Michael & Carla
Wedding Party
Cindi Rutten
Matron of Honor
Life-Long Best Friend of the Bride Cindi and I have been best friends through literally every single stage of our lives. Her mom was my first babysitter when I was a baby, so our friendship started there. It continued through grade school at St. Joseph's Catholic School, high school, college at UWSP (even living together for a while, which probably wasn't the best idea), and beyond. I was Cindi's Maid of Honor in her wedding over ten years ago, and I've seen her become a fabulous mother. She's truly been the sister I never had for my entire life, and there is no way I could walk down the aisle without her by my side.
Kim VanErmen
Bridesmaid
Step-Sister of the Bride When my mom met and married Mike over ten years ago, I didn't realize that I would be gaining so much more than a step-family. I'm so lucky to have Kim and her sister Jacie as step-sisters, and we have all grown very close over the years. Kim is one of the strongest and hardest-working people that I know, and I'm so grateful to have gained her as a sister. I'm always grateful for any time we can find in our busy schedules to spend time together.
Melissa Leonhardt
Bridesmaid
Sister-in-law of the Bride As I'm writing these descriptions, I'm realizing the trend in my life. I have a best friend who is basically a sister, step-sisters that I view as sisters, and now Melissa, who I gained as a sister when she married my brother. I will never stop reminding my brother how lucky he is that Melissa chose him and how glad I am that he did. Melissa is kind, fun, loyal, and has amazing taste in Netflix material. She has become one of my go-to people for parenting advice, and I can't imagine our family without her. Now that Mike and I have a daughter, it's become so much harder to not have Melissa and Kyle and Anderson right down the street where we can raise our kids together on a daily basis. Thank goodness for FaceTime!
Ashley Arendt
Bridesmaid
Friend of the Couple Mike and I met Ashley and Justus when we moved into our house in June of 2017. Mike and I were nervous about who we might have to put up with as neighbors, but we absolutely hit the jackpot! Ashley and Justus have turned into some of our closest friends, always being down for adventures, dinners, fires, walks, and dreams of building an underground tunnel between our houses to prevent having to go outside in the elements. Now that Ashley and I deem ourselves the Neighborhood Watch and Justus and Mike have put way too much blood, sweat, tears, and money into our houses, I look forward to years and years of holding down Wazeecha Ave. with Ashley and Justus.
Alexa Bey
Bridesmaid
Friend of the Couple I don't remember exactly when Alexa and I met, but it was most-likely through sports. We've played volleyball together for at least a decade, and I think the only person more competitive than me is Alexa :-) Our friendship with Alexa and Tyler has grown over the years as we've enjoyed campfires, yearly camping trips, volleyball seasons, home renovation projects, and now raising our kids together. Alexa is a member of Ladypalooza, a self-named group of my great friends who try to get together every couple of months to eat, drink wine, and hash out all of life's greatest mysteries. I will be forever grateful for my great group of Ladypalooza ladies, Alexa being a very important one.
Genny Gildenzoph
Bridesmaid
Friend of the Couple Genny and I taught together in Nekoosa for several years. During that time, we bonded over our love for traveling, musicals, and eating out (haha). Genny is always up for an adventure, and we've traveled together to the Lake of the Ozarks, middle-of-nowhere Iowa, and our East Coast adventure to Maine and Massachusetts. Whether it's traveling the States, laughing over dinner, or sitting and watching "The Greatest Showman", Genny is hilarious and extremely generous. She was the third part of the Tripod with Mike and me, updated this year to Quadpod once Ava was born, and I know our adventures will continue for years to come.
Janet Hensley
Bridesmaid
Sister of the Groom Janet has been by Mike's side through every important moment in his life. I met Janet not long after I met Mike, when we spent numerous Sunday afternoons watching the Packer games at Mike's house. Janet and Mike talk every day, which is something many siblings probably can't say. I know this because I've seen the 1,000+ day Snapchat streak and know they sometimes communicate via multiple forms of technology at the same time (texting, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Signal, etc. :-)) Janet's love for her family will never go unnoticed, and watching her love Ava just as much as we do is something I will always be grateful for.
Ava Hensley
Flower Girl
Daughter of the Couple This one goes without saying; Ava is Mike and I's world! We often talk about how it's hard to even remember our life before having Ava; she is the best blessing we can possibly imagine. Every day she is changing and learning new things, and even on the toughest of days, she never fails to make us smile. Ava is going to be the most beautiful flower girl on the planet!
Eric Hensley
Best Man
Brother of the Groom
Austin Hensley
Groomsman
Nephew of the Groom
Kyle Leonhardt
Groomsman
Brother of the Bride
Justus Arendt
Groomsman
Friend of the Couple
Tyler Bey
Groomsman
Friend of the Couple
Michael Ferguson
Groomsman
Friend of the Couple
Drew Sanning
Groomsman
Cousin of the Groom
Anderson Leonhardt
Ring Bearer
Nephew of the Bride
Andrew Hensley
Usher
Nephew of the Groom
Will VanErmen
Usher
Nephew of the Bride
