Courtney & Alex
Wedding Party
Brooke Jones
Bridesmaid
Brooke is Courtney's middle sister, and - by popular vote - the preferred Jones sibling, even beating out Bix and Tally... the Jones family's beloved dogs. Brooke lives in Washington D.C. where she's a teacher and Director of Highschool placement at DC Prep Middle School (a lifetime of dealing with Courtney's nonsense undoubtedly contributed to her ability to handle a sea of pre-teens with such grace!). Brooke's NOLA recommendation? “Dr. Gumbo's Food Tour - a walking tour of both historic and new sites in NOLA. Be prepared to eat some awesome food, and you can always have a drink in your hand if you please!" doctorgumbo.com/food-history-tour-in-new-orleans/
Jessica Parise
Bridesmaid
Jessica is Courtney's Aunt - who funnily enough, happens to be a year younger than her! As the younger sister to Courtney's stepmom, Jess grew up alongside Courtney, Brooke and Page, and played the role of the fourth Jones sister. Jess is a Senior Child Life Specialist at Blythedale Children's Hospital, where she quite literally changes people's lives for the better on a daily basis. Jess is also a consultant for a plant-based nutrition and skincare company, where she continues to promote health and wellness even in her off-hours! Jessica's NOLA recommendation? “Try the turtle soup at The Court of Two Sisters during their jazz brunch!” courtoftwosisters.com/menus/jazz-brunch/
Page Jones
Bridesmaid
Page is the youngest of the Jones girls, and undoubtedly the funniest and coolest of the three. Page will soon be entering into her final year of college - she attends Hobart and William Smith Colleges, like her sister Courtney, where she's majoring in Education, like her sister Brooke. Even though Page is 11 years younger than Courtney, they're VERY similar and as the "bookend" siblings, share a close & special bond. Luckily, Page celebrated her 21st birthday in 2019, so she'll be able to join us all in a proper champagne toast come November! What is Page most looking forward to about New Orleans? "The open container laws." LOL. traveler.marriott.com/new-orleans/quirky-nola-laws-you-should-know-before-you-go
Ben Groneman
Groomsman
Although he’s the middle Groneman brother, Ben has done an A+ job eschewing the diagnosis of "middle child syndrome.” A three-sport athlete and the type of person who can magically make friends with anyone, Ben takes the crown of Mr. Personality. He also happens to have the best birthday in the world. (Courtney & Ben share a birthday. ;)) Ben graduated from South Carolina - the “other" Carolina (at least according to Alex, a graduate and diehard fan of UNC). But Ben gave up the warmth of the south for the wind of Chicago, where he lives full time, furthering his love of sports with a career at TopGolf and a social life full of intramurals. Ben's NOLA recommendation? "Visit Jackson Square to meet local artists with authentic creole accents!" experienceneworleans.com/jackson-square
Colin Groneman
Groomsman
Colin is Alex's youngest brother, and some would say the smartest and hardest working Groneman. Coincidentally, he's also the first to be married! Colin and his awesome wife Cat just walked down the aisle this past August (be sure to wish them a big Congrats!). Like his brothers, Colin opted to head south for college, studying engineering and playing club soccer at Georgia Tech, where he spent an extra year co-oping (told you he was the hardworking one!). Colin and Cat now live full time in Atlanta, where they soak up a lot of their free time enjoying Atlanta United soccer games (they even had the chance to see them bring home last year's MLS championship!). What about NOLA is Colin most excited for? "The oysters!" gonola.com/food-drink-in-new-orleans/oysters-new-orleans
Zack Wagner
Officiant
Zack is one of Courtney's oldest and dearest friends from Fairfield, CT. Their friendship has survived the drama of high school, the grind of college, vast distances imposed by many moves - both domestic and international - and a few boyfriends who weren't quite up to Zack's snuff... As a Captain in the United States Army, Zack has unforgiving standards, which is a testament to Alex, who Zack gave sweeping approval of upon their first meeting years ago. In fact, sometimes Courtney thinks Zack likes Alex better than her... Zack will be traveling to New Orleans all the way from his post in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he'll do Courtney and Alex the huge honor of officiating the wedding. Zack's NOLA recommendation? "The National WWII Museum - it's amazing." nationalww2museum.org