Wedding Party
Lauren Crowfoot
Matron of Honor
Marissa's favorite little sister and best friend since '01.
Ryan Marshall
Best Man
John's older brother and hero. Everything John can do, Ryan has already done it better. Except grow hair.
Kaelie Kendall
Maid of Honor
Marissa's favorite older sister and very first best friend.
Caitlin St. Peter
Best Matron
John's older sister and hero. She's the sort of sister who always let John be the annoying younger sibling, was the first to teach him the magic of a good costume and a dance party, and still shows up for the little moments.
Naomie Nelson
Bridesmaid
Naomie and Marissa met slinging coffee together in 2019, and barely survived working in the service industry during covid together. She is, without competition, the person who makes Marissa laugh the hardest. Naomie is also one of the most loyal people Marissa has ever known, and there is not a single doubt in her mind that Naomie would show up for her, no questions asked, no matter what.
Macklin Kelly
Groomsman
Macklin and John met in the backseat of Jackson's family car in 8th grade, and the ride has never stopped! Mack-Daddy-Millionaire, as he's known to true fans, is the best kind of friend: Fun. Loyal. Consistent. Always ready with a kind word, a joke (or a belly laugh at John's stupid joke). Macklin even lets John and Marissa pay cheap rent!
Aubrey Chittwood
Bridesmaid
Aubrey and Marissa grew up more like sisters than cousins. Same grade, same high school, and unfortunately the same taste in emotionally devastating music. Aubrey is the person Marissa has known the longest and understood by the most: the kind of family she would have chosen anyway.
Taylor Brotton
Groomsman
One of the best days of John's life was winning "Co-Boys Athlete of the Year" in 5th grade with Taylor, because it meant for one brief and shinning moment, he was as cool as Taylor. Every day since has been an attempt to relive that glory.
Katie Okawa
Bridesmaid
Katie is one of Marissa's longest friends. They grew up doing bible quiz together in middle school, went to church camp together as high schoolers, lived across the hall from each other for one year of college, worked at a summer camp together on the Oregon coast, and both started their master's in counseling at the same time. There are very few stages of life that Katie has not been a part of.
Nick Moran
Groomsman
Nick and John met as teammates on the football field in 5th grade where their athletic prowess was exceeded only by the coolness of their made-up handshakes. Today, it's the quality of their friendship that exceeds the rest.
Natalie Matteson
Bridesmaid
Natalie and Marissa were thrown together as random roommates their freshman year at Corban, and eight years later, they're still stuck with each other. Their friendship has survived the messy, humbling journey from nineteen to their mid-twenties. Natalie is the kind of person who knows you in all your versions, and loves you the same through every single one.
Krystal Brotton
Groomswoman
Taylor gets the "boyfriend credit" for being the reason Krystal and John met, but he isn't important to this story. Krystal and John became bffs on their own as roommates and coworkers. Now John has empathy for Taylor because Marissa is Krystal's new favorite. (John claimed Krystal first, otherwise she’d be up there with Marissa!)
Dayl Bacher
Bridesmaid
Dayl and Marissa met as RAs together at Corban, and somehow the friendship only got stronger after graduation (even when Dayl ditched her to move back to Alaska). Dayl played a pivotal role in Marissa going out with John, and has been one of their loudest cheerleaders ever since. She is the kind of friend who will fly in from Alaska, spend three hours with you, and fly back home, just to celebrate you (based on true events).
Jackson Engelking
Groomsman
Legend says John and Jackson met while wearing diapers in the church nursery... and just like that, their friendship always was. Teammates from pee-wee fields to high school. State Championship winning baritones in their high school Choir. Senior year prom dates. Friends for the good and the hard, these two are bound for life.
Lauren Clark
Bridesmaid
Lauren was one of the first friends John introduced Marissa to, and Marissa promptly stole her and never looked back. She has a gift for turning any ordinary hang into a party, but she's also the kind of person who will sit with you in a quiet moment make them feel special. Kind and deeply introspective, Lauren is the rare friend who can do both and do them both well.
Clare Kudson
Bridesmaid
Clare was one of the first people Marissa met in grad school, and their friendship was forged in the fire of academic brutality and more self-reflection than either of them bargained for. She is loyal and steady and to this day, Clare is usually the first person Marissa calls when she is having a meltdown.
Lucille Marshall
Junior Groomswoman
Ryan's daughter. John's niece. The coolest, kindest, 12 year old there ever was.
Mat Hollen
Officiant
John's high school Young Life leader, life long mentor, and friend. Now Mat is John and Marissa's pastor.