Wedding Party
Jessie (Koontz) Shover
Matron of Honor
Jessie K and Jessie Lew have been best pals for nearly 25 years - truly one of her oldest and dearest friends! They met in elementary school, where they knew of each other (as "the other Jessie"), and both participated in the newspaper club. They quickly built out a children's book based on an owl that was addicted to candy, and they haven't stopped the long, ranting, comedic scenario-building since. Jessie K has been along for a LOT of life, including school dances, elaborate birthday scavenger hunts, wild college weekends, an epic euro-trip, and all the little moments in between. When the Jessie’s are together, you’re guaranteed to hear them cackling from a mile away. It's an honor to have her as such an important part of the special weekend and beyond!
Shane Williams
Best Man
Shane is one of Alex's best friends. They met playing 7th grade football for the Benedictine Middies, and went on to graduate from Benedictine together. Their true friendship began a couple of years after high school when Alex moved back to Richmond, when a chance encounter at a former classmate's house proved to be the foundation for a friendship that would shape both of their lives for the better. Not long after running back into each other, Shane moved in with Alex and along with our other roommates lived our lives together in various houses and apartments for the better part of a decade. The bond they have formed through many late nights, crazy times, and shared struggle is truly cherished by Alex, and he is thrilled to have his ride or die Shane as his Best Man!
Meredith Crumb
Bridesmaid
Meredith and Jessie fell in love just as Jessie was moving to Nashville, TN. Jessie was set up on a "blind date" with Meredith and her husband Jared, and it was clear Jessie would quickly become a pretty permanent third wheel to such an awesome couple. Together Meredith and Jessie became beekeeping partners, went to see ALL the music in Nashville, and on a weekly basis would ride bikes together and cook new dinner recipes (you're welcome Jared). Jessie and Meredith are thrilled to be reunited in Richmond after the Crumb family moved back with their son George!
Ben Speese
Groomsman
Ben and Alex share a truly special friendship. Their story goes all the way back 1998, when they both started preschool at St. Edwards. They would spend the next 15 years together walking through the same doors to the same school, growing up together. Even to this day they regularly reflect on all of the fond memories, best of which was Ben's 13th birthday party. His sweet mother took a bunch of rowdy pre-teens to Busch Gardens, and then hosted a sleepover where the only rule was to not wake her up. After a little scooter session in the hallway, that rule quickly went out the window and we had to spend the rest of the night trying to be quiet and playing Tony Hawk videogames. This bond lasted into adult life, and Ben and Alex have kept the party going while working at Best Buy together as car electronics installers, and then a couple of years later finding an excuse to work together again in commercial construction. Alex considers himself VERY lucky to have a friend like Ben in the world and even luckier to have him be a part of our wedding!
Alyssa Kunkel
Bridesmaid
Alyssa and Jessie became fast friends in pharmacy school at the University of Pittsburgh, where they spent countless hours together both in and out of the classroom. They would grow to become running and hiking buddies, have regular game nights, and travel/camping partners! Alyssa and Jessie have been each others' therapists through life's ups and downs (seriously, so many good hours on the phone), and are so grateful to be able to lean on each other and root for each other with every little step along the way.
Aaron Bouchard
Groomsman
Aaron and Alex became friends in high school at Benedictine. They started playing disc golf together along with some other friends sometime in their sophomore year, and before long they were out at Bryan Park six days a week. The best part was senior year, during off campus lunch when Aaron and Alex and company discovered that we could grab some sandwiches, fit five holes in, and still make it back to class in time! Many snowboarding, fishing, disc golf, and countless other adventures later, and Alex and Aaron are still close friends.
Jacob Wildfire
Officiant
Jacob and Jessie have been attached at the hip since they were born - as first cousins who are closest in age from the Jeselnick clan, you could always find Jessie and Jake together. You still can! They have always remained extremely close - visiting each other wherever in the country they both were living, getting to know each others' friends and partners, and planning ALL the fun activities together. When Jessie and Alex began dating, Jacob and his husband Alex were among the first to get a text about this new guy - to which they replied "he's hot, we approve!". Big shocker they both ended up with an Alex! Jacob and HIS Alex have visited Jessie and HER Alex lots in this past year, and continue to plan many future adventures. Jacob has gotten to know and love Alex, and quickly welcomed him into the fold. Jessie & Alex are thrilled to have someone so special to conduct their ceremony!