Wedding Party
Nina Riske
Matron of Honor
Nina is Stephanie's older sister and they were lucky enough to grow up with one another and create all of their fondest childhood memories together. Nina recently got married to the love of her life, Gabe, and honored Stephanie by asking her to be the maid of honor in her wedding. She currently lives in California and works as a hair stylist in Sonoma County. Nina has a vibrant personality and can make an entire room laugh. Stephanie can't wait to have her by her side on her special day!
Kelsey Reeves
Matron of Honor
Kelsey and Stephanie have been inseparable friends since the 7th grade. Stephanie was fortunate enough to be Kelsey's maid of honor when she got married in 2020 and is the godmother to Kelsey's two daughters, Paisley and Elena. Kelsey, her husband Tyler, and their two girls live in California and enjoy being outdoors and making memories with each other. Kelsey is an amazing mother, wife, and friend, and Stephanie is lucky so lucky to be a part of her life!
Ali Reece
Bridesmaid
Ali is Eric's younger sister and Stephanie's soon to be sister-in-law. She is a beautiful person inside and out and she wholeheartedly welcomed Stephanie into the family from the minute she met her. Ali lives with her fiancé Sloan in Tampa, Florida with their golden retriever, Denver. Her family of 3 loves to travel and try new experiences together. Eric and Stephanie are so excited to have her beside them on their special day!
Madison Molino
Bridesmaid
Madison and Stephanie met in 2016 in their sorority, Pi Beta Phi. They became best friends overnight and got to live with each other for 4 years. Madison currently lives with her long-term boyfriend Mitch (who was on jeopardy TWICE) and her two pups, Murphy and Mak in Boise, Idaho. Madison is adventurous and inspiring, always stepping out of her comfort zone to try new things. Stephanie and Eric are honored to have her be a part of their special day!
Cailey Chaney
Bridesmaid
Cailey and Stephanie met in college through mutual friends and instantly became close. They lived together for 6 years and made memories that will last a lifetime. Cailey currently lives in Maui, HI with her long-term boyfriend Dante and their surfing pup, Ruca. She is a passionate and loving friend who would do anything for those that she loves and Steph and Eric are so happy to have her with them on their big day.
Rachel Heard
Bridesmaid
Rachel and Stephanie met in college in their sorority and Rachel was even Stephanie's boss at her first job. She was the one who first introduced Eric and Stephanie and they (obviously) have much to thank her for! Rachel just bought her first house this past year and lives in Salt Lake City, UT with her long-term boyfriend, Jacob, and their pup, Willow. Rachel is such a kind and genuine soul and she is fiercely loyal to her friends. Stephanie and Eric are both so grateful to have her in their lives and have her next to them on their special day!
Rachel DeFilippis
Bridesmaid
Stephanie and Rachel met during college where they attended church and school together. Although they met in Utah, they found out that they grew up just 30 minutes away from each other in California. They spend holidays with each other's families and have been inseparable friends for years. Rachel lights up any room that she walks into and always cracks jokes to keep the party going. Eric and Stephanie can't wait to have her in their wedding.
Cait Theiler
Bridesmaid
Cait and Steph met when the couple first moved to Kansas City. Her husband Zach was in Eric's program at KCU and is now a resident physician at KU Medical Center. Eric and Steph love having game nights and going to weekly trivia with Cait and Zach. Cait and Steph connected immediately over their love for Taylor Swift and girls nights. Eric and Steph are so excited to have Cait and her husband be a part of their special day!
Benjamin Nielsen
Best Man
Ben has been Eric's best friend for as long as they can remember. They grew up together in Normal, Illinois, and have remained close friends over the years despite the significant geographic distance between them. Many afternoons and evenings of their youth were spent playing billiards in Eric's parents' basement, catching up on the latest MCU movie, or grabbing burritos and chips at Moe's Southwest Grill. As far as his interests go, Ben is an extremely accomplished chess player, having competed at many state- and nationwide tournaments, and he continues to teach chess today. Ben also played collegiate soccer at Illinois Wesleyan where he helped lead his team to multiple winning seasons. His favorite team is Chelsea F.C., so if you're a gooner, don't let Ben know. Ben currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was recently promoted to the position of Management Assistant for the City of Mesa in their Engineering Department. Stephanie and Eric are both extremely excited to be able to celebrate their big day with Ben by Eric's side.
Chris Riske
Groomsman
Chris is Stephanie's older brother and has been a great friend to Eric throughout the 7 years that Eric and Steph have been together. Chris is an extremely experienced world traveler and will soon be relocating to Colombia, South America, where he will be teaching for the next two years. Chris is a wonderful role model and a loving and supportive brother, and soon-to-be brother-in-law, and Steph and Eric are both very excited to share their special day with him.
Mitch Schiller
Groomsman
Mitch has been one of Eric's best friends ever since they both attended Normal Community West High School alongside Mitch's twin brother, Ryan. Mitch currently lives in Kansas City where he, Eric, and Ryan, can often be found enjoying the many different kinds of craft breweries throughout the area. Mitch is a prolific home-brewer himself and has made dozens of different beers in nearly every type of style. He even plans on bringing a custom brew to Eric's bachelor party.
Ryan Schiller
Groomsman
Ryan, like Mitch, has been friends with Eric ever since all three of them attended Normal West High School. He lives in Kansas City with his girlfriend, Emily, and their two kitties, just minutes from Eric's and Mitch's respective apartments. Ryan can often be found with Eric and Mitch as the trio peruses through each of Kansas City's wonderful local craft breweries. Eric and Steph are incredibly excited and honored to be able to celebrate their big day with the Schiller boys.
Will Teichman
Groomsman
Will and Eric have been friends ever since they were kids back in Normal, Illinois. A graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University where he roomed with Eric's best man, Ben, he currently resides in Aurora, Illinois, with his fiancee, Kaitlyn, where he works as an accountant. He has been a wonderful friend to both Eric and Steph throughout the years and they are both very excited and honored to be able to celebrate their special day with him.
Josh Lipio
Groomsman
Josh and Eric became friends during their freshman year of college at the University of Utah where they both pledged the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and lived in the same dorm building. Josh is one of Eric's closest friends and he and Eric often play video games or board games together virtually. He is a fantastic and loyal friend to both Eric and Steph, and they are both honored and excited to be able to share their special day with Josh.
Nick Rader
Groomsman
Nick and Eric also met during their freshman year of college as Nick also pledged the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Nick currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he and Josh can often be found at their local Raising Cane's. Nick, Eric, and Steph have many fond memories from their years together in Salt Lake City and can't wait to celebrate their special day with him.
Nate Crispo
Groomsman
Nate is one of Eric's closest friends from Salt Lake City. Nate and Eric met during their freshman year as pledges in Phi Delta Theta at the University of Utah. Nate, and his wife, Ashley, currently reside in Richmond, Virginia, where they are both 3rd-year law students at the University of Richmond. Eric had the amazing honor of serving as Nate's best man at their wedding back in July of 2022. Nate is a wonderful friend to both Eric and Steph and they're incredibly honored to be able to celebrate their special day with him.
Zach Theiler
Groomsman
Zach and Eric became friends just a few years ago when Eric moved to Kansas City for medical school. He was two years above Eric and has served as a friend, mentor, and role model throughout Eric's education. Zach and his wife, Cait (who is one of Steph's bridesmaids), currently reside in Kansas City with their golden doodle, Archer. Zach is currently a physician at the University of Kansas Medical Center in their anesthesiology residency. He and his wife, Cait, have been great friends over the years to both Eric and Steph and they can't wait to celebrate their big day with them.