April & Ben
Wedding Party
Cassy Rae Neilsen
Maid of Honor
Cassy and I have been sisters for over ten years, but it feels like an eternity. We first met at the beginning of sixth grade at Krueger and spent most of our days after school together doing random things. Fun Fact during this time: I was obsessed with smiley faces and she was obsessed with peace signs! We grew up (and out of our teenage obsessions) and went through the tough and great times together. We would always have sleepovers and walk to the park together, more so when she moved to my neighborhood because she couldn't get enough of me. She's my weirdo and I'm her crazy.
Jake Spaulding Buell
Best Man
Jake and I first met in Architecture school, sitting on opposite ends of the studio. Suddenly our eyes met and...relax its not that kind of story. We met and became fast friends, bonding over our patriotic love of Texas, and slight narcissism. We spend hundreds of hours in studio every month and so I've come to know my Best Man quite well, and there's no one else I'd want whispering jokes to me at the altar on the happiest day of my life than him. Fun Fact: He's a great broski leroski.
Roxanne Sanchez
Bridesmaid
If there's anyone to laugh hard with, it's this chica! We've had our crazy, silly times together through High School and on. We became friends in French class and started reading books together while talking AND crying over them, especially our favorite one, 'If He Had Been With Me' by Laura Nowlin! We're always goofing around and being dumb around other people or just by ourselves. As a goof one year for her birthday, I gave her rocks and sand as a play on her name... it was funny at the time but now we realize how dumb we could be! Fun Fact: Rocks and I have our own 'signature' picture pose!
Jared Walker Erickson
Groomsman
Jared and I met....Actually I don't remember what year he came to our troop from Troop 650, because I can't recall any scouting memories without him. We've been to every Scouting High Adventure Base together, and almost died together at BTSR. My very first memory I can recall was us on his first campout with the troop, riding in the back of the "Scout-mobile." We were cracking jokes and started going through the console getting stuff out. He ended up looking like a cheap advertisement for MTV, wearing big black sunglasses, a baseball hat sideways, huge headphones around his neck, and a childish grin while holding a Kidz Bop CD. Fun Fact: To this day this is still my contact photo for him.
Abigail Rose Hayes
Bridesmaid
Abbi and I became great friends when we worked together at Panera Bread in Auburn, and now Outback. Don't get fooled by her small, short size cause she is absolutely crazy but a lot of fun. We're always going out, singing karaoke, dancing at Sky to the best bands and DJ, and having a great time! We always find the time to sing 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift and we really get into it when we do. We've been on a couple road trips to the beach together and stayed in a sketchy motel but it was okay cause we had each other! Fun Fact: Her dad owns a Jeep!
Camden Grant Barnes
Groomsman
Out of everyone in my wedding party Camden was the guy I knew first. I lived down the street from him for years and we went to elementary school together. Once I moved freshman year of high school I never thought I would see him again, luckily Jared said he wanted to bring one of his buddies to a Troop meeting one night, and low and behold who else would it be but Camden! We also went to BTSR together and almost died 12 times in 4 days, needless to say we've bonded for life. Fun Fact: Camden & Jared ran cross country together in high school!
Kaitlyn Emily Onisawa
Bridesmaid
Kaitlyn was the only friend I ever made at Southern Union and we transferred together to Auburn University a couple years later. We've taken many little road trips together whether it was to a concert in Atlanta, to go run errands all the way in Birmingham, or even Sonic for a slushy! She's so caring and so fun to be around. She's also my buddy to go eat a ton of sushi with and sometimes workout. She's a talented painter and loves to draw too! Fun Fact: I have one of her paintings hung up in my apartment!
Kyle James Beaird
Groomsman
My first memory of meeting Kyle was being at his Crossover Ceremony from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts way back in 2011. We've been all over the US together, Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier, with probably my favorite memory being from BTSR, where he earned his forever nickname "The Bugler" (Bug-ah-lur). He's always been the heart and soul of our little 4 person crew, always knowing what to say to get our moral back even under the most difficult of circumstances. Fun Fact: Unfortunately he decided to go to Texas A&M, but please don't hold it against him.
Hailey Anne Elizabeth Shrader
Bridesmaid
I met Hailey working at Panera Bread as well. At first we didn't really click but then we grew on each other. We're always there for each other whether we need a rescue in the middle of the night, have to do a painting for a birthday gift, or spend the holidays together because we're family. She loves playing Minecraft and Rock Band and also inviting her friends early to celebrate her 21st birthday the weekend after since her birthday fell on a Sunday. Fun Fact: For my 21st birthday last year, Hailey and Abbi wrote and played me a song on the guitar and it was terrible yet amazing!
Karena Celine Heitzman
Groomswoman
Ever since meeting our first year of college, Karena has been a constant part of my life. She's one of kindest, most genuine people I know, and has had my back under the worst of situations. She's become a major part of both April's and my life. She's an amazing photographer who unquestionably volunteered to take our engagement photos back in the summer of 2019, and invited us into her home in Huntsville so often it's become a yearly tradition!! Fun Fact: She loves to roller skate and collect Squishmallows!