Lydia & Colton
Wedding Party
Jamie Richards
Maid of Honor
As Lydia's oldest sister, Jamie is the quintessential advice-giver, go-to phone call on the drive home, always-ready-for-an-adventure, built-in best friend! Lydia is still borrowing her clothes and shoes regularly.
Lukas Whetstone
Best Man
Colton's older brother. Lukas & Colton have been gaming & slingin' kettle corn since 1997. Lukas enjoys collecting retro games & has one of the largest collections of rare coins you'll ever see!
Charlotte Richards
Maid of Honor
As Lydia's older sister, Charlotte has always been blazing a trail and leading the way, while also taking great care of Lydia. She gives the best gifts and is a great listener.
Sam Nau
Best Man
Sam is one of Colton's best friends! Meeting in Panther Marching Band, and eventually becoming roommates, their friendship at UNI included many "layers nights" playing video games, exploring Cedar Falls, and avoiding raccoons. Nowadays, Sam is always the first one to say "discord?" when trying to hang.
Aja Baskerville
Bridesmaid
Lydia met Aja in freshman music theory on the fourth day of college, and the two have been inseparable ever since. They have been through thick and thin together. Friday night girl dinners are a regular occurrence!
Sam Anderson
Groomsman
Sam is one of Colton's best friends. He is also the first friend Colton made at UNI. Also meeting through Panther Marching Band, Colton and Sam stormed around Russell Hall & biscotti's until 2 am most nights. They were roommates, trumpet studio mates, and now best friends in Des Moines! Sam enjoys sweetcorn & long rides on elevators!
Maddie Nau
Bridesmaid
Colton & Lydia met Maddie when she became Sam’s girlfriend, then fiancé, and now wife! Maddie & Lydia love spending time together shopping, getting nails done, sharing TikToks about how much Sam & Colton love each other, and bonding over their pets' hijinks. Maddie’s genuine, caring nature, and encouragement make her a cherished friend.
Clayton Ryan
Groomsman
Clayton was Colton's "big" in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He was also the self-proclaimed "mother-duck" of Sam, Sam, and Colton. Clayton always provides a good hang, advice, and music. He's the taller one.
Gabby Juarez
Bridesmaid
Gabby and Lydia have been friends since middle school (don't look for the photos, you won't find them). Over the years, they have been "band kids" including a stint as high school marching band drum majors, fellow Panthers, and roommates at the infamous 1709 Franklin St house in Cedar Falls.
Thomas Gumpper
Groomsman
Colton's "little" in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Thomas's wisdom & ability to hold a conversation is one of Colton's favorite qualities about him. Thomas also has a top-tier great meme stash.
Madison Merfeld
Bridesmaid
Lydia met Madison because Madison started dating someone Lydia had a huge crush on in high school. They quickly realized that because they like the same things, they should actually just be best friends instead. From hijinks on the high school JV girl's golf team to college nights & inside jokes to weekends in the Twin Cities, they have truly grown up together!
Jason Andriano
Groomsman
Jason is one of Colton's best friends from UNI! Becoming friends throughout the probationary period of Sinfonia, Jason is one of the realest people you'll meet. Jason & Colton eventually became roommates & bandmates in BYOBrass. Jason currently plays with Runaway Ricochet, and is starting a recording studio in Minneapolis!
Rebecca Runyon
Bridesmaid
During high school, Rebecca and Lydia met on a 4-H trip to Washington, D.C., and have stayed connected ever since. When Rebecca bought a house in Ames after graduating college and needed a roommate, she reached out to Lydia, and the rest is history. Rebecca is a trusted go-to for advice, sharing stories, and navigating all the milestones of growing up.
Baylee Whetstone
Honorary Groomswoman
Colton's older sister won't be able to join us at the wedding, so Lydia and Colton are honoring her with their family color choice (green & purple). Baylee has CdLS (Cornelia de Lange Syndrome) and was Colton's first best friend. Baylee enjoys listening to music, eating giant jars of jalapeños, and making Colton and Lukas chase after her many times.
Rachel Cappel
Attendant
Rachel and Lydia first connected through a summer job at Riverside Bible Camp as junior counselors. Then, they spent nearly every moment of freshman year together in Cedar Falls and have remained close into adulthood, including the annual Galentine's Day festivities. Rachel is always there to listen and offer thoughtful advice.
The Boys
Ushers
Traye Pelzer, Donovan Snodgrass and Henry Corbin These guys are chosen family. Lydia's hometown Nevada, IA crew has ebbed and flowed over the years, but what has stayed consistent is that these guys show up in good and hard times. Many infamous capers, bonfire or game nights, SOS flat tire or dead car battery phone calls, Busch Lights (or sparkling water), tornado warnings, major life events, etc, have been shared with these guys. Traye actually dropped Lydia off for her first date with Colton! The saying goes, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" but that quote should add "Keep your homies closest because they know way too much."
Andersen Haake
Ring Bearer
Sweet Andersen is the son of Lydia's cousins Marji & Eric, and is the light of our lives! At the young age of 10 months, he became the Draft Order Manager of the Cou$ins Fantasy Football League.
Willow Whetstone
Flower Girl
Colton's adorable niece is a brave, smart, and artistic little girl! She loves Barbies, coloring, reading books, and her uncle Colton. She is very excited to wear her "wedding dress," as she's been calling it.
Mercedes & Jessica
Ceremony Readers
Merc & Jess are two lifelong friends! After meeting through Riverside and UNI, they all lived together junior year of college. They had a front-row seat to the start of the future Whetstones! They have all stayed close into these next chapters of life; Merc & Jess are both amazing listeners, friends, and cheering squad in all things.
Alexa
Day of Coordinator
Alexa is a former student of Lydia turned friend! When Lydia started her job at ISU, one of her first tasks was hiring a student employee team. Somehow, she managed to hire Alexa & some other gems over a Zoom interview, and still can't believe she got so lucky. Alexa is amazingly talented and kind, and is now onto bigger adventures after graduating ISU!