Wedding Party
Erin Christoffersen
Maid of Honor
Emily and Erin met at the very beginning of their sophomore year at Purdue University in West Lafayette. Emily was in the Biology Resource Center (BRC!) when she saw someone walk in wearing an Alpha Gamma Delta (Emily’s sorority) bid day shirt and immediately yelled “BABY!” across the entire room, startling everyone present. The person she yelled at was Erin, who had accepted her bid to AGD just a few days earlier. After Erin recovered from the shock of being accosted by a stranger, the two became absolutely inseparable, bonding over their shared love of of sweet treats and crime shows, early bedtimes (both proud 9 p.m. sleepers), and a friendship that has only grown sweeter ever since.
Ben Foster
Best Man
Ben and Jake met playing football, a sport at which Jake excelled and Ben participated in. Their friendship deepened over the years, from their days at Andrean High School to Wabash College. Along the way, they also shared summers as camp counselors at Camp Tecumseh, creating memories that strengthened their bond. What started as teammates quickly became a brotherhood built on loyalty, laughter, and a mutual love of golf (not football), even if Ben’s handicap may be a few points lower than Jake’s. Ben was honored to have Jake stand by his side as best man at his own wedding, and he’s deeply proud to return the favor.
Emily Carpenter
Bridesmaid
Collectively known as “The Emilys” to anyone involved in the Natural Helpers mentoring program, Emily E and Emily C have known each other since high school. When they started working together as adult sponsors and volunteers for Natural Helpers, they quickly bonded over their wins, their losses, and all the hilarious parts of life that happen in between. Emily C’s warmth and personality are so magnetic she could probably strike up a meaningful conversation with a parking meter and Emily E is lucky to have Emily C by her side.
Marc Parroquín
Groomsman
Marc and Jake have basically been stuck with each other since their diapers were changed side by side, so friendship wasn’t really a choice, it was a lifelong family-like contract. They survived 8 years of St. Paul school, thrived (mostly) at Wabash College where they joined Phi Delta Theta together and perfected the art of brotherhood, bad jokes, the rugby pitch and questionable decision-making. These days, Marc is living in New York and chasing his dreams as a photographer and filmmaker, but he’s still proud to stand by Jake’s side, just like he has since the days of cheap beer and late-night stories.
Ashley Oh
Bridesmaid
Emily and Ashley met while working as social workers at Portage High School. Although they served different populations, it didn’t take long for them to end up in each other’s offices, talking about work, life, and everything in between. Having survived the shared trauma of working at PHS, they forged a bond built on humor, resilience, and mutual understanding. Emily would be lying if she said that Ashley’s decision to pursue private practice didn’t give her the confidence to make a change too. Now, the social work soulmates meet for “peer supervision” between bouts of finishing their never-ending notes.
Mark Back
Groomsman
Mark and Jake go way back, high school friends and football teammates who survived awkward teenage years and countless nights of mischief at Mark’s house, where gatherings were always memorable. Their friendship only grew stronger through epic backpacking trips across national parks, tackling trails, rivers, and terrain that probably should have broken them, but didn’t. Whether scrambling up rocks, visiting the Government Lodge, or laughing at the chaos of their younger selves, Mark and Jake have shared a lifetime of adventure, trouble, and stories that are probably better left out of the wedding toast. He’s honored to stand by Jake today, mostly because someone needs to keep the wilderness stories from turning into total exaggerations.
Abbey Seberger
Bridesmaid
Emily was initially suspicious of the girl her brother started dating in college, but once she got to know Abbey, she realized they had more in common than just their love for (and occasional frustration with) Emily’s brother Jacob. Over the years, Emily and Abbey grew even closer, bonding over Abbey’s love of chicken tendies and her beloved cat, Clementine. Emily cannot wait for Abbey to join the family permanently!
Jacob Evans
Groomsman
As the bride’s younger brother, Jacob has been honored to have a lifetime of unlimited access to Emily’s opinion. Now he and the groom share that honor, two brave souls who’ve lived through her rants, demolished a shed at Jacob’s house, and survived a brutal bedroom remodel at Emily and Jake’s place. Somehow they made it out alive, and Jacob is proud to stand beside his (almost) new brother-in-law.
Molly Rebey
Bridesmaid
Molly and Emily are cousins who share a special bond, built on laughter and an incredibly similar sense of humor. From childhood adventures, like the time Emily accidentally partially blinded Molly with an ice skate, to sleepovers on Emily's couch, they’ve always been there for each other, supporting one another through every moment and likely throwing in a perfectly timed sarcastic comment along the way.
Neil Wichlinski
Groomsman
Neil and the groom’s friendship has always been about showing up for each other, from the time Jake picked Neil up from the airport during COVID when Neil returned from teaching in China, to taking Neil (and not his future bride) as his plus-one to a wedding. The two first met as fraternity brothers at Wabash College, where their shared humor and loyalty built the foundation for a lifelong friendship. They also shared the coolest drive in a limousine to Steamboat Springs in 2012. Since then, Neil has been a steady presence, whether lending a hand (and plenty of patience) during a nightmare of a home remodel or just being the person Jake can always count on. Through it all, Neil has proven to be the kind of friend everyone hopes to have, and Jake is grateful to have him standing by his side.
Hannah Rebey
Bridesmaid
If you’re looking at pictures of Emily and Hannah as kids, you’d first notice that they look so much alike that it was often hard to tell them apart, despite their age difference. That’s no surprise, though, since they’re genetic half-siblings—thanks to their moms being twins! With a heart of gold and a true passion for helping others, Hannah has always been there to share laughs and create lasting memories with Emily.
Arturo Balcazar
Groomsman
Jake and Arturo met as coworkers at the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, where they bonded over long trial days, caffeine dependency, and a shared sense of humor that kept them both sane in court. They’re the last two surviving members of their once-mighty carpool and still drive in together most mornings. Outside of work, they’ve bonded over legal strategies and hunting trips, where Artie proves he’s not just sharp in the courtroom but also generous, thoughtful, and the kind of friend everyone hopes to have in their corner and beside them on their wedding day.
Elena Brandewie
Bridesmaid
Elena and Emily got along wonderfully from the moment they met. In true Chilean fashion, Elena immediately referred to Emily as "cuñada," meaning sister-in-law, welcoming her into the family with open arms. Elena’s warmth, kindness, and unwavering support have meant so much to both Emily and Jake long before wedding planning even began.
Dave Wichlinski
Groomsman
Jake has known Dave since childhood, or at least knew of him - the first time the groom saw Dave, he was a teenager being recognized for rescuing someone from a car accident. Years later, their paths crossed again at Wabash College, where they became close friends and brothers through Phi Delta Theta. From late-night study sessions to fraternity shenanigans, they’ve shared countless memories and unforgettable adventures. Dave is honored to stand beside his lifelong friend as he takes this next big step.
Jaime Soto
Groomsman
Jaime, the groom’s brother-in-law, was born and raised in Chile before successfully wooing the groom’s sister while she was living in the country and working as an English teacher. The two lived together in Chile until they recently relocated to the United States, bringing a touch of South American warmth and adventure to the family. Known for his knack for finishing any project he starts and his ability to keep the party going late into the night, Jaime embodies true Chilean hospitality, equal parts hardworking and fun-loving.
Lucia Soto-Brandewie
Flower Child
Alice Soto-Brandewie
Flower Child
