The "I Do" Crew & Camp VIPs
Welcome to our favorite line-up! The people you are about to read about are the rocks of our lives, the ones who sent us to camp, helped us make big life decisions, danced with us to Qveen Herby, and shared late-night Taco Bell runs. From the parents who shaped who we are, to the friends who keep us laughing (and occasionally rule the volleyball court), this weekend wouldn’t be happening without them.
As you look through these faces, you’ll find the best dancers on the floor, the best travel companions, a legendary trivia master, and the wonderful people marrying us. We are so incredibly proud of this crew, and we can’t wait for you to meet them all around the bonfire!
The Tripps
Michelle & Ted Tripp
Deeply outdoorsy nature-lovers at heart, my parents can usually be found embracing the quiet beauty of northern Wisconsin at their new home on the water in Hayward. Whether Mom is crafting stunning glass art, Dad is doting on his "best boy" (their beloved dog, Nash), or they are both kicked back by the lake with a good book, they truly know how to appreciate the Northwoods.
I owe so much of who I am to them. They are the parents who fostered my love for nature and creativity early on by sending me to Girl Scout camp and taking me to art classes at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Over the years, they have been my absolute rock, helping me move into numerous apartments and standing by my side through the biggest decisions of my life, from choosing a grad school to picking out my wedding dress.
More than anything, their endless love and support mean the world to Brian and me. Mom instantly made Brian feel like part of the family by always remembering and cooking his favorite meals, and they both show us the ultimate grace by letting us bring our two rambunctious pups to Hayward (and even letting them sit on the couches!). I am so deeply grateful for the home they’ve built, the love they give, and the beautiful way they have welcomed Brian into our lives from day one.
Ryan Tripp
By day, my brother Ryan is an avid outdoorsman and festival-goer; by night, he’s a competitive gamer with a high-powered PC. He is widely known for his sharp, sarcastic wit, but what I love most about him is his genuine ability to talk to absolutely anyone. Ryan has a unique gift for finding common ground with a total stranger within five minutes of meeting them, making everyone around him feel instantly welcome.
While he’s leaving his two beloved kitty cats holding down the fort at home, Ryan is ready to bring his signature high energy to camp for the weekend. There is a 100% guarantee that you will find him sitting around the bonfire with our dad, Ted, at some point during the weekend - likely locked into an endless and usually humorous Tripp family debates about politics, nature, or the best type of potato chip. I am so lucky to have him standing by my side, and if you haven't figured out who he is by the time the ceremony starts, just look for the tallest person in the bridal party!
The Susicks
Dan and Patty Susick
My parents, Dan and Patty, have always been my biggest supporters. From taking great care of me whenever I was sick to never missing a single soccer game, they’ve always been there for me. My dad was and still is always ready to coach me (whether I want it or not). My mom always made sure I was well-fed with the best home-cooked meals, and I still make the occasional request when we just can’t find it in us to cook ourselves.
They may be grandparents now, but to me, they’ll always be the best mom and dad a kid could ever ask for.
“Love you mom, love you dad.” – Brian Susick
(Photo: Dan, Sara, and Patty Susick)
Sara, Rod, Charlotte, and Camden Brink
My sister Sara and I were always arguing when we were younger, whether it was about who was better at soccer or whose turn it was to have the TV remote. Those moments only brought us closer and gave us hilarious stories to laugh about. I’m so happy to see the amazing family Sara and Rod have built together. I’m so glad Sara found such a great partner in Rod. Rod may have officially joined the family, but surviving years of debates with Dan Susick is what truly earned him his place. Dan’s stubbornness is legendary, but so is his love for his family.
And while I’ll never be able to talk Duke basketball with Rod during March Madness, we always connect over great TV show recommendations.
Cam is an awesome nephew who kicks butt in baseball, basketball, math, and of course, Fortnite. And Charlotte is the best niece an uncle could ask for she continues to impress everyone with her talent in dance and school.
We’re so lucky to have all of them in our lives and joining us on our wedding day.
Our Officiants
Emily Schwabacher
I am so incredibly honored to have one of my very best friends, Emily, marrying us this weekend! Emily has been a cornerstone of my life, whether we are channeling our inner "witchy coven" (shoutout to the best bachelorette party ever), tearing up the dance floor to Qveen Herby, or stubbornly pretending we are still young and highly competitive on our year-round volleyball team (which is mostly an excellent excuse for drinks afterward…or beforehand). She also holds a very special place in Brian’s heart, having officially bonded with him over a shared, deep devotion to late-night Taco Bell. Emily is stepping up to the altar to deliver what we know will be a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony, while her wonderful husband, Abe, takes on the equally important role of designated watcher for their beautiful new baby girl, Ella. We couldn't imagine taking this next step without her!
Josh Williams
“Look at me, I got ice cream in Japan!”
After losing to him in basketball, I never planned on being friends with Josh. And after Josh saw me show up to a Halo LAN party, I’m pretty sure his first thought was, “Who invited Brian Susick?” But after I crushed him in Halo, we decided to put our differences aside, and it’s been an amazing friendship ever since.
We’ve been there for each other through breakups, red cards, pushing broken-down cars home, midnight movie premieres, and long runs… at the poker table. I’m incredibly lucky to have had Josh by my side through so many of life’s memories, and now we’re honored to have him standing beside us as Kyla and I begin our marriage together.
The Ladies
Laura Bosacker
Laura and I first bonded amidst poison ivy and deep mud, traversing the Midwest as field botanists. Our friendship was forged through the kind of laughter that only comes after a long day of field work - outrunning cows, finding hidden lakes for a quick dip, and hunting down the best small-town diners along the way. While she first struck me as pure sunshine and bubbles (which she is!), I quickly learned she’s as brave and resilient as they come. Whether we were scaling rock walls together or trying to figure out how to get smashed avocado off the ceiling of a rental car, Laura has always been a constant source of light. These days, she’s trading climbing chalk and hiking boots for medical school, but she’s still the first person I turn to for a hug and a dose of pure joy. I can’t imagine standing at the altar without her by my side.
Ally Gritti
Ally is the exact person you want in your corner, and someone who has been an important part of my life since long before 2019, which is the year Brian and I actually met at her and her husband’s Halloween party. I love Ally because she is fiercely decisive and deeply inquisitive, but mostly because she has a beautiful way of making you feel seen. She will constantly surprise you by recalling a tiny, passing detail you mentioned weeks (or years) ago and checking in on it. If you've ever met her, you know she possesses a near-superhuman memory; she never forgets a birthday, a subtle family connection, or an obscure trivia fact. When she isn’t being an incredible mom to her son, Elton, and twin girls, Lumi and Leanore, she is usually cultivating her impressive plant collection or diving into a great book. Fair warning to all our guests: Ally and her husband will almost certainly be the best dancers on the floor this weekend, so prepare to be schooled!
Amber Manders
If you see Amber and me standing in a parking lot (or a snowbank) talking for hours after just spending hours together, don’t be surprised - we don’t love freezing our butts off, but do love our own special version of a Minnesota goodbye. From bonding over video games and funny videos to our real book club and fake book club (that involves zero reading and 100% life updates), Amber is my favorite person to analyze the world with. She is equal parts "wise soul" and "goofy adventurer" who is always down to try something new. As a veteran of the Wisconsin outdoor wedding scene, she is the perfect person to help me navigate the big day with a smile and a lot of laughter.
The Gentlemen
Ryan Gritti
“How the hell did that get up there?”
What started out as bitter hatred for each other in high school turned into a bromance for the ages. All it took was the Lord of the Rings trilogy and some Final Fantasy to finally bring Ryan Gritti and me together. Through great food, amazing concerts, and getting the cops called on us for “raging” out to Death Cab for Cutie in Ryan’s garage, this friendship continues to grow stronger and stronger. Without Ryan pulling the ol’ switcharoo during a game of beer pong and making Kyla and me partners instead, this wedding may never have happened. We couldn’t imagine this day without Ryan here with us.
Brian Wray
“This looks icky”
Brian Wray was lucky to share an art class with me. If I hadn’t woken him up from all those naps, this friendship may have never started. Since then, we have spent countless late nights gambling (mostly losing), battling it out in fantasy football as both rivals and allies, and always sharing the best TV shows and movies we’ve watched. We’re also never afraid to let others know when their taste in movies is wrong! Brian Wray has been one of my best friends for years, and there is no one I’d rather sit next to and lose with at the blackjack table.
Mike Wallentiny
“Do I have to be a groomsman?”
My friendship with Mike Wallentiny may be my longest, starting all the way back in middle school! Since our friendship began so young, we weren’t always the best influences on each other. We got written up for mid-class walks to the school store and skipped class altogether to go on Taco Bell runs. We’ve also grown together, and I’m proud to see my friend now be an amazing dad. After over 20 years of friendship, I’m honored to have Mike stand by me on this big day.