Our bridal party - those nearest dearest us...this is our way of thanking them for having to put up with us over the years. From left to right…
Nathan (best man), Chuck’s older brother. He use to make fun of us as little kids, and tease us incessantly about how girls and boys couldn't be 'just friends'. He was one of the first people we told about us starting to date, and the first words out of his mouth was "it's about time, you two". Having him as our best man pays tribute to the hundreds of times I asked him to drive me home at night when he first got his license so Chuck and I could spend more time together…
Jen (maid of honor), My baby sister. I know it’s not typical to have a 17 year old as a Maid of Honor, but I couldn’t imagine her standing next to me as anything else. To be honest, I despise her at times…we are much too alike for our own good, but through it all, she’s a great friend. She’s making planning this wedding enjoyable and always keeps me laughing, reminding me that I’m not going to regret forgoing the idea of eloping.
Ronnie (groomsman), Our best friend. I met him in my second grade math class, and ever since I introduced him to Chuck a few years later, it's been the three of us. I don’t even know how to begin to explain our relationship with Ronnie…he’s been there for us during the roughest times of our life, and has shared in our happiness over the years - he‘s the brother I never had. He will be giving a toast at both our rehearsal dinner and reception, and not having him there would be unthinkable.
Rose (bridesmaid), Chuck’s baby sister. This girl is my best friend, despite her being 17. She and Jen became friends when they were six years old, and Rose had planned it out that I was going to marry either Chuck or Nathan so the two of them could be related. Over the past couple years Chuck, her and I had become close, between bringing her along on spur-of-the-moment road trips and spending time with her on the weekends. She‘s my partner in crime, and I fully expect her to start bawling up at the alter as we say our vows (she‘s known for crying at weddings). But that’s ok. Cause she’s my Rosie and I can laugh at her as I pull out a tissue out from in between my boobs that I brought up there just for her ;-)
Lori (bridesmaid), My little sister. She’s always been there for Chuck and I - there were quite a few times growing up that she would help us with our little schemes. Once when I was 12, despite being grounded, Chuck came over to spend time with me. I threw notes to him out my bedroom window, and Lori snuck upstairs to bring me notes that he wrote back in return. She’s incredibly shy and afraid of being up on stage in front of people, so the fact that she is willing to do so for the wedding means the world to me.
Christina (bridesmaid), Chuck’s older sister. Christina and I have only recently become close - she was in the Air Force and stationed in North Nebraska for most of our life. When she first came back, she couldn’t believe that her baby brother was dating his best friend, and for the longest time, tried to break us up. About a year later, she finally realized that I wasn’t going anywhere, and decided to try being a friend. Five years later, here she is, a bridesmaid in my wedding. Despite the 9 year age difference, we have a lot in common, and having her in the bridal party is a great help…she’s excellent at pointing out the creative little details that I seem to always miss. She won‘t actually be standing up with the other girls at the alter for personal reasons, but she’s saying several readings for us and is for all intensive purposes a bridesmaid.
Nathan (best man), Chuck’s older brother. He use to make fun of us as little kids, and tease us incessantly about how girls and boys couldn't be 'just friends'. He was one of the first people we told about us starting to date, and the first words out of his mouth was "it's about time, you two". Having him as our best man pays tribute to the hundreds of times I asked him to drive me home at night when he first got his license so Chuck and I could spend more time together…
Jen (maid of honor), My baby sister. I know it’s not typical to have a 17 year old as a Maid of Honor, but I couldn’t imagine her standing next to me as anything else. To be honest, I despise her at times…we are much too alike for our own good, but through it all, she’s a great friend. She’s making planning this wedding enjoyable and always keeps me laughing, reminding me that I’m not going to regret forgoing the idea of eloping.
Ronnie (groomsman), Our best friend. I met him in my second grade math class, and ever since I introduced him to Chuck a few years later, it's been the three of us. I don’t even know how to begin to explain our relationship with Ronnie…he’s been there for us during the roughest times of our life, and has shared in our happiness over the years - he‘s the brother I never had. He will be giving a toast at both our rehearsal dinner and reception, and not having him there would be unthinkable.
Rose (bridesmaid), Chuck’s baby sister. This girl is my best friend, despite her being 17. She and Jen became friends when they were six years old, and Rose had planned it out that I was going to marry either Chuck or Nathan so the two of them could be related. Over the past couple years Chuck, her and I had become close, between bringing her along on spur-of-the-moment road trips and spending time with her on the weekends. She‘s my partner in crime, and I fully expect her to start bawling up at the alter as we say our vows (she‘s known for crying at weddings). But that’s ok. Cause she’s my Rosie and I can laugh at her as I pull out a tissue out from in between my boobs that I brought up there just for her ;-)
Lori (bridesmaid), My little sister. She’s always been there for Chuck and I - there were quite a few times growing up that she would help us with our little schemes. Once when I was 12, despite being grounded, Chuck came over to spend time with me. I threw notes to him out my bedroom window, and Lori snuck upstairs to bring me notes that he wrote back in return. She’s incredibly shy and afraid of being up on stage in front of people, so the fact that she is willing to do so for the wedding means the world to me.
Christina (bridesmaid), Chuck’s older sister. Christina and I have only recently become close - she was in the Air Force and stationed in North Nebraska for most of our life. When she first came back, she couldn’t believe that her baby brother was dating his best friend, and for the longest time, tried to break us up. About a year later, she finally realized that I wasn’t going anywhere, and decided to try being a friend. Five years later, here she is, a bridesmaid in my wedding. Despite the 9 year age difference, we have a lot in common, and having her in the bridal party is a great help…she’s excellent at pointing out the creative little details that I seem to always miss. She won‘t actually be standing up with the other girls at the alter for personal reasons, but she’s saying several readings for us and is for all intensive purposes a bridesmaid.