Chester III & Retta Pelsang - Parents of the Groom
Steve & Cathy Schmidt - Parents of the Bride
Charles Pelsang - Best Man
Charles is the Abbott to Chester's Costello. When these two are together they never stop cracking jokes. Charles also can quote just about any movie, TV show, or YouTube video content till your sides split laughing, so get ready for a heck of a toast from this one!
Katie Alexander - Maid of Honor
The Ann Perkins to Deanna's Leslie Knope! Deanna and Katie met on Student Government, and quickly grew in an inseparable "Gov Buds for Life" friendship. They harnessed their boundless energy into serving as Student Body President & VP, and made it the best year ever by insisting on constantly scheduling friendship time for themselves and their members. After all: waffles, friends, THEN work!
Ben Schmidt - Groomsman
What is there to say about the great Ben Schmidt, other than the fact we are thankful to be graced with his presence on our special day? (Please don't hack our site)
Nicole Orf - Maid of Honor
Nicole and Deanna met freshman year at Truman through the Newman Center and Alpha Sigma Gamma. They moved into an apartment so cozy they could hold hands while sleeping, and naturally grew very close in the process! These two bonded through inventing plenty of quirky Kirksville adventures, so Deanna knew she wanted her creative, fun-loving friend by her side to help plan a wedding!
Bobby Ninness - Groomsman
Bobby and Chester have been friends for 5 years after meeting freshman year at Truman. They've gotten to continue to bond by living together out on the East Coast, making sure to hop on every Krispy Kreme sale that reveals itself.
Amelia Schmidt - Bridesmaid
Deanna's eldest, brilliant, best-dressed sister and godmother all in one! Deanna's first time being a bridesmaid was in Amelia's wedding, and she's pumped to have Amelia here for wedding planning advice and just in general as her fun sister to hang out with in DC now.
Dan Henebery - Groomsman
Dan is Chester's wise sage, having been through the whole "marrying-a-Schmidt" saga before. He's also probably thankful that the Schmidts will now have a new target for all their in-law jokes.
Catrina Schmidt - Bridesmaid
After years of painful dress shopping experiences with Catrina, Deanna is just thankful this sister is willing to wear a dress for the big day. Hopefully they can keep their eyes open for pictures. These two may even whip out the Friends "routine" at the reception!
Ethan Schmidt - Groomsman
Ethan is our favorite budding superstar! Watch out for him on the dance floor, because at the ripe age of 11, he was the star of the show at Amelia's wedding, busting out a breakdance routine to "Another One Bites the Dust."
Faith Schmidt - Bridesmaid
After her impressive performance as Flower Girl at Amelia's wedding, Faith is being promoted to Bridesmaid for this one. As the youngest sister, Faith is always providing humor through her quick wit and Tik-Toks, and might outshine Ethan as the star of the dance floor, we'll have to see!
Keaton Leppanen - Groomsman
Keaton has always been a SPLENDID friend to both the bride and groom! He met Chester their freshman year on Student Government, and they haven't stopped talking about their mutual love of fantasy novels since then. He served with Deanna as President of Student Government, through Chester's amazing campaign management, and Deanna basically just spent the year laughing with (*cough* or maybe *at*) Keaton while Keaton ruled the school. It was pretty great.
Maura Shimmens - Bridesmaid
When they met at the Newman Center, Maura and Deanna quickly figured out they are basically the same person. Naturally they became inseparable at the heart, and have grown closer through many coffee dates, their *entirely real* spiritual sorority, and dorky Truman adventures!
Logan Hobbs - Groomsman
Logan wins the prize for coming the farthest for our wedding, and we're so grateful to have one of Chester's longest-time friends join us! Logan and Chester were freshman year roommates at Truman, and have been best pals ever since, even with half a world between them. Ask Logan to tell you all about South Korea!
Natalie Gottschlich - Bridesmaid
Nat and Deanna met on CJ's JV softball team, and became the best of friends for their four years of high school and beyond, goofing off in class, playing lots of board games, and going on plenty of adventures together. They will have been friends for nine years by the wedding!
Rachel Pelsang - Bridesmaid
Deanna is excited to get another sister as great as Rachel! Rachel has been an incredible DC tour guide, and is also a lovely fellow jigsaw puzzle-r. She's also all-knowing about the best cupcakes in town, so Deanna is particularly thankful about this new sisterhood.