Our Story

The Bride - Brooke Bernice Bridegum

I was born in Eugene, Oregon where my parents were students at the University of Oregon. I have one sibling, my younger sister, [REMOVED]. When I was only five days old we moved to Los Angeles. Growing up you could always find me at the dance studio, much like now. At age 15, my family moved to Salem. Following in our parents’ footsteps, my sister [REMOVED] and I both graduated from UofO. Go Ducks!

As a freshman I joined the Sigma Kappa sorority and met Abby, who later convinced me to join the Oregon Marching Band (OMB). In 2003 I graduated with a B.S. in Religious Studies. Now I work in the family business, promoting and producing European style dog shows across the U.S. and Canada. I also teach ballet to kids at Classic Tap Dance Studio.

When not at a dog show or the dance studio, I can be found planning our wedding. I can’t believe what goes into planning one perfect day! I can’t wait to have fun and celebrate with family and friends! I especially can’t wait to marry Scott and spend the rest of my life with him!!!

The Groom - Scott Thomas Odle

I was born in Medford, OR but I grew up in Eugene, OR. I have a younger sister, Stacey, and a younger brother, TJ. I went to the University of Oregon, at first as a music major on a full scholarship that I earned by making it into a college band called the Green Garter Band (GGB). Later I decided I didn't want to be a music teacher and changed my major to religious studies. I left college to help Brooke's family with their family business, I'm about two terms away from graduation and I'll go back and finish in the next couple of years.

I spend most of my time now working for International Dog Shows and IABCA working on the website, the show software, the computers, and occasionally putting on the dog shows on the road.  When I'm not planning the wedding I love to play poker and watch (and occasionally play) basketball. I work with Brooke's father, Jeff, much of the time.  We travel to shows together and I really enjoy working with Brooke's family.

Planning a wedding seems to take a lot of time, especially this close to the wedding, especially for a couple of procrastinators. It's all coming together now though, with a lot of help from our families. We appreciate the help and support we've been getting from everyone and we'll continue to appreciate it all as we begin our married lives together.

Our Story - by Brooke

This one time, at band camp…

It was my second year in the OMB that I noticed Scott. Being quite shy I didn’t know what to do about it. Luckily, I ran into Ray at Starbucks on campus and had a nice long chat about Scott. With a little guidance from Ray, we finally went out on a date… we went ballroom dancing at Gerlinger Hall. Then shortly before the band left for the Holiday Bowl, we became official. A short eight years later, Scott proposed.

 Our Story - by Scott

The first time I saw Brooke, she was on a blind date with one of my groomsmen, Josh. I remember telling my friend Ray about her before I even met her. It was a face I could adore the rest of my life when I first saw her. It was quite a bit later that Ray convinced me that if I asked her out, she would say yes. A while after that, I did and she did. I am very thankful that Brooke is so patient, it took me far too long to ask for her hand.

The Proposal - By Scott

Brooke had been asking me for years to write her a love letter and I had been putting it off. While Brooke and her family were on vacation in Hawaii, I had to put on a dog show in Atlanta. While I was there I found the perfect ring, brought it back, and wrote her a letter. I tried to think of the best way and time to propose. When we both got home, I saw that there was snow in the forecast and Brooke and I both LOVE the snow. I waited a few days for the snow and it came. In the morning, I asked her to come outside and look at the snow in our lovely back yard before it melted. She argued a bit at first, didn't feel like going outside, but I convinced her to join me. I put the letter and camera in my pocket and we went outside. I gave her the letter and told her to read it. The letter explained that I was finally writing her that love letter that she had been asking for. I spaced the words on the page so that Brooke would have to turn the page just before she got to the part that said "By now you may have noticed that I'm on one knee..." so that I would know when to get down. When I asked her to marry me, she said 'Duh', and after I made her say the word yes we took the picture of us in the backyard. I don't know if I believe in 'love at first sight', it couldn't be, because the love I feel for Brooke can only come from knowing someone so deeply. You can't fall for someone completely unless you now them completely. I fell for Brooke completely and now we will spend the rest of our lives sharing our love together.