Casie & Cole
Wedding Party
Amira Khatib
Matron of Honor
Amira and Casie have been best friends since the 5th grade. They've experienced it all together - the awkwardness of junior high, high school dances, and even a sad attempt at a rap career. Yes, a rap career. They were roommates for 3 years in college and shared an apartment together called The Wine Palace. Amira is Casie's most caring, nurturing, and loyal friend, and could not imagine this day without Amira by her side.
Jordan Jensen
Matron of Honor
Jordan and Casie grew up next door to each other as kids, and have been best friends for many years. They share the same sense of humor and could spend hours laughing together and dumb YouTube videos. They're fellow weirdos and have even dressed up to take awkward family photos together (yiiiikes). Jordan is a member of the Book Club Babes.
Lauren Mackey
Matron of Honor
Lauren ALSO grew up next door to Casie (she and Jordan are sisters) and she always brings out the party animal in Casie. You can always count on Lauren to bring the party. Her secret talent is that she can bark like a dog and it sounds eerily real. Be sure to ask her about that... All jokes aside, Lauren is also a great listener and gives the best advice ever, which is why she is one of Casie's best friends.
MaryK Braatz
Bridesmaid
MaryK is truly the vintage QUEEN. She has an Etsy shop called Lazy Bones Vintage Co. and it's the one thing you didn't know you needed. You will most likely find her thrifting, working on a craft, cuddling with a cat, sometimes all at once. MaryK's love is the definition of unconditional - she just loves Casie for who she is and doesn't expect anything in return.
Hannah Fish
Bridesmaid
Hannah and Casie met their sophomore of college and immediately fell in love with each other. She is a literal ray of pure sunshine. Hannah lives for adventure, spontaneity, sunflowers, and the color yellow. When she and Casie are together, you will most certainly find them dancing in a kitchen and cooking delicious vegetarian food.
Allie Mullings
Bridesmaid
Allie is Casie's cousin but in real life, they are the closest of friends by choice. She has known Casie since she was a wee little one and has literally seen it all. Allie is a world traveler - be sure to ask her about all the places she has been! She is also a Hawkeye through and through.. which is fine I guess. Allie is a member of the Book Club Babes.
Emma Krull
Bridesmaid
Emma was one of Casie's first friends when she moved back home to Des Moines after college. They lived together for 2 years as they were trying to fake their way through early adulthood. During their time together as roomies, free time consisted of singing show tunes, Dirty Dancing, watching Sex and the City, and hosting epic Halloween parties. Emma has the singing voice of an angel. She also has a laugh that can be heard from approximately 43.7 miles away. Emma is a member of the Book Club Babes.
John Lewis
Best Man
John is one of Cole's oldest and dearest friends. He has a heart of gold and used to throw a two-seam fastball that occasionally found the strike zone. He's a stellar jazz trumpeter (sp?). One of Cole's favorite things in the world is walking through Chicago with John. John is a founding member of Book Club Buds.
Joe Hallman
Best Man
Joe is a mighty good man. There is no one Cole would rather go see a film and argue over its merits with than Joe. He was the only person on their AAU team to hit a home run over the fence. He once wore jean shorts to the Principal Charity Classic. His laugh is so contagious the CDC just issued a new set of guidelines for it.
Luke Tasler
Groomsman
Luke is one of the greatest to ever do it. The scion of the family that started Wellman's and Club Car restaurants. He and Cole share a rich history of competing in NBA 2K and on the golf course. Luke watched in awe as Cole sunk a 21-foot putt to win a hat. He has written more songs than everybody at the wedding combined. It is no hyperbole that Luke was instrumental in Cole building a career in video.
Ian Baker
Groomsman
Ian is the tallest person in Milwaukee. A feat made even more impressive by the fact the city is home to a whole NBA team. Ian is a gifted designer with a great eye. One of Cole's fondest memories is of Ian protesting a called-third strike in baseball by laying his bat and helmet at the plate and walking off the field. Ian is a member of Book Club Buds.
Ross Edwards
Groomsman
Ross lived with Cole for two years; his presence at this wedding is a testament to his patience and tolerance for shenanigans. Ross and Cole played disc golf for many years and Ross is proud that Cole got a hole-in-one before he did. He has a dog named Nugget, but pretend you didn't know when he's telling you. Stick around long enough and he'll show you his garden, and he might even offer you some rutabaga or whatever he grows in there.
Jack McGarvey
Groomsman
Jack once led kayak tours in Valdez, Alaska. He played guitar for a band named Most Bodacious. He fights wildfires in Colorado. He is this wedding's preeminent Bigfoot expert. One of these is a lie. You decide.
Nathan Tindell
Groomsman
Fun fact: Cole actually asked Nathan for his blessing to propose to Casie before he asked her dad, Bill. Nathan is an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals fan. Cole can't wait to officially call him a brother.
Tommy Swartz
Usher
Tommy batted a perfect 17-17 off of Cole during their little league careers. At least, that's how Cole remembers it. Come to think of it, that's probably how Tommy remembers it, too. A lefty with a sweet swing, Tommy had a pool growing up. Tommy is a member of Book Club Buds.
Sam Norman
Usher
The most overqualified usher since Usher. Sam and Cole once teamed up for a History Day school competition. They spent a weekend making a 10-minute documentary on the history of ESPN, eight minutes of which were SportsCenter commercials and bloopers. They lost to a meticulously researched snoozer on Norman Borlaug.
Sam Bates-Norum
Officiant
Sam is Cole's younger brother by 22 months. He took the things that Cole did-- baseball, acting, height-- and did them better. Sam is taking time from studying law at Boston University to officiate the wedding and offer possibly dubious legal counsel for $25 a pop.
Lexi Tindell & Sydney Benson
Personal Attendants
Lexi and Sydney are Casie's BEAUTIFUL cousins. Casie is the oldest of the three by a handful of years and is arguably the favorite, but that's beside the point. They both have beautiful long, blonde hair and you will most likely find Casie braiding it for them.