Jess & Luke
Wedding Party
Elise Jaros Van
Best Woman
Elise is Jess' twin cousin and they have been best friends since they can remember. They were often spotted wearing matching clothes and holding hands in many a picture growing up. The twins share a love of country music and shopping, among other things. A promise was made long ago to be each others' maid of honor, as Elise is an only child and Jess does not have any sisters; thus, sisters by choice/twin cousins! So here they are, following in their mothers' footsteps and using the term Best Woman. ;) Elise is a nurse and recently moved from Washington DC with her husband to the Chicago area, and Jess is very excited to have her twin much closer!
Ann Hill
Bridesmaid
Ann met Luke at St. Ambrose University and they have been good friends ever since. Enter Jess in 2016 at the annual SAU friends gingerbread house making event. Ann and her husband Spencer and their adorable children welcomed Jess with open arms. Shortly after, the Hills moved back to the Quad Cities from Dubuque and were much more conveniently located for getting together. Ann's contagious enthusiasm and joy (as well as her love of tea and coffee) made it easy to see how she and Luke got to be such great friends. After conspiring to surprise Luke with a float trip on his 30th birthday, Ann and Jess (and the guys ;) were forever bonded by their adventures on the Maquoketa River and have become even closer ever since.
Chantel Boyd
Bridesmaid
Chantel and Jess met as English majors at Central College in Pella, IA. Although they are very different, they immediately clicked and helped each other through lots of depressing literature and paper-writing. They have been there for each other through many of life's ups and downs and are both thankful to have a 'sister' to lean on. Chantel lives and works in the Des Moines area with her husband and daughter, who Jess loves being an 'auntie' to. Jess stops by any time she is in Des Moines and looks forward to visits with her faith-filled and encouraging friend!
Aria Kronebusch
Bridesmaid
Aria is Jess' Minnesota bestie - they would not have survived their year in AmeriCorps in St. Paul without each other. Although they are opposites in many ways, the two became close (literally...by sharing a tiny closet as an "office") and both enjoy reading and working with kids. It was a challenging but great year, and Jess and Aria are thankful an unlikely friendship was born. They make sure to visit each other at least a few times a year, especially around Christmas and whenever Jess can make it to one of Aria's roller derby bouts.
Krystal Bagge
Bridesmaid
**Update** Krystal is being transferred overseas for work for the next year. She will be enjoying Barcelona, Spain as of mid-March and is unable to be at the wedding. :( We are very excited about this opportunity for her but will miss her very much! Krystal is from Dyersville, IA, graduated from Notre Dame, and ended up in the Quad Cities working as an accountant. She met Jess through church in 2016. They bonded over faith, fun, and both having lots of brothers! Affectionately known as "Kryssy" only to Jess and her parents, she managed to become one of Jess' best friends and then proceeded to leave her to move to St. Louis. However, the duo still manages to stay in touch regularly via snapchat, texts, and phone calls.
Nick Ebener
Best Man
Who they are: Brother for 31 years strong now! Lessons they’ve taught me: WAY too many to list here. Nick is like the Barney Stinson of life lessons. How to open a beer bottle with a ping pong paddle. How to persevere through the many, many non-doctoral years of school. But most importantly, how to prioritize your life as family and friends come first. Nick is the perfect example of sacrifice and doing anything for those you love. Movie Title that best describes him: “My idiot brother”
Zach Ebener
Groomsman
Who they are: Cousin from Davenport. I put up with him because he has a cool wife and awesome kids. Lessons they’ve taught me: Most of what Zach has taught me is a combination of part nerd, part idiot, and part how to live from your heart. I’ve learned the difference between Marvel and DC, which superhero movies aren’t ‘comic book accurate’, why we need to do more to support mental health and those teens struggling, and how to do anything to make someone laugh in the times they’re hurting. Even if it involves stripping down and crossing a gator infested swamp. Movie Title Description: “Christmas Vacation” AKA Cousin Eddie
Ryan South
Groomsman
Who they are: He’s been my brownie-eating friend for as long as I can remember! Lessons they’ve taught me: Nobody taught me how to take advantage of free hotdogs at a golf tournament quite like Ryan did! He also gave me a great physics lesson when he somehow managed to kick a soccerball over the crossbar from inside the 6 yard line. Ryan also taught me how to love and appreciate everyone around you and to look for and see the good in people. Movie Title Description: “Tommy Boy”
Paul Hummel
Groomsman
Who they are: Moved to Chatham in 7th grade. Been sharing a soccer field and life ever since. Lessons they’ve taught me: When I first met Paul, he taught me so many vocabulary words! ‘Running the sweeper’ is apparently code for vacuuming. During, according to Paul, is pronounced like it has a o in it. And when said out loud, tournament can be said many different ways. He also taught me the importance of being there for your friends through the good and the bad, even if they are a stooge. Movie Title Description: “Stand by me”
The Sibs
Usher
Brian + Denise, Kevin + Amy, Matt, & Zak Emard Jess' awesome brothers and sisters-in-law will be ushers and usherettes. ;)