Elisabeth & Manny
Wedding Party
Lucie Mulligan
Maid of Honor
Lucie and Elisabeth went to high school together at City High. They knew each other for for a while, but didn’t become close until their junior year. Even though they have lived in different states for all but two years of their friendship, they are always there for each other, even if not geographically. She is not only the maid of honor. She helped Elisabeth pick out her wedding dress and played a significant role in planning this wedding.
Gilbert Patino
Best Man
Gilbert is Manny's younger brother. He and Manny have always been very close and always helped each other with everything. Gilbert dedicates all of his time out of work to his two wonderful sons named Gio and Gian. They all enjoy the outdoors and playing sports. Gilbert and Elisabeth met at a family dinner in a local restaurant.
Sarah Schlaefke
Bridesmaid
Sarah is Elisabeth's cousin. Since Elisabeth does not have sisters of her own, her cousins have always been the perfect proxy. Spending lots of time playing together in childhood, they have grown very close. They even spent time in Spain together while Sarah was studying abroad. No miles nor oceans can keep these two apart.
Mike Flores
Groomsman
Mike is Manny's business partner and mentor. They met when Manny attended a sales presentation that Mike was having. Mike is a very thoughtful person when it comes to others. He is also never wrong about anything, according to Manny. When Mike nominated Manny for the Sales Rookie of The Year Award, Manny, Elisabeth, Mike, and his wife all traveled to Las Vegas together to attend the ceremony.
Lydia Schlaefke
Bridesmaid
Lydia is Elisabeth's cousin, sister, and twin. They often get mistaken for each other, so you may want to do a double take before congratulating Lydia on the marriage!
Wesley Hottel
Groomsman
Wes is Elisabeth's older brother. They first met when Elisabeth came home from the hospital when she was a few days old. He asked when she would be taken back to the hospital. After coming to terms with her existence, they are now friends. Wes and Manny met in October 2019 at a Hawkeye Football party. Here's to many more.
Emily Fluegge
Bridesmaid
Emily is Elisabeth's cousin. They have spent so much time together hanging out at their grandparents farm. Elisabeth spent a few weeks at Emily's house many years ago to help Emily get around before she could drive. Any excuse to spend more time with family was easily taken.
Kai Zimmerman
Groomsman
Kai is Elisabeth's cousin on the Hottel side. He and Elisabeth have always had a close friendship since childhood. They were even roommates for a little while while they were both living in Houston. Kai is generous in sharing his space and generous in spirit.
Alma Patino
Bridesmaid
Alma is Manny's sister, but Manny helped to raise her and has always felt like a second father to her. She and Elisabeth first met on a road trip to Chihuahua, Mexico, when Alma introduced her to Asadero cheese-something Elisabeth will never forget.
Eric Fluegge
Groomsman
Eric is Elisabeth's cousin. They have always had a fun-loving relationship. In fact, when Eric was about 2 years old, he and Elisabeth danced to "My Heart Will Go On" at a wedding and he thought that meant they were married. Though he is old enough to realize his mistake, he has never lived that moment down, and today is the perfect day to capitalize on this joke.
Salma Gutierrez
Bridesmaid
Salma is Manny's cousin and Goddaughter. Their families get together often and are very close. Manny introduced her to Elisabeth at his house a few months after they started dating and they accepted her as part of the family right away.
Jonathan Schlaefke
Groomsman
Jonathan is Elisabeth's cousin. As children they had a rocky start. When Jonathan was a baby, Elisabeth touched his eyelids and thought she blinded him because he didn't open his eyes for a few minutes. Now look what she has become! Jonathan did not commit Elisabeth's name to memory until he was 10 years old, perhaps as revenge? They're cool now, though.
Luca Wichmann
Ring Bearer
Luca is Elisabeth's cousin. Not much brings such joy to Elisabeth as playing soccer and other games with her boys. Luca enjoys reading, coding, and writing. He is even writing a novel! He plays soccer and basketball. When he plays World Cup, he plays for Italia.
Liam Wichmann
Ring Bearer
Liam is Elisabeth's cousin. Not much brings such joy to Elisabeth as playing soccer and other games with her boys. Liam loves collecting rocks and minerals. He plays soccer and basketball. When he plays World Cup, he plays for his country of Mirlo.
Giovanni Patino
Ring Bearer
Gio is Manny's first nephew. He's a very athletic boy that loves letters and numbers. When Gio was a baby, he would eat rice and potatoes with Manny. It was his favorite meal for a couple of years until he realized ice cream was the new winner.
Gian Patino
Ring Bearer
Gian is Manny's second nephew. He loves wearing cool clothes, playing the piano and climbing on top of furniture. Gian and Manny like playing catch even though Gian can't throw very far and most of the time throws in the wrong direction.
Thomas Wichmann
Honorary Groomsman
Thomas is Elisabeth's cousin. Thomas excelled at soccer. He also played basketball and ran cross country. He was learning to play the bass guitar. He and Elisabeth share a great love for Harry Potter. Thomas is dearly loved and dearly missed. It is an honor to have known him and to remember him on this special day.
Martha Castillo
Mother of the Groom
Manny and his mother have always been very close. He gets his entrepreneurial spirit from her. She has been able to accomplish many things thanks to her drive and made sure all her children learned Spanish first in order to ensure that they were all bilingual. She is the bravest person Manny knows. She enjoys the outdoors because it reminds her of her childhood. Elisabeth met Manny because of Martha. After they met, she told Manny that she wished he would marry a girl like her.
Rachel Hottel
Mother of the Bride
Elisabeth and her mother's favorite activities to do together are shopping, relaxing and reading outside, and talking. She met Manny when he came to visit Iowa in October and spent some time at her house. She has been looking forward to this day since Elisabeth's childhood and is so happy that Elisabeth will share this day, marriage, and life with Manny.
Paul Hottel
Father of the Bride
Elisabeth and her father's favorite activities to do together are playing putt-putt, hiking, and backgammon. He met Manny in October at an Iowa Football party. They got to know each other further hanging out at Paul's favorite local spot, Red's Alehouse, and at Paul's house.
Luke Hettinger
Officiant
Luke and his family are friends of Elisabeth and her mother. They met when he was a pastor at Veritas Church in Iowa City. He has been counseling Elisabeth and Manny in preparation for the wedding day, and more importantly, their marriage. It is very special to Elisabeth and Manny to have Luke officiate their special day.
Bailey
Daughter of the Bride and Groom
Though a different species, Bailey is Elisabeth and Manny's only child.
John Schlaefke
Usher
Uncle John is Elisabeth's uncle and Godfather. He will help to show you to your seat when you arrive.
Debra Schlaefke
Usher
Aunt Debra is Elisabeth's aunt and Godmother. She will help to show you to your seat when you arrive.