Maid of Honor
Elyse has had Merritt's back ever since the bottom bunk. She earned her reputation as Merritt's "translator" the first few years growing up, as Merritt was incredibly quiet and only entrusted Elyse with her thoughts. The trust grew and traveled from Phoenix to Fort Wayne to Lakeville to Minneapolis, where the sisters have since swapped sharing a room for a bottle of wine. Elyse is often characterized as the bar-setting firstborn (Merritt has the disappointed parents and teachers to prove it) but without that high bar, Merritt couldn't have climbed nearly as far. Elyse is a lot to live up to, in all the best ways. She is strong but kind, an active listener and inspiring conversationalist, and she still interprets Merritt's thoughts at warp speed the way only an older sister can.
Best Man
Austin's older and wiser brother, Jameson, is almost entirely responsible for the Austin you see here today. A list of the things Austin has done or is passionate about because of his older brother would take up an entire notebook, but here are a few examples: Jameson bought the bass guitar that started Austin's obsession; he went to Iowa State and became a Delt, paving the way for his younger brother; he's responsible for the dry humor the Bamrick boys are famous for; and he also married someone WAY out of his league (shout out to Theresa). Often called a taller and more pale version of your older brother is rarely a compliment, but in this case, it's an honor.
Maid of Honor
Nat got the shaft. As the youngest of three sisters she was the last to do anything first, banished to the way way back on road trips, and rather than play computer games with Merritt she was forced to just sit and watch. (She was, however, "allowed" to commentate Backyard Baseball games.) So it was a God-send that sisters 2 and 3 shared a love of music; Merritt and Nat drove through the Lakeville 'hood in the gold GMC Jimmy and belted duets (Natalie took the male counterpart, of course) and thanks to musical theater, the two found their stride. It's impossible now to think of Natalie ever taking a back seat to anything. She's the fiercest purveyor of individuality and most true-to-herself soul - a constant reminder there's beauty and depth in the overlooked.
Best Man
The younger of Austin’s two brothers, Dane is unapologetically himself. He knows what he likes (Warhammer, bourbon, his girlfriend Emily), and what he dislikes (people who don’t appreciate history, Austin probably). Dane is one of the funniest people Austin has ever known and is a walking encyclopedia for anything World War II related and beyond. From playing their own version of Cops & Robbers in the backyard as kids (which they eloquently named “Guns”) to building Warhammer models in Austin’s apartment over a few Old Fashioneds, the two have always had each other’s back.
Bridesmaid
Taylor is a combination of all of Merritt's favorite things: authenticity, wit, passion, punctuality and a free place to stay in Boston. During their college days, you'd rarely see one without the other. Taylor, studying PR, and Merritt, studying journalism, had similar schedules which made skipping class incredibly efficient. Despite today's long distance friendship, the two talk every day - which is ironic because Taylor is one of those friends Merritt barely has to say a word to in order to feel understood. She is strong, caring and incredibly loyal, and Merritt is certain she would not be the woman she is today without this sorority sister.
Groomsman
Zack has been one of Austin's closest friends since the 5th grade when the two of them (along with Brad) formed "The Posse" and were basically inseparable until the end of high school. The two have the type of small town friendship that meant walking in each other's houses without knocking, having each others' home phone numbers memorized to this day, and spending days at a time playing the guitar and bass so they could form a band and make it big out of Lawton, Iowa. While the band might not have made it, the friendship lives on and it is a dream come true to have him standing with us on our wedding day.
Bridesmaid
Anna and Merritt have lived in Minneapolis together four of the last six years. Always just a hallway-shout away, the pair has seen each other through some of life's biggest events: first apartments, career shifts, Game of Thrones season 3, and learning how to roll with the punches of growing up. Anna is the kindest, humblest, most beautiful angel you'll ever meet, but she's also a fearless salty dragon who owns anything she sets her mind to. She brings new ideas and new people into Merritt's life and continues to be one of the best listeners Merritt's ever known. She also makes a mean cocktail, a vital requirement in a roommate.
Groomsman
Austin first met Dan when they were freshmen in college. One day after an event at their fraternity, Dan asked him to go to Marshalltown, Iowa and have pizza with his grandparents. If that felt random to read, it felt even more random to hear. Austin agreed and the two have been best friends ever since, rooming together sophomore and senior years, taking road trips to Boston the summers in between school years, and dreaming about what their weddings would look like (sorry we couldn't make the Kegs of Rum and Kegs of Coca Cola happen). They've come a long way from getting terrible haircuts at GreatClips and then getting Dairy Queen to eat away the embarrassment, and Austin is positive he would not be the man he is now if he hadn't met Dan Renner.
Bridesmaid
Ali Dahl is one of those people you always call by their first and last name. Merritt first locked eyes on Ali Dahl during sorority recruitment and wondered who this beautiful, theatrical sophomore could be. Once Merritt officially joined the ranks of Alpha Gamma Delta, she and Ali became fast friends. They were both from Minnesota (a literal blood-bond between Iowa Staters) and drove home together every school break. Ali would let Merritt know she was "just about to pick her up" which meant Merritt had at least another hour to burn CDs for the drive. Always worthy of two names, Ali Dahl continues to spark Merritt's creativity, love of music and theater, and offer the most beautifully curated crash pad (and Instagram feed) in Colorado.
Groomsman
What can be said about Benda that hasn't already been covered in movies, songs and legends? The man they call The Greatest to Ever Live met Austin their sophomore year when he joined the same fraternity. They lived together senior year and that was where Benda honed his skills as a dancer (which you will all see at the reception), studying videos from the greats like Michael Jackson while Dan and Austin sat in the living room below trying not to go insane from the noises above. Benda moved to Kansas City a year after Austin and they spent many years attending concerts together, figuring out how to dress properly, honing their taste in Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, and far too many late nights at Kelly's Bar.
Usher
Philip was the very first person Austin met when he moved to Kansas City. They started their new jobs on the same day and went through orientation together. It took one bus ride for the two to become pals and begin the Great KU-ISU Integration of 2012; in the span of a year, all of Phil's friends that moved to Kansas City and all of Austin's friends that moved to Kansas City met each other and have gone out basically every weekend together since (oh and even a KU fan and ISU fan got married). The only person to go fishing with Austin in the six years he lived in KC, Philip is one of his best friends and one of the best people we've ever met.
Usher
Brad and Austin have the longest running friendship of the wedding party, dating back so far that Austin can't even remember when it started. Whether it was playing with dinosaur toys as a 1st or 2nd grader, playing video games at each others' houses in junior high and highschool, or having a few drinks in college, the two have been around the other almost since they learned to talk.
Father of the Bride
"Wouldn't it be cool if you added a bio for your parents?" Tim asked. Ergo, welcome to the parents' profile section of this website. Merritt is often compared to her dad. Both are ready to go. Do. Fix. Resolve. Ship. And then celebrate accordingly (*clink clink*). The two have always been buds. Endless cross-state drives for softball tournaments, endless discourse about if boys call during a sleepover they better have something of substance to say, endless encouragement for success. Merritt is continually enamored by her dad’s ability to be two sides of the same coin and use the more advantageous one given the situation: he can be a dad and a father. A teacher and a student. A listener and a lecturer. It affirms and comforts Merritt in knowing she can be a wife and still his daughter.
Mother of the Bride
Merritt and her mom are the only two extroverts in the fam. (But they've already communicated that to you loudly, clearly and probably at a party.) The two also share a birthday and an ability to fall asleep during any movie at any time. Merritt has more respect for her mom than anyone she's known - Justine was a special ed. and kindergarten teacher for more than 30 years and shared nothing but love and curiosity for her students. Even through Merritt's "broad-minded" academic approach, Justine put her patience and understanding into helping her daughter find her path. The two continue to surprise each other in their differences and even more so, their similarities; Merritt's path stays passionate, faith-filled and on-course the more she seeks to be like her mom.
Father of the Groom
The father of the groom (and Iowa State alumnus - shout out class of 1982), Pat introduced Austin to his lifelong love of fishing and Iowa State. But it was Austin who got the Bamricks back into ISU athletics, which has mostly been unfortunate and for that he is deeply sorry. Austin’s childhood is made up almost entirely of memories of fishing trips with his father, something he hopes to do with his future children as much as possible. Just so you know, Austin got his oil changed only a few weeks ago so you don’t need to ask about it, Dad.
Mother of the Groom
The mother of the groom, Julie also happens to be the toughest woman on the planet. A survivor of three separate cancers (lung, breast, and brain) through the past 6 years, Julie has never let her spirit waiver and was the strongest of us during those difficult times. Julie taught Austin to always look on the bright side, to find the humor in anything and everything, and to never take for granted the time you have together. Julie is a survivor, a mother, and a wonderful person and Austin could not love her more.
Flower Girl
Austin's two-year-old goddaughter and our favorite Bamrick. She stole Merritt's heart the moment she nailed the key changes in Moana and learned to "cheers" - a skill that you should take her up on at the reception.