Ryan & Brandon
Meet the Gang
Brittney Bardin
Maid of Honor
I invited her to my 15th birthday party the same day I met her. Britt and I met in high school and our friendship has only grown since then. When I went a way to Australia for a year she was the only one who came and visited. She was there the day I met Brandon and has been our number 1 supporter from the very beginning. She is an amazing person and it is truly a privilege to have her as my Maid of Honor.
Kalyn Thayer
Bridesmaid
Kay and I met in middle school and have been tight ever since. She is that friend that you are in awe of how brilliant they are. After graduating college she landed an internship in Washington DC for FDA!! Britt and I both went to visit in 2018. She will be flying in for the wedding from Chicago were she is pursuing her doctorate at Northwestern! Can you tell I like to brag about her? any way not only is she wickedly talented she also has a heart of gold. I am so happy to have her stand by my side on this special day!
Stefanie Groves
Bridesmaid
Stef is the wife of Brandon's best friend Jordan. We were introduced at Brandon's company picnic. We just clicked. Especially after playing slosh maze. ( you chug a beer then try to get through a maze... harder than it sounds.) She and I have become very close over the year and I feel very blessed to have her in my life. Her entire family is a part of our wedding! Her beautiful baby girl Brynlee is our flower girl and her husband is a groomsmen. We love the Groves!
Tana Crangle
Bridesmaid
T and I met in 6th grade. Once we met we were inseparable. My family became hers and hers became mine. As we have grown we are not inseparable anymore but we are still a big part of each others lives. She is the friend I can call anytime, anywhere and it is like no time has past at all. We dreamed of our weddings together when we were little and this day would not be the same with out her.
Emma O'Neil
Bridesmaid
Em is my cousin but we are more like sisters. When we were younger our favorite thing to do together was make up dances to our favorite songs and then perform them in front of our family and friends. Em is 6 years younger than I am, and when she was a baby I would carrier her around like she was mine. I used to beg my aunt to let me pick out her outfits. As we grew up together we have still remained close even though we live in different states. Whether it has been years or minutes, whenever I am with Em its seems like no time has passed at all. I can't imagine this day with out her.
Kat Mcintyre
Bridesmaid
Kat also know as Kathleen (don't call her that though if you want to avoid getting gut punched) we met through my Maid of Honor Britt. She and Britt went to college together so when I visited Britt I also got to know Kat. She and I became closer and with her and I both living in Portland we hangout a lot. While Brandon was away in Australia Kat took up the task of keeping me distracted and helping me plan the wedding. She is extremely loyal and I am so so grateful to have a friend like her.
Chelsea Paschke
Bridesmaid
Chel and I met at my first job, working as a dishwasher at a fish & chips place. She was the older and way cooler waitress. She also terrified me. Chelsea is some one who is never afraid to call anyone out. I think that is one of the things I admire most about her. She is also incredibly kind and thoughtful. Chelsea goes out of her way to make me feel special whether that is just texting me to tell me she loves me or bringing me my favorite ice cream she let me know she cares. I am so happy to have her stand by my side.
Noah Moen
Best Man
Noah is the second oldest son in my family and my best man. Fun fact: Noah and I’s birthdays are 6 years and 1 day a part. Growing up together Noah and I have always been close. We had a lot of fun together, especially when we would play football in the front yard. One of my favorite memories was when we were playing with light sabers and I threw it at him, he dodged it and the light saber ended up sticking right into the drywall! We probably both owe our parents a lot in property damages... sorry mom! Needless to say it was a no brainer to choose Noah as my best man.
Jordan Groves
Groomsman
Jordan! AKA Shodan! Husband of Ryan’s bridesmaid Stephanie We met working at Gunderson. We were both starting in the training program and quickly became friends both at work and outside of work. Most people would think we hate each other by the way we interact but we are more like brothers. In fact we are often asked if we are related. It’s amazing having a friend that just wants to go out and do things like riding quad bikes on dunes. After I returned from Australia I found a job welding for a General Contractor in Portland. My new company immediately asked me if I knew any other welders and I of course told them about Jordan And so now we get to work with each other again. He is a sharp, hardworking and damn good welder, I wouldn’t want to work side by side with anyone else.
Anthony Rathbun
Groomsman
Anthony is one of three best friends who I think of as family. We met sophomore year of high school 12 years ago and I knew we were going to be best friends. We were always doing cool things and hanging out. Usually your best friend is supposed to keep you from doing things that might kill you, however Anthony has been responsible for almost killing me not once but twice. They are funny and ended up to be harmless. I won’t go into details but if you see him around feel free to ask him. (“Its a tsunami!”) At the end of the day I can always count on Anthony to be honest, supportive, and to just be himself. I really can’t imagine doing this with out him.
Jon Skau
Groomsman
Jon and I met playing football in 8th grade. Although our road to friendship was slow we became family very quickly. Some of the best times I have had were spending the night at his moms house and playing Madden (the brother bowl!), shooting off fireworks in his back yard, and volunteering at sea fair. I have spent holidays with his family and we even were roommates for a year. He has helped me through a lot of hard times and it wouldn’t have been as easy as it was without his support. We don’t get to see each other as often anymore but that’s doesn’t ever seem to get in the way of our friendship. Having him as a groomsman and as a friend is an truly an honor.
Damon McAuliffe
Groomsman
Damon, groomsman. We have known each other for 13 years, there is no way to sum up our friendship in this. Just too much has happened and too many funny stories to tell! Of all the friends I have I don’t think there is anyone who I have more fun with. Somehow he always comes up with some crazy adventure and you never know what you are getting into until it’s over. You realize this man either made this up on the fly or he is a mad genius and it was all planned out! Damon is one hell of a friend and without a doubt an amazing, trustworthy, and loyal person.
JB
Groomsman
Jarred Burrell also know as JB. He and I met through work at Gunderson. We didn’t work directly with one another but we would hangout after work and we lived with each other for a while before I left for Australia. JB is such a charismatic person. The experiences he has had and the way he tells his stories are entertaining as hell! Did I mention that he recently became a father? So exciting! I couldn’t imagine JB not being grouped in a list of people that have been vital in my life.
Henry Spires
Groomsman
Henry, groomsman. Henry is the younger brother of Ryan. He and I aren’t super close now but I know we will become so as we spend more time together. He and his family have accepted me into the family. From what I have seen and know about Henry, it makes me proud and happy to have him as as a groomsman.
Brynlee Rae Groves
Flower Girl
This little ball of sunshine is a treasure. Once you meet her you will instantly fall in love and want to become a part of the baby B fan club. ( I'm the president ) She is very close to both Brandon and I. We love her so much! She is the beautiful daughter of Stefanie and Jordan Groves. Both are also in the wedding party. I can't wait to see her in her outfit! UGHH the cuteness is unreal!
Max O'Brien
Ring Bearer
MAX! Is the youngest O’Brien at 11 years old. Before I traveled to Australia I knew stories from Ryan’s past about him. Both good stories and bad, but mostly good. I was told that Max would be the hardest to win over. It was no exaggeration! When I got off the plane in Perth I met the entire O’Brien family and I hugged all of them including Max, but Max I could tell, wasn’t having it and wasn’t initially impressed. Very soon afterwards Max gave up and treated me as family. Max to me is a little brother and we went on adventures quite often. So many body surfing trips, PokémonGo quests,nerf gun fights, and call of duty battles. Many of those call of duty battles ended in max getting really upset with me! Haha sore loser! It’s going to be really fun watching him grow up.