Alexandria & Austyn
Wedding Party
Ashton Rentsch
Matron of Honor
Although she was extremely disappointed to lose her only child status, Ashton and Alex became best friends over the years. From driving her baby sistser around blasting Superbass by Nicki Minaj, to racing around the house in Ashton's wheelchair, to having Alex as her own Maid of Honor, it is safe to say she has grown to love her. Ashton is also the mother of Emerysn (flowergirl) and Hattie Rentsch who she shares with her loving husband of 10 years, Justin. If you see her around the wedding, ask her how she feels about carrying a child for 9 months only for her to come out a carbon copy of Alex.
Katey Barnhart
Maid of Honor
Alex & Katey have known one another since 7th grade, where they sat next to each other in chorus class and realized they had the same (ridiculous) sense of humor. Their bond grew strong upon high school graduation, where they have yet to go without texting for longer than 24 hours since 2017. That is not an exaggeration, Jack and Austyn would confirm. Katey is a beautiful mother to her son, Teagan, who she has with her life partner, Jack Graham.
Anna Timmerman
Bridesmaid
Anna and Alex met during 2020 in Athens Ohio, where both were members of CHAARG and quickly bonded over all they had in common. Seriously, their lives are strangely similar. Ask her about it. They kept each other sane during the 2020 pandemic and have seen each other through the most pivotal years of their 20s so far.
Charissa Tyas
Bridesmaid
Charissa and Alex met their freshman year of college at Ohio University when they both moved in early to work at Nelson Dining Hall. Although their tenure at Nelson was short, their friendship has lasted ever since. They became instantaneously close. Charissa joins us from Fayetteville, North Carolina where she's lived for the last 3 years. If you see her around, ask her about the first night she hung out with Alex in college.
Maddy Doty
Bridesmaid
Maddy has been lifelong friends with both the bride and the groom. She and Alex began dating the groom and the best man (Brandon Mitchell) during the same year of school. They have spent homecomings, proms, high school parties, college parties, and countless other memories as a group of 4. She was key in getting the newly weds together. Maddy and Brandon are parents to two beautiful boys, Jax and Juno.
Bryson Porter
Best Man
Bryson is the brother and best friend of the groom. Although the two butt heads quite a bit in their childhood, they have become the best of pals in their adult years. They did multiple sports together throughout high school, graduated together, and now work together. Austyn was also the best man in Bryson's wedding, where he married his best friend, Lesley Porter (Decker).
Brandon Mitchell
Best Man
Brandon has been a lifelong best friend of the groom. They have competed in sports together throughout the years, gotten into some trouble (ask about the speeding ticket), and remained close since childhood. Brandon has always been rooting for the bride & groom to be together.
Keshaun Muckle
Groomsman
Keshaun and Austyn have been close friends for over a decade. Between playing football together, video games, and working together for years after high school, the two have many memories together. Keshaun is the father to his son, Key’Vaughn.
Nate Olmstead
Groomsman
Nate and Austyn have been friends for 10+ years, playing football and basketball together. The two were both groomsmen in Bryson’s wedding as well.
Tison Johnson
Groomsman
Tison is a long time friend of the groom. They met playing little league baseball for the Cadiz Cubs and have continued being close friends ever since, along with the rest of the groomsmen.
Azariah Caldwell
Flower Girl
Azariah is the daughter of Austyn’s little sister, Allison Porter and Dejuan Caldwell. She is incredibly intelligent, goofy and spunky. Azariah begins preschool this year and plays tee-ball in the summer and the fall.
Emersyn Rentsch
Flower Girl
Emmy is the oldest daughter of the Matron of Honor, Ashton and the brides brother- in-law, Justin Rentsch. She is a sassy, smart, horsey loving girl. In addition, she’s a great big sissy to our youngest addition to the family, Hattie Lynn.
Jesse Lashley
Officiant
Jesse and Alex met in the summer of 2017 when they worked together as interns in the lab of Quanex IG Systems. They quickly turned from enemies to good friends, and have remained close ever since. He has a beautiful girlfriend, Jordan Zaleski, with whom they have many cats. Fun fact: When Jesse became ordained in 2018, Alex made him promise to officiate her wedding one day!