Laurie & Rob
Wedding Party
Lindsay Butler
Matron of Honor
Lindsay has been my best friend since our Alpha Xi Delta days at Elon University. We got to know each other Sophomore year (at the library studying, of course) and lived together Junior/Senior year. I quickly learned that although this girl was the messiest human alive, she was the best and most loyal friend a girl could ask for. Lindsay was the reason I went to the bar that fateful day in September. If she hadn't called me lame, I would never have ventured to All American and met Rob. For the past decade, she's been my rock, my partner in crime, my foodie buddy (even though she doesn't share her food), and my voice of reason. We have more inside jokes than I can keep track of, which outsiders just love to hear. I couldn't ask anybody better to stand next to me on the big day.
Lee Mynhardt
Best Man
My brother from another mother. Lee and I first met on freshman move-in day at Elon University but it wasn’t until years later that our friendship really developed in Charlotte. We always have a blast together and have gone on some incredible trips: Africa, Vegas, Austin, Napa, to name a few. Lee always knows the place to go and he certainly must have known what he was doing when he dragged me to All American Pub to watch the Panthers game in 2015. I met a very special someone that day… A cultured man, he’s your go-to for recommendations about wine, bourbon, or wild animals. Most importantly, he’s one of the most genuinely good people you’ll ever meet. I’d say he’d do anything for a friend, but in fact Lee would help out a total stranger - I’ve seen him do it!
Ashley Bengtsson
Bridesmaid
Ashley was my sorority rose sister when she was pledging Alpha Xi Delta. We quickly became close friends while eating our weight in Mexican food and realizing we had the same passion for trivia and useless knowledge. Not to mention that Ashley uses old-people phrases, which I fully support. Through the years, I've watched her grow from a fun-loving sorority sister to a bright young woman and wonderful mother. We might not see each other every day, but we always pick up right where we left off like no time elapsed at all.
Tyler Barrett
Groomsman
One of my best friends, Tyler is one of the most reliable and dependable people we know. Tyler and I have been friends for quite a long time and we often have a full conversation with simply a look, sound, facial expression, or some combination thereof. Between the two of us, there are countless inside jokes, hundreds of hours on boats, and sadly not too many remaining hair follicles. And if Tyler’s missing a tool, it’s probably in our garage. Order him a Busch Light and make his day.
Maddie Buchta
Bridesmaid
Maddie was one of the first friends I made when I moved to Charlotte. We met at work and quickly became friends - mostly so she could hang out with my dog, Pippa. We lived together for a year in Uptown and it was honestly one of the best years ever. We ordered Papa Johns weekly, we'd discuss Kate Middleton at length, we pretended like we hated the Twilight series even though we were lying to ourselves, and we loved to hit the town together. When I wanted to move in with Rob, Maddie was nothing but supportive and encouraging. However, I still miss our wine nights! I can easily say that Maddie is a passionately loyal friend and is like a little sister to me (even though she weirdly calls Rob and I "Mom and Dad").
Nick Penning
Groomsman
A two-time roommate and coworker of mine, Nick is nothing if not a loyal friend. He’s kicked people out of bars where he wasn’t even an employee because he didn’t like the look they gave his friend. I didn’t know Nick at Elon and it seems like maybe that was for the best based on the photo-album screensaver on Nick’s computer, which paints a wild picture of his tenure there. He's the reason we are supplying extra Vodka at the wedding. Nick’s the type of guy you always want on your team, rugby or otherwise.
Chelsea Mynhardt
Bridesmaid
Chelsea is probably the reason Rob and I are getting married. After I told Chelsea I thought Rob was "cute," she immediately relayed this news to Rob and took charge and got to planning. She set up our first date, a memorable group date at a country concert (where they serve carafes of wine - who knew!), and she and her husband have been the biggest cheerleaders of our relationship ever since. I got to know Chelsea as I was dating Rob and we effortlessly became fast friends. We share a love of cheese, bubbles, travel, celebrity gossip, and more. I've got more hilarious travel stories with Chelsea than I do anybody else and we still love to giggle and recite them. Besides being a great travel partner, she's also been my rock and the most incredible support system.
Jason Shultz
Groomsman
Dr. Shultz has zero medical training but we’d trust him to take a look anyway. Jason and I were only roommates for a few months, but with so many shared interests, how could we NOT have become brosés? Even though he moved to Miami, every time we see him, it feels like he never left. The goofy shenanigans are endless with Jason and everything he does, he does with laughter. He was even laughing as he wrecked a scooter into a brick wall in Arizona. We can always count on him to make us laugh and you can count on him to turn up the party on and off the dance floor.
Cate Van de Geijn
Bridesmaid
I also got to know Cate around the same time-frame that I met Rob. Cate is an absolute blast and will make you laugh uncontrollably until you cry, no matter the situation. Besides being hilarious and a true master of sarcasm, she's incredibly thoughtful and heart-felt and is a great friend to have "real talk" with. We really got to know each other in Napa when we stayed in a mysterious house in the middle of the slightly creepy Petrified Forest. Our survival sparked a solid friendship ever since! If you want a good chuckle, find this girl on Snapchat.
Dan Williams
Groomsman
Although at first he seems quiet, once you get to know Dan, you’ll quickly learn he’s got a wealth of knowledge about many of the same obscure things I do. In fact, Dan and I spend most of our time together talking about boats, airplanes, or cars. Dan’s the best boat captain around and he helped make me the surfer I am today. Inventors at heart, one of these days, we’ll come up with that million-dollar invention we’re always shooting for. That Coors Light with the tab turned sideways is his; go get him another one.
Mike Grier
Officiant
We met Mike and his wife Beth when we moved to the lake. In all honesty, we wanted to become friends to get closer to their Bernese Mountain Dog, Callie (pictured above...we’re slightly obsessed with her). But once we got to know Mike and Beth - we absolutely loved them! Mike Grier will be the happiest, nicest, and funniest people you will ever meet. Rumor has it that he's incapable of being angry. His kindness, sincerity, and positivity are the reasons why we asked him to marry us. You'll enjoy getting to know him - he's one of a kind!