Wedding Party
Susan LaGrand
Bride
Susan swam collegiately at Oakland University from 2018-2023 and graduated in 2022 from Oakland with a degree in Clinical and Diagnostic Science with a specialization in Medical Laboratory Science. She then continued her education at Oakland with a Masters of Public Administration with a focus in Healthcare Administration which she plans to complete in April of 2024. She has been accepted to Wayne State School of Medicine for their M.D. program and will begin in July 2024.
Christian Bart
Groom
Christian is currently swimming collegiately at Oakland University for a 6th year. He graduated in 2022 from Oakland with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Communications. He then continued his education at Oakland with a Masters of Public Administration with a focus in Criminal Justice Leadership which he plans to complete in April of 2024 before pursuing a career in the Criminal Justice field.
Lola Laenen
Maid of Honor
Lola and Susan met on the swim team at Oakland University where Lola is currently a 5th year. She is currently studying Clinical and Diagnostic Science.
Sam Smith
Best Man
Christian and Sam met in 2013 and have been friends ever since. Sam also swam with Christian at Oakland University and graduated last year.
Peyton Rayburn
Bridesmaid
Peyton and Susan met on the EGRA swim team in 2013. Peyton swam collegiately at Miami of Ohio and is currently pursuing her law degree at Indiana University.
Andrew Bernsdorf
Groomsman
Andrew and Christian met on the Oakland Swim and Dive Team. Andrew graduated last year and will be attending Capital Law next year.
Grace Rellinger
Bridesmaid
Grace and Susan met 6 years ago when Grace and Reilly began dating! Grace is currently double majoring at Hope College in Biology and Sociology with a Chemistry minor while participating in sorority life. She has hopes of enrolling in dental school in the future.
Reilly LaGrand
Groomsman
Reilly and Christian met on EGRA in 2013, but became close when Susan and Christian started dating in 2015. Reilly is currently pursuing his Biology degree with a Chemistry minor at Hope College while swimming collegiately there. He has hopes of attending dental school in the future.
Olivia Engvall
Bridesmaid
Olivia and Susan have been friends since they were babies. Olivia obtained an engineering degree from Purdue University and is currently working at Amyway.
Philip Dejonge
Groomsman
Philip and Christian met on the west side of Michigan growing up, but did not get a chance to connect until both were swimming at Oakland University. Phil graduated in 2022 with a degree in Marketing with a minor in Human Resource Management. He is currently obtaining his MBA with a concentration in Marketing at Oakland that he plans to complete in April 2024.
Emily Converse
Bridesmaid
Emily and Susan met on the EGRA swim team. Emily swam for 5 years at Purdue while doing a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education. She is now teaching full-time in South Carolina.
Benjamin Davis
Groomsman
Ben and Christian met on the Oakland University Swim and Dive Team. Ben was a 5th year with Christian last year and graduated in 2023 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Automotive Engineering. Ben is currently employed full-time in Indiana as an engineer.
Barbara Bart
Usherette
Barbara, Christian's sister, is a current Junior at Oakland University and is a star on the Oakland Swim and Dive Team.
Justin Bart
Usher
Justin, Christian's brother, is currently living in Texas and working as a swim coach.
Faith and Zach Liebman
Master and Mistress of Ceremonies
Susan and Christian admire Faith, Christian's sister, and her husband Zach as a couple and as parents and are honored to have them serve as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies.
Ellie Liebman
Flower Girl
Ellie, Christian's niece, will be just over 1 year old at the time of the wedding! Ellie is a fun-loving little girl with lots of personality!
John LaGrand
Father of the Bride
Kevin Bart
Father of the Groom
Patty Reilly
Mother of the Bride
Lynne Bart
Mother of the Groom