Taylor & Zac
Wedding Party
Makayla Brown
Matron of Honor
Makayla is one of my cousins, but growing up she was always more like a sister to me. We had a lot in common, not just our winter birthdays, dark hair and green eyes, but also interests in things like dance and show choir. We went to Iowa State at the same time, and it was always so comforting to see her and feel like a little part of home was with me at school! Makayla is so kind and bright, but also so fun and can make friends with literally anyone in about 15 seconds.
Andrew "Drewski" Schmidt
Best Man
Drew has always been my best friend and more importantly my role model. Anything he did I followed, soccer, hockey, football, exploring the woods, hanging around the neighborhood I was always right by his side. Even when Drew put blonde highlighted tips in his hair, I was right beside him trying to get them next. Unfortunately, or fortunately my mom would not let me get the blonde tips due to it conflicting with my red hair. Eventually this all led to me following Drew to Missouri State. Who knows, at this rate I will end up being neighbors with him in Denver. I feel so incredibly lucky to be so close with my both of my siblings. I wish I could also have paragraph for Stef, but it would probably get us both into trouble. I can already hear mom saying, "Whenever you two get together.”
Alyssa Brannen
Maid of Honor
Alyssa is my youngest girl cousin, and Makayla’s younger sister. Even though we were four years apart in age, we were always very close as well. She is a very creative person with a natural eye for seeing the potential in any outfit or DIY project. Alyssa also happens to be a dog whisperer. Give her a dog, a bag of treats and one week and she will bring them back to you with perfect obedience… or at least near perfect. ;) In all seriousness, Alyssa and I were close as kids but since becoming adults we have become such good friends. She is one of the funniest people I know and I feel lucky she’s part of my family!
Troy Korte
Groomsman
What a guy, Troy is everybody's best friend. he has a knack for getting everyone out their shell and I dare you to not have the time of your life when you hang out with him. Troy is the perfect person, his only down falls are his DJ skills and catching a puck on his backhand.
Stef Schmidt
Bridesmaid
Stef was one of the first people I met when I moved to the lake. She trained me to be a server at Backwater Jack's on my first day, meanwhile it was her first day back after 9 months away at school. Little did I know she would introduce me to my future husband when her brother came back to town! Whether it's playing king of the hill on the paddle boat, losing money in dominos, or going to concerts together, life is a little more exciting whenever Stef is around! Stef has been a great friend for so many years, but I love that I will finally be able to call her my sister!
Drake "Drizzy" Oetting
Groomsman
Sister's Fiancé, that's it. jk, Drake and I were in the same fraternity and he has always been such a good friend, which is why I was elated when he started talking to my sister. Stef and Drake are so perfect together and I am happy to finally see someone that can enjoy all of Stef's antics (I don't know how he does it). My favorite Drake story is the first time I brought Drake to the Hockey House, Drake decided to show each and every hockey player his "Slap Shot" upon meeting them. He raised his hands, dropped his knee and rushed his hands forward executing the perfect form. The hockey team definitely got better that night. There is more to the story, but I will let Drake tell the rest of it. Drake is a great friend and I know he will be an even better husband and brother in law.
Lizzy Curran
Bridesmaid
Of all of my brother's impressive accomplishments, the best thing he has done is marry this beautiful woman! We can’t wait for Lizzy to officially join our family in May 2022, but in reality she has been part of our family for much longer. She is a core member of the "Ozark Octet", an a cappella group widely known around the lake. When she's not being a plant mom or a Mastercraft wife, she is making use of her fluent Spanish skills professionally traveling the world. Oh, and if you find a purse left behind at the end of the reception, go ahead and just give it to Lizzy; it's a pretty safe bet it's hers.
Blane Chesnut
Groomsman
Blane is Taylor's older brother and he is like an older brother to me as well. He is a great role model and always happy to help, I might abuse it though because Taylor and I call him at least once a week asking for help with how to do something or asking him for a recommendation on what brand of products to buy. The craziest thing is that he never complains. Blane and Taylor, along with his entire family have converted me into a Iowa State football fan. Cheering on Iowa State has been a blast, but I should have listened to their warnings about how the heartbreak always comes. Go Cyclones.
Kayla Woodsmall
Bridesmaid
For years, Tyler Woodsmall held out on introducing us to Kayla. Finally, on a winter night we got together for game night. As soon as I met Kayla, and she managed to beat Zac in a board game talking trash the whole time, I knew she had best friend potential. From that night forward we started getting withdrawals if we went over a week without hanging out. Our friendship was solidified when we took a trip to Utah over my birthday weekend and spent approximately 10 hours skiing and 16 hours drinking wine in the hot tub. I'm so lucky to have Tyler and Kayla just a few minutes down the road, because they are willing to let me be their third wheel anytime Zac is at work. This has even included two home cooked romantic New Year's Eve dinners. I am so blessed to be able to call her a best friend!
Tyler "Woody" Woodsmall
Groomsman
I first met the Woodman at none other than the lovely Backwater Jacks Bar and Grill. I loved working with him, but playing volleyball, traveling and hanging on the water with him was even better. The only negative with hanging with him is you find yourself up at 4 am and wrecking your sleep pattern. The best part is that we are now neighbors and can hang out any day of the week. He and his wife Kayla might have had something to do with us moving to the Ballwin area. Woody and Kayla have been in our "Support Bubble" since the start of Covid and I don't know where we would be without them.
Sarah Henderson
Bridesmaid
Sarah Aka "Momma Hen" Henderson was one of my roommates throughout 4 years of optometry school. She is "momma" because she would always be the first to sacrifice her personal agenda to be there for one of her friends. That included leaving the bar early to walk with me home, being the first to smooth over any sort of disagreement, and taking time to listen to me and play with my hair if I had a bad day. If you ever want to see Sarah in her happy place, give her a glass of red wine and a heated blanket and let her listen to you type. Yes, you read that correctly.
James "Big Game" Taylor
Groomsman
Zeta Go Hard! James and I were pledges in the Zeta class of Phi Gamma Delta. Without James I think it is safe to say I would not have passed Pledge Education. We were constantly cramming for tests and working out what we had to complete for the fraternity last minute. We always got it done, we just worked best under pressure I guess. James is also one of my only nonfamily members that attends the Schmidt Christmas Eve Party every year, but at this point he feels like he is a part of the family.
Lauren Seutter
Bridesmaid
As harmless as Lauren may appear, in reality she is a powerhouse of a woman who somehow accomplishes more in a day than I can in a week! For about 10 weeks one year we decided to do the workout program "Insanity", but the truly insane part was that I would sometimes indulge in a whole Jack's pizza and Mountain Dew before starting the workout. Lauren is the type of friend who lovingly encourages everyone around her to grow, whether as a professional, a friend, a partner, or a child of God. Sometimes this is in a direct way, but most of the time by showing up as a beautiful example.
Matt "FirefighterMatt" Francis
Groomsman
No, he is not a firefighter, but on that 2013 evening he was. There was a roaring fire in our apartment, easily 10 foot high if it was a foot. He saw the amber glow of the flame from downstairs and rushed up the stairs into action. In super-slow-mo he took off his jacket (oh yeaah!), and whipped out the blaze. He saved countless lives, maybe 4 and endless property damage. Turns out someone put a cardboard pizza box in the oven and another someone didn't check the oven before preheating. You tell me who is more at fault. The subjects involved will be remain nameless. cough cough (Tony Badra, Drew Schmidt) cough cough. With this story and the looks of a "Mr February" in a firefighters' beefcake calendar, how could you not call him firefighter Matthew.
Sarah Rohr
Bridesmaid
As petite as Sarah is, she is hard to miss with her wittiness and big personality. She is so charismatic and just being around her makes me smile! Sarah is the type of friend that allows everyone around her to be the full version of themselves and loves them for every facet of their personality. She also gives the best recommendations for any and every type of beauty product. Anytime I am around Sarah I always count on her to 1. be genuine and 2. always keep me laughing. She also happens to give the best hugs.
Brian "Les" Leslie
Groomsman
Brian and I both were rookies the same year at the elite ice hockey program of Missouri State University. We had great time on the ice, mostly Brian, but we had an absolute blast off the ice. Brian will always be my forever Soccer Tennis/ Soccer Volleyball partner. Brian and I have travelled the world together, well two countries, but we could be in Asia or a parking lot in Springfield, no matter where we are at, we always have the best time.
Rebecca Callahan
Bridesmaid
Rebecca may just be the most impressive person I know. Not only did she excel in optometry school, but she also casually got her MBA and worked as a part time bartender throughout school. You would think that two degrees and a job would have kept her from having much of a social life, but you'd be wrong! Rebecca was friends with every person in our class, due to her energetic and magnetic personality. She is the type of person who in talking to her you can tell she really cares about what you are saying and gives amazing advice! She now lives with her husband Matthew in Albuquerque, where they love to explore the outdoors and make us jealous with all of their adventures.
Aristotle "Arvie" Kilongkilong
Groomsman
Arvie is a fellow Phi Gamma Delta and was a huge reason why I joined. He was a massive role model for me in my college years and still is today. I admire his passion he has for his work and his coaching career. I lived with him for two years in college and a year after college. His dedication and excitement for his work does draw him away from the house, but living with him has its perks. He has an extensive wardrobe selection that I have taken advantage of, he is always down to talk sports, he has the ability to create a game show to play at a moments notice, and best of all, he is the best cook I know, besides Taylor of course.
Kory "Reko" Rekowski
Usher
For my Missouri State friends, do you guys remember Bear Bash? It is an ice breaker for the incoming class to Mo State. The first exercise at Bear Bash had everyone shuffle around the group of about 1000 people and it ends with you and one other person back to back. The host yells, "turn around and meet your new best friend. I turned around and met one of my best friends for the first time. Thank you Bear Bash.
Chris "Weezy" DeWeese
Usher
Our college days were filled with drinking games, going out and staying up to all hours of the night. Today our days are now filled with board games, maybe a sip of wine, and going to bed by 11pm. One major difference between our college days and the present is that Chris has yet to flip the table in dispute of a ruling in a game. As much things have changed they are still the same, which includes our great friendship and for that, I am truly grateful.
California "Cali" Jean
Best Dog
Cali came into our lives in Oct 2021. We quickly fell in love with her cute little ears and wagging tail! Her most interesting quality is that whenever she is near you she always wants to sit on right on top of you, just being close is not enough. She loves going for runs while we rollerblade next to her and nothing makes her smile like a car ride! The rest of the time she is a “serious” dog, so when you earn a smile you know it’s real.