Wedding Party
Alyssa Buescher
Maid of Honor
Alyssa is Sammy's older sister. Growing up, the two shared many memories together, especially through sports. They both loved gymnastics, so as kids not a day went by where you wouldn't find the two of them in the gym or doing flips at home on their trampoline! Alyssa lives in Durango, CO, where she is able to pursue her love of gymnastics (as the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics director) and also her love for the outdoors (hiking, camping, etc.). Sammy loves to hike as well, so the two sisters decided to tackle the Grand Canyon in 2017; they LOVED it even though they could barely walk for the next few days because they were so sore! :)
Sarah Hanus
Bridesmaid
Sarah is Sammy's cousin, but they more often get mistaken as sisters. Sammy was able to share in Sarah's big day in July of 2016, and now they both can't wait for February 7, 2020 to get here. Sarah has visited Sammy in NYC several times, and Sammy loves to travel to KC to visit Sarah as well! They are always up for finding a fun adventure, like wine tasting or apple picking. Sarah lives in a suburb of Kansas City with her husband, Jacob, and one-year-old son, Isaiah (who is Nat and Sammy's ring bearer).
Claire Gudgell
Bridesmaid
Claire and Sammy went to the University of MN together but didn't officially meet until they were studying abroad in Sydney, Australia, in the Fall of 2011. They quickly found out that they had actually played soccer against each other growing up. Sammy was Claire's bridesmaid at her wedding in September 2015 and now she can't wait for Claire to be standing by her side when she marries Nat. Sammy and Claire have both lived in many different places, so they love to travel to visit each other or explore some place new - on the list so far is Australia, Fiji, Arizona, Minnesota, NYC, and Colorado! Claire lives with her husband, Marcus, and their one-year-old son, Kipton, in Rochester, MN.
Abby Schmitz
Bridesmaid
Abby and Sammy met when they were 10 years old, when Sammy moved from St. Cloud, MN, to Prior Lake, MN. In middle school and high school, they played soccer together and sang in choir. Abby was one of Sammy's first visitors in NYC (along with their friend, Jenna); she came to visit a little over two months after Sammy "temporarily" moved to the Big Apple. Abby decided to come for New Year's Eve and they braved the cold to check off a bucket-list experience of New Year's Eve in Times Square. They made so many memories in those 12 hours, but they both agree...never again (aka they are glad they did it, but no one could pay them to do it again ;)). Abby and Sammy have traveled to Greece and Italy together, two trips that consisted of constant laughter. Abby lives in Prior Lake, MN.
Anna Theis
Bridesmaid
Anna and Sammy met when Sammy moved to Prior Lake, MN, when she was 10 years old. Growing up, Sammy and Anna shared their love for soccer. They played together on various traveling teams and then on the high school team. In February of 2017, Anna was in Florence, Italy, studying abroad for her graduate degree in Physical Therapy. Sammy decided she wanted to surprise Anna with a visit. Anna knew that some other friends were coming to visit, including Abby, another bridesmaid. But Sammy was able to surprise Anna on her birthday during a dinner celebration at a restaurant. Anna's reaction was priceless! :) Anna lives in Saint Anthony, MN.
Maria Morgen
Bridesmaid
Maria is Sammy's friend and roommate from college. They were (luckily) paired as random roommates freshman year at the University of Minnesota. It didn't take long after moving into the dorm that they would stay up late talking...including Sammy gushing about her dream wedding. They hit it off so well that they ended up being roommates for all 4 years of college! After college, Maria moved to San Antonio and Sammy to NYC, but they visited each other annually and shared their love of both traveling and playing tour guide. Maria lives in Madison, WI.
Maggie Proctor
Bridesmaid
Maggie, Nat's older sister, lives in Washington, DC. Sammy has loved getting to know her through Maggie's visits to NYC, Sammy & Nat's visits to DC, weekend trips to Nat and Maggie's parents' house in Connecticut, and Thanksgiving and summer gatherings in Massachusetts. Maggie is an amazing cook/baker and over the years, Sammy has tried to pick up a few skills from watching and helping Maggie during family get togethers. Maggie was one of the few people who knew that Nat was going to propose, and she played a vital role in the engagement (she was the one who told Sammy that Nat needed to talk to her :)). Sammy is so excited to be gaining a sister-in-law!
Toby Foster
Groomsman
Toby and Nat met in freshman year at the University of St Andrews, where they both lived in John Burnett Hall. Taking many of the same classes in freshman year, they hit it off right away. After University, Toby, Christopher and Nat embarked on a 6 weeklong road trip around the entirety of the US, which is when Nat first visited and fell in love with New Orleans. Despite being stuck with each other in an over-packed station wagon for that whole trip, they miraculously remain close friends. Toby currently lives in the United Kingdom with his wife Alice. He has served in the British military since graduation from University, taking two tours of Afghanistan before becoming a Captain in 4 Rifles.
Christopher Murphy
Groomsman
Christopher and Nat first met when they were assigned to be roommates at the University of St Andrews in freshman year. While freshman roommates can often be a bit of a minefield, Nat lucked out and got one of the great ones. Things went so well that they ended up living together for three of the four years at university. Through university and beyond, they made many memories travelling together (hiking in the Himalayas, exploring the US by car and taking a couple road trips in the UK). One of the more epic stops on their trip was watching the sunset over the Badlands in South Dakota while multiple lightning storms raged in the distance. Christopher lives in the UK with his fiancé Sophie and serves in the British military as a Captain for the Household Calvary.
Brandon Bruins
Groomsman
Brandon and Nat met at orientation in their dorm in freshman year of university. Quickly realizing that they had a ton in common, they became fast friends as gym and drinking buddies. But it wasn’t all working out and drinking for these two. Like Nat, Brandon has an incredible work ethic and the two would often be found in the library working hard. Prior to being roommates in senior year, they travelled to South Africa to see Brandon’s home and tour around the country. This remains one of the best vacations that Nat has ever taken and has made Nat a lifelong Springbok rugby fan! Brandon currently lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with his wife Harriet and two adorable kids, Claudia and Gabriel.
Matt Cardosi
Groomsman
Matt and Nat first met about 6 years ago in the Upper East Side of NYC. Whether it was the Scottish connection (where Matt is from and where Nat studied), the love of sports (both playing and watching), or the similar names, Matt and Nat became close friends very quickly. Through the years and despite his best efforts, Matt has been unable to convince Nat to swing his soccer allegiances from Arsenal to Man U in the British Premiership. Matt has, however, turned Nat around on golf, which he used to find a complete snooze. As one of Nat’s closest friends in NYC and someone who was present on the night Nat and Sammy met, Nat is very happy that Matt will be by his side on the big day. Matt lives in New York City with his girlfriend Carolyn.
James Gregg
Groomsman
James and Nat first met at Camp Pasquaney in New Hampshire, where they both were campers in 2001. At the time, Nat was a first year camper and James was a COI (essentially a junior counsellor) and Nat looked up to James as a role model. In 2007, the best summer at Pasquaney in recent history, Nat joined James on the council and got assigned to supervise a weeklong hiking/trail work trip for some of the older campers. It was on this camping trip that Nat really got to know James and the two have been great friends ever since. James currently lives in Port Orange, Florida, with his wife Andrea and two dogs, Yogi and Paris.
Tyler "Jonesy" Buescher
Groomsman
Tyler, Sammy’s younger brother, lives in Minneapolis. Nat first met Tyler while meeting Sammy’s family for the first time at her uncle’s vacation house on the Lake of the Ozarks. As the younger but still protective brother of Sammy, Nat knew he had to make a good impression on Tyler. It may come as no surprise but they bonded quickly over their love of sports, both playing and watching. While Tyler’s favorite teams have not been as successful as Nat’s (let’s go Eagles and Sox), they can always agree that the Yankees and the Packers are the worst! Nat is very excited about gaining a new brother-in-law.
Annabelle Grace
Flower Girl
Annabelle Grace is Sammy's 4 year old cousin. She lives in a suburb of Kansas City with her mom (Alison), dad (Scott), and dog (Louie). Sammy has loved watching Annabelle Grace grow up, especially during the family's annual summer get-together at the Lake of the Ozarks. Nat and Sammy called Annabelle Grace on the phone to ask her to be their flower girl and Annabelle was so excited! Annabelle loves to dance, with her new signature move being the fist pump! :) Sammy and Nat can't wait for her to dance the night away with them on their big day!
Isaiah Hanus
Ring Bearer
Isaiah was born August 16, 2018 (the best birthday month ever, according to Sammy)! His mom is Sammy's cousin and close friend, Sarah, who is one of Sammy's bridesmaids. Sammy has loved to watch Isaiah grow, both from afar and during her visits to the Midwest. Sammy's first time meeting Isaiah was the day after Thanksgiving, when Sammy and Nat excitedly told her family about their engagement. It was the best trip for Sammy and Nat because they got to share their exciting news and meet this cute little fella for the first time. Anyone who knows Isaiah knows he has THE BEST facial expressions! Let's see which expression he wears when he walks down the aisle as the cutest little ring bearer!