Rotary Reserve Lodge & Reservation

Wedding Day

Summer

Our Wedding

Our story began at our sophomore year Fall Retreat for Salt Company. Eli thought he recognized his friend, who is also named Emily, and called out her name. To his surprise, Emily, who was not the friend he expected, turned around in response to my name being called. Eli sheepishly turned around to avoid an awkward encounter, but this was the first time he noticed me. I have zero recollection of this incident. It took a few months for Eli to work up the nerve to talk to me for real. To his luck, one night at Salt, I just so happened to sit near him, and we both happened to be wearing jean jackets. After Salt, Eli introduced himself, saying, "Hey, I like your jean jacket." I remembered him by his beautiful smile. This began a string of occasional conversations after church services. In April of 2023, I posted a song on my story for my best friend, Olivia's, birthday. Eli responded to the post and started a conversation about music, suggesting that we should listen to music together sometime (very smooth). We proceeded to go on a few dates that late spring until I left for my mission trip to Kenya over the summer. While I was there, we did not communicate at all in order to stay focused on where the Lord had placed us both. However, neither one of us forgot about the other. Eli consistently updated his family and friends on how many days until his "lady friend" would return. His patience paid off when I flew home and reached out to see how Eli was doing (and if he was still available). We officially started dating on July 22, 2023! The following summer, we both went on mission trips to different locations, although this time, we kept in more regular contact :) Eli proposed on September 7, 2024, while we were on a walk by the river! We're so incredibly excited to celebrate with the people we love in June and begin our future together! Thank you all for being here &lt;3

Our Story

Photos

Amanda is Emily's older sister and wedding planner. Emily lived with Amanda and her husband Joe while student teaching this last semester, and they are now going through their empty-nester phase without her. Emily will also miss living with her sister, although living with her new husband will be pretty great too.

Amanda Gernant

Some say that husband and wife are supposed to be best friends, but Eli's best friend will probably always be Bob. Eli and Bob have been close since they were kids, and they have a lot of love for each other. Warning: Bob and Eli may wrestle at some point during the wedding. 

Jacob (Bob) Leohr

Olivia and Emily met during freshman year of high school and have been close friends since then. Although Olivia moved to Colorado for college, the two have continued to love each other from afar and visit each other whenever possible!

Olivia Saxton

Noah is Eli's older brother and close friend. Noah and Eli are one year apart, and they made a lot of memories while playing football together in high school. Since then, Eli and the boys enjoyed traveling to watch Noah's football games throughout his college career too. 

Noah Epley

Lucy is Emily's future sister-in-law! Seeing Lucy is one of Emily's favorite parts of visiting Eli's family, and she's extremely excited to be gaining a new younger sister.

Lucy Epley

Jakob is Eli's younger brother. Eli and Jakob have spent many hours together in their family's garage while working on their project cars. They've also enjoyed going to connection group and Salt together this year.

Jakob Epley

Indy is Eli's cousin, and basically another future sister-in-law for Emily. Emily and Indy got especially close while attending the same connection group for church, and Indy has been such an encouraging friend!

Indy Epley

Lincoln and Eli became close friends during high school. Eli, Bob, and Lincoln have had countless movie nights and many road trips together, and they'll continue to make more memories during this new season of life!

Lincoln Cross

Elizabeth is Jacob's fiance, and Emily and Elizabeth have become close while attending many double dates and boys' nights. Elizabeth has been such an encouraging and helpful friend!

Elizabeth Moore

Mia is Eli's little sister and favorite person to play tag with. Eli is undoubtedly Mia's favorite brother, although she may not always admit it if you ask her. Fun Fact: Mia is extremely adorable. 

Mia Epley

Wedding Party

Q + A

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

 Hilton Garden Inn, Cedar Falls

7213 Nordic Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Date: Friday, June 13 through Saturday, June 14

Reserve your room by calling the hotel or visiting the website link. Hotel Phone Number: (319) 266-6611Press "0" for the front desk and mention the Dykema/Epley Wedding Rate: $119 Reserve your room before May 14

<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/dykema-epley-wedding-june/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/dykema-epley-wedding-june/</a>

Eli & Emily

Eli & Emily

Q + A

When should I arrive?

What should I wear?