Sydney & Ryan
Wedding Party
Taylor
Maid of Honor
Taylor is Sydney’s younger sister and confidante. Taylor is artistic and passionate: she throws herself headfirst into anything she wants. Sydney always tells her students and friends that Taylor is “way cooler than I will ever be.” Because they’re only a year and a half apart in age, they shared many of the same friends growing up. They were teammates for soccer, softball, and swimming over the years, doubles tennis partners, members of the same Girl Scout troop, and the school drama troupe. She is one of the most important people in Sydney’s life, and the first person she called when she got engaged.
Greg
Best Man
Greg and Ryan were both Computer Science Majors at Florida Southern College, and had many classes together. They were also in the same pledge class of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and were members of the same family line. They lived together for two years in college, and traveled multiple times (both domestically and internationally) for Fall and Spring breaks with each other. Sydney and Ryan frequently FaceTime Greg and his partner, Lauria, who were with them in Ireland when Ryan proposed: Greg and Lauria were the film crew for the occasion. Greg is thoughtful, sarcastic, and an epic drinking buddy.
Meghan
Officiant
Meghan was Sydney’s first best friend: from diapers to matching for Twin Day in each of their four years at Citrus High School, and all of their hijinks in between, like planking (when that was all the rage in 2011) on a shopping cart. They played dress up together, got ready for school dances together, and now they get to prepare for Sydney’s wedding. Meghan is creative, opinionated and the only girl in a family with 5 brothers— she’s the type of friend who will playfully pick on you, but will defend you in a heartbeat if anyone else tries. Meghan is an elite problem-solver, and stepped up to be the officiant two weeks before the wedding, without missing a beat.
Tom
Groomsman
Tom and Ryan met in elementary school, in Mrs. Kerman’s 2nd grade class. They grew up a street apart in the same neighborhood, and rode the same bus to school. They learned to play the trumpet together in band as their first instrument. Tom took karate classes, and was the champion of all childhood wrestling matches. Tom is a goofball and never fails to make Ryan laugh. They talk almost every day. He is easy to spot at any party because he is energetic, boisterous, and always smiling: these qualities will make him a great nurse.
Kaitlin
Bridesmaid
Sydney first knew Kaitlin as the girl in 6th grade gym class who didn’t know how to open her combination lock; Sydney tried patiently to help her learn, but ended up opening it for her all year instead. This was the start of a beautiful friendship throughout shared sports, classes, friend groups, and parties. Kaitlin is known for her hilarious anecdotes and random facts, and always keeps Sydney laughing. She is empathetic, honest, and always ready for adventure: whether that means heading to the Roller Barn, themed parties, or trying new foods together.
Connor
Groomsman
Connor met Ryan in 3rd grade gym class, where he made his Co-Co-Captain of their lacrosse team, because he didn’t want a girl Co-Captain. They bonded over Xbox games in elementary school, and Connor’s house was the meeting spot for summer bike rides and group hangs. Connor is the “planner” of the group, and spearheads their adventures like skydiving and trips: in the summer of 2017, Connor, Ryan, Steve, Deets, and Tom all went to Bonnaroo together. Connor is a craft beer connoisseur, a meme comedian, and is never afraid to try new things.
Eileen
Bridesmaid
When Sydney became friends with Kaitlin, she didn’t realize that she was getting a package deal, with her little sister Eileen. Sydney and Kaitlin tried to force Eileen and Taylor into being friends too, which worked so well that Eileen was constantly spending the night at the Schantz house: she’s like a second little sister. She even joined Sydney and Taylor’s Girl Scout troop. When they joined the drama troupe in 2012, Sydney helped Eileen learn all of her lines for the school play. Eileen is a great listener, and one of the most compassionate people Sydney knows.
Steve
Groomsman
Ryan met Steve in elementary school, and they continued to bond during band and music classes throughout middle and high school. Ryan played the French Horn and trumpet, while Steve played percussion. Steve is a wild card, and one of the group’s favorite phrases is, “Can you not, Steve?” Steve loved their bonfires and the boys built a pallet tree house in the woods near his house: his penchant for the outdoors translates to his adult job as a geologist. As a friend, Steve is spontaneous, genuine, and caring.
Grace
Bridesmaid
Grace and Sydney were on the same RA staff their sophomore year at Florida Southern College and they became fast friends. She met Ryan at the same party that Sydney did, and watched their relationship blossom into what it is now, encouraging them all the way. Sydney and Grace planned or worked many campus events together, and lived together for a summer. They trust each other implicitly and share recipes, book recommendations, and wine selections. Theirs is a steady friendship, full of thoughtful gifts and handwritten notes.
Nick aka “Deets”
Groomsman
Nick Ardito, aka “Deets” (his self proclaimed nickname) met Ryan through mutual friends in Junior High. They played football and whiffle ball at the local park, and biked around town together almost every day. Sydney met Deets at “Deets Clark’s Annual New Years Party” when Ryan brought her in 2018. Deets is lively, passionate about whatever he does, and unafraid to sing at a party. He loves to debate about any and everything, and is going to make a fantastic lawyer.
Gabby
Bridesmaid
Gabby and Sydney met in Kappa Delta sorority, but became friends through working on the college Accountability Board. The two decided to room together in Spain when they studied abroad: Sydney ate the vegetables off of Gabby’s plate when their host mom wasn’t looking, they had lunch and beach dates all summer, and they had many late night escapades. They remained close for the rest of college, and in the years since. Gabby is such a positive force in Sydney’s life and always supports her—no questions asked.
Cullen
Groomsman
Sydney met Cullen in a freshman English class and their paths intersected again as Sydney progressively spent more time with Pi Kappa Phis and became the pledge class sweetheart. When Ryan joined the fraternity, he and Cullen shared an immediate bond, and walked through fire together…literally. He became Ryan’s Big in the fall of 2015. Cullen planned the fateful Spring Break trip which started the couple’s romantic relationship. Cullen has traveled with them together, and has been to 6 countries total with Sydney. He is considerate, altruistic, and one of the best people they know.
Alison
Bridesmaid
Sydney met Alison when she moved to the Bay Area as a Teach for America corps member. She’s been with Sydney every step of the way through the start of their teaching careers, earning their Masters degrees, making friends as adults, and changing schools. She met Ryan while he was visiting during he and Sydney’s long distance those two years. She lived with Sydney and Ryan when they first moved in together and was in Ireland with them when they got engaged. Alison is dependable, trustworthy, and always down for a good happy hour.
Thomas
Groomsman
Ryan met Thomas through Pi Kappa Phi. Thomas was Ryan’s successor as the President, and the two lived together in Lake Hollingsworth apartment 903 with Greg. Because he’s from Concord, Massachusetts not far from where Ryan’s family lived in Grafton, the couple visited him at the holidays and got the opportunity to go on what he calls the “incredibly depressing tour” of his hometown, and to meet his family. Thomas is friendly, outgoing, and one of the most positive people Ryan knows.