Wedding Party

Aimee - Officiant

Loving mother to Avery (see Ring Bearer below), and new daughter Maya, Aimee Sweeton is married to Christine's younger brother Mike (see Officiant below). Aimee is amazing and the Sweeton family still doesn't know how they got so lucky. She was born in Makati City, Philippines, grew up in Toronto, and now lives Edmonton. Aimee is a combat engineer with the Canadian military.

Coke or Pepsi: Ice Tea
Favourite romantic Movie: Ghost
Nicknames: Aimz, Mee
NOTE from Chris: Mike and Aimee met in military training and everyone used to know her just by her (maiden) last name: Manipor.
Hobbies: Sports, reading, and working out.

What is Aimee most looking forward to about the wedding? "Seeing the whole family together."

Avery - Ring Bearer

Christine's first nibling! Born January 10, 2015, this little toddler lives in Edmonton with his mom, Aimee (see Officiant above), dad Mike (see Officiant below), and new little sister Maya.

Coke or Pepsi: Neither, prefers homo milk
Favourite romantic song: Hotline Bling
Nicknames: Aves
NOTE from Chris: It might just be me that calls him this

What is Avery most looking forward to about the wedding? "Busting out my dance moves."

Dave - Friend of Honour

Christine invited David Koning to watch Jeopardy with her and her roommate Steph (see Bride's Witness below). Later Steph and Dave got married, which Chris would like to take full credit for. Dave helps Steph with her business Stephanie Beach Photography and also plays with asbestos as part of his job with a local engineering firm.  Dave thinks he lives in Ottawa, but technically he lives with Steph in Barrhaven.

Coke or Pepsi: Dr. Pepper
Nickname: Shoes
Favourite romantic song: Come What May
Favourite romantic movie: Princess Bride
Dream vacation: Marathon video game session, with food and drinks brought to you
NOTE from Jason: This sounds good
Hobbies: Too many! Music, board games, tabletop games, photography, archery, etc. And not enough time to do any of them.

What is Dave most looking forward to about the wedding? "Wearing comfy clothes and having a good time."

Evelyn - Flowergirl

Evelyn van Asseldonk is Jason's niece.  Evelyn was born January 18th, 2015.  Evelyn is a baby and enjoys hugs from her brothers.  She lives in Acton with her mom Meghan (see Officiant below), father Mark (see Officiant below), brothers Luke, Peter, and Isaac (see Groomsboys).

Coke or Pepsi:
 Neither
Nickname: Evelyn
Hobbies: Playing

Fiona - Bridesmaid

Fiona just went into Grade 8 at Lakewood Elementary in Port Dover, Ontario. Fi also just moved to Port Dover from Simcoe last month. She is one of Christine's cousins. Not afraid of sharks at all, Fiona knows that more people died from selfies than sharks in 2015.

Coke or Pepsi: Pepsi
Nickname: Fi
Favourite romantic Song: Hello (Adele) - Aren't all songs love songs...
Secret talent: Grill-cheese Master.
Hobbies: Sailing, Reading, Baking

What is Fiona most looking forward to about the wedding? "Wearing heels! (But actually seeing my family)"
NOTE from Chris: Just for City Hall though. She will be wearing flats on Saturday.

Heather J. - Bridesmaid

Heather goes to school at Almonte District High School (ADHS) and is in Grade 7. She lives just outside of Packenham, Ontario which is near Ottawa with her parents and big sister Sarah (see Bridesmaid below). Heather is Christine's cousin. 

Nicknames: Feather
Favourite romantic movie:  Love Actually
Dream Vacation: Paris!
Secret talent: Piano
NOTE from Chris: Despite knowing that the family has a beautiful piano, I actually didn't know Heather played. It is a secret!
Hobbies: Crafts

What is Heather most looking forward to about the wedding? "Being a bridesmaid"

Isaac - Groomsboy

Isaac van Asseldonk is Jason's nephew.  Isaac was born April 7th, 2013.  Isaac enjoys spending time with his grandparents.  He lives in Acton with his mom Meghan (see Officiant below), father Mark (see Officiant below), brothers Luke, and Peter (see Groomsboys) and sister Evelyn (see Flowergirl above).

Coke or Pepsi: Neither
Nickname: Doodlebug and Spiderman
Dream vacation: Camping
Hobbies: Lego and Pokemon

Kristen - Friend of Honour

Kristen had the unfortunate luck of choosing a seat beside Christine at a French class at Carleton University. Little did she know that the enthusiastic but terrible linguist sitting next to her would not stop talking to her, ever. To this day, Chris still does not under the difference between "Je suis un Chat!" and "J'ai un chat" and their French marks will forever reflect this. Kristen works in events and marketing at Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA). She lives with her husband Noah in an apartment next to High Park in Toronto.

Coke or Pepsi: Diet Coke.
Favourite romantic song: What I Wouldn't Do - Serena Ryder
Favourite romantic movie: 10 Things I Hate About You
Dream vacation: It has long been a dream to see an elephant in the wild and possibly become best friends with it, in Southern Africa.
Secret talent: Can make paper cranes in her sleep.
NOTE from Chris: This is a leftover talent from her wedding where she (along with friends and family) prepared 1000 paper cranes as decorations to honour Noah's Japanese heritage.

What is Kristen most looking forward to about the wedding? "Chris and Jason are getting married!"

Luke - Groomsboy

Luke van Asseldonk is Jason's nephew.  Luke was born May 24th, 2009 (same Birthday as Chris!). Luke enjoys reading and soccer.  He lives in Acton with his mom Meghan (see Officiant below), father Mark (see Officiant below), brothers Peter, and Isaac (see Groomsboys) and sister Evelyn (see Flowergirl above).

Coke or Pepsi: Neither
Nickname: Lukey
Dream vacation: Australia
Hobbies: Lego and Pokemon

Mark - Officiant

Mark van Asseldonk is Jason's brother-in-law.  Mark teaches Physics in the Catholic High School system.  He lives in Acton with his wife Meghan (see Officiant below), sons Luke, Peter, and Isaac (see Groomsboys) and daughter Evelyn (see Flowergirl above).

Coke or Pepsi: Beer or coffee
Favourite romantic song: Try - Blue Rodeo
Favourite romantic movie: Pacific Rim
NOTE from Jason: Romantic?
Dream vacation: Anywhere with Meghan
Hobbies: Soccer, Gardening

What is Mark most looking forward to about the wedding? "Jason being happy."

Meghan - Officiant

Meghan Evelyn van Asseldonk is Jason's older sister.  Meghan holds a Masters degree in Chemistry and is currently a High School science teacher in the Catholic school system.  She lives in Acton with her husband Mark (see Officiant above), sons Luke, Peter, and Isaac (see Groomsboys) and daughter Evelyn (see Flowergirl above).

Coke or Pepsi: Neither
Nickname: Meg
Favourite romantic song: None, too sappy
Favourite romantic movie: Thor
NOTE from Jason: Some very interesting Romantic Movie choices from Meg and Mark
Dream vacation: Anywhere with Mark
Hobbies: Triathlon, Knitting, Baking

What is Meghan most looking forward to about the wedding? "Celebrating all the possibilities of your future."

Michael - Officiant

Andrew Michael Sweeton, known as Mike, is Christine's younger brother. Mike is currently a Bartender, Server, Bouncer, and Student. He lives in sunny Edmonton, Alberta with his wife, Aimee (see Officiant above), son, Avery (see Ring Bearer above), and new daughter Maya. 

Favourite romantic song: I'm Down With Progress - Every Bridge Burned
First word: Birdie
NOTE from Chris: This time period was especially annoying.
Musical past: Was a drummer in a two punk bands, Yellow Snow and Ritalin Vacation. Followed by being the drummer for heavy metal band, Our Lady of Bloodshed.
Secret talent: He can **** with a **** and **** at the same time, and he feels good to finally tell someone.

What is Mike most looking forward to about the wedding? "Jason becoming a Sweeton, wait that's how it works right?"

Peter - Groomsboy

Peter van Asseldonk is Jason's nephew.  Peter was born October 3rd, 2011.  Peter enjoys dinosaurs! He lives in Acton with his mom Meghan (see Officiant below), father Mark (see Officiant below), brothers Luke, and Isaac (see Groomsboys) and sister Evelyn (see Flowergirl above).

Coke or Pepsi: Neither
Nickname: Pete, Skeeter, Batman
Dream vacation: Nana and Poppa's house
Hobbies: Lego and Dino's

Pierre - Groomsman

Pierre and Jason play video and computer games together frequently. Jason met Pierre while they were both attending McMaster University in Hamilton. Pierre has lived in St. Catherine's with his wife, Erica, since graduating from McMaster, they are currently undertaking a very extensive renovation project to add a two-story addition to their house. Pierre is a Structural Engineer. 

Favourite romantic song: Can be found HERE.
Nicknames: PB
Current game: Destiny on the xBox One.
NOTE from Chris: I wish Destiny would stop releasing new content so that everyone can join me playing StarCraft again.
Secret talent: The  only thing he keeps secret, are secrets.

What is Pierre most looking forward to about the wedding? "Celebrating a wonderful occasion with one of the best views of the city."

Richard - Groomsman

Jason met Rich at McMaster as they shared many Comp Sci classes. After growing up in Owen Sound and attending university in Hamiliton, Rich left Ontario to be a Software Developer in Redmond, Washington.

Coke or Pepsi: Coke
Favourite romantic song: I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
Favourite romantic movie: Lost in Translation
Dream vacation: Safari in Kenya or Tanzania with an amazing zoom lens.
Secret talent: He is pretty good at spinning dice on their corners.

What is Rich most looking forward to about the wedding? "Seeing, and celebrating with, friends!"

Robert - Best Man

Jason met Robert at McMaster University in Hamilton, during their first year. Rob has an Engineering and Management Degree, and an MBA. He now trades stocks for a living in downtown Toronto. Robert lives in Scarborough, near where he grew up, with his wife Andrea. 

Nicknames: Rob
Spouse: Andrea, who he also met online through eHarmony
Favourite romantic Song: Dancing Cheek to Cheek - Fred Astaire!
Secret talent: He likes to think he does a mean Sean Connery impression.
NOTE from Jason: He thinks wrong.

What is Rob most looking forward to about the wedding? "The first dance!"
NOTE from Jason: We aren't having a first dance, sorry Rob.

Sarah - Bridesmaid

Sarah, Christine's cousin, is a student at Almonte Distict High School. She lives in the country-side near Ottawa with her parents, younger sister Heather (see Bridesmaid above), two dogs, a cat, and currently a 'twin' from France, Camille. She loves doing winter sports like downhill skiing, snowboarding, skate skiing, and cross country skiing. Sarah is turning 15 next month.

Coke or Pepsi: Pepsi
Dream vacation: Yukon in winter
NOTE from Chris: I would love to do this too!
Secret talent: Can play Trombone
Hobbies: Band and art

What is Sarah most looking forward to about the wedding? "The Island"

Stephanie - Bride's Witness

Stephanie met Christine when they lived together in residence at Carleton University. This was back when Chris was going towards a Mechanical Engineering degree. She walked in with her adorable pigtail braids and introduced herself to Steph's mom. Steph works at an environmental engineering firm, but her heart really lies with her photography business. She lives just outside of Ottawa, in Barrhavvn with her husband, Dave (see Friend of Honour listed above.)

Coke or Pepsi: Grape Crush, Apple Juice or Chocolate milk (because she is 12 of course.)
NOTE from Chris: She is actually 32, it is just her beverage preferences that are young.
Favourite romantic song: Endless Love
Favourite romantic movie: So many good ones it's hard to choose. Love Actually is definitely up there, but it can make you feel a little sad too (moreso now that Alan Rickman is gone). Almost anything Sandra Bullock or Hugh Grant...or both, they are by far her dream team rom-com stars.
Dream vacation: Her original dream vacation was to tour the UK (and Ireland), which she did a little whiles back. Her new dream trip is to go to Holland during the Tulip season.

What is Steph most looking forward to about the wedding? "Honestly, I don't even know. I am so excited for it and so beyond words happy for my friend to have found someone so awesome, I just can't wait to be a part of it all."

Teri - Maid of Honour

Christine's childhood friend from Grade 2, Teri is a high school teacher in Business, Law, and Math with in Guelph. She grew up in Paris, Ontario but now lives with her husband Greg in Oakville.

Coke or Pepsi: Coke
Favourite romantic song: Impossible to answer! Her favourite song is Backstreet's Back....it fires her up and is nostalgic. No better way to get the party started!
Favourite romantic movie: The - Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight - trilogy
Dream vacation: She does enjoy a good Canada/US road trip and would love to do the East Coast of Canada again. There are so many other countries on her bucket list, she can't choose just one.
NOTE from Chris: We both enjoy a good Canada/US road trip and have been on many of them together.
Secret talent: A "photographic memory" of years and timelines of when things occurred in her life.

What is Teri most looking forward to about the wedding? "Obviously seeing my best friend get married to the love of her life! But I am also looking forward to being on the island and by the water for the wedding. The setting is perfect!"

Tessa - Friend of Honour

Christine and Tessa originally met through Kristen (see Friend of Honour above) one evening in Ottawa, while drinking. Tessa hit her a lot because Chris was funny (and Tessa was drinking). Chris was left with the impression that Tessa didn't like her. (Who beats up their friends?). They are now close friends who regularly attend spin classes together. Tessa works for the Public Health Ontario and lives in downtown Toronto.

Coke or Pepsi: Yuck. Neither,
Favourite romantic song: I'll Be - Edwin McCain
Favourite romantic movie: Dirty Dancing
Dream vacation: Iceland, or an African safari, though this would probably be traumatic for her if she saw something be killed.
Secret talent: She grates cheese REALLY well. Seriously.
NOTE from Chris: Not a joke, totally true.

What is Tessa most looking forward to about the wedding? "Is this suppose to be a sappy answer about my amazing friends falling in love and tying the knot, etc. etc.? Because that's all really good. But I'm kind of looking forward to champagne and wine and dancing."