Wedding Party
Rachel Haslem
Maid of Honor
After performing in a lip-sync battle together in front of one thousand people, Rachel Haslem and I became best friends. She has been a constant source of joy, grace, love, and friendship for the past 5 years. She is my favorite last-minute road trip partner, cheese making assistant (don't disturb the curd!), and low-key hang. She is my best friend for life. I am so thankful I found her so soon. Just a heads up, her speech is gonna make me ugly cry Kim K style.
Isabelle Ash
Maid of Honor
Even though I (Nadia) once chipped her tooth in a physical altercation, Izzy Ash is my best friend. She is my all-time favorite Target/TJMaxx/Starbucks run companion. She is one of the best friends a person could have; she chases after and loves people with a zeal that mirrors Christ. She speaks truth and gives grace. She is so beautiful and creative. She is so stylish. For a person who used to serially match prints and wear gym shorts with blouses, she might be cooler than me now. I love her so much and am so thankful she is my sister. (I am also thankful we won't have to share a bathroom ever again.)
Aslynn Ash
Flower Girl
Aslynn Ash is the kindest, most expressive, and most hilarious person I (Nadia) have ever met. She will surpass me in height, wit, and intelligence (both IQ and EQ) within the next three years. Aslynn gives the best hugs and is the best friend and little sister a girl could ask for. I am so glad she is a part of my family.
Hannah Senff
Bridesmaid
Hannah Senff has a Polaroid of me (Nadia) when I was fourteen at a sleepover telling her about this guy who brought me flowers for Valentine's day. I am now marrying the aforementioned guy. Hannah has been by my side through my most annoying stages of life, and our friendship has come out the other side stronger than ever. Hannah is effervescently joyful and passionately loves people and Jesus. Our friendship is one for eternity.
Eva Overley
Bridesmaid
I have known Eva her entire life. I knew her during the phase where her and Izzy fought over who was Princess Peach and they competed over who had the best princess toys. Now, she still has the same competitive spirit but channels it into something more productive. She is a good friend and she is hilarious. I am super glad she is my cousin.
Linsley Hartenstein
Bridesmaid
Linsley taught me (Jared) how to be a "good hang." I am not naturally a go with the flow kinda guy. I like knowing what's coming (something that God continues to weed out of me), but Linsley practically showed me how. In 2017, we went on tour together and ran into multiple unexpected situations. Linsley lost her voice on the first night. We acquired about four hours of sleep every night and struggled to arrive and set up on time constantly. But through it all, I learned how to be a good hang and go with the flow, and I am the better for it. So, as always, thank you sis.
Gabbi Hartenstein
Bridesmaid
Gabbi and I (Jared) are kindred spirits, and if she were a Harry Potter character, she’d most definitely be Hermione. The girl can read and write like no other person I’ve ever met, and she retains most of, if not all of, the books she reads. It’s impressive and I admire her for it. Her stories are creative and fun and compelling, and I love that she asks me for my input. We spend hours talking about “what if’s” in our stories, and I hope that never stops. I can’t wait to read more of the stories she is going to write.
Isabel Hartenstein
Bridesmaid
Fact: Isabel loves contortions. Also a fact: it freaks me out, and I love that she loves it so much. Over the last couple of years, I’ve gotten to watch Isabel step into multiple new hobbies with pizazz and class. She loves everything she does, and overcomes lots of barriers along the way. I’ve seen her read books at 13 that I will never read, but I wish I would. It’s inspiring to watch her grow up and become more of the person God made her to be. I hope she never lets up on that.
Brantley Mills
Best Man
Brantley and I (Jared) have been cousins since I was born; a fact I can't change even if I wanted to. Besides, I have lots of cousins, and though I love them, I only have one cousin who is also my brother. B and I have walked through fire together, and we've come out the other side stronger and closer each time. Our lives haven't always been the easiest, but along with our Band of Brothers, we've found out how to thrive. And let's be honest, talking about Star Wars and re-writing the sequel trilogy totally counts as thriving. Wubba Lubba Dub-Dub.
Alex Acuna
Best Man
I (Jared) met this dude as an awkward middle schooler; we've been best friends ever since. For years, we spent every Saturday eating way too much pizza and Oreos, having some great conversations that only happen around a fire. We've gone on cross country trips, seen God change sons and father's lives, and have even taken a raft down category 5 rapids. Through it all, I've had the honor of knowing his story, and I can't wait to witness where God takes him.
Rob Hartenstein
Groomsman
Judah Hartenstein
Groomsman
Judah and I (Jared) are brothers, and if it weren't for that fact, we probably wouldn't be friends. Judah is General Thinker, and I am Major Feeler (nicknames bestowed by Breeden and Rob). They fit because I feel WAY too much, and Judah thinks WAY too much. Between the two of us, we sort of make a whole person, and I am grateful we are beyond just blood-brothers, but friends as well. We've been through the deepest trenches together, and that fact will forever bind us no matter what future-storms we face. Even if you get stuck in a peanut butter jar, I'll be there.
Seth Hartenstein
Groomsman
Seth is a total Star Wars nerd, and I (Jared) am a total Lord of the Rings nerd. We debate and write alternate storylines in both of our fandoms, and it always brings us closer together as brothers and friends. We fight a lot and get annoyed with each other, but if we were in a real fight, I'd still want Seth by my side. No matter how annoyed and angry we get with one another, one of us tells a dumb joke or shows a stupid meme, and suddenly, everything is right in the world.
Joe Hartenstein
Groomsman
Joe has been wild since the day he was born, and for 11 years, I have gotten to watch this kid grow up, and it has been an absolute joy. The kid is insanely creative; he can build the coolest lego sets. From motorcycles to mechs, you mention it, he's probably built it. I can't wait to see this kid run the lego company in Denmark one day and fulfill his dreams of owning his own pizza place called Smileys.
Liam Ash
Groomsman
Liam and I's (Nadia) favorite pastime is to eat inappropriately large amounts of Kroger sushi together. He is the king of comedic timing and one-liners. Liam is caring and compassionate and passionate. When he was a kid, he would cry whenever someone got eliminated from Top Chef, because their dream was getting taken away. Now, he still has that compassion AND is one of the smartest people I know. He will try and talk to me about "science" and "math" and "Avatar the Last Airbender" I am super glad he is my brother.
Brady Hartenstein
Ring Bearer
My (Jared) nephew is the cutest little dude I've ever seen, and I will fight about that.