Madison & John
Wedding Party
Michael Kramer
Best Man
As John's younger brother, Michael has shared in many adventures with the groom. One of their most memorable, however, was when John helped Michael move into Lindenwood University for the first time. Let's just say Michael's bed didn't survive the first five minutes of John's assistance! Michael graduated from Lindenwood in 2023 with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Samantha/Pearl Mastin
Jr. Maiden of Honor
As Maddi's cherished little sister, Pearl is thrilled to be a bridesmaid! She's a student balancing school with her weekend gig as a party host at BounceU. A true highlight of their sisterly bond is the unforgettable night they spent until 3 AM creating friendship bracelets and belting out Taylor Swift songs. She also cherishes their spontaneous road trips to 7 Brew.
Dillon Archer
Groomsman
Dillon, a teacher and wrestling coach from Central Kansas, first met John at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO in August of 2015. Their time as teammates and practice partners quickly blossomed into a strong and lasting friendship. Dillon values the many stories they've created together, even if it sometimes meant being a cheerful "third-wheel" with John and Maddi. He is truly happy for them and can't wait to be a part of their special day and the memories yet to come.
Cess Lechner
Matron of Honor
Cess and Maddi met when they both worked at Club Fitness. Cess is a new mom and studied Exercise Science. Cess's favorite memories with Maddi truly capture the spirit of their friendship, from spontaneous coffee and food runs to celebrating together at Jingle Fest and on their Nashville party bus.
Mason Lee
Groomsman
Mason, Maddi's cousin on her mom’s side, shared a bond that went beyond typical cousin relationships. They grew up less like cousins and more like siblings, being only seven months apart. While they had their disagreements, they were also inseparable best friends. Mason fondly remembers a favorite childhood memory: pushing each other around in a little red wagon, symbolizing their close and playful relationship." Mason is Maddi's cousin on her mom's side of the family. Mason and Maddi grew up more like brother and sister versus cousins as they were only 7 months apart. Although they fought like brother and sister they were also each other's best friends. Mason says his favorite memory of Maddi is when they were little and would push each other around in a red wagon.
Daedra Shaeffer
Maid of Honor
Daedra and Maddi's friendship began in 6th grade over a shared love of gum, but it blossomed into a best friendship during their junior year of high school when they bonded over makeup. Daedra has been a witness to the unfolding of Maddi and John's love story from its inception. Over the past nine years, through laughter and tears, highs and lows, Daedra's most cherished memory of her and Maddi is their first Halloween together. They dressed up for a party that quickly got busted, and they may or may not have accidentally hit Maddi's parents' mailbox during their escapade.
Michael Mastin
Groomsman
Michael, Maddi's little brother, is overjoyed to welcome John into the family and finally have an older brother to look up to, in addition to his two older sisters. Mike was only six when Maddi and John started dating, giving him a unique perspective on their relationship. Maddi often joked that he was her "practice child" before Liam joined the family. Mike's favorite memories with Maddi revolve around their special movie Tuesdays and shared dinners at John and Maddi's apartment.
Elizabeth Kramer
Bridesmaid
Elizabeth, the groom's eldest sibling and mother of the flower girl, Madison, holds many special memories of John. Her fondest is the heartwarming moment he was the first to greet Madison and her coming home from the hospital, wanting to hold his niece. Madison thinks of Elizabeth as the older sister she never had. Both Elizabeth and John are incredibly happy to have Madison and Elizabeth as part of the wedding celebration.
Jacob Johnson
Groomsman
Jake and John can thank their significant others for "forcing" them into a night that led to an unexpected friendship. Over whiskey and talk of fatherhood, they discovered a connection that has since grown through shared adventures and some memorable nights they both don't fully recall! Distance couldn't keep Jake away, even with a 9-month separation, ensuring he'd be here to celebrate. As an extra special touch, both he and his wife are thrilled to be in the wedding party!
Mia Johnson
Bridesmaid
Bonding over new motherhood when Maddi was expecting Liam, Mia and Maddi quickly became close friends. Beyond their busy lives as moms, Mia juggles the worlds of numbers as a public accountant and grace as a Cinderella pageant queen. A true highlight of their friendship was their impulsive one-day road trip to Nashville to be in a music video – a testament to their fun-loving bond.
John Michael-Jenkison
Groomsman
From 6th grade through their final days at Wilson Central, JM and John shared a special bond. Their parallel lives continued as they both found love with women from Missouri and coincidentally welcomed new babies within just two weeks of each other. John fondly remembers their prom night as a senior highlight. Maddi and John feel incredibly blessed that he could join them for their wedding celebration.
Natalie Holloran
Bridesmaid
Natalie was Maddi’s very first friend when she moved to St. Louis, and they’ve known each other since they were six years old. They’ve grown through every era of life together—from playing dress-up and American Girl dolls to planning their future weddings as little girls. Now, Natalie is beyond grateful to celebrate Maddi and John as a bridesmaid on their special day. After their engagement, she shared the sweetest words: “I hope the memories you create growing old together are as wonderful as mine have been growing up with her.”
Sinjin Noga
Groomsman
Sinjin and John have been friends since middle school, after Sinjin’s family moved from Michigan to Tennessee so he could wrestle for John’s dad at Wilson Central. Over the years, Sinjin became like family—often referred to as the “adopted Kramer son”—and has been there for just about every major moment over the past decade. John and Maddi are so excited to have him be a part of their big day.
Kaylen Rice
Bridesmaid
Kaylen and Maddi met while working together at Club Fitness during their senior year of high school and became instant friends within 30 minutes of meeting. Little did they know just how much they’d have in common—even as life took them in different directions, including Kaylen heading to LSU. One of the most special moments in their friendship was when Maddi told Kaylen she was pregnant—only for Kaylen to respond, “Me too.” Their babies ended up being just four weeks apart, and since then, they’ve shared even more than just the bond of being age-gap siblings. Kaylen’s favorite memory with Maddi is from the night of Maddi’s 18th birthday, when they stayed up for hours talking and laughing about everything and nothing. These days, their hangouts may be a little less frequent, but they always pick up right where they left off.
Jared Johnson
Groomsman
Jared is one of John’s former college wrestling teammates who quickly became a close friend. They bonded over their love of wrestling and beer—and the rest is history. Jared has been there since the very beginning of Maddi and John’s relationship and has watched them grow into the people they are today. One of John’s favorite memories with Jared is the night he, Maddi, Dillon, Jared, and Tyler went to Mandarin and ended the night with breakfast at Gingham’s. He’s seen it all, and Maddi and John are so grateful to have him by their side.
Denise Damian
Bridesmaid
Denise and Maddi became fast friends seven years ago after meeting through a mutual friend—and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They quickly bonded over their love of pickle shots and the chaos of big families. One of Denise’s favorite memories with Maddi is the night they decided (shoes in hand, laughing the whole way) to walk from Main Street in St. Charles to Ameristar. It may not have been their best idea, but they had the time of their lives—and ended the night with a well-earned midnight meal at Gingham’s.
Liam Kramer
Ring Security
Liam is Maddi and John’s one and only sweet boy. He loves cars, trucks, wrestling with Daddy, playing baseball, going on Disney adventures, and joining Mommy for Target and Starbucks runs. Maddi and John feel so blessed to have him be a part of their big day!
Maddy Kramer-Thompson
Flower Girl
Maddy is John and Maddi’s niece and a big reason their story began. Maddi first messaged John after seeing a photo of him holding baby Maddy and his dad’s puppy—because who can resist puppies and babies? Maddi has loved watching Maddy grow up, from helping her walk across the porch to painting Uncle Johnny’s toenails and going on nail salon dates. John’s favorite memory is playing ball with her when she was little. They are so happy Maddy agreed to be their flower girl—with a little help from pink Starbursts and a pretty dress!
