Wedding Party

Ryleigh's

Party

Samantha's

Party

Taylor DenBeste

Matron of Honor

Taylor is my older sister, role model, and all-around amazing human. Growing up, Taylor and I spent countless hours playing Guitar Hero, putting on fashion shows, playing card games, and laughing until our stomachs hurt. She is without a doubt the sweetest and most thoughtful person I have ever met, and I couldn't be more thankful to have her stand next to me on my special day!

Sydney Wurtzel

Maid of Honor

Sydney is my little sister. Sydney has just finished her first year at NIAAC. Sydney is the best and worst thing that has happened to me. The worst thing because she is what changed my status of only child to oldest child. On the other hand Sydney is the best thing that has happened to me because having a little sister means having a built in best friend for life. Although we may not always get along, I know we have each others backs through thick and thin. Having my little sis stand by my side is going to make my special day even better.

Jadee Walsh

Bridesmaid

Jadee and I met around 3 years ago when we began working together at Blessed Beginnings Learning Center in Cedar Falls. However, it wasn't until early 2019 that our friendship began growing into something amazing. As our friendship has grown, Jadee has quickly turned into someone I go to for anything, especially a good laugh and encouragement. Jadee has the ability to light up any room she walks in and I am so grateful to have her as both my friend and bridesmaid!

Kristyn Osborne

Bridesmaid

I have known Kristyn since Spring of 2019 when she started working in my room at Blessed Beginnings. Although we have not known each other for long, Kristyn has quickly become one of my best friends. We have a lot more in common than either of us ever expected. Kristyn is always someone I can turn to for advice, encouragement, and of course the most common, a kick in the butt to get something done. Kristyn is someone who constantly understands how my brain works and what I need when I wont say I need it. The best thing about our friendship is that we can both be ourselves no matter the situation because our friendship overrules any and all differences. I am so excited to have Kristyn stand by me as I marry my best friend.

Abby Scheel

Bridesmaid

Abby and I met in 2016 when she joined the trumpet section in the Panther Marching Band. Since then, Abby and I have created a special friendship that has been filled with endless laughs, hugs, and memories, including lots of football games in the UNI Dome! Abby is a beautiful person who can find the joy in any situation, and someone who I can count on for anything, which is why I'm so excited for her to stand with me on my big day!

Jasmine Trumblee

Bridesmaid

Jasmine is one of my best friends. Jasmine and I met on our trip to Kingston Jamaica with BASIC, the campus ministry we are both involved in. Due to our shared source of sarcasm our friendship took flight as soon as we landed in Montego Bay. For a whole week Jasmine and I built our friendship and grew closer to God. Jasmine was the first person in my life that I felt completely comfortable being as venerable and open about my relationship with Ryleigh and my family.  

Emily Nickel

Bridesmaid

Emily and I first met in an Elementary Education class at UNI, but didn't really get to know each other until after we returned from Jamaica in March of 2018, where we both traveled on a mission trip. When we returned, Emily and I decided to grab a cup of coffee and chat about life--our friendship has continued to grow ever since. Emily has an incredibly sweet spirit and is someone who loves people unconditionally, which is I am so thankful to have her in my life and wedding!

Sydney Baker

Bridesmaid

Sydney is a mutual friend of mine and Ryleigh's. Our friendship started in the most ironic of ways. In January of 2017, Ryleigh and I snuck Dairy Queen into a North Iowa Bulls hockey game in Mason City, Iowa. We happened to sit next to this lady and her boyfriend who kept looking over at us, as to judge us for sneaking in food. To our surprise, Sydney leaned over and said "did you guys sneak that in here?" To which we responded "Yes!" Sydney nudged her boyfriend Brady and said "Hun, They snuck that in here, why haven't we done that before!?" From then both couples have become best friends. From trips to Minneapolis, Chicago, and tubing down the river, our friendship continues to grow stronger. 

Abby Dobernecker

Bridesmaid

Abby and I met when she began working at Blessed Beginnings in early 2019. During our time working together in the 2-year-old room, it didn't take long for me to realize how awesome of a person she is. Abby is someone who can make any situation fun, and has the ability to brighten anyone's day. Abby has brought an immense amount of joy and laughter into my life, and I am so excited for her to stand with me on my special day!

Loryn McLenna

Bridesmaid

Loryn has been one of my best friends since Fall of 2012 when she was my orientation leader at Wartburg College. We because super close when she was my 'parent' the first week of college due to an infection that caused me to be in the hospital for the first two and a half days of my college career. Loryn has always been someone who pushes me to be the best person I can be whether that be academically, socially, or mentally. Loryn has always been someone I have looked up to and I am beyond blessed to have her stand by my side on one of the biggest days of my life.

Nicholas Schnell

Bridesman

Nick is my younger brother and best friend since he was born 17 months after me. Growing up together at such a close age, Nick and I were able to do everything together, like riding sofa cushions down a flight of stairs, playing Star Wars Battlefront for hours every day, performing in several musicals together, and even singing the National Anthem at a Twins baseball game in August of 2015. Nick's goofy personality and kind heart are just a couple of the things I love the most about him, and I'm so excited for him to celebrate this amazing day with me!

Nicholas Wurtzel

Bridesman

Nick is my youngest brother. Nick is 11 years old and is in 6th grade at Central Springs Middle School. Nick is exactly what our family needed to be complete. Nick's kind heart and loving spirit is something the world needs more of. I beyond thankful that God worked His magic on that little boy back in 2010 when his lungs weren't developed enough to breathe on his own. Without this young man, she is not sure where their family would be. Having Nick stand by my side will be very special.

Brady Edwards

Bridesman

Like Sydney Baker, Brady is a mutual friend of Sam and I's. We first met the couple at a Mason City hockey game in January of 2017, and quickly became amazing friends with them both. Since then, we have all gone on several trips together and have made many memories that will last a lifetime. Brady is one of the funniest and kind-hearted people I have ever met, and I'm so thankful to have him in my life and wedding! ​

Joshua Wurtzel

Bridesman

Josh is my oldest younger brother. Josh is 14 years old and a freshman at Central Springs High School. I have loved watching Josh grow up into the amazing young man he is becoming. Although he is my little brother, he has already surpassed me in height (which isn't hard to do). I love going home on the weekends and getting a hug from Josh, a boy who doesn't like to show his affection. Without Josh in our family, we sure wouldn't have the competitive nights of  Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch. I am beyond excited to have my not so little bro stand by my side.

Laikyn Meehan

Jr. Bridesmaid

We met Laikyn and her brother, Case, when we began working at the daycare. Laikyn's spunky spirit and caring heart are just a few things we love the most about her. We are so thankful that her and her brother will be standing by us on our big day!

Case Meehan

Jr. Bridesman

We met Case and his sister, Laikyn, when we began working at Blessed Beginnings in Cedar Falls. Case quickly gained a special place in our hearts, with his fun personality and wild spirit! We are so excited for both him and his sister to be a part of our special day!

Peyton Colwell

Flower Girl

We met Peyton and her sister, Madilyn, when we began working at the daycare. It didn't take us long to fall in love with Peyton's chubby cheeks and devilish little personality! We are so excited for her and her sister to help us celebrate this amazing day!

Madilyn Colwell

Flower Girl

We met Madilyn and her sister, Peyton, when we began working at the daycare. Madilyn's wild personality and compassionate heart are just a couple things we love the most about her. We are so excited for her and her sister to lead us down the aisle!