Sarah-Michelle & Caleb
Wedding Party
Jon Bacon
Groomsman
Jon was ranked best pledge in the 2008 Sigma Chi pledge class and the dark political magic cast to pull that off was nothing more than Jon’s work ethic and unmatched selflessness. Jon witnessed Caleb’s gnarly snowboarding crash in 2010, which finally relieved the pair from attempting to pick up the sport at such a late age. Over the years, their brotherhood evolved from a bond among shotguns involving Keystone Light cans to those aiming at clay pigeons, and for the last 15+ years, Jon’s instinct to drop everything to help someone has remained unwavering.
Kristi Bartlett
Bridesmaid
KB and SM met at Camp Texas. Ever since then, Kristi has been one of the people who can always make SM laugh! At the same time, she's a straight-shooter and gives the advice you need to hear. She is also full of random knowledge, given her affinity for a good Youtube rabbit hole. When she is not traveling (Kristi is always traveling to everywhere you want to be), she's that friend who will do the silly things with you. True story: KB once played on the Dallas Cowboys field with SM, which is fitting given KB is a D-1 athlete!
Jennifer "Jenny" Bell
Matron of Honor
Despite being busy with five children, Jennifer will still make the time to bail her little sister, SM, out of terrible situations--which comes in handy when Caleb stops to eat a snack before coming to the rescue. When not taking care of others, she likes to learn, about all kinds of things! Ask Jenny about your "enneagram."
Michael Byerly
Best Man
At the beginning of 2013, Caleb was fresh off the campaign trail and looking for a big boy job on Capitol Hill. A friend mentioned a staff assistant who may be able to help Caleb get a job – Michael was that staff assistant. After a brief afternoon coffee trying to charm Michael into liking him, Caleb invited Michael to a birthday party for a friend that was taking place that night. The two hit it off and remained a package deal for social events the rest of the time they were both in DC. Caleb met Michael looking for career advice, but found a lifelong brother who he’s been able to count on, even though the two have been hundreds of miles apart for the better half of the past decade. From happy hours on the Speaker’s Balcony to New Girl Marathons and family pizza boxes to life advice at the golf range, the two have experienced a lot together, and there’s no question Michael will remain on Caleb’s speed dial for advice in the future.
Ryan Chabala
Groomsman
Ryan’s the guy Caleb calls to go on a trip. From late-night run-ins with security guards in Amalfi to sneaking into Tressor (if you have to ask, you shouldn’t try it), these two have pushed boundaries across the globe. Back in the States, the two are often found planning the next big trip or bouncing ideas off each other – Ryan is getting married about a month after Caleb, so they’re in the same stage of life! Once Caleb reaches a certain level of maturity, he plans to buy a dog so he and Ryan can meet up for a few more hunting trips.
Hooff Cooksey
Groomsman
Hooff and Caleb both studied public relations at Texas, so they had several classes together. However, they didn’t become good friends until they both moved to DC after graduation. Hooff got Caleb his job on the presidential campaign (seems like there’s a trend of Caleb asking people to get him jobs and then calling them best friends) and they later lived together on Capitol Hill. The two developed a brotherhood through brunches that overserved adult beverages, New Girl, and a decade of poor Texas football. Although the bulk of their conversations include different ways to say each other’s names, Caleb has always found wisdom in Hooff’s counsel.
Geena Lepke
Bridesmaid
God wanted Geena and SM to be friends. In high school, these two attended the same information session for a study abroad program in Europe. They magically reconnected during orientation at Texas just a short while later and became fast friends. Ever selfless, Geena made and carried SM's caricature to Abel's for Senior Day while SM was at Camp Texas! These two suffer from the same inabilities--they cannot decipher sarcasm or be on time, but it keeps their partners on their toes!
Monica Li
Maid of Honor
Monica taught SM every “life hack” she knows. She's also the friend with an infectious joie de vivre, who makes the best of it, no matter the situation: pictured is their adventure sitting on the ou side of the Texas/ou game after SM was in charge of purchasing tickets but accidentally purchased them in the wrong section... not pictured is the time these two had so much fun talking on their roadtrip that they ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico around midnight. Monica also taught SM how to dance! She has danced on the same stage as the Backstreet Boys, and can teach you, too @dancetobehappy
Brittany McGee
Bridesmaid
Formidable, but fun! Brittany has, at times, been the enforcer of rules, but as this photo shows, she can let her hair hang down! She is also completely dauntless and actually does everything she dreams of doing: Brittany has lived in foreign countries (counting NYC, which is kind of a foreign country), she has published a book, and she has crossed off more marathons than anyone SM knows.
Stephen Sims
Bridesman
Stephen and SM met at Camp Texas (is there a theme here?). They are the classic example of complementary personalities making the best of friends. SM needs to do Spring cleaning? Calls Stephen. SM needs help sorting through stream-of-consciousness? Calls Stephen. SM needs to film someone doing a belly-flop in order to win a scavenger hunt? Calls Stephen. SM needs to make it somewhere on time? Well, good luck, Stephen! Ask Stephen about his future plan to teach scuba diving in Panama.
Cyndi Lu Lopez Vega
Bridesmaid
Hunting for pine cone boxes. Navigating West Philly. Looking for Franklin, the Costa Rican Uber driver. Convincing Franklin that an off-grid dirt road will, in fact, lead to a waterfall. Dodging a drifting tree trunk within an ocean wave. Yep, most of SM's funniest travel moments involve Cyndi. She is by far one of the most adventurous, creative, and kindest people you will ever meet. You can check out one of her many amazing talents here: @waxie_wax_petal_co
Zach Wynn
Groomsman
Zach is Caleb’s fishing tackle dealer who has known him since before their brains were recording memories. The two didn’t have a whole lot of options for friends in Follett, but man they picked well. They both loved a good joke, so they linked up and spent the first 18 years of their lives causing people problems. After the first 18 years of what seemed like a phase of bad pranks, they’ve continued to be known as the pair that strikes fear into the eyebrows of sleepy, enbibed partygoers. Caleb attributes their long-lasting friendship to Zach’s ability to listen without judgement and always be down for the adventure.