Wedding Party

Erica Sladky

Bride

Jimmy McDaniel

Groom

Tegan Patterson

Bridesmate of Honor

Tegan is Erica’s older sibling, making her Erica’s first friend on planet Earth! They both did very similar things, most likely because Erica always wanted to copy Tegan. When Erica wasn't being annoying, they enjoyed great memories together from playing with the Elvis/Lieutenant Dan doll to working at the ice rink yelling at 8th graders to slow down.

Andy Hilger

Best Man

Being only a month younger, Andy has been Jimmy’s best friend as far back as memories go. Andy and Jimmy are cousins whose best weekends growing up (and as adults) were the ones they spent all night playing video games and bonding over every phase of life.

Shiraz Chipfurutse

Bridesmate

Shiraz and Erica met in Charleston, WV in 2012 when Shiraz was an au pair to Erica’s neighbor. They have had fun times together dancing to Beyonce songs (especially Partition), getting wild in Charleston, WV, and drinking wine in beautiful South Africa. Although Shiraz eventually returned to South Africa, she and Erica have maintained a long and lasting friendship.

Tom Bartlett

Groomsman

Originally just a name Jimmy heard around the Union Pacific office as the guy who got stuff done, Jimmy eventually figured out the sharp-dressed guy he kept seeing was this Tom Bartlett. Bonding over evenings in Tom’s living room taking turns playing their favorite records and exchanging personal philosophies have made them friends for life.

Paul Kast

Bridesmate

Paul and Erica met at WVU, initially through our mutual friend, Max. They eventually were in the same Chemical Engineering program together, although Erica thought Paul was lying about being in the program. Since graduation, Paul and Erica have remained extremely close and worked at three companies together in Charleston, WV, Omaha, NE, and now Chicago, IL!

Stephan Brown

Groomsman

Stephan went from the guy Jimmy first remembers interviewing him in shorts to being Jimmy’s manager. Stephan made the Bay Area a friendly place to land, welcoming Jimmy onto the team at work, never turning down a concert invitation, and hosting backyard happy hours all through the first winter of Covid.

Jenny Knipe

Bridesmate

Jenny and Erica met in a Chemical Engineering class at WVU. Initially, Erica thought Jenny was boring, but that all changed after Jenny studied abroad and got wild. Jenny and Erica remained close since college and were super lucky to have lived in the Bay Area together since 2019. Erica will forever be thankful for Jenny teaching her how to camp in the wilderness, including how to use the "bathroom" (hint: there isn't one).

Alex Hill

Groomsman

Alex was Jimmy’s first friend in California - the night Jimmy and Erica arrived in Berkeley in 2019, all three went to see Stephen Steinbrink perform, becoming lifelong fans. Some of Jimmy’s fondest memories of Covid are of biking around the East Bay every Sunday with Alex, bonding over exploring a vast new place during a time of uncertainty.

Max Reinke

Bridesmate

Max was Erica’s first new friend at WVU. Erica visited Max in many of the amazing places he has lived, including an unforgettable trip to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Max also moved to CA at a similar time, which made it much easier to see one of our favorite artists, Bad Bunny, together in San Diego!

Evan Milton

Groomsman

On Jimmy’s first Friday in Omaha in 2014, wrapping up a week of IT training at Union Pacific, Evan introduced himself and invited Jimmy out to meet his friends. That spark of generosity led to an enduring friendship punctuated by wild work projects, horrible puns, lowcountry boils in Nebraska, the world’s luckiest dog, and most of all, the joy of just hanging out.

Hilary Stafford

Bridesmate

Hilary is Jimmy’s sister and soon to be official sister-in-law of Erica. Hilary was very accepting meeting Erica for the first time, considering this involved crashing at Hilary's place to go to a Global Entry interview in Detroit the next day. Hilary has provided much needed fashion advice to Erica while shopping over the years, and there will definitely be more to come!

Dan Pittlsey

Groomsman

Dan and Jimmy met at the Railroad and began bonding over their shared Michigan roots. Jimmy credits Dan with being the reason he knows to save for retirement (thanks again!). Making breakfast with Dan on Saturdays during Dan’s time living with Evan are some of Jimmy’s favorite Omaha memories.

Kristin Wagner

Bridesmate

Kristin and Erica were floormates at Boston University. They immediately bonded over their appreciation and interest in other cultures and travel. They also share a fondness for cats. Kristin and Erica have stayed in touch over the years via phone calls and visits, including a very fun trip to visit Kristin in Tunisia!

Pat Stafford

Groomsman

The world’s most perfect partner for Jimmy’s sister, Hilary, Pat is the brother Jimmy didn’t know he would have. During tough times, Pat’s support has been invaluable in righting the ship, and during fun times, there’s no one more capable of turning a celebration into an event through his excitement and love.