Alexa & Matthew
Wedding Party
Kirsten Kortebein
Bridesmaid
Alexa and I met while lined up in gym class at Upton Middle School in St. Joe—alphabetically fated to meet thanks to our last names being “Kortebein” and “Kroonblawd,” and the fact that (at least back then) Upton loved to organize its students alphabetically. And thank goodness they did! Throughout the years, our friendship has taken us from Upton Middle School through high school, college, and across the Atlantic to the Czech Republic, France, and Denmark. It turns out that time and distance have nothing on our friendship—in fact, it has only made it stronger and will surely only bring us more adventures and memories together.
Dustin Robinson
Groomsman
Here's the wedding party safe version: Matt and I met at a party of mutual friends in The Hague. A quick g'day transitioned into us ignoring everyone else and having an hours-long discussion on our shared love of Vegemite and all things food, geeking out on weird business jargon like the nine-box grid, Australian rock bands, and our love of travel. Next thing we knew we were in an Irish pub at 3AM watching a televised boxing match. The bromance has continued ever since. Today I live in Amsterdam with my wife and two chonky cats, but Matt and I keep in touch through a mix of regular city trips to each other and online video game sessions where we get repeatedly, shamefully, mercilessly crushed by teenagers who call us old.
Holly Kuck
Bridesmaid
We met in the Hallway of North C. Our roommates were asleep as we awkwardly sat kiddy corner from one another. We finally said hello and started sitting together watching YouTube videos and playing WOW. We became best friends. Alexa has always been a friend I could rely on to be there for me. We lived together after graduation then Alexa moved to the CR shortly after. It was a long distance friendship and difficult to always connect. No matter how long it might have been since we last caught up it always felt like no time had passed at all. Love you!
Colin Reagan
Groomsman
Matt and I met first as colleagues at the canteen lunch table in back in 2017, right after I’d relocated to the Netherlands. We quickly became friends after Matt invited me to a BBQ at his place in Den Haag and the rest is history. Shortly after, Matt relocated to Amsterdam and after too many trips to Waterkant and the Avondmarkt, our friendship was solidified. Matt and I traveled Europe together and made the most of our time as neighbors in Amsterdam, while still keeping it real(ly professional) at the office. I moved back to Southern CA in 2022 with my girlfriend Aimee. Can’t wait to get Matt and Alexa married - love you both!
Paige Neirman
Bridesmaid
Alexa and I met my first week at Grand Valley back in 2009. She had moved in a week before and we met through a mutual new friend who lived down the hall from her. We remained close throughout college and only continued to grow closer after. From surviving a snowpocalypse together to getting dinner at Angels to New Year’s Eve downtown to taking a post college spring break trip to Florida there are so many treasured memories that the list could go on and on. I have been lucky enough to visit her twice since she moved to Prague. The first time for only 30 hours after a work trip to Germany; she is an amazing tour guide and we hit all the main attractions in a day. The second for a week where I took her on her first ever ghost tour and we got to spend her birthday together. Though our friendship currently spans continents it will forever stay strong. I look forward to every time she comes home and our tradition of picking her up from the airport and driving her back to St. Joe because even if we are in a car, I cherish any time I get to spend with her. Though we don’t get to talk as often or see each other as often as we would like I will always love this girl to death and she will always be one of the most important people to me. And now I could not be more honored to stand by her side as she marries the man of her dreams. Love you! Take care of our girl for us Matt!
Adam Stieger
Groomsman
Matt was one of my first high school friends. We would play handball on our lunch breaks and soccer or cricket on the weekends. We often rocked up to school early to play tennis against each other. In the afternoons we would spend countless hours hanging out at the local shops. We attended the same university and supported each other throughout. Our conversations about our hopeful future graced the local internet gaming cafe, pool hall and noodle bar. I would say I spent more time with Matt in the first 7 years after high school than anyone at that time. If I ran into a mutual friend they would often ask "Where is Matt?" I'm fairly certain at some moments both our sets of parents thought they had adopted a second son. We have travelled to parts of Asia and Europe together and have inside jokes that will last until we die. Having spent all this time with him I can confidently say Matt is the kind of person who will celebrate the best moments of your life with you but always be there in the tough times too. He is a true friend. I had the pleasure of meeting Alexa last year in Australia. I could instantly tell they are a great couple as Matt is his true self around her. He will be a good husband to her and an even better friend.
Lauren Neill
Bridesmaid
Hi everyone! I’m Lauren, and I’m thrilled to celebrate our beloved Alexa and her upcoming marriage. Our friendship began in college through our sorority, where we bonded over our shared love for adventure. After studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, and Alexa returning from China, our connection deepened. So much so that Alexa decided to follow in my footsteps and study abroad in Valencia the following year—great minds think alike! One of my favorite memories with Alexa was when she captured a special moment in my life. As I introduced my now-husband to Valencia, Alexa was there, hidden in the bushes with a scarf like a nosy grandma, filming his proposal! Her presence made that moment even more memorable, and now she’ll always be my babushka. ;) Our adventures may have evolved from college nights out to more grown-up escapades, but our love for exploring new cultures and enjoying great food remains strong. While Alexa explores the other side of the big pond, I’m living the suburban life in the Chicago area with my husband and two energetic boys. My daily mission? Convincing Alexa and Matt to move to the Windy City so our adventures can continue with a touch of Chi-town flair! Having had the honor of Alexa standing by my side on my wedding day, I’m truly thrilled and honored to stand by her as she marries her forever partner. Here’s to celebrating our beautiful friendship and the start of an amazing new chapter for Alexa and Matt!
Dan Kelly
Groomsman
Matt and I met through our mutual friends in the mid noughties. We went to different schools, but Brisbane although there are 2.7 million people living in the area, can feel like quite a small town. This is primarily because people never leave (Matt didn’t get the memo)! Almost every interaction you have at work or in your personal life has to take into account the fact that this person might know your sister-in-law or your next-door neighbour is their doctor. I was a bit aimless at that stage in my life, but I loved any chance to do nothing and converse with a good mate. We ended up being a bit of a support for each other. Sometimes serious chats, many times not. We would talk for hours on the back deck, often with my sister. It was truly one of the best times of my life, as simple as it was. Matt has always been there for me, so it will be a great pleasure to be there with him on one of his most important days. I am so pleased he has found someone as lovely as Alexa to share the rest of his life with.
Leah Schlossman
Bridesmaid
Alexa and I met at a party in 2018, where we were both with formally significant, now insignificant people. We felt like a friendship could form, but those people told us we would never see each other again. However, within a week, we were already dancing to 80s and 90s music together. Since then, we have been inseparable. Travelling, going to concerts, dinners, wine in the park, playing dungeons and dragons, and allowing me to be a third wheel with her and Matt. I'm so lucky that she's my best friend and now he is too.
Nat Bougoure
Groomsman
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Matt since year 9, and our friendship has only grown stronger through high school, university, and into adulthood. We’ve shared incredible experiences together, from traveling to Japan with our fellow groomsman Adam to countless late-night gaming sessions. Through every major milestone in our lives, we’ve been each other’s biggest supporters. Meeting Alexa for the first time in Australia was a special moment; I’ve never seen Matt happier. I’m excited to celebrate their union with all the people who mean the most to them.
Jen Squires
Bridesmaid
Alexa and I became friends during our Grand Valley days, and our friendship has only grown stronger since. We met through our sorority and eventually became roommates after college. It was during this time that we discovered our shared love for cats, with Apollo and Ivy becoming tolerable friends. We spent countless nights together, whether chatting over cocktails and dancing or having cozy pajama parties with movies. Alexa has such a loving spirit and brings smiles to everyone around her. Even though there’s now some physical distance between us, we do our best to stay connected and keep up with each other’s lives. I was so excited to hear about Matt, and watching their adventures and love story unfold has been such a joy. I’m beyond thrilled to stand by their side and celebrate their marriage—this is truly going to be one for the books! Love you both 🙂
Mikey Newsome
Groomsman
I met Matty many moons ago, when we were both in our early 20's. We were working FIFO (fly in, fly out) to a desolate mining town from Brisbane. It was here that we first forged the beginning of a beautiful friendship, that would endure over the many years that we both lived in Europe (myself in London, Matt in Amsterdamn). My fondest memory of Matty is flying into amsterdamn (and into Europe for first time) to be greeted by Matt at the airport with a fun, euro specific gift bag, and a hire car. We then proceeded to drive to a drop zone and do matt's first ever skydive! Matt has an infectious energy and a heart of gold, and I'm so happy he has finally met his equal.
Samantha Mackay-Forton
Bridesmaid
More than a decade of history Why she’s friends with me remains a mystery, Our time together began in our sorority, Since then, spanning oceans- we’ve remained a priority. Early on, we sang songs and went to bars Now, we share sunsets, tattoos, and jamming to t swift in the car. We do everything together Many storms of life we have weathered The late nights that turned into mornings, Our times together are never boring. We share our love for adventures, both big and small Yet, we have some differences- she’s short, I’m tall. But now she’s found her love in Matt, Forever together they’ll raise their cats. Her heart is big, always full of joy and love, Always making sure everyone is taken care of Matt- I hope lucky is how you feel But just so you know, we’re a package deal
Michael Dunn
Groomsman
I met Macca at soccer when we were 15. I used to nutmeg him a lot at training and we bonded over it. We continued our friendship into adulthood and he’s been one of my best mates ever since. *Note from Matt: The nutmeg roles were reversed in reality
Lilly Hettig
Junior Bridesmaid
I'm Lilly Hettig. I am Alexa's niece, who is 14 years old. I live in St. Joseph with Alexa's brother (my dad) Neil. I am an 8th grader at Upton Middle School, which happens to be the same Middle School Alexa went to. I always look forward to my aunt coming to visit, and am hoping she and Matt will move closer some day so we can see each other more often. One of the things that reminds me of Aunt Alexa is when I find some of her clothes or accessories in my room. Aunt Alexa gave me a whole bunch of her clothes that I wore to school all the time in 4th and 5th grade. This will be the first wedding I'll have ever participated in, so I am very excited. I'm looking forward to getting my new dress! Love you Aunt Alexa!