Eric & Erin
Wedding Party
Aaron Maass
Best Man
My brother and my best man, Aaron and I have always done things together. When we were young I would push Aaron around in his walker but one time I ran him straight into the wall. Thankfully years later that same little brother was still willing to tell my parents I wasn't in the vehicle after they drove away with me still in the gas station bathroom. We grew up playing baseball and soccer together with Aaron being our dependable catcher and goalie. Now he's an always dependable husband and father but get him a paper shot glass at the wedding and he'll be doing cart wheels on the dance floor in no time!
Calleigh McRaith
Maid of Honor
Calleigh is not only my sister but also my best friend. Despite not acknowledging I was a "real person" before I turned 16, we have become very close and are often told how similar we are in not only appearances but also mannerisms. Calleigh has been my roommate (by choice even!), relationship counselor, and travel buddy. I'm happy to be back in MN to resume our trivia nights, brunching, Netflix bingeing and excitedly interrupting each other in every story we tell. I can't wait to share the big day with Calleigh, and for our family and friends who often mistake us, just remember I'll be the one in white.
Keegan Crowther
Groomsman
We lived together in five different houses over a period of six years sharing a bathroom the entire time, so few people know me as well as Keegan does! During those years we had plenty of good times including cheering on the gophers, spring break in South Padre Island, a cruise around Mexico, and a bit of studying and work as well. Be sure to watch for Keegan's infamous dance move "the crowther" on the dance floor!
Rita Allen
Bridesmaid
Rita and I have been friends since elementary school and I can say with 100% certainty she is the weirdest person I have met in the best way possible. Rita balances my rule-following accountant self and we've shared countless memories together. Crafting the perfect Sim world (Erinita - yes, we are just that original), showcasing our mediocrity in middle school sports and vacationing with each others' families - Rita has been there through it all. I'm incredibly lucky to have Rita in my life and I can guarantee she will bring her funkiest moves to the dance floor.
Mike Schumann
Groomsman
We grew up only 15 minutes apart but didn't meet until we both enrolled in landscape architecture at the U of M. We became fast friends after countless all nighters in undergrad and grad school together and now enjoy ice fishing, weekly volleyball games, and a new annual tradition of gingerbread house building! Erin and I are always trying to keep up with Mike and his wife Courtney on their travel adventures so if you're looking to plan a trip of your own track them down at the wedding and you'll have plenty of recommendations!
Ali Hendrickson
Bridesmaid
I met Ali at Lake Beauty Bible camp during one summer of high school. The week flew by and by the end of it Rita and I were determined to make Ali our best friend. After some badgering, she accepted our friendship and we have been inseparable ever since, as evidenced by my parents surprise/disappointment whenever I would visit home without her. Ali is one of the funniest people I know and has the ability to turn routine activities (brunch, lake days etc.) into complete shenanigans. I'm so thankful she's willing to make the trip back from Nashville and I apologize in advance if it snows.
Sidd Ramanuj
Groomsman
A roommate during and after college, Sidd has long been my Minnesota partner in Green Bay Packer fandom. He even brought me to a game with his family with seats at the 50 yard line! Often the life of the party, if you're looking for Sidd on our wedding day, look for the guy doing "the Carlton" on the dance floor!
Tynelle Marshall
Bridesmaid
Tynelle was the first friend I made at my new middle school in seventh grade. She was one of the friendliest and most outgoing people I had ever met and my awkward middle school self was grateful to have found such a great friend so quickly. Tynelle and I have remained close ever since - attending Bethel University together and now living just over a mile apart. We've shared too many girls nights to count (which Eric now willingly joins) and I'm so glad she'll be part of our big day.
Sever Lundquist
Groomsman
We met at UW-River Falls and both transferred to the University of Minnesota. Sever introduced me to "bow legs" as well as all things Gophers and introduced me to both Keegan and Sidd - so he's both blessed and cursed me. Sever has hosted our friends annual "man weekend" at his cabin where we have shared many a good time including cliff diving at orebegone and jumping into frozen lakes.
Erin Lanz
Bridesmaid
From traveling the islands of Bali one week to running the NYC Marathon the next, Erin keeps us always feeling adventurous! We first met while being recruited at Deloitte and when I moved to San Diego she always made sure to include Eric (aka Grandpa to the Best Buy audit team) on team outings. Even though she lives in Denver we're lucky she can never stay away for too long and visits us in Minnesota whenever she can!
Tyler Schmidt
Groomsman
We met in the fourth grade and quickly became partners in crime after getting accused for working together on what was apparently a solo worksheet. We still maintain our innocence that we were told it was a group project and we've been working together ever since as teammates on the soccer field, running track, and cheering on the Packers,
Leah Wing
Bridesmaid
After being friends in college, Leah became the official "Jess" of our friend group when she was brave enough to become roommates with Eric (Winston), Keegan (Schmidt), and Sidd (Nick). Erin and Leah became friends after Eric and Erin started dating and is always the one to send a thoughtful happy birthday wish to us or offer to host us when we travel to Denver. She's so Jess!
Joe McRaith
Groomsman
Joe is my favorite (and only) brother. Anyone in the family can tell you we didn't always get along as kids but I guess I must not have minded spending time with him too much as I followed his footsteps in joining drumline. Even during his annoying middle school years, Joe was always a softy at heart which I now get to see more regularly on display with his wife and two children. We're excited to spend the day with Joe and can't wait to see his quintessential dad dance moves.
Lili Zhao
Bridesmaid
Lili was one of my first supervisors at Deloitte and we quickly moved past coworkers to great friends. We have almost nothing in common on paper but have realized in many ways we are the same person. I'm beyond excited to have Lili living back in the US soon, even if she is moving to San Diego a few years too late.
Bill Schuster
Usher
We met at orientation freshman year at UW-River Falls and decided each seemed normal enough and so we chose to be roommates freshman year. From Bills famed dinosaur impersonation to "pillow talks", our fair share of parties, and even some studying for horticulture it was the perfect start to college. Even after I transferred to the U of M we stayed close friends making memories to last a lifetime! 257!!
Matt Verbust
Usher
Matt and I became friends in middle school and since that time we've spent countless hours on the soccer field together. I also have Matt to credit (and blame) for introducing me to golf - a sport I now enjoy and loathe all at the same time. A great husband and father to two kids he's a busy guy but always makes time to get together when Erin and I are back in Freedom.
Tony Albindia
Usher
One of my first friends in Minnesota, Tony and I met while being very diligent college students. Neighbors our sophomore year and roommates our junior year, we were a dynamic duo hosting parties for our friends. Tony taught me a lot including that cooking meant more than pizza in the oven, that graphic tee shirts were out of style, and a hangover was just a figment of my imagination. From the spring break beach in Mexico to the top of a 14,000 foot mountain peak in Denver we've done a lot together and couldn't be more excited to have Tony join us on our wedding day.
Ryan Wildenberg
Usher
Ryan is also someone i've been lucky enough to call my friend since middle school. Always up for a game of sheephead, bonfire, or simply getting together for breakfast when visiting home even though we know he's a busy husband always tinkering on projects around the house or shed and dad to two great kids! Ryan is a friend that has always been there and we couldn't be happier that he'll be joining Erin and I on our wedding day!