Elise & Chris
Wedding Party
Erin Bennett
Maid of Honor
I'm trying to remember how and when I met Erin... hmmm... let me think about this. Oh yeah, on November 14, 1992 when she was made her grand entrance into the world!! I have known for many years that Erin would be my Maid of Honor someday. She is my best friend and even though she's my younger sister by 3 years, I look up to her in so many ways. Fun fact for those of you that don't know this, but Erin is getting married this year too (10/24/20) to an awesome guy named Nik! Bring on the weddings!
Kyle Brooten
Best Man
Kyle is my twin brother who now lives in NYC with his wife Lauren. I just wrote my best man speech for his wedding, wish I could copy and paste into here! Kyle has always been there for me though, we always hung out, played the same sports, shared the same friends, and shared a bedroom for our whole childhood. Kyle has been working at Turner with me for the last 4.5 years in NYC which has been cool having him live and breathe that life now. He moved in with me before I moved away to Jersey/Iowa, so it was great reconnecting before my departure. Our photo is of us at my sisters birthday party in Hoboken. It’s been eye opening watching Kyle’s wedding and various parties come together over this past year. We have taken notes, but are excited to execute our events with the family too!
Abby Dinklage
Bridesmaid
I like to refer to Abby as my "other Dienne half" because we both share that middle name, which was created by our great-grandfather. Abby is my much older and wiser cousin (by 2.5 weeks, ha!) and we have spent many wonderful years (mostly summers) together. Abby and I have many other things in common, other than our middle name. We both LOVE the color blue, anything related to the ocean/lakes, the outdoors, drinking coffee, our MOMS, our family, being active, traveling (when we can find the time) and of course... RED WINE. Abby coined the term "I'm not cousins" but thank God we are cousins, cause I can't imagine life without ya!
Evan Turner
Best Man
Evan and I both went to App State, but really became best friends after college in 2010 when I was living in New York City, and he was Living in Charlotte. We both had new and exciting careers, while living in big fun cities. We invested the time and money needed to maintain our friendship by flying to each other’s cities for weekend trips 4+ times a year. We never had to worry about packing wrinkled button-downs to wear out since we were similar sizes, and our closets were always fair game to each other. These past few years, our love of real estate has allowed us to invest in properties together which has been a great experience. Also, our love of travel has allowed us to vacation together to Colorado, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Des Moines, Las Vegas, Napa Valley, & The Bahamas!
Darcey Brooten
Bridesmaid
Darcey is Chris's sister who lives in Hoboken, NJ! We met Memorial Day 2019 (about 2.5 months after Chris and I met) and I thought she was pretty darn cool right away. Since meeting last May, we have spent many fun times together in New Jersey, NYC, Cape Cod, Nashville, Raleigh, Colombia and I can't wait to add Iowa to that list in July!
Chris Bennett
Groomsman
Chris is Elise’s younger brother who lives down in Kansas City. I first met Chris out at a bar in downtown Des Moines where you could definitely tell he was fun, and in support of his sisters decision to date me! It was always a running joke from the Bennett family on what to call me since now they had two Chris’ in their life with a last initial of ‘B’. C-Benn vs C-Broot, CB1 vs CB2, The OG Chris vs. New Chris and so on. It’s been great getting to know Chris as the various Bennett family functions. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, KC’s American Royal, or other family gatherings. Always a nice guy with an energetic personality at all the various events. Our photo was at Christmas when I asked Chris to be in my wedding party via his go-to wine Apothic Red Blend.
Ashley Culver
Bridesmaid
Ashley (AKA Ash, AshieBashie34, Malibu Barbie, Ash Ash Drinky Drinky… okay, I'll stop!) is one of my oldest friends. We met in 2nd grade at Windsor Elementary so I think that equates to 23 years of friendship... WHOA. We have been through so much together.. from our basketball days, to awkward punk rock stages, fun concerts, lots of crazy weekends, best friend piercings, boyfriends, breakups, working in the elevator industry together, weddings (Ashley to Mike!), babies (sweet Laine), and the list goes on and on. I was lucky enough to stand with Ashley on her wedding day almost three years ago and now I'm beyond excited that she will be standing up with me on mine!
Dave Brooten
Groomsman
Dave is my older brother who lives in Hoboken NJ with his wife Alex, and two kids Fia & Knox. Dave was always a great brother who we looked up to mainly for his love of sports. We followed his path to play Soccer, Basketball, & Baseball. Later in life, I picked up Golf, and enjoy playing with him at Cape cod every year. I thought I was good at cornhole & beer pong, but Dave is definitely great when it comes to any hand eye coordination drinking game. Dave has a love of Yankees baseball, and Giants football, and always went to at least one game a year together when we were both living in NYC. Dave is an excellent role model as a family man, and I have enjoyed watching his family grow over the years! We can’t wait to continue the year of parties in 2020!
Erica Beals
Bridesmaid
Erica and I met freshman year of college (Goo Hawks!) when we joined the same sorority. I am forever grateful that Theta brought us together because we have become life long friends. We lived together our senior year and although I moved away after college, we kept in touch and still saw each other a couple times a year at football games, our annual college girls trip or when I would come home to visit. When I moved back to Des Moines in June 2018, I was ecstatic to purchase a townhome that was 1.3 miles away from Erica and Mike (yes, we clocked it) and now we get to see each other more than twice a year. Erica is now a mommy to sweet baby Brooks (!!) but we still find time to stay in touch and get together, especially when we're both in need of a sushi fix!
Mark Cardillo
Groomsman
Deo and I mixed friend groups, and it’s been great having that extended friend circle now! He was one year older than me at App State, and I would say we are the most alike out of all my friends. We both enjoy throwing parties, all with good music, and well stocked fridges with beer pong going. We always played guitar hero lip sync karaoke for a full band late at night after most parties. We always went all out for tailgating, and Deo is definitely the best cornhole player I know. He also enjoys event planning, and making sure every situation is a great time. We also share the hobby of making go-pro videos. I remember having the best time in Vegas with Deo twice for trips like his bachelor party! He has the perfect wife in Leah, and two great boys back near High Point, NC.
Jenny Simpson
Bridesmaid
Jenny and I also met freshman year of college through our sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta! We lived in neighboring dorms so we would often ride over to the Theta house in the same car. When I met Jenny, I just remember always laughing, and having such a great time. From Theta parties, to tailgating, to homework nights, to Mom's/Dad's days and more. There was never a dull moment. :) Thank goodness for social media because we were in different states for about 6 years, but we would keep in touch no matter the distance.
Jarrett Horne
Groomsman
Jarrett was a few years older, and really took me under his wing at App State. We met at club soccer which was fun, but we really hung out a lot outside of soccer where we became good friends. We can blame him for my beer pong ball throwing technique, but it definitely works. Jarrett loves all sports, and really got me into App State Football whether it be tailgating, or storming the field during our championship win in Chattanooga. As you can see in our photo, we won a bocce tournament at the beaches in NC which was a come from behind victory. Another great memory was when Jarrett joined our family vacation in Cape Cod, and our time together in Des Moines. He always puts in the effort, and I love that about him. Can’t wait to see him and his girlfriend Danielle back in Iowa!
Lauren Frawley
Bridesmaid
Lauren (AKA Frawl Dawg... yes, that's what you're still in my phone as) and I ALSO met freshman year through joining Theta together. I was instantly attracted to her fun and bubbly personality and we shared a lot of common interests like running, dancing, going out, tailgating, late night munchies and rap music. I liked to refer to myself as Missy E. We lived together senior year and there was definitely no shortage of fun. :) After college, we both moved to new areas - Frawls to Philly and me to Minneapolis and then Cali. We visited each other several times and although we're far apart now, we can always pick up right where we left off.
Andrew Otero
Groomsman
Otero was always more than a friend, he was definitely like a brother. We met at club soccer at App State where we both played and had leadership roles. It was a fun time in our life, traveling to schools in the region for games/tournaments. We were both forwards getting most of the goals/assists. We were friends outside of soccer too, binge watching 24, tailgating, and playing beer pong any chance we could. While we were busy, that didn’t stop us from pledging Delta Chi together which was a great experience. Our favorite times though, were rooming together senior year where we could host parties, play guitar hero, and play as much ping pong as we wanted. Otero’s wedding was a great time, and I am happy you are living your best life with Erin & Sam in Hickory, NC!
Kathryn Meyer
Bridesmaid
Kathryn, AKA Kger, and I met while taking piano lessons at Ms. Hupton's house (she says I was better but I think she was). We also had several classes together at Merrill Middle School. I always thought she was cool but we weren't really "friends" at this point. Until one day, she gave me one of her school pictures (wow!) which if you remember, that meant you were *friends.* Anyway, we started hanging out in some of the same friend groups and then we became even closer in high school. We lived together freshman year of college (Spring Break, go hawks, woooo!) and have more stories than you want to know, but I'll save those for another time. :)
Simon Sargon
Groomsman
I met Simon through work out here in Des Moines, Iowa, and we quickly became great friends. He was always reliable, always down for a good time, and always helpful for anything needed. Simon is great at what he does at Turner, and is very hard working. I owe him help on his next house move, that's for sure! But we get to know each other best outside of Turner whether it be parties at my Condo, bar hopping, shooting pool, or traveling. Simon and I have had fun on various weekend trips to Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City, and even a fishing trip to Outer Banks, NC. Our photo is when my parents and sister visited from NJ, and we did the capital tour. I can’t wait for Claire & Simons destination wedding next year, and to see them at all 2020 wedding events. Cheers to a great friend!