Wedding Party
Megan Reynoso
Officiant
Megan and Madison met in high school when Samantha Thorse and Megan's sister, Anna were graduating and set them up on a friend date because they were heading off to college and didn't want us to be lonely. The rest was history. They carried their friendship to CU Boulder, living together for four blissful years (Megan still holds the cake for the best, and cleanest, roommate Madison's ever had--sorry Matt!). Those years included many late-night chats, popsicles, matching Christmas sweaters, and even a cat. Madison has felt like Megan is the sister she never had: her favorite dance partner, her sounding board, and confidant. She's the first person Madison turns to when there's a big moment in her life, so it's no surprise that she was there the day Matt and Mads met, and was the first person Madison called after their first date! They've had so many adventures over the years, including but not limited to: music festivals, skiing, hut trips, backpacking, road trips, and more recently, rafting! Madison had the honor of officiating Megan and her husband Steve's wedding last summer and is so happy Megan agreed to return the favor!
Keagan French
Officiant
Matt and Keagan met at SUNY Plattsburgh during an outdoor orientation program called Odyssey. They didn't nail first impressions. But once snow flew, they bonded over exploring Jay Peak and Whiteface Mountain. In hindsight, they were tolerating each other in the name of rides and mutual adventure. But somewhere on the roads and slopes of Northern New York and Vermont, they became friends. Over the 15 years since, their adventure affinity has taken them to Nepal and India, Scotland, Japan, and beyond. Matt officiated both of Keagan's weddings (to the same woman, hi Kelly) and, fittingly, found himself in the right place, right time to meet Keagan's daughter Aspen during her first few hours of humanhood (a fact he will repeat to her far too many times in the future). Keagan is widely credited, if you ask him, with orchestrating the entirety of Matt's current existence, from his job to meeting Madison to moving to Salida. Meanwhile, Matt is the only reason Keagan, or anyone for that matter, heard about Colorado in the first place.
Julia Davenport
Maid of Honor
Julia (juje) and Madison met in Buddy Werner ski racing when they were 5 year's old. Madison is an only child, but she loved spending time with the Davenport clan as a kid. With them, she fondly has many core childhood memories: beanie baby wars, ski trips in their van (learning that TBell did in-fact have vegetarian options), Cool Runnings viewings, and rolling the dice with Julia's car-sickness (sorry juje, it remains a core memory). Madison & Juje were two peas in a pod. They spent hours making up songs on chair lifts and creating their own ski runs (getting a rescue from ski patrol only once). As they got older, they remained close. It's been an adventure (or series of shared misadventures) in the almost 30 years of friendship in the years since those first turns on the hill. Julia has been there through thick and thin over all of the years; dozens of concerts; miles traveled; moves; matching tattoos; hikes (hikes never completed because of wrong turns); hospitals; babies; weddings; wedding crashed; parties; and everything in between. Madison couldn't imagine this day without Julia by her side.
Joe Peluso
Best Man
Although you may not believe it, Joe and Matt are in fact NOT related. Their resemblance has fooled friends, coworkers, border patrol agents -- even Joe's own mother on his own wedding day. They met as roommates in Alaska, where they shared a swampy bedroom. Matt guided rafting; Joe led climbs and zip tours. In the AA years (After Alaska), Joe moved to Colorado to continue their budding brothership, and the two have never looked back. They've taken avy courses, ski trips, raft trips, and numerous other adventures together. They've also shared major cultural milestones -- like Joe bringing Matt to his first Dave Matthews show and Matt inviting Joe to be his plus-1 to Caaamp's birthday party. Sometimes it seems like Matt and Joe compete over who can say 'yes' more, a quality they both undeniably respect in each other, even when it gets them into trouble. Joe's dog Salmon may be the single creature in this world who loves Matt the most.
Sam Battey
Bridesmaid
When Madison heard that the new attorney coming to the office was a female, liked 'your kind of things--outdoor things' and put "playing (winning) rec league sports" under her interests on her resume, she had a feeling that she and Sam were going to be fast-friends. From their first social outing watching a CU football game with our future husbands Sam and her husband Marco have been our closest Salida friends. Sam is a constant girlfriend: she's Madison's go-to for office chats, the sounding board on legal issues, the person she turns to get drinks after a hard day, or to go for a before-work ski tour. She's a fierce competitor in all aspects of life (including but not limited to the courtroom and the ballfield) and brings passion and enthusiasm not just to the activities we do together, but to our friendship-- I'm lucky to have her!
Ben Lillibridge
Groomsman
Ben and Matt met during SUNY Plattsburgh's freshman Odyssey, and they did in fact nail the first impression. They spent their first semester of college going to yoga, crushing the dance floor at 18+ night (ie, dancing with each other?), waiting out fire alarms to keep watching Sunday Night Football, and cycling Plattsburgh's beautiful downtown. Sophomore year, Ben lived with Matt and Keagan in their iconic triple room, 303E, a time period which charted their courses in more ways than one. Their Japan trip in 2018 stands as an all-time great. Since, Ben has moved offshore to Hawaii, but you wouldn't know it the way he and Matt pick up right where they leave off every time.
Clara Moore
Bridesmaid
Clara 'DJ Cat Scratch' Moore is a great friend Madison met in college. Madison would call them 'fast friends,' but came to find out later that Clara didn't like her when they first met. A continent of separation (first when Madison studied abroad in Ghana, then the next semester when Clara went to Tanzania), and a year later, and friends they became! They bonded over their experiences in Africa and love of bluegrass music. Since college, Clara and Madison have shared countless music experiences: girl's weekends, beer tastings, ski trips, and everything in between. Clara is such a constant in Madison's life: a reliable and considerate friend, who is just the 'yes' woman we all need. Clara and her husband got married in 2024 and Matt and Mads love meeting up for skiing, shows, bowling (!), and festivals with them!
Brantley Beach
Groomsman
Brantley worked at the local ski shop in Plattsburgh when Matt was still in college. During that time, and especially during Matt's bonus years in Plattsburgh, Brant became Matt's ski equipment sensei. Then his backcountry skiing sensei. Then his mountain biking sensei. In fact, you could make a strong case that Matt owes his favorite activities to Brant (even including Lagavulin 16 -- yes that's an activity). Matt has tried to return the favor over the years with custom wall decor, driving a golf cart shuttle for the elder folk at Brant's wedding, providing funcle vibes for Brant's daughter, a Colorado vacation -- but he's still got a ways to go. One thing Brant has not fixed? Matt's golf swing.
Samantha Thorse
Bridesmaid
Sammy and Madison met playing tennis in Grand Junction. Madison fondly remembers being very intimidated by a very good, very loud Samantha during a summer tennis tournament, so was relieved when they ended up on the same high school team instead of as opponents. Madison and Sammy's friendship blossomed over many shared Gurley family taco Thursdays. Sammy became the 'stepchild' Madison's parents never knew they needed: she eventually would accompany Madison's fam on all their vacations: we traveled to Arizona, Vail, and Mexico together. Madison and Sammy remained closed even through attending different colleges and now living in different states. They make a point of trying to get together when they can, and when they do, it's like no time has passed!
Chad Culler
Groomsman
Chad and Matt met in Alaska, specifically during a Wilderness First Responder course in which Matt reveled at Chad's South Carolina drawl. A couple years later, Matt answered emphatically when asked whether he recommended Chad be hired at Powder7. Since, the two have skied and boated deep snow and high water. They've lived together at Chad's castle in Golden. They've chased Billy Strings all the way to Wichita and steak filets all the way to Chad's grill. They've dreamed up custom beer together and spent many nights appreciating each others' appreciation for high quality whisky. The fact that Chad plays a very small instrument, the mandolin, has always made Matt feel more comfortable being his smallest friend -- a fact Chad is allowed to bring up no more than once at this wedding.
Sarah Lacoste
Bridesmaid
Sarah and Madison met at CU Boulder during their junior year. Their friendship really bloomed their senior year when they lived only a block away from each other. They became so close they started showing up to parties wearing the same outfits. They've been to countless live shows, several ski weekends, and recently have come to some of the many CU football games Matt and Mads travel to the front range to see together! Sarah and her husband Brody are always game to travel for a ski weekend or come and visit Salida for a weekend of boating the Arkansas, mini golf, or bowling tossed in for good measure. We love doing life with them!
Jackson Boyle
Groomsman
Jackson started working at Powder7 between Matt's first and second winters at the shop. When Matt returned to Golden in 2017, he and Jackson fell into a delightful Golden, CO lifestyle: work Friday thru Monday, play pool at The Ace on Monday night, ski the next three days. Over the years, there was some bad golf (Matt), bad bowling (Matt), and baaaaaad skiing (both). Fun fact: Jackson is the only person Matt has all-day-heli-skied with two times. But wherever they have found themselves -- Psychedelic Ripple, the Loveland parking lot, Holiday lanes, Applewood golf course, Split Happens, Coors Field -- an undeniably great time has ensued.
Katie Stepleton
Bridesmaid
Katie and Madison have known each other since they were wee children. There is a photo of them on the same Buddy Werner team, although there wasn't much camaraderie between them back then. Then, in high school they reconnected after dating the same boy! Since then, they have been good friends, because as they say, 'dames before dudes.' Madison has enjoyed becoming friends with the entire 'Heil Pile' (her family), spending weekends at their cabin in Carbondale, skiing Aspen with both Katie and her sister Janie, following Katie's adventure to Winter Park, skiing there, and now up to Sandpoint, ID, where she and her husband continue to be bad asses, ski patrollers, and soon-to-be parents! Madison couldn't imagine this day without Katie as they've been through so many walks of life together.
Marco Shaw
Groomsman
Marco and Matt met on a blind date arranged by their partners right when Matt moved to Salida. They immediately bonded over boating, skiing, biking, Broncos, and all things Colorado. Over the last three years, Marco has been a huge part of making Salida (well Poncha, specifically) feel like home for Matt. In return, Matt constantly tries to make Marco spend more money on toys. Making friends as an adult can be a difficult thing to do -- unless you meet Marco. Pro tip: If you can't find him at the wedding, just listen for his giggle. Together they are cling-ons to the public defenders office. Or are the PDs clinging onto them?
Margeaux Prinster
Bridesmaid
Margaux and Madison go way back... all the way to about 1999. They met attending Holy Family Catholic School in Grand Junction, and although Margaux was a year older, they got to know each other through student government, confirmation classes, track meets, etc. Their friendship really blossomed in high school when they both played tennis. They've been good friends ever since. While it's been comically hard to pin Margaux down throughout the years, they've managed to stay connected and catch up when they can, and now, it's great to have Margaux as close as she's been in adulthood now that she's put down roots (for now) in Fruita, Colorado so that we can shred, bike, camp, or get on some water at least a few times a year!
Ryne Willis
Groomsman
Ryne and Matt were both told separately by a mutual friend that they reminded him of each other and would likely get along. From the moment Matt saw Ryne blast a whiffle ball dinger over his fire pit, he admired Ryne's athletic prowess. In short: the mutual friend was right. Gamedays, river days, ski days, deck days, softball -- Ryne is a huge part of Matt's newfound Salida life. He and Molly have been welcoming, fun, and supportive friends from Day 1 (which unfolded on their property, now our wedding venue). No one is quite sure how Ryne stumbled into this little riverside Valhalla, but he did something right!