in Stuart and has her Masters in Library Sciences.

David Lesser

Best Man

David would be the first to tell you "Jeff was the annoying little brother that followed me everywhere." And that's true. Jeff followed David to every school he went to from elementary school all the way to switching colleges from UNC to CU (like an angelic adoring little brother). Their brotherly love has manifested into a very supportive relationship including Jeff giving David his ID so he could drive, and David giving Jeff his ID so he could drink underage. David is one of the smartest people on the planet, who spends his freetime tinkering on cars and computers, and attending music concerts and festivals.

Kara Barten

Bridesmaid

The story of Kara & Gayle's friendship is one for the books. While they both attended college at the University of Iowa and ran in similar friend circles, their paths didn't cross until the end of their time in Iowa City. They met while babysitting for a mutual family (we're forever grateful to the Pipers!) - Kara was set to move to Colorado and Gayle was stepping into take her place, but only for a short while before moving west herself. Fast forward 8 years and what was a chance meeting has turned into a dear friendship filled with mountain hikes, Vail ski days, Iowa football games, estate sale shopping, museum outings, and a trip of a lifetime to Morocco. Kara shares her love for learning with her 4th grade class in Denver and travels often - her + boyfriend Stuart's next stop: Paris!

Alex Kaye

Groomsman

Longtime self-described hetero-lifemate to Jeff, Alex has the longest history of friendship of the groomsmen. Alex and Jeff were friends in elementary school when Alex moved to Boulder from Minnesota (go Vikings!). In college their connection resparked and they spent the better part of a decade as roommates and BFFs. Alex is a fly fishing guru, self-taught cicerone, and holds more stories and secrets about Jeff than anyone else on the planet.

Claire Brehmer

Bridesmaid

Claire holds the title of Gayle's oldest friend. They spent their childhoods running around the Doud and Powell farms wearing their mothers' nightgowns, singing Broadway show tunes, and recording episodes of their radio show "Good Times" on Claire's karaoke machine. Teenage years brought volleyball, art class, and others frequently mistaking one for the other (Gayle answers to Claire, Claire to Gayle). While they went to rival state schools, they've remained close over the years, visiting often and leaving one another long-winded voicemails in Brooklyn accents. Today, Claire wrangles Comms & PR for a top real estate developer in Des Moines. She's a stellar mom to her two Boxer pups, Nash & Macy and partner to Zach.

Aaron Quilling

Groomsman

Aaron and Jeff became friends in high school, strengthened their bond as roommates for 2 years in college, and then spent the better part of their 20's drinking beers together. The majority of their New Years celebrations since high school have been together traveling to exotic beach destinations (and Aaron making fried chicken and waffles on New Years Day). Aaron runs long distances, is a world-class chef who inspiringly opened his own food truck, and a master at floating on his back in shallows of the ocean.

Jennifer Monroe

Bridesmaid

While technically her aunt, Jennifer has always been more of a big sister to Gayle. Jenny's the youngest of the Doud crew, and that particular placement has fashioned her into one of the most fun-loving, witty, and infectious personalities we know. From a young age, Gayle's adored Jenny and it's really only fitting that when she moved to Colorado and married Marc (our officiant), that Gayle caught an interest for the mountains too. With Jenny's support and encouragement, Gayle moved to Colorado to live with her family in 2012. That invite resulted in a 4 year stint at the Monroe household, meeting Jeff, and many, many memories. Jenny, Marc, and their two kids - Molly & Colin - are Gayle's role models, cheerleaders and home away from home. Jenny and her family live in Lafayette.

Brian Pierce

Groomsman

Brian is a many of many interests, as long as they start with B. He loves bikes, the Broncos, beers, his dogs, and his wife (so much for the alliteration). Brian wore suits in high school, thrift store suits, but suits. Which naturally attracted him to Jeff who wore pink shoes, girls jeans, and t-shirts that barely fit. While different in many ways Brian and Jeff have long been close thanks to biking around, drinking whiskey, and watching football together. Brian is the king of bikes (he taught Jeff how to build up custom bikes and lace up wheels), guardian of 2 doggos, and canvas for some of the finest skin art to ever come out of a living room.

Cassie Stewart

Bridesmaid

Cassie and Gayle first met in the Boulder tech scene several years ago. Cassie’s bright, thoughtful, and genuine personality was a match to Gayle’s “Iowa Nice” - she had a good feeling they’d become good friends. As luck would have it, Cassie soon joined Twitter and revealed her own Iowa roots (Algona) and the rest was history. Over the past five years, Cassie and Gayle’s friendship has deepened beyond a shared passion for empowering women to include their shared love of running, baked goods, house plants, travel, and so much more - their bond is truly special. Jeff and Gayle couldn't imagine their wedding day without Cassie, who along with her husband Jarod and 1 year-old Mille, are dear friends + family. Cassie leads product marketing for Twitter's Data business and lives in Louisville.

Thomas Jennings

Groomsman

Tom is a giant, in so many way, but mostly that he's 6'4" tall. Jeff describes Tom as an intellectual athlete, someone who works on his mind as much as his body. Tom and Jeff have spent many nights pontificating about music or economics together, and attended many concerts together. Tom is a renaissance man; a great cook, letter writer, physical specimen, whip smart, mustache grower, rug cutter, and wine connoisseur. Oh, and he's an Eagles fan...

Tabitha Bleich

Bridesmaid

Tabitha and Gayle became friends their freshman year of college. Both homegrown Iowa girls and fervent Hawkeye fans, they bonded over football tailgates, sorority involvement, and intense (but always fun) study sessions. Tabitha took the crown for best roommate when they lived in the sorority house, counseling Gayle through the stresses of school and leading the sorority (which they shared) and aiding when she broke her arm sophomore spring. Post college, Gayle and Tabitha have remained close through calls and get togethers taking them to Iowa, Charleston, California, and Colorado. You'll know Tabitha by her warm smile and unmistakable laugh. Today, she's manages a leading healthcare network provider in Des Moines. Tabitha lives in Waukee with her husband Allan and their dog-child Louie.

Josh Minor

Groomsman

Jeff's brother-from-another-mother. Ironically the only groomsman that wasn't ever a roommate with Jeff. Josh and Jeff share more than a birthday, they share an unbridled love of giving each other a hard time. The competitive (and creative) spirit is strong with this one! Josh is a fantastic musician, movie maker, and friend.