Wedding Party
Emma Pieper
Matron of Honor
As a young girl, about 7 years old, I begged my mom and dad to give me a little sister. And what do you know, in July of 1999 my parents gave me the best gift I could have ever imagined - a baby sister who would turn out to be my life-long best friend and a perfect MAID OF HONOR. Emma and I, although very different, share a special bond that I would not trade for anything in the world. We have been each others' biggest fans, from athletics, to careers, to finding the perfect man. I am truly blessed to have her standing next me as I marry the man of my dreams (who also happens to adore Emma)!
Brandon Mallder
Best Man
If you ask Brandon about the day we met, his first thought will undoubtedly be about the St. Laurence mixer. He was the shy kid hiding in the corner while I was the sweaty kid who just got released from his parent’s basement, tearing up the dance floor. What started out as an awkward initial encounter, turned into a lifelong, meaningful friendship. Brandon and I haven’t lived in the same state since high school, but that hasn’t stopped us from continuing our friendship. A D1 athlete, a workhorse accountant, and a truly great man, Brandon is my best friend and my best man through and through. P.S. Be sure to ask him about Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery.
Christina Lujan
Bridesmaid
I truly cannot imagine getting married without Christina by my side. Christina is genuine friend. Christina and I met in college at CSU (go rams). We were roommates for several years, played club volleyball, coached youth volleyball together, had countless snowboarding and hiking adventures, and were just basically inseparable. Since graduating, we have remained close, and even though we don’t talk every day or see each other nearly enough, she remains one of my dearest friends.
Ryan Husband
Groomsman
Ryan is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve; no not like the metaphor, he literally wears his heart on his sleeve through his lifestyle apparel company LRX. “LRX” which means to live a life prescribed by God, embodies what’s at Ryan’s core. He is a man of faith with an entrepreneurial dedication that is hard to replicate. In between traveling across the country performing his ministry and growing his business, Ryan is an approachable, humble kid doing God’s work every day. He’s a man that has done wonders for my faith and has pushed me closer to Christ in all facets of my life. I have a lot to be thankful for with Ryan, but maybe most importantly I wouldn’t be here writing this if it wasn’t for him. On December 7 back in 2019, a day that will live in infamy for other reasons, Ryan introduced me to the love of my life.
Ellen Sahli
Bridesmaid
Ellen is another friend of mine that I met through volleyball at CSU. From traveling all over the country for volleyball tournaments and sharing a bedroom in college, to meeting up in Alexandria MN in the summers during family vacations, to being in each others weddings this summer, our friendship is one that I truly cherish.
Casey Crable
Groomsman
Similar to Brandon, Casey and I met in a sweaty situation; except trade the dance floor with a competition floor down at the Buckeye Games. Casey was this soft spoken, humble guy with a wife and a newborn daughter, Lexi. He has a quiet confidence makes him stand out. He will call me his hype man, but something about him made me want get to know him more. He is one of the most hard-working individuals I’ve ever met. He has a full-time job, is a full-time crossfitter, and still has time to be an amazing father to Lexi and Carson and husband to Lindsey (steal a cookie if you can). He is someone I look up to and am extremely grateful that I’ve gotten the opportunity to know and call a friend.
Lauren Sheehan
Bridesmaid
I met Lauren a couple years ago when I started going to her gym during PA school clinicals. Interestingly, we work at the same hospital too. Most of you know Lauren as my teammate on the Ohio brutes. But we have become so much more than teammates. When we aren’t suffering through brutal workouts together, you can find us having grown-up sleepovers, eating all the baked goods, and spending time at the lake.
Nick Sheehan
Groomsman
If you asked Nick today if we are friends he will probably just say “no” and part of me still can’t tell if he’s kidding, but hell, he’s here anyway. He’s another hardworking individual who pours one heck of slab and can shred on the water with the best of them. His pride and joy, no not Lauren, but his purple Moomba is the reason he wakes up every morning (pun intended). He might be a washed up quarterback, but if you asked him for a favor he’d be on his way over before you confirmed that a case of Bush Light would indeed be waiting for him once he arrived. He understands life more than most and is someone who centers you when life gets hard and if the wisdom doesn’t help there’s always a bottle of bourbon or can a grizz waiting for you as well.
Summer Pieper
Bridesmaid
Let's just say, my brother did good. He married the most beautiful person inside and out and I am so blessed to get to have my SIL stand by my side as I marry the man of my dreams as I did when she married my brother. Although quiet, Summer can be the life of the party. She is truly one of the sweetest people I know. I look up to her for so many reasons including the incredible wife and mother she is.
John Pieper
Groomsman
A man’s man. An outside linebacker with a chip on his shoulder who wanted nothing more than to impose his will on you. So much so that, he chose to go to Western State to play football. And if you know anything about Gunnison, CO, you know that there are only two things to do out there: play football and hit the slopes, two things that Johnny did passionately. After college, Johnny had had enough of the frigidity and sought warmer weather in Texas and worked intensely to become a successful land-man. While in Texas he met his lovely wife Summer and they planted their roots. They had their first beautiful daughter Harper Ann about a year and a half ago and are expecting another here shortly. The context of his abbreviated life story is important to understand for what I’m about to say next. Growing up, I always dreamed of having a brother. Someone I could go play catch with, compete with, and work through life’s challenges with. It might have taken 28 years, but I finally got that brother. I got a brother who continuously teaches me what is most important in life, and that is Family. No matter what is going on in life it should be family at the center. The same passion and intensity that Johnny brought to the field and his career is now directed towards protecting his family and doing whatever it takes to be the best husband and father he can be. I pray that one day I can become the same man for my family that Johnny is for his.
Calline Cronin
Bridesmaid
I mean, how lucky am I to be gaining another sister! Calline is Dan's older sister and my soon to be SIL. I lucked out on this one. She is great in every way, from her witty comments to her sweet gestures. Even though I will never be able to keep up with her and Dan's endless movie quoting or understand any of their inside jokes, I will never grow sick of her company. I am so happy to have Calline as part of my wedding party and even more happy to be adding a sister to the clan.
Declan McCarren
Groomsman
When you meet Declan, you’ll find that he’s a man of few words, but when you really get to know him, you’ll find that he has one of the greatest, most subtle, senses of humor. Don’t blink, though, because you’ll miss it, or it will just go right over your head (your loss). He’s another buddy who I went to high school with, but our friendship didn’t come until shortly thereafter. After graduating, we both had time to kill outside of our training sessions for baseball and football, and just like the pros we thought there was no better way to do it than on the golf course. Declan, a scratch golfer, and myself, more of a scratch-that golfer, made quite the interesting pairing. Even though he is clearly the better golfer, I am honored to have him as my caddy for the big day.