Wedding Party
Alex Schwamm
Groom
Kayla Mershon
Bride
Cole Schmidt
Best Man
Cole and I have been close friends since childhood, bonded initially by our shared love for hockey. I vividly recall the day we first met, when we were placed on the same travel hockey team. Our friendship blossomed quickly, and we spent countless hours at my house playing pond hockey, video games, and knee hockey together. Over the past decade, Cole has remained one of my closest friends, and I am honored to have him as my best man. Cole has diverse interests including boating, country music, and sports. One of my fondest memories with him is celebrating the 4th of July weekends at cabins, where we would laugh well into the night.
Lauren Mershon
Maid of Honor
Choosing the maid of honor was an easy decision for me. Having an older sister who is only 14 months apart is something I cherish deeply. I often reflect on how our mom dressed Lauren and me as twins when we were toddlers – pink for Lauren and blue for me – a choice that still reflects our personalities today. Lauren has always been the epitome of a girly girl, while I've embraced a more tomboyish persona. Despite our differences, this yin and yang dynamic has made us stronger together. What I admire most about Lauren is her caring nature and her openness, traits she's always shown since we were young (she's also a Pisces, which explains a lot!). I fully expect her to shed tears during the ceremony. Overall, I'm incredibly grateful to Lauren for taking on this role and for her invaluable support throughout the wedding preparations, from fashion advice to handling behind-the-scenes details. I can't imagine anyone else fulfilling this role with such grace and love. The biggest thing that I love about Lauren is that she cares so much and has always worn her heart on her sleeve (she is also a Pisces). So I have expectations of Lauren crying during the ceremony. Overall I am so thankful to Lauren for taking this role and for helping me a lot throughout the wedding process with fashion, trends, and other behind-the-scenes. I couldn't imagine anyone else in this role.
Nate Claeys
Groomsman
I met Nate at summer hockey camps shortly after he moved from Chaska to Minnetonka. While we initially played on similar teams growing up, it was in high school when we truly bonded, especially after taking American Sign Language together. Despite being among the least skilled in the class, we enjoyed ourselves immensely and managed to pass with respectable grades. Nate is the kind of friend you can always count on, ready for any adventure. His humor never fails to brighten my day with his knack for finding amusement in the quirkiest jokes. He's someone I deeply value and cherish as a friend.
Ally Mershon
Bridesmaid
My little sister and I have been inseparable since the day she was born. She's always been the brightest light in any room. Despite feeling the age gap as we navigated different stages of life, we grew incredibly close once high school began. One of my favorite memories from that time is our morning drives to school, listening to radio shows that discussed people's situations and sought advice. Some days we'd quietly listen, while others we'd passionately discuss what we would do in their shoes. I want to express my deep gratitude for her unwavering support, especially for attending all my basketball games across the country. She has been my biggest cheerleader and played a crucial role in connecting with my coach during recruitment. Her insights were invaluable in helping me choose the right college. Now that we live states apart, we cherish our weekly FaceTime check-ins. I treasure the moments we've shared, like when she became my personal tour guide at Disney World. Little sissy, I love you so much, and I'm thrilled that you'll be a part of my special day.
Micheal Ruoff
Groomsman
I met Mike towards the end of high school and looking back, I wish I had known him much sooner. He is perhaps the most active person I've ever met, constantly encouraging me to push myself further. Mike is a thoughtful friend and someone I can always rely on for an exciting adventure or a laughably terrible joke. He's truly one of a kind, and every time I talk to him on the phone, it's a conversation I feel enlightened after.
Emma Grothhaus
Bridesmaid
Emma and I first bonded in middle school while playing summer basketball together, we continued to play side by side until our junior year of high school. One of my favorite memories is when we were roommates in Paris and Amsterdam while competing against their Olympic European team. Since then, our connection has always remained strong, no matter how far apart we’ve been physically. I’m excited to celebrate with one of my oldest friends!
Matt Jennrich
Groomsman
I met "Jenny" in college, right around Halloween. Little did I know that the tall guy wearing a boxing glove would soon become one of my closest friends throughout college. We shared everything from classes at the business school to casual pond hockey pick-up games. Nowadays, Jenny and I often discuss business ideas and strategies, reflecting on how far we've come since those college days. Our shared experiences have only strengthened our friendship over the years.
Bailey Helgren
Bridesmaid
Bailey and I first got to know each other through competitive high school sports. She played at Kansas before transferring to Minnesota for her fifth year, where fate paired us as roommates. I was initially nervous about how she'd perceive me, but those fears vanished the moment we met. Immediately, we clicked and became inseparable, fondly dubbed "Big Body Bails." Late-night talks, coffee dates, and bonding over shows like The Bachelor quickly became our routine. Since graduating, Bailey and I have nurtured a close long-distance friendship. She's visited Colorado to hang out with Alex and me, and has been a pillar of support during both our best and toughest times throughout the year. I'm incredibly grateful for her friendship and the bond we share.
Drew Gilgosch
Groomsman
Drew was the anchor of Jenny's household in Duluth, with a comprehensive knowledge of car brands that surpassed mine. He's a true enthusiast who can drive anything on wheels and has owned more cars than some used car dealerships. Beyond his passion for automobiles, Drew is one of the most intelligent people I know, coupled with a heart of gold. Whenever I visited his house, Drew not only entertained me with discussions about sports, cars, hunting, and life in general but also pushed me to engage in deeper conversations that enriched our friendship. His range of interests and infectious personality always make spending time with him a pleasure.
Zoe Hardwick
Bridesmaid
Zoe and I had been aware of each other from playing basketball against one another over the years. Our paths truly converged in my junior year of high school when she transferred to Minnetonka to play alongside me (because, let's face it, I'm incredible). As both of us were post-players, we formed a dynamic duo on the court. After pursuing our respective dream schools, we've maintained a strong long-distance friendship for over five years. Despite the miles between us, we've relied on endless FaceTime calls and attempted to keep up with texting, even if our mental responses are quicker than our fingers. Our bond has extended beyond friendship; we've become close to each other's families, sharing birthdays, and milestones together. I am incredibly thankful to have Zoe in my life, not just as a friend but as someone who's become a part of my extended family.
Stephen Sopczak
Groomsman
Stephen was quite possibly my very first friend. We first crossed paths in kindergarten and later both joined Cub Scouts together. From our earliest days, we shared a passion for the outdoors, sports, constructing forts, and finding ways to drive our parents up the wall. He's been a brother to me from those early years, someone I've always been able to rely on.
Katie Borowicz
Bridesmaid
I met Katie B halfway through my junior year of college when she graduated high school early and became one of my roommates. I took it upon myself to guide her and help her adjust to college life, not realizing how strong our friendship would grow over time. Whenever we're out together, we always have a blast and dance like no one's watching! Our conversations range from deep discussions to laughing uncontrollably at the most random topics. I'm incredibly grateful for our friendship and how comfortable she is around Alex, letting our dogs bark together. Katie B has truly become a cherished part of my life.
Ben Richter
Usher
Ben and I first met in high school through mutual friends. We quickly discovered shared interests and hobbies. Plus, he's incredibly funny! He's the kind of guy you want at every event because he makes everything more enjoyable. With Ben around, you never know where the evening will take you. He's a dear friend, and I feel fortunate to have him in my life.
Katie Schwamm
Walking Alex Down the Aisle
My best friend since childhood, the person I've always looked up to as a big sister. She never ceases to impress, surprise, and sometimes even frustrate me, but I cherish her dearly. I'm grateful to have her as my sister, and I feel fortunate that she's here today to stand by my side.
Liam Arnar
Usher
Liam and I have been friends since childhood, bonding over our shared love for hockey. We were even teammates for a few years, which was a blast. Liam has introduced me to many of the guys who are now my groomsmen and ushers. Over the years, he's been an incredible friend. Like many of my friends, Liam has a hilarious and uniquely weird sense of humor that I absolutely cherish.
Grace Cumming
Personal Attendent
Grace was the first teammate I connected with at Minnesota. We were dubbed "Iron Sisters" and from that moment on, we always had each other's backs throughout our basketball journey. Over the years, our bond has grown stronger, and Grace has become deeply invested in Alex and my relationship. She's so supportive that she even texts Alex while studying abroad in Spain, teasing him about when he'll propose! Recently, Grace moved to Colorado to pursue her Master's at DU, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have her close by as a friend. I love that Alex gets to be the third wheel while Grace and I enjoy cozying up on the couch together! As my personal attendant, I needed someone I could trust implicitly to ensure my wedding day goes smoothly. I am immensely grateful to have Grace in this role, and I know she will do an exceptional job.
Ash Yacoubou
The Party Starter
Ash has been a cherished member of the Mershon family for over 6 years. He's been instrumental in helping me train during the college basketball off-season. Ash has fully embraced our family traditions, but most importantly, he brings happiness to Lauren. At the wedding, he'll be handing out drinks down the aisle and ensuring the party gets started!