Matron of Honor
Alissa’s beloved sister, Emily, is a constant source of inspiration and support. With more in common than they might like to admit, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Alissa's life, always offering a perfect balance of wisdom, encouragement, and tough love. Emily is incredibly smart, down-to-earth, ambitious, and hardworking. Alissa knows she can always count on her big sister for anything and is grateful to have her. Emily and her husband Ben, both Oles, tied the knot September 2023 where Alissa had the pleasure of being Emily’s maid of honor. Emily & Ben currently live in Hopkins and she works as the Vice President of Strategic Programs & Events at United Health Group while Ben is busy building his business, The New Northern, a consulting company focused on tackling climate change and creating sustainable solutions for the future. Outside of the office, the two of them also spend time managing their cozy and quaint AirBnB property in Brainerd, MN.
Best Man
Niels is one of Thomas’ best friends — he's not only one of the reasons Thomas entered medical school, but he's also the culprit behind some of the most memorable distractions in college. Now, he's conquering the medical world in San Antonio with his wife Annika as an internal medicine resident saving lives.
Bridesmaid
A cherished childhood friend, Katie and Alissa first met in elementary school through Dimensions Academy (DA), a gifted & talented educational program for students in the Bloomington School District. Soon after joining DA, Alissa and Katie quickly formed a bond that would last a lifetime. From state national history day projects to clubbing in Scottsdale and even river rafting unplugged in Idaho — Katie and Alissa have had countless adventures together at every stage of their lives. Katie is the perfect combination of brains, wit, and style—our real-life Barbie, with beauty, intelligence, and everything in between. And if you’re lucky enough to catch her in the right element (chatting with another fellow Brit), you might even get to hear a glimpse of her authentic British accent, which no, she cannot turn on by demand, no matter how often our friends ask. Currently, Katie is an internal medicine resident in Visalia, California, and is pursuing a specialty in Dermatology.
Groomsman
In a world of constant NBA debates, Graham is Thomas’s go-to for a good sports argument, even if half of Graham’s takes are questionable at best. Graham and Thomas clicked instantly in medical school over our shared love of basketball, similar taste in music, and Bill Simmons, not to mention workout plans that are probably a little too ambitious for us. However, Graham has never faced a challenge he couldn't overcome by gritting his teeth or bringing a little more 'can do' attitude. He’s now a neurology resident at Rush in Chicago, continuing to challenge both his body and mind.
Bridesmaid
In 3rd grade, Alissa accepted a random invitation to Miranda’s birthday party not knowing that it would be the start of a life-long friendship. As one of Alissa’s earliest friends, Miranda has been a constant through every phase of Alissa’s life, and together, they’ve shared countless memories and adventures. Together, they share a deep bond built on years of shared experiences and genuine friendship. Miranda is a go-to companion for anything and everything and she has an irreplaceable sense of humor, making every moment with her memorable. She has a rare combination of warmth, humor and authenticity that brings something special to every situation and person she meets. And whether she’s cooking up something delicious or bringing fresh ideas to her work as a Digital Marketing Manager, Miranda’s creative spirit always shines. She currently lives in Richfield, MN with her husband Ryan and their sweet golden retriever, Tilly.
Groomsman
Camden has been one of Thomas' best friends since high school, and is coincidentally the friend Thomas most loves to beat at fantasy football. Despite Thomas's winning streak, Camden's friendship remains undefeated. Thomas and Cam also share a love for Assassin’s Creed, basketball, and football. He now works as a laboratory technician at Mayo Clinic and lives in Rochester with his girlfriend, Irma.
Bridesmaid
From co-founding St. Olaf's Women in Business club to playing lacrosse, traveling on interims to the Baltic and the Bahamas, and getting into plenty of mischief along the way, Sarah is woven into almost every cherished memory of Alissa’s from college and is a friend Alissa can always count on. Sarah is a fiercely loyal, ambitious, and loving friend with great taste and style. She is humorous and has a personality that’s completely her own — a force to be reckoned with. She also may even take on the title of “matchmaker” for Alissa and Thomas and has encouraged & supported our relationship since the beginning. After a successful career in Investment Banking, Sarah is now following her entrepreneurial dreams with Wishing Well, her own co-founded business venture launching in 2025. She’s married to Jorgen, one of Thomas’ college roommates and groomsmen, and together they live in Minneapolis with their two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Lambeau and Nelly, and their beloved cat, Kitty, who has clearly upgraded since living in Thomas and Jorgen’s college house senior year.
Groomsman
From college bunkmates to running mates, these two have tackled life's challenges stride for stride. Though Jorgen might have crossed the finish line first a couple of times, their friendship remains unshakable. Additionally, he and his wife Sarah were instrumental in Alissa and Thomas getting together. Now settled in Minneapolis, Jorgen works in commercial real estate and enjoys spending time with his 2 dogs.
Bridesmaid
Alissa had no idea she would end up with not one, but two blue-eyed, blonde-haired best friends from Apple Valley—both named Sarah! Sarah De Vries, not to be confused with Sarah (Pellicci) Salveson, is another treasured friend who Alissa shares countless core memories with from college. Sarah D. is an incredibly smart, kind, caring, and dependable friend who Alissa is lucky to have. Sarah’s kind-heartedness and quiet support bring balance and positivity to every situation. Her calming presence and thoughtful nature have a stabilizing influence on those around her, making others feel at ease and supported without needing to say much. While she may come across as composed and thoughtful (which she absolutely is), Sarah has an underlying energy and enthusiasm that shines through when you least expect it. And when her voice becomes the loudest/highest octave in the room, that’s when we know her vibrant personality is making its mark. Sarah is tying the knot with her college sweetheart, Paul, in April of 2025, and Alissa cannot wait to stand by their side. Currently Sarah works in private equity for a renewable energy infrastructure fund and lives in St. Louis Park with her fiancé and their adorable mini Aussie Doodle, Coco.
Groomsman
Shaeker, the only father in the wedding party, fittingly served as a father figure to me throughout medical school, always keeping me on track. We still stayed friends despite his habit of getting crossed up by me on the basketball court. Now, he’s an internal medicine resident at the University of Illinois Chicago, and him and Thomas often spend hours on the phone catching up. He's already retired to the suburbs, and lives with his wife Taryn and daughter Tharani.
Bridesmaid
Always ready for a good time, Maddy is another one of Alissa’s childhood friends who she has become even closer with in their adult years. With her vibrant personality, Maddy is truly the life of the party. Thoughtful, bold, confident and kind-hearted, she’s the kind of person you can always count on—whether you need a listening ear or someone to share in the fun. A social butterfly through and through, Maddy can make friends anywhere and keeps the good vibes flowing wherever she goes. You can always count on her to say “yes” to an adventure and never shy away from a new experience. Maddy currently lives in St. Louis Park and works as an Account Manager at KO Construction. When Maddy isn’t attending some sort of social event or closing deals at work, you can occasionally catch her working a fun side gig at Rush Creek Golf Course, where she’s either charming the patrons (naturally) or teeing off. And for those of you wondering, yes—she’s single, and any lucky person would be fortunate to keep up with this catch!
Groomsman
Noah is unapologetically himself, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Also one of Thomas’ close friends in college, Noah and Thomas made up the famed duo, “Fat-N-Hairy.” This name started as an inside joke, but quickly developed into a team that competed in spike ball and other various games, and evolved into a lifestyle. As Noah ventures into the world of law in St. Paul, his unwavering authenticity remains a beacon of inspiration for us all.
Bridesmaid
Taylor is a steadfast friend who has been by Alissa’s side since middle school. Taylor is thoughtful and introspective, and while she may be naturally reserved (trust me, there’s still some spitfire in her), this is one of the qualities Alissa admires most about her. Incredibly kind and caring, Taylor’s quiet strength and reflective conversations with those close to her serve as a reminder of how meaningful and intentional she is in everything she does. She may not always seek the spotlight, but her presence is steady and genuine, and her friendship is a constant source of support. But don’t be fooled by her calm demeanor—Taylor is scrappy when it counts and will hold her own in any situation, standing strong and fiercely defending what she believes in. Taylor is a practicing lawyer, currently working at Harland Medical Systems, Inc. When she’s not in the office or reading her 10th book of the week, you can find Taylor leading the Bloomington Jefferson Varsity Cheerleading team as their head coach. Currently Taylor lives in Bloomington, MN with her boyfriend, Danny, and their cute hairless cat, Batman.
Groomsman
Connor was Thomas’s partner in crime throughout college, and we had many adventures together. We were usually the last ones at the party, sharing a mutual love for balancing work and play (mostly play). He’s now working as a pharmacist in Philadelphia, but the fun times we shared will always stick with me.
Bridesmaid
Abby is another treasured friend from Alissa’s college years, and their bond grew even stronger when they became housemates during their senior year at St. Olaf. Described as one of the kindest, most selfless, and caring individuals Alissa has ever known, Abby always puts others first with her warm heart and quiet generosity. While her sweet and soft-spoken demeanor might suggest otherwise, Abby has a playful, mischievous side that Alissa grew to know and love throughout college and still cherishes today. Abby balances her career as a software engineer (did I mention she’s smart, too?) with being a proud mom to her adorable son Jamie, who will turn one in January 2025. While the days of spontaneous college rendezvous may be behind her, Abby’s fun-loving spirit and sense of adventure are never far behind whenever she gets a break from the daily grind of being a working mom. Originally from Idaho, Abby currently lives in Eden Prairie with her husband Jimmy, their beautiful son Jamie, and an ever expanding pack of fur-babies (it’s hard to keep track of them all!).
Groomsman
Dylon is unlike anyone else I’ve met—in the best way possible. He constantly surprises me with his unpredictable thoughts and ideas, often shared at unexpected times. Single and ready to mingle, Dyl's unpredictability keeps life interesting for everyone lucky enough to know him. He’s also a recent homeowner and works at the Royal Bank of Canada—a real catch for any lucky lady.
Bridesmaid
Olivia is Alissa’s future sister-in-law and the oldest of Thomas’ three younger sisters. Over the years, they’ve shared some unforgettable memories, from one year of overlap at St. Olaf—when Olivia was a freshman and Alissa and Thomas were seniors—to an incredible trip to Italy while Olivia was studying abroad. They also spent several months living together during the pandemic at the Gossard Family Cabin in Nisswa. Whether it was boating, binging TV shows, experimenting with new recipes, or Alissa and Thomas yelling at Olivia to stop goofing around or be quiet while they were working, those months were full of laughter and great memories. Olivia and Alissa also share the memory of both running the Twin Cities Marathon this past fall (Olivia’s third marathon and Alissa’s first!). Olivia is fun, energetic, and always up for an adventure, and Alissa is excited to officially call her a sister—though she’s already considered her one for years. Olivia currently lives in Idaho with her boyfriend, Chris, and works in real estate/property management in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Groomsman
From childhood teammates to lifelong friends, Scotty and Thomas have shared countless victories on and off the field. Whether they were dominating the court or just chilling in Kasson Mantorville, Scotty's loyalty has always been unwavering. Now, he works as a lab technician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and will probably be (??) the next friend of Thomas’s to get engaged!