Wedding Party
Michael Whitehead
Best Man
Mike is Joe's older brother and best friend for the last 30 years. They have shared many memories together and countless adventures kayaking, canoeing, hunting, fishing and playing video games. Mike has stood by Joe’s side through every milestone and turning point, and Joe is excited to have his brother there with him on one of the most important days of his life.
Kate Lennon
Maid of Honor
Kate and Emily have been best friends for longer than either can remember how it all really started. Growing up in Grafton, they met in middle school and somewhere along the way a friendship that has stood the test of time began. High school brought them too many trips to Taco Bell in Emily’s beloved CRV, late nights studying in the Knott family library, football games and dances, concerts at Summerfest, and eventually trips to Madison to visit (party with) Kate’s older sister that would eventually solidify both of their dreams to attend UW-Madison. It’s safe to say something greater was at hand when they were unexpectedly assigned rooms on the same dorm floor their freshman year. What followed was four of the best years as roommates and memories with a shared core group of friends that got them through all of the highs and lows of college. Post grad life took Emily to Ohio and Kate to Iowa, and their friendship stands unwavering. Kate is thrilled to stand by Emily’s side as she marries her perfect match, Joe.
Daniel Seiter
Groomsman
Daniel met Joe on the first day of their Ph.D. program, and the rest is history. Their friendship has been battle tested by grad school, sharing an apartment during COVID-19 lockdown, and countless Nitty Gritty power hours. Daniel was instrumental in first introducing Emily and Joe, and is thrilled to share this special day with them.
Shelby Olstad
Bridesmaid
Thanks to Smith Hall at UW Madison, Shelby met Emily in 2015 sharing the same floor at the dorm. Two more years of being roommates in college, and another year post grad, locked in their friendship for life. From birds living in the microwave vent for many months to daily cookie taste testings, and holiday baking championship marathons, Joe entered the scene somewhere in between. When Joe and Emily arrived at Shelby’s bakery pop up for the new boyfriend introduction and he left an extra big tip, Shelby was a fan from the start. Shelby is honored to be a part of the big day and support one of her favorite couples and two of the best people ever.
Matt Thomas
Groomsman
Joe was my randomly assigned roommate freshman year at Purdue. Together while surviving calculus, we bonded over many late night conversations ranging from our favorite motivational speakers, alternative sleep schedules, and our thoughts on the best way live life. Since then, we’ve shared so many adventures over the years: two spring break cross country road trips, visiting Madison, hiking in Rocky Mountain, returning to Purdue, and backpacking in CA. Last year, Joe was the best man in my wedding.
Katie Knott
Bridesmaid
I was Emily’s first ever roommate. I think she was asking mom for a dog but got me instead. We could be found playing vet clinic together, performing duets with choreography in the living room (including Avril Lavigne “Sk8er Boi”, Taylor Swift “Love Story” and more), and getting in trouble together when we wouldn’t put our toys away. Mom never understood that our poly pocket airport and resort getaway NEEDED to be in her bathroom for the whole week, but we always understood each other. It was a blessing to grow up with Emily as a big sister to look up to. I was so excited when Emily met Joe and I saw immediately how well they fit together. While I think Emily may have been hoping more for a dog than a baby sister when she got me, I know for a fact that Joe is the partner she was singing “Love Story” about all those years ago and dreaming she would find (Bella is a bonus). I can’t wait for the special day we get to spend celebrating Emily and Joe!
Victor Fernandes
Groomsman
Victor met Joe during their PhD days at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where they survived late-night experiments in the linac vault, questionable coffee and packed-lunch choices, and the general chaos of grad school. Along the way they shared life, pushed each other forward, and somehow grew into functional adults, with Victor receiving more than a little help from Joe. Victor is totally fine accepting that he will never deadlift more than Joe, as long as Joe never dares to beat him in a 100 meter dash.
Jessi Pottebaum
Bridesmaid
I am Emily’s coolest cousin. I think my one year old self heard that Emily was born and immediately thought, “oooh yes someone I can get in trouble with.” Since day one we have been causing problems (orange juice in Grandma’s bread). We always have too much fun together and Joe has really gotten to see that first hand…well kind of, he seems to always get lost when he is with us. I can’t wait to stand next to these two while they get married and to torment Joe for the rest of his days.
Robert Witzlib
Groomsman
Joe and I met in the UW Madison natatorium. The "nat" was where all the strongest people worked out, and Joe was no exception here. Sometimes you'd see this mysterious character in a black sweatshirt, black shorts, and black converse shoes lifting a ton of weight (I saw him deadlift 650lbs once). That was Joe. Or batman as some of us joked. I couldn't count the number of hours I've spent at the gym. But in all these hours I couldn't find a photo of us there. So I'll share another memory where we at least have a relevant photo. A few years ago, Joe and I decided we wanted to learn how to snowboard. Joe was already a good skier, but everyone knows snowboarding looks cooler so obviously, we had to try that. Now us being the confident young lads we were, we knew we didn't need lessons. We had YouTube after all. We soon found out that this was the most painful way to learn. But after a several bruised tailbones, a couple dislocated shoulders, and slamming our heads a few too many times, we actually got the hang of it. So much so, that we were able to shred some gnar at our first real mountain: Keystone, CO.
Mary Quinlan
Bridesmaid
You really never know what you are going to get with your freshman year college roommate, but luckily for Mary and Emily, their experience was nothing short of meant to be. From the Smith hall dorms to now living between Cleveland and NYC, their friendship is the perfect example of no matter how long it has been, things just pick up right where they left off. To be a small part of this next chapter for Emily and Joe is the honor of a lifetime. Maybe one of these years, Mary and Emily will invite him to their annual NYC weekend!
Craig LeMieux
Groomsman
I met Joe in our University weight room in the fall of 2018 while he was completing his PhD and me my undergraduate work at UW - Madison. When I first met Joe he seemed like a very brute kind of guy – big muscles, very strong, and very quiet and to himself – I thought at the time: I think a lot of people didn’t want to mess with this guy. Me being me though I wanted to get to know him! As we got to know each other over the next few years I came to learn he has all the key characteristics of not only a good friend but a good person. I remember when he first told us (his friend group) that he went on a first date with a pretty girl named Emily, and on the date he accidentally fell off a steep ridge on campus and was embarrassed… Clearly it must not have been that embarrassing because here we are! It’s an honor to be alongside Joe and part of this wedding.
Lauren Boettinger
Bridesmaid
Emily and Lauren met living in the dorms freshman year at UW Madison where they spent the next 4 years bonding over a love of Justin Bieber, Wisconsin sports, and Rocky Rococos pizza. After many years of being roommates, a summer turning 21 together, and countless hockey, football, and basketball games, it’s hard to imagine a life without this friendship. Since meeting, every major highlight and life milestone has been celebrated together, and the addition of Joe has only created more laughter and fond memories. Lauren is honored to be a part of celebrating this next chapter with Emily and Joe.
Dylan Knott
Groomsman
As Emily’s favorite (and only) brother, I didn’t know what to expect before Emily introduced me to Joe. But once we met, I quickly realized she had found me a new friend who was kind, intelligent and funny. Joe and I have bonded over the past few years over everything from hiking in Arizona to physics discussions on the fishing boat. Joe even introduced me to new hobbies like strength training, taking me to the Nick and showing me the powerhouse wasn’t as scary as it seemed. I’m incredibly happy that Emily and Joe found each other and I’m even more excited to have Joe as a brother.