Cassandra & Spencer
Wedding Party
Ryan Warrick
Best Man
Ryan and Spencer became close friends in middle school when Spencer joined Ryan's swim team. In high school, they grew to be best friends over their shared love for video games, anime, lifeguarding at Hyperion country club, and trauma bonding over swim practice. Though they attended different universities, they stayed close, meeting up on breaks and visiting each other when possible. After graduation they both ended up in the same apartment complex in West Des Moines, IA. They remain strong friends with their continued shared interests and new love for night shift labor and delivery nurses (shout out to Carly, Ryan's Fiancé, and Cassie's friend/former coworker).
Erin Woodford
Maid of Honor
Cassie's first friend when moving to Bettendorf, IA. They bonded over moving frequently, travel, and surviving high school, before becoming roommates at the University of Iowa freshman year. Through ups, downs, and miles apart, Erin has been a constant support for Cassie. Living on the east coast together (in driving distance!!) has been a highlight of Cassie's move to Arlington, VA. From hiking in Norway to wondering through New York, they have a knack for enjoying life together!
Nicholas Collison
Groomsman
Spencer's older brother, chocolatier, and built in best friend. Growing up, Spencer looked up to his older brother and joining many of the same sports after being on the sidelines cheering Nick on. Even though they have developed different interests as they have grown up, Spencer continues to look up to Nick's resilience and hard work. Nick has been a role model for Spencer his entire life and Spencer cannot imagine celebrating this day without his brother by his side.
Abbey McDaniel
Bridesmaid
Cassie's "little sister" turned bestie. Cassie met Abbey at the busiest period in Cassie's college life. They bonded quickly and later became the best Big/Little sister pair in their sorority. When Cassie left for Australia, Spencer and Abbey formed their own friendship based in their shared missing of Cassie. Spencer, Cassie, and Abbey continue to be very close friends. Abbey was the only one (other than family) that knew of Spencer's plan to propose to Cassie. She continues to be their biggest supporter, brightening their days with many facetime updates on her life!
Carter Copes
Groomsman
Spencer's junior year of college he gained a new roommate and friend. When Carter moved in, he brought a new spark to hosting house parties, attending weekly trivia, and supporting any and all Hawkeye sports. After college, Spencer and Carter's favorite pastime became grabbing a drink, trying new things, playing games, and sitting back to discuss the deeper things in life. They call frequently to discuss sports updates, movie reviews, and always make an effort to know what's going on in each other's lives.
Ava Stigler
Bridesmaid
Cassie's oldest friend. They first met when their parents planned a dinner before Ava moved to Cedar Falls, IA in 2008. Their friendship has spanned moves to Germany and France, high school, and college half way across the country from each other. Ava is the closest thing Cassie has to a sister, including all the embarrassing childhood stories that come with the territory! Now living only a train ride away, they have taken advantage of the closer proximity and ability to get together with Erin, and flashing back to their high school antics.
Nick Bast
Groomsman
Before Nick Bast entered the chat, Spencer was the lone, token boyfriend of the Bloomington street apartment and DZ girl group. When Nick met Abby and joined the crew, Spencer and Nick hit it off bonding over their enjoyment of nights out in Iowa City, Hawkeye sports, and support the chaos that is the DZ girls. At every date party, formal, and elaborate birthday bash, Spencer could count on Nick to be there and support his antics. After college, they continue to support each other in their shared adventures and the challenges of working up the corporate ladder.
Abby Hanneman
Bridesmaid
Cassie's personal sunshine in a tall, blonde bottle. Cassie and Abby became quick friends when they joined their Sorority and lived in the same dorm freshman year of college. Since then, they have traveled to New Zealand, attended the Era's tour, and lived together for three years throughout college. Abby is a ray of sunshine as she is constantly laughing (if you know, you know) and fills Cassie's heart with so much joy, love, and laughter!
Hunter Aldred
Groomsman
Hunter and Spencer work hard and play harder. Hunter may have started as Cassie, Erin and Kathleen's Resident Assistant their freshman year of college, but he's quickly become one of Spencer's and Cassie's closet friends. Spencer barely knew Hunter when they moved into an apartment together, Spencer's sophomore year of college, but they quickly became close friends. They both took school seriously, but when the weekend hit, they took enjoying what Iowa City had to offer even more seriously. Spencer is one of Hunter's biggest supporters through med school and residency. Despite Hunter's wild schedule, they try to catch up frequently and when they do see each other, it's like the party never stopped.
Josie Summy
Bridesmaid
Cassie and Josie are two peas in a pod. Starting as sorority sisters, Josie and Cassie became fast friends the summer between Junior and Senior year of college. Josie and Cassie have a shared love of traveling the world, grapefruit mimosas, and Hawkeye sports. They bring out each other's oldest daughter, competitive side in fantasy football and enable each other to try new things, step out of comfort zones, and make the most of each and every day.
Kyle Wassom
Groomsman
Kyle and Spencer grew close in college, where they were roommates, fraternity brothers, and besties. Kyle is Spencer's personal Chicagoan, introducing him to the White Sox, Johnny's beef, and always making time to help Spencer let lose after a stressful week of school or work. Kyle is always there to support Spencer and is very intentional in their friendship, calling Spencer regularly, visiting Spencer often, and even accidently meeting up in NYC for a weekend. Kyle, Spencer, and Hunter share a matching tattoo as a symbol for their strong bond and friendships throughout college.
Caroline Connelly
Bridesmaid
Cassie's poised confidant. Caroline and Cassie became close senior year of college, as Caroline left her wonderful solo apartment to move into the craziness that was living with three girls. Their friendship grew through many roommate dinners, nights in Caroline's room discussing the depths of life, and taking time to enjoy life outside of school. Caroline and Spencer are self proclaimed "besties" as their friendship grew through Spencer being an unofficial 4th roommate. Caroline brings so much sarcasm, classiness, and support into Cassie life, especially throughout the wedding planning process!
Ethan Brown
Usher
Ethan is the brain to Cassie's street smarts! Cassie's oldest, little brother and the first boy roped into all of Cassie’s plans, including, but not limited to, dressing up as princesses, sneaking into the kitchen for candy, and playing both poly pockets & dinosaurs because neither would compromise. Cassie continues to enjoy watching Ethan navigate the world and always has a few ideas to help make it better!
Connor Brown
Usher
Cassie's youngest brother. With an almost 7 year age gap between the two, Connor sees Cassie as his goody two shoes, no fun, older sister. As they have grown up, Connor has looked to Cassie for help as he navigated high school and now, as he's following in both Cassie and Ethan's footstep, and attending the University of Iowa. Cassie never ceases to feel old as he reaches milestones she looks back fondly on. Place your bets now if you think Connor will still see Cassie as the no fun older sister after the wedding reception!
Kathleen Kenney
Officiant
Kathleen was Cassie's first new friend at the beginning of freshman year of college. Kathleen's outspoken personality and level head has watched and experienced the span of Spencer and Cassie's relationship. She wouldn't sugar coat advice, but would foster growth and understanding of the other's perspectives as she supported them throughout many changes in their relationship. When discussing an officiant, Kathleen was chosen as one of the pair's oldest friends, biggest supporters, and for her extensive experience of attending all of her Irish Catholic family members' weddings. We are incredibly grateful as she will be flying back from her Master Program in Scotland to have her officiant debut for our wedding.