Emma is Cassie’s little sister. Although younger, Cassie has always looked up to Emma for being such a strong, smart, and hardworking young woman. Cassie knows Emma’s future is so bright and can’t wait to see what her future holds for her after her collegiate studies.

Cassie and Christina met while working at Carle and during a coworker trip to a Cub game, shared a bunk bed and quickly became the best of friends. Cassie knows she can always count on Christina to bring the energy and laughs to any event. She truly is the life of the party.

Valerie and Cassie met when Valerie began dating Cassie’s cousin Devyn. Cassie quickly noticed Val’s competitiveness and sarcastic side when playing games with the family, and knew she would fit right in. She is fun, loyal, and is Cassie’s first round draft pick for all family events.

Jensen is Clay’s sister and now Cassie’s as well. From the very start of Clay and Cassie’s relationship, Jensen has been kind and welcoming to Cassie, making her feel comfortable coming in to the Bess family. Jensen first put trust in Cassie with her brother’s heart, and then entrusted her with the privilege of being her labor and delivery nurse and safely welcoming her sweet baby girl, Dupri, into the world.

Madyson is Cassie’s younger cousin. Growing up together, younger Madyson thought the world of Cassie and always wanted to do whatever it was Cassie was doing. Now that Madyson is a young woman, Cassie looks up to her in many ways and is so proud of the kind, selfless, gentle person she has become.

Stacey is Cassie’s aunt but throughout Cassie’s adulthood, has also become a best friend. She is someone Cassie confides in and goes to for advice, spontaneous half marathons, outdoor walks, and margarita nights. Stacey is Cassie’s voice of reason when it is needed most.

Devin has been the front runner to be Clay's best man for the last 17 years. They've played summers full of baseball together, explored weekend after weekend together, and have never let an opportunity go to waste. Clay was Devin's best man in 2020 and even though Devin now lives in South Carolina, the two remain comparable to Harry and Lloyd. Clay would be Harry for reference

Marcus lived in the dorm room next door during Clay's 2nd year at Madison. It was a near guarantee that Marcus would be here in this role once he committed to going to every women's soccer and hockey match with Clay. Now back in his home state of Minnesota, Marcus is the only of the non-Paris natives in the group to visit the seat of Edgar County.

Brian lived across the way in the Ogg Hall dorm, but has us fooled for sounding like he's always in the same room! The church ball star from New York has never failed to win over Clay's Paris friends. Whether that means an arm around Cam's shoulder after just a few hours out, or quickly fitting in at breakfast when the out-of-towners visit Madison.

Brennan, the second member of the party from Minnesota, lived with Marcus in the dorm, then with Clay amongst others the year after. Brennan, although a fan of all the wrong professional teams, was always kind enough to let you stay close in games of NHL on the PlayStation for a period or two, until he skated away in the 3rd.

Cam, the most famous of the groomsmen, is always up for a sports debate. He was a Colt in junior league (a teammate of Clay's, prodigy under Clay’s dad) and since then has been a part of enough of Devin and Clay's antics to know what he's getting into. At least he should. Keep an eye on him to bust a move at the reception. His knee is fully healed!

From Door County, Wisconsin, Cawley lived down the hall from Clay in the dorm, led a fully successful inaugural Greenbush Prahm, then lived in apartments with Clay the next two years. He was able to offer most of the group a stay at his family's cabin in Door County- another fantastic time of these Badgers getting together.