Lauren & Matthew
Our Crew
Melissa
Matron of Honor
Where do we begin? Well, I guess 6th grade makes the most sense! That's when Lauren and Mel met - Language Arts class to be exact. Forming a pretty instantaneous friendship, the two have been inseparable ever since (except for living the past eight years across the country from one another). After years of birthday parties, MAC make-up obsessions, wearing matching outfits, Cecil Whittaker's pick ups, weekend hang outs @ Club Del, cheerleading, becoming sorority sisters, heartbreak, sharing in each others success & visits to wherever each other are, it's only fitting that each hold the coveted title of 'MOH' for one another. Mel and Bodie know eachother like the back of their hands and will be in eachother's lives forever. Best friends until the end!
Will
Best Man
Bill is Matt's younger brother and longest friend. Despite being 5 years apart, they've always been close, especially as the family moved around the country when they were little. He is funny, caring, and a great person to talk to no matter how serious or stupid topic. They've spent some of their best times playing soccer in the backyard, video games in the basement, or enjoying a dumb joke Matt has made at Will's expense. Will is a go-with-the-flow type, always able to see the best in others and non-judgemental. Ask him about his love of vacuuming, home brewing, or his upcoming journey to Spain to teach.
Claire
Bridesmaid
Claire Bear. Youngest Bruns child and sister to the groom. And now, most importantly, friend of the Bride. Lauren always wanted a sister .... right ;) But if there was ever a choice in it, Lauren would pick Claire. Sincere, down to earth, intelligent, unique, witty, and thoughtful are just some of the words that come to mind when Lauren describes Claire. These two are yin and yang, yet see eye to eye on almost everything. Whether it's laughing until they cry or having deep conversations until they cry, Claire has been such a blessing in Lauren's life and she cannot wait to create more memories as Sisters.
Nick
Groomsman
Nick and Matt met their freshman year or high school and quickly became the best of friends despite never having any classes together, never playing on the same sports team, and being on opposite ends of Freshman hallway. Nick is fun loving, liked by everyone he meets, and an underappreciated cook. After college, they became roommates when Matt moved back to STL. Nick surprised Matt a day after he moved in and adopted a dog, Thurman Merman, who provided plenty of joy, craziness, and life lessons to them both. Recently, Nick and Matt have done some real estate deals as well, adding another facet to their long time friendship. You can ask Nick about his golf game, one of his house flips, or his horse Yogi.
Emily
Bridesmaid
It's hard to pin point where and when Lauren and Emily met, as it seems they've now known eachother forever. Not only is Emily the new Sister to Lauren, she's the most important lady in Danny Bodenschatz's life and the best Mother of Lauren's niece Michaela and nephew, Nash! She is creative, smart, beautiful, and fun and when she joined the Bodenschatz family, things became a lot brighter and felt "complete." Emily and Lauren both love to laugh (sometimes at other's expense) , love to shop, love to create things, and love people. And although Lauren sobs uncontrollably at every life event Danny has, they are tears of joy as she is so genuinely happy to see her brother so happy and fulfilled. Lauren is ecstatic to make memories as a family!
Danny
Groomsman
Danny is Lauren’s Brother, so while he and Matt haven’t known each other as long as others, their relationship as friends and family has grown quickly. Thanks to Lauren and Danny’s close sibling relationship, Danny shares many of Lauren’s best qualities as a person. He is considerate, hard working, and always down for a laugh, just to name a few. Danny is a great friend to many, so it's no wonder he treated Matt as one from the beginning. Ask Danny about his love for baseball, being a Firefighter/Paramedic, or his new adventures in fatherhood with his Son Nash and Daughter Michaela. (Please keep Danny in your thoughts and prayers: He’s the only person on the grooms side who didn’t go to SLUH).
Jen
Bridesmaid
Sometimes Lauren forgets that she & Zang aren't actually sisters (I mean they are sorority sisters, afterall) Jen & Lauren met when Lauren was a soon-to-be Freshman Cheerleader. Jen was 2 years older, outgoing & bold, took Lauren under her wing & the rest is history. These two have done EVERYTHING together: cheerleading in HS, attending SEMO, becoming ADPI sisters, working together @ Texas Roadhouse, spending every weekend on Wash Ave, roadtrips, getting into trouble, finding a home @ KellyMitchell & turning every get together into a Zang/Bodie family affair. Out of all the memories these two have created, Lauren's fav is Jen driving her to practice in her silver Sunfire blasting Kanye. Lauren loves Jen, is so excited to have had Jen by her side all this time, & to continue it on 10.19.19
Brian
Groomsman
Brian and Matt met their freshman year of high school in math class, and became closer friends through lacrosse, mutual friends, and similar taste in music. Brian’s personality and sense of humor can liven up any setting, and he’s also an empathetic and open minded friend to lean on in tough times. Even though Matt and Brian have lived in different cities ever since going away for college, they’ve always stayed in touch. You can ask Brian about new beers he’s tried, his cat Lucille, or how much he misses his ’86 Camry.
Natasha
Bridesmaid
Lauren gives most of the credit to Melissa for this friendship! You see, Tash was Melissa’s best friend & sorority sister from Mo. State & Lauren had the pleasure of meeting Tash @ one of Club Del’s summer pool days; In the years to follow, the two worked together, made many memories & Tash & Lauren’s friendship grew to great depths. Tash has been another best friend Lauren always needed. Tash is caring, thoughtful, intelligent, witty, a proud Armenian, half wizard, beautiful, a mom of three and a devoted wife. Lauren looks up to Tash and always has. She is everyone’s go-to and someone Lauren can always count on – not easy to find these days! Lauren stood by Tash on her wedding day to Brandon and she is honored that Tash will be there to do the same. It is in Harper’s baby book afterall!
John
Groomsman
John and Matt met in high school at SLUH through mutual friends, but their friendship really took off when John transferred to Mizzou and they became roommates sophomore year. And their friendship continued to strengthen when they both moved back to St. Louis after college. Shout out to to Phillips 66 and Mobile on the Run, because much of Matt and John’s 1 on 1 time has been spent driving to the nearest gas station for junk food, beer and soda. John is a great listener, easy going, and laughs at almost all of Matt and Laurens jokes. You can ask John about his Blues fandom, his passion for tracking the weather, or what movie marathon is playing on TNT/USA/AMC.
Patrick
Bridesman
Lauren will never forget meeting Patrick! They were seniors in HS & both in beautiful Cape Girardeau for SEMO Cheer try-outs. They bonded over being confident in their skills, being extra, & neither of them being afraid to show it! It took one lunch at Mr. Goodcents & a choreographed JT song for the two to be joined at the hip; little did they know that those try-outs would lead to more than the 2 of them making the team for the next four years, they would become best friends. Both have found their “Matts” & the four have a blast together! Whether it’s Matt B being their realtor or Matt G convincing Lauren to come to Disney, the memories that have been made will be cherished forever. Lauren stood by Matt & Patrick on their special day & she is honored to have Patrick do the same for her!
Michaela
Flower Girl
Michaela came into Lauren's life at the age of 2 and has left such an imprint on not only Lauren's heart, but the rest of the Bodenschatz family. She is the most outgoing, cutest, sweetest, smartest, fun little girl that we never knew we needed and now we couldn't live without. Whether it's cute halloween costumes, picking up the cats, playing with the littlest toy creatures, jumping in the pool, Lauren cannot get enough of Michaela. Uncle Matt and Aunt Lauren couldn't be more excited for this girl to be such a big part of their day and the rest of their lives!
Nash
Ring Bearer
Nash is the newest and cutest member to the Bodenschatz family and to say we're all obsessed would be an understatement! Nash is Danny and Emily Bodenschatz's son and has made everyone who has laid eyes on him hearts explode. Aunt Lauren and Uncle Matt cannot wait for Nash Man to be a part of their special day and are so glad he's here for it! They cannot wait to watch him grow up, become a wonderful brother to Michaela, a great and integrous person and a friend to many - all while being completely spoiled by Aunt Lauren!
Jessica
Reader/Program Attendant
Jess & Lauren have been friends for years! They met at SEMO and were proud members of different sororities. Both very competitive and social butterflies, their paths were bound to cross. After running with the same friend groups for a couple semesters, the two always found themselves having a blast together while out in Cape G, making memories and bad decisions. Senior year is when they grew closer and after college is when their friendship reached new limits. Jess & Lauren have worked together, laughed together (too much), cried together & celebreated together. Jess has always been in Lauren's corner and is one of Lauren's most caring & thoughtful friends who loves LOVE more than anyone. Lauren is honored to have Jess celebrate her union by reading about it on her & Matt's special day!
Gretchen
Guestbook/Program Attendant
Sorry to all the other women in Lauren's life, but Gretch is one of Lauren's favorite friends! Gretch & Lauren met at KellyMitchell over 5 years ago (sensing a theme here?) & while the two weren't instant bffs, it didn't take long for them to become close. They were on the same team for years, in a non-competitive role that Lauren kept trying to make competitive, and really grew up together. They took walks around Clayton & had life-changing talks, they went out & had too many drinks, they shared career aspirations, and had the best double date nights. Lauren loves that Gretch is always only a phone call away, usually the one initiating (real friend), is a fellow cat obsessor & someone she can always count on no matter the situation. These two grew from coworkers to true friends for life.
Jimmy
Usher
Jim and Matt went to high school together at SLUH, but didn’t really become good friends till later on. When groomsmen Nick and Jim went off to Indiana University together, Matt and Jim’s became better friends, and they’ve become great friends since they’ve both moved back to St. Louis. Jim cares about his friends and constantly shows it, whether its through a simple text, conversation on the golf course, or out for drinks. Jim is reliable and loyal. Ask Jimmy about IU sports, fun trips he’s recently been on, or things to do in downtown Detroit on a weeknight.
Sean
Usher
Sean and Matt went to high school together at SLUH, became friends on the lacrosse team, and became even closer friends once they both moved back to St. Louis after college. Sean is engaging, witty, always up for a good time and down to try something new. He has been a consistent good friend to Matt and Lauren, even though Lauren always bugs Sean about his new lady prospects. Ask Sean about his growing dentistry business, recent DIY modifications he’s made to his Ford Explorer, or his favorite hang out: Tamm Ave Bar.