Wedding Party

Maid of Honour: Brittany

Living on the same floor of Earp residence during their first year at Brock, after a few blurry nights out at the likes of Isaacs and Moose & Goose, one fateful, sober Swiss Chalet evening marked the beginning of their true friendship. After bonding over quarter chickens and Sex and the City, both Jess and Britt realized they actually liked each other – even in the absence of Beyoncé and a dance floor. Almost 20 years later, Britt’s dry sarcasm and tell-it-like-it-is attitude continues to steer Jess in the right direction on all life matters while usually making her double over with laughter.

Bridesmaid: Dolly

Doll and Jess were ‘bathroom-mates’ at Earp residence during their first year at Brock, and bonded over many episodes of Real World, Ruffles and Malibu rum. Other than the time Doll’s then-boyfriend accidentally opened the door to find Jess without clothes on, that shared bathroom laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship. Now a mother to three beautiful children, Doll continues to reaffirm Jess’s life choices on family planning while Jess relishes her role as Auntie.

Bridesmaid (in absentia): Cheryl

Cher was Jess’s rollerblading coordinator at a day camp they both worked at during summers throughout undergrad. From Thursday night camp counselor socials followed by Friday night Hess adventures, they experienced some of the most fun times of their lives together. Although now living 12 time zones apart, their mutual love of wine and Hong Kong (where Cheryl now resides with her family, and Jess completed a law school exchange) provides much fodder for FaceTime catch ups.

Bridesmaid (in absentia): Stephanie

Steph and Jess met in law school at Western. After one particularly baffling first year constitutional law class, Jess was distressed and convinced she was going to flunk out of law school. Enter Steph, whose empathy, kind words and ironclad legal mind both demystified the division of powers and reassured Jess that she could actually do this law school thing. Since then, Steph has been one of Jess’s most trusted advisors and confidants in all things law – and life! Although Jess made a career in law, the best thing to come out of Western was Steph’s friendship.

Best Man: David

Jay’s older, littler brother Dave was instrumental in inspiring Jay to work with computers and explore the culinary world. Although separated by 12 years, the brothers connect (and disagree) on golf, technology, and all things meat and BBQ. Jess frequently leverages this brotherly competition and generously volunteers her time as taster. In 2021’s Battle of the Brothers: Steak Off Part I, Jay just barely nudged out Dave with his classic reverse sear rib steak, although the judge (Jess) did express an odd preference for Dave’s uniquely “original” 90s inspired lemon parsley tented steak…why would you ever tent a steak! Battle of the Brothers: Steak Off Part II is scheduled for October 2022.

Groomsman: Graham

Graham and Jay met in kindergarten, at the tender age of four, and bonded over G.I. Joes and Nintendo (NES…yes at four years old, thanks mom and dad!). Whether it be discussing the latest computer and gaming technology or practicing their caffeinated roundhouse kicks via their own “Bloodsport” Kumite, these two have managed to stay tight. Although completely opposite in personality, their close to 35-year friendship is a true testament that opposites do attract.

Ring Bearer: Happy

Happy the Giraffe was Lady’s best friend and came with her from the Toronto Humane Society when Lady adopted Mommy and Daddy in 2011. Happy loves hanging out with his new friend George the Bear (pictured below) – although differing in stature and species, Happy and George are like two peas in a pod.

Fun fact: Happy is very excited to get fitted for his first suit for Mom and Dad’s wedding!