Wedding Party
Jorie Wachal
Maid of Honor
Jorie is Alissa’s baby sister and closest confidant. Alissa often asks and values Jorie’s opinions and wouldn’t be who she is today without her younger sister. Jorie is not only Alissa’s sister but also closest friend. They grew up sharing a room, sharing sports teams and sharing clothes (ish). Jorie enjoys her work as a civil engineer in Chicago. One of Alissa’s favorite memories of Jorie’s work is the (1) holiday party Alissa got to attend. Jorie frequently travels and loves going to concerts. Fun fact, Jorie and Alissa have been to every Taylor Swift concert together with their mom.
Cameron Swearingen
Best Man
Cameron is Cole’s older and more handy brother. Cameron is a helper by heart and that’s leaves no exception to his little brother when he calls him randomly about something (basically everything) needing fixed that’s broke. Recently, he taught Cole how to change a tire via FaceTime. Even though they have completely different personalities (is hair a personality?) Cole can always count on his brother to be there for him. Cole is grateful for their relationship over the years and cherishes the memories they share. Cameron and Taylor live in Philo, Illinois with their two little boys, Jay and Stone. Fun fact, Cameron has the funniest drunk laugh.
Taylor Swearingen
Bridesmaid
Taylor is Cole’s Sister In-Law (Alissa’s future SIL). Taylor and Alissa enjoy eating Poke together, going thrifting and challenging each other for favorite daughter in law. Taylor is a great mom to her two children and Alissa and Cole love visiting their house in Philo, Illinois. Fun fact, her favorite color is black.
Jacob Swearingen
Groomsman
Jacob is Cole’s cousin but he is more of another brother. Jacob and Cole were very close from a young age (minus the bullying Cole got from all cousins by being the youngest). From riding the golf cart and 4 wheeler around the family farm, to pestering grandpa Rich on the one trip to the racetrack he took them (yes it was the first and last), they have always been close. Jacob lives in St Louis with his wife Lindsey and their dog Ryker. Fun fact is Jacob sleep talks and sleep walks.
Katie Whitney (AKA Draper)
Bridesmaid
Draper has been one of Alissa’s closest friends since they met in grad school at SLU in 2019. Katie, also known as “Draper”, also known as “Boomer” is known to listen well and give the best advice. Alissa holds fond memories of their time in Saint Louis. Lots of hanging, chilling and laughing. Katie and her husband Mike live in Denver with their almost 1 year old son, Wes. Fun fact, she’s an excellent barista.
Cody Lewis
Groomsman
Cody is one of Cole’s best friends from college. They “officially” met at Parkland Community College (Go Cobras) when they had stats class together, but knew of each other from FFA (Future Farmers of America) in high school. They spent many hours studying in ACES Library, attending Illinois sporting events, and drinking Busch Lattes in college leading to their great friendship today. Cole and Cody have been able to keep their close friendship through multiple different zip code road trips (Cody moves a lot) due to Cody’s amazing career progression. Cody and his wife Jenna NOW live in Des Moines Iowa, both working for ADM. Fun Fact Cody has lived in 5 different zip codes since graduation of college in 2019.
Kati Krogstad
Bridesmaid
Kati is Alissa and Cole's future sister in-law- yay! Alissa has known Kati for almost 8 years. She often describes Kati as “the perfect match” for her brother Anthony JR. Kati is a special education teacher who is dedicated to her job and students. Kati is ALWAYS happy and puts everyone she’s with in a better mood. Kati and Anthony live in Schaumburg, Illinois. Fun fact, she’s bilingual and can sign.
Anthony Wachal Jr
Groomsman
Jr is Alissa’s younger more energetic brother. Jr is the life of any party and can always be found smiling, dancing and having a great time no matter where he is. Cole and Jr have been like brothers ever since Alissa decided to have Cole meet her family. Jr keeps Cole on his toes with many games of pool basketball (wrestling), bags and rounds of golf. Cole didn’t know that came with a lot of losing but it keeps the family happy knowing Jr has a friend to keep him occupied. Fun fact, Jr played college football at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Jenna Janus
Bridesmaid
Jen!! Jen is Alissa’s roommate from grad school at SLU. They share countless memories in their cute apartment on West Pine. At first, Alissa was a little skeptical of their friendship (Emma who?), which naturally blossomed into one of the strongest friendships Alissa’s ever had. Jenna lives in Wicker Park with her husband Sam. Alissa and Cole enjoy double dates with Jen and Sam watching Illinois, Iowa or Indiana and playing card games. Fun fact, Jenna is an only child.
Chip Holmes
Groomsman
Chip is Cole’s best friend from college. Cole always remembered Chip as the bank teller at Longview bank but accumulated a friendship through Accounting 101. Chip is the life of the party and can talk your ear off, seriously he is a talker. The best memories were made when Chip lived Downtown Champaign where going out on the town was a must. Chip and his fiancé Leah live in Tuscola with their two dogs and are enjoying wedding planning too! Fun fact, Chip is also getting married at Pear Tree one month before us!
Gala Martin
Bridesmaid
Gala is Alissa’s cousin. Gala and Alissa love to party together. Some may describe her as a “spit fire” who will be confident enough to never hold back and always tell you how it is (which Alissa sometimes* appreciates). Fun fact, Gala and her brothers Slava and Vania were adopted from Russia.
Ben Flaugher
Groomsman
Ben is one of Cole’s best friends from college. Cole can’t exactly remember when Ben and him met but it probably was in ACES library where they spent a lot of their time with the friend group. Ben and Cole frequently went to Illinois basketball games where yelling at the opposing team and coaches happened often. Ben is a great friend and is always there for Cole when the going gets tough. He always brings the fun. Ben lives in Cerre Gordo IL where he farms and runs a trucking company. Fun fact, favorite color is construction yellow neon
Aubrey Bircher
Bridesmaid
Alissa's “townie” bestfriend from her Carle days. Alissa initially met Aubrey at the University of Illinois in a speech and hearing science class (Aubrey can tell you the name). Alissa and Aubrey often did class projects together; however did not hangout outside of class. Their paths surprisingly crossed again when they were both new graduates starting their first official jobs as SLP’s at Carle in Champaign a few years later. They made many memories playing sand volleyball, drinking way too much, playing 16’ softball or walking around Baytownes “lake”. Aubrey and Alissa have a long distance friendship now as Aubrey lives in Denver Colorado with her husband Jake. Fun fact, Aubrey is a certified neonatal therapist and works in the NICU.
Ryan Miller
Groomsman
Ryan and Cole’s friendship is the longest running one. Cole and Ryan grew up playing little league baseball together along with being in classes together from elementary school to college. Ryan is an avid Illini fan just like Cole and they went to every Illini game they could from kids to the Orange Krush in college. Beach parties at Nabor House were a yearly tradition (Cole wasn’t in the frat but did enjoy sleeping on the sand in the parking lot one time). Ryan lives in St Joe Illinois and helps his family farm and runs a manufacturing shop for a local farmer. Fun fact, Ryan is business partners with Cole for their grass fed cattle operation.
Jay
Ring Bearer
Jay is Cole and Alissa’s almost 4 year old nephew. Auntie Liss and Uncle Cole are their favorite titles yet. Taylor and Cameron were nice enough to let Alissa meet Jay when he was just a few days old despite Alissa and Cole only dating for about a month. They must have known she was the one! They’ve both loved watching Jay grow and turn into a smart little boy.
Stone
Ring Bearer
Stone is Alissa and Cole's new baby nephew. He is growing even faster that we could ever imagine and have bets on if hell be walking himself down the aisle. He will be 10 months old at our wedding.