Hannah & John
Wedding Party
Hayley Ruggles
Matron of Honor
Hayley is my closest-in-age sister & built-in best friend. There’s no one on Earth more similar to me — she’s just the better version. Hayley is fully herself & has taught me more about authenticity than anyone. She lights up a room, works harder than a horse, and fiercely protects her loved ones. She is sacrificial, doesn’t find her identity in material possessions, and loves Jesus with her whole heart. She's reminds me life is precious, so don't waste time worrying about what we have no power over - God holds our future in his powerful, gracious hands. She celebrates me, challenges me, and takes pride in me despite all of my flaws. Hayley has stood by my side through it all, so I can't imagine my wedding day without her there too.
Ryan Harty
Best Man
Ryan and I have been friends since the moment we walked onto campus our freshman year at The University of Texas. From the early trips at Jester Court to singing duets during swim practice, we have tackled our new lives in the lone star state together. There is no one more similar to myself than Ryan.
Heidi McDonald
Matron of Honor
There aren't words to describe people as special as Heidi - the full package - who I am lucky to get to call my sister. Heidi is the most motherly, affectionate, and nurturing person I will ever know. She truly has no idea how beautiful she is, yet she makes everyone around her feel beautiful. Heidi has invested in me my whole life - from being her real life dress up doll to her daily phone call on her ride home. She was my go-to sister for comfort when I was scared at night and is my go-to girl when I am sad or angry. She feels deeply & loves deeply - always striving to mirror Christ-like love. On top of that, she is the funniest and smartest person I know AND a dang near perfect wife to John and mama to Lyla (& soon to be Lucy).
Chris Shebat
Best Man
Chris is and has been my biggest role model growing up. From Dragon Ball Z fights to throwing the football in the front yard - I have always been a step behind trying to catch up. I thank him for instilling the drive to push myself in every new stage of life.
Holly Volz
Matron of Honor
Holly is my oldest sister, so Heidi, Hayley, and I got to watch her do everything first and learn from her. I’ve seen Holly fight through some of life’s most difficult trials and tribulations with grace and steadfastness. Each time, she finds comfort and strength in the Lord and emerges full of wisdom. Holly is a natural born leader and the exemplary sister, wife, doctor, daughter, and mother. She exudes confidence and guides me on all of life’s challenges and celebrations. I've aspired to be like Holly since the day I was born. 9.5 years apart has nothin' on us!
Michael Shebat
Best Man
Everyday I am proud to call Michael my brother. His undeniable love and guidance has kept me aware and motivated throughout my life. Michael challenges me to be the most successful version of myself.
Melissa Shebat
Bridesmaid
There was a sign in my house growing up that said "You can never have too many sisters", and boy is that true! Melissa is not only my future sister-in-law, but also my very dear friend. She is faithful to the Lord in all that she does, speaks truth and wisdom into everyone around her, and exemplifies what it means to be clothed with strength and dignity. Just by knowing her, I grow closer to Jesus - what a gift she has! Since John and I first met, Melissa has made me feel loved, accepted, beautiful, and confident in myself, and has always been such a wonderful protector, mentor, best friend, and example to John. I cannot believe I get her as a sis for life!!!
Casey Melzer
Groomsman
I knew Casey and I were going to be great friends from before we even met. We decided to become roommates together at Texas because of our similar interests and personalities. We thrived through long nights of pokemon adventures that were fueled by spicy chicken sandwichs from JCL. Casey was my guidance in the early moments of Hannah and I's relationship.
Jacy Burgdorf
Bridesmaid
Jacy and I met freshman year of college and immediately clicked. What started as a bond over our experiences as high school cheerleaders and obsession with the same three Chic-Fil-A sauces, quickly morphed into a bond over our mutual love for Christ and desire for deeper friendships. Jacy is one of those friends that is always on your team, makes you feel known and heard, and will do anything to love and support you. She's tough, wise, selfless, hilarious, joyful, and SO much fun to be around. I am forever grateful for how she continually invests in and loves me so well - she's truly my cheerleader!
Austin Katz
Groomsman
You can never underestimate the relationship between training partners. It is essential to have a man like Austin by your side to push you to your greatest potential in and out of the pool. Austin is one of my most profound friends who can always make me laugh and be there for me when I need it most.
Arden Perabo
Bridesmaid
Arden was my Godsent freshman year roommate and very first college friend. We clicked instantly and balanced each other out perfectly. Arden is an unbelievably good listener and can make me laugh harder than most people can. I have never heard her complain, and she also never, ever says no to a spontaneous adventure. I share some of my absolute favorite memories with Arden. From roller blading down the SRD ramps, sharing a joint instagram account, and living under the same roof for 4 years, my college experience would have been half of what it was without her by my side. Genuinely, to know Arden is to love Arden. AND she’ll be my doctor one day!!!
Jake Sannem
Groomsman
Since Jake stepped on Texas soil I knew he would be a special friend. We have tackled Coronavirus road trips, paddling with alligators and hours of tennis lessons. Never will I find someone who is so compassionate, quick-witted, and selfless as Jake. I can always count on Jake for spontaneous adventures, trips to the movies and retail therapy.
Colette Stark
Bridesmaid
Since we met freshman year of college, Colette has been my voice of reason through so many seasons. If you spend time with her, you'll leave feeling like she knows your whole heart, yet you'll probably know little about her. She doesn't care to talk about herself, as she is genuinely the most selfless, humble, empathetic friend a girl could have. On top of that, rain or shine, Colette knows how to have fun! She could be running on 2 hours of sleep but will still be up for anything from skiing to frat parties to getting a manicure. Colette speaks truth into me and has always inspired me to dream big and do things with confidence. She is wise beyond her years, independent as heck, and is one of my most cherished friendships.
Drew Amaral
Groomsman
Through Drew and I's relationship, I have come to learn friendships have no age limit. As my only groomsmen from my home state, there is no distance too far for us. From Lockhart to Llano, Austin to San Antonio, we have explored central Texas to find the greatest brisket and taco joints. I have never met someone who values such delicious food as Drew. I look at Drew as the little brother I never had.
Yara Qubti
Bridesmaid
Since I first met Yara in the stairwell of our freshman year dorm, I've thought her as one of the coolest people I know. She is truly one of a kind - sweet, sociable, sincere, sympathetic... the list goes on. She balances out our super loud friend group by being the absolute best listener, then never fails to chime in with either the funniest joke, or the most insightful comment we'll hear all night. She's a natural born leader and a friend to everyone. She's so smart and driven she will be my future dentist, and so loyal and trustworthy she'll be my forever friend. I am so lucky to know Yara!
Dean Farris
Groomsman
From competitors to companions, Cambridge to Des Moines, and mainstream to quarantine, the 2020 "Olympic" year has been an absolute roller coaster. The only thing that has been streamlined throughout is Dean and my relationship. Sipping whiskey and smoking cigars is what we do best, and there's no one better to do it with than Dean. I am fortunate to have had Dean by my side this past year and wouldn't have wanted it to go any other way.
Tanner Jones
Bridesmaid
Tanner and I met when we were in 4th grade at an overnight birthday party in our cheerleading gym. We became best friends instantly, probably because we were both fearless on the mats / trampolines and way too energetic. Tanner is lighthearted, positive, joyful, confident, strong, and truly beautiful inside and out. She (literally) picks me up when I fall and teaches me not to take life so seriously. I always tell people who don't know Tanner that she will make the perfect wife someday to a very luck guy. A whole decade later, through breakups, ACL tears, ding-dong-ditches, Tower of Terror shut downs, and long distance colleges, Tanner and I still share one of my longest and most meaning full friendships.
Reid Ruggles
Groomsman
Reid welcomed me into the Held fraternity with open arms and a can of Coors Light. From long nights at The Library in Hawaii to crawling through brush to hunt my first deer, Reid has been there with me. Reid is the most caring, loving, and lively person I have ever met, and I could not be more happy to be brothers forever.
Megan Meseck
Bridesmaid
Freshman at UT are encouraged to attend their weekly assigned freshman interest groups to "acclimate to college". I skipped every session, except donut day & our mandatory 1 on 1 day with our leader. I remember leaving the 1 on 1 feeling like I had essentially seen a counselor, because she gave such great advice and listened so well. My leader turned out to be Megan. While we didn't know it then, Megan and I would end up becoming best friends through our swim boyfriends. Megan welcomed me into a world I knew nothing about with open arms. What started as swim meets and bachelor wine nights tuned into a lifelong friendship. Megan is my most fiercely loyal friend, and she does things with intentionality and diligence! She is unfiltered and unashamed of who she is & I love her for it.
John McDonald
Groomsman
It is essential to have a man like John in your life. John is a role model to me as a husband and a follower of Christ. John and I share many interest in the world of fantasy. We have traveled long journeys through Middle Earth slaying orcs and goblins to save to the world. I could not be more excited to call him my brother.
Ellis Glass
Bridesmaid
Ellis was my roommate this past year. She's been by my side through such a crazy season of post grad, wedding planning, job changes and furloughs, and corona virus and has somehow made me feel loved and celebrated through it all. She reminds me to give grace to others, and to see everyone how Jesus does. Ellis, Ryan, John, and I share some of my most fond memories at our little yellow back house. From hundreds of rounds of Catan, to hanging out in our backyard blow up pool, to spontaneous quarantine beach trips, John and I are so lucky to have a couple like Ryan and Ellis in our wedding party! By spending time with them, John and I can both say we learn from their relationship. Ellis is gentile, caring, slow to speak, and quick to listen, and I strive to be more like her!
Kendal Volz
Groomsman
Kendal and I met through Hannah my sophomore year in college and now I cannot imagine life without him. He has showed me what it means to be the mature, wise and patient man of the house. Kendal has always been extremely welcoming into the family and a role model for life. He is the template of a man who is both strong and gentle.
Blair Volz
Flower Girl
Blair made me an aunt and has given me more happiness than I'd ever imagine a tiny lil human can. Her and I have truly been besties since the day she was born. She's smart, strong willed, silly, and so precious in every way. I love her more than words and have loved watching her grow up. I would do anything for Baby B.
Whit Volz
Ring Bearer
Baby Whit! Such a precious gift from God. We waited for a boy in the family for decades, and I have no doubt Whit is gonna fill those shoes perfectly. He is the most precious, gentile, laid back, happy lil nephew. I cannot wait to see the man he becomes! Get ready for the world's most adorable ring bearer!
Lyla Mcdonald
Flower Girl
There is no two year old on Earth like Lyla. She is a ball of energy, sass, brains, humor, liveliness, and love. My heart explodes every time I think about her! Usually people say being an aunt is the best form of birth control, but with Lyla, it is the total opposite! She is perfect in my eyes. I can't wait for her, Blair, and Whit to be the stars walking down that isle.