Wedding Party
Alyssa Hall
Matron of Honor
Sara met Alyssa 9 years ago at college when they both joined Sigma Sigma Sigma as founding colony members. Throughout their time in Tri-Sigma, their friendship grew. Many nights were spent on sushi dates or just hanging out. They went to concerts seeing Carrie Underwood (a fellow Tri-Sigma) and even Taylor Swift. Both Sara and Alyssa graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2018 and were 2 of the last 3 founding members of the Alpha Gamma chapter of Tri-Sigma at FHSU, along with Kelsey. After graduation, Sara was in Alyssa’s wedding in 2019 after Jeff FINALLY asked Alyssa to marry him. Though they live in different cities and both are busy with work and life, their friendship has remained. They are able to pick up right where they left off whenever they are together. The sisterhood they gained in Tri-Sigma means they are stuck with each other for life. So it was an obvious choice for Sara to have Alyssa stand beside her as her matron of honor, and sister, when she FINALLY gets to have her wedding to celebrate her marriage to Joseph.
Joshua Lantz
Best Man
Joshua and Joseph spent many summers together growing up and are brothers through their dad. Joshua and Joseph share many of the same interests, mostly around history, video games, and the military. Joshua and Joseph both joined the Army right out of high school, with Joshua becoming a military policeman and Joseph being a paralegal. Joseph asked Joshua to be his best man because Joshua is just about the closest thing Joseph has to a clone of himself.
Rachel Barnes
Bridesmaid
Sara has known Rachel since the day she was born. Growing up they had their differences, as most sisters do, especially big and little sisters. However, as they have gotten older, the closer they have grown. Their roles in each other’s lives have changed from sisters, to friends, to aunts, and more. Sara stood with Rachel in her wedding in 2020 (8 months pregnant!). It might have been cold, but Sara was willing to do what it took to make Rachel happy on her special day. Because that’s what sisters do. Now, 4 years later, Rachel gets to do the same for Sara, and Sara couldn’t imagine her special day without her sister.
Kaelin Leach
Groomsman
Kaelin and Joseph are both officers at the Hays Police Department and they work together on the same shift. Kaelin and Joseph have worked together through a number of difficult days and cases. Joseph is excited to have Kaelin up there with him and represent Joseph in his professional side.
Abby Peeler
Bridesmaid
Sara and Abby met in chemistry lab at FHSU. When Sara’s lab partner dropped the class, she was left without that help a lab partner provided. Abby was at the bench across from hers and she and her partner lent Sara a helping hand through that lab. During that time Sara convinced Abby to give Tri-Sigma a shot, even though Abby was an AGD legacy. Abby loved the sisterhood shown to her and decided to join. A few months later, Sara became her Big. Abby was a steadfast friend through many of life’s ups and downs. When Sara was at her lowest, Abby was there to pick her up. Abby went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a physical therapist. So, her main focus was school for many years. Even though they didn’t talk much during that time, their friendship remained. The sisterhood they gained in Tri-Sigma means they are stuck with each other for life. Though life has brought more ups and downs for both of them, they continue to stand by each other’s side. Sara couldn’t get married without her little by her side.
Layne Lindsted
Groomsman
Layne is Joseph's oldest maternal brother. Layne is the most genuinely polite and nice brother Joseph has, and Layne is an extraordinary example of persevering through hard times and keeping a positive outlook on life. Layne is a welcome addition to the party, and Joseph looks forward to having his brother with him on this day.
Kelsey Ubelaker
Bridesmaid
Sara met Kelsey 9 years ago at college when they both joined Sigma Sigma Sigma as founding colony members. Throughout their time in Tri-Sigma, their friendship grew. Kelsey was one of the sisters that helped Sara gain more confidence when they performed a dance routine in their first Greek Games. Sara is FAR from a dancer. Kelsey has supported Sara through many of life’s challenges during college and life beyond. They went to concerts seeing Carrie Underwood (a fellow Tri-Sigma) and even Taylor Swift. Both Sara and Kelsey graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2018 and were 2 of the last 3 founding members of the Alpha Gamma chapter of Tri-Sigma at FHSU, along with Alyssa. Though they live in different cities and both are busy with work, toddlers, and life, their friendship has remained. They talk most days, swapping their motherhood stories and sharing notes. The sisterhood they gained in Tri-Sigma means they are stuck with each other for life. Motherhood has brought them closer together though and the many challenges it presents. Sara couldn’t think of a better mom friend, and sister, to have stand next to her on her special day.
Mycah Lindsted
Groomsman
Mycah is Joseph's second oldest maternal brother. Mycah is the favorite uncle to all his nieces and nephews. Mycah and Joseph were the pair of siblings put together in the "buddy system" they had growing up, so Joseph spent a lot of time being responsible for this goofball when they were children.
Kayli Leach
Bridesmaid
Sara gained not only a husband in Joseph, but also another sister. Not only did she gain a sister, but also a friend. Kayli and Sara have had their ups and downs, but what sisters haven't? But, at the end of the day, Sara couldn't have asked for a better sister-in-law. Kayli is loyal and always brings fun to the conversation. She has been an incredible sister to Joseph, aunt to Eleanor, and friend to Sara; and for that, Sara is so grateful to have her in their lives. She couldn't imagine having her special day without Kayli by her side.
Taylor ‘TJ’ Leach
Groomsman
TJ and Joseph met in high school in forensics classes. Joseph fondly remembers using Mr. Nordyke's class computers to play games with TJ, rather than researching debate and forensics topics like they were supposed to. TJ later dated and then married Joseph's sister Kayli. TJ and Joseph also worked together at Kwik Shop when they were young adults. Joseph is happy to have a friend from high school up there with him.
Courtney McKinney
Bridesmaid
Sara met Courtney through Alyssa when they were both bridesmaids in Alyssa's wedding. Sara and Courtney hit it off and have remained friends since. Alyssa has good tastes in friends ; ) Sara has also gotten to spend time with Courtney the last two years at the Renaissance festival in Bonner Springs. Courtney's mom and aunt have a stained glass booth at the faire and Sara was so excited to learn that Courtney would be there the same weekends as her and Joseph. They got the backstage tour from her of course. Courtney has become a friend who Sara can turn to for anything. They share many of the same interests and can always rely on the other to lend an ear when they need to vent their troubles. She is excited to share this special day with Courtney.
Wyatt Rae
Groomsman
Wyatt is Joseph's youngest maternal brother. Wyatt was always a little rascal when he and Joseph were growing up. Joseph distinctly remembers Wyatt's impressive throwing arm as a young child; no one could chuck a Hot Wheels car at a sibling quite like Wyatt. Wyatt is significantly younger than Joseph, but he is no less of a brother to Joseph and Joseph looks forward to sharing this day with him.
Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Lantz
Flower Girl
It was an obvious choice to have Ellie as their flower girl given she was home grown. Ellie has brought so much joy and light into Sara and Joseph's life. Becoming parents in the middle of a global pandemic was definitely not how they planned their life to go, but they couldn't have asked for a better kid to navigate life with. Ellie lights up every room she enters. She doesn't know a stranger. Her bubbly personality definitely forces her parents out of their comfort zone sometimes, but that's not always a bad thing. We are so lucky to get to have Ellie be a part of our special day.
Caleb Barnes
Ring Bearer
Caleb is Sara and Joseph's nephew that Rachel and Dusty brought into their lives. He has a bubbly personality and always has to dance with Joseph and Sara whenever he sees them. He and Ellie are best of friends and get to spend many of their days growing up together when Nini watches them. Caleb was an obvious choice for ring bearer. We are so lucky we get to include you in our special day.
Maddison Ferris
Honor Attendant
There isn't enough room on the stage to include all of the sisters Sara has gained in her life. She gained a third sister through Joseph. To include all of her sisters in her special day, Sara wanted Maddison to be an honor attendant.
Briley Johnson
Honor Attendant
There isn't enough room on the stage to include all of the sisters Sara has gained in her life. She will be gaining another sister next year when Briley marries Sara's brother, Luke. To include all of her sisters in her special day, Sara wanted Briley to be an honor attendant.
Preston Ferris
Usher
There isn't enough room on the stage to include all of the brothers Joseph has gained in his life. To include all of his brothers in his special day, Joseph wanted Preston to be an usher.
Luke Nansel
Usher
There isn't enough room on the stage to include all of the brothers Joseph has gained in his life. Joseph gained another brother through Sara. To include all of his brothers in his special day, Joseph wanted Luke to be an usher.
Dusty Barnes
Usher
There isn't enough room on the stage to include all of the brothers Joseph has gained in his life. Joseph gained another brother through Sara's sister. To include all of his brothers in his special day, Joseph wanted Dusty to be an usher.
Aaron Heidebrecht
Officiant
Back in 2019, Sara had asked Aaron to officiate a ceremony for them so they could get married on paper. Aaron didn't hesitate getting ordained as a minister to help his little cousin out. Aaron is the big brother Sara never had and has always been a steadfast person for her to turn to. We are happy to finally have Aaron renew our vows for us.