Madaline & Matthew
Wedding Party
MADALINE RYAN
Bride
Written by Best Man, Jerome Yap Madaline, affectionately known to many as Maddie and to me, as the perpetual victor of any argument, not by merit but by the sheer force of her will and unmatched debate skills. She is a Swiftie, Pug Mum, Roosters supporter and hates every team I go for. I can keep going on about Maddie, but we already know everything about her, and let’s face it we all know whose wedding this actually is. It’s the bride to be (and the person who should have her own reality tv show)… Maddie.
MATTHEW DOXEY
Groom
Written by Maid of Honour, Isabella Ryan Matthew, Bubs, Mort, Pugfather and the brother I chose. In the decade we've had him in our family, we've made so many core memories that it feels like he's always been around; from jumping out of a plane together to being my plus one to a 5 Seconds of Summer concert to the relentless ganging up against Madaline. He's the one Maddie chose to navigate the craziness with, and honestly, we couldn't think of a better match. Welcome to the fam, Matt - you're in for a wild ride.
ISABELLA RYAN
Maid of Honor
As the sister of the bride, Isabella has fully embraced her role as "younger sister". If you have your own younger sister, you know exactly what that means. A current medical student and future Doctor; yes she will review that spot on your arm. At the age of 13, Isabella became the sister that Matthew didn't know he needed - the one to always be on his side when it came to the bride. For the rest of you though, tread lightly because she will back her sister all the way. A best friend and a total Barbie, there was no one else Madaline would have standing by her side.
JEROME YAP
Best Man
The definition of 'when you know, you know'. Matthew and Jerome have only known each other for four years but developed a co-dependent relationship very quickly. The pair met as neighbours before taking things to the next level and working together for a couple of years. Jerome ranked Madaline as his #2 'friend that's a girl' before swiftly adjusting that to #1 after a 17 minute rant from the bride (in my defence, which is not even required, I had just returned home from bottomless brunch). An adopted son of the bride's father, a loyal friend and the person Matthew is always texting.
DANICKA RYAN
Bridesmaid
Don't let the name fool you, Danicka is not biological family*. However, she was always destined to be. Best friends since Kindergarten, Madaline and Danicka have a connection at the core level. She found her 'in' with Madaline's cousin Charles and it may have been the best thing that's ever happened to the bride - oops, I mean 'to Charles'. A ray of sunshine and positivity while also rocking a killer 'don't fuck with me' vibe. There is no one that will support you more fiercely. *Turns out Danicka is the bride's 3rd cousin so it was always fate. Universe obviously was ensuring it covered all bases that we would find each other in this life xx
RICHARD CANDRICK
Groomsman
A friend of Matthew's since birth, the two grew up next to each other before spending 10 years working together. The bride and groom have spent many nights enjoying a beverage with Richard, one of which ended in infiltrating a Christmas set up, whipping a shirt off and a riding on plastic Rudolph's back for the most epic Christmas card photo in existence. This is the bloke you call when your movers cancel on you last minute, it's pouring rain and you need to be moved out that day.
AMELIA RYAN
Bridesmaid
Being a blood relation to such a queen will boost your hotness at least 8 points. Milly is the ultimate girls girl and can be entrusted to turn a sneaky Tuesday afternoon into the perfect slumber party consisting of wine (because we're adults now), a weird-ass Mcdonalds order, Bring it On and ballerina leaps to Sabby C. The IT Girl of the Central Coast and the one to call when you need confirmation that you're not acting crazy, you're totally valid. Cousins truly are your first best friends.
LIAM CARROLL
Groomsman
The new kid on the block. The Butthead to Matthew's Beavis. Liam is the partner of Madaline's sister, Isabella, and it took next to no time for him to become a fully integrated member of the family (he has committed to sticking around for at least 6 months post-wedding). Give the man a Yamba Breeze cocktail (or 7) and watch the magic happen - did he ask a gaggle of 6 year olds to race him to the top of a rock climbing wall? Yes. Is there video footage? Yes. Can you see it? Head to the 'Gallery' tab. We couldn't ask for a better (potential) future uncle for our (potential) future children.
BETTY RYAN
Flower Girl
Madaline's paternal grandmother, Betty is the definition of a matriarch. Not so good with the technology though so Matthew is always happy to lend a hand for the recurring car bluetooth issues. If you're planning on going Whale Watching in the morning, don't open a bottle of red wine around her. It will be several hours and many bottles later before you crawl your way to bed. She'll tell you like it is and is known to be *the* socialite of her community. Betty is the rock to and the creator of a big beautiful LOUD family - you'll know who to thank her for by the end of the night.
MARCIA GLANVILLE
Flower Girl
The bride's maternal grandmother, Marcia is the one Matthew can 'thank' for the one-way back tickles in the Ryan-Doxey household. Although as her favourite grandchild, I'm sure he's happy to let it slide. Marcia is always up for an adventure, especially after her 23 daily cups of coffee. If she isn't falling asleep to the sounds of a true crime podcast, she's working through the levels of the latest random and addictive iPad game. A supportive and loving cheerleader that's always ready to celebrate you in her submissions to the local Cootamundra newspaper.
PETER GLANVILLE
Ring Bearer
Peter is the bride's maternal grandfather and really was born for the role. A maker of the very best Christmas lawn decorations, a billy-cart that two childhoods were spent in and the first to diagnose nannyitis (when Nan was visiting and the bride was then far too sick for school). A proud man that's always on the go, whether it's enjoying a beer with the fellow knights of the Cootamunda Country Club round table or enjoying an ice-cream while Marcia spends an hour in yet another shop. Don't forget to ask him how his Trifectas went today or for a spin on the dancefloor (the man has serious moves!)
JASON GLANVILLE
Master of Ceremonies
Uncle to the bride and has been claiming Matthew as a nephew for a decade. Along with his husband-to-be, John, they were the first family members to meet Matthew a mere two weeks after him meeting Madaline. Jason & John took Madaline in for a week when she first moved to Sydney, that "accidentally" became six. It's always a fun time with Jason, even when it's something as simple as a fork finding it's new home on the Cootamundra Country Club floor. A loving and devoted uncle that can be summoned with The Gambler - Kenny Rogers.
RHIANNON HARRISON (absent)
Bridesmaid
A bride-to-be herself (helloo, Morocco in April, 2025!), Rhiannon and Madaline have been best friends since 2008. They met in high school before Madaline followed her to Queensland for university. A true friendship that couldn't even be broken with Rhiannon abandoning the bride (again) to move back to England 10 years ago (you can join the decade long effort by using #pleasemoveback). Like any sistership, there have been ups and downs but nothing could bring these two girls together again like joining forces to annoy the visual arts teacher. A ridiculously intelligent and brilliant soul sister for life.