Ben & Ellie
Wedding Party
Hannah Kraus
Matron of Honor
Hannah and I met during our first year at UVA and (though I thought she hated me at first) we have been best friends ever since! We are opposites in so many ways, but I literally could not survive without her. She is the most loyal, caring, and hardworking person I know, and she loves me and everyone else she knows so well. We have seen each other through some crazy times, and I know that regardless of the circumstances, I can always count on Hannah to be my side!
Rachel Colberg
Matron of Honor
Rachel and I met during my first year and her second year at UVA after bonding over electronic violins (random) and the horrors of sorority rush. Since then, we have been inseparable, taking countless road trips across the country together and somehow always finding ourselves in some strange situations. Rachel knows how to make anyone feel welcomed, and she has taught me how to be more confident, love more deeply, and laugh when life throws its inevitable curveballs!
Becca Samuel
Bridesmaid
Becca and I met at UVA during second year but our friendship reached new heights (or depths @ the basement) after spending a year as roommates in Charlottesville last year! Becca is a BUNDLE of joy and has seen me through some of the peaks and valleys over the past few years. She is a selfless friend who has the gift of hospitality, cares deeply for others, and loves to laugh! She can also make a mean plate of pasta. Just sayin.
Camille Smith
Bridesmaid
My salmon sister!! Camille and I met the year after graduation during our fellows program and have been inseparable ever since! She is literally my twin but with a southern accent, and she is currently living out her dream working on a horse ranch in Colorado. Camille is quick to laugh, she can find the good in anything and anyone, and she is an incredibly loyal friend! You'll have to see for yourself if you think we are twins!!!
Chloe Henry
Bridesmaid
Chloe and I also met during our fellows year, and let me tell you, we spent everyday together -- at one point, Chloe even napped on my floor! We bonded over countless nights watching Netflix to unwind, and she was my constant running buddy as we trained for a ten miler during the year. A lover of Gossip Girl, gummies, AND the Gospel (had to get three G's), Chloe is a ray of sunshine! She is wise beyond her years and always a quick phone call away.
Christine Fromke
Bridesmaid
This gal unexpectedly became one of my closest friends during my last year of college AND I have been lucky enough to somehow see her every few months despite living hundreds of miles away. Christine is one of my favorite people to adventure with while also being someone I go to for advice and wisdom. She is driven, thoughtful, and a faithful friend!! AND she is conveniently married to Ben's best friend!!
Gabi Carley
Bridesmaid
Gabi and I first bonded after deciding to run a half-marathon together despite having only ever run a few miles. After miles of talking (and dying) everyday for about six months, we quickly realized how much we loved spending time together and have remained besties since then. Gabi is a breath of fresh air - she is friends with everyone, humble despite being incredibly smart, and also always down for adventure!! Everybody needs a Gabi in their life!
Maddie Seymour
Bridesmaid
Maddie is the person in the bridal party I've known the longest, and she just so happens to be marrying my big brother!! In middle school when she and Ryan first started dating, I used to tell all my friends, "Maddie waved at me!" cause I thought she was (is) so cool, and I can hardly believe we get to stand next to each other during our big days this upcoming year! Maddie is the most thoughtful gift giver and kind friend, and I can't wait to have her as a sister!
Megan Helbling
Bridesmaid
Megan and I met during our first year when we bonded over random adventures (i.e. secret society searches, early morning runs, etc.) AND not quite fitting in anywhere lol. Here we are 6 years later, and you've never met a better and more confusing pair!!! Megan is passionate, loyal, and always my go-to for laughter and random texts. We always pick up our friendship exactly where we left it, and I am very thankful for constancy over the years!
Millie Hicks
Bridesmaid
Millie is my newest friend but could quite possibly be my oldest based on our memories and the amount of time we spend together! Millie and I met when she completed the fellows program with Ben, and I immediately knew I wanted to be her friend. Here we are two years later, and Millie is my roomie, co-worker (@ the home office), and forever friend. She loves deeply, sees the beauty in everything, and knows how to make a dang good pork chop.
Monica Stopha
Bridesmaid
Monica (or Monny as one might say) is a queen. She and I met during my first year and her second year after I nervously asked if I could disciple her through InterVarsity (a Christian fellowship at UVA). Fast forward through the years, and the discipler quickly became the disciplee. Monica is one of the wisest and most faithful people I know, and she has walked with me through some of the hardest and best moments of my life. She is another partner in crime, and I can always count on her to be by my side.
Rachel Morris
Bridesmaid
Rachel and I met during my first "meet the family" outing with Ben, and though I don't get nervous too often, I was certainly nervous to meet Ben's big sister! Needless to say, I quickly realized that Rachel is easy to be around, thoughtful, and a woman of many talents (@cooking, horseback riding, and teaching). She is always the first to laugh and join forces when I tease Ben (someone's gotta do it), and she has continually made me feel welcomed and loved as part of the family.
Will Nash
Best Man
Will and I go way back. All the way back to 6th grade. I wish I could say we became best friends on the first day of middle school but in actuality we didn’t really like each other. It wasn’t until freshman year of high school where we found ourselves on the same bus ride that we actually started to become friends. I’m grateful it has stayed that way. Will is a loyal friend with one of the kindest hearts I have ever met.
Ben Cassillo
Groomsman
Ben was one of the first people I met while at UVA and we ended up living together for two years. Through countless hours of pickup basketball or Super Smash Bros I learned that he is one of the most unabashed and brazen people I know. Ben may have graduated from UVA a year earlier than me and has already purchased his first home but he is still a clown at heart. Not afraid to speak the truth or make you laugh, Ben is an honest and authentic friend.
Benjie Colberg
Groomsman
Benjie and I met during our Fellows program after college. This man is quick to make you laugh and quick to listen. It did not take long for me to see that he has the ability to make anyone feel welcomed and is one of the sweetest and most encouraging people I know. I am thankful that Benjie is only a short drive away from me this year since he is always down for a beer and a round of golf.
Eric Fromke
Groomsman
Eric and I met our third year at UVA when he moved into the house I was living in. Eric is an enigma. He wears baseball sunglasses indoors and can make you laugh without cracking a joke. Throughout college, we walked miles upon miles in the law school library, looking for an escape from our MCAT-prep book. He has always been the guy I turn to for advice and he is level-headed and easygoing, while not taking himself too seriously.
Daniel Buckley
Groomsman
Dan and I met in our third year at UVA when he moved into the house I was living in. Dan has a great sense of humor paired with the loyalty and listening ear of a close confidant. He was probably the only other person who studied as much as I did in college, and he always gives his very best to whatever he puts his mind to -- including golf. We’re both terrible but we haven’t given up yet.
Kevin Coleman
Groomsman
Kevin and I first met during junior year of highschool. Quick-witted, straight to the point, and full of wisdom, Kevin has always been a friend I can count on for advice and faithful friendship. Through a series of fortunate events and Kevin’s commute this year I’m lucky enough I still get to see him 2 days a week on my couch.
Ralston Hartness
Groomsman
Ralston and I met during our year in the Fellows program. Our friendship began with long training runs and the beers that followed them. Sure enough one thing led to another and we, as two grown men, found ourselves sharing bunk beds the following year. Ralston is a rock steady presence and someone who always has wisdom to offer. He emulates what it means to be good.
Ryan Wood
Groomsman
Ryan and I first met at the annual Hardy-Wood beach vacation in Florida. While he obviously grew up in Florida, he has spent the last couple years in Milwaukee and I think he fits the classic mold of a midwesterner. He is easy going, amiable, and the first member of the Wood family to get sunburned. As the oldest sibling in the family, he is also the first to crack a beer on a summer beach day but probably the first to have a college fund for his future family.
Sumner Abraham
Groomsman
I first met Sumner during my year in the Fellows Program. He was paired with me to be my mentor but I am grateful that it turned into a lifelong friendship. Over the course of training for a marathon together, sharing countless Bodo's bagels, and beers at Three Notch'd, Sumner showed how much of a steadfast friend he is and how much wisdom he has to offer.
Walker Wood
Groomsman
As Ellie’s little brother, Walker and I are both the youngest in the family. I first met Walker when he was knee deep in pledging and recovering from pneumonia. It did not take long for me to see his quick witted humor and loyalty to his friends and family. Between Clemson games and beach trips to Florida, Walker is a welcome presence and he can make even a stranger feel like a friend.
Will Dalkin
Groomsman
As the little brother, I always tried to beat Will in sports, games, or any competition and never succeeded. Somehow Will manages to be good at everything, but at the same time doesn’t gloat. He is easygoing and level headed, which is fitting since he is a pediatric emergency room doctor. He is definitely the nerd of the family, and he is part of the reason why I grew up loving legos, video games, and Star Wars. Though we are very different, I have proudly followed in his footsteps in many ways.
Win Marks
Groomsman
Win and I met during junior year of high school. Over the years we have been friends we bonded over our love of travel, art, and poetry. Win is thoughtful, creative, and has a powerful ability to see what is good, true, and beautiful in the world. Our friendship reached new heights after the both of us spent what was probably far too romantic of a trip to France together.