Wendy & Alex
Our Special People
William Dietz
Officiant
Alex and I are so blessed that Will agreed to be our officiant! We couldn't imagine anyone better to join us and our families together in marriage. Will is not only a great brother to me, but has always been so supportive of our relationship from the very beginning. He was the first video call we made after Alex proposed, and we just love him so very much. We wanted someone who has seen our relationship from the very beginning to the present to join us together, and we know that Will is going to make the moment so sweet. Thank you, Will, for being a part of our big day!
Sue & Mark Williams
Owners of Wacharas Ranch & Family Friends
I (Wendy) first met Sue in Kindergarten when I started taking piano lessons from her. These continued for many years, and our families became very close over time. Ten years ago, Sue invited me down to the ranch for the first time along with my mom for a girls' weekend. At 14-years-old, I knew it was a special place and I wanted to get married there someday. Since then, I've been lucky to make many fun memories with Sue and Mark here throughout different stages of life: yoga retreats, learning to shoot a gun, girls' weekends after heartbreak, driving the trekker, exploring haunted a house (I'll let y'all guess which one!), and attending their son's wedding. We're so grateful to Sue and Mark for their generosity in letting us have our wedding on their ranch and making this dream come true.
Erin Burgmaier
Maid of Honor
Erin is one of the most selfless, intelligent, hilarious, and kind people you will ever meet, but she doesn't waste time proving it. She is beauty and brains (future doctor alert!) and will catch you completely off-guard with a witty one-liner any day of the week. Erin and I met in sixth grade when our schools went to outdoor lab at the same time. We didn't really get to know each other until our Junior year of high school when we shared a rather painful (but bonding) physics class together. We have been laughing together ever since! Erin is so special to me for many reasons, but one thing I truly adore about our friendship is that she has been by my side through so many stages of life. Erin has seen and supported me through it all, and somehow she still loves me as much as I love her.
Zach Flanigan
Best Man
Zach and I met in college via Omar and his friends during our freshman year. Some of my best memories include him and I sharing stories, hanging out, and pondering life’s most perplexing questions in Laramie during the summers with our elevated porch views of the Rocky Mountains. As many have, he’s been someone I’ve looked to for advice on a range of topics. He and his lovely wife Kara are wonderful friends to have, and I am so happy Wendy and I are able to share today with them! I am forever grateful Zach has been a part of my life and honored he has accepted my request to be my best man on this day.
Anna Thomson
Bridesmaid
Anna is such a caring person. Our friendship started in middle school when we shared a writing elective together, but we didn't become super close until our Junior year of high school. Anna radiates kindness and gentleness, balanced with a surprising and hilarious mix of boldness--this girl is a boss and she can call it like she sees it! Over the years, she and I have loved sending quotes and journal prompts to each other...she is definitely my fellow sensitive girly. I love that she can be so introspective and thoughtful, but knows how to have a good time and laugh until our abs hurt! I admire how hard she works and how generous she is to others. Anna is someone who grounds me to who I am whenever I'm around her, and I am so grateful for the unconditional love we share.
Andrew Webber
Groomsman
Andrew and I met when I joined the water polo club in college. We’ve become close as we’ve traveled to tournaments together, explored downtown Laramie, and hung out with friends. Andrew loves to work with kids, which I believe makes him great listener when I need someone to talk to. Some of my best memories with Andrew were when he would still support me as the water polo club’s leadership despite waning interest in the club. It meant a lot for both of us to keep that team going, and I am thankful he was there with me. Him and his partner, Nicole, are both incredibly welcoming and kind, and I am happy they have been able to celebrate our wedding today!
Josie Cox
Bridesmaid
Josie and I became friends as undergraduate SLP students at the UW. She is one of the most brilliant people I've ever met, and she makes everything she does look easy--but she would tell you that's not true. She is also humble and generous beyond measure. After only a few months of being friends, I found myself in a bad living situation, and Josie spontaneously offered me a spare room in her apartment. Moving in together was one of the best decisions I ever made, and we had so many fun times during those months! We are both introverted spirits, but we somehow opened up to each other rather quickly when we got to know each other. I'm so glad we did, because it lead to so many fun nights, hilarious inside jokes, and times where we pushed each other to out of our comfort zones.
Matthew Vass
Groomsman
I don’t remember my thoughts exactly when I was 4 years old, but I believe I must’ve been excited and amazed to have a little brother. Matthew has completed his collegiate baseball career and his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Ashland University. As the years pass, I am also proud to have him as a brother. He has had a great number of successes and achievements in his life which drive me to be the best I can be. I love you, Matthew, and am happy you’re here to stand by me today.
Kathleen May
Bridesmaid
Kathleen is such an amazing person! I swear, she is going to save the world someday. I have fond memories of going to lunch together during our off-blocks in high school, making covers of our favorite songs, and laughing at dumb things that no one else finds funny (this of course still happens frequently). I admire how passionate she is about helping others and creating a world that is better than how she found it. She has more integrity than most people I know, and I value that I can rely on her to always do what's right. She also happens to be a GREAT dog mama. This girl and I always get the giggles when we are around each other and she has the best, most contagious laugh. I cherish our friendship so much and I’m thankful to have such a supportive lady by my side on my wedding day!
Omar Urueta
Groomsman
I connected with Omar instantly when we met in college. Sharing a love for swimming, competitiveness, and desire to achieve, he and I can relate on a variety of topics. Some of my best memories with each other include our spring break trips and providing advice for each other on a variety of challenges we had faced. Omar graciously invited me along with Zach to move in together into an apartment where our friendships with each other have only grown over time.
Kirsten Kropkowski
Bridesmaid
Kirsten and I met at the UW when we were on the same research team as SLP students. I remember thinking that she was super cool and intimidating at first, but I also got to see how incredibly funny, kind, and driven she is! Kirsten is exactly the person I want to talk to when I need affirmation, and she also knows how to deliver one heck of a roast. Some of my favorite memories of Kirsten include girls' nights in downtown Laramie, getting French fries after a few glasses of wine, and hiking in the beautiful wilderness of Vedauwoo. I appreciate her for the dark sense of humor we share...it really is one of the best coping mechanisms in life! Kirsten is always able to remind me to not take life or myself too seriously, and I'm so glad I get to have someone as special as she is in my life.
Ryan Pinn
Groomsman
If you need to embark on an adventurous quest, Ryan is your man! You’ll be guaranteed a cold beer, lit stogie, and damn good tunes to jam to. We met in college and have remained close since graduating from the college of engineering together. He’s always there to have a fun time, be a listening ear for my issues, and provide solid advice for any challenges I’ve faced. He’s honest, genuine, and isn’t afraid to tell you when you’re wrong. I always feel better each time I see Ryan, and I’m thankful he’ll be there for me today.
Macie Graf
Bridesmaid
Macie is an absolute sweetheart! She and I met when I started grad school at UT-Austin. We studied and made therapy plans together during our time as SLP grad students, and shared many tears and laughs as well. Though Macie has only been in my life for a few years now, we quickly developed a life-long bond with each other through the overwhelming experience that is getting a Master's degree. Later, we became roommates during our final semester in Austin, which lead to so many fun movie nights, late-night deep conversations, dance parties, Target runs, and attempts to jump out to scare one another. I admire Macie for her ability to love everyone around her with all of her heart. She is a great person to share deep conversations about life with, but she is also a total goof in the best way.
Sean Donaldson
Groomsman
Sean and I met as Cub Scouts in Aurora, IL where I grew up. I remember visiting each other’s houses as much as we could (or at least I could) to play video games, go outside when we were kicked off the Nintendo, and return to play more video games throughout the night. He and the Donaldson family (Abby, Sharon, and Glenn) have always been a welcome breath of fresh air, and I cherish the time I spent with them. Though through separate troops, we both attained our Eagle rank and continue to live by the values we learned from the scouting program. He has been one of my closest friends in my life, and couldn’t imagine today without him supporting me.