Samuel & Madeline
Wedding Party
Lauren Zapata
Matron of Honor
Lauren (Lo), Maddie's older sister. These two have taught each other a lot. From navigating rocky relationships to how to find a best friend in your sibling. Although seemingly joined at the hip, these two have grown closer in their adult lives. There's so many things Maddie can count on Lauren for, including being the best hostess northeast Wisconsin has seen and talking baby talk to her dogs.
Paul Howard
Best Man
Paul is Sam's brother and best man. If sharing a room for the first 18 years of Sam's life didn't push them apart, nothing will. Paul has always had his back, from late night window sneak outs to precarious Lake Michigan row boat trips. There hasn't been a doubt in Sams mind about who his Best Man is.
Casee Hawkins
Matron of Honor
Casee, Maddie's oldest sister. Maddie has looked up to Casee for as long as she can remember, and you will soon learn why... she's the life of the party!
Zach Myers
Groomsman
Zach is one of Sam's (and Maddie's!) best friends from college. Another one from the halls of Witte 7B, Zach has been around since our first date! Zach wears many hats, Chief Ramen maker, Vacationer Extraordinaire, and Tech Startup Whisperer among others. Sorry ladies, he's not interested.
Jessica Ganther
Bridesmaid
Jessica is one of Maddie's besties first, sister-in-law second. Queen of: music video dance parties, brownies, and letting the Ganther family (aka Maddie and Ben) talk her ear off. Not so fond of: camping, snakes, and frogs.
Mitch Olson
Groomsman
Mitch, Mike, Uncle Dunkel; nobody is sure of his real name but he's been Sam's friend since childhood. The two were inseparable throughout high school and equally as close after Mitches time in the Marine Core. Mikey lived in MKE with MJ, Sam, Ben and JG for a few years, he is practically part of the family. Just don't get him started on the golden age of Antarctic Exploration.
Rachel Howard
Bridesmaid
Rachel, Maddie's soon to be sister-in-law!! She is Maddie's hype girl and climbing coach. She has been an important part of Maddie's life since Maddie was introduced to the Howard family. Maddie is so happy to be gaining ANOTHER wonderful sister.
Benjamin Ganther
Groomsman
Ben is Sam's future brother-in-law, friend, and business partner. At one point, he was even Sam's landlord, a two year stretch fondly remembered as the most bagel filled time of Sam's life. Ben always has his priorities straight, from the Trifecta (coffee, water, beer) after a morning of climbing, to the proper application of toppings on Real Chili, he's got it all figured out.
Emma Smyth
Bridesmaid
Emma is one of Maddie's friends from high school. Emma is one of those special, always there for you kind of people, who will fly across the country to spend time with any of her friends. Emma and Maddie share a passion for large burritos, singing to the Shrek soundtrack, Door County (the most magical place on earth), and can talk all night long.
Riley Egan
Groomsman
Riley was one of Sam's college roommates all the way from Freshman to Super Senior year. Sam credits Riley with firing up his interest in our National Parks and the creation of the single greatest 12 hour road trip playlist ever made. Riley is also responsible for the ultimate April Fools "prank" ever pulled.
Sara Gardon
Bridesmaid
Sara, one of Maddie's first friends in high school (beyond thankful for last names that start with "G"!). Sara brings so much happiness to every room she enters. She is an amazing friend with the kindest heart, who will never fail to make you laugh. Bonus: she can also out drink Jeff, just ask her!
Jeremy Brunner
Groomsman
Jeremy is one of Sam's childhood friends and possibly the only reason he graduated from UW Madison. Jeremy and Sam took their first steps into Mechanical Engineering and the professional workplace together. Although Jeremy is out on the East Coast now, the phone is always picked up to consult each other on life's next big steps.
Madeline Russo
Bridesmaid
Madi, another one of Maddie's friends from high school. The Mad(d)i(e)s were inseperable in high school, a large part because of their passion for dance team. They also loved to stay up all night making Justin Bieber t-shirts and exploring all that Freedom, WI has to offer.
Ian Norman
Groomsman
Ian and Sam met on Valentines Day in 2013. Although Sam was more worried about not embarrassing himself in front of Maddie, he also happened to start a lifelong friendship (or curse?). Ian taught Sam to sail, cursing him with the aspiration of boat ownership. Sam taught Ian to climb, at first a gift of adventure, but eventually a curse as Ian now lives in the flattest state in the lower 48.
Katie Christensen
Bridesmaid
Katie is Maddie's cousin and an amazing friend. These two have been close since they were young, always making each other laugh until they cry, creating extensive hand shakes, and even planning for building bunk beds in their future homes for slumber parties.
John Springer
Groomsman
John and Sam were not good at Dynamic Systems. Fortunately UW Madison has awesome supplemental instruction classes. John sat down at Sams table and the two were forced to put their heads together just to grab passing grades. From then on they remained study buddies, graduating to sailboat owners and climbing partners.
Kaitland Woelky
Bridesmaid
Kaity was Maddie's roommate in grad school at NIU, although they were destined to be friends. These two crossed paths with their major, their jobs, and more when at UW. Kaity even took Maddie's job when she graduated! Thank goodness these two met because NIU put them through a lifetime of tears, laughs, late night studying, and the Great British Baking Show on constant repeat in three short years.
Jake Earle
Groomsman
Jake is Sam's friend from childhood. These two started as adversaries on the baseball diamond, that tension would quickly fade to winning the Highschool superlative of "Biggest Bromance". Jake is the kind of guy that'll talk anyone's ear off and never miss a chance to have a late night.
Alexandra Swanson
Bridesmaid
Alex is one of Maddie's oldest friends. They've been there for each other through alll the awkward stages of life, most notably a fixation on making homemade tie dye clothing and a choreographed dance to the song Roses by OutKast.
Evan Olson
Groomsman
Evan is Sam's childhood friend. They were Co-captains of the wrestling team, where, Sam was shocked to find that Evan listened to Country Music as a pump up before matches. Evan and Sam credit themselves with a lot of important titles, supreme Whitnall Park fort builders and amateur pole vaulters to name a few.