Wedding Party
Lauren Ruden
Maid of Honor
Jessica and Lauren first met in middle school, but it wasn’t until our junior year of high school that we truly became best friends. At the start of the year, we both dropped AP Reading and quickly realized we shared U.S. History together. From there, our friendship took off—and the rest is history. There’s no one else I’d rather have standing by my side on my wedding day.
Kelsey Klein
Bridesmaid
Kelsey is the reason Max and Jessica met, and she’s been there through every step of their relationship. When Gaby joined Jessica and Kelsey as a roommate, weekly Wednesday dinners and Survivor nights quickly became a tradition—sometimes with Max tagging along. Many evenings were spent in the living room singing, watching TV, and laughing together, creating some of Jessica’s favorite memories.
Gaby Shepard
Bridesmaid
Gaby and Jessica met through Kelsey, and Gaby was even there helping Jessica get ready for her very first date with Max. Halfway through junior year, Gaby, Kelsey, and Jessica became roommates, which meant weekly Wednesday dinners and Survivor nights—sometimes with Max joining in. Countless evenings were spent in the living room singing, watching TV, and laughing together—some of Jessica’s favorite memories.
Josie Christianson
Bridesmaid
Josie and Jessica first met sophomore year of college in anatomy lab. They later discovered that Josie’s boyfriend and Max were in the same fraternity. By senior year, Josie and Jessica were inseparable—spending nearly every night together and sharing countless laughs. Life with Josie has always been filled with joy and laughter.
Mitch Lutz
Best Man
Max and Mitch met in 4th grade when Mitch moved to the area, but it was at Mitch’s 5th-grade birthday party that their close friendship really began. When Max moved to the same neighborhood in 6th grade, they started hanging out almost every day. Their bond stayed strong through middle and high school and only grew deeper in college, where they were roommates at Iowa State and joined the same fraternity. Mitch is the kind of friend who makes sure everyone’s having a great time—but he’s also the one who gives the tough advice when it’s needed. Max is truly lucky to have a lifelong friend like him standing by his side.
Ian Sommerville
Groomsman
Max and Ian first met as kids when their families were in the same small group, but they didn’t become close until a trip to the Ozarks years later. After their parents bought houses down the street from each other in Okoboji, their friendship grew—spending summers on the lake, driving around Council Bluffs looking for something to do, and eventually attending ISU together. Ian would do anything for the people he cares about and has always been a bit of the “dad” of the group. Max feels truly lucky to have him by his side on the big day.
Craig Chapman
Groomsman
Max and Craig have been friends since first grade when they ended up in the same class, staying close through middle and high school. Bonded by a love of sports and what Jessica calls “dumb humor,” Craig has always been someone Max can count on to listen and be there when it matters. Whether it’s reminiscing over old memories or laughing until their sides hurt, Max feels truly lucky to have him by his side on the big day.
Carson Trammell
Groomsman
Carson is Max’s cousin, and being just a year apart, they’ve been close for as long as they can remember. From games of Madden to tossing the pigskin outside, they've always been competitive in the best way. Even when time passed between visits, it always felt like nothing changed. Their bond grew even stronger attending ISU together. They’ve shared many stages of life side by side, and Max is grateful to have such a good friend and cousin standing next to him.
Ethan Frazier
Groomsman
Max and Ethan met their freshman year of college when they joined the same fraternity. He’s the one friend of the group that Max hasn’t known since childhood, but from the moment they were partnered for weekly cleaning duties at the fraternity house, it felt like they’d been friends for years. From taking business classes to enjoying college nightlife together, Ethan and Max have built a strong friendship. Max is grateful to have met him when he did and blessed to have him standing by his side on the big day.