Wedding Party

Emily Jankowski

Maid of Honor

Emily and I met in the 3rd grade, and she has been an incredible friend throughout the years. We practically lived together from childhood through our high school years- just alternating whose house we stayed at. Many days were spent riding horses together (with every ride followed by a Sonic Cherry Limeade), watching movies, and talking for hours on end about everything under the sun. We survived some truly terrible teachers together, so I’m sure the trauma-bonding helped. Emily has remained a true friend no matter how much time or distance tried to come between us. She is my oldest friend, she has always been there for me, and she has been a huge help during the wedding planning process. I’m so honored to have her as my Maid of Honor, standing right by my side on my big day!

Rachel Whitman-Skadal

Bridesmaid

In addition to being my bridesmaid, Rachel is also my older sister! Rachel and I share our passions for good books, good food, acquiring as many animals as possible, and being out in nature. Rachel is also mama to my three favorite girls ever and wife to Steven, who is the pastor of their tiny rural church. They live in Deep East Texas and homeschool, garden, and raise chickens and dairy goats. I’m so happy to have my big sister standing by me on the big day!

Heather Fiero

Bridesmaid

Heather and I were basically the origin of ‘missed connections’. We had ‘met’ each other multiple times before we realized we actually knew each other. We rode at the same barn, and quickly clung to each other. Our true start of friendship occurred when Heather fell off her horse riding cross country and broke her arm. I hung out with her at the truck, feeding her cotton candy grapes until the rest of our crew finished. That was truly the start of a beautiful friendship. We bonded instantly over our obsessions with horses, foxes and of course Taylor Swift (who else would fly to California to go to the Eras tour with me?). We are basically the same person, which made us the best COVID roomies. We not only lived together, but we were also co-workers. Heather has been one of my best friends. When she moved to Colorado before me, it was incredibly hard going from spending all of our time together, to just having catch up phone conversations and video chats. I’m so happy to be in Colorado together, so we can continue to make countless memories; and I’m incredibly excited that we get to be bridesmaids for each other as we both get married in September!

Sierra Velazquez

Bridesmaid

I met Sierra when I hired her to join my team at a vet clinic. We quickly hit it off, and Sierra became not only one of my best employees, but also one of my best friends. When Sierra needed a place to go, it was a no-brainer to have her live with us. During the time she stayed with us, Sierra became one of Wes’ favorite people too (enough that we fought over who got to have her stand on their side at the wedding!). It’s impossible not to fall in love with her sweet, happy personality. Sierra lives in Florida with Kevin- my other favorite tech and friend- while he attends vet school and she techs at the university hospital. While Wes and I miss them both terribly, we are so proud of their hard work and accomplishments. Sierra is like the little sister I never had, and I am so honored she agreed to be my bridesmaid! I couldn’t not include the sweetest note Sierra wrote for this: “I had no idea Suzanne would become one of the most important people in my life. She has the biggest heart—when I was going through a difficult time, she didn’t just offer support; she gave me a home. We’ve laughed through the best moments, stood by each other through the hardest ones, and bonded over our love for fantasy books. She is truly the sweetest person I’ve ever met, and I know fate brought us together. I’m beyond honored to celebrate this next chapter of her story!”

Alyssa Murphy

Bridesmaid

I met Alyssa when I started as a baby tech at a vet clinic in Austin. Alyssa was the warmest, most welcoming person there; and she took me under her wing. Alyssa has a wealth of knowledge, and she taught me so much (she’s solely responsible for my excellent cat intubation skills). We became fast friends, and spent our days at work, our evenings watching movies (where I benefited from “Alyssa’s Ghetto Salon”), and our weekends taking our dogs to the beach! We made a huge leap into specialty medicine together, and stuck by each other during trying times. Alyssa moved to Colorado, then to Washington, so I miss being able to spend so much time with her. Thankfully, our friendship is the kind that picks up where it left off when we get to talk on the phone or visit in person, and I’m excited to have her by my side at the wedding.

Evangeline Skadal

Junior Bridesmaid

Felicity Skadal

Junior Bridesmaid

Isla Skadal

Junior Bridesmaid

Chip Herman

Best Man

Photo and bio coming soon.

Ben Stafford

Groomsman

Photo and bio coming soon.

Ben Sufferlein

Groomsman

Photo and bio coming soon.

Blake Schorken

Groomsman

Photo and bio coming soon.

Lucas Stafford

Groomsman

Photo and bio coming soon.

Melanie Whitman

Mother of the Bride

Robert Whitman

Father of the Bride

Michael Stafford

Father of the Groom

Steven Skadal

Officiant

Steven came into my life when he and Rachel started dating. Not long after, I joined Rachel and Steven at Texas State University. Steven and I had morning classes, so I would walk to his apartment where he made us breakfast, we watched the morning news, and then we rode the bus to campus together. We formed a friendship even outside of him dating- and eventually marrying- my sister. I am so fortunate that I hit the brother-in-law jackpot! When Wes came into the picture, he and Steven quickly hit it off. Every time we visit my family in TX, Steven and Wes manage to disappear to hang out on their own for a while. Steven is now a pastor, and Wes and I are so honored he said “yes” to officiating our wedding! It means so much to have someone we love marrying us.