Wedding Party
Jes Thome
Maid of Honor
When I was little, my parents always joked that every time I came back from the park I'd have a new "best friend." So, when I came home from studying abroad and told them I met my best friend, I may have been accused of hyperbole, but here we are. Gone are the idyllic days of living off of wine and gelato, but our relationship - like wine - gets better with age. After the ups and downs of traveling multiple continents together and finding fun wherever we land, I can honestly say Jesi is a soulmate (besides Chris, of course).
Tyler Van Guilder
Best Man
Brothers share a special bond for a reason. Years spent growing up together, often while lamenting the restrictions of a shared bedroom or toys or games, forged an unbreakable connection whose strength is only fully realized in adulthood. I am incredibly thankful for the laughs, tears, stitches and love we've given each other over the course of more than 30 years. I could not be prouder of the young man Tyler has grown to be and I am lucky to have such a loving, caring and fun brother with whom to navigate life.
Maggie Smith
Bridesmaid
Maggie got me through quarantine, always answers my random FaceTime calls and even our dogs are best friends. When I began working at Goodwill on the same marketing team as Maggie, we thought we should downplay how good of friends we are. Safe to say, we didn't fool anyone. Maggie knows what I'm thinking before I even say it, and understands my obscure Office quotes better than anyone. She is the yin to my yang and I couldn't be more thankful that we even live only a few minutes apart. The best and most selfless supporter, her adventurous spirit always encourages me to book the next trip and to get outside of my comfort zone.
Matt Waldorf
Groomsman
Matt or, "Coop" as he's affectionately been known since our first year at Saint John's, is quite simply one of the best friends a guy could ever hope to have. We have shared some incredible highs, lows and moments in between yet through it all, he's remained a steady source of wisdom, humor and friendship. Coop's warm, outgoing personality has introduced me to some of the most wonderful people I know, which includes his wife Bridget. Coop is my "Madison Open" golf partner of 12 years and, although we don't win nearly enough, I wouldn't trade the arrangement for anything in the world.
Alex Privette
Bridesmaid
Alex and I have been planning our weddings since we were eight and her dad caught us plotting who our first kisses would be. Growing up on the same street gave us plenty of time to play out our potential adult lives through the Sims computer game. We’ve had lots of time to prepare. Now that she has been married for four years, and I finally changed her last name in my phone, I guess it's my turn. Alex brings a passion for life that is energizing to be around. With her successful photography business, she has been to her fair share of weddings, but I'm hoping ours will crack the top 10.
Dave Goblirsch
Groomsman
People come into our lives under a variety of circumstances and for many reasons. While I won't explain the exact scenario in which Dave entered mine, let's just say he sought some guidance one evening early in his collegiate career with me at Saint John's. That conversation sparked a friendship filled with mutual respect, admiration and curiosity about the world in which we live. I appreciate Dave's inquisitive and unique style and for always being one of my closest confidants and friends.
Brooke Swanson
Bridesmaid
The plot of most funny stories about the Vagues likely involves the Swansons at some point. Brooke and I have known each other since the day she was born. I’m sure I was her favorite visitor in the hospital. Her mom, our officiant, Becky, was partners with my dad at the Woodbury Police Department. I think the fact that we have both had to hear those stories for 25 years, has bound us together for life. We have seen each other at our worst and our best and have always stuck together. We’re the closest things we have to sisters.
Mark Bachand
Groomsman
Mark is the type of friend that every person or group needs but is lucky to actually have. Friends since our first year at Saint John's, we have lived, worked, traveled, golfed and enjoyed a whole lot of life together. Through it all, he has been a steady and responsible hand, guiding me and our closest friends with his understated humor and dad-like wisdom, which is perfectly fitting because he's a wonderful father. I am thankful for the guidance Mark has offered me and the many ways in which he's opened me up to all that life has to offer.
Katy Edison
Bridesmaid
Katy is my mama bear, my consultant for all things style, and an all around amazing friend. She is one of the most generous people I know, and not just because she still stayed friends with me after years of working early morning KSTP parades. As someone who cares for her people deeply, her ability to give advice in a loving manner is something I greatly admire. Katy is always in my corner, and there's no where else I'd rather have her. Her generosity is something that we need more of in the world. Anyone in her circle is lucky to be there and is met with unconditional love and support.
Andy Lebovsky
Groomsman
In many ways, Andy is responsible for the people I surround myself with and the person I am today but he will never admit it. Friends since junior high, Andy and I forged our bond early and, after taking his word for it being a good school, we ended up freshman roommates at Saint John's. We made the same friends, took the same classes, played the same sports and enjoyed many of the same hobbies or ways to simply kill time. Andy's loyalty to his friends is unmatched and I'm thankful for the many ways in which he's helped usher me through life, always with a laugh along the way.
Grant Vague
Groomsman & Musician
Getting to know Grant has revealed to me a person with a seemingly limitless amount of compassion, love and talent. Grant is a wonderful brother to Malory and has grown to be a true friend and brother to me as well. I like to think we even share some of the same humor, even if nobody else thinks we are as funny as we do. Grant is an incredibly generous and giving person in so many ways. In that spirit, Malory and I are very proud and thankful that he agreed to share his musical talent with us and those we love during the ceremony.
Becky Swanson
Officiant
When we started thinking about who would officiate our wedding, it was a pretty easy decision. Becky has known me since I was born - and yes, has plenty of embarrassing stories. When Chris met my parents for the first time, I made sure Becky and her family were there. Upon learning that I was bringing Chris to Alexandria to meet everyone at the same time, Becky's son, Alec, said, "Well that's reckless." The sentiment was probably based on the fact that, after almost 30 years of friendship, we're a tight knit group. But, I knew that anyone that was going to stick around in my life, had to be approved by both the Vagues and the Swansons. The weekend was a hit and the rest is history.