Emily & Ross
Wedding Party
Emily Brown
Bride
Emily was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, IA where she was the self proclaimed Queen of monkey bars, went on numerous vacations with her family, and dabbled in several sports as well as art-related classes. In high school, Emily settled into color guard with her best friends, and even continued her color guard career at UNI. Emily graduated UNI in 2018 with a degree in Graphic Design. The same year, she followed Ross to Rochester, MN after accepting a graphic design position. Emily recently started a job at Mayo Clinic, as a Health Unit Coordinator. Emily is trademarked by her indecisiveness, crying due to prolonged laughter, and dinosaur imitations. In her free time she enjoys long walks around TJMaxx, cuddling Phoenix, watching movies, and finding new dessert recipes.
Ross Lanser
Groom
Ross was born in Pella, IA where his love for animals blossomed while spending hours playing with his goats, and make-believe fighting off Oarks with sticks on his parent’s land. Ross participated in football and wrestling as he went through high school. During the summers, Ross planted tulips for the city and worked at a nursing home. Ross graduated from UNI in 2013 and attended Allen College for his Accelerated Nursing Program, shortly after. Ross accepted a job at Mayo Clinic and moved to Rochester, MN in 2017. Ross spends his free time exercising, playing Xbox, drawing blueprints for inventions he never intends to patent, and wrestling Phoenix.
Maryssa Dunn
Matron of Honor
Maryssa and Emily met through color guard at UNI their freshmen year of college. Even though these two didn't speak much at first, their friendship blossomed almost overnight, and they've since been dubbed "twins" as their own explanation for being so alike. Maryssa lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband, Jon, and their fur nugget, Sunnie, as well as their newest golden fur baby, Oakley! Maryssa is famously known for spreading happy vibes, and can be found loving kitties and puppies, flirting with old people, and buying all things pink in color.
Ben Caldwell
Best Man
Ever since starting their friendship as recess buddies, Ben and Ross have been close. From wrestling and football, to mission trips and chasing girls at college. These two have fond memories of spring break, high school, and closing down bars in Cedar Falls. Ben and his wife , Becca, along with their son, Barrett, live in Story City, IA. Ben is one of the most loyal friends you’ll ever have, and he can tell you stories you’ll never believe. He can be found working his lathe and loving every moment of fatherhood.
Lexi Koch
Bridesmaid
Lexi and Emily have practically known each other their entire lives. Even though they attended different elementary schools, they were reunited once more in middle school, and never lost touch, since. The girls were involved in so many activities together - from middle school swim team, to high school color guard, to sleepovers and family friend gatherings - they were always finding ways to die laughing, together. In college, the girls took not 1, but 3 spring breaks, together, even though they attended different universities. Lexi attends school in Alabama and lives with her new fur baby, Koda. In her free time, Lexi enjoys doing/teaching yoga, spending time outdoors, playing with puppies, and visiting her boyfriend, Keith.
Reid Lanser
Groomsman
Ross has early memories of getting lost with Reid in the woods behind their childhood home, being Reid’s karate practice buddy, and teaming up with their sister, Lyndsey, to lock Reid out of the house. Ross and Reid worked a summer at Sears together, and bonded over long commutes to work while Ross was home from college that summer. Ross and Reid enjoy planning hunting trips together, binging shows, and have long distance xbox nights from time to time. Reid and his wife, Megan, live in Pella, IA with their daughter, Riley. Reid loves hanging out with his Lab, Opie, and family, going for rides in his Corvette, and playing with his guns.
Jessica Schmeiser
Bridesmaid
Jessica and Emily have known each other since middle school, and were on swim team together until high school. They have MANY fond memories of color guard, Twilight movie premiers with their homemade t-shirts, and driving around with the radio blasting. Along with their other 2 best friends, they would laugh until they cried at sleepovers. Even though they attended different colleges, the two managed to go on one spring break together and kept up as much as possible, through the years. Jessica is a blonde bombshell who will be traveling all the way from Fort Wort, TX with her boyfriend, Carl, to be by her best friend's side! When she isn't defending our freedom at Lockheed Martin, Jess enjoys unwinding by attending yoga classes, reading, eating ice cream, or spending time with her puppy!
Brandon Zwank
Groomsman
This long standing friendship started off as toddler tummy time and grew into soccer at recess, Brandon tutoring Ross through calculus, and a summer job, planting tulips together. Brandon and Ross bonded over long runs and chalking friends’ cars, as well as drifting Brandon’s truck during the winter and not participating in middle school dances because they were, “too cool”. Brandon and Ross haven’t lived in the same state since high school, as Brandon headed off to New York to get his education through the Army at West Point Academy. But they still make it a point to see each other every year to re-connect. Brandon moved to Oklahoma last year, where he started his new career. Brandon is excellent at connecting with others, cooking, and loves exercising.
Beth Rothe
Bridesmaid
Beth and Emily met when they wound up living on the same floor at UNI. Eventually, Emily moved into an apartment with Beth and their other two best friends, where they bonded over sharing a bathroom and becoming Biolife accountability buddies. After Emily stepped away from UNI color guard, she and Beth got to attend tailgates and football games together to cheer their friends on from the stands! Beth lives in Dunlap, IA with her husband Derek and their pup Ollie. She spends time running, cooking, watching sports, and is enjoying the newlywed life!
Jeff Henry
Groomsman
Jeff and Ross met in Cedar Falls during college, through mutual friends. They were roommates for most of their Cedar Falls experience, and spent a lot of time lifting, playing Xbox, and attending ALL the parties and tailgates together. Jeff never failed in getting his rommies safely home at the end of a long night - that is, if he could manage to round up the troops, and if Ross hadn't run (yes, RUN) / hitchhiked home, already. Jeff recently re-located to the Des Moines area, and lives with his girlfriend. Oh, and don't let him fool you - he's got a soft spot for cats.
Alanna Verner
Bridesmaid
Alanna and Emily were brought together when they each needed a roommate for freshmen year of college, and were trying out for the UNI Colorguard. As each other’s very first UNI friend, they stuck close and attended any freshmen campus event possible when they weren’t at color guard. The two shared many college experiences, the excitement of game days, a spring break, and weekend trips with their friends! Alanna lives in Des Moines with her Fiancé, Justin, and 2 sweet dogs, Luna and Serious. She enjoys coaching high school color guard, any cardinals baseball game, breweries, and card games.
Quinn Tonne
Groomsman
Ross and Quinn first met at a party of some kind, and if that doesn't explain everything, we don't know what does. Quinn seems to have unlimited energy, and brings the life to every gathering. In their college days, you wouldn't escape these two without one of them trying to wrestle or climb on you. These days, the guys are separated by about 200 miles, but their party hearts are still in the same place, and they find time to reminisce on old memories. Quinn lives just North of Des Moines with his family. When he isn't busy at work, Quinn enjoys spending time with his wife, Elisa, and son, Keiyan.
Maureen Nolan
Bridal Attendant
As little kindergarteners, Maureen and Emily attended the same daycare and elementary school for a couple years. These two started off on the right foot, fighting over the same first crush. Maureen and Emily share a love (possibly obsession?) for all things Taylor Swift and Twilight. If that isn't friendship material - not sure what is! These girls were delighted when they ended up on the same dorm floor 2 years in a row at college, and stayed up many nights, giggling in the hall lounge, at all hours - probably talking about boys, playing cards, and making tik tok videos (...okay, they may have been called "Vines" back then lol).
Kaylee Clemens
Bridal Attendant
This duo first met at UNI color guard auditions. Kaylee says that Emily was one of the first members of the team to make her feel included. They couldn't have been more ecstatic when they were paired as "Little" and "Big" "sisters" for guard. Emily loved having Kaylee as her "Little", and thus began their beautiful friendship! Kaylee lives in Des Moines, IA where she works full time as a medical social worker. In her free time, Kaylee will be found tearing up the dance floor at any bar, house party, or ...just any floor with music near by.
Aran Brown
Usher
Although these siblings constantly fought over the remote, toys, and everything else under the sun, Aran and Emily could sometimes be found being silly on road trips, bonding over their love of animals, or teaming up to clean the house in a record time of 3 minutes before their parents got home from work. Aran may come off as one of those mysterious college guys, but once you get him talking, he's full of facts, funny, and an easygoing person. These days, Aran attends the University of Iowa while he works on his Finance Degree. In his spare time, you can find him at Iowa football/basketball games, cooking up a bomb quesadilla, playing video games, or wrangling his favorite furry niece, Phoenix.
Phoenix
Flower Girl
Phoenix is a very sweet red merle Australian Shepherd who came home with Emily and Ross the week before they bought their home, at the age of 8 weeks. She can be a little shy at first (or quite the barker), but absolutely adores other puppers and catching anything you're willing to throw. Phoenix's favorite hobbies include eating treats, barking at her neighbors, doing tricks, and FETCH! Phoenix (aka Bean) is practicing so hard to walk nicely down the aisle on the big day, so wish her good luck before the ceremony!