Amanda & Jordan
Wedding Party
Chris Schnell
Best Man
Chris is my brother, biggest role model & best friend. If you hear us talking, you probably won’t be able to tell us apart, especially after years of me unconsciously picking up his mannerisms. He is an incredible story-teller, so listen up if you get a chance & he’ll almost surely make you laugh. One of my favorite memories was the summer I spent with Chris & Amy in San Diego and the drive back to Indiana.. we stopped at 6 national parks on the way – “if we aren’t driving, we’re hiking!”. His advice is second to none as it seems like every situation I’ve encountered, he has tackled it & figured out the best solution. He’s an amazing father to two perfect girls, Addison and Hannah. I had the honor of a lifetime being the best man at Chris’ wedding, and I’m so happy to be able to repay him.
Amy Putrus-Schnell
Maid of Honor
Friends Since: 2009 Met: at Victoria's Secret college job I really became "who I was" later in life - during my college years at IU. Amy was a pivotal part of those years and is the reason I met Jordan. We became fast friends working at the College Mall. I was instantly intrigued by her cool, calm, collected attitude while she trained me in the stock room (often hungover from nights out together). She helped me sneak into my first bar (Brothers, for the Hoosiers) and we planned our perfect Spring Break to Boston and New York. She's always been the calm, steady energy to my highs and lows. She's my soul sister and I know we'll end up living down the road from each other.
Nathan Humbert
Groomsman
Nathan is a badass: he flies Apache helicopters as an Army Major, an amazing husband (Jessica), father (Addison, Jaxson, Emerson), and friend. I’ve known Nathan since 9th grade, but it wasn't until 11th grade that we really became close – we had weights, all of our classes, played football together, and worked together, so we were literally in the same place all day every day. He’ll tell you he’s a better fisherman than me (probably is) and will be the one telling me to stand up straight during the vows. No matter the distance or time spent away, we always come back together like we’re in 11th grade.
Christina Fowler
Bridesmaid
Friends Since: 2011 Met: during Kohl's internship I was about to move to Milwaukee in Summer 2011 for a Kohl's internship - the only other person I knew going was a friend of a friend, Christina. Super eager to go into it together, I reached out to Christina and asked if she wanted to room with me. She politely said no, she wanted to pair with a random roommate. And the rest could have been history, but I wooed her with my charm and we ended up living together in Milwaukee for 2 years after starting with Kohl's full time. There's nothing that makes me happier than getting Christina's goat, or seeing her get worked up about the Decorative Towels (capitals feel appropriate here). She knows me through + through, and I love her so much! xx
Trent Leinenbach
Groomsman
Other than Chris, I’ve known Trent (to some, Stu) the longest. We’ve been raising hell since the first time they put us in class together in middle school. It may have been ok for a while, but Trent’s notorious incapability of whispering quickly had us in opposite corners of the classroom. We were Magic: The Gathering wannabe masters (Trent always had the best decks) and would even play each other over the phone. Due to our middle school delinquency, it was no surprise we didn’t have a single class together in high school despite taking all the same courses. We had a brief stint of separation our freshman year of college while he was at Purdue, but we were roommates the remaining three. We're still as close as ever, and even managed to play a game of Magic last year (Amanda just cringed).
Ali Stefan
Bridesmaid
Friends Since: 2011 Met: Retail Studies - IU Ali + I had several classes together at IU but we didn't really get to know each other until senior year. We started together in Product Development at Kohl's in Milwaukee and she was the 3rd musketeer to Christina' and I's roommate-romance. We had a consistent "errand" route: coffee, pedicures, shopping - the real fun was during the car rides where we would belly laugh until it hurt over Ali having a round-about conversation with herself.. I would just watch. She (+ Christina) taught me to NEVER USE THE DECORATIVE TOWELS. On a tipsy lake day in Michigan, I bumped a wine bottle Ali was drinking from with my knee, and it chipped her tooth.. and she still likes me.
Matt Dworkin
Groomsman
I’ve known Matt since 2011, when we were paired as random roommates the first year of grad school. We immediately clicked and ended up staying roommates for five years. Matt is an incredible cook and so it’s no surprise that our favorite thing to do together was drink bourbon while making a giant and complicated meal (the Turducken is probably our finest achievement). Matt has a Ph.D. in philosophy (“the real Ph.D.”) and so we’ve had many evenings talking about the nature of humanity and the universe. That said, Matt is an excellent teacher, so if you’re curious about the deeper questions in life, grab a drink and listen up. (Amanda adds: Matt was great company on my many trips out to California to see Jordan. He was generous in letting me be part-time 3rd roommate!)
Laura Jack
Bridesmaid
Friends Since: 2009 Met: Roommates at IU Laura + I were randomly paired together as roommates during our sophomore year at IU. We lived together off-campus for 2 years (admittedly worst location decision ever made) and then in the best on-campus house senior year. We endured the damp, CROOKED, spricket-infested (look it up) bedrooms located in the house basement. I'm so glad we both ended up in Chicago after 5 years of living in separate states after graduating. Laura is the easiest person to be around and has an infectious personality. "You feel me, Trey?"
Simon Bortz
Groomsman
I met Simon in our freshman year of college Calculus 3 where we bonded over our shared method of studying: Busch Light and Pizza Express. Following countless cans and slices, he eventually encouraged me to go ahead and get a Math degree as well. Whatever Simon is doing, he’s doing it at an 11 - be it partying, mathing, friending, husbanding, or dad'ing. He always has his friends’ best interests at heart, even if that means being brutally honest when you need it the most. Simon has a Ph.D. in Math and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at in Seattle, with his wife Tiffanie and two awesome kids Siegfried (Ziggy) and Wilhelmina (Willa).
Amanda Dykes
Bridesmaid
Friends Since: 2014 Met: through friends in Milwaukee Amanda + I met through our group of Milwaukee friends, and I later moved into the open room in her place (both of my ushers literally carried my mattress down the sidewalk from one apartment to the other). We joke about how different we are (and who is Amanda 1 to each the others parents). She got me to try spin class and wake up early for morning walks with her dog. I taught her how to spend an entire Sunday on the couch with all food delivered. We are the first to fall asleep on late nights with friends; there is a photo or two of us drooling on each others shoulders.. one of my favorite nights in Milwaukee was just the two of us, making our way around the city, playing shuffleboard and trying (emphasis on trying) to smoke cigars.
Kyle Travis
Groomsman
The first time I met Kyle was the first Christmas after Amanda and I started dating. Despite 6 inches of snow on the ground and temperatures in the teens, Kyle was rocking shorts all day. Kyle is an expert musician, which he’s turned into a career as a marching band instructor at Warsaw where he lives with his fiancé, Abby (wedding in July!) who also is a music instructor. Don’t ever challenge him to a game of Settlers of Catan – as he will most certainly destroy you. Talk to Kyle long enough to get a laugh out of him (it won’t take long), because it’s one of the best out there.
Abby Travis
Bridesmaid
"Family" Since: 2017 Met: through my brother Kyle Abby was my brother's girlfriend when we met in 2017. Since that time, we both got engaged and the craziness of planning a wedding has already bonded us. Kyle's super generous + passionate (especially about teaching music).. growing up, my parents + I thought no one would ever be good enough for him in our eyes. Then we met Abby. They balance each other out + are so good for each other. I'm so excited to be getting a sister, especially one so easy to get along with. Can't wait for all the trips + holidays to come!
Anthony Putrus-Schnell
Groomsman
The first time I met Anthony, my sister Amy’s husband, was on a trip to Tahoe; he & Amy were still just “friends”, and he patiently tried to teach me to snowboard. Although the snowboarding didn’t stick, he and Amy did, and we’ve grown closer every year since. One of my favorite memories is the 3 straight years the 4 of us jammed at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco. He is always up for an adventure; we’ve kayaked the Channel Islands and walked the edges of the Cliffs of Moher together. He has an infectious laugh and always has a smile on his face. He’s been a professional soccer/football player and is a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine. He does everything in his power to make Amy happy and I’m so grateful to be able to call him my brother and friend.
Meghan Schnell
Bridesmaid
"Family" Since: 2012 Met: through Jordan + Amy Meghan is married to Jordan's brother, Chris, making her my future sister-in-law. I was actually Amy's date to Chris + Meghan's wedding. I've learned Meghan is the kindest person + stops at nothing to make sure everyone is happy + taken care of. Her daughters, Addison + Hannah, are such a reflection of Meghan in their respect for others and their funny personalities. She witnessed my first (and last) attempt at skiing at Tahoe, and didn't give me too hard of a time when I sun-burned my corneas from said skiing trip. She and Chris are such role models for Jordan and I.
Aj Gress
Usher
I met AJ in middle school, but I didn’t really get to know him until high school. Pretty much every Sunday afternoon during football season was spent in AJ’s garage playing poker and eating 5-5-5 pizza. AJ will always be there for you – or your family – whenever you need him, no questions asked. He once helped my sister change a tire at 6AM in the snow just because. He’s genuinely just one of the best people you’ll ever meet. On top of that, he is an incredible professional chef, currently serving up southern-style specialties in Nashville.
Dave Parks
Usher
Friends Since: 2011 Met: through Kohl's internship Dave + Mark (my other usher) + I met during the Kohl's internship. We're all so lucky to have become and stay friends, most of us still living in Chicago or Milwaukee. Dave is the glue that brings together so many groups of people. Many of us spend summer days at his lake house, one of all our favorite weekends of the year. At the last wedding event I was at with Dave (my bridesmaid Christina's engagement party), he bumped red wine onto a white rug - no glass is safe when Dave is telling a story.
Sean Seger
Usher
Sean, sometimes known as ‘Pompous’, is also a Jasper boy turned IU alum. We lived together sophomore year, the year when the “wall” (aka a free standing particle board) separating his and Trent's bedrooms collapsed, barely missing him. He may or not be part Irish. Sean is incredibly outgoing and adventurous, and never backs away from a challenge. He runs marathons and has traveled all over the world. He is currently engaged to his fiancé Lucia living in NYC.
Mark Jaffee
Usher
Friends Since: 2011 Met: through Kohl's internship Mark + Dave (my other usher) + I met during the Kohl's internship. Mark + I became closer friends once we moved back to Milwaukee in 2012. Mark is smart, practical and has a police man walk. We give each other lots of grief but Mark has a secret soft side I'm lucky to have gotten to know. Some of my favorite memories of Mark include hiking trips (we called him Trail Master Jaffee) + realizing we are both grumpy, old men inside (ask him about over-priced Summerfest beers or pushy teenagers). Mark is like a big brother to me.. one who won't let me forget about my first/ failed dog owning experience (Cricket)
Addison + Hannah Schnell
Flower Girl
Addison + Hannah are Chris + Meghan's daughters. When we get married, Addison will be nearly 6 and Hannah will be almost 4. If you want to be put in your place about who makes the best Barbie pizza or talk about mermaids, Addison is your girl. If you want to treat yourself to hanging with the happiest, smiley-est kid at the wedding, find Hannah for hugs. These little flower girls are the sweetest and by far the most entertaining!
Chris Rusing
Usher
Friends since: 2014 Met: through mutual friends in Milwaukee I’ve known Chris for about 5 years now, but we really got to be good friends when Jordan and I moved to Chicago. Chris lives close to us and is the reason we have tried so many restaurants and bars in Chicago. He also shares my late-in-life love for bloody marys. Chris has become a close friend over the last few years - my first memory with Chris is @ Mo Pop in Michigan, where Chris joined Ali (bridesmaid) and I as we tried all the food trucks and snacks - he gets cranky when hungry (like me) so we get along just fine.