Wedding Party
Mandi Zagrodnik
Maid of Honor
Best friends since we were 2 years old! What more could a girl want?! Mandi and I are truly lifelong friends. She's one of the first people I called when Evan and I got engaged. She's really a friend who always shows up for the people she loves and has been around for so many important events in my life! Not only is she a great friend but she's also got great taste in just about everything. If you like anything you see at the wedding there's a pretty good chance Mandi had a hand in picking it out!
Tom Pockat
Best Man
Tom has been my closest friend since our first day of Kindergarten together at Wayside Elementary School. This is a friendship that has aged so much it could have been drafted into the Military, can drink a beer, and have agonizing lower back pain. We have experienced a significant portion of each other’s lives involving lost teeth, 7:00 am workouts, shared employers, and snow days we were fully prepared for. Our friendship has had a part in shaping me into the person I am today, and I believe Tom would say the same.
Callie Hansen
Matron of Honor
I'm really such a lucky person to have grown up with a big sister like Callie. She made for the best role model, teaching me how to work hard and be kind and funny along the way. She's hilarious - but I'm also very aware that we have a sisterly sense of humor and can communicate solely in quotes that no one else understands. I'm ecstatic that she's finally living in Wisconsin again and that we can get together more often to binge watch tv, do puzzles, and bake desserts. Ok I'll admit that she does most of the baking, but I'm a great taste tester!
Jake Brown
Groomsman
The oldest and wisest of my brothers. Jake has been someone who’s footsteps I wouldn’t mind following in. Over the years we have moved past most of our childhood disputes, and developed a closer relationship than when we were growing up. I am very fortunate to have had my brother’s guidance in many situations especially in the past decade, and in a few isolated incidences can credit him with my retained physical health.
Jessica Hansen
Bridesmaid
1988-2020. Jessica, we miss you every day. It is too much to imagine our wedding day without you, my big sister. Evan and I both love you and would give anything to have you with us. We'll hold your memory close throughout the day, wishing you were still here to be a part of the celebrations.
Patrick Hruska
Groomsman
I did not know that Patrick’s name was Patrick until I met him for the third time. Typically that is due to my awful ability to remember names, but in my defense I had only heard him be referred to as Beast, so that’s how he is engrained in my mind. Regardless of the beginnings of our friendship, he has been a continued presence in recent years, even while spending the past few years across the pond (in Michigan, not the UK). Beast is always available for a long talk about life no matter if it has been 2 days or 2 months since you have seen him.
Katie Sarff
Bridesmaid
We met the first day of high school and have been friends ever since. Katie is one of the funniest people I've ever known and also happens to be one of the kindest and most genuine people around. We've been on so many adventures and I can't imagine anyone better to have as a classmate, teammate, coworker, roommate, friend, and now bridesmaid.
Matt Jensen
Groomsman
Matt & I shared a common bedroom in college for a couple of years. Those rooms were probably designed for small children to occupy them, not full grown men. I am happy to say that even though he had to live through being roommates with me, Matt has stuck it out with this friendship. Matt is a great barometer for music, and will often get me listening to some strange band I hadn’t heard of, but will later love. There is lot that can be said about Matt, but he is a kind and calming presence that I have been graced with in my life.
Paige Kartman
Bridesmaid
We sat next to each other in our first college class, freshman year at UW and the rest is history. We bonded over our love of boy bands, dogs, and all things Wisconsin. Paige is one of the sweetest and kindest people I know and also one of the most fun people to have around. She's an incredible friend and I'm so happy she'll be a part of our wedding party!
Tyler Johnson
Groomsman
Of the group standing up with me, I believe Tyler has the oddest array of interests, but they become more understandable as you get to know him. For example, he often (yes this has happened more than once) will show me a craigslist posting of an Argo, or even a small tractor while grabbing a bite to eat somewhere and just say, “Wish I had a bigger garage.” Since I have known Tyler he has been a “DIY” type of person on almost everything, so I have a lot of second hand knowledge of a multitude of topics thanks to him. He also happens to be a great neighbor, and is likely our dogs' favorite human (next to Taylor & I).
Lacey Bloy
Bridesmaid
Lacey and I lived next to each other our freshman year at UW and then lived as roommates by the time we were seniors. She's the definition of work hard/play hard. She is one of the most hard working, tough, and dedicated people I know but man, she knows how to party! From Thursday nights out and spring break trips to being in her wedding the winter after we graduated, I've had some of the most fun nights out spent hanging out with Lacey. Above all though she is an amazing friend and I'm so happy she'll be a part of our wedding!
Jon Lyell
Usher
John is the type of person who meets a stranger at a party, introduces you to them as if they are old friends, and then walks away. He is always a pleasure to have in a social setting, as he can talk his way into and out of most situations (in two languages as well). I owe a lot of personal growth to having John around to talk through things when life fell difficult.
Cody Luck
Usher
When I met Cody during my first week in Madison, I didn’t know what to expect. What I ended up getting was a friend who shared in my humor & interests almost one for one. Cody has always been able to embrace the spotlight he pulls onto himself, and does his best to share the moment with those around him. He has a big heart that makes him a good person to lean on when you need it.
Gus & Perry
Dogs of Honor
Everyone knows how much we love our two dogs. We couldn’t possibly leave them off our wedding website!