Wedding Party
Emma Kocken
Matron of Honor
Emma and Maddie have been best friends since freshman year of college. Emma has seen the bride through thick and thin, so it isn't possible for anyone else to stand beside her on the big day! Also, despite Maddie having served as maid of honor in Emma's wedding, the two steadfastly maintain that Maddie and Emma, in fact, were married first.
Chris Sullivan
Best Man
The middle of the three Sullivan brothers, Chris is Pat's biggest champion, and closest friend. He knew that Maddie was the one for Pat before Pat even knew he was dating her to begin with. Chris and Pat both love fishing, giving each other a hard time, and calling each other from the bathroom.
Bethany Figiel
Bridesmaid
Bethany and Maddie were literally BORN to be friends - their dads were best friends in high school, and Maddie and Bethany were born five days apart! She also shares Pat's love of late-night cupcake adventures (Designer Desserts in Valpo, anyone?). Sadly, the dolphins she works with at Brookfield Zoo will not be able to attend. Sorry, Merlin!
Shane Bonner
Groomsman
Shane and Pat have been friends since middle school - and anyone who survived Pat through his middle school years obviously needs to be standing up with him on his wedding day. Shane's entire family is now, if anything, an extension of Pat's. We love the Bonner Family Christmas every year! "I hope they're serving ham..."
Cassidy Antczak
Bridesmaid
Cassidy and Maddie became friends through their partners, but since then, they've grown to build their own supportive friendship! Maddie has always been able to count on Cassidy for a listening ear, cuddles with three adorable sons, and jeans when hers rip at a bachelorette party.
Chris Antczak
Groomsman
Chris and Pat first became friends through their confirmation classes back in middle school. They share love of cars, fixing, pizza, and family time. Pat proudly refers to Chris as the "friend that rescues lawnmowers" and other small rusting engines.
John Eric Tiessen
Bridesman
John Eric Tiessen, or JET, is a beloved member of Maddie's college D&D roleplaying squad. All through college, they took turns supporting each other through successes and heartbreaks. Maddie's "roleplaying husband" was the hardest of the gang for Pat to win over! Maddie will always appreciate his protective nature and willingness to ask life's hardest questions.
Mari Tomizawa-Tiessen
Groomswoman
Pat and Mari were the two most recently "adopted" members of Maddie's college squad. Mari was the first to pull Maddie aside and say "this one's a good one" at what became our first annual "Friendsmas" - a tradition Pat inadvertently helped start. Since then, Mari and Pat's mutual love of plants, arcade bars, and anime have only given them more to bond over, and he's grateful to have someone else who doesn't ALWAYS get the inside jokes.
Sydnie Anderson
Bridesmaid
Few would expect an English teacher to choose a former student to be her bridesmaid, but Sydnie is not your average former student. She is, secretly, Maddie's personality clone. We have no explanation for the science behind this, but it's true. Sydnie and her mom, Tina, have become a part of Maddie's "extended Hobart family," and she is forever grateful for them both. Sydnie likes sunflowers, goats, and arguing with Pat about pretty much anything.
Ron Prescaro
Groomsman
Ron is Pat's partner in...shenanigans. Let's just say shenanigans. Ron is known as the only person who can convince Pat to leave the house and have a night on the town. They usually end up at McDonald's, with Pat professing his undying love for either the bride...or Ron.
Connor Healey
Flower Folk
If, ten years ago, someone were to tell Maddie that the only friend from high school she would have standing up in her wedding was Connor, she wouldn't have believed it. Maddie and Connor's friendship has largely been regarded as...impossible to explain, but also impossible to remove. They've taken turns being there for each other and having each others' backs - and his willingness to throw flower petals and make an utter fool of himself is always appreciated.
Heather Mitol
Groomswoman
Heather and Pat have been fast friends for many years - though they have weird nicknames to show it. Heather was regularly regarded as the "only female who would tolerate Pat for any length of time" before Maddie was stubborn enough to stick around. Pat regrets introducing them to each other - now, they like to gang up on him. He'd say he's grateful for her friendship...but that would inflate her ego too much.
Michael Kocken
Officiant
Though Mike and Maddie's friendship originated in a love of D&D, Pathfinder, and...Mike's wife Emma, eventually, they developed a friendship all their own - one based in podcasts...D&D...and Mike's wife Emma. Since Pat joined the "squad" and rounded out the Mike-JET-Pat throuple, they have built their own foundation playing videogames regularly and wearing matching banana pants. Maddie and Pat couldn't agree on who could have him, so they decided he needed to stand in the middle and officiate on their big day.