Cole & Amber

The Wedding Party!

MEET THE BRIDESMAIDS

Written by Amber Wood

Libby Waterfall- Maid of Honor

Libby and I first met as young ski racers at Suicide Six, and what started as a shared love of skiing quickly turned into a lifelong friendship. From jumping into Echo, Silver, or the river to spending hours together with our animals, some of my favorite memories are the simple, carefree moments we shared growing up. Over the years, she has remained not only my closest friend but also my oldest one.

Libby is one of the most adventurous, intelligent, and silliest people I know. She’s always been up for anything, whether it’s exploring a new continent or diving into whatever life throws her way, and she does it all with such confidence and curiosity. I love living vicariously through Libby and her very constant adventures; there’s always something exciting she’s doing, and it never fails to amaze me.

We’ve been through so much together, some incredibly tough times and some unforgettable highs, always sealed with a hug. Even now, with the distance between us, we make time for our 15–45 minute video updates (and the occasional 4-hour FaceTime) to stay connected. No matter where life takes us, Libby has always been there, ready to celebrate my wins or be a steady shoulder when I need it most. That kind of unwavering support is so rare, and it’s something I’m endlessly grateful for.

One of my favorite traditions is when we both find ourselves back in Vermont, we always make it a point to visit our favorite swimming spot at the Taftsville River. In those moments, it feels like no time has passed at all, like we’re right back where we started. Because of all of this, asking Libby to be my maid of honor wasn’t just easy; it was the most natural choice. I truly can’t imagine standing beside anyone else on such an important day, and I feel so lucky to have her by my side.

Sydney Hurley-Bridesmaid

Sydney is one of my bridesmaids and is also engaged to Cole’s brother, Christopher, which makes her an extra special part of my life and brings us even closer. From the very beginning, she’s been someone I can always count on, especially when it comes to keeping up with Cole and Christopher when they’re together.

Sydney is funny, kind, and incredibly crafty. She puts so much thought and care into everything she does, and it always means so much to me. Like the drink koozies she made for our Myrtle Beach trip that said “The Matusiks.” It was such a personal and thoughtful touch, and it’s something I’ll always remember.

I’m so grateful for the bond we’ve built and all the moments we’ve shared. I am beyond excited to have Sydney standing by my side on such an important day, and I truly can’t wait for the day we officially become sisters-in-law.

Bridesmaid- Ellanor Matusik

Ella is not only one of my bridesmaids, but also one of Cole's cousins. I met Ella not long after I started dating Cole, and from the very beginning, she made me feel completely welcomed into the family. She has such a warm and genuine way about her that it didn’t take long at all for me to feel comfortable around her.

Ella has such a quick wit and an effortless sense of humor. One of my favorite things about her is how easily she can make everyone laugh, especially when she’s teasing Cole. It didn’t take long for those moments to make me feel truly part of the family.

I feel so lucky to have not only gained Ella as part of the family, but also to call her a true friend. She brings so much joy, humor, and kindness into my life, and I’m so grateful for the bond we’ve built.

Olivia Belfonti-Bridesmaid

Olivia is one of my bridesmaids and also Cole’s cousin, which makes her an extra special part of our story. I first met her on one of my many trips to Connecticut, and from the very beginning, she was incredibly warm and welcoming. She has a natural way of making people feel comfortable, and I instantly felt like I belonged.

Olivia is incredibly intelligent and has such a curious, adventurous spirit. She loves to travel, and I always look forward to the amazing photos she shares from wherever she is in the world. Seeing her experiences through her lens is always so fun and makes me feel a little more connected to her, no matter the distance.

I feel so lucky to have Olivia standing by my side. She brings kindness, energy, and a sense of adventure to everything she does.

MEET THE GROOMSMEN

Written by Cole Matusik

The Best Man- Christopher Matusik

My brother has always been so much more than family. He’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Growing up, he was always there for me, and we spent nearly every moment together, getting into mischief or just enjoying life. From skiing at Mount Southington and having pizza delivered right to the slopes, to building trails in the woods for our quads, we were inseparable. Every adventure, every silly project, every shared laugh helped shape the bond we have today.

He was always the first to pick me up when I fell, literally and figuratively, and some of my fondest memories are the small, simple ones. Backyard wiffle ball games, sledding down hills in the snow, or skipping school on powder days to ski at Killington. And then there were the completely ridiculous times, like almost sinking the boat in Lake Tahoe on the Fourth of July. And I will never forget the great times we would spend working with Pepere at the Shop. Those moments remind me how much fun life has always been with him around.

Beyond the adventures and the laughs, he’s smart, thoughtful, and surprisingly talented at golf. He has a love for food that I can always (sometimes) count on him to share, and his sense of humor can lighten any situation. Having him as my brother means having someone who knows me better than anyone else, who has shared every triumph, every challenge, and every ridiculous idea along the way.

I feel so lucky that he’s not only my brother but also my best man. I can’t imagine anyone else standing beside me on such an important day. He’s been my partner-in-crime, my supporter, and my inspiration, and I’m beyond grateful for every memory we’ve made and every adventure still to come.

Anthony Matusik (AKA Mr. Finance) -Groosmen

Meet Cole’s cousin Ant Matusik, also known as “Mr. Finance.” If it has anything to do with money, markets, or numbers, he’s your guy. As a student at Syracuse, he’s earned a reputation for being incredibly sharp and knowledgeable when it comes to finance.

Now, for someone that smart, he definitely has his moments… let’s just say common sense doesn’t always show up on time.

Growing up, Ant has been like a little brother to me, and we spent countless hours playing video games, especially Madden. I’ll still stand by this: I could (and did) beat him in any game—whether it was a heated Madden matchup, backyard wiffle ball, or any other challenge we threw at each other. He’d trash talk, I’d trash talk back, and somehow we always ended the day laughing. Those games weren’t just about winning; they were about the memories, the rivalry, and the endless fun we shared as kids.

When he’s not talking finance, you can usually find him enjoying chocolate chip pancakes or a perfectly cooked steak. The man knows his priorities.

All jokes aside, Ant is driven, loyal, and one of the smartest people I know. He’s someone you can always count on, whether it’s for advice, a laugh, or a little healthy competition. I’m proud to have him standing by my side as a groomsman, and I know he’ll make the day even more memorable.

Matthew Fryer-Groosmen

Matt and I go way back—we grew up skiing together at Mt. Southington, racing side by side and spending countless days on the mountain. From a young age, we were constantly pushing each other, competing, and most importantly, having a blast doing it.

We both went on to ski at KMS, which came with its fair share of good times and, yes, a little trouble along the way too. But those experiences only made the memories stronger. Looking back, it was never just about skiing; it was about the friendship we built through all of it.

Some of my favorite memories are going to Europe together, and the many hours we spent training on the high line. No matter what we were doing, we always found a way to make it fun.

Through all those years, Matt has always been someone you can count on. He works hard on building his landscaping business in Connecticut, and he puts that same level of effort into everything he does. He’s driven, dependable, and just an all-around great guy.

Having Matt as one of my groomsmen means a lot to me. He’s been a constant in my life since we were kids, and I’m grateful to have him standing with me today as I start this next chapter.

Bode Wood-Groosmen

Bode Wood is my groomsman and now my brother-in-law, which makes it especially meaningful to have him standing up there with me on this special day. Over the years, getting to know him has been one of the best parts of my relationship with his sister, and I genuinely feel lucky to be gaining him as family.

Bode is an incredibly talented soccer player and skier, but what stands out even more is the kind of person he is. He’s the type of guy who doesn’t need to be the loudest in the room to make an impact. He might be a little quiet at first, but once you get to know him, his personality really comes through. He’s naturally funny, easy to be around, and someone who brings a relaxed, good energy to any situation. You can always count on having a good time when Bode’s around.

Getting to spend more time with him over the years has been a lot of fun. Whether it’s hanging out at home with him and Pipsi or going on trips together, like Aruba and Mexico. It's always been a blast.

Beyond the fun, what I appreciate most is that he’s genuine. He’s dependable, respectful, and someone easy to trust and count on. That kind of character is what makes him not just a great brother-in-law, but a great person to have in your life.

I’m grateful to have him as part of my groomsmen and even more grateful to now call him my brother-in-law. I’m looking forward to all the memories still to come and to having him as part of the family moving forward.

RING BEARER

Since the moment Parker was born, we've been so proud to be his Aunt and Uncle. Our greatest joy in life is to make him laugh, and we constantly try to do fun things with him so he likes us more than anyone else (sorry, Grandma and Grandpa). Parker is an expert bubble blower, friend to all doggies, and is the most likely to cut loose on the dance floor.

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