Samantha & Derek

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Wedding Party & Family

Introducing the friends and family supporting us on this special day!

Champagne Stephens

Maid of Honor

Champagne and Sam met back in high school in Cornell, WI. Champagne would pick Sam up for their indoor Winter softball league. They would spend their drives talking about life and making up their rendition of "Red Solo Cup" into "Oh, Sippy Cup." They have been friends ever since. They may not see each other as often as they would like, but when they get to spend time together, they make it count! Surely, Champ will be right by Sam's side through this memorable journey. She's a natural caretaker and the perfect Maid of Honor. She definitely is going to deserve a glass of wine.. or 6!

Austin Nebl

Best Man

Derek and Austin originally met through Austin’s stepbrother and Derek’s middle/high school friend, Robert. They lived just a few blocks from each other, so Derek was always over at Robert & Austin’s house on the channel of Lake Winnebago. As they grew to become closer friends, they were typically inseparable until their curfews. They shared a love for sports, fishing, and Michael Phelps. They would even get up early to practice their butterfly strokes in the pool. They continue to play Call of Duty together nearly every week and remain close. Derek couldn’t imagine this special day without his lifelong friend right there next to him!

Kristi Oertel

Bridesmaid

Kristi and Sam met in college early on into their freshman year at UWO. While spending time with another friend on Kristi's dorm floor, Sam was quick to offer Kristi some pizza, so Kristi offered back some peanut butter cups. They quickly bonded over their favorite foods and have been connected ever since. They bond over simple things: wine, golf, and drinking margaritas by the river. Her unbreakable loyalty and everlasting support made her an obvious addition to the bridal party. You'll find Kristi ripping up the dance floor with either a Michelob Ultra or a glass of wine in hand. If she gets tired though, make sure she puts her drink down before she closes her eyes!

Jake Mantz

Groomsman

Derek and Jake became close friends pretty quickly. They met in 2021 while working together at Amcor. Once they started hanging out outside of work, going to the gym together, gaming, etc. their friendship grew, and they moved in together in 2022. They became closer and closer as they did almost everything together. They continue to work together to this day. They still are close even after Derek moved in with Sam, so of course Derek wanted him to be a part of the big day.

Derek Havlovick

Bridesman

Derek and Sam met within their very first days of college. Derek and Sam roomed across the hall from each other their Freshman year in South Scott Hall at UWO. It wasn't until the Summer before Sam's last semester of college that they really became close though. They were both moving into temporary housing in Gruenhagen Hall before the school year started. They ran into each other and had long chats over Winking Owl wine in their dorms. They've been inseparable ever since, and both would say they are each other’s rocks (besides their significant others, of course). Many emotional chats and indescribable amounts of fun later, Sam couldn't see this day without Derek there too. You'll catch Derek busting a move while sipping on just about anything available at the venue.

Justin Pitzrick

Groomsman

Derek and Justin are cousins, but they are bonded and care for each other like brothers. They’ve been around and with each other through thick and thin over the years. They spent plenty of time fishing together as kids and continue to enjoy doing that together. They’ve lived together, worked together, been in trouble together; you name it, they’ve done it together. Derek is honored to have his family and friend stand by his side on this day. Justin is excited to be a part of it, as well.

Leah Kirssin

Bridesmaid

Leah and Sam met through friends at their go to hangout, Mabel Murphy's. After just a few get togethers with mutual friends, these two hit it off. They share an appreciation of a good drink and supportive friendship. They tend to spend their time filling each other in on the highs and lows of each other's life and sharing advice (whether that be smart and mature or encouraging questionable behavior). It's rarely a Sam and Leah gathering without some sort of shenanigans! Don't let their appreciation of fun fool you though, Leah is one of the most supportive, dedicated, and loyal friends a girl could ask for. Leah now lives in Michigan, but there was no question that Sam still needed her by her side on this special day. That could be for many reasons: a hand to hold, an ear to listen, or a straight up good time. Leah keeps her drinks simple with either a vodka soda or a shot of tequila, so she and Sam will likely be enjoying both together at some point through the night!

Ben Blum

Groomsman

Ben and Derek originally met through Derek’s best man, Austin. Ben and Austin were friends since childhood; they went to elementary school together. Derek got to meet Ben back in the day at one of Ben’s basketball games. From that point on, the three of them did everything together. They enjoyed playing football in the backyard, playing video games, going the YMCA and much much more as they grew up. They still remain close and stay in touch even though backyard sports are no longer included.

Alyssa Brandt

Bridesmaid

Alyssa and Sam also met through their appreciation for Mabel Murphy's. After one drunken night of heading to Kwik Trip after bar close and later forgetting each other's name, they then realized they had much more than that in common. Alyssa is also one of those people that will go to lengths for someone she loves, regularly putting that ahead of herself. Sam appreciates that about her, along with her slightly unhealthy sense of humor, and her inability to respond to texts. Sam and Alyssa share a love for Coors Light, so Alyssa will surely be partaking in the consumption of a few as they enjoy the day! Alyssa has been there for Sam in wedding planning and has provided an unmeasurable amount of support through Sam's relationship with Derek. That's just a couple of reasons why she was a must for Sam's bridal party.

Trevor Daniels

Groomsman

Derek and Trevor met in elementary school and ended up going through high school together. They really became friends in the 5th grade when they found out they both loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing off the same dock in Oshkosh, Bowen Street dock. They would ride their bikes to the gas station or bait shop and then to Bowen Street nearly every day after school. Derek was definitely jealous that Trevor had a cart attached to his bike he used to hold his rods and Derek didn’t. They still enjoy fishing together and look forward to more walleye tournaments together in the future as both are tournament anglers now.