Wedding Party
Ashley Burns
Bridesmaid
Ashley and Ariane first met in high school while working as hostesses at Hacienda Colorado. Their friendship officially began during a closing shift when their shared quirky humor got so out of hand that it even caused a couple to leave their date early. From that night on, they were inseparable, sticking by each other through high school, college, and adulthood. Weekends were their time to shine, hitting the town with their signature drink of choice—an adios (a decision no one understands to this day)—and ending the night with food truck pizza and ranch. Even though Ashley now lives in Texas, their friendship hasn’t changed. They still talk every day, sharing their signature weird jokes and keeping their bond as strong as ever, proving that true friendship knows no distance.
Ben Meyers
Groomsman
Ryan and Ben share one of the longest and closest friendships in this group, a bond that began on the soccer fields in elementary school. Over the years, their connection only grew stronger, carrying them through countless memories in high school and beyond. After college, their friendship entered a new chapter when they became roommates, creating even more shared experiences. During this time, Ben had a front-row seat to the early days of Ryan and Ariane’s relationship, watching it unfold from the start. When COVID hit shortly after they moved in, the lockdown brought an unexpected period of closeness, as Ben witnessed how Ryan and Ariane’s love deepened through shared challenges, quiet moments, and unwavering support for one another. A steady and supportive presence in Ryan’s life, Ben has played an integral role in their journey, making his place on this special day all the more meaningful.
Karlee Teet
Bridesmaid
Karlee and Ariane first crossed paths in 7th grade health class, where an unforgettable moment of shared laughter marked the beginning of their lifelong friendship. If you ask them what exactly brought them together, you’re bound to hear a story that will leave you laughing just as hard. Karlee has an incredible gift for making Ariane laugh until tears are streaming down her face every time they hang out. Over the years, they’ve navigated every awkward stage of adolescence together, from their emo phase and bad haircuts to heartbreaks and milestones. Now, as adults, they continue to cheer each other on through life’s biggest moments, including marriage, while holding onto the humor and joy that first brought them together at age 13.
Brian Bedell
Groomsman
Brian was one of Ryan’s first friends on the college lacrosse team. A transfer from Monmouth University and a year older, Brian quickly bonded with Ryan, and their friendship flourished over their three years together on the team. They often stood side by side during games, finding it the best way to manage the emotions of game day when not on the field. Through ups and downs—including the infamous story of Brian getting two hernias from fireman-carrying Ryan around a field (definitely a story worth hearing)—their friendship remained strong. Over the years, they’ve supported each other, witnessing one another find love and slowly grow their families. Although Brian tends to be the more cautious of the two, their personalities balance perfectly. They know this is just the beginning of many milestones they’ll share as friends.
Kirstie Gorthy
Bridesmaid
Ariane and Kirstie didn’t start off as fast friends—in fact, they didn’t even like each other at first. They merely tolerated one another while serving tables at Hacienda Colorado. But fate had other plans, bringing them together in the same philosophy class. Thanks to Kirstie’s stellar note-taking skills (and Ariane’s knack for skipping every other class), Ariane aced the course, and the two quickly became inseparable. From hanging out before and after shifts to hitting the town together every weekend, their bond grew strong. One of their favorite pastimes remains drinking wine and bingeing terrible Netflix movies. Kirstie has been by Ariane’s side through countless pivotal moments, creating some of her most cherished memories. It’s only fitting that Kirstie stands by Ariane’s side on this special day, as she’s been there for so many of life’s most meaningful moments.
Luke Sadd
Groomsman
The youngest of the group, Luke “Little Sadd” is a year younger than Ryan, but their bond has always felt timeless. The two first met through the lacrosse team at Mercer, where their connection was immediate and effortless from the moment Luke arrived on campus. While Luke’s older brother, Jake, shared a strong bond with Ryan, it was Luke and Ryan’s easygoing and lighthearted friendship that truly stood out. Their dynamic was built on mutual respect and camaraderie—they pushed each other to excel on the field but never took life too seriously. Whether joking around or diving into deeper conversations, they created a space where no topic was off-limits. After college, Luke shared a special moment in Ryan and Ariane’s story when he became the first to celebrate their engagement in London while coaching in England. To this day, Luke and Ryan remain incredibly close, talking almost every day and continuing the friendship that has been such an important part of both their lives.
Lauren Van Dissel
Bridesmaid
Lauren and Ariane's story began in an unconventional job interview where the questions were less about qualifications and more about fashion—“Where did you get your shirt?” and “Where do you shop for clothes?” Despite the casual tone, Ariane landed the job, and the two quickly became friends, even while working from different states. When Lauren started considering a move to Denver, Ariane wouldn’t take no for an answer and convinced her to make the leap. Once Lauren arrived in Denver, their friendship grew even stronger. From shopping trips to discovering the city’s best restaurants, the two have built countless memories together. Lauren has been a constant source of support in Ariane’s life, from the early days of her relationship with Ryan to this very day. Having her by Ariane’s side on this special occasion is a true reflection of their unbreakable bond.
Matt Schwayder
Groomsman
Ryan’s long-standing friendship with Matt began in elementary school when they played lacrosse together. Their bond grew stronger in middle school, where they spent nearly every day together, both on the field and in the classroom, as well as hanging out outside of school. Ryan had the privilege of watching Matt and his wife, Holly, grow together, just as Matt has with him. Even though Matt moved to Arizona for college, their friendship has remained strong. They stay connected through playful trash talk, but more importantly, through meaningful check-ins and deep conversations about life, goals, and the future, always keeping each other closely involved.
Leyla Ansary
Bridesmaid
Leyla and Ariane often say they've known each other since birth, and in many ways, they truly have. Leyla is family to Ariane, and despite spending their entire lives together, their one and only argument remains the time Leyla called Ariane a "princess" over Yahoo email. Through every phase of life, Leyla has always had Ariane’s back—whether it was lending her books (she’s basically Ariane’s personal librarian) or supporting her through the awkwardness of their pre-teen and teenage years. The two shared wild college adventures and a few memorable party nights (RIP the Volkswagen Jetta, ask them about it sometime—it’s quite a story). Leyla has been a constant rock in Ariane’s life, and their bond truly proves the saying that they were meant to be cousins because their parents couldn’t handle them as sisters.
Nigel Wynn
Groomsman
Nigel and Ryan first met in class at Mercer and quickly became friends. While they were close during their first two years, their bond deepened when they became roommates in their Junior and Senior years. Living together allowed them to spend more time outside of class and off the field, strengthening their connection. They soon discovered a shared passion for anime, cooking, and cars. Late-night anime marathons, experimenting with new recipes, and endless car discussions became staples of their time together. These common interests solidified their friendship, and they’ve stayed in touch ever since, often revisiting those topics in daily conversations. It’s rare for a day to go by without discussing anime, new recipes, or the latest in the automotive world.
Monica Amaya
Bridesmaid
Monica and Ariane can’t exactly recall the first time they met, as it was back when they were just little babies in kindergarten. After going to different elementary schools in second grade, the two lost touch for a while but reconnected in high school and quickly became inseparable again. Their friendship really blossomed over their shared love for One Direction, and that bond has remained strong ever since—1D fans for life! Though Monica now lives across the world in a completely different time zone, their connection is as strong as ever. They keep in touch by sending each other a constant stream of ridiculous memes, One Direction content, and hilarious voice memos, no matter the distance. Every time Monica comes back to town, it feels like no time has passed, and they effortlessly fall back into their old rhythm, picking up right where they left off.
Scott Baird
Groomsman
Scott and Ryan met at Mercer, where they quickly became familiar faces through the business school. They shared several courses and often found themselves balancing a packed schedule of academics, athletics, and team obligations. This busy routine fostered a strong camaraderie, as they spent hours juggling coursework and training. On the field, Scott played a key role in pushing Ryan to improve, both physically and mentally, offering feedback and encouragement that motivated him to perform better. Their bond extended beyond lacrosse, with deep conversations about life, goals, and their passion for the game, building a friendship based on trust and respect. Even years after college, their connection remains strong. Though they don’t talk every day, every conversation feels as natural and meaningful as it did back then. Ryan still turns to Scott for advice, especially when he needs a peer's perspective or straightforward guidance. Their friendship continues to be a steady source of support, grounded in shared experiences and open dialogue.
Randi Wikoff
Bridesmaid
Randi and Ariane’s friendship began in high school during AP Psychology, where Ariane, not a fan of coffee, often dozed off in class. Randi, always quick to help, would flick her on the back of the head to keep her awake—setting the tone for their playful, supportive bond. Their friendship grew stronger while working at Inta Juice, making smoothies during their first jobs. The long shifts gave them time to connect, laugh, and share personal stories. After high school, they lost touch, but fate reunited them one night at a downtown bar. Since then, they’ve been inseparable, sharing laughs, supporting each other, and jokingly convincing each other to splurge on whatever’s in their online shopping carts. Through all of life’s ups and downs, their friendship has remained a steady source of joy, trust, and encouragement.
Walker Eansor
Groomsman
Walker, a teammate from Mercer, played a key role in Ryan’s college experience. Though a year ahead of him, their bond went beyond the typical upperclassman-underclassman dynamic. Walker was a constant source of positivity, always lifting the team’s spirits. On the field, his fierce competitiveness set a high standard for everyone. But it was his genuine care for his teammates that made him stand out—always checking in with Ryan, not just about lacrosse, but life in general. His balance of leadership and empathy made him both a mentor and a friend. Even after graduation, Walker stayed in touch, offering support and encouragement. To Ryan, Walker is more than a teammate—he’s the kind of person you’d follow into any challenge, someone you'd “run through a wall” for. His loyalty and friendship make him the ideal person to have by your side on a special day.
Tess El Tamer
Bridesmaid
Tess and Ariane’s friendship began on their very first day working on the same team. Despite being in different states, the two quickly bonded as the “newbies,” messaging each other daily. Over time, they became so in sync that colleagues on calls would often confuse them for one another—a mix-up they found hilarious, especially since they initially thought they looked nothing alike. As it turns out, Tess and Ariane not only share a bit of a resemblance but also remarkably similar personalities, attitudes, and outlooks on life. Despite the physical distance between them, their connection has only deepened. What started as a professional relationship turned into a genuine, close-knit friendship, and they’ve become an essential part of each other’s lives. For Ariane, Tess has become not just a colleague but a true confidant, someone who feels like a kindred spirit, a “twinny” in every sense.
Will Van Dissel
Groomsman
Will is the newest addition to Ryan’s circle of friends, and their friendship had a rather “unique” beginning. It all started when Will’s wife, Lauren, worked with Ryan’s future wife, Ari, at the same ad-tech company. When Lauren and Will first began dating, Ryan was skeptical and openly joked that he had no interest in meeting “this random Australian guy,” dismissing the relationship as a potential fling. However, fate had other plans. When Ryan and Will finally met, it didn’t take long for them to hit it off. Will’s infectious personality, unfiltered sense of humor, and fresh cultural perspectives made him someone Ryan couldn’t help but gravitate toward. Their banter and mutual appreciation for each other’s quirks quickly turned into a close friendship, full of laughter and good-natured ribbing. Now, the two often joke that they’re practically in a “side relationship,” given how much time they spend talking and hanging out. Will’s presence has brought a fresh dynamic to Ryan’s life, and their friendship continues to grow stronger with each passing day.
Elias Parvanta
Officiant
When it came time to choose someone to officiate their wedding, Ariane and Ryan knew the decision was an easy one. Ariane’s little brother, Elias, was the perfect choice. As Ariane’s best friend and lifelong partner-in-crime (even when he didn’t have a choice), Elias has been by her side through every milestone, big and small. From childhood adventures to late-night heart-to-hearts, their bond is something truly special. Having Elias officiate this next chapter of her life means the world to Ariane, and she couldn’t imagine anyone better suited to the role. Ryan and Elias hit it off right from the start. Their first meeting set the tone with plenty of laughter and a few family-initiated tequila shots, sealing their connection in true celebratory fashion. Over the years, their friendship has only grown, and now the two have their own inside jokes, shared hobbies, and occasional hangouts—sometimes even without Ariane. Ariane and Ryan feel incredibly lucky to have someone so warm, funny, and deeply meaningful to them lead their ceremony. They are honored to have Elias stand with them on their wedding day, helping them celebrate their love and officially begin their journey as husband and wife.