Maid of Honor
Rachel is Jessie's younger sister. Effortlessly cool and a fellow Swiftie, Jessie and Rachel did pretty much everything together growing up. Whether it was a travel softball tournament, swim meet, or now completing a Century Ride from 2,000 miles away, Jessie can always count on Rachel to follow through and tell it like it is. Jessie should have listened to her more growing up, especially when it came to questionable hair and fashion choices (Did I mention Rachel is easily the more stylish sister?) No doubt with Rachel as Jessie's right hand woman on the wedding day, things will go off without a hitch.
Best Man
Mike and Michael have been friends since the 6th grade, quickly forming a lifelong bond under their self-proclaimed title of "Team Mike." Mike has been not only one of Michael's greatest supporters, but also one of his greatest challengers, pushing Michael to try new things and go all-in on the things that matter. From physics class projects to cross country running (it's still up for debate who won the sprint to the finish line in the high school championships), Mike's passion for life has played a big part in who Michael is today. Mike is an accomplished PhD chemist, avid skier & snowboarder, proud husband to Julie, & dog-dad to Helix.
Matron of Honor
Michelle is Jessie's closest childhood friend. There are few experiences that Jessie and Michelle haven't had together. Whether it was all those summers lifeguarding at the pool, stealing the show at a church production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, or multiple visits to Nashville, Jessie and Michelle have had the most exciting adventures together in their 20+ years of friendship. They owe it all to the basement dance parties, Family Feud marathons and music festivals. And perhaps most importantly, Wendy's.
Groomsman
Ben is one of Michael's first-ever friends, having spent nearly every summer together at Ten Mile Lake since they were born. In a most-cherished tradition, Ben & Michael make the annual trip up north to connect, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of nature. When they were young, Ben and Michael learned to water ski together, built card houses out of every deck they could find, and watched for shooting stars from the dock. Now a bit older and (hopefully) wiser, these time-honored practices continue, though the falls on skis make bigger splashes and dock time is usually accompanied by a cold beer.
Bridesmaid
Stacey is one of Jessie's best friends from college. They both were Elementary Education majors, and both know the value of a good Yard Sale. Two things to know about Stacey, she runs on Dunkin' and Thin Mints are everything. Stacey is easily one of Jessie's most patient and forgiving friends, she would like to apologize to Stacey for distracting her all those nights in Peabody Library when they should have been working on papers. Being an Enneagram 9, Stacey is the ice to Jessie's fire. She knows how to keep everyone around her cool, calm and collected, something that Jessie is going to need on her wedding day.
Groomsman
Alex became Michael's brother-in-law 5 years ago when he married Laurie, Michael's younger sister and one of Jessie's bridesmaids. In fact, it was at that wedding that Michael and Jessie danced the night away and began their relationship (thanks, Alex!). Since then, Alex and Michael have grown closer every year through family trips, holidays, visits, video chats, and making sure Laurie stays happy (you don't want to see her upset, haha). Alex's engineering skills have never ceased to amaze Michael, ranging from diagnosing a broken boat engine to setting up a smart house with LED lights and speakers. There is no doubt his abilities have passed along to his son Wyatt, who is already building tupperware towers before age 2.
Bridesmaid
Liesel is one of Jessie's best friends from college. They actually met before attending Vanderbilt. on a campus tour. It wasn't until their sophomore year that they were introduced by Liesel's sorority big after Jessie's show that they became friends. From there on, they made up for lost time, studying together, navigating choir drama together (remember Liesel wasn't in choir but still had to deal with it) and making multiple trips back and forth across the Alabama/Tennessee state line. The unofficial photographer of the group, Liesel has some of the best pictures from college and beyond, and some that should never see the light of day. Jessie cannot wait to see what she captures over the wedding weekend.
Groomsman
Harrison, or "Kirky" as Michael calls him, has been a big part of Michael's life since they were placed in nearly all of the same classes their freshman year of high school. Bonding over their love of sports, video games, and alphabetically similar last names, they became instant friends. During Michael's time living in San Francisco, Harrison's visits for lunch would often turn into all day walks around the city, covering rolling hills, interesting neighborhoods, and every topic of conversation they could think of. Living even closer together now, Harrison and Michael spend time racing against each other on stationary bikes, celebrating an occasionally decent shot on the golf course, and enjoying the finest cuisine available at Chipotle.
Bridesmaid
Agie is one of Jessie's best friends from college. They met in their first year orientation group, and their friendship continued on even after they stopped going to their group meetings. Jessie and Agie were both Elementary Education majors and in the soprano section of the Vanderbilt University Concert Choir, so their friendship really solidified as they power walked across campus for 4 years to be at rehearsal on time and then tried to talk to each other when the director wasn't looking. He eventually separated them. Jessie and Agie have both taught 3rd and 2nd grade (during the same school years), so she remains a constant collaborator for educational best practices and sounding board for opinions on Broadway musicals and RuPaul's Drag Race.
Groomsman
Matt and Michael met during tryouts for Vanderbilt's cross country team and became lifelong teammates and friends that day on the track. They were roommates the next three years of school and did everything together. Slicing a watermelon with a machete? Yup. Building a functional catapult? Sure did. Sleeping until 5pm on a Sunday and then going for a run before dinner? You betcha. Matt's infectious sense of adventure has taken him to the jungles of Guatemala, international rankings as a professional triathlete, and Ohio's largest outdoor climbing wall (where he's a regular). Today as a science teacher, Matt brings his ingenuity and energy to the classroom, though it's only a matter of time before he is called out to discover relics like Indiana Jones.
Bridesmaid
Laurie is one of Jessie's best friends from college. She and Jessie met at the auditions for Vanderbilt Off-Broadway's production of Urinetown (terrible name, great show). They went on to be in multiple shows together, and traveled across the country in the Vanderbilt University Concert Choir. Laurie made sure Jessie was always at rehearsal on time and hydrated. Jessie proclaimed one night to Laurie that she would marry her brother, so pretty much thanks to Laurie, y'all are here. Jessie is so thankful that Laurie isn't sick of her yet, and is so excited to be Tia Jessie to her son as he grows up.
Groomsman
Bill is Michael's cousin and constant source of inspiration. Bill is a West Point graduate & Army veteran with two masters degrees, a successful career, and a lovely family with three amazing kids. Beyond Nordlund family reunions, Michael and Bill really got to know each other over the 5 years that they both lived in northern Virginia. Happy hours, dinners, parties, and more were spent together - even a round of golf teeing off next to (then) President Obama! Having Bill and his wife Cassie nearby as Michael began his career and first steps as a real adult was amazing and filled those years such fond memories. Coincidentally or destined by genetics, Michael has followed Bill's career path from government to consulting to tech and couldn't be happier.
Bridesmaid
Tiffany is one of Jessie's best friends from college. Tiffany was always down for a night out on the town or for a chill night ordering too much Domino's pizza and garlic knots. Tiffany was also an Elementary Education major with Jessie, so they spent countless nights in the library bothering Stacey and procrastinating work (Agie had some sense and studied away from them). When it comes to Jessie and Tiffany, no topic is off limits in their friendship. Jessie can always count on Tiffany to pick up the phone and talk with her for hours on end (no really, hours) and has been such a support during the wedding planning process. Fun fact, Jessie was there the night Tiffany met her husband!
Groomsman
Pete is Michael's cousin and youngest college friend. That is, Pete is 9 years younger than Michael and grew up in Nashville just a couple of miles from Vanderbilt campus where Michael was in school. Pete and Michael spent a lot of time hanging out together those four years and have continued to find ways to see each other from coast to coast. They have completed two Tough Mudder races together and are in a perpetual state of planning their next run through the mud, obstacles, and electric wires. Often in the form of movie quotes (Very Nice!), Pete and Michael stay connected through long chats on the phone, in kayaks, or during Michael's trips to Nashville.
Bridesmaid
Rachel is one of Jessie's best friends from high school. Before they both ventured south for college, Jessie and Rachel did virtually everything together for 4 years at York Community High School. They survived honors science classes together, played years of travel and high school softball together, and were there for each other when their hearts got broken by dumb high school boys. They managed to road trip to see each other multiple times, and danced in every kind of bar you can think of. A fun fact, Rachel's wedding was Jessie and Michael's 2nd date.
Groomsman
Matt is Jessie's brother and Michael's soon-to-be brother-in-law. His quick wit and eye for style have made Matt a go-to for both Jessie and Michael on numerous decisions for the wedding and in life. Michael and Matt have bonded over their shared experience in procurement consulting and around the table at numerous Thanksgiving gatherings. Matt's fun-loving personality is evident as he spends time with family & friends at some of the coolest spots in Chicago. Michael is so excited to call Matt family!